Monday, November 23, 2009

The Morning After: Cowboys 7, Redskins 6

Winning Ugly.

There are 16 games in the NFL most weekends, and 16 teams get beat each of those weekends. The object of the game is to avoid being one of those 16, and, of course, if you can do that often enough, when your 16 weekends of trying to avoid being one of those 16 losers is over, then you get to play game #17.

The Cowboys, despite playing one of their ugliest games of the season for much of the day, grabbed a crucial win on their way to playing game #17 this season, with a 7-6 win over their rival, the Washington Redskins.

Know this: A loss would have deeply wounded this team's ability to make the 2009 NFL Playoffs and hopefully to win the NFC East Division. Nobody wants to hear this the morning that the team played well below expectations, but the number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 priority was not to "look good" or "score 30", but rather to get a win and get to 7-3. Once that is accomplished, we can discuss how sharp they looked or the opposite.

I think something can be said about the 2009 Cowboys team that we may not have said about the 2008 version: They have the ability to figure out how to scratch out a win in bad circumstances. The game at Kansas City and yesterday's game against Washington prove that there are times when like the starting pitcher that doesn't have his "good stuff", and in those times you still have to win that game somehow. Ask Philadelphia about their trip to Oakland and Green Bay about their trip to Tampa Bay to discuss their experience with this phenomenon and whether those experiences would be less painful if they still had an ugly win to show for it.

They did that. They did figure out how to find a Win in there somewhere. They beat an injury-depleted team that suffered even more injuries as the game went on. Like I said, a loss to the Redskins would have been catastrophic to the Cowboys hopes in 2009, but there wasn't a loss yesterday. The win is worth just as much as the win in Philadelphia 2 weeks ago. March on.



Now, where are we with this offense? Why, for the 2nd straight week, did they have to wait until late in the 4th Quarter to score their first points? Why was it so easy to predict that Jason Garrett was going to go out of his way to "over-correct" the run issue of last week? Why does Roy Williams look like a project that may not even be worth continuing in 2010?

For the second straight game, the offense looked lost. There is no doubt about it, their confidence and belief in their plan is nowhere to be found. Last time, they allowed impatience to force them to panic and lose the plot of their game plan and their physical style of football. This time, almost like a petulant child who has been scolded, Garrett rolled out a gameplan of almost exclusively power runs and power run sets, and spent the entire 1st half seemingly avoiding his Wide Receivers at all costs, aside from a few 3rd down attempts to get Roy Williams the ball - which, of course, failed for the usual reasons.

In almost opposite fashion from the Green Bay game, the Cowboys again failed to find anything that resembled offensive balance, despite sustaining drives and finding great success in running the ball. It appears, like many of his players, Jason Garrett is capable of quite a slump.

And why would Troy Aikman spend so much time yesterday assuring us that running the ball is not important to the Cowboys success as they were rolling up 5 yards a carry? It seems disingenuous for a guy who won 3 Super Bowls, in part due to the domination of the Cowboys running game and the overall balance of his offenses, to act like the Cowboys have a well coordinated offense right now and they don't need to run the ball with effectiveness some of the time. Are you telling me that Aikman, a man who has a very specific idea of how football should be played, has changed his entire philosophy of the game? Doubtful. I think Aikman is tremendous at what he does, but if there is one problem in this city's football media (of which Troy is a member, but surely joined by many of the big hitters in print and on the radio) it is that friends of the 90's Cowboys are above reproach with many of them.

So much so that a careful examination of the evidence is ignored so that we can protect our buddies. Norv Turner? Perfect coach who should be hired here. Jason Garrett? Perfect Offensive Coordinator who has never made a poor play-call. Hudson Houck? Joe Avezzano? Dave Campo? Dave Wannstedt? The list goes on and on. As long as you were on the Jimmy Johnson's staff, apparently you have a lifetime critique exemption. You can do no wrong even if the results are awful. With the "buddy system" the media will find someone without Super Bowl rings to blame.

The quarterback also played poorly for much of the day - finishing with a QB rating below 70, but to Tony Romo's credit, that final drive was very well done, and the TD pass was another example of turning nothing into something. He is not helping matters a whole lot right now with passes that are sailing, but staying with things and getting a win despite being the 2nd best QB on the field is an admirable trait.

The big heroes yesterday were the defense. Now, we should understand they weren't playing an offense that had its weapons - and even when all weapons are available to Washington, they generally don't know what to do with them - but, Jason Campbell was up for a fight, and the opportunities were there. To the full credit of the defense, they allowed 3 when they could have allowed 7, they kept the Cowboys in the game for the balance of the afternoon, and then, thanks to the Anthony Spencer deflected interception, they sealed the deal with the all-important takeaway. The defense has played well for several consecutive weeks, and it does appear that if they can stay healthy (no promises there) that they look up for the challenge.

More Notes and Observations from the odd win versus Washington:

* Is this where I wonder again about why hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on a retractable roof? It is now abundantly clear that the only reason left for why the roof wouldn't be open on the absolute most pleasant days in the year is that Jerry will not tolerate the sun shining on his HD TV. My only question once we get past the absurdity of that notion is this: "Did anyone have this conversation BEFORE the money was spent to make a retractable roof possible?" Is this only about having the roof open on the 1 night game a year that this stadium hosts - pending the outdoor temperature being appropriate? I am amazed.

* On Friday, we called for Keith Brooking to return to his active ways of a few weeks ago. It is not that he has played poorly on that recent road trip, but he did not jump off the screen at you. Well, Mr Brooking jumped off the screen yesterday. He is demonstrating a very solid sense of blitzing, and on 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1, which LB would you rather have meeting the runner at the line than #51? He has been an enormous addition to this team.

* The Cowboys offense and Jason Garrett really did have the Redskins defense on the run before that final drive. One drive earlier, when they trailed 6-0, Garrett showed what he is capable of. After a 23 yard pass to Miles Austin, he really crossed up the Redskins on 4 consecutive plays. "13" personnel was used twice - which is primarily a run set - to pass. Then "S11" personnel was used twice - primarily a pass set - to run. The Redskins were caught off guard on 4 straight plays, so Garrett was doing his job well. But that drive was submarined by Leonard Davis being beat badly by Cornelius Griffin on a sack, and then Doug Free beaten by Andre Carter on a 3rd and 1 run to Barber that Carter chased down from behind. This is a perfect example of calling the right plays, but the execution falls short.

* I think we can all wonder if Mike Jenkins is healthy enough to play. I admire his guts, but he seems extremely beat up right now.

* The Redskins wearing red pants with their red jersey was just silly looking. Sorry, but classic uniforms should not be messed with. The Cowboys have been smart enough to never mess with their look aside from the throwback weeks. I admire that.

* The great thing about these games is the unknown factors. For instance, how is the game different if Albert Haynesworth can play? How is the game different if Shaun Suisham doesn't miss his first 2 FG attempts of the year? How is the game different if Marion Barber doesn't fumble early in the 1st Quarter to end a drive where the Cowboys are marching right down the field, exclusively on the ground. Then, he fumbles, and it ends up getting your QB's back banged up pretty badly (due to a very odd tackling technique). So many small elements are always fluid in these games, so you can never know how they turn out differently, but they mean so much to the outcomes.

* Antwaan Randel El and Santana Moss are always trouble. I know they don't do it every week, but they seem to cause problems for Cowboys Defensive Backs. Moss, especially, will always live on in Cowboys lore as the guy who destroyed the night the Triplets went into the Ring of Honor. A true "Cowboys Killer". On the other hand, why is Rock Cartwright running for 67 and catching another 73 yards worth of damage? That mismatch where Spencer tried to run with him was a stroke of genius from the Redskins offense.

* Seriously, though, am I supposed to apologize for 30 carries and 150 yards on the ground? Was yesterday proof that running the ball doesn't work? Use your brains, people, the running game was excellent yesterday. The fact that a fumble and a few dropped passes sabotaged the overall lack of success of the offense has nothing to do with 5 yards a carry (which they had until the final 3 plays knocked them down to 4.6 per carry).

* What really hurt the Cowboys yesterday was 3rd Down. On offense, 3-11 (27%) and on defense, Jason Campbell was awesome on 3rd Down, converting 7 of 15 and looking confident in the face of the rush. 3 for 11 this week and 3 for 12 last week on 3rd down. Do you know what 6 for 23 is? Lousy. And that is almost entirely a passing game issue.

* I wonder if Bobby Carpenter has a headache this morning?

* The Jason Campbell play where there was much debate about whether he stepped out of bounds and took a sack or threw the ball away first was an amazing example of how the NFL officials can still make a meal out of the smallest morsel. That play happened at 1:22 pm. There were rulings and then discussions and then more rulings and then more discussions and on and on it went. I kid you not, the FG attempt happened a full 10 minutes later at 1:32 pm. 10 minutes!?! Seriously. With replay, it took 10 minutes to make the call. One of the more simple calls ever.

* So let me get this straight: Sherman Lewis decides what pass play he wants to run and then calls it down to Sherman Smith. Unless, he decides he wants to call a run play. Then he just says "run" to Sherman Smith and he decides which run he wants to call. I am both confused and amazed. That really happens in the NFL? Who knew, and who could guess the Redskins offense was a mess.

* I don't have the energy to express my dissatisfaction with Roy Williams today. Feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. I am almost tired of talking about him and hearing people make excuses for a "franchise receiver" just because he was born and raised in Texas. If the throws hit you in the hands, you need to catch them at this level. Could the throws have been better? Sure. But, make a stinking play.

No rest for the weary. Here come the Raiders, who thankfully got a win out of their system yesterday. Thanksgiving approaches.

20 comments:

Ace said...

After yesterday's game I was really curious to see how you would explain the sluggish offense today on your blog. I've enjoyed reading you for many years now, but have always thought you tend to give Romo a bit of a free pass. I'll give it you that you did mention he got outplayed, but still you continue to mention dropped passes? R. Williams bad plays? Yes, he could've made a leaping catch here, but c'mon! Romo was EXTREMELY innaccurate all day long. He was just not good. How do you not complete a WR pass for 3 quarters? That is not scheme, that is Romo. I want to see the guys do well, but way too inconsistent to be considered a top QB. He's not in the league's top 10 right now.

southwick said...

For someone who's main draw was that he would "use his size to go up and get the ball with his amazing hands" Williams looks like a receiver who is completely unable (or unwilling) to do that.

Unknown said...

Roy will not give up the body. Simple as that.

Unknown said...

You know why there was such troubles on third down and why so few passes are completed to wide receivers?

Jason Garret has an offensive scheme that has virtually no quick, short routes. Against really good, pressure defenses which Washington is, you HAVE to run quck slants, quick-ins, crossing routes - especially with the slot guy. We RARELY do that despite seeing it executed against us almost weekly.

Also, if you send out 3 or more receivers, you should have options at three different levels, another thing we struggle with.

A third reason for Romo and the receivers struggle is the inflexible playcalling. We can run the ball - we can pass the ball - and if the plays were called logically, we could do both and everyone would find a rhythm. Instead we get runs or passes in bunches. Its sad and silly.

MereMoore said...

Bob,
Regarding Nick Folk and his recent misses, I think it should be pointed out that McBriar has been part of the problem. FOX didn't show it yesterday, but McBriar didn't get the laces turned on the PAT. Go back and watch McBriar's and Folk's reactions after the kick. That's (at least) the second time that's happened and McBriar actually took blame for one of the missed FG's earlier this season (was it against your Packers?). I really believe that it's now in the back of Folk's head before an attempt, and it's something they need to get figured out before it costs them a game.

--Brad

Iamaspecialbruin said...

Romo needs to throw the ball 30 plus times a game for the offense to work. Mostly because he is incredibly inaccurrate. When he's on, he is great, and when he's not, we get the clunker we saw yesterday. It really makes me appreciate Aikman's game all the more. They could run the ball more than most teams, because they knew on 3rd and 6, he would put it on the money to Irvin or Novacek. (Plus it didn't hurt having a HOF RB) Aikman was on of the most accurrate passers I have ever seen. Accuracy is the weakest part of Tony's game. Aikman was efficient. Romo is a volume thrower. (Antoine Walker was a volume shooter remember, so maybe there can be volume throwers at QB?) Maybe that is why Troy took that position during the broadcast? He knows Tony always needs to be throwing to make big plays and Troy really didn’t need lots of throws to drive a stake into the heart of the defense. That being said, no one will ever mistake Roy Williams for Michael Irvin.

Unknown said...

No mention of "Go for the big hit but miss the tackle" Newman?

Looks like he didn't like the fact that Campo called him on his Roy Williams (Safety) technique...

Unknown said...

Bob,
How is the game different if they call illegal man downfield on the Romo TD pass. Gurode and Kosier were both about 5 yards down field.

Ace said...

michael--so basically we struggle for every reason except Romo??

bruin-- I agree, Romo's play makes me appreciate the consistency that Aikman brought game after game.

Jay Callicott said...

#1 we need a roy williams exit strategy. i think he should be benched and cut at the end of the year. it is unimaginable to think that we get 4-5 more years of this guy? he's terrible

#2 bobby carpenter is getting less bad week to week. that's not as good as getting better but at this point i'll take less bad.

#3 play action? screen? hello?

#4 has anyone determined why romo's passes have been sailing this year? i hope that's correctable bc it's not helping our already shaky wr corps to have to jump high for passes

Michael Borah said...

Sturm- always enjoy reading your thoughts following every Cowboys game.

Question- at what point do we become worried about Nick Folk? With the offense as stagnant as it has been the last two weeks, a missed 38-yarded and a missed 46-yarder are tough to stomach.

fetzer said...

I doubt Jerry will admit failure with Roy Williams, but doesn't he have to seriously consider cutting him after the season? He'd have nothing to show for the draft picks he gave up, but all the money would come off the books in an uncapped year. And that sets up a better cap situation after the new CBA is signed.

Unknown said...

*Nick Folk: I haven't seen a kick off his foot that went straight. Even extra points have been heading hard right or left as they pass through the goal posts.
*Roy (gator arms) WillieNelly: Is still scared. He doesn't seem to have the ability to make those slight adjustments on the ball when it's in the air to get his body in position to make the catch. He's more worried about the safties than the ball.
*Romo: My observation is he doesn't have confidence in his receivers route running. Rarely does he throw on rhythm anymore. He's waiting to see a receiver get separation. Which rarely happens. Plus his accuracy has slipped.
*F. Adams: Is so lateral movement limited, he shouldn't be playing. He's giving up way too much on the blind side.
*Washington to their credit brought it all game long.

Unknown said...

Brad, you might want to take another look at the TD play. The line of the scrimmage is right on the 1o yard line. Kosier cuts his guy at the 8 yard line and his body rolls forward to the 7, Gurode moves forward to about the 7.5 as Tony is throwing and doesn't engage anyone and it all occurs about two yards in front of the official who is straddling the 7 yard line. Why are you exaggerating about this?

Chairman7w said...

Not every pass needs to be a 5-step drop while the receivers run 20 yards downfield.

Slant? Screen? Cross? Another screen? A reverse maybe?

Come on Jason Garrett, for the love of Crazy Ray, please get creative.

Jay Beerley said...

I can't wait to see the Garrett breakdown on this, but it really felt like we missed opportunities with play action. Surely Garrett is aware of how effective this is when you're running the ball well. I hardly remember any at all. I feel like he doesn't really care about the results on the field as it pertains to anyone but himself. It's weird. Was that really a "I'll show you" play calling game? It confuses me.

Romo had a bad game. But Roy Williams is apparently not good. Good receivers catch bad throws. Period. That's why they get paid big money. If every throw has to be perfect, you should get paid 3rd string money. Shut your mouth and find some super glue.

Defense is amazing. Really worried about secondary health, though. Just survive Oakland game with a win and then let everyone lay in bed for a week.

mitthrawnuruodo said...

It seems like nobody noticed that Romo played hurt most of the game. Granted if he can't make throws, he shouldn't be playing, but for whatever reason he was. I don't know if he got something worked out with his technique or if adrenaline kicked in on the last drive, but he did need a shot of painkiller after the game. Hopefully he gets that fixed in a hurry, though.

Shawn said...

Sure, Romo was not great yesterday but you should be able to catch more than 0 balls for 3 quarters. Bennett and Witten caught balls.

I watched the Bears/Eagles game last night and thanked god I didn't have "pro bowler" Jay Cutler.

People that think Romo is a bad quarterback really need to watch what the quarterbacks not named Manning, Brady, Brees, and Farve do every week.

Romo isn't THE BEST and will never be THE BEST. But now that he's not turning the ball over anymore he is a quarterback that you can win any game with. He'll always give you a chance to win the game. I'm sorry, but you cannot say the same thing about this wide reciever corps.

Unknown said...

Garrett did the opposite thing last year vs the Redskins to the extreme! Owens complained that he wasn't getting the ball enough so they threw to him 18 TIMES!!!
Owens finished with 7 receptions. Tony was 28 of 47.
Barber only ran the ball 8 times!!?

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008092810/2008/REG4/redskins@cowboys#tab:analyze/analyze-channels:cat-post-boxscore

Unknown said...

Bob great blog as aways. I have just a few points:
1) Romo was bad yesterday. Maybe the back, maybe the recivers, maybe just him. I think he was getting frustrated and pressing, putting more on the ball than needed. He was out of rhythm all day. Which was not helped by the following.
2) Roy needs to be benched. Period! The passes were not perfect. How often are they? Number 1's catch it regardless. Irvin made his living running the slant, and he made the play, that's why he's the playmaker and Roy is not worth putting on the field. Play Austin(1), Crayton(2) and Hurd(3). Jerry will just have to live with his mistake.
3)Garrett needs to be pulled aside and told his ego will not hurt this team anymore! He gets told that we need to run the ball more and throws out this game plan of I'll show you! It's like he was making a statment that he is the offense genuis and he will not be questioned. He needs to be knocked down a few peggs. I think if we have a head coach with any nads, he would have pulled Garrett aside and told him to knock this s**t off!
4) Carpenter LOL!
Curious for your thoughts.