Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Randy Gregory has been dominant. What does it mean for Cowboys' DL? Nolan Report

 The skies were ominous right out of the gate for the Cowboys defense on Sunday. Before Dallas could do much of anything, they were down 14-3 after Philadelphia went touchdown-touchdown to open the contest. Then, somehow, they limited the Eagles to a field goal the rest of the game. Surely this has something to do with the Eagles’ game-situation decisions to go for it a lot, and those risks and gambles going badly very fast.

https://theathletic.com/2292641/2020/12/30/cowboys-randy-gregory-nfl-football-breakout/

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Could Kellen Moore leave the Cowboys? What's next if he does? Decoding Kellen

 Very few could have honestly expected the performance we saw on Sunday from this Cowboys passing game. In spite of that, the game ended with us knowing exactly what we’d already known going in: It pays to have a quarterback. I don’t mean Pat Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. Of course that pays. But the difference in the two games versus Philadelphia is starting Ben DiNucci and rolling out Andy Dalton.

https://theathletic.com/2290607/2020/12/29/cowboys-eagles-kellen-moore-football-nfl-coach-boise/

Monday, December 28, 2020

Cowboys surge continues as they rout Eagles, put NFC East in play: Morning After

 The thing I will always love most about sports is on full display yet again. Just when you think you have something figured out, the script flips and gets compelling again. We certainly focus on when we think a narrative is driving to a dream ending and then it falls and shatters on the floor.

https://theathletic.com/2288418/2020/12/28/cowboys-eagles-win-nfc-east-title-playoffs-nfl/

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

DeMarcus Lawrence makes plays on a unit that needs more plays made: Nolan Report

 When it rains, it pours. And, more specifically, a byproduct of playing against an inexperienced and often overwhelmed backup quarterback is that they tend to turn the ball over. The more of them you play, the more turnovers you find.

https://theathletic.com/2280971/2020/12/23/demarcus-lawrence-dallas-cowboys-playmaker-nfl/

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz primed for 2021 roles with Cowboys: Decoding Kellen

 This sport has many things to consider if you want to offer proper analysis to an audience of enthusiasts. My job is to attempt to provide a deeper look at how this offense is getting on and in what ways are both positive and negative things happening. For instance, is the offense we’ve seen over Dallas’ three wins in their last five games in any way better than the one they showed during a 2-7 start (and needed two miracles to win those home games against the Falcons and Giants)?


https://theathletic.com/2278579/2020/12/22/schultz-pollard-cowboys-nfl-football/

Dak Prescott outside Dallas? Could it happen, outside fits and draft strategy

 Dak Prescott’s unresolved contract status with the Dallas Cowboys just continues to pop up in the news. On Monday, as a victorious Cowboys squad prepared for a matchup with suddenly sensational rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas VP Stephen Jones told KRLD-FM that the Cowboys considered drafting Hurts last spring before reiterating the team’s “complete commitment” to Prescott, adding “We look forward to getting his deal at some point finished.

https://theathletic.com/2276934/2020/12/22/dak-prescott-cowboys-contract/

Monday, December 21, 2020

Cowboys' win over 49ers means tanking is out. That's a good thing: Morning After

 I don’t blame anyone who has moved on to literally anything else in their lives this Christmas season. If you have decided to enjoy Sunday walks or reading a book or learning the guitar instead of watching what is left of the 2020 Dallas Cowboys play out their string of games, I might question the level of “diehard” you claim to be, but I won’t question your ability to block out disappointment and keep your blood pressure under control. Sports are enjoyable until they are not.

https://theathletic.com/2276060/2020/12/21/cowboys-49ers-nfl-football-tanking/

Friday, December 18, 2020

Can Cowboys' leaky run defense slow 49ers' powerful ground game? Friday Riffing

 One hundred and twenty six days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 51 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa (we still assume) and just one day until the noon start at AT&T Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers…. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The minimum records for either of these two teams gearing up for the Week 15 “showdown” in Arlington was supposed to be something in the 9-7 range. More likely, 11-5 was about right for both.

https://theathletic.com/2270503/2020/12/18/cowboys-49ers-run-nfl-rivalry/

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Should Cowboys re-sign Aldon Smith? Analyzing his play & potential contract

 It is very possible that Sunday’s Cowboys-Bengals matchup was one of the most unwatchable games of this NFL season. Yes, there have been games with fewer points scored and fewer yards gained, but those usually included at least some compelling storylines that might have provided a reason to care. Starting in mid-December, however, you will find games between teams that have nothing to play for (aside from the absurdity of draft-pick spots).

https://theathletic.com/2265076/2020/12/16/aldon-smith-cowboys-contract-resign/

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Is Cowboys' offensive line in better shape than we think? Decoding Kellen Moore

 The Cowboys won a game on Sunday by scoring 30 points with almost no impressive offensive statistics. They were 100 yards below average in total output, eight first downs below average and the time of possession was about as low as it has been all season. Funny what a little defensive help and some good field position can do for an offense. They went about their business, scored on five of seven actual drives and won without breaking a sweat.

https://theathletic.com/2262632/2020/12/15/is-cowboys-offensive-line-in-better-shape-than-we-think-decoding-kellen-moore/

Monday, December 14, 2020

Cowboys take advantage of Bengals giveaways to gift Dalton a win: Morning After

 We spend every year looking for the latest trends in the evolution of a complex game. There are always new approaches and tactics that move the entire sport in a new direction — and if you don’t keep up, you get left behind. The NFL rarely arrives at its new destination overnight. Rather, constant evolution continues to turn the wheel a little at a time. Over the course of five to ten years, the sport becomes unrecognizable from what it once was.

https://theathletic.com/2260017/2020/12/14/cowboys-take-advantage-of-bengals-giveaways-to-gift-dalton-a-win-morning-after/

Friday, December 11, 2020

What should the Cowboys do as DBs drafted in 2017 near free agency? Nolan Report

 The Cowboys defense held the status quo in Baltimore on Tuesday night. I would like to think you read my Wednesday Morning After essay to know how I really feel and the reasons I think the defensive coordinator needs to be changed in 2021 (spoiler).

https://theathletic.com/2254004/2020/12/11/cowboys-defensive-backs/

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Where Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb stacks up against NFL's top rookies: Decoding Kellen

 Our analysis of the Cowboys on a game-by-game and a snap-by-snap basis is only useful as long as the games have meaning, and I think we can safely say that their ninth loss of 2020 means we have crossed the threshold from meaningful to irrelevant football the rest of the way. In other words, there are some talking points on each side of the ball for the Baltimore game, but I cannot in clean conscience get too carried away about the details of the game in the big picture.

https://theathletic.com/2252192/2020/12/10/where-cowboys-ceedee-lamb-stacks-up-against-nfls-top-rookies-decoding-kellen/

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Cowboys defense steamrolled by Ravens. Time for Mike Nolan to go: Morning After

 If you are wondering what the Cowboys’ defensive strategy was last night in Baltimore, please know you are not alone. There were countless times when it was apparent several players were not reading from the same book. That’s a trend we’ve seen repeated week after week this season, with only a few respites to fool us into a false sense of belief that improvement was underway.

https://theathletic.com/2249797/2020/12/09/cowboys-defense-ravens-mike-nolan-defensive-coordinator-replace/

Monday, December 07, 2020

Cowboys-Ravens expectations? Riffing and breaking down a game without precedent

 One hundred and fifteen days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 62 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa (we still assume) and just one day until the 7:05 start at M&T Bank Stadium for Tuesday’s meeting with the Baltimore Ravens…. Things were going really well for the Baltimore Ravens a month ago. Their team was excellent, as it typically is, and the wins were piling up as they often do for a John Harbaugh-led team. 

https://theathletic.com/2244292/2020/12/07/cowboys-ravens-expectations-riffing-and-breaking-down-a-game-without-precedent/

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Cowboys bitten by fundamental issues, defensive talent deficit: Nolan Report

 There are many ways to describe the events of Thanksgiving Day without blaming the defense for much. History will not focus on their side of the losing effort, of course, because they were so darn close to tying the game themselves as Jaylon Smith ran a “look what I found” interception back as fast as he could before Terry McLaurin ran him down at the 4-yard line late in the third quarter. If he gets in, the score is 20-20, and the divisional crown is back in play. But he did not.

https://theathletic.com/2233358/2020/12/02/cowboys-bitten-by-fundamental-issues-defensive-talent-deficit-nolan-report/

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Cowboys fourth-down decisions shake confidence in coaches: Decoding Kellen Moore

 One week ago, we discussed, in this very space, a masterpiece Cowboys gameplan that put Mike Zimmer’s defense on its heels all day long. Dallas coaches played Minnesota like a guitar on their way to a near-perfect performance in the red zone, ultimately winding up with a road win against a team that hadn’t lost in a month — all while starting a second-string QB and backups in many key offensive line spots. Needless to say, they could not produce that supreme strategic advantage twice in a row.

https://theathletic.com/2229483/2020/12/01/the-4th-down-decisions-have-shaken-the-confidence-of-braintrust-decoding-kellen/

Friday, November 27, 2020

Cowboys act out 2020 in a nutshell during Thanksgiving loss: The Morning After

 Surely, when one 3-7 team plays another 3-7 team, there should not be so many talking points. But we should have known a Thanksgiving Day game against a Ron Rivera-coached team would bring back memories from 2015. Five Thanksgivings ago, the 3-7 Cowboys took the field having just won a road game on November 22nd (at Miami, not Minnesota) to put them within reach of the divisional lead.

https://theathletic.com/2224697/2020/11/27/cowboys-act-out-2020-in-a-nutshell-during-thanksgiving-loss-the-morning-after/

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Is Donovan Wilson the playmaking safety the Cowboys have needed? Nolan Report

 Sunday will not go down as anything approaching a dominating defensive effort. The more you review the relative ease with which the Vikings were able to amass yardage and points, the more you realize that at this level of talent, you are just looking for a few plays to be made. And Dallas made them. Now, let’s not get crazy. Play that game 10 times and maybe the bounces that smiled on the Cowboys Sunday would give the Vikings five or six of those 10 games.

https://theathletic.com/2221130/2020/11/25/is-donovan-wilson-the-playmaking-safety-the-cowboys-have-needed-nolan-report/

How Cowboys' brilliant play designs led to easy TDs: Decoding Kellen Moore

 For the better part of 13 seasons, I have been attempting to analyze the actual gameplans and execution of Cowboys offenses on Tuesdays at one digital platform or another. That means we have examined over 200 different games together, and I might suggest to you that this one is in the top five in a few senses because of Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy’s vision as well as how brilliantly it was carried by a backup quarterback and a flawed offensive line.

https://theathletic.com/2219236/2020/11/25/how-cowboys-brilliant-play-designs-led-to-easy-tds-decoding-kellen-moore/

Monday, November 23, 2020

Cowboys surge in Andy Dalton's return, reviving playoff hopes: Morning After

 Sunday featured a fantastic battle between a team that thought it was in a playoff race and a team that just wanted to remember what winning a football game felt like. By the end of the three-hour battle, the roles had switched. Dallas battled with great conviction for the third game in a row — and, for the first time since October 11th, they tasted victory. Of course, 42 days ago, when they beat the Giants in Week 5, it cost them the rest of Dak Prescott’s season.

https://theathletic.com/2216214/2020/11/23/cowboys-surge-in-andy-daltons-return-reviving-playoff-hopes-morning-after/

Friday, November 20, 2020

Cowboys' porous defense meets Vikings & Dalvin Cook: Friday Riffing

 Ninety-eight days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 79 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa (we still assume) and just two days until the 3:25 start at U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s meeting with the Minnesota Vikings…. The Vikings are certainly not having the type of year they planned. As is the case with the Cowboys, there is a proud tradition and a high level of expectations for the Vikings every year.

https://theathletic.com/2210737/2020/11/20/cowboys-defense-vikings-dalvin-cook-friday-riffing/

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Early Cowboys draft talk: To QB or not to QB, and other positions that matter

 It’s time to address the sizable elephant in the room. And, unlike Tuesday’s piece, this elephant is largely positive news if it gets solved correctly. It’s a big one, though.

https://theathletic.com/2205315/2020/11/19/cowboys-draft-trevor-lawrence/ 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Has Ezekiel Elliott's time run out? The RB's future & the Cowboys' dilemma

 Whether you recognize it or not, nobody is more aligned and merged with the Cowboys in the public spectrum than Ezekiel Elliott. He is their pride and joy, the man they defended with great determination when he was in trouble with the NFL back in 2017. He is their main marketing piece, and he represents what they wanted to be about from the moment they drafted him fourth overall in 2016. The dream was that he and Tony Romo would rule the world for several years.

https://theathletic.com/2202792/2020/11/17/has-ezekiel-elliotts-time-run-out-the-rbs-future-the-cowboys-dilemma/

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Cowboys defense, anchored by youth, plays its best game of 2020: Nolan Report

 When we analyze a defense, we should be quick to remember that winning is the final goal, but not the true judge of how the unit played. For instance, the Cowboys won games against the Falcons and Giants earlier in the year. Certainly, nobody thought the defense played well in either game. Conversely, in the last two weeks with the Eagles and Steelers, the defense could be reasonably proud of its efforts in hard-fought losses.

https://theathletic.com/2191903/2020/11/11/cowboys-defense-neville-gallimore-leighton-vander-esch-youth-pittsburgh-steelers-dallas-best-game-2020/

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Garrett Gilbert, Cowboys offense had Pittsburgh on the ropes: Decoding Kellen

The Cowboys lost another game. That is not newsworthy; it happens with great routine these days. More specifically, they lost by turning the ball over multiple times. This has also happened with regularity. During Week 1’s game in Los Angeles, the Cowboys lost a game that could have gone either way. That was the only time in 2020 when they did not commit a single turnover. Since then, they have turned the ball over at least twice in every game but one.

https://theathletic.com/2189121/2020/11/10/garrett-gilbert-cowboys-offense-had-pittsburgh-on-the-ropes-decoding-kellen/

Monday, November 09, 2020

Cowboys nearly upset Steelers; is there room for optimism? The Morning After

We just saw the 2020 Cowboys’ most complete effort yet. Full stop. They have now played nine games under Mike McCarthy. That was their best work, given all of the circumstances at play. That matters, since McCarthy and some of his assistants will undoubtedly be here deep into the term of the next president. Will McCarthy make it all the way to another election week in 2024, when his contract will have only a few months left?

https://theathletic.com/2186966/2020/11/09/cowboys-nearly-upset-steelers-is-there-room-for-optimism-the-morning-after/

Friday, November 06, 2020

Do Cowboys have any shot against undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers? Friday Riffing

Eighty-four days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 93 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and just two days until the 3:25 start at AT&T Stadium for the Sunday showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers…Later in this piece, I promise to answer some emails. But Chase here sent me one last night and it is my focus. Here is what he wanted to discuss: The Steelers went 8-8 last year with Rudolph and Duck Hodges.

https://theathletic.com/2182907/2020/11/06/do-cowboys-have-any-shot-against-loaded-pittsburgh-steelers-friday-riffing/

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Cowboys' Trevon Diggs could be a huge building block: The Nolan Report

The Cowboys defense played easily its finest game of the season on Sunday night. The most compelling evidence would be finding four takeaways after the first seven games produced just three. As we know, some of that (or maybe even most of that) is due to the opponent’s willingness to risk the ball. And the Eagles have been as generous as any offense besides Dallas this year. Did Dallas make plays or did the Eagles repeatedly make mistakes? In this case, both.


https://theathletic.com/2179061/2020/11/04/cowboys-trevon-diggs-could-be-a-huge-building-block-the-nolan-report/

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

Should Zack Martin be Cowboys' RT? Plus, gadget plays galore: Decoding Kellen

One very useful football analysis exercise is to ask yourself the questions in real time that you will eventually ask of Kellen Moore. OK, Kellen.

https://theathletic.com/2177265/2020/11/03/should-zack-martin-be-cowboys-rt-plus-gadget-plays-galore-decoding-kellen/

Monday, November 02, 2020

For Cowboys, humility comes in every form as hole gets deeper: The Morning After

 “I think like anything in life, the game of football will teach you humility in every form and fashion that you can imagine. So, to me, it’s part of the course of this season. It’s part of our challenge. And I clearly believe we will be better off in the future because of these hard times.” – Mike McCarthy after the 23-9 loss to the Eagles. 

https://theathletic.com/2175123/2020/11/02/cowboys-humility-deeper-hole-mike-mccarthy-dak-prescott-disappointing-season/

Friday, October 30, 2020

Cowboys versus Eagles offers a contrast in mentality: Cowboys Riffing

 Seventy-seven days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 100 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and just two days until the 7:20 start at Lincoln Financial Field for Sunday Night Football with the Philadelphia Eagles…Nobody wants to hear your excuses. Seriously, this is the NFL. Not one other team feels sorry for you.

https://theathletic.com/2170463/2020/10/30/cowboys-versus-eagles-offers-a-contrast-in-mentality-cowboys-riffing/ 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

How the Cowboys' leaky defense allowed Washington free rein: The Nolan Report

 There have been weeks when the Cowboys defense has given up more points and yards than it did during the most recent trip to Washington, but I would put this performance right next to the rest of them. It’s hard to find a path that leads to optimism or good feelings. This is a very bad defense. Week after week, we see some of the opponents’ biggest plays resulting from attacks on what the Cowboys do worst.

https://theathletic.com/2165952/2020/10/28/how-the-cowboys-leaky-defense-allowed-washington-free-rein-the-nolan-report/

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The Cowboys' OL is a mess, but how much is their fault? Decoding Kellen Moore

 This has been an incredibly odd season, and all indications are we are not done with the oddities yet. But try to believe this one: Dallas has played about 1,000 games in its 61-season franchise history. And already, in this insane 2020, the Cowboys offense compiled two of the six highest offensive yardage days in its history — 570 against Atlanta and 566 versus Cleveland — and then the 10th-lowest a few weeks later with the 142 yards they put up in Washington on Sunday.

https://theathletic.com/2163576/2020/10/27/the-cowboys-ol-is-a-mess-but-how-much-is-their-fault-decoding-kellen-moore/

Monday, October 26, 2020

Cowboys look helpless as they reach new depths in Washington: The Morning After

 Today is Monday, October 26th. This has been a very poor month for the Dallas Cowboys. Thankfully, they will play no more games before this page on the calendar is flipped. I am going to assume November cannot be worse — at the very least, it features a bye week. But before we tackle a new low in Cowboys football 2020 from their trip to the nation’s capital, allow a brief review of a few previous Monday Mornings.

https://theathletic.com/2161277/2020/10/26/cowboys-look-helpless-as-they-reach-new-depths-in-washington-the-morning-after/

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Worst Cowboys defense ever? The 2020 team has a shot at it: The Nolan Report

 There comes a point when we start to think that they are running out of ideas. If you read my work on a regular basis, you know that I hesitate to blame coaches at the NFL level. Given how this league works and the compensation involved, I believe this level of football is far more a player’s league. While coaches surely and definitely affect the proceedings, it is, as Darrell Royal told us, “not the Xs and Os, but the Jimmys and Joes.” Well, the Cowboys’ Jimmys and Joes are not getting it done.

https://theathletic.com/2154389/2020/10/22/worst-cowboys-defense-ever-the-2020-team-has-a-shot-at-it-the-nolan-report/

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Overwhelmed Cowboys had no answers for Cardinals defense: Decoding Kellen Moore

 Monday night highlighted the depressing realization that reality bites. Dak Prescott was not available to run out of the tunnel, lead the offense and put the team in a position to win as he has done so well for roughly 70 games as the QB1 of the Dallas Cowboys. There have been countless discussions and debates about his relative merits, but make no mistake, his value is getting boosted by his absence. That is what eventually turned most people into Tony Romo fans, too.

https://theathletic.com/2151802/2020/10/21/overwhelmed-cowboys-had-no-answers-for-cardinals-defense-decoding-kellen-moore/

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Cowboys keep finding new lows when we think they can’t: The Morning After

 We thought Cleveland was probably rock bottom. Then, last week, the Cowboys lost their best chance to survive with a broken ankle. And then last night happened, and we realized we have 10 more weeks of Cowboys football. The survival chances are diminishing at such a rapid rate that rock bottom may just be a coping mechanism more than anything. After all, rock bottom suggests things can get better very easily — that they can’t get worse.

https://theathletic.com/2149579/2020/10/20/cowboys-keep-finding-new-lows-when-we-think-they-cant-the-morning-after/

Monday, October 19, 2020

How the Cowboys can defeat Metroplex royalty and climb to .500: Monday Riffing

 Sixty-six days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 111 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only a few hours until the 7:20 start at AT&T Stadium with the Arizona Cardinals…. This is a pivotal week for the Dallas Cowboys. But you knew that. Dallas could beat the Cardinals at home and the Washington Football away and sit at 4-3 in just seven days. They could split and be at 3-4 (which is certainly good enough for first place in the NFC East).

https://theathletic.com/2146013/2020/10/19/how-the-cowboys-can-defeat-metroplex-royalty-and-climb-to-500-monday-riffing/

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Cowboys defense flashes bright spots and a new approach: The Nolan Report

 There is no question that two things have been true about the 2020 Cowboys defense. One, they needed to try some new things and implement them post-haste. Two, they needed to try some new players and figure things out on the fly without a camp or an offseason providing the reps needed to put in a new system and new players.

https://theathletic.com/2137335/2020/10/14/cowboys-defense-flashes-bright-spots-and-a-new-approach-the-nolan-report/

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Andy Dalton takes center-stage as Cowboys move on without QB1: Decoding Kellen

 Sunday was every franchise’s worst-case scenario. The man around whom the entire thing is built — and by “the entire thing,” we would say the gameplan, the team structure and yes, the future — has been injured to the extent that he cannot carry on with a week’s rest. QB1 has been completely shut down for the remainder of the year. 2020 has claimed yet another victim, creating the Dallas Cowboys’ worst nightmare.

https://theathletic.com/2134964/2020/10/13/andy-dalton-takes-center-stage-as-cowboys-move-on-without-qb1-decoding-kellen/

Monday, October 12, 2020

Reality comes crashing down on Dak Prescott and the Cowboys: The Morning After

 There will be quicker pieces written about each Cowboys game by others, but beating them to the punch was never my goal with The Morning After. The goal, instead, would be to think things through and to let some of the emotion die down before trying to summarize the events of the previous day. After a night’s sleep, the fresh feeling of a new day and a nice mug of coffee, I often feel my perspective is better. That’s worth allowing others to write their pieces long before I ever would even try.

https://theathletic.com/2132401/2020/10/12/reality-comes-crashing-down-on-dak-prescott-and-the-cowboys-the-morning-after/

Friday, October 09, 2020

Can Cowboys course-correct vs. Giants? They’d better hope so: Friday Riffing

 Fifty-six days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 121 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only two days until the 3:25 start at AT&T Stadium with the New York (football) Giants…. Let’s be honest: Things could not have started worse for the new administration.

https://theathletic.com/2126902/2020/10/09/can-cowboys-course-correct-vs-giants-theyd-better-hope-so-friday-riffing/

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

The Nolan Report: After historic letdown, the Cowboys defense hits rock bottom

 I do not know how old most of our readers here are, but unless you are well over 65 years old, you have likely not seen all 981 Dallas Cowboys games played since 1960. There have been some incredible days that required parades. The glory this franchise has enjoyed is right up there with any immortalized organization in the sport. But even the best of the best had their share of incredibly lousy days, too.

https://theathletic.com/2121415/2020/10/07/the-nolan-report-after-historic-letdown-the-cowboys-defense-hits-rock-bottom/

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Decoding Kellen Moore: Cowboys going nowhere fast until they fix their turnovers

 There were 152 plays in Sundays game, and I would submit to you the entire contest changed on one snap that lasted about three or four seconds. It is the second quarter, with 11:23 left on the clock. The Cowboys look unstoppable on offense and the score is 14-14. The Browns have no idea how to defend Dallas, and the same is true in the other direction. So far, the game has been clean and precise, with Dallas already recording an 84-yard touchdown drive and an 88-yard touchdown drive.

https://theathletic.com/2118612/2020/10/06/decoding-kellen-moore-cowboys-going-nowhere-fast-until-they-fix-their-turnovers/

Monday, October 05, 2020

Morning After: Another Cowboys self-sabotage leads to questions about stars

 Seven Dallas Cowboys constitute roughly 63 percent of their total cap dollars. In today’s NFL, that is about the maximum number of players you can extend the lion’s share of your salary cap to cover.

https://theathletic.com/2115874/2020/10/05/morning-after-another-cowboys-self-sabotage-leads-to-questions-about-stars/

Friday, October 02, 2020

Friday Cowboys Riffing: Dallas opens a critical month with a challenging test

 Forty-nine days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 128 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only two days until the noon start at AT&T Stadium with the Cleveland Browns…. There are very few teams that have all-time winning records versus the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, Dallas has a winning record against 26 of the other 31 teams populating the NFL. A 27th is the Raiders, against whom the Cowboys are 6-6 all-time.

https://theathletic.com/2109994/2020/10/02/friday-cowboys-riffing-dallas-opens-a-critical-month-with-a-challenging-test/

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Nolan Report: Why was the Cowboys defense unprepared for Russell Wilson?

One essential aspect of defensive football is almost too basic to discuss at the NFL level. It is drilled in and practiced so often that we figure by a player’s 20th year playing defensive football, it is not even worth our time.

https://theathletic.com/2104048/2020/09/30/the-nolan-report-why-was-the-cowboys-defense-unprepared-for-russell-wilson/

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Decoding Kellen Moore: An offensive performance worth commending

 It is pretty difficult to be angry about this game from an offensive perspective. In terms of attacking offensive performances in the post-Romo era, this one is worth discussing in glowing terms. We have seen this team go on the road a number of times for a number of years and not play like this. If we sort for 2016-2020, on the road, and look at it from a higher view, we can see what has frustrated people so much about Dak Prescott and this offense during the last four years.

https://theathletic.com/2101746/2020/09/29/decoding-kellen-moore-an-offensive-performance-worth-commending/

Monday, September 28, 2020

The Morning After: Cowboys stumble in Seattle, but there’s reason for optimism

 There is the bar. Against Seattle, in Seattle, in the prime of Russell Wilson’s MVP revenge tour now that he has multiple weapons who can demand double-teams. As far as tough tests at perennial contenders in the NFC’s home fields (sans the actual crowd) go, we can argue a trip to Lambeau is on the same level, but that is the entire list of parallels. Seattle is the bar. It has been for a decade in this conference, and it has been for the new coach of the Dallas Cowboys at his other stop, too.

https://theathletic.com/2099153/2020/09/28/the-morning-after-cowboys-stumble-in-seattle-but-theres-reason-for-optimism/

Friday, September 25, 2020

Friday Riffing: How can the Cowboys slow down Russell Wilson in Seattle?

 Forty-two days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 135 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only two days until the 3:25 start for Week 3’s clash with the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field…This week, it is 11 on 11. Usually, when you go to Seattle, there are massive concerns about hearing anything.

https://theathletic.com/2092802/2020/09/25/friday-riffing-how-can-the-cowboys-slow-down-russell-wilson-in-seattle/

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

The Nolan Report: Cowboys defense stuck in neutral without stops and big plays

 Two weeks into the NFL season, we are beginning to form an impression on what this Cowboys team looks like. Yesterday, I expressed great optimism about the offense, as weapons appear to be the great equalizer when a tackle gets hurt. This offense has a plan that can and will work most weeks when they have these weapons together, and I believe that the early results are a sign of things to come. Today isn’t about CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup terrorizing defenses, though.

https://theathletic.com/2086577/2020/09/23/the-nolan-report-cowboys-defense-stuck-in-neutral-without-stops-and-big-plays/

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Decoding Kellen Moore: Dak’s big day salvages Cowboys’ disastrous start

 This was one for the record books and one for the Dak Prescott supporters’ scrapbooks. The numbers are the numbers, but honestly, this is also one for those who don’t think Prescott can play the position at a level where he can determine games. If you can watch some of the top-level games that he has produced — especially since 2018 — and not see his quality, then I propose that it might not be something you are capable of detecting at this point.

https://theathletic.com/2084522/2020/09/22/decoding-kellen-moore-daks-big-day-salvages-cowboys-disastrous-start/

Monday, September 21, 2020

The Morning After: How Cowboys survived a ridiculous afternoon and beat Atlanta

 Let’s start at the end. If we are to believe everything I am going to type after this preface, then we have to suspend a fair amount of disbelief due to the fact that Dallas cannot win this game unless Atlanta does them a major solid. Without this favor of endless generosity that has — and will — get coaches fired, the Cowboys were out of bullets. They fought valiantly, perhaps hit on some things for the weeks to come, but in the end, were simply a day late and a dollar short.

https://theathletic.com/2082084/2020/09/21/the-morning-after-how-cowboys-survived-a-ridiculous-afternoon-and-beat-atlanta/

Friday, September 18, 2020

Friday Riffing: How can the Cowboys avoid the dreaded 0-2 pitfall vs. Atlanta?

 Thirty-five days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 142 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only two days until the Noon start for Week 2’s home opener with the Atlanta Falcons at the Death Star (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington…I have great news. Before I deliver it, allow me to say that nobody ever wants to lose in Week 1.

https://theathletic.com/2075706/2020/09/18/friday-riffing-how-can-the-cowboys-avoid-the-dreaded-0-2-pitfall-vs-atlanta/

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

The Nolan Report: New Cowboys coordinator, similar struggles against Rams

 Nobody likes to admit that Sean McVay is the real deal, but I have never understood that. I grant you that he has done a few things along the way that perhaps put a target on his back, as has also been the case for his fellow young coaches of the NFC West: Mr. Shanahan with his flat-billed caps and Mr. Kingsbury with just about everything in his arsenal. Mr. McVay, for instance, decided to go shirt-off in the pool in Hard Knocks with his dog, his model lady friend and his well-styled hair.


https://theathletic.com/2070789/2020/09/16/the-nolan-report-new-cowboys-coordinator-similar-struggles-against-rams/ 

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Decoding Kellen Moore: Third down the difference-maker in a disappointing loss

 Sunday night’s loss to the Rams is still not sitting well with most. As we look back at the performance of the offense like we do every week, it is clear that we should always start with the biggest issue. I think that is pretty basic analysis, and it ensures we coldly look at a body of work without deluding ourselves about how a bad call from a referee, a bad decision by a coach or a bad break with an injury or a tipped pass can be blamed for everything.

https://theathletic.com/1225413/2020/09/15/decoding-kellen-moore-third-down-the-difference-maker-in-a-disappointing-loss/

Monday, September 14, 2020

Morning After: Mike McCarthy’s first Cowboys game wasn’t perfect. Give him time

My initial thoughts after watching the 2020 Cowboys were certainly filled with all of the hot reactions that only Cowboys football can elicit. Dallas was promised a new coach would bring new beginnings and that we might instantly see some differences indicating the team had jumped a weight-class or two up the ladder to league heavyweights. After all, this new coach has certainly been where they want to be. People, people.

 https://theathletic.com/2065219/2020/09/14/morning-after-mike-mccarthys-first-cowboys-game-wasnt-perfect-give-him-time/

Friday, September 11, 2020

Cowboys Friday Preview Riffing: A trip to Los Angeles kicks off the new season

Twenty-eight days since the truncated Dallas Cowboys training camp held its first full practice in Frisco, 149 days until Super Bowl 55 in Tampa and only two days until the 7:20 pm Sunday Night Football Week 1 showdown with the Los Angeles Rams at the all new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA…Ladies and gentlemen, we made it. Many of us were concerned it would not work out, but we can officially declare that last night, the NFL did happen.

 https://theathletic.com/2058918/2020/09/11/cowboys-friday-preview-riffing-a-trip-to-los-angeles-kicks-off-the-new-season/ 

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Introduction to 2020 Cowboys defense: Nolan's task is simple — get the ball back

 Every Wednesday, I attempt to give you some meaty defensive analysis that mirrors what we do on Tuesday for the offense. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the sport, there is less tangible and consistent information given out. Defense is more about reacting to your opponent than it is calling whatever you want. 

https://theathletic.com/2054264/2020/09/09/introduction-to-2020-cowboys-defense-nolans-task-is-simple-get-the-ball-back/ 

Tuesday, September 08, 2020

Decoding Kellen Moore: Aligning Cowboys offense with Mike McCarthy’s influence

 Welcome to the 2020 NFL regular season. Between no preseason, pretty much no access and all the empty seats, this might be the craziest NFL season start we have ever witnessed (or ever will). The year 2020 has, well, put a pretty big lead up on sports. Never fear, though: The games are happening. In fact, in two days we will have actual NFL football in Kansas City. And in five days’ time, the real bullets begin to fly for Cowboys football, triggering opinions, conclusions and knee-jerking Mondays.

https://theathletic.com/2050634/2020/09/08/decoding-kellen-moore-aligning-cowboys-offense-with-mike-mccarthys-influence/ 

Thursday, September 03, 2020

Why fixing the red-zone offense could be the key to the Cowboys’ season

One of the questions I’m most often asked about the 2020 Dallas Cowboys has been the following: What do I consider the key to the success of the season? There are many to consider. Will the defense and all of the personnel changes on the defense – including as many as five or six new starters – and the scheme result in a more useful group overall? Will Mike McCarthy help Dak Prescott take yet another step forward? 

https://theathletic.com/2039374/2020/09/03/why-fixing-the-red-zone-offense-could-be-the-key-to-the-cowboys-season/

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Mike McCarthy shows there’s a new sheriff in town in mysterious Cowboys practice

 Mike McCarthy is not, and will never be, Jason Garrett. This is very good news for those of us who reference the four-year Bill Parcells era of 2003-06 as a welcome oasis in the desert between the dynasty of Jimmy Johnson and today. Now, let’s be clear: Parcells was cantankerous, arrogant and, more often than not, a bit rude. But he was 100-percent normal in the world of football coaches and their clear distrust for all competitors around the league. 

https://theathletic.com/2033954/2020/08/31/mike-mccarthy-shows-theres-a-new-sheriff-in-town-in-mysterious-cowboys-practice/ 

Friday, August 28, 2020

How the 2020 NFL schedule rotation presents Dallas with a very stiff challenge

 We are now a mere 13 days away from the return of the NFL season. I have a number of exercises to go through every year to get ready, making predictions and selections on who might emerge at the end of the year to dive into the playoff situation and ultimately the Super Bowl. Today’s project is to look at how the schedules will factor into how we assess which teams have the easier path and which ones have real issues to navigate. 

https://theathletic.com/2028962/2020/08/28/how-the-2020-nfl-schedule-rotation-presents-dallas-with-a-very-stiff-challenge/

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Can the Cowboys offense really produce 4 1,000-yard players? And does it matter?

 There are many things about this NFL training camp that matter with regards to us crowning another league champion in five months’ time. There are also plenty of things that probably don’t matter, but are being discussed because they affect things like fantasy football or Madden ratings next season. I would argue this topic is way more the latter than the former. Football is a sweet symphony of many parts making beautiful music together. 

https://theathletic.com/2021562/2020/08/25/can-the-cowboys-offense-really-produce-4-1000-yard-players-and-does-it-matter/ 

Monday, August 24, 2020

Sturm: Luka Doncic is one of the best players alive. He’s just getting started

 This is the first column I have ever written about Luka Doncic. Those of us in sportswriting are too often guilty of hyperbole. Perhaps even that statement was hyperbolic to demonstrate my point. We occasionally overstate things that are simply “decent” to hopefully value-add some significance to a mundane game, season or career. And that is a shame. 

https://theathletic.com/2018868/2020/08/24/sturm-luka-doncic-is-one-of-the-best-players-alive-hes-just-getting-started/ 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Why Cowboys’ scheme and support could set DeMarcus Lawrence up for big 2020

 Here’s an undeniable fact: DeMarcus Lawrence currently owns the largest contract in Dallas Cowboys history. There will come a time when that will be surpassed, as we are certain Dak Prescott has already turned down a bigger deal altogether and Amari Cooper just signed one that came very close to Lawrence’s number. But for now, and for the last 18 months, D-Law’s five-year, $105 million deal running from 2019 through 2023 holds the title. The reality was not that difficult to understand. '


https://theathletic.com/2007826/2020/08/20/why-cowboys-scheme-and-support-could-set-demarcus-lawrence-up-for-big-2020/ 

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

State of the Cowboys: Optimism reigns, but the burden of failure remains intact

 If you are the type to engage in traditions, you will be pleased to know I’m aware this is one of mine. This year, above all other seasons, we are breaking from traditions against our will, but that can’t stop me from making sure I try to keep a little normalcy, as a sportswriting creature of habit. For the last 23 seasons, I have been employed to cover Dallas Cowboys training camp on-site. For many of those, I have been employed to write about them. 

https://theathletic.com/2001914/2020/08/18/state-of-the-cowboys-optimism-reigns-but-the-burden-of-failure-remains-intact/ 

Friday, August 14, 2020

Why new DE Everson Griffen could be Cowboys’ best one-year difference-maker yet

 Everson Griffen is a fantastic football player. In case there is any uncertainty in that sentence, allow me to make myself even clearer. I didn’t say he used to be a fantastic football player (although he has been for some time). I also didn’t say he will be in a few more years (because it is tough to forecast a player’s future into his mid-30s). I am saying he is one at this moment in time — precisely when the Dallas Cowboys have pounced.

https://theathletic.com/1996428/2020/08/14/why-everson-griffen-will-be-the-cowboys-latest-one-year-difference-maker/ 

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Examining the Vander Esch-Smith position swap: Is it the right call for Dallas?

 Surely, this has been the slowest early August in recent Dallas Cowboys history when it comes down to anything news-worthy. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk aboutLeighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith appear to be switching specific linebacker roles in the Cowboys defense for 2020. Now, of course, we are doing an enormous amount of guesswork on what that means, given that we aren’t positive what the defense is going to look like.



https://theathletic.com/1986835/2020/08/11/examining-the-vander-esch-smith-position-swap-is-it-the-right-call-for-dallas/ 

Thursday, August 06, 2020

Examining the Cowboys’ defensive coverages in 2019, and what will change in 2020

 The end of the Jason Garrett era has been handled differently by different people. If you follow this particular writer, you know from our somewhat controversial “Jason Garrett Week” earlier this summer that I was pretty sure a change was due by the Spring of 2013. Here, my opinion sort of matters. So I would tell you that most of my general feeling is this: He had plenty of positives, but the vanilla predictability on both sides of the ball seemed to transcend his coordinators. Is it truly fair? 


https://theathletic.com/1976883/2020/08/06/examining-the-cowboys-defensive-coverages-in-2019-and-what-will-change-in-2020/ 

Monday, August 03, 2020

CeeDee Lamb vs. the Longhorns in 2019: One of the best performances ever seen

 The future first-round (and Cowboys) wide receiver dominated in the Red River Shootout.

https://theathletic.com/1969309/2020/08/03/ceedee-lamb-vs-the-longhorns-in-2019-one-of-the-best-performances-ever-seen/ 

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Cowboys place several on the NFL’s Top 100 list, but how much does it matter?

The Cowboys have elite players at several positions. Will it translate?

https://theathletic.com/1961804/2020/07/30/cowboys-place-several-on-the-nfls-top-100-list-but-how-much-does-it-matter/ 

Thursday, April 23, 2020

The 2020 NFL Draft gameplan: Here is what the Cowboys should do at No. 17

https://theathletic.com/1768254/2020/04/23/the-2020-nfl-draft-gameplan-here-is-what-the-cowboys-should-do-at-no-17/

This top group consists of players who have almost no chance of getting to No. 17:

Joe Burrow, Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, Jedrick Wills, Jeffrey Okudah, Derrick Brown, CeeDee Lamb and, yes, Jerry Jeudy

In every one of these cases, if a player in this grouping gets to No. 17, assuming there is not a trade to add additional top-50 (or so) picks to move back a bit, you take the player. All eight of them should be prioritized over any smaller plan you have for this pick. Hopefully, I make myself clear here: You drop all smaller plans and take the elite player if he is one of these eight names.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama, QB - Draft Digest Profile - 2020 -

 

Tua Tagovailoa — Alabama — Junior – 6’0 — 217 – No. 13

Tagovailoa has been as highly touted a QB as college football has seen in the last several years, starting with this five-star recruitment out of Hawaii and the Elite 11 debut as well as his big moments at Alabama which included, of course, the national title in 2017 and many high-leverage situations for the most visible program in the land over the last three seasons. He will bring the left-handed QB back to the NFL for the first time since Kellen Moore threw a touchdown in 2015, which is a rather staggering fun fact.

(Statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com)

(Information courtesy of MockDraftable.com)

Positives: There is a very long list of positives when it comes to this player, and it starts with his mastery of the passing game. He is elite at ball placement and accuracy, and the ball arrives with great rapidity but also right on the hands or numbers. He is fantastic at putting the ball where it needs to go and when it needs to get there under the structure of the offense. It is beautiful to behold, and it is consistent in short, intermediate and deep throws. In fact, his deep balls are a thing of real beauty and hit their mark repeatedly. Further, he makes great decisions and manipulates safeties in a textbook fashion that certainly doesn’t normally show up with young players. He moves in the pocket well but also stays in the pocket and doesn’t look to bail or run. He sees things and understands the offense very well. He can throw all sorts of different speeds and trajectories and also seems to have all the intangibles you want from your QB1. He has some incredibly special qualities.

Concerns: Quite simply, he has a catastrophic health concern with his dislocated hip that puts him on a very short list of players who are attempting to have success in the NFL after this massive injury. He has been cleared to already in that his injury is healed, but that seldom gives everyone full optimism, given the shortness of Bo Jackson’s career three decades ago. If we can set that aside and simply recognize how often he takes massive hits and gets banged up, it is worth discussing his style is that of Andrew Luck or Carson Wentz in that it seems to sometimes lead to those health woes, and perhaps that combined with his stature will be his Achilles heel throughout his career. Can he stay healthy and make decisions to preserve his availability? If so, he is arguably the best player in this entire draft. But that is the biggest of ifs. Beyond that, he is capable of some “rush of blood to the head” decisions with the ball on occasion, but he is a very tidy player, for the most part.

Overall: We certainly have to be realistic when we talk about a player with a very rare injury and what that would do to even the best prospect in the draft in a sport where the most important ability is availability. But we also have to be realistic about what price makes too much sense to pass on a talented passer, who has most every desirable component to his game, too. For me, he is downgraded from high first to a red-tagged FIRST-ROUND grade, and you bet if he falls to No. 17 that I would take him if I were Dallas. Of course, I don’t think for a second that he will fall that far, but I am also not a doctor and have not examined him, which is made even more complex in this current coronavirus environment we are in. Several teams will have an incredibly tricky and important decision on their hands.

Monday, March 30, 2020

How Travis Frederick’s retirement affects everything for the Cowboys’ offense

https://theathletic.com/1710398/2020/03/30/how-travis-fredericks-retirement-affects-everything-for-the-cowboys-offense/


CONCLUSION: Obviously, losing Frederick is huge, and the status of Tyron’s back and knees remains tenuous. But if McGovern or Williams turn out to be league-average starters, the line will be good. If both can do it in 2020, the line will be very good. Can it ever be great again? Well, that may depend on everything going great, which starts with Tyron Smith playing more than 13 games for the first time since 2015 and finding a swing tackle to cover them if he can’t. That might be worth consideration in April’s draft, because the options in-house are rather unproven — especially to a new coaching staff.

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Cowboys stayed busy last week, but how did they do?

https://theathletic.com/1694095/2020/03/23/the-cowboys-stayed-busy-last-week-but-how-did-they-do/


The past week has provided an unforgettable ride for just about every person reading this piece. Hopefully, you are somewhat closer to finding a new normal as this spring break 2020 might actually be a 90-day life reset for just about all of us. For some of us, work qualifies as writing at the kitchen table, so in this case, my normalcy takes me right back to old faithful in a quiet house (for now).

Today’s topic seems obvious. Aside from this past week being an unforgettable human experience, the NFL has conducted a ton of business in their attempt to keep their agenda afloat as much as possible given the circumstances. They don’t need much human interaction at this point, and they capitalized.

The league decided to unleash free agency as planned. A week ago today, it started with the final chance for teams to place the franchise tag or transition tag on one of their free agents to lock in employment for the 2020 season at a strong premium price. As you know, the Cowboys did that by franchise-tagging Dak Prescott, and as we assume long-term negotiations can continue, the two sides hopefully are sorting out a compromise to put Prescott’s issue aside for the first time in 24 months or so. They have until July.