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Cowboys 2011 Draft Picks

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Tue, 03 May 2011 04:11:00 +0000

The Cowboys picked way earlier in the 2011 NFL draft than any fan wants and selected offensive tackle Tyron Smith out of USC.

The rest of the Cowboys 2011 Draft Picks are as follows

Round 1 #9 pick Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Round 2 #40 pick Bruce Carter, OLB, UNC
Round 3 #71 pick Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Round 4 #110 pick David Arkin, OG, Missouri State
Round 5 #143 pick Joshua Thomas, CB, Buffalo
Round 6 #176 pick Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina
Round 7 #220 pick Shaun Chappas, FB, Georgia
Round 7 #252 pick Bill Nagy, OG, Wisconsin

So mostly offensive players from BCS conference schools, in particular a clear focus on upgrading the offensive line and likely the running game. The last Bill Nagy is actually not a throw away, this is a guy capable of contributing going forward. It is always fun to have an offensive playmaker come out of a draft and this one is pretty light on that as we have to pin our hopes to Murray and I don't look for him to be a complete stud, more of a serviceable type.

Big Questions In Big D

noreply@blogger.com (dylanation37) — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:33:00 +0000

"With the 24th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...Dez Bryant, wide receiver, Oklahoma State." Those were the words all Cowboys fans heard from the mouth of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the first round of the 2010 Draft.

For weeks now, Cowboys enthusiasts had the impression and expectation that Dallas would use their first pick to bolster the offensive line or bring in a new young safety to help shoulder the load on defense. These expectations arose when the Cowboys made their first major move of the offseason, by not adding to the roster, but rather downsizing, with the releases of Cowboys veteran offensive tackle Flozell Adams and former Pro Bowl free safety Ken Hamlin. Granted, Hamlin's production since his 2007 Pro Bowl season has gradually subsided, and Adams is aging and is the 2nd most penalized offensive lineman in the league today. But with the questions of who would fill these voids still lingering on Draft day, the Cowboys answered with perhaps more questions.

In mid-2008, Jerry Jones made a blockbuster trade, acquiring wide receiver Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions to help with the passing attack in Dallas. Williams, at that point, had been the primary receiver in Detroit, and with his arrival in Dallas, most expected him to flourish in an already explosive offense. After all, he had Pro Bowl type numbers in the Motor City, a city that has consistently competed year after year with Oakland to claim the NFL's worst franchise of the decade. Just to refresh your memory, this Detroit Lions team was the first team to ever go 0-16 for a season just two years ago. Bringing in their top talent seemed to be a blessing to not only the Cowboys, but to Williams, as well. At the time of his arrival, the top two receivers in Dallas were Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. However, most of the load was carried by tight end Jason Witten. After the '08 season, the Cowboys decided to part ways with the troubled Owens after 3 seasons when his presence seemed to be too much of a distraction to the team. It was the same story, but a different chapter in the T.O. saga, as he had the same problems in both San Francisco and Philadelphia. Thus, the "Roy Williams experiment" was put into motion. What followed in the '09 season, however, was nothing short of a letdown. Williams was a complete underachiever, and the word "bust" could be heard deep in the heart of Texas. He had only 38 receptions for 596 yards and 7 touchdowns. Had it not been for the emergence of Miles Austin to strengthen the receiving core and even earn his first Pro Bowl berth, the Cowboys offense could have cost Coach Wade Phillips his job, and the biggest move of the offseason would have then been the hiring of a new sheriff in town. But after regaining steam and creating a new kind of chemistry, the Cowboys won the NFC East and their first playoff game since 1996.

Even so, there has still been a question mark floating over the head of Roy Williams and how to correct his on-field chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo. That is where Dez Bryant may come into play. Though Williams was reassured that drafting Bryant wouldn't mean that he would lose his starting job, most believe that it is only a matter of time before Bryant becomes the go-to man in Dallas. To further that assumption, the 'Boys even appointed Bryant the famous number 88, a number worn by Cowboys legends Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin, arguably the two greatest receivers in franchise history. Wearing that number means that great things are expected. Bryant understands this and is more than happy to take on the responsibility of being the next big thing to wear a star on his helmet. With the hopeful added production of Bryant, the Cowboys could could have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, if not the most explosive. That is, if Tony Romo can get the protection he needs.

That brings us to the question mark left on the offensive line. With Fozell Adams looking for a new home, who will step up and fill the hole left at offensive tackle? Doug Free's name has been mentioned as a potential replacement, but a simple look back at the 'Boys playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings in January may have Cowboys fans quivering at that thought. After Adams was injured and forced to sit out a substantial portion of the game, Free stepped in to help give Romo some protection and get the offense rolling. What transpired was quite embarrassing, as Jared Allen manhandled Free to an extent where Coach Phillips and Coach Jason Garrett were forced to pull Jason Witten out of the passing attack on many plays by having him help help Free hold the weak side of the line. After this failed, it became a little more clear that Free may not be the answer for the job. Not to say he isn't a good player. He did, in fact, fill in on more than one occasion throughout the season and did have success in his efforts. But with the Cowboys being rewarded the 3rd toughest schedule in the league in 2010, many could assume that Free may fail to get the job done against some of the massive defensive linemen that he will be forced to maintain. Jared Allen is just one of those men on the upcoming schedule.

So why is it that the Dallas front office would choose to let this gaping void go unanswered in the Draft? They may have temporarily patched that hole behind Doug Free with the recent acquisition of offensive tackle Alex Barron, former 1st round pick of the St. Louis Rams. He was acquired, in return for former first round pick, linebacker Bobby Carpenter, of the Cowboys. But let us take a quick look at Barron. This 6-foot-7, 315 pounder, played in 76 games for the Rams, all but two of which were starts. However, after being moved to left tackle to replace Orlando Pace in St. Louis, he was considered to be a disappointment, which may not be what Cowboys fans want to hear. To make matters worse, since 2005, Barron is the most whistled lineman in the league with 73 penalties, which is 23 more than Flozell Adams. That's a frightening stat. Bringing in the most penalized lineman in the league to replace the 2nd most penalized lineman seems to be a head scratcher. But we may never see him start a game if Free can succeed in his new shoes as the starter. If Free can't shoulder the load for the long haul, there is some hope that Sam Young of Notre Dame can eventually step in. He was drafted with the 179th pick, and although he had a sub-par senior season and has limited athleticism, his size helps him swallow up smaller defensive ends and pass rushers. Outside of Dez Bryant, Young has the potential to be the best pick the Cowboys made in the entire Draft. That is only if he can live up to that potential. Cowboys fans are hoping they may have found a sleeping giant, but only time will tell.

Another problem, as mentioned earlier, is that at safety. With the release of Ken Hamlin, most bet on the 'Boys going after a safety in the early rounds of the Draft. Some had hopes that they might trade up and select Earl Thomas from the University of Texas. Instead, he is now a Seattle Seahawk. After Thomas, Taylor Mays would have been the next best selection at safety, even though his skills are far tame compared to those of Thomas and Eric Berry of Tennessee. Yet again, they let this idea pass and left another question mark floating around. With this being the case, it would appear as though Alan Ball or Michael Hamlin may be placed into the hole at free safety. Ball is experienced enough at this level to make an immediate impact, knowing that he has filled in at safety before. He will likely land the job. But they did draft Hamlin in last year's Draft with the thought that he could win the job at some point down the line. That time could come sooner than later, as now he and Ball will likely be competing for the vacant job to start on Sundays this Fall.

In an uncapped year, it seems disputable that Jerry Jones would elect not to spend the money to bring in some seasoned veterans from within the league, or at least draft some proven young talent, to help answer these questions. Most would agree that you can't fix a hole by simply patching it. You must fill the hole with a solution that won't be cracked or broken. With the Super Bowl coming to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington next February, it would make the fans ecstatic to have home-field advantage in the biggest game of the year and bring Dallas it's first Lombardi Trophy in 15 years. But with these looming questions, it would appear as though the young guns from within the organization will be forced to step up to assist in making this a storybook season and bring the magic back to Big D. Cowboys fans just have to hope that by this time next year, there will be more answers than questions.

Dylan White
dylanation37@hotmail.com

Cowboys 2010 Draft Class

noreply@blogger.com (Son) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:26:00 +0000

First Round- Dez Bryant (Pick 24)- Bryant was the best receiver in the draft and the Cowboys are lucky to draft him. Receiver was not a need for the Cowboys however drafting a talent like Bryant Jones was not going to pass up. In 2010 Bryant will make a impact right away on both offense and special teams. The best part about Bryant is he can return both punts and kick offs. The best news about Bryant is he is very fresh. Since he was suspened 10 games Bryant will be coming into training camp very well rested. As the number three receiver to start the season behind Miles Austin and Roy Williams Bryant will be able to make a lot of plays. If William does not play up to expectation it will be hard for the Cowboys to keep him in the starting line up with Bryant on the bench.

Second Round- Sean Lee (Pick 55)- Everyone knew the Cowboys need to add depth the inside linebacker spot but it was not a great need. Saying that Sean Lee is a very solid player who is a tackling machine (138 Tackles in 2007). Lee will get a good amount of playing time this season as a third down back. The main reason for drafting Sean Lee is so he can be a starter with in the next three seasons. The negative about Sean Lee is he has a problem staying healthy. With a few acl surgery Lee has a hard time staying on the field.

Fourth Round-Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Pick 126)- The Cowboys biggest need was at safety and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah looks like he could fill in nicely.Akwasi Owusu-Ansah can play on special teams right away as both a return man Owusu-Ansah averaged 10.7 yards on 48 punt returns and 24.8 yards on 33 kickoff return. However it will be a year or two till you see him starting on defense. The main problem with Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is that he played in division II. It will take a while until Akwasi Owusu-Ansah gets use to the speed and strength of the NFL.

Sixth Round- Sam Young (Pick 179)- Young is a big 6-8 316 and that what Jerry loves. Young started 50 games a Notre Dame in a pro style offense. Young did not have the best senior season however Young has potential to be a starter one day. In camp Young will be competing for a back up sport behind Marc Colombo at right tackle.

Sixth Round- Jamar Wall (Pick 196)- Texas Tech was not know as defensive power house however Wall looks like a good player. Wall had 2 interceptions his senor season along with 58 tackles. Wall will be a special teams player this season and will have to step up if a d-back get's hurt. The one thing Wall has going for him is that he has practice against Michael Crabtree all last season.

Seventh Round-Sean Lissemore (Pick 234)- Played in only two games in 2009 however he got two interceptions. The main reason the Cowboys drafted Lissemore is because of his speed. At 6-3, 297 pounds Lissemore ran in the low 4.8 in his 40 yard dash. Some saying he looks like another player the Cowboys took in the seventh round and that is Jay Ratliff.

Brian Glowacki
brglowacki@yahoo.com

Home Field Advantage

noreply@blogger.com (Jose.Peralta) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:16:00 +0000

Everyone always wonders if there really is an advantage to playing at home in the NFL. So, is there? I guess it depends on who you ask?

If you ask the 2009 Dallas Cowboys, playing at home makes all the difference. The Cowboys went 6-2 in the regular season at home and the two losses were games that could have gone their way. The games against the Giants and Chargers were only 3 and 2 point losses respectively. But the best example of home field advantage undoubtedly came at the end of the season against the Eagles and Vikings. When the ‘Boys needed a win to get secure a playoff spot and the NFC East crown, they won back to back games at home against Philly. But they could not deliver on the road in the playoffs.

In 2010, the Cowboys will host their division’s usual suspects along with Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Tennessee and New Orleans. Now I know what you’re thinking, if they can go 6-2 at home again they’ll be in good shape. But this year 1 loss at home, say to the Saints, could be the difference between playing here or in the Super Dome in January. Last year the Cowboys were in good shape until it came time to pack up for Minnesota. We all remember how the season ended, it was not pretty.

When you put it all in perspective, home field advantage is the eye of the beholder. Just ask the Eagles, who lost in Dallas 2 weeks in a row. Or ask the Cowboys who lost on the road to the Vikings to end last season. But, the best example of home field advantage last year is the Saints. They won at home when it mattered, all the way to the big show. In the end playing at home, makes a lot of difference.

This season however, playing at home will take a new meaning for the Dallas Cowboys. In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl XLV will be played here in North Texas at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. It is expected to be the biggest, single event in Metroplex history. So, if the Cowboys play their cards right, we could see history being made. You see, no team has ever played at home in a Super bowl. So, who better than America’s team to change that? It’s not an easy feat, but with the talent and expectations for Dallas this year don’t be surprised to see this become reality. Cowboys Stadium is the greatest sports venue in the world and it just so happens to be home to the ‘Boys. So, what a better way for Dallas to celebrate a Super Bowl win than to do it at home, in the house that Jerry Built.

Jose Peralta
Peralta.fanmail@yahoo.com

A New Season, A New Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Bunnburyist) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:36:00 +0000

Wow seems to be the only word that comes to mind when I look back at the events of the '09 Cowboys season; The emergence of Miles Austin as a top-notch receiver, winning the first playoff game in 13 seasons, witnessing the defense develop into a truly threatening force, and so many more. But with the positives come negatives; Roy Williams (The most overpaid, under performing wide receiver in the N.F.L., enough said), getting blown out by the Vikings in the final game of the season, the offensive line not protecting Romo, oh and did I mention Marion Barber is in decline?
But Cowboys fans, don't we have something to look forward to this season? This season is bound to not disappoint like the past few. Every single factor is leading to something good, better yet something great! Dare I say I smell a Superbowl appearance? Maybe it is too early to tell, but for me all the signals point to yes. Think about this for a second, the Cowboys allowed the least points of any team in the NFC East last year. They swept the Eagles and embarrassed them in the Wild card. I believe we have one of the best line backing crews in the league and the future will show it. The D-line has a playmaker in Ratliff, the secondary has Mike Jenkins AND Terrance Newman. The only place where they could use mild improvement would be the safety position, and the off season will take care of that.
Now the offense has to work out a few kinks before it is fully functional but that being said this season has the potential to showcase all the young talent the offense has been holding back. The receiving core especially. If Williams doesn't step up to the plate than both Sam Hurd and Kevin Ogletree will gladly take his place. If you watched every game this season like I did, than you know these guys have the potential, they just need the experience. And that's something P-Cray as I like to call him (Patrick Crayton) can provide. Sure he is not the best receiver ever, but he can make plays on third downs like his life depended on it. The depth we have at tight end is something most other teams will never have a chance to enjoy. Now sure the O-line needs work, and lots of it. But perhaps the draft can help us there. Deon Anderson is a workhorse if he is not injured. And just of recent it seems that Jerry has finally decided to give the starting role to Felix. And if this guy isn't injured. He. Can. Play. Ball. A truly gifted running back. Don't forget at one point we had a chance to pick Chris Johnson over Felix. People call me crazy but I stand behind the choice, Felix is a great fit in Dallas. Oh and did mention we still have Miles Austin, Tony Romo, and Jason Witten?
This offseason has me shaking in my boots in anticipation for the fall. I declare this upcoming season's theme to be the young talent showcase. Strap on your seatbelt and prepare for the ride.

Time For Roy To Learn His Place

noreply@blogger.com (Son) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:52:00 +0000

Roy Williams came into the 2009 season with a lot of expectation due to the 5-year $45 million extinction with 20 million guaranteed. Because of the contacted everyone wanted to know if Williams would be a number one wide receiver. Roy was on the lions for 4 1/2 seasons before becoming a Cowboy. In those years he only went over 1,000 yards once and had 3 season fewer than 65 catches. Also Roy the most touchdowns in a season was 8. This season Williams had 38 catches for 596 yards and 7 touchdowns. Most feel Roy had a bad season but that is not true. The first game when Roy got a long TD pass everything looked great, but after that it was all down hill. Roy got hurt vs. Denver trying to make a leaping catch. Ever since then Roy was not the same player. The reason why people want Roy gone is not because the lack of production but because of the way he plays. In the game at Green Bay his fumble was a turning point in the game. The drops in key situations are what kills the team and what makes Roy hurt the team more then he helped. Roy dose not have to be the 1,000-yard player because Miles Austin is that player. Roy just needs to be a good wide receiver who can make catches when is open. During the season Roy was great in the red zone that is why he has 7 touchdowns but other than that Roy was not reliable. Roy was never a number one wide receiver he is a good player who can make plays and that’s why he is going to stay on the Cowboys. Their young players on the Cowboys who can step up and take Roy’s place. Williams need to work hard this off season and be good number two wide receiver because that is what he has always been a good number two wide receiver.

beWare13
brglowacki@yahoo.com

Big Boss Blasts: Victory over Philly and looking for a sweep

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:35:00 +0000

Chalk up another win folks. And not just another win, but another shut out! It worries me that it’s actually happening, but it seems that Dallas is now the team to beat in the NFC. I couldn’t be more excited or more nervous at the same time. I’m also a big Longhorn fan and can’t help but notice that when the Longhorns are at the top the target on their back is that much bigger. Unfortunately this is now the Cowboys in the NFC; at the top with a huge target on their back.

Tony Romo delivered an outstanding game on Sunday with near to no flaws on his performance. Romo threw 24 for 34 and 311 yards for 2 touchdowns with just 1 interception (it was a tipped pass on a good throw so it really wasn’t his fault). His favorite target of the day of course was Jason Witten, but distributed the football very evenly between Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin. Austin caught 7 passes for 90 yards while Crayton caught 4 for 99. Both receivers looked outstanding after every catch. Crayton did a great job of tucking the ball in and moving through the defense, evading the secondary down field like they were non-existent.

Romo has shown us a lot of things through his short run at Dallas. Some ups and downs but if he has proved anything, it’s that Romo truly is the leader of this team. The media and fans have given both Romo and Wade Phillips a hard time with their approach through the season, mentioning that they really aren’t taking it too seriously. Everyone has said that their mantra was too soft and forgiving, especially for Philips. People are looking to get rid of a man who has created a monster of a defense with talent that had been brought in dating to Parcells’ later years.

I think what Philips has done with this team is fantastic. Sure, we could all use a little more emotion and excitement out of the man, but let us consider the big picture here. Whether his team is up or down, the man always talks about the following week: what’s next in line, where their eyes and thoughts SHOULD be, rather then dwelling on negativity and shortcomings. In the past few weeks Philips has been praising his team with nothing but belief and trust. He knew his team was better than what anyone else thought, and to the team, that’s all that truly mattered.

Romo had a bit of a similar approach. He knew where his team was and took the responsibility to push and carry all members to the peak of their competitive capabilities. When asked of their success or failures Romo continues to look forward and focus on the improvements that need to be made in order to get better. The man is always about getting better, staying away from complacency, and looking for the answers to the challenges that await him and the Cowboys.

The maturity of this team is finally shining through. I feel that it has always been there but maybe we as fans all look past it and only focus on the things we are given: the busted coverage, dropped passes, interceptions and missed field goals. Any negativity aside, looking directly at the team, coaches and players, this team is a mature monster to be reckoned with.

So now this mature monster that we have grown to love and support has to play a division rival … for the third time this season. The Philadelphia Eagles will be hosted by the Cowboys Saturday night. I’m worried and I’ll tell you why. It’s not just that beating a team three times is a tall order, it’s that I think the Cowboys may have shown a little too much in their victory Sunday evening. They played outstanding despite one interception on offense that came from a tipped pass as it was. On defense the only problem was Brent Celek, the Eagle tight end who kept getting open underneath but was kept out of the end zone regardless.

I think Philadelphia may have a little too good of film to watch after Sunday. The run game came out powerful and successful and the passing game was a flash that rivaled Philly’s so called “most explosive offense in the NFL”. The only thing that didn’t work that could be a surprise for the Eagles is Roy Williams. He was absolutely unproductive; running the wrong routes, and got no looks there after. But Roy is a professional and is still one of my favorite Longhorns of all time so I think he still has it in him. That aside, Philly has a ton of great looks of a successful Dallas offense as well as a defense. Dallas doesn’t exactly get the best picture to prepare with after a 24-0 shut out.

Worries and lack of preparation behind, Dallas will be ready. They’ve been trying to get ready all season and I think have been pretty accurate in the processes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, they are their own worst enemy and they know it. And I think this time of year they are fighting and battling harder than ever and we are about to see it all unfold with heavy rewards at stake.

So long as they don’t get lazy and prepare twice as hard this week you can all count on the Cowboys sweeping Philly and making their way to the Superbowl. I predicted boldly on my Facebook on December 31st 2009 that Dallas battles through the NFC for a rematch with San Diego. And if it is San Diego they face, I have no doubt that Dallas takes it. I think the AFC has lost a little momentum and the Chargers will rise to the surface like oil and water. But let’s just focus on Saturday and sweeping the Eagles.

Tony Peralez
512–913-6818

Big Boss' Blasts: Cowboys v Saints 24-17

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:15:00 +0000

And a much needed win puts us right back in the fight folks!

The Dallas Cowboys uprooted the undefeated New Orleans Saints in order to stay in contention for taking the NFC East.

There are two plays that I am outstandingly proud of the ‘Boys for pulling off, both are to two of my favorite superstar players. The first of course being the initial touchdown pass to Miles Austin. It was just a picture perfect play of how dangerous that man can be on a stop-and-go route. He beat three different defenders deep on his wheels alone and Tony Romo followed up with a very well placed deep bomb, something that I think has been lacking from Mr. Romo in the past few weeks.

The Mike Jenkins interception was my other big play of the night. Jenkins read New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees like a book. On a deep post down the left side of the field Brees underthrew wide receiver Devery Henderson and Jenkins took advantage of the mis-read with a great play on the interception. Watching the replay impresses me each and every time. Jenkins could not have done a better job covering Henderson, who has been a headache all season for any other team the Saints have faced.

The defense also looked amazing this weekend. The defensive line kept enough of the offensive line busy, enabling sacks by Anthony Spencer and Demarcus Ware, including 2 forced fumbles. The defense was in Drew Brees’ face all day and could not have played any harder.

The biggest worry I had was how healthy the Dallas secondary was going to be. It’s been a vulnerability for several weeks until Saturday night. Although his name wasn’t mentioned much, Ken Hamlin came back to play after being out with a leg injury dating back to week 10 when Dallas lost to Green Bay.

So does anyone else see a new Cowboys team? Or better yet, does anyone else see a Cowboys team that is just finally playing up to it’s potential?

There is a lot of talk that the Cowboys always get hyped up, that their talent is continually outshined by their name and assets. I think this game is a correction of that assumption. The problem is consistency folks. This team played with all of it’s weapons this weekend. They even involved their rookie wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and 3rd tight end John Phillips, both on big plays. If the Cowboys played this way consistently, then maybe the ‘Boys would be thrown into the whole “pursuit of perfection” drama we’ve been hearing about.

For the first time in a while the Cowboys themselves are witnessing their potential. I can even get more specific and say maybe Jason Garrett is finally familiarizing himself with his dynamic offensive front. This game marks a fantastic utilization of creativity synergized with a talented team who can execute. Romo did not turn the ball over, Marion Barber kept his eyes up and read all his blocks well, Roy Williams played a good game too. See what the man can do when he’s thrown a decent ball? Even though Williams did drop a pass on slant route that could have kept a drive alive, he still played well.

The Saints faced a team that they have not been used to and that’s because this Cowboys offense shredded the Saints defense. A defense that was arguably the number one defense in the league fell victim to 145 rushing yards and another 294 through the air. To add to that, the saints on average had been scoring over 30 points a game until Saturday night. The Cowboys defense held them to just 2 touchdowns and a field goal. Not only that, but the offense deserves credit to this too because of their long drives and scoring when they made it to the redzone.

To paraphrase my man Denny Greene, “They aren’t who we thought they were!”

Most folks counted the boys down and out to battle this Saints team and come out victorious. I don’t want to sound like a fair weather fan, and trust me I’m not, but I’ve been telling everyone all week that this is when they wake up. The ‘Boys will finally wake up and go after the board for the w. The main reason I felt this way was simply due to the fact that this team isn’t capable of losing 3 in a row. With the weapons they have and what they are capable of producing, no matter who the opponent is, Dallas knows how to win. I think sometimes they can just forget. I just hope they don’t make me eat my words and loose through the rest of December.

Like a good friend once told me, “The Cowboys can loose to anybody, but they can also beat anybody.” Zeke Kennedy was absolutely right when he said that. So let’s all hope for play off wishes and Superbowl dreams because this team can do it. They are their own worst opponent. Let’s see if they face their demons with the same tenacity they faced Saints.

Tony Peralez 512-913-6818

Dallas Cowboys Fans

noreply@blogger.com (dvs1130) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:02:00 +0000

I want to talk about the recent encounter between Terence Newman and defensive coach Dave Campo.It is a shame that Terence cant bring that type of fire to the field. The Dallas defense could use someone in that backfield that isn't soft. It would be nice to think about the Cowboys organization and not see that they lack the character and togetherness to win a superbowl. There is just something missing in the "swagger" department in the house that Jones built, This team on both sides of the ball lack a killer instinct. So if terence could please bring the fieryness to the field everytime he lines up against an opponent instead of jumping in the face of someone trying to make him a better player. Granted this guy has the potential of being a "pro-bowler" he needs to do something on the field. He should focus on being a leader of the defense, the Cowboys organization "players" especially need to remember your only as strong as the teammates around you. If they would hold eachother accountable, they have all the promise of being a superbowl winning team. I also would like to add that a owner is just that and shouldn't undermine everything that his coaches are trying to do,we all know that the N.F.L. has that group of certain owners who can't help but rush to the sidelines. Those same owners can't get past thier ego's long enough tobuild a dynasty, or had one and threw it away. Why spend all that money on a new stadium if you can't even produce a winning franchise, let's see how many true cowboy fans would give up the ninth wonder of the world aka jones house to win another lombardi trophy in the old texas stadium. I know this is a fact because my grandfather helped build the original stadium and been a cowboys fan since they opened the doors, he tells me all the time what awaste the new stadium is because the structure doesn't build tradition its the fans and the great memories of winning with the occasional heartbreaking loss to build character. I say we have had the loss so let's get back to the winning part.

Big Boss' Blast: Week 11

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:42:00 +0000

By Tony Peralez
(Sorry it’s a week late, interface problems with the site…felt it was still necessary to post. New column Wednesday at the latest folks)

Well, is anyone else disappointed?

I love my team and back them up down to fisticuffs no matter who it’s against or why! But this weekend was just a let down.

As previously dictated, the defense should have considered Aaron Rodgers an all you can eat buffet with surf, turf, and slow smoked ribs straight outta Rudy’s! And they did! The defense of course, like they have been, were as solid as a rock and did more than their fair share of keeping the team alive.

The Cowboys Defense made big plays, including 2 INT’s, 4 sacks, and brought intense pressure all day long. They did great against a team who fights for the lead in teams with most completions for 20-yards or more. And a lot of these long completions are on third down. Wins and losses aside, the Doomsday Day we’ve grown accustomed to held the packers to just 17 points which is nothing to be disappointed in. Especially considering that the Packers offense ruled the third quarter with owning time on the clock equaling to eleven minutes!

If there was anything more disappointing about Sunday’s game, I think we can all agree on the lack of balance that was provided by the offense, and more so my own personal gripe, the absence of Jason Witten.

Now lets give them credit, the Green Bay Defense had Dallas’ number. The Cowboys offense, more often than not, were in tough third down situations that limited their opportunity to run well. Jason Garrett, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator, called 44 pass plays to the Cowboys 11 run plays. Although the ‘Boys have been incredibly balanced all season, why should this game be any different. Garrett answered with this comment:

"I think if you look at the numbers we just had very few plays," Garrett said. "And we threw it the last 27 plays of the game because we were down three scores with 10 minutes to go. Obviously that's not what we want. We want the balance early in the game to lead to being out in front, and continue that. But that's what happens in the game, and what you try to do is find what happens to give your team the best chance to win at that point.

"Unfortunately, some games circumstances got us into a situation where we had to throw it a ton at the end and it gets it out of whack. It's not what we're trying to do."

Garrett is right here my friends, but I’ll tell you where is most right in this quote. “We want the balance early in the game to lead to being out in front...” That’s what the Cowboys were missing.

But on to more important and relevant things folks, this is a long season with a lot more games to play. We all, as fans, have more things to be concerned about, including my man Mike Jenkins bicep injury. He has practiced this week but looks like he’ll be more of a game-time decision. Ken Hamlin, another great surprise on the Cowboy’s D left the game late with an ankle injury. Dallas didn’t even have enough members in the secondary to play a nickel defense!

Enter Orlando Scandrick! Still a young cat with this being only his second year in the league, Scandrick was not ready to be thrown in that game against a pass happy Green Bay team. He committed two different penalties late in the game that really set back the defense and gave the offense no hope to come back. Let’s hope they are on the road to full recovery soon. The Washington Redskins could be a decent game to play without a full D, but you can never push any team to the wayside in this league (unless they are the Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions).

So this week the Cowboys host the ‘Skins for their first match up this season. We all know that the Redskins have been anything but present this season. Although their defense is weak and have no real quarterback to lead this team, they defeated a tough Denver Broncos team last week. Nobody saw that coming, but the injury to Bronco’s quarterback, Kyle Orton, didn’t exactly hurt the ‘Skins chances.

This week the Redskins have to play without their beast of a running back, Clinton Portis, due to a concussion he suffered against the Atlanta Falcons. Ledell Betts made his first career start since 2006 and ran for 114 yards on 26 carries against a strong Denver Defense.

Outside of the “Talented Mr. Betts”, I’d say the Cowboys have won a lottery this week: the lottery of who gets to play the Washington Redskins. It’ll give Dallas a really good chance to work on some run defense as well as bring Jason Witten back into the mix. Taking advantage of splitting zone coverage with Witten has to be one of the smartest and easiest things to do. Or what about just reading mismatches on the man, too hard to be brought down by a defensive back but can outrun most linebacking cores? Doesn’t this sound like an offensive coordinator’s dream tight end? But some how he has a career low 8.9 yards per catch and only one touchdown this season that came in a loss against the so falsely feared “G Men” of New York.

But what do I know? I’m just a wannabe sports journalist who’s really a college student with a major in PR.

I think that Garrett just needs to get his act together and play with the entire offense like he did a couple of weeks ago in Philly, and even further back than that when Dallas played Atlanta. Develop a run game so your QB doesn’t have to play on his heels. Develop a run game so that you can slow down the defense and confuse the play caller. Develop the run game because you have Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice in your backfield. Develop the run game! Do it early so that the ‘Boys aren’t hampered to a single dimension where the defense knows what you’re doing every down.

Ok well I’ve ranted way more than necessary this week. Look forward to a nice show in Jerryworld this weekend because the Cowboys will take out some frustration on Dan Snyder’s ‘Skins. You can catch the show at noon so “get your popcorn ready” and open the cold ones because both these teams will be out for blood in this divisional rivalry!

Big Boss' Blast: Week 10

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:17:00 +0000

by Tony Peralez

And the Cowboys have done it again folks! Sunday night was a huge defensive win at Lincoln Financial Field against NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.

The secondary was amazing and the pressure on Donovan McNabb could not have been more intense! I was a little weary at first with Demarcus Ware’s foot injury and Jay Ratliff’s knee sprain, but it didn’t seem to slow either player.

The defense completely overshadowed the Cowboys offense this week and that is not exactly a bad thing. Tony Romo made a lot of great reads on the field and despite a drama filled week, thanks to the media, displayed an accurate chemistry with Roy Williams. Williams went 5 catches for 75 yards this week and come in clutch when the ‘Boys needed him. Running mostly slant patterns, he out ran Asante Samuel on several plays for some first down yardage. A touchdown would have been included, but Samuel barred him the 6 point reception with a play that should have been considered defensive pass interference.

Samuel, who was the strong side corner throughout the game for the Philadelphia Eagles, had has hands full with Miles Austin and Williams. This wasn’t the worst thing in the world considering how well Romo has and did spread the ball around. Throwing to 7 different receivers with big gains from Patrick Crayton and a 49-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin, Romo is continuing to solidify and prove his maturity.

Although the defense played fantastic and the Cowboys’ offense isn’t without their compliments, no Cowboy is more iconic right now than Jay Ratliff. Nobody plays with more tenacity, intensity, or passion than Ratliff. Ratliff has 4 sacks and commands the team lead in tackles for loss with 6. He is an incredibly modest teammate with no self recognition or personal compliments. That said, his coaching staff as well as teammates have no problem filling in for him.
"The way he is playing the nose position," comments defensive end Stephen Bowen, "nobody has ever seen it before. He dominates anybody he goes against.

"He is a phenomenal player. He is always relentless. He does whatever it takes to get the play done. He feels if nobody else is going to do it, he can do it. Everybody feeds off him."

It’s easy to see that Ratliff is an incredibly strong motivational defensive cornerstone and will continue to challenge all competitors to the last minute of every game.

This week the Cowboy’s travel for a big game in Lambeau versus the Green Bay Packers. I am salivating at this match up for the Dallas front 7 considering the “fall from grace” the Packers have had here lately. Look for some critical pressure again from the Cowboys rushing crew, specifically Pro-Bowlers Ware and Ratliff. The Packers lead the league in sacks allowed with 37 so our Boy’s should have a field day with Rodgers. Although the stats say one thing, Rodgers is no QB to be taken lightly. Ratliff doesn’t hesitate to compliment Rodgers and respect the talent that he is capable of demonstrating.

"That's what every great quarterback does, buy time and get it downfield," Ratliff says. "That's definitely something he does, so we just have to be disciplined in our rush lanes and our gaps when we're rushing.

"One thing about him, he's always cool. He doesn't get frustrated and he's going to play every down hard. He's definitely a quarterback to be respected."

Say what you will but Rodgers is no joke. Although he may be on his back quite a bit, the man can still get the job done. Little more than halfway through the season, Rodgers has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,255 yards with 16 touchdown passes against just five interceptions; he is still a serious quarterback and a fierce competitor. Although he gets sacked quite a bit, he gets sacked because he holds onto the ball longer than most quarterbacks. The man is not afraid to stay in the pocket an extra second in order to let his receivers get open to make the “big play”.

Speaking of passing, lets move on to the Dallas secondary. Look for another INT for Mike Jenkins this week, his second for two weeks in a row. Rodgers will be incredibly pass-happy and will no doubt be brandishing that cannon of his. He will most likely be playing from behind to catch up with the Dallas offense. Jenkins will be taking care of wide receiver Greg Jennings whose production this season has been surprisingly low.

The offense should have it’s work cut out for them this week against the Packers’ corners. Although the Pack’s linebackers are weaker than last season, their corners are as good as ever. Both veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson will be playing hard ball on Austin and Williams. Romo will need to be as sharp as he was against Philly in order to exploit the two vets.

The most important offensive weapon this week will be the Dallas run game. Although Marion barber is a better second half running back, Barber will start out much harder this week, I can already feel it! Barber looked great wearing down a tired Philly defense in the 4th quarter last week and will bring that momentum into Sunday’s game. Along with Tashard Choice, re-naming the Razorback wildcat formation to T.C., T.C. will continue to provide Choice with more this week. Working well against the number 2 ranked defense, the Eagles were unable to slow down the T.C. formation so it should give the Pack a good run for their money.

That’s this week’s Big Boss Blast! The game will be Sunday afternoon at 3:15pm so be ready for a shootout! Rodgers is no clown and will be playing to pick his team up from a devastating loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s hope our ‘Boys continue on their streak and play their best football on another road win.

Cows win, Cows win!!

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:51:00 +0000

By: Josh Agnew

The Cowboys did it! They went into Philadelphia to take on a much hated division rival and came away with a 20-16 victory. This was a big victory for the Cowboys who are now leading the NFC East division. Plus we're on a nice four game win streak.

Probably wouldn't think that would happen with the way things started out this season. With a 2-2 record at the beginning of the season and then having to go into overtime to pull out a victory over a lowly, lowly Kansas City team, things weren't looking to good for the 'Boys. There were a lot of questions and a lot of doubters, but now Dallas is starting to look good and starting to play up to their potential.

The Cowboys played well in all phases of the game last night. The defense did a nice job at stopping the big play offense of the Eagles. They didn't give up any big plays with the exception of a 45 yard screen pass to Eagles running back, LeSean McCoy.

Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and the rest of the Dallas secondary were able to stifle and frustrate the two young, excellent Eagles receivers. Jeremy Maclin only caught 3 balls for 44 yards. DeSean Jackson only caught the ball twice for 29 yards. The secondary were also able to intercept McNabb twice in the game.

The defensive front were pretty much in Donovan McNabb's face all game long and recorded 4 sacks.

Tony Romo and the offense did have some problems against the blitzing defense of the Eagles but played well, none-the-less. Romo did finally throw a pick. His first in four games. But instead of getting down on himself and struggling the rest of the game after he made that mistake, Romo came back and completed 8 out of 10 passes and a nice touchdown pass to Miles Austin. Tony ended the game 21 or 34 for 307 yards and a touchdown and interception.

Roy Williams finally decided to get involved in the offense and caught 5 balls for 75 yards. Yeah, that's right, 5 catches!! That still don't make you the number one receiver, Roy, sorry. Especially after that duck out of bounds play you had. A real number one receiver would have turned it up field and out ran that lumbering linebacker that was coming after them. Not you, Roy, you duck out of bounds like some frighten child.

Miles Austin only caught that one pass in the middle of the fourth quarter for 49 yards and the go ahead touchdown. Patrick Crayton caught 2 balls for 74 yards and even the rookie Kevin Ogletree had 2 big catches.

Rushing wise, we did ok, but it could have been better. The Cowboys only had 76 rushing yards and Marion Barber had 50 of those. It would have been nice to see some more production as far as the rushing offense was concern.

Other than the low rushing output and the 11 bleeping penalties we had there really wasn't that many negative things to say about how Dallas played. The Cowboys looked good and continue to play like we all hoped they would at the beginning of the season. Let's hope they can continue to improve and work on clearing up those penalties and play like they have been the last three games.

We're 6-2 boys and we're looking good. Now lets get to working on the gameplan for next weeks game against the Green Bay Packers.

Can the Cowboys forget what happened in Philadelphia last December?

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:13:00 +0000

By: Josh Agnew

The Dallas Cowboys have traveled back to Philadelphia today to take on the dreaded rival Eagles for tonight's game. I think all Cowboys fans remember what happened the last time the 'Boys played at the Linc.

In case you don't remember, the Cowboys got blown off the field as they took a 44-6 thrashing from the Eagles. That was our last game of the season and it sure did leave a bitter taste in all fans' mouths.

Things had to change, people had to change after that debacle in late December. And some things have. We finally got rid of the Cancer that infested the locker room that went by the name of T.O. Wade Phillips said he was get tougher. I'm not totally sure that has happened though.

Tony Romo and Roy Williams said they would practice together throughout the off season so they can get comfortable with each other. Apparently all that practice has been for nothing, since they are still not on the same page. There has been a lot of talk about Roy Williams this week and his comments that he has made. I don't really want to get into the whole mess, other than you are NOT the number 1 receiver, sir. Heck you probably are not even the number 2 receiver. Just because you are overpaid does not make you a good player.

The good news coming into tonight's game against the Eagles is that the Cowboys have been playing their best football here of late. We've been able to move the ball and score touchdowns on offense. Our defense has been playing a lot better now that it was earlier in the season. They are finally getting some sacks and forcing some turnovers.

The special teams has also come alive recently with Patrick Crayton running a punt return for a touchdown in the last two games.

This is all good, the 'Boys need to continue playing well tonight in Philadelphia. The Eagles are also on a two game win streak of their own after that embarrassing lost to Oakland. Last week the Eagles thumped the New York football Giants 40-17.

If the Cowboys want to win this game Tony Romo is going to have to continue taking care of the ball. He hasn't thrown an interception in 120 passes over three games. Some might say he's due to throw one tonight. The receivers are going to have to catch the ball when thrown to them (that means you, Roy) and hang on to the ball.

The offensive line and running backs are going to have to do a good job in protecting Romo. The Eagles love to blitz and will be coming after him often. So the 'Boys are going to have to pick up those incoming rushers.

One of the key matchups of the game will be the Cowboys' secondary against those quick Eagles receivers. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are two very fast and elusive guys that are able to break a big one anytime they touch the ball. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and the rest of the secondary will have their hands full tonight. They need to bring some of those big hits that they have been unloading on people early in the game to help slow down the Eagles.

Tonight should be an interesting game and I know we are all looking forward to watching a great game. Hopefully the Cowboys will be able to leave Philadelphia this time with a victory.

Big Boss' Blast: Week 9

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:34:00 +0000

By Tony Peralez

So the Cowboys have done it once again and racked up another “w” Sunday. I’m going to re-cap much quicker this week because I personally feel next week’s match up is more interesting than the victory over the Seahawks. So buckle up folks because you’re reading this week’s Big Boss Blast!

As expected, the Seahawks defense caved underneath the cannon Tony Romo has been flaunting as of late. I am most impressed with his genuine ability to spread the ball around the field. Most fans are used to seeing Romo fire off to his favorite target Jason Witten, open or not, but that hasn’t been the case these past 3 wins. Romo has effectively gotten the ball out to different receivers on many different occasions displaying a real proof of maturity. Romo hit 10 different receivers Sunday and threw 3 touchdown passes: one to Williams, Austin, and Sam Hurd.

The Seahawks didn’t play terrible this week, the Cowboys just played better. You saw some decent action from Matt Hasselbeck and Julius Jones but not much else. I was actually a tad bit worried about the difficulty the Cowboys had with stopping Jones. That aside, the boys on defense really deterred a decent Seahawks' offense.

The Seahawks are a team with a great receiving core but as you saw on Sunday they weren’t exactly used. You can’t win games without running a balanced offense and the Seahawks are definitely not that. They have the talent and ability but until they patch up their holes in their offensive line, they will continue to be an afterthought.

ON TO PHILLY! This past week the Philadelphia Eagles destroyed the New York Giants in a 17-40 win at the Linc. The speed of the Eagles defense got in Eli Manning’s head early and stayed there the rest of the game. Manning threw 20-39 for 222 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

The bigger story of the day wasn’t the lack of production from the Giants offense, but the cache of big plays made by Donovan McNabb and the Eagles offense. On the third play of the game, fullback Leonard Weaver popped one off for 41 yards and a touchdown for Philly. That set the pace for the rest of the game unfortunately for the Giants. Philly scored on big plays from both of their running backs and of course another 50 yard-plus touchdown pass from McNabb to mutant wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

This week’s match up bothers me a little bit and I’ll tell you why. The only 2 losses the Cowboys currently have are from teams that they should have beat (New York Giants and The Denver Broncos). Both of these games were not won by the opposition, but rather given up by the Cowboys.

In the home opener against the Giants the Cowboys defense let several big plays elude them as well as giving away touchdown drives due to penalties and a talented young wide receiver in Mario Manningham (Thanks Flozell and Bobby Carpenter).

When playing at the Denver Broncos, the Cowboys were playing well and could see a victory or at least competing for one in overtime. Instead they let Big Brandon Marshall grab a last minute catch and watched him run around defenders and into the end zone with seconds left in the 4th quarter.

Now stay with me here folks I have a valid point and I’m just about to get to it. It’s pretty simple really. The Cowboys are vulnerable to the “big play”; at least they were in the earlier weeks of the season. Their only 2 loses are due solely to that. One could argue the defense couldn’t prevent the losses because the offense couldn’t stay on the field long enough to give the defense a break. That aside the defense should still be able to come up with big stops when the team needs them to.

Ok back on track; the Eagles just beat the Giants because of their ability to make big plays happen and not just at the end of the game, but for all 4 quarters. The Eagles, just like the Cowboys, have become incredibly efficient in utilizing all of their receiving options making it more difficult to key in on any one person specifically. With a fantastic tight end in Brent Celek, monster speedsters in Jackson and young gun Jeremy Maclin, and soft handed running backs, Philly’s offense is pretty stacked. It’s no wonder this team is able to create big plays all day.

This week expect defense to be the real competing cornerstone for the Cowboys. Sure the offense will have it’s hands full and Romo will have to continue to be efficient and stay away from turning the ball over, but he clearly can’t do those things if the defense can’t get the Philly O off of the field. Austin will continue to pull coverage this week and allow Williams to get a few more targets and catches but I see my boy Austin coming up with the big plays for the 4th week in a row. Even at worst case scenario, Austin will continue to shred defenses and attract attention that’ll keep Romo generous in distributing the ball.

My defensive rising star, Mike Jenkins, will have to continue to play incredibly hard D and keep his receivers locked down all day Sunday. More than likely he will be pressed on Maclin for the better part of the game and Terrance Newman will be locked on Jackson. I’m worried about the Jackson match up most of all. Newman likes to play softer coverage on the speedier receivers which could become a big problem early. Jackson runs great slants and sharp go routes that could prove difficult for Newman to press him hard. Strong safety Pat Watkins will have to be ready to roll over the top to the strong side where you’ll find Celek and Jackson both.

Defense will have to be ready for sure. Philly can credit it’s high flying win against New York to film and coaching. The Eagles were able to exploit New York’s cover 2 holes as well as give Jackson option routes to break free when he was man-covered. You can expect them to study the Dallas Defense just as meticulously. That being said, Dallas will have to be in McNabb’s face all day, keeping him from gaining any sort of momentum.

The defensive front will be weak for the Cowboys if potential pro bowler Jay Ratliff doesn’t recover from his sprained knee injury. This truly is a game where the ‘Boys can’t afford to play without him.

As for the offense, Romo knows what he has to do and was quoted earlier this week feeling incredibly different in the pocket, knowing better what he had to do rather than just throw and hope. I commend the man for admitting his flawed game play and getting better. He not only has he demonstrated an improved practice in his arm but also in the way he thinks and looks on the field. So long as the talented Mr. Romo hits targets well and doesn’t force anything, I think this game is going to be in heated competition for 4 quarters straight.

One more thing before this is done, the ever important run game. I don’t talk much about it because we all know how well it operates. Felix Jones has been running well and smart and is staying healthy. Marion Barber is staying fresh and running as hard as ever and I love all the 3rd down carries that Tashard Choice is getting. Good job coaches for developing a dichotomy that continues to flourish out of the backfield. This will be incredibly important for the Cowboys to utilize in order to keep that Philly defense guessing. Controlling the clock with these 3 monsters will definitely keep the moment in the hands of the blue and silver.

So there it is kids. Sunday night is the night to be off and in front of a flat screen somewhere. At 7 o’clock, on NBC, look for the ‘Boys to hopefully play harder than they’ve played all season. It’ll be a good game and neither team will be backing down. I’ll eat my hat if that’s the case. Enjoy the week and the game and as the wise Grayson Hamilton always says, “Make good choices.”

One more thing: LEAVE ROY WILLIAMS ALONE PEOPLE! The man is the best blocking wide receiver this team has seen and all anyone can do is rail him for not getting more targets and catches. The run game wouldn’t be what it is without him regardless of how active he is in the pass game. He’s getting more grabs and even had a touchdown this week so I think the critics just need to cool it on give ole number 11 such a hard time!

-Big Boss

Big Boss' Blast

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:47:00 +0000

By Tony Peralez

HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!

Who wasn’t impressed with this Week 7 victory? Dallas is now ranked the 9th best team in the NFL, just in front of the “credible” Atlanta Falcons, a great team who challenged the Cowboys to show what they were truly made of.

My boy, Austin Miles, comes up with another stellar performance backing up his impressive Week 5 achievements. With 171 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on only 6 catches, Austin proves he is no fluke.

Sunday birthed fantastic follow up to their Week 5 show, displaying the illustrious chemistry that Austin has developed with quarterback Tony Romo. The duo has paired back-to-back, high flying acts reminiscent of another Romo/receiver combination from the recent past *cough 81 cough!*.

Atlanta showed throughout the first quarter, “We are who we thought they were!”. Atlanta’s defense was incredibly resilient by shutting the Cowboys out in the first quarter of the game. The Falcons scored a touchdown early with a long drive and managed to keep the ‘Boys quite till the second quarter where Number 9 really came through.

The Cowboys fought back with 17 unanswered points to close the first half, including a laser beam from Romo to Patrick Crayton with 6 seconds left to go in the first half. The pass was completed after a 5 second scramble from Romo who on more than one occasion looked as if he had been sacked! Romo’s tenacity on that drive alone foreshadowed how the Cowboys would cap off the day.

The ‘Boys really had it all put together Sunday. We can be proud of them for what they accomplished and proved in Week 8. After a bye week to help the team recuperate and gather themselves back together, the Cowboys played as they were expected to. The most important sign from Sunday is that all three phases of the game are working as hard and as well as the other.

Special teams made the blue and silver as vibrant as ever! Crayton ran back a touchdown punt for 73 yards, the first of his career. The ironic tradgedy is that Crayton was demoted to make room for the newly acquired Allen Rossum to return punts. On his first punt return as a Dallas Cowboy, Rossum tore his hamstring. Crayton came back in and showed promise scoring late to insure the win for Dallas. It may have been a quite day for Crayton, but he and the return team showed what Joe DeCamillis, Dallas’ special teams coach, have been hard at work for all off-season.

But enough of the glory from Sunday, it was nearly a whole week ago and we must look onward! And yes I know I didn’t mention the defense but those of you who saw that game know just as much about that defense as anyone else…IT STOPS HEARTS. The big hits the secondary is laying down these days combined with it’s linebacking leadership (thank you Keith Brooking, Demarcus Ware, and Bradie James) has created a demise most teams aren’t expecting. Even New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick compliments Ware of playing similar to Lawrance Taylor. And before we continue, everyone be on the look out for Mike Jenkins in the next few weeks. That mad man is going to continue to hawk balls and play like he’s the best lock-down cornerback in football.

This Sunday the Seattle Seahawks come into town. J.J. Julius Jones makes his first trip to “Jerry World”. Although the Seahawks are only 2-4, they are an odd opponent to face. With two outstandingly talented wide receivers, (Nate Burleson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh) JJ in the backfield, and of course number one targeted John Carlson in a tight end, it seems that Matt Hasselbeck has a bottomless barrel of weapons at his disposal. So bigger picture and even bigger question, “How is this team only 2-4?”

The Seahawks in the past weeks have had some pretty tough games. In Week 6 they were out-gunned against the Cardinals. In Week 5 they played an outstanding game against the Jacksonville Jaguars who were shut out by the Seahawks 41-0. In Week 3 the Seahawks pulled “a Dallas Cowboys” and let the Bears come from behind to beat them on a big play in the 4th quarter with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Deven Hester.

I chose to omit bringing up their Week 4 match-up considering it was against the Colts. We all knew what was going to happen there.

All things considered the Seahawks are not a bad team! They just have a bad looking record. Their defense has been a bit weak in the past few games but is gaining back some starters they’ve been without for the better part of the 09 season. Leroy Hill comes back to the linebacking core and Marcus Trufant returns to the secondary. Trufant has been out with a lower disc injury he obtained back in July, while Hill has been recovering from a torn groin he received in September.

It will be nice for the Falcons to have Hill and Trufant back since they recently lost Lofa Tatupu, one of their biggest team voices, to a pectoral tear.

If this is to be any kind of game at all the Seahawks will have to make it a shoot out. Seattle knows that their defense is coming in with some bumps and bruises and is well aware of the Cowboys “credibility” coming into this game.

The Seahawks are also coming off of a bye week. If the NFL has taught me anything over the years, it’s that a team coming off a bye week is anything but predictable. There is also the intangible measurement of how well JJ will run against his old team.

The Cowboys could have another tremendous game against yet another home opponent this week. This is something that would greatly benefit the ‘Boys considering next week’s game is at Philadelphia. Dallas needs to hold onto it’s momentum and will only be able to do so with it’s team leaders playing at the peaks of their potential.

Tony Romo will have to continue to throw efficiently and look for my boy Miles Austin to come up with big plays. Austin’s ability to get in the open field combined with his explosive “after the catch” talent, he and Romo will continue to catapult the offense forward. The ‘Boys will also need to utilize the run game more to manage the clock better to help Romo with developing the pass game.

On defense I’m looking for my new “brother-with-arms”, Mike Jenkins, to not only be laying out some folks but also come up with another finesse interception this week. This cornerback is going places and I feel he is terribly underrated which also gives him the mismatches he so often capitalizes on.

Expect at least 4 sacks between Demarcus War and Jay Ratliff and a pleathora of knock downs on Matt Hasslbeck from the rest of the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense. It will also help with Seattle’s starting offensive left tackle Walter Jones out for the better part of the season.

Camillis and the special teams crew will continue to display their talent and well coached discipline on the field. Their coverage on the kick gets better every week, especially with Matt McBriar pinning those punts back inside the 20.

That’s this weeks Big Boss’ Blast people. Don’t get too nuts on Saturday folks and enjoy the game this Sunday. It starts at noon so get the coals hot and your butts in the seats ‘cause it should be a good one for the stats this week. Let’s hope Wade Philips and the Cowboys can get this win behind them and focus on the big game next week against the 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

DeMarcus Ware finally gets a new contract

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:07:00 +0000

It was announced Monday that the Dallas Cowboys and their stud defensive linebacker DeMarcus Ware finally agreed to a contract extension. They signed Ware to a six year extension, keeping the Pro Bowler a Cowboy through 2015. The new contract is worth $78 million dollars with $40 million of that guaranteed.

So, is he worth it? After the big year he had last year, including a league leading 20 sacks you can definitely make the argument that he is. So why didn't they get this deal done during the offseason? There was a lot of talk about it during that time. Why isn't Jerry giving Ware the money he deserves?

This year has been a bit of a let down for Ware, so far. DeMarcus was without a sack until the fifth game of the year. He finally busted through and got 2 sacks in the win against Kansas City. He got two more sacks in their win against Atlanta on Sunday to up his total to 4 sacks in 6 games this year.

With the slow start of the season there was a lot of talk about whether or not Ware was holding back until he gets his new contract. People were beginning to wonder if Ware wasn't playing to his full potential this year because Jerry was slow in paying the guy. Then during the bye week we learned that he has a stress fracture in his left foot and has been playing with this for a couple of games. That might explain the slow start.

Ware has quickly become one of the best defensive players in the league. Since the Cowboys drafted him as the 11th overall pick in 2005, he has recorded 57.5 sacks in 70 games. He has three of the top five sack seasons in Cowboys franchise history and has been named to the Pro Bowl for the last three years.

Here's what Jerry had to say about DeMarcus Ware.

"He's a cornerstone player of this franchise, and will be for a long time to come. He's gone beyond anything we could have imagined when we drafted him."

This deal is good for both Jerry and the Cowboys organization and DeMarcus Ware, as well as all the Cowboy fans out there. Now let's hope that Ware will continue playing like he has been the last two games and justify the new fat contract to any doubters that might be out there.

By: Josh Agnew

Hey guys this was my week 7 post from last Thursday. Expect a new post this Thurs!

noreply@blogger.com (TP) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:36:00 +0000

From Kansas City, to bye week, to ambiguous demotions and finally, back to “Jerry World”… Week 7 is here!

Dallas Cowboys coaches have once again disappointed; not only within the fan base but in the locker room.

On Wednesday, Wade Phillips announced that Miles Austin will be starting as the number two receiver opposite Roy Williams. Patrick Crayton, the former number two starter, was demoted with no personal dispatch from Philips or offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Austin began working with the first team Wednesday during first string offensive drills.

"I would have loved it," Crayton said Wednesday in regards to the change. "It would have been real stand-up. That’s not what happened. Oh, well.

"It’s been a tough two weeks, but I mean, it comes with the territory. You’ve got to be able to respond and bounce back from it and go about your business. My job is to help in whatever way possible. It is what it is, man. It’s how it goes."

Although Austin had an outstanding record-breaking performance in week 5 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, (10 catches for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns) it was against a team that was ranked 0-5 and has shown no recovery so far this season.

Austin’s outstanding game-winning performance provided a great spark for the Cowboys offense. Personally, I am a big fan of Miles Austin and feel that Dallas should be better utilizing him due to his ability to get open downfield. All things considered, the Chiefs were ranked the 3rd worst team in the NFL in week 5 who LED Dallas in the first half! The Chiefs were also ranked 26th in offense as well as defense.

Most fans can agree that the Cowboys offense is capable of producing better numbers than what have been provided this season. Although it was against a mediocre team, the Cowboys proved in week 5 they had an offense that could gun-sling with ease.

The booming offensive performance was reminiscent of the 13-3 team from 2007. Hopefully it was no fluke and that is the actual case. The win still provided a morale boost even if it was from an 0-5 team that could easily consider fodder.
This week the Cowboys face a very “credible” team, according to owner Jerry Jones. The Atlanta Falcons come to town Sunday and provide the ‘Boys with a challenging Week 7 face off.

"Coming off this bye, I think we’ll be fresh, and certainly we all recognize we’ve got an opportunity here to really create some, perceived by our fans and by other people, some real credibility if we could come in here and beat the [Atlanta] Falcons," Jones had said Wednesday. "We should be prepared and we need to win it."

The Falcons are 4-1, second to the Saints (6-0) in the NFC South. Atlanta currently coordinates the 3rd best defense in the league in points allowed. That’s a considerable margin from the 26th ranked Chiefs.

Whether Austin starts or Crayton, the Cowboys have quite a bit to prove in this week 7 match up. It would be a hard earned win if they can get it. Another game like last week will show that they are a more than capable football team and could provide some much needed momentum for Phillips and the ’09 Cowboys

Cowboys vs Falcons: Is This ‘Must Win’ Time For The Cowboys

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:09:00 +0000

Is This ‘Must Win’ Time For The Cowboys

By: Bruce Koehler

Sunday, October 25th, The 3-2 Dallas Cowboys have an important date with the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons. Some are saying that this is or getting close to crunch time for the Cowboys. Coming off a shaky win over the Kansas City Chiefs in over time two weeks ago, the Cowboys are hoping that the extra week of practice will give them the tools they need to defeat the Chiefs. One of the tools with which they have is linebacker Keith Brooking. The former Atlanta Falcon will get a chance to get up close and personal to his old teammates in a manner that will likely surprise them. In 2005 Brooking had a personal high of 3.5 sacks, and he is on track to exceed that mark.

Both teams will have some adjustments to make, due to injuries. Most notable for the Cowboys, starting receiver Roy Williams, starting running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones and starting center Andre Gurode, have been practicing all week, and are listed as probable. Williams is more of a concern due to his injured ribs. If active on Sunday, he will more than likely wear protective padding in the chest area. On the Falcons side of the ball starting running back Michael Turner and backup tight end Justin Peele are probable starts, having limited practice time.

On the positive side, the Cowboys may have one match up they can take definite advantage of. With the recent injury to starting corner Brian Williams, who was placed on IR after suffering a torn ACL, the Falcons will have to rely on their backup corner Brent Grimes. In only his 9th career NFL start, the 5-foot-10 Grimes will have to be on his game if he his going to be able to play against the tandem of Roy Williams and Miles Austin, both of whom are 6-foot-3

If the cowboys are going to have any kind of passing game against the Falcons, they are going to have to stop the defense from getting to quarterback Tony Romo. This job falls into the hands of left tackle Flozell Adams. Adams will have his hands full fending off the 6-foot-4, 263 pound Falcon defensive end John Abraham. Abraham has 3 sacks on the year, and being 100 pounds lighter than Adams, will be much quicker and harder to defend. The Cowboys are counting on Abraham’s age to be a factor (he is 31) in keeping him away from Romo.

Wade Phillips Staying...Of Course

noreply@blogger.com (LT) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:51:00 +0000

As a Cowboys’ fan for the span of my lifetime, I understand some things about the team that the average football fan might not. When I heard that Wade Phillips’ job was safe for the rest of the season, I was not surprised at all.

Looking at the way the Cowboys have played, and underachieved in most peoples’ opinions, one might wonder how Phillips’ job is safe right now. Isn’t the main focus of a coach to yield the best results out of his players? If Wade Phillips is not doing that, then why is Jerry Jones willing to keep him?

Shouldn’t Jerry take some of his billions of dollars and use it to get a decent coach in Dallas? To most people, the answer is obviously yes. However, to the man in charge, it is the last thing on his mind, and it is a conscious decision that is being made.

The reason that Jones has Wade Phillips over guys like Mike Shanahan or Bill Cowher is because he does not want to give over total control of the team to a coach. Once he gets a guy like Cowher, who is loud, boisterous, and not afraid to instill his beliefs in anyone, ”Jerry’s Cowboys” will become ”Bill’s Cowboys.” And as has been highlighted over the years, Jones is a very hands-on owner, who has frequently been seen on the sidelines during games. To him, it is not enough to just own the team, he has to CONTROL them as much as he can.

Why do you think his relationship with Jimmy Johnson went sour in the 90’s?

Bingo. Because he would not allow the coach to be a real coach. He would try to stifle his creativity by needing to showcase his own views on game matters.

The important thing that Jerry needs to realize is that by wanting to have more control of his team, he is hurting their chances to be successful on the field. If he would just relinquish some of his control to a good coach, he would see that this team can achieve a whole lot more.

After all, it is no coincidence that good coaches can lead their teams to multiple championships, whereas the weaker ones always seem to blow it in the big spot.

If Jones can stop putting himself before the team, the team can reward his huge ego better than control can; with a Super Bowl Trophy. And everybody knows, nothing boosts an ego better than winning.

By Lee Tawil (LTSports.net)

Miles Austin Saves the Day

noreply@blogger.com (LT) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Although the Dallas Cowboys struggled for most of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, they were able to get the victory in overtime. Even though the Chiefs are one of the league’s worst teams, and the Cowboys should have played them better, they learned something invaluable that can help propel them forward and into the future.

What they learned, due to the absence of Roy Williams, is that Miles Austin is a legitimate threat as a starting wideout. Not only did Austin set a Cowboys’ franchise record for receiving yards in a game, but he single-handedly picked up a sluggish offense and got them a much-needed victory.

No offense to Tony Romo, but Austin’s big plays were all individual effort. His 2 touchdowns were short plays where he kept his motor pumping, not giving up until he got into the endzone. Additionally, he made a big-time grab on an underthrown ball in which he leaped up and took it away from a defender. He showed the Cowboys exactly what they have been missing for so long: A little bit of effort can go a long way from separating between wins and losses.

I know from watching a lot of football games that most players go down on the 2 touchdown plays far before they reach the endzone. Maybe it is because Austin does not always get the opportunity to do so many things that he felt the need to seize the opportunity, but the point he is he was capable and he did it.

Now Austin did not have a flawless game, as he did drop a few balls, but things are always going to be tougher when you have a huge role increase from one game to the next. If he gets a consistent amount of reps and playing time, there is no reason to think that his mistakes will not be diminished.

To me, Austin has always been an exciting player, and I always felt that he needed more opportunities to show what he can do on the field. Today he proved that a chance is all that he needs.

By Lee Tawil

Falling Short...A Microcosm of The Cowboys

noreply@blogger.com (LT) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:22:00 +0000

As the Cowboys come off of a disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos, 63% of NFL pickers wonder how the Cowboys managed to lose this game. Sure the Broncos were 3-0, but the Cowboys were supposed to be their first real test, and they were supposed to beat the Broncos by about 3 points, albeit they were on the road.

For the last several years, it seems like the Cowboys have been a team destined for greatness, but they just never seem to live up to the billing. They lose games their supposed to win, and they play down to the level of their competition. Now, I am not saying that the Broncos are a bad team, and the Cowboys should have for sure beaten them, but it was a game that really shouldn’t have been as hard as they made it.

After the first quarter, although the Cowboys looked shaky, they had a 10 point lead. They were making the usual mistakes, but they did enough to have a lead.

But it seemed to stop there.

They could not score the rest of the game, even though they had more than one golden opportunity to do so.

So what was the thing that changed so much over the course of the game? Did they Broncos clamp down much more, or was it all on the Cowboys’ lack of execution?

From my perspective, it was a combination of both.

I have to give a ton of credit to that Denver defense. They are indeed the real deal. However, I don’t think that a sharp Cowboys team only scores 10 points against this defensive unit. Here is where the Cowboys concern me:

The Cowboys were 3/14 on third downs, which is an appalling 21%. Yes, the Broncos were only 20%, but they made fewer mistakes to exacerbate it.

It seemed like any time the Cowboys were in a third and long situation, they were very ineffective. I understand that third and long is a tough situation offensively, but when you have a quarterback like Romo who is so gifted with his feet, you would think that it would help them be more successful. That does not seem to be the case at all.

Between sacks, fumbles, and interceptions, third downs were a nightmare for the Cowboys’ quarterback. That either means a lack of preparation or weak play-calling. To me, this week it was a lack of preparation by Romo.

How could Romo, on 3rd and 11 on the Denver 17, throw an interception to Champ Bailey?

First of all, why wouldn’t you make a safer throw in a third and long situation in field goal range?

And second of all, why are you throwing in Champ Bailey’s direction?

He is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, and you are throwing his way on third down in field goal range. To me, that’s is just not smart, and it shows a lack of preparation. His passes are clearly predetermined, and he is not reading defenses correctly. That is basics of being a quality quarterback in the NFL, and Romo is definitely falling short of that in my book.

But that wasn’t it with Romo. Later in the game, when the Cowboys are trailing by 7, and they have 2 plays to score from the 2-yard line, he again tests Bailey TWICE. Why do you continue to throw Bailey’s way?

Wasn’t it bad enough that he prevented a sure 3 points earlier in the game with a pick?

Do you really have to test him twice more with the game on the line?

Outside of that, I had one glaring problem with the play-calling in one specific situation. It might be a spot that is overlooked, but to me it was the difference in the game.

After the Cowboys stopped the Broncos on a 4th and 1, I felt that the Cowboys needed to capitalize with a big play attempt. It was something that the Giants did against the Cowboys in week 2, when they tested them deep after a big defensive play, and the Giants were rewarded with a huge pass-interference penalty. It swung the momentum back in the Giants favor, and it gave them a huge boost. The Cowboys, though, did not learn from their opponents’ smart mentality.

Instead, they throw 2 short passes and run the ball, leading to a 3 and out, and a wasted opportunity to shift momentum heavily in favor of the road team. Had they taken a shot deep and succeeded, they would have been in total control of the game at that point, and the game might not have been as tight. Rather than needing a touchdown to tie it at the end, maybe they could have needed a field goal to win it. All I am saying is that when the opportunity presents itself, the Cowboys need to try and capitalize in a big way. They need to stop playing not to lose, and they need to start playing to win. This is what separates the good teams from the great teams.

Overall, to me, the Cowboys are still showing weakness performing in pressure situations. Third downs need to be corrected, and they need to punch it in on that final drive. They have enough talent to do it, but they seem to let their emotions ruin those situations each and every time. Until the Cowboys man up, and start succeeding in the face of pressure, they will continue to be that really talented team that always seems to underachieve.

By Lee Tawil

"False Start, Number 76, Offense"

noreply@blogger.com (LT) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:50:00 +0000

As the weeks continue to progress in the NFL season, I have noticed something very interesting. Terrell Owens was not the number one Dallas Cowboys player with an insatiable hunger for attention last season. That title should rightfully belong to offensive lineman, number 76, Flozell “The Hotel” Adams.

Although his nickname, “The Hotel,” is a reference to his large stature, it might also be applicable to his desire to be in the spotlight.

Watching the Cowboys for many years now, I have witnessed just about every game that Flozell Adams has played in. I have seen his high points and his low points, and I have seen people like John Madden criticize him for being extremely penalty-prone. At first, I thought that Madden and company were blowing things out of proportion, but as time went on, I realized that they were correct. The words, “False start, number 76, offense,” was something that has become drilled in my head so many times, that I feel like I might explode.

And if the penalties were not enough to get me concerned, Adams has shown a recent lapse in judgment on a few plays. The plays that stick out are: Kicking Giants’ defensive end Justin Tuck in the knee, attempting to trip Osi Umenyiora, and this past week, he attempted to kick Panthers’ defensive end Julius Peppers. These penalties, plus the unnecessary roughness penalty against the Bucs in week 1, have cost Adams $25,000 in fines.

Following his last penalty against Carolina, I began to wonder if Flozell Adams was worth all of the headaches that he brought to the team. Sure, he is a great talent and a pro bowl caliber player, but his penalties are really beginning to add up and hurt this team a lot. For a guy who is as talented as he is, you wouldn’t think that he would make such infantile mistakes over and over again.

Now that Flozell is in his 12th season, I think that the Cowboys should strongly consider looking for someone to replace him soon. His penalties and antics are really becoming a hindrance and a distraction to a team that can ill-afford to have them (The Cowboys have been criticized for being an undisciplined team, and Adams is clearly the ring leader). If they eliminate the problems that Adams is bringing to the team, there is no telling how much this team can improve. They would be losing a lot of talent, but it’s better than losing another 5 yards for a stupid false start penalty.

By Lee Tawil

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:43:00 +0000

Cowboys-Seahawks|Preview, Cowboys Game Score,TV,Recap

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:28:00 +0000

The Cowboys vs Seahawks at home- game time Thursday, November 27, 4:15 PM ET. Get the latest live Cowboys game score on this page. TV coverage of the Cowboys vs Seahawks is on FOX. Find Cowboys game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest Cowboys blog talk and rumors. Always get the latest Cowboys game preview,score, news and more at Cowboysmix.com!

Cowboys vs 49ers Preview|Cowboys Game Score,TV Time

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:28:00 +0000

The Cowboys vs 49ers at home- game time Sunday, November 23, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live Cowboys game score on this page. TV coverage of the Cowboys vs 49ers is on FOX. Find Cowboys game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest Cowboys blog talk and rumors. Always get the latest Cowboys game preview,score, news and more at Cowboysmix.com!