2016 Cowboys: Giddyup for Elliot

[edmunddantes]

The funny thing is the NFL was always a group of tattletales. They just kept it in house for the most part under prior commissioners. Every week teams send in videos and other memo's complaining about this and that issue or rule. This came up in spygate and deflategate.

Teams have learned there is power in getting a media storm built up in order to get Roger to do things. So they run to the press now in addition to running to the NFL office.

 

[Greg29fan]

Another key stat showing how bad the offense suddenly became - they're two for their last 24 on third down conversions (one for nine against Minnesota and one for 15 last night).

 

[TFisNEXT]

Another key stat showing how bad the offense suddenly became - they're two for their last 24 on third down conversions (one for nine against Minnesota and one for 15 last night).

Pressure's on against TB. The QB talk is mostly fodder at the moment but it will become real if Dak is crap against TB.

 

[Bosoxen]

Pressure's on against TB. The QB talk is mostly fodder at the moment but it will become real if Dak is crap against TB.

I don't think it is fodder. This is likely the last, best chance for guys like Witten and Romo. Guys who have been cornerstones of the franchise for the better part of the new millennium. To me, at least, there needs to be a sense of urgency to take advantage of this opportunity before the window closes on that era. Not to the detriment of the team, obviously, but if Dak lays another turd on national television against the Bucs, that makes a four-game downward trend. In addition to that, losing to Tampa puts them in the real position of having to worry about a road playoff game. I don't even want to know what that would do to the team's confidence level to go from an 11-game winning streak to potentially losing home field advantage in the space of three weeks.

I still don't think it would be time to panic but the conversation needs to happen if the downward trend continues for Prescott.

 

[Greg29fan]

Randy Gregory has been cleared to practice today

 

[TFisNEXT]

Randy Gregory has been cleared to practice today

It will be interesting to see if he can add anything. The Cowboys' defense has all of the sudden started getting some QB pressure the past 3 weeks.

If Dak was feeling any pressure Sunday night after consecutive bad games, he didn't show it.

 

[Bosoxen]

The Cowboys' defense has all of the sudden started getting some QB pressure the past 3 weeks.

I'm still not sold on that. A big portion of that was the David Irving show on Sunday night (poor Gosder Cherilus is going to have nightmares about him for weeks). They're getting after in in spurts but I still don't see any kind of consistency in the pass rush and they're sure as shit going to need it with Stafford coming to town on Monday. Color me skeptical.

 

[Greg29fan]

I'm still not sold on that. A big portion of that was the David Irving show on Sunday night (poor Gosder Cherilus is going to have nightmares about him for weeks). They're getting after in in spurts but I still don't see any kind of consistency in the pass rush and they're sure as shit going to need it with Stafford coming to town on Monday. Color me skeptical.

They got some good heat on Eli around Flowers the Sunday before that but then in the second half he had his usual forever and half a day back there, so I would agree, they get some pressure on occasion, but not consistently.

 

[21st Century Sox]

I wonder how much playing time and effectiveness on the rush Gregory will have - being his first live game action in some time. He could definitely be a bonus.....

 

[Bosoxen]

I doubt we see him in any more than a handful of obvious passing downs. Beyond the lack of practice, I'm sure his conditioning is not quite yet up to snuff.

 

[Greg29fan]

So with everything sealed after tonight - how do they handle the last two weeks?

I can't fathom they would start Romo Monday night but in week 17? Sure.

 

[BigSoxFan]

So with everything sealed after tonight - how do they handle the last two weeks?

I can't fathom they would start Romo Monday night but in week 17? Sure.

First order of business, take a dive against the Lions to keep the Giants elimination scenario alive.

 

[Greg29fan]

First order of business, take a dive against the Lions to keep the Giants elimination scenario alive.

LOL I said the same thing on Twitter to start with, that I might want them to play the Sanchize

 

[Dan Murfman]

D.

 

[InstaFace]

D?

 

[SawxSince67]

Dallas clinches title, home field as Eagles knock off Giants.

(Bad Eli returns...)

 

[Bosoxen]

So with everything sealed after tonight - how do they handle the last two weeks?

I can't fathom they would start Romo Monday night but in week 17? Sure.

I really don't see Garrett starting Romo even against Philly. Will he play? I'm almost certain he will. But with the first round bye, taking a dive on Monday and playing all backups in Philly would mean they would go four weeks without playing a meaningful game. It would be really hard to turn it back on for the playoffs, especially for such a young team. And it gets even more precarious if the divisional round opponent is New York.

First order of business, take a dive against the Lions to keep the Giants elimination scenario alive.

I don't see this happening either but there is a plausible scenario in which it does happen. I would imagine it would play out a little something like this:

Play the starters in the first half and then run out the scrubs for the second half (sorry, fantasy football players, no one gives a shit about the fact you need Zeke to win your league). Rinse and repeat in Philly.

The other thing that helps the losing to Detroit scenario is that they may not want to give them any clue as to how to stop the first team offense, so the game plan may be a tad vanilla. I know they've said that wouldn't happen but this is a massive tactical advantage for Dallas which they'd be stupid not to utilize.

 

[TFisNEXT]

Boy did Mark Sanchez look awful.

On the plus side for Cowboys fans, he's the third stringer and Tony Romo came in and looked like it was 2014. Carved the Eagles up on his one drive.

 

[BigSoxFan]

So, 3 possible opponents are now set:

Giants
Packers
Lions

Obviously, Lions would be the best case scenario but it would require them to beat GB tonight and the Giants in the WC round, which doesn't seem likely but both will be home games.

Thus, looking like Eli or Rodgers will be coming to town in a couple weeks. Both GB and NY would figure to provide very stiff challenges to the Cowboys.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Randy Gregory seemed to play very well today. It may be that the all 22 will show mistakes, but he made a lot of plays and seemed to be around the ball the whole game. He may be an ex factor in the post season.

 

[H78]

I honestly think the Cowboys are going to be this year's big playoff disappointment. I have a feeling it's going to be Green Bay coming in and being the ones to "one and done" the 'Boys.

 

[Bosoxen]

I honestly think the Cowboys are going to be this year's big playoff disappointment. I have a feeling it's going to be Green Bay coming in and being the ones to "one and done" the 'Boys.

Care to explain why?

 

[H78]

I just believe inexperience is going to cost them, as it does to a lot of young teams in the playoffs. I think the media, in general, is underestimating the intensity that comes with regular season games versus postseason games. Dak and EE are probably going to be dealing with defensive approaches/packages they haven't really dealt with this season, as well as the pressure to perform against the toughest competition they'll have faced all year.

I also don't know if they're mentally there yet. I want to see how they respond to being down a couple of scores - will Dez revert back to Dez? How will Dak respond to that? What happens when they're faced with not being able to control the clock? They feel a little bit like front runners to me.

I could see a team like GB jumping ahead and rattling them. Just a sneaking suspicion.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

I think Dallas is a very solid team---doesn't turn it over, has strong and diverse offense, outstanding line, respectable defense (not great). I am not 100% sold on Dak, and so that's a risk point...we'll just see how he responds to pressure and playoff defense. But, his judgment this year was uncanny for a rookie and so one can't feel too terrible about how he's likely to respond. I am not certain he can carry them if they need him to.

Thus, to me the most likely scenarios they lose are a huge shootout where the other QB is just better (Atlanta seems like a candidate there, though any of Atl, GB, Sea could win that way) or a defense that just locks up Elliott and makes them one-dimensional and wins the slog (no easy task, but Giants and Seattle certainly capable).

 

[TFisNEXT]

Green Bay's terrible defense would probably get overwhelmed by Dallas' offensive line. They embarrassed them up in GB earlier this season and that was when their defense was healthier. Rodgers has gotten hot but you probably only have to make 3 or 4 stops on defense in a matchup against the Pack.

Atlanta is probably the scarier team. Their offense is a true juggernaut.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I honestly think the Cowboys are going to be this year's big playoff disappointment. I have a feeling it's going to be Green Bay coming in and being the ones to "one and done" the 'Boys.

I think I'm the opposite. I think people will start talking themselves into the Falcons/Giants/Seahawks/Packers while the Cowboys take all the punches and survive to the SB. The real interesting scenario for me is what happens if they find themselves down 17-6 or something at halftime in a game. It was essentially a scrimmage but Romo did look good today...

 

[TFisNEXT]

I think I'm the opposite. I think people will start talking themselves into the Falcons/Giants/Seahawks/Packers while the Cowboys take all the punches and survive to the SB. The real interesting scenario for me is what happens if they find themselves down 17-6 or something at halftime in a game. It was essentially a scrimmage but Romo did look good today...

Romo isn't getting into a game unless Dak gets injured or he literally throws a game away with like 4 INTs or something and mops up. I think that ship sailed at least a couple weeks ago when Dak bounced back really strong against TB.

I'll admit that seeing Romo dice up the Philly defense so easily in his only drive did conjur up thoughts of "what could have been...". Thoughts of an unstoppable offense with him in there. But in reality all today did was give them confidence of having the best backup QB in the playoffs.

The Cowboys are still a run-first team though and their success will hinge on the run game and then killing opposing defenses with play action passing.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

I think people are overestimating Seattle. Dallas would destroy them through the air. The Seahawks have looked terrible for weeks and will be lucky to win one game (hopefully against Detroit).

 

[Marciano490]

I think people are overestimating Seattle. Dallas would destroy them through the air. The Seahawks have looked terrible for weeks and will be lucky to win one game (hopefully against Detroit).

They beat a tough Niners team on the road today by almost three points.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

I think people are overestimating Seattle. Dallas would destroy them through the air. The Seahawks have looked terrible for weeks and will be lucky to win one game (hopefully against Detroit).

I at least am not saying I'd expect that to happen---I think Cowboys are a clear favorite vs Seattle. However, i can imagine the game playing out where Seattle wins a material amount of times as they have better coaching, a better defense, and the better QB. Those things matter, even if there's also more holes for Seattle.

 

[TFisNEXT]

Seattle has been Jekyll and Hyde this year. They have had moments where they look super bowl worthy and then times where they look like they could be one and done even with a first round home game. It just depends what team shows up in the playoffs.

One of the strengths of the Cowboys has been their consistency. They have put up very few true stinkers. Maybe the recent Giants loss was one...though the defense played a great game and they nearly won anyway. (Durant somehow dropped a breadbasket INT late...on a side note, why does this always seem to happen against Eli?) But they typically just grind down their opponents even if they start a bit slow and fall behind...they don't panic...or they just bury you into too far of a hole if you let them start fast and have the Oline to dominate the clock when they get a lead.

 

[Greg29fan]

Just praying nobody goes to Cancun or does something else stupid that the media can play up for two weeks.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Todd Archer ESPN Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys have worked out former first-round pick, guard Jonathan Cooper, according to multiple sources, and are discussing whether to add him to the active roster. Cooper, who was the seventh overall pick in 2013 by the Arizona Cardinals, was released last week by the Cleveland Browns. It's not clear how he would fit in the roster with the Cowboys looking to recall La'el Collins (toe) from injured reserve.

***

Obviously looking ahead to playing the Patriots

 

[EP Sox Fan]

Just praying nobody goes to Cancun or does something else stupid that the media can play up for two weeks.

I guess the Giants didn't get that particular memo...

http://deadspin.com/giants-wrs-flew-to-miami-for-one-hell-of-a-party-1790692715
http://deadspin.com/giants-wrs-flew-to-miami-for-one-hell-of-a-party-1790692715

 

[Bosoxen]

Todd Archer ESPN Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys have worked out former first-round pick, guard Jonathan Cooper, according to multiple sources, and are discussing whether to add him to the active roster. Cooper, who was the seventh overall pick in 2013 by the Arizona Cardinals, was released last week by the Cleveland Browns. It's not clear how he would fit in the roster with the Cowboys looking to recall La'el Collins (toe) from injured reserve.

***

Obviously looking ahead to playing the Patriots

Sounds more like Ronald Leary insurance:

Cooper has 14 career starts and would be an insurance option for the Cowboys in the playoffs because of injury concerns with Ron Leary (back) and La’el Collins, who is expected to be recalled from injury reserve after missing the last 13 games of the season because of toe surgery.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article124413649.html

 

[Greg29fan]

Cooper was signed and was at practice today

 

[Greg29fan]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 2m2 minutes ago
Randy Gregory suspended without pay for at least one year for violating NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 2m2 minutes ago
Randy Gregory suspended without pay for at least one year for violating NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Josh Gordon redux. Doubt we ever see him again.

 

[Greg29fan]

Well that certainly sucked. Maybe they were a year too early like the 91 team but nothing is guaranteed.

I want to like Jason Garrett, and I think he manages the circus that is the Cowboys very well, but his, and by extension Linehan and Dak's, time management was rancid.

Goal #1, #2, and #3 had to be to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field, but in the first half they gave him the ball back with a minute left and two timeouts, and then again in the second half with 30 whatever seconds and two timeouts. Hell, they got lucky the defense got a stop before the half since Green Bay got the ball to start the second half; the game could have been over right there.

You can't spike the ball with 50 seconds and a timeout left; that was a colossal error and wound up biting them both on that drive that could have won them the game, and then the Packers winning drive as well.

The offensive and defensive gameplans and the team clearly not being ready to play, especially on Green Bay's first drive, were both major issues as well, and it all combined to lead to the negative result that I was hoping would be avoided.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Rodgers is white hot right now, but Dallas plays a cleaner game on penalties and coaching and they win the game, maybe by more than one possession, despite the meh defense. McCarthy had some shit conservative playcalling as well in the second half, but I don't recall any dumb penalties for GB...

Another tough pill to swallow, but Dak looked pretty damn good for a rookie in the playoffs.

 

[H78]

I honestly think the Cowboys are going to be this year's big playoff disappointment. I have a feeling it's going to be Green Bay coming in and being the ones to "one and done" the 'Boys.

Celebrating what is

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Celebrating what is

Incredibly douchey move. Let's celebrate that for a while. What a douche you are.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Another tough pill to swallow, but Dak looked pretty damn good for a rookie in the playoffs.

He really, really did.

 

[jsinger121]

If I am Dallas I am focusing strictly on defense in the upcoming draft.

 

[Bosoxen]

Celebrating what is

Yammer took it easy on you. Go fuck yourself, you fucking asshole.

 

[BaseballJones]

Rodgers is white hot right now, but Dallas plays a cleaner game on penalties and coaching and they win the game, maybe by more than one possession, despite the meh defense. McCarthy had some shit conservative playcalling as well in the second half, but I don't recall any dumb penalties for GB...

Another tough pill to swallow, but Dak looked pretty damn good for a rookie in the playoffs.

I think Dallas is going to be very good for a long time. Elite, young talent. A dynamic offensive line. Tremendous skill players.

I also agree with jsinger121. I spend my draft capital on defense, because if that D gets good....holy smokes.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

What a game. Dallas is full of fight. Can someone give me a quick & dirty on how they're looking cap wise, and what's likely to happen in terms of players leaving this offseason? And yes I'm hoping to hear that their offensive line is all leaving via free agency. Except for Free.

 

[Cabin Mirror]

What a game. Dallas is full of fight. Can someone give me a quick & dirty on how they're looking cap wise, and what's likely to happen in terms of players leaving this offseason? And yes I'm hoping to hear that their offensive line is all leaving via free agency. Except for Free.

That was my take away. I really don't like Dallas in general, but found myself kind of rooting for them in that game. I had written them off a few times. Many teams would have rolled over.

That diving interception by the safety changed the game.

 

[BigSoxFan]

If I am Dallas I am focusing strictly on defense in the upcoming draft.

Absolutely. Maybe look into a Witten replacement but other than that, offense is all set. Front 7 needs more talent. They rarely get pressure on the QB.

 

[TheMoralBully]

We already knew Elliot's great, but Dak was really impressive. It was good to see both of these guys were up to the task in a big playoff game. The loss sucked, but 2016 brought Cowboys fans two foundational talents on rookie contracts. Obviously a lot of other stuff needs to fall in place, but Dallas is in a really good place.