Saturday, March 05, 2011

Mavericks vs Pacers 3/4/11

As we inch closer to the playoffs I've been keeping up with others thoughts on how the Mavs will fare in the playoffs and I gota be honest, I find their lack of faith disturbing. I have even seen some polls that had them out of the top five saying that Dallas are like droids programmed to disappoint, but if I were the other teams the Mavericks are not the droids I'd be looking for. It's a trap if people aren't taking this team serious, the seven game slump aside the Mavs could easily be in first. And to all the fans who say its impossible to catch the Spurs or beat the Lakers in the playoffs take this into consideration. It's not impossible we used to bullseye teams back home, they're not much bigger than top seeded teams. That being said this team is notorious for letting us down in the playoffs so in the end if the Mavs are out of the race remember that's no moon, just a big zero in the championship column.

Side Notes

- Nowitzki scored 29 points going 10/12 shooting.
- Kidd tied Gary Payton for third on the NBA career steals list (2,445)

Mavericks 3/4/11

FGM/A
ADS
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Barea
1/6
17.5
15.1
Beaubois
6/11
12.1
12.1
Haywood
5/8
2.4
2.4
Kidd
3/4
25.3
20.4
Mahinmi
3/4
9.3
6.5
Marion
2/9
7.6
6.4
Stojakovic
2/6
22.8
19.7
Nowitzki
10/12
12.3
10.1
Stevenson
1/3
24.3
24.3
Terry
8/16
14
13.2
Team Total
41/79
13.2
11.6
Pacers 3/4/11

FGM/A
ADS
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Collison
5/11
18.7
16
Foster
1/2
4.5
4.5
George
3/5
17.4
17.4
Granger
6/15
14.7
11.8
Hansbrough
5/13
13.5
11.1
Hibbert
5/9
7.2
6.6
D. Jones
3/5
13
11
McRoberts
5/5
7.4
5
Price
1/6
21.2
21.2
Rush
3/4
23.3
18.8
Stephenson
1/3
20.3
20.3
Team Total
38/78
14.7
12.6
Mavericks Season to Date 10'-11'

ADS
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Brewer
0
1
Haywood
3.1
2.6
Chandler
3.5
3
Mahinmi
5.9
4.5
Marion
6.9
6.4
Jones
9.7
8.7
Beaubois
13.4
13.4
Barea
11.8
10.9
Nowitzki
14.5
13.1
Butler
14.9
13.6
Terry
15.9
15.1
Stojakovic
20.9
18.9
Kidd
20.3
19.9
Stevenson
20.9
19.9
Cardinal
22
20.9
Team Total
13.44
12.32
What is ADS? Read the FAQ and find out.
Tim Krajewski

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Player Profile: Stephen Bowen


Stephen Bowen
Position: Defensive End
Size: 6'5, 304
Age: 27, 3/28/84
College: Hofstra
Drafted: Undrafted 2006
Experience: 5 Seasons

Salary History and Contract Status - 2011: Cowboys extended second-round restricted free agent tender to DEs Stephen Bowen and he is subject to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

2006 Draft Profile:Tied-27th rated DE in 2006 draft - Stephen Bowen - Hofstra - 6'4 - 275 - 4.87 - Second-team All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 48/11/5.5. Junior numbers included 68/8/3. Quick, leverage lineman with ability in pursuit. Plays with exceptional pad level, immediately alters his angle of attack or changes direction. Fast in any direction of the field. Plays with good balance and body control. Lacks bulk, strength and can be handled at the point by opposing tight ends. Must improve his hand technique and protect himself better. Flashing ability, Bowen is a defender with an inconsistent motor. More was expected of him last year, and he presently sits as a low-level free-agent prospect.

Pre-2010: The 2006 Dallas Cowboys draft is often considered to be one of the weakest in franchise history. Bobby Carpenter in the 1st Round, Anthony Fasano in the 2nd (who they basically gave away), Jason Hatcher in the 3rd, and a collection of Sylar Green, Montavious Stanley, and Pat McQuistan types. Certainly, in the final draft of Bill Parcells, the Cowboys seemed to really hit a cold streak. But, if you are to blame the personnel types for the draft, we must also consider the fact and give credit in that the Cowboys found 3 players off the street as undrafted Free Agents in April 2006 that are still with the team. Stephen Bowen, Sam Hurd, and of course, Miles Austin seem to completely replace a lousy draft class with very useful roster parts and one Pro Bowl player in Austin. Bowen was surely not expected to outperform Hatcher over the next 5 years, but I would suggest that has happened. But, it did not happen overnight as he first was released, then signed to the practice squad in 2006, and slowly ushered along. 223 snaps in 2008, 484 snaps in 2009, and then 552 in 2010 according to ProFootballFocus.com.

2010: In 2010, Spears missed training camp and the first idea was to give that defensive end starting spot to Jason Hatcher. But, it was soon clear that this was not going to work as Hatcher just did not step up and handle the run downs to their liking. Bowen was already a sure thing as a nickel defense rusher and has always put up results. His ability to rush the passer was never enough to leap off the screen on a consistent basis, but he was always getting results. In 2010, he had 33 disruption plays on pass rushes with 27 pressures, 4 hits, and 2 sacks. (17/7/3 in 2009). But, when Spears was hurt in Green Bay, Bowen stepped in to play on 1st and 2nd Down, as well. He is certainly not the run stopper that Spears was, but his complete game was such that the Cowboys did not really lose anything and he is also not a liability against the run. I believe all parties were pretty happily surprised that Bowen was able to step in and hold his own and at times out perform Spears in replacing him.

2011 Analysis: The problem with developmental players is that by the time they are ready to contribute as regulars, they also need a contract. That is why Tony Romo and Miles Austin received contracts with a rather small body of work. In the NFL, free agency comes in year 5 whether you have been playing him or not. With the labor situation, the Cowboys are uncertain about how much he is going to cost, but it would seem rather unlikely to lose him for 2011 after they placed the FA tender on him. Clearly, the object for the offseason is to add a DE early in the draft who can do everything well from day 1. Once they get that player, they don't have to continue this merry-go-round of DEs who can only do a few things well. Bowen is a very nice situational DE and likely a marginal starter. I would love to have him back, but I would be careful of asking him to do too much. Losing Spears is likely, and the prospect of having Igor Olshansky and Bowen as your two DE starters would not scare the league. Bowen is quite useful, but the Cowboys need to focus on adding to this position this offseason.

Previous Profiles:

Miles Austin

Alex Barron

Martellus Bennett

Keith Brooking

Dez Bryant

Victor Butler

Marc Colombo

Doug Free

Jesse Holley

Sam Hurd

Bradie James

Sean Lee

Kevin Ogletree

John Phillips

Marcus Spears

Anthony Spencer

DeMarcus Ware

Brandon Williams

Leon Williams

Roy Williams

Jason Witten

Sam Young

Special Teams - Big Play Files - Mariani Return

Next up in our "Big Special Teams Plays of 2010" series, here is the return conceded by the Cowboys that brought about changes to the bottom of the roster.

2. Week 5 vs Tennessee - Marc Mariani kickoff return

In our first installment, we examined Dez Bryant's punt return for a TD against the Bears, but let's not look the other way when the Cowboys' special teams have another big play happen on their watch.

The first major negative play of the 2010 season for the Special Teams likely caused them to lose the Tennessee game. Now, of course, there are some other details that should be remembered to properly put this picture in its frame.

First, Marc Colombo was called for an excessive celebration on the Touchdown moments before to Jason Witten. The Cowboys had scored with just under 5 minutes to play in the game and had the momentum. But, because the Witten/Colombo chest bump caused the big tackle to fall backwards, the Cowboys were called for a very costly penalty that put them at their own 15 yard line to kick off.

So, kicking from their 15, and doing it with only a few minutes left in the game, this was going to be one of the moments where the special teams was going to have to come up very big. And the opposite happened, setting up the decisive score for Chris Johnson and the Titans and sending the Cowboys reeling to 1-3, on their way to 1-7.

Special Teams matter.

OK, here let's take a look at who is on the field for this pivotal moment of the season:



Alan Ball (L1), Kevin Ogletree (L2), Jason Williams (L3), Victor Butler (L4), Sam Hurd (L5), David Buehler K, Danny McCray (R5), Leon Williams (R4), Sean Lee (R3), Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (R4), and Gerald Sensabaugh (R5).

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but in the Cowboys next game, the kick coverage unit will look completely different. And, they will also surrender a gigantic kick return to Percy Harvin. But, first things first.

Here is the play. Now, anytime you try to kick to one side or the other, it is vital that your weakside (the left because the ball went to the right sideline) maintains gap integrity. Every player must stay in your lane. The returner's first instinct is to go to the open space on the big side of the field, so if he is pinned to the sideline, you can believe he is planning to find space back across the field.

And this is where it breaks down. Note that 58-Williams and 57-Butler are the two key attackers on the left side. I know they are to follow the kick to the sideline, but they have to protect against the big portion of the field. I have watched this return a lot, and it is next to impossible to find either player on the return. The reason is that they took themselves out of the play by wandering too far right. Once he cuts back, there is a giant lane so large you could send the Queen Mary through there.



As you watch the play, you will also notice that 20-Ball and 85-Ogletree were unable to make a play either. If we were to play the blame game, I believe they were as much to blame when we look at the fact that both Ball and Ogletree were taken off of kick coverage the very next week. Also, Jason Williams was cut not too long later.

You must keep gap integrity in football. On defense, this is preached constantly. Don't go where you think you should go - maintain your gap. Do your job. And on this play, 58 and 57 looked to be the guys who did not keep their gap.

Then, to make matters even worse (if that's possible), David Buehler - who demonstrated some serious speed in saving a Touchdown - brought down Mariani with his face mask, putting the Titans even closer to the end zone.

A gutting loss and the season never recovered.

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

BaD Radio - Recap - 3/2/11

Wednesday 3/2/11

Episode: 2883

Location: Media Day at Texas Motor Speedway

The Mix: “Is Danica Patrick the most overrated Sports Hot?” - Dan

The Open: “Stop Bogarting the fatty.” Danica Patrick and Denny Hamlin will join the show later on. Where’s Rich Phillips when you need him. A great Stars game last night was seen by very few because they got bumped to the Fox Sports Alternate Alternate Alternate Channel. Dan is calling for the ball; he’s always looking for a new restaurant and enjoys it when a new one opens up around his house. At a new pizza place, he notices that there is a little bit of idiocracy when it comes to flat-screens, game rooms and music blaring. “Do you like BJs” – Bob.

12:35 – Denny Hamlin: Going into the last race last year he was in first place in the standings, yet he failed to clinch the title. That finish has been a fueling agent for his races this year. He tore his ACL a year ago playing pick-up basketball, had surgery in April and was back racing a few weeks later. It was his left knee and that is his braking leg (they don’t use the right foot to brake like street drivers). In his contract there aren’t clauses saying you can’t do outside activities but they do ask that you limit the risk outside of racing. He knew LeBron was going to Miami because Michael Jordan told him while they were playing golf.

12:55 – What’s on My TiVo?: Dan has some ratings and Bob has a question, “Has American Idol’s ratings dropped since Simon Cowell left the show?” It hasn’t really dropped that much. Keeping with the ratings theme, the Super Bowl had 111 million viewers while the Oscars only had 37 million. Dan’s homework assignment to Bob, catch up on Lights Out. Dan just wants a show to talk about. It’s a ridiculous show. Bob watched Episode 2 of Chicago Code and he doesn’t think that it’s as bad as Dan initially described.

1:20 – NFL Lockout Talk: With the deadline quickly approaching for a new labor deal to be done, some news came out yesterday which is good news for fans wanting football next season. The owners, years ago, negotiated that they would get paid their TV money regardless of a lockout or not ($4.2 billion) Judge David Doty ruled that is illegal and will not allow the owners to collect that sum. Now the owners have something to lose. How this affects the new labor agreement, only time will tell.

1:35 – Stars Talk: Check out Bob’s breakdown of the game winning goal by Jamie Benn last night.

2:00 – Donovan’s Series on Samples in Music:

Eminem “My Name Is”. Sample used: Labi Siffre “I Got The”. (2:15 Mark)

Dr. Dre “The Next Episode”. Sample used: David McCallum “The Edge”.

Beastie Boys “She’s Crafty”. Sample used: Led Zepplin “The Ocean”.

Beastie Boys “Brass Monkey”. Sample used: Wild Sugar “Bring it Here”.

2:20 – Danica Patrick: She’s racing in on the Nationwide Tour and Indy Car Series, so she has a full schedule again this year. She doesn’t remember Dan’s name and he nervously asks how long she’s been married. On being on tv talk shows, she says that there is always a pre-interview before you go on the show. As far as TV Commercials are concerned, when she’s reading the scripts she’ll say yes to the products and commercials that make sense. It usually takes her a day to film a commercial. She’s a good sport!

2:40 – Post-Danica Talk: Donovan notices that when Bob and Dan have a set of boobs in front of them, they bicker like brothers trying to attract the same girl. All the while, Killer is bright red because Danica thinks that his radio name is Horn Dog. Bob’s first day at the Ticket he was pitched a hair transplant. He said, “No”. Let’s get on track with the Mavericks. Tyson Chandler sprained his ankle last night but it’s being reported that it’s not serious. The Mavs championship run this year hinges very strongly on Tyson Chandler’s health and defensive presence.

3:00 – WTDS: Corby is back. On this day in 1861, Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate. Happy Birthday to Ron Gant, Pete Johnson, Bill Maas, Ben Roethlisberger, John Bon Jovi, Ian Woosnam and Chris Martin.

Listen to BaD Radio everyday from 12 – 3pm on Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket. I do, and I has opulence.

Wes Bullard

Mavericks vs 76ers 3/1/11

It was a thriller in the night as the Mavs get a clean win over the Sixers 101-93. Jason Terry scores his season-high/game-high 30 points off the bench, not too shabby for a 6th man. Kidd gets his 107th triple double ending the game with 13pts, 13 assists, 10 boards. Maverick fans were in a glass case of emotion when Chandler when out just before the second half. Reports are saying that he is out for at least two games.

Now the moment you have all been waiting for. Yesterday I finally broke down and decided rather then being a creepy twitter stalker, I should just make an account. So now you can add my tweeter and read my twits, or is it the other way around? Get updates on when new ADS is posted, and maybe even get an HSO if the mood is right.
76ers 3/1/11

FGM/A
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Holiday
6/15
15.6
14.7
Meeks
5/8
24.1
21.6
Iguodala
6/14
15.4
13.6
Brand
5/13
10.3
9.6
Hawes
3/4
7
5.8
Young
5/11
7
5.7
Williams
1/8
16.5
14.8
Turner
3/5
156
15.6
Speights
2/3
11.3
11.3
Team Total
36/81
13.9
12.5
Mavericks 3/1/11

FGM/A
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Barea
3/6
14.3
12.4
Beaubois
3/6
13.3
13.3
Chandler
1/4
4.3
4.3
Kidd
3/8
24.8
24.8
Haywood
3/4
3.8
2.8
Marion
4/8
6.3
5.2
Stojakovic
2/8
18.4
18.4
Nowitzki
9/15
12.9
12.1
Stevenson
0/2
27
27
Terry
13/18
14.7
13.9
Team Total
41/77
13.6
12.6
What is ADS? Read the FAQ and find out.
Thanks to Heath Huston for the data.
Follow me on twitter. For cool stuff...

The Goal



This is why you watch.

I wish it was easier to find the game last night. But, these days, sometimes finding a Stars game on the Fox Sports alternate is a battle in itself.

But, once you fight through the search and the late start and the close chances and the blown lead...

Then, you get the payoff.

Last night, it was easy to hang on every last shift of the game; at times very pleased with how solid the team looks and at other times bothered by how pesky and diligent the Coyotes are in sticking with their game plan.

The blown shutout with 3:39 to go and then the blown lead with 0:38 to go just about ruined the evening.

Then, a rather harmless looking sorty from Mike Ribeiro down the middle drew a penalty with 0:13 to play seemed to set things up great in overtime.

Little did I know...

You know, often times in hockey, it takes a little detail to win a game. Just a pebble of sand on the vast beach of 60 minutes. The trouble is you don't know which pebble.

So, as a coach, you are trying to gather as many pebbles as possible so when one reveals itself as the one that will get you the win, you get the reward; 2 points for you and 0 for your opponent.

Throughout a game, you are looking for matchups and strategy ideas that make sense. All season long you practice and scheme for moments like Tuesday Night. You fill the white board with concepts and ideas for that one offensive draw that you want to win and run your play.

And Tuesday Night, it happened.

The Stars had 4 Forwards (Ribeiro, Morrow, Eriksson, and Benn) and new PP QB Alex Goligoski on the point. The idea is to win the faceoff and get a point shot from Benn or Goligoski most likely, but when the puck goes to the corner, you run the alternate idea. Two men (63 and 10) go outnumber the defensemen (33-Aucoin) in the corner and win the puck. Eriksson, the 3rd forward sits at the faceoff dot to either get a 1-timer off, or find the opposite point man streaking down. Because the Coyotes are shorthanded, they cannot cover everyone. Also, they know that all offense with go through Goligoski, so they cheat on him (38-Fiddler) and try to take away the point pass.

So, Aucoin and Morrow are matched up. Ribeiro gets the puck in the corner and 16-Klesla heads to him. Fiddler is cheating on the point pass up the boards, leaving poor 28-Korpikoski to figure out what to do. He decides he has to go to Eriksson, because if he doesn't, everyone knows that Loui is A) a fine scorer and B) in a much more dangerous spot than Benn who sits at the blueline still.

Once the backhanded pass gets to Loui, things happen fast. Korpikoski closes in and Fiddler tries to come from behind. Loui, settles the puck and might be still looking shot at this moment - with 0:07 left.

Now, Jamie Benn uses some subtle genius. As one reader points out, this is Brett Hull's old trick. He would always say the best way to get open is to stay out of the play until the last second. Korpikoski looks over his shoulder at Benn before he goes to Loui to make sure that Benn is not a threat. As soon as he looks away, Benn dive cuts to the crease. Loui barely gets the puck to Benn at the top hash mark and Benn makes no mistake burying the puck.

And there is your dagger. And there is much rejoicing on couches all over North Texas.

A 4-point goal. Right off the dry erase board at training camp. What a stinking beauty.

Was it the goal that put the Stars in the playoffs?

Stay tuned.

Defensive Playing Time Report

I was listening to one of my voices of great influence, Pat Kirwan, the other day on the radio and he was discussing how his teams used to decide how best to pay their players.

The idea is that as a front office, you have to pay some players more than you want. But, you have to make sure WHICH players you pay more than you might want.

The same concept for the draft, too. If a player is not playing in 80% of the snaps, then you cannot take him in the first rounds or pay him elite money. This is why Running Backs are seldom taken in the 1st Round anymore. And many Linebackers, too. If you are not an every down player, then we cannot pay you and have enough cash to go around.

And that is why the Cowboys allow Marcus Spears to walk. He is just a 1st and 2nd Down player. Or, Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett - Just 3rd Down LBs. You need to know which players are merely situational players and which players are used in every situation.

By the way, that is why some of us are nervous about Von Miller. If he cannot set the edge against the run (something even Clay Matthews is challenged on to this day) then his coach will be tempted to take him off the field in running situations. Well, if you take Von Miller in the Top 5 of the draft and pay him that money, then you understand the issues if you he cannot play in all scenarios.

So, I will offer you some playing time reports here, courtesy of my good friends and data collectors at ProFootballFocus.Com. I will do offense as well, in a future post.

1040 Defensive Snaps

NameGamesSnaps/Snap %
FS - Ball16987 - 94.9%
LB - Spencer16953 - 91.6%
LB - Ware16940 - 90.3%
CB - Jenkins16929 - 89.3%
SS - Sensabaugh16929 - 89.3%
MLB - James16920 - 88.4%
MLB - Brooking16908 - 87.3%
CB - Newman16891 - 85.6%
DT - Ratliff16733 - 70.4%
CB - Scandrick16604 - 58.1%
DE - Olshansky16574 - 55.1%
DE - Bowen16552 - 53%
DE - Spears9263 - 25.2%
DT - Brent16257 - 24.7%
DE - Hatcher13257 - 24.7%
MLB - Lee14167 -16.1%
LB - Butler15157 - 15%
CB - McCann9146 - 14%
SS - Church16119 - 11.4%
FS - McCray1646 - 4.4%

HTML Tables



Thoughts from this chart:

* Alan Ball playing the most snaps demonstrates the need to have excellent play at safety. And the lack of depth at Free Safety given Ball's performance.

* Jay Ratliff is at just over 70%. This is not because he can't play in all scenarios. Rather, I believe the Cowboys were looking for spots to get him rest so he would not wear down in a game or over the course of the season. He is undersized and constantly double-teamed so you have to know that takes a toll. Another argument to kick him out to end.

* Your 3rd Corner plays more than any of your defensive ends. This says a few things. 1) You need more complete DEs who can play on all 3 downs. 2) It is a passing league where you need 3 and 4 Corners. The argument that you don't take a corner because you already have 2 is flawed because we see that on 6 out of every 10 snaps, you need 3 Corners on the field.

* Sean Lee played less than 200 snaps. That is disappointing. He really needs to demonstrate health before we get too carried away about his upside. Of course, the Cowboys did not do a great job getting him snaps, either. For reasons that I didn't quite understand, they insisted on playing Keith Brooking over and over. I think you need to use seasons like 2010 to develop your kids as well. You were 1-7. Play the youngsters more.

* Josh Brent played 257 snaps which is more than I thought. I believe he is a nice prospect to continue to develop at defensive tackle.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

BaD Radio - Recap - 3/1/11

Tuesday 3/1/11

Episode: 2882

Location: Studio

The Mix: “Did Mr. and Mrs. Wes get together and name their son Vitamin?” - Norm

The Open: “Alcohol makes you text message young boys”. Part 1 Part 2

12:30 – Brad Richards: The great Brad Richards joins the show – Tom didn’t lose his number this time. He didn’t win the BaD Radio Fantasy Football Championship but his team won the Super Bowl. Back to hockey; Brad talks about the hit that has knocked him out of action for the past 3 weeks, calling it a “perfect storm” of a hit. Dan asks how much the concussion played into the trade negotiations. Brad says that it didn’t really get to the point where that would have been an issue. He goes on to say that he’ll keep his options open once free agency comes around, but Dallas will be the first team he listens to. If everything goes as planned, he should be in the lineup within the week. Despite what is reported on Wikipedia, he is not an accomplished pianist.

1:00 – Gay Not Gay: What is the age limit for a grown to play in the snow and it be gay? Is it gay to create a Facebook page for a newborn baby? Yes. Is an Oscar watching party gay? No. Is it gay to make a mix cd for a buddy to workout to? Yes. Getting married during intermission of a hockey game. Not Gay. Wearing jerseys that say “Bride” and “Groom”? Gay. Is it gay to be in a photobooth with another dude? Pretty much.

1:20 – Quick Segment: This segment lasted about 5 minutes and was pretty much just banter about the NFL Combine. High Point: Tom Gribble can run a 5.6 40 yard dash (the fastest on the show).

1:30 – Jesse Holley: The winner of 4th and Long, Jesse Holley, joins the show in studio. He considers 4th and Long a blessing and is a former Wide Receiver at the University of North Carolina. He was supposed to come off the show, join the Cowboys for a week or so and then be cut in order to make room for a “real” player. His skill, commitment and usability have made him a useful piece in the Cowboys machine. Going into his final preseason game against Minnesota, he thought that he had to make a special teams play or two in order to make the team; he ended up returning a punt for a touchdown.

1:50 – More with Jesse Holley: He gives a lot of credit to Sam Hurd for helping/mentoring him in playing special teams. At North Carolina, he was anti-special teams. That all changed when he joined the Cowboys. “If I want to keep my jersey, I have to do something that the other guys won’t do.” – Jesse Holley on changing his mindset when he got his chance with the Cowboys. In Canada, he only played with the B.C. Lions for one week. He was getting paid less up in Canada then he was being on the practice squad with the Bengals. 4th and Long was contacting schools across the country and asking if they knew of any players that could play on Sunday and had on-camera charisma. They got Jesse Holley’s name and he had to get to the Orlando tryout on his own, while working at T-Mobile. This is an amazing journey. It went from 100,000 to 25,000 to 50 to 12 participants. After a free ticket to Orlando from his Grandma and free room and board from a family friend, the pieces were starting to fall into place.

2:40 – Surprise from Surprise: Evan Grant is watching another Spring Training game and he already seems beaten down. Netfali Feliz will get a start on Thursday in a split-squad game. Evan reports that Feliz has shown some confidence, but it is a hard slider and he needs to get a pitch that will slow a batter’s bat down. The idea behind the Frankie Francisco trade; the Rangers had too many “1 inning” guys and Frankie was the best trading piece. Keep an eye on Michael Kirkman as a sleeper.

3:00 – WTDS: On this day in 2011, I got to sit in during Why Today Doesn’t Suck. Happy Birthday to Justin Bieber and Throat Yogurt.

Listen to BaD Radio everyday from 12 – 3pm on Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket. I do, and I has opulence.

Wes Bullard

Special Teams - Big Play Files - Dez Return vs Chicago

Today, I want to start a series where we look at each "big play" (good or bad) from the Special Teams in 2010.

The Big Plays -----

1. Week 2 vs Chicago - Dez Bryant TD punt return
2. Week 5 vs Tennessee - Marc Mariani kickoff return
3. Week 6 at Minnesota - Percy Harvin TD kickoff return
4. Week 7 vs New York Giants - Dez Bryant TD punt return
5. Week 9 at Green Bay - Nick Collins TD off McCann kickoff return
6. Week 11 vs Detroit - McCann punt return for TD
7. Week 12 vs New Orleans - Holley strips Bush on punt return
8. Week 13 at Indianapolis - McBriar Punt blocked for TD
----------------------------------

1. Week 2 vs Chicago - Dez Bryant TD punt return

There is not much in the game of football I understand less than special teams, and I thought we could try our best to learn together this season what they are trying to accomplish there. Certainly not to the same extent as "Decoding Garrett", but let's at least examine any substantial special teams play and find out what went right or wrong.

So, here is the play:



And with a little help from TC, here is a good look at how the Cowboys set up Sunday for that Punt Return:



The 11 Cowboys on the field: 88-Dez Bryant, 27-Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, 17-Sam Hurd, 32-Orlando Scandrick, 42-Barry Church, 36-Michael Hamlin, 52-Leon Williams, 58-Jason Williams, 23-Tashard Choice, 40-Danny McCray, and 20-Alan Ball.

I find it interesting what kind of player you want on the field for punt return, and then where they are aligned. I think Special Teams Coach Joe DeCamillis is a real find and a potential head coach candidate at some point for some team. Remember, John Harbaugh, the coach of the Ravens, went straight from being the special teams coach of the Philadelphia Eagles right to that job.

Anyway, they do not double team the gunners on the edge like you see sometimes, and they also have a return man and more shallow "protector" in Owusu-Ansah back to help set up the return. Then Sam Hurd is right over center and it looks like he has to sprint back and help set the edge for which ever direction they called for the return. 52 and 58, Leon and Jason Williams are the only players with any size on the field, and they are just linebackers, so you can understand now why some teams think they can snap the ball and run for a few yards on a fake - because there is no Jay Ratliff or Marcus Spears on a punt return team to drop anchor in the line. It is all speed, speed, speed. And if Dez can make one guy miss, he can be off to the races.

Last time the Cowboys returned a punt for a TD was last year against Seattle when Patrick Crayton broke it , and just to show you what DeCamillis (and all Special Teams coaches in the NFL) has to deal with when the realities of a 45-man game day roster hit home, here are the 11 who were on the field for that return just 10 months ago:
84 Crayton, 89 Phillips, 53 Octavien, 17 Hurd, 34 Anderson, 25 Watkins, 32 Scandrick, 20 Ball, 57 Butler, 85 Ogletree, and 18 Buehler.


3! Just 3 of the same players from a successful punt return last November. Heck, Leon Williams and Barry Church were playing their first game ever with the Cowboys on Sunday and they were key members of this return. Impressive.
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Make sure you add any plays to this project that I might be overlooking in your comments below.

Player Profile: Marcus Spears


Marcus Spears
Position: Defensive End
Size: 6'4, 315
Age: 28, 3/8/83
College: Louisiana State
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 20, 2005
Experience: 6 Seasons

Salary History and Contract Status - 2011: currently an unrestricted Free Agent.

2005 OurLads.Com Draft Profile: Top Rated DT in 2005 Draft - Marcus Spears - LSU - 6'4 - 307 - 5.03 - Three-year starter who played some tight end as a freshman. Good athletic ability to recover and regain balance. A three-for-one type player. Left end to play the run and stack the double teams. Is quick enough to get into pass rush. Quick feet and hands. Lacks the upfield edge burst to be a ten sack per year player, but could handle the tight end and anchor in reduction as a right defensive end. Could also help as a defensive tackle to be a quick penetrator as needed, an upfield push the pocket type pass rusher, or work upfield and control rush lanes. Plays within the defensive scheme. Keeps contain and plays with outside leverage. Better on plays at him than plays away. Inconsistent long pursuit effort. Disruptive player who gets hands up on rush. Good lateral quickness and use of hands. Plays the game on his feet. Quick reactions and instincts to find the ball. Flashes edge explosiveness and sudden movement. Uses an effective push-pull technique. Has good initial quickness but lacks burst to the Quarterback as he gets upfield. Will get stuck on big offensive tackles at times. Totaled 49 tackles, including 9 sacks and 17 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hurries in 2004.

Pre-2010: Spears was drafted by the Cowboys in the 2005 draft with the pick that was gained from Buffalo in the 2004 trade down when the Cowboys passed on Steven Jackson and ended up with Julius Jones because the Bills wanted QB J.P. Losman. Then, if you believe the stories that have been told since Bill Parcells left town, the word was that Parcells wanted to take Spears at #11 before being over-ruled for DeMarcus Ware by Jerry Jones and the scouts. Nine picks later, Spears was taken by the Cowboys and along with Ware the pair would be billed as the elite pillars of the new Cowboys 3-4 defense. Billed as the best DT in the draft (although it was a very weak year at that position) and a disruptive player out of LSU, Spears has always been reasonably solid, but never disruptive for more than a blip. In 6 seasons, he has totaled 8 sacks. And while many will tell you that a 3-4 DE is never going to have gaudy statistics, 8 sacks in 6 years is flat-out disappointing. And the Cowboys would confirm this disappointment as they have just taken him off the field on 3rd Down for much of the last several seasons. It is difficult to get sacks if you aren't even on the field. Against the run, he has always been solid, but in 2009 had a very difficult year there, too, according to the game graders at ProFootballFocus.com.

2010: Last season really never got off the ground for Spears in what was thought to be a big year potentially as he played for his next contract. Spears sprained a knee in training camp knocking him out of action for the entire month of August. Upon his return, he played at a reasonable level against the run and was never a liability. Still, only 2 QB pressures and 1 QB hit (0 sacks) in 8 weeks made the Cowboys DE tandem of Olshansky and Spears anything but disruptive. In week 9, the Cowboys suffered their worst loss of the season at Lambeau Field against the eventual Super Bowl Champion, Green Bay Packers. In that game, among other things that went wrong, Spears tore his calf muscle and was lost for the year. He was replaced by Stephen Bowen, who ended up playing pretty well in his stint at the spot, with 27 pressures, 4 hits, and 2 sacks. Bowen also was allowed to stay on the field in passing scenarios.

2011 Analysis: If Spears would have been a 4th Round pick, chances are we would view his career with the Cowboys much differently. He is a very big voice in the locker-room and a respected team leader. However, he was a highly-compensated 1st Round pick where upside and big plays were promised - and yet, seldom delivered. In the end, it appears that the Cowboys will be fine with letting him walk away and attempt to find someone much more dynamic to take his spot. The defensive line has very little sizzle aside from Jay Ratliff, and it is important in this DL-heavy draft that the Cowboys figure out how to find players who cause much more stress on their opponents along that defensive front.

Previous Profiles:
Doug Free
Marc Colombo
Sam Young
Alex Barron
DeMarcus Ware
Anthony Spencer
Victor Butler
Brandon Williams
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips
Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Sean Lee
Leon Williams
Sam Hurd
Roy Williams
Miles Austin
Dez Bryant
Kevin Ogletree
Jesse Holley