CowboysBlog.Net

Like most fans im enjoying this bitter sweet victory over the highly touted, undefeated Saints. The Cowboys had their foot on the peddle through most of the game, and it paid off at the end of the game. DeMarcus Ware’s decision to play in tonight’s game was clearly a huge part of the victory. The Cowboys will now play the Redskins, and finish the season against the hated Eagles.

On another note, the Cowboys better release kicker, Nick Folk. This guy is a complete loser of a kicker, he’s barely over 60% in accuracy. DeMarcus Ware’s sack for a fumble saved the game, but the missed kick by Folk was extremely close to costing us the game. The Saints were on fire and were on pace to tie and possibly winning the game. Folk better be cut TONIGHT, we cannot afford to carry this bum the rest of the way, especially if we make the playoffs. Jerry cut Folk asap.

At 8-5 the Cowboys are in serious trouble. The annual December slide is officially on, and the search for a new head coach is officially on as well (from a fan’s point of view). Fans of the Cowboys have zero faith that the Cowboys will turn it around, so the talk is turning full speed to the next head coach and draft pick position.

The Cowboys will likely finish out the season 8-8, perhaps 9-7 and missing the playoffs. The Cowboys remaining schedule:

• Saints (loss)
• Redskins (?)
• Eagles (loss)

Jerry should get an early under the table start on the next head coach for the Cowboys because this year will prove to be one of the biggest head coaching turnovers in several season’s.

Coaches to look out for:

• Bill Cowher - leads the pack for any team, will demand big bucks, Jerry will have to pay big for him to come here
• Mike Holmgren - would be a perfect fit here for Romo, but appears to be headed to Seattle to GM
• Jon Gruden - the name brings grumbles, but could be be what the Cowboys need like the Bucs needed the year they won the Super Bowl? That’ll be Gruden’s play to win the job.
• Tony Dungy - would be a great pick, but I doubt he comes out of retirement
• Jason Garrett - has Garrett already been promised the job? who knows, what we do know is that the offense sucks, so what’s more logical?
• Charlie Weis - relieved of duty from Notre Dame, one of the NFL brightest offensive minds, could he make the transition in Dallas?
• Ron Rivera - he interviewed last time there was an opening, he’s a proven coordinator, and tough attitude, would Dallas let another coordinator be our head coach with our bad stints with coordinator turned head coaches though?
• Mike Shanahan - probably the most likely guy at this point, but would his system work here in Dallas. Its more of a zone blocking and west coast oriented scheme. If Kubiak is canned in Dallas he would be his OC, could be more dynamic than the crap we’re running here right now, we’ll see.
• Leslie Frazier - defensive coordinator of the Vikings has been on many lists before, this will likely be the year he lands a head coaching job somewhere.

That’s who I have as potential coaches, we’ll see. Let the talk begin, these Cowboys in 2009 aren’t going anyway but back in time and calling on ghosts from previous season. Sucky team. Love you but, things need to change.

What a load of bs turned in by the Cowboys against the very beatable Packers. Just when you get comfortable with the Cowboys they turn in one of these pathetic, turnover, penalty, sloppy ladened games. Anyone still think we’re back on track and going to be 13-3 or 12-4? This team never ceases to disappoint me, they beat the Falcons, they beat up the Eagles on the road, and then take a dump on fans in Green Bay…sucky.

I have been and will continue to be wary of this team. November has been very good to Romo and the Cowboys, its Decemeber that we need to be looking at. Here’s the remainder of the schedule, pay attention to December’s games:

• Washington (Nov)
• Oakland (Nov)
• @ Giants (Dec)
  
• San Diego (Dec)
  
• @ New Orleans (Dec)
  
• @ Washington (Dec)
• Philadelphia (Jan)

This is just a brutal schedule, any crap performances like the Packers and stick a fork in us. Historically, December has been our worst football. There isn’t going to be an easy game the rest of the way, not that the Cowboys have beaten easy teams at ease, but I’m just saying this is going to be something to watch. Are we the contenders or pretenders? To me the odds are against us, just based on history. Add injury to our star RT, in Marc Colombo and we’re in big trouble in the pass/run blocking.

I’m not dooming this team yet, but there’s no way you can crown the Cowboys yet, they haven’t done well, especially in December. The Cowboys probably need to win (5) more games to get into the playoffs, 11-5 should get us in. Do you honestly see us winning (5) out of the next (7) games? Do you believe in this coaching staff, in these players? Man, I want to with all my heart, but there’s just this uneasing feeling I have looking at the way we’ve been playing, even in these close wins.

The Cowboys held an afternoon press conference announcing that LB DeMarcus Ware signed a 6yr extension. Ware is considered a top 3 LB, if not the very best in the league.

Details of the contract:

DeMarcus Ware received a six year extension worth $78 million. He received a $20 million signing bonus and will make $34 million in the first 12 months of the deal between bonuses and base salaries. (DMNBlog)

This was a no-brainer deal, Jerry was going to reward Ware, and he didn’t quite break the bank as projected. Good deal for everyone.

The search for Terrell Owens production as a #1 WR has been found in Miles Austin. If I’m the Cowboys, I keep going with Austin and don’t look back. Austin is clearly the new #1 WR on this team, he makes plays, and gains huge chunks after the catch, sounds like #81 from last season.

Now, that we have found our #1 WR, the search continues for the #2 WR. Let’s get to the point, Roy Williams is NO #1 WR, he’s not a big play maker like Owens from last season, and he hasn’t even made plays like Austin has been making since he took over. Austin’s emergence is a great welcome, but it also amplifies the big mistake in paying all that money and draft picks for a #2 WR in Roy Williams, what a bust. Roy wasn’t a #1 in Detroit because of his injuries and because of his lack of playmaking plays, this is why they drafted Calvin Johnson, we got our eyes poked out again with this trade.

Let’s enjoy this win, and hope for more of the same results, and let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I remember listening to Jimmy Johnson and he pretty much said that Cowboys fans change moods week to week. One week we’re horrible and won’t win any other games, and then a game like this against the Falcons we’re thinking we’re Super Bowl bound. Its one game, we still have a whole lot of inconsistencies across the board, and lots of improvements need to be made to grow from this convinicing win over the Falcons.

We host the Seahawks next sunday, lets hope for a convincing win please, and not a barely winning it Chiefs type game against a bad team.

Looks like the Cowboys have finally opened their eyes and will start Miles Austin as the #2 WR over Patrick Crayton. When I first saw the headline news I thought this was great and I love it, then I read that Crayton is upset. Give me a break, the guy is unreliable, his hands went from the best to questionable, reckless with ball security after the catch, this was a long time coming. Take the demotion and shut up, and the coaches don’t need to apologize, this team has been playing uninspired football since the end of the 2008 season. Just play and makes plays, or get demoted.

Austin taking over as the #2 further proves that Crayton has been demoted across the board, it also shows the Cowboys have grown tired of Crayton’s shoddy play. The occasional good catch simply cannot overcome Crayton’s big let downs, Im happy to see the demotion. I’m also glad that Rossum was signed and should handle punt returns over Crayton as well.

Look for Austin to take full advantage of his opportunity and help Romo make some plays. He seems to be the only receiver in recent weeks to be an impact. Roy Williams is a freakin’ bust, seriously.

No Trades for Dallas

The Cowboys were offered a major trade deal for one of their players but Jerry declined the trade. We’re not sure who the supposed player was, but Im sure it’ll be leaked out soon. For my money, I would have like to see Jerry trade Romo to San Diego for Phillip Rivers. I would still love to see this happen, it won’t but I wish.

Wow, what a game, what a load of garbage turned in by both sides of the ball too. All kudos for Miles Austin saving the day with his big catches for the win. But one thing remains a constant for this team, and that’s inconsistency everywhere you look.

I really wanted the Cowboys to blow out the lowly Chiefs the same way the Giants demolished a similarly crap team in the Raiders; but no, we’re clearly not at the same level as the Giants, not even close. We can’t close out crappy teams, and we can’t win against solid teams, we still suck, we really do.

Going into the bye, fans don’t feel any better than we did before the Chiefs game, and that’s thanks to yesterday’s hearty helping of pure sloppiness in a win that should have never been that close. We’re horrible. How can a team build on a squeaky win like that, give me a break. We have no discipline, no play calling skills, no defense, no passing game, no pressure or sacks, special team blunders, just sucky.

Austin may have saved Wade’s job, but the season has a long way to go, and the early struggles scare me since we have yet to get to our traditionally lousy December choke fests.

Here’s What We Know (going into the bye)

1. The defense in under performing even with Wade fully in charge

2. The loss of T.O. is officially evident in the lack of big plays in the passing game.

3. Roy Williams is a bust

4. Felix Jones is not very durable

5. Martellus Bennett has been a ZERO factor in the game, zero.

6. Flozell Adams sucks, yet we never address his liability each season

7. 3-4 has been a bust in Dallas, seriously, no guru has made it work here, scrap the crappy scheme soon.

8. Romo is not that good, simply overrated

9. Newman is on his last season here, he’s on the downside of his career

10. Crayton is reckless and can’t be counted on in punt returns or the passing game, he sucks.

Positives

1. Jason Witten is the best tight end in the NFL

2. Jay Ratliff is a beast, and best player right now on defense

3. Keith Brooking was a great addition and upgrade over Zach Thomas

4. Tashard Choice can carry the load and be counted on

You see, the negatives simply out weigh the positives of this team, we don’t have a championship mentality. We think we have the roster, and maybe we do, but the coaching is the biggest liability. Which ever way the season ends, Jerry better get a coach in here to salvage this roster before we go back to the 5-11 seasons. Jerry, inquiry about Mike Holmgren.

Who would be believe there’s high drama so early in the season with the Cowboys just 2-2 going into week 5 against a 0-4 Kansas City Chiefs team? Fans are closely watching the drama that is being built up in Dallas, like a volcano waiting to erupt. No one wants to play a team that has yet to win a game; moreover, the Cowboys don’t want to be the team to give them their first win. A loss in any fashion against the lowly Chiefs would be very bad news for the Cowboys, their fans, and any playoff aspirations.

Which team is going to show up?

For Wade’s sake the Cowboys better win this game; if not, a change could be made at the bye week. Of course the chances of a head coaching change at 2-3 would be slim to none, it would at least be considered by the Jones braintrust. 2-3 would set us back within our division, and the schedule after the bye is non-stop brutality. The Cowboys will face Atlanta, Seattle, Eagles, and Packers to name a few. The way the Cowboys are playing right now there’s no way we beat any of them, maybe the Seahawks.

Devil’s Advocate

Let’s say the Cowboys blow it on the road at Kansas City and drop to 2-3, and the ride back home Jerry decides Wade has lost the team, fires Wade, promotes Jason Garrett to Head Coach and gives Garrett a test run for the remainder of the season.  Would this even be possible you ask? Sure it could be done, Campo would likely take over the defense, and Sherman would take over the offense. If Garrett turns the team around and gets us to the playoffs he could stay as head coach and this would be the only thing that would save Garrett’s job as well. Most fans do not hold Garrett in high regard either, so convincing wins would be the only way Garrett remains.

On the other hand

Scenario two could be more telling for the overall confidence in the coaching staff. Let’s say the Cowboys lose, and Wade is not cut loose, well to me this would be an indictment against Garrett. If there would be anytime to cut Phillips loose with a seamless transition it would be during the bye week; however, if Phillips remains this means Jerry has no confidence that Garrett could have taken over the team and turned around the season. This would virtually seal his fate at the end of the season if the Cowboys keep on the average track they are on right now - look for a complete coaching overhaul for the 2010 season.

If the Cowboys lose to the Chiefs, this is going to be a media circus with Phillips, Garrett, and Romo leading the way. Questions will be raised as to whether or not to bench Romo, make a trade for another receiver, firings and benchings will be the hot topics during the bye week. Lets hope for a win, that’s what we all want, not sure we’re on track for many this season.

The Cowboys let the Broncos hang around and win the game, and Wade Phillips’ seat should be warming up. Despite being 2-2, the Cowboys are really playing some very mediocre ball on both sides of the ball. We’re on track for a dreadful 8-8 season if this team doesn’t make some changes.

Its the same story different week, shoddy tackling, penalties, poor play calling, bad decisions everywhere. We were lucky to pull out last week’s game against the Panthers; otherwise, we’d be staring at a 1-3 start, which is really how this team is playing right now. We’re just not that good.

The loss of Terrell Owens is starting to show in the lack of production by the receivers. We’re close to being one dimensional. I’ve seen enough of  Roy Williams , and guess what? he’s not a #1 WR, everyone else is inconsistent. Witten, a TE, is our best receiver, but you can’t count on him all the time. Defenses know we have week receivers, and are now figuring out that you can shutdown Witten and we’re left with a banged up running game to carry the load.

I want to see Kevin Ogletree activated and pickup where he left off with Romo in the preseason. Something needs to change, and quick.

The defense sucks when it comes to crunch time. I want to see more Victor Butler, Spencer sucks, and so does Carpenter. That’s probably why we’re seeing the rookie Jason Williams sneak in some playing time today.

You’re seeing the same things I am, so I won’t go on and on, but all signs are pointing to a mediocre season.

With just three games into the season, the Cowboys have already had the early dramatics, and disappointments. Let’s take a look, in general, at how this team is doing and how we’re going to improve. If we’re being 100% honest about this team, let’s get to the reality of it…this team is average and has not impressed anyone, yet. Romo picked up where he left off the last two seasons, penalites galore, Flozell’s drive killing penalties, injuries, inconsistent play. Jason Witten, Choice, and perhaps Jay Ratliff are the virtual lone consistent players right now.

The thing that scares me about this version of the Cowboys thus far has been the lack of explosiveness early on. The last several seasons the Cowboys started out blowing up people and lighting it up, and then the November/December months drop offs. This year, the Cowboys seem to have just casually galloped out the gate, could it be that the Cowboys are trying to pace themselves and leave the explosiveness for the end of the season this time? Not sure about that, but, one thing is for sure, neither side is looking good enough to win the division, let alone make the playoffs and win.

Yes, yes, at 2-1, its early and not the end of the world.  When you look back at how, you the fan, have felt watching these games, how many times did you feel worried about losing, choking away another loss, or just not very confident in the play calling? This team is underachieving early on, in my opinion.

Roy Williams is disappointing, Martellus Bennett has NOT had any impact in the passing game whatsoever as we had hoped or foolishly predicted. Felix Jones looks to be somewhat injury prone, after each of his big runs do you cringe and wonder if he pulled something or got injured? He’s not very durable. Great player, and extremely explosive, exciting player, but where’s the health at? Jason Garrret’s play calling at some points reminds me of some dumb Switzer/Zampese play calling, just dumb. Lastly, Wade Phillips has been a disappointment as the full-time defensive play caller; which again, raises questions about the viability of the 3-4 scheme in Dallas, the gurus have not “made it happen” in Dallas yet.

Where’s the good news you say?

Well, the Cowboys are facing a very average Denver Broncos team this week, and then a horrible Kansas City team before going into the bye week. In theory, the Cowboys should be able to defeat these teams and go into the bye week at 4-1.  No faultering allowed, after the bye week the schedule gets tough the rest of the way. Let’s hope for some improvements in all areas.