SB Nation User Blog: 5Blings

Dallas’ "Knockout" Player

5Blings — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:12:11 -0000

There are plenty of “Atta Boy’s” to go around after this win.

Spencer, Sensei, Ratliff, Ware, Jenkins, T-New, Roy Willie (yes, him!), Barber, Romo (and others I’m sure I have missed) all deserve one for the game.

In fact, I attribute the victory more to the play of the defense than anything else. That said, I’m not going to drone on about all of them. It was a good team win where, as I suggested would have to be the case, Dallas needed to show uncommon toughness and grit. They did just that.

But let me make sure we don’t overlook one who might be the real ‘unsung hero’ of this football game, Kevin Ogletree. Maybe it was me, but on two key 3rd and long plays in the game, Ogletree was the guy with the ball in his hands making smart decisions in terms of getting behind blockers and knowing where the marker was.

The first play, a 3rd and 9 at the Philadelphia 23 was a play that would eventually be uber-meaningful as the game wore on. Against another variation of an A-gap blitz, Ogletree caught the ball cleanly on a WR screen, ran toward the hash and then turned it up field. 21 yards later, the Eagles were staring at Dallas, first and goal from the 2. It was the difference between a Nick folk FG attempt and a Tashard Choice TD out of the wildcat formation.

Then, on 3rd and 14 at the Philly 21, there was Ogletree again sprinting up field for 17 yards and a first down and goal at the 4 yard line. While Dallas couldn’t punch it in, the ensuing chip shot from Folk put Dallas up by 4 points at halftime of a 10-6 game.

By the way, the final margin of victory? Those same 4 points. I’m just sayin…

He was targeted 2 times in the game and both came up big for Dallas. One could easily make an argument that he should get more reps with the first string because this is a league that thrives on speed at the edge (heck Philly’s recent success is predicated on it). Last night, under the bright lights in a meaningful game, his speed was evident. The topic came up between Bigrigga and I last week about our oversized small-forwards masquerading as WR’s and how Romo needed some smaller, quicker targets with which to beat the blitz. Who knew Novinger and I were so prophetic?

So, here’s one fan’s vote for more “K-O” (my new nickname for him…I hope it sticks) because as we head into a difficult second half of the season, we’ll need to knock some teams out and I know the guy that can do it.

GO COWBOYS

Why The Eagles Game Is Not About Romo

5Blings — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:07:28 -0000

I know.

He's the bus driver. He's the guy that makes or breaks the team. He's the guy everyone looks to when the chips are down and the game is on the line.

But this upcoming game is not about Tony Romo. I’m not suggesting that Romo won’t lay an egg and cause the team to lose any more than I’m suggesting that he’ll turn in a Joe Montana-esque performance and lead the team to victory. Either or neither could happen.

It’s not about any of that. At least not in this game. You see, the wounds, my wounds, haven’t healed. The pain is still too fresh in my mind. I remember what it was like to watch every God-forsaken moment of that so-called football game last December when the Dallas Cowboys quit. Dallas didn’t just lose the game 44-6; they lost a whole lot more. It was clear (at least to me) at that time that Winnie the Coach had lost his locker room. It was clear the Cowboys had lost not only the game, but they had lost their way as well.

The post-game and post-season spins were focused on how there were too many divisive forces in the locker room which subsequently led to a housecleaning. As Jerry and Stephen “disinfected” the locker room and added players like Brooking and Olshansky and coaches like DeCamilis, there was the overarching implication that what happened against the Eagles on national TV would NEVER happen again. Not with these guys. Not with this locker room.

Well here we are, nearly a year later, and once again, Dallas goes to Lincoln Financial Field with a lot riding on the game. Once again, national TV. Once again, facing their nemesis, Andy Reid. Once again, into the breach.

So this game isn’t about Tony Romo. He’s the under card, not the main event. This game is a chance for the defense to shut down the Eagles’ explosive deep passing game and stuff LeSean McCoy’s inside runs. It’s a chance for Hudson Houck’s guys to open up some holes and stifle the myriad of blitzes that will surely come. It’s a chance for Special Teams to make a game-changing play or two. This game is a chance for all Cowboys fans to see whether or not the Jones Boys’ strategy paid off. This game is THE litmus test for all of the off season changes. They dumped T.O. and Ellis and Tank and Roy W (the SS). They put their faith in Miles Austin (and Roy). They kept Winnie AND Jason. What did that buy us?

The Eagles’ strategy is the same as every other contender when playing Dallas – punch the Cowboys in the mouth and see if they have the stones to hit you back as hard or harder. I’m not in the business of prognosticating these games, and frankly, I don’t know what to think of this one. I’m scared, I’m hopeful, I’m…excited.

And so, with apologies to those who think the planets revolve around Tony Romo, I won’t be watching him as intently as I usually do. Truly, if we lose this game 13-10 in a slugfest, I won’t be happy, but I’ll be able to rip the bandages off of last year’s deep cuts. This is most likely the first true test of the 2009 Dallas Cowboys’ new locker room. I know you’re supposed to focus on your next game and forget what happened last week, to say nothing of what happened last season. But for me…it still stings, and I bet I’m not alone. The Cowboys just need to go out and execute the game plan and play a solid physical game to make me believe that things have changed.

GO COWBOYS

Maintaining ROMOmentum

5Blings — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:43:07 -0000

People have called this Sunday's game against Seattle anything from a potential blowout to a trap game. But for me, it's not about that at all. No sir, I'm sitting here wondering what is going through Tony Romo's head right now as he gets ready to face the team that represents one of the defining moments in Tony's relatively short career.

Since this will be my first visit to Dallas to see a game in the new stadium (I got great seats, so look for me on TV with my Romo jersey on!), you have to wonder what he'll be thinking as he looks across the field and sees many of the same faces that were there when Romo led Dallas down the field toward a playoff-game-winning chip shot field goal try, only to become a national media goat for mishandling the snap.

Last Sunday's game, by all accounts, was simply one of Romo's best in his career. It came on the heels of a bye week in which Romo suffered more zings from the sports media than at any time prior. But in that game, Romo wasn't just good, he was masterful and he upstaged a QB whose been called the best young QB to come out of college in some time. In so doing, he turned the tables on the national media, if only for the moment, and gave them pause as they were forced to re-think their assessments of him.

This weekend, Romo has another golden opportunity to exorcise some of the demons of his past. Another week of good decisions, accurate throws and field leadership could do wonders for him both emotionally and in terms of whatever legacy he leaves once his playing days are over. Also, don't think that people aren't deriding his lack of consistency and expecting his play to regress to what we saw in the Giants game.

Some would say, "he's already forgotten about that game" or "he's moved on" but I wouldn't be so sure. If you've played sports at high levels before, then you know that there are some psychological associations that are more difficult to break than others. Ask Troy Aikman about his games against Rodney Peete at UCLA (hint: I have).

In fact, Romo should have a huge chip on his shoulder going into this game. He should hold the Seattle Seahawks partially accountable for him not having reached the top of the proverbial mountain and then take it out on them with a surgical dismemberment of their defense. While he, like any QB, won't ever fully be validated until he leads his team to a Super Bowl victory, this game...THIS GAME should be a personal watershed moment in Tony Romo's career as he leaves all of what happened on that fateful day against the Seahawks in his rear view mirror.

I know we'll all be rooting hard for him.

GO COWBOYS

Making a Statement

5Blings — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:05 -0000

It was truly heartwarming for me to watch Dallas defeat the Atlanta falcons in the way they did on Sunday. Not because it is any more meaningful than a win against any other team outside the division, but because of the WAY they won.

First, some players made statements. First and foremost, Keith Brooking made a statement. I’ve never in my years of watching football seen a free agent signee, in their first year on a new team, become THE leader on either offense or defense…until now. Brooking is now the face of the Dallas Cowboys defense (apologies to DeMarcus, Bradie and Rat) and he is exactly the type of fierce competitor and passionate player this defense needed. Miles Austin made a statement. He’s now on the national radar as more than just a one-game wonder. He’s big, fast and strong but has nothing but the best attitude and it is good to see that from a wide receiver. Gerald Sensebaugh made a statement. Immobilized thumb and all, he showed yesterday why the Cowboys signed him. Tony Gonzalez was a no-show in that game, due in large part to him. Even Patrick Crayton, whose star has fallen more so than any other Cowboy in recent memory, made the play that turned the game from contested into a rousing victory. He made a statement. Most of all, Tony Romo made a statement. On a stage in which he was pitted against an opposing QB who had is being mentioned in the same sentences with Peyton, Brady and Big Ben, yesterday was Tony Romo’s day. Despite the O-line’s continued trouble handling the blitz, Romo made good choices with the football, taking sacks and protecting the ball instead of turning the ball over. Romo was more accurate than at any time in his last nine regular season games and, aside from not clicking at all with Roy Williams, he played a terrific game.

It wasn’t just players who made a statement. Jason Garrett made a statement. He rediscovered Martellus Bennett as a receiver. He didn’t abandon the run. He put the running backs into the pattern and he had Romo feeling and looking more comfortable than in quite some time with the play calling. Joe DeCamilis made a statement. Aside from the TD by Crayton, the coverage was solid on punts and kicks. McBriar’s directional kicking was error-free, Buehler’s kicks were deep and Nick Folk was dead center. At the top of the list, though, was Wade Phillips (the DC) who made a statement. The pressure on the QB was the best in 6 games and players seemed to know (except for that TD by Weems) where to be and what to do. Save for the first drive of the game, the defense controlled the tempo of the game and kept Matt Ryan on his heels all day.

The real question…

Did the Dallas Cowboys make a statement to the league that they are a team to be reckoned with going into these ten remaining games? I won’t go that far. We have a tendency as fans to want to see one great game and say, "okay, that’s it, all of our problems are solved". I’m not going to do that, knowing what I already know.

Nonetheless, this was the best Cowboys football I’ve seen played in the Wade Phillips era and it made me remember what it feels like to be a fan of a team that could dominate a highly regarded foe and batter them into submission. The image of this game won’t last forever. We have an underrated Seattle team coming to town next week (note: it will be my first time seeing a game at the new stadium) before a brutal stretch of games against division foes and playoff teams from last year.

Dallas made some kind of statement against Atlanta, and it was a big one on a big stage. The real question is, will we hear it echo down the stretch?

GO COWBOYS

This Team is (still) Mediocre

5Blings — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:51:10 -0000

They just are. I can't say that many of us didn't already think that before the season began, but after 3 games, this is not an elite team, by any stretch of the imagination. It seems the pundits and talking heads at ESPN were right.

Let's start with the Defense, which many (including me) believed the organization was betting the farm on for this season. The shoddy play from Dave Campo's group, coupled with the lack of QB pressure up front, doesn't suggest that the coverage issues over the last several seasons in Dallas were always about the lack of a safety to pair with Pro Bowler Ken Hamlin. The run defense, while much more solid on Monday, has also underperformed. Finally, the off season focus on generating turnovers on the defensive side of the ball has not panned out, at all. The difficult pill to swallow is that Dallas hasn't faced a truly prolific offense like the ones it will see from Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Diego, etc.

On Offense, having seen the horrific first half production in these games along with some of what has become suspect play calling, the team has not been able to overcome the lack of an outside game breaker and generate big plays early in games (I am STILL glad he is gone). Romo's play has not been up to snuff, and his accuracy at times has been awful, but some of his poor play could be attributed to the fact that he doesn't have the downfield threat of prior years. One bright spot on offense has been the play of the offensive line. Hudson Houck's group has done a very fine job in both blocking phases of the game. Unfortunately, Marion Barber's injury has forced FJ and TC to pick up blitzers and they haven't been able to consistently neutralize the pressure there.

One thing that really makes me smile is the play of Special Teams. I will be the first to admit that I was unsure of how things might go with Joe D, but so far, so great. Guys are staying disciplined and in their lanes. The returners look like they have a general plan in terms of how to beat the oppoenent's coverage, which suggests they are using film to help them gain an advantage. The tackling on this unit has been better than that displayed on defense (okay, that's not a good thing when you really think about it, but let's celebrate good stuff where we can find it!). What discussion of Specials would be complete without a mention of Ferris? David Buehler has lengthened the field for opposing offenses and they owe him a debt of gratitude. All in all, Joe D has made a huge difference.

My real beef with this team is that they haven't shown a competitive fire and or an identity that can carry them through a long hard slog of a 16 game season. Anecdotally, it 'feels' like they still don't have a common vision or know who they are. I have to point my finger at the Coaching staff. Winnie, Jason and the others have not distinguished themselves in terms of the team's preparation, situational awareness and overall execution in many key areas. It seems that all of the off season and training camp rhetoric around a change in philosophy doesn't seem to have elevated the team's discipline on the field.

Overall, I see this team being too enamored with their 2 wins against teams they should have easily crushed in the first halves, but did not because of poor offense (and in the case of Tampa, defense too). They continue to be an extension of their Head Coach, who really has no business having that title, and I would bet that their next HC (take your pick from the Holmgren, Shanahan, Gruden deck) will be the kind that will take them to the woodshed for such lackluster perfromances.

Sadly, 8-8 or 9-7 and third place in the East seems reasonable, given who and where we are.

Nevertheless, GO COWBOYS.

Quick Hits on the Tampa Game

5Blings — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:52:19 -0000

On the Plus side...

Special Teams coverage was much improved and David Buehler's net worth to this team increased drapatically after seeing him blast a couple off of the tee.

The 12 alignment works! The double TE set is the Wildcat of 2009. I hope we see more running out of it with Choice and wheel routes to Barber and screens to Felix.

Kudos to the offense for connecting on some big plays when the defense made some huge mmistakes in coverage.

No major injuries. We have to feel good about the fact that there were no Tom Brady-like injuries out there. I almost puked when I saw Ware laying on the ground with the burner.

On the Minus side...

The run defense was putrid. How much is scheme versus just being beaten up by a more aggressive opponent is unknown at this point.

Confusion on offense. Totally unacceptable as far as I am concerned. Bennett was in no-man's land and the entire offensive unit was out of sync.

Romo, despite his gaudy numbers, was generally off. His history of slow starts was again the order of the day. I'd like to think it was opening game jitters, but nothing suggests that this isn't a contiuation of what we've already seen and you just can't do that against the better teams in the league.

No pass rush at all. This one surprised me, but they locked Ware down and that was it for our ability to rush one of the more immobile QB's in the NFL. We didn't do anything exotic with the CB's and safeties. To be fair, the Bucs have one of the better young O-Lines in the NFC.

No turnovers forced by the defense. I truly think the secondary is poised to make some big plays, but without the pass rush of last year, it is all for nothing.

Overall...

If not for some key drops by TB receivers and Dallas' MVP of the day, Sabby Piscatelli, this could have been a different outcome. I'm not feeling good about the Giants game, given their physical dominance of the Redskins. I hope we have a week filled with lots of time in the film room, because we need to open Cowboys Stadium with a victory.

THINGS EVERY COWBOYS FAN SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT

5Blings — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:27:51 -0000

You know me. I’m not one to shy away from controversy in the SB Nation blogosphere. I generally won’t hesitate to challenge your paradigms and force you to ‘man up’ when it comes to why you believe what you believe. I’m also probably more inclined – yes, I’ll admit it - to examine some of the not-so-positive aspects of all things Dallas Cowboys, while others (hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a homer, we need homers too!) tell you the future is bright and filled with nothing but 16-0 seasons and Blings this and every year. However, regardless of how some might characterize my rants, I’m no football Scrooge. In fact, as I do every year, I was only too happy to offer up some of the areas that make me puff out my chest when I think about the upcoming season.

It might surprise some, but there are a good many things that Dallas fans should feel good about coming into the 2009 opener. As someone who prides himself on being balanced, I was not going to miss my opportunity to talk about those things. So come on, grab a cold one and let’s consider the big-ticket items that should make all of our fans happy and our adversaries fearful…

All hail the cleaners! Jerry, Stephen and their minions should be applauded for sanitizing the Cowboys locker room. After all, it was pretty clear that there was some mildew around the showers and some crud along the baseboards. The air has been cleared, the new scent is ‘Autumn Romo Springs’ and everything has been laid out for Tony to ascend to the throne and fill the leadership chasm on this team. Distractions? No more Pac, Tank, Ellis and T.O. Nope, they all go bye-bye. To me, this is the most important philosophical change on this team since Deion Sanders came to Dallas. This team is going with guys who subjugate their own multi-million dollar egos to the overall goals of the team. When you couple this with the constant drama around Brett Favre and the zany goings-on in Denver, lots has happened to make Dallas a less appealing source of media fodder. Regardless of how this new ‘team-first’ dogma pans out on the field, isn’t it just great to finally have a roster chock full of guys that you not only like to see play, but that you actually LIKE?

The return of the Flash. Maybe I am making too much of this, maybe I need to calm down, but with T.O. gone, Felix Jones is the one true offensive game breaker on this team. He adds a dimension of electricity and excitement that no other Cowboys star on the offensive side of the ball brings with them. Not since Herschel Walker was here has a Dallas RB had his kind of long speed. Jones is a big play waiting to happen and his presence on the field will force opposing defenses to think twice about overload blitzes because of the price they’ll pay if he can get to the second level. If Redball can find ways to get the ball to Flash in space, we could see lots of him on Sportscenter and some big W’s against tough teams in December.

The brains behind the brawn. Kyle Kosier is back and, for those fans who derided him for being the smallest and weakest of the group (you all know who you are…but you probably won’t admit it), he is obviously the cerebral link on the Dallas Offensive line. Early returns look like the pass protection will be much improved in 2009 over the ‘jailbreak’ that was the abysmal 2008 performance, and that is critical to the team’s ability to conduct a more controlled, methodical attack. As I’ve said before, 2009 is Hudson Houck’s chance to be our hero, but we should also give credit where it is due and I think Kyle Kosier’s real value to this team has become abundantly clear. Welcome back Kyle!

The WB on Fox…huh? Relax, it’s not Warner Brothers, it’s Witten and Bennett. Dallas has what could be the most devastating one-two punch at TE the game has ever seen. With more NFC teams moving to a 3-4 alignment on defense, Telly’s emergence as a potential bookend stud to (the game’s best TE) Jason Witten could revolutionize how teams attack the 3-4 and force opposing Defensive Coordinators to go back to the drawing board. Both players have displayed tenacious blocking coupled with the ability to catch mid-range passes in the seams. Would it surprise anyone here if we saw the ‘WB’ become a household name by mid-season? This is truly one to watch in ’09.

No more free lunches. Beyond cutting Brad Johnson loose, it was good to see the team make some (long overdue) moves and find replacements for players (Roy Williams 38, Greg Ellis, Zach Thomas, Chris Canty and Isaiah Stanbust) and coaches (Bruce Read) who just were not doing their jobs well enough to warrant keeping them. It will be interesting to see how the new cast of characters like Igor Olshansky and Joe DeCamilis do in their respective roles. Regardless, this looks like a sign from the team that neither draft position nor coaching pedigree is an acceptable crutch for anyone to use for poor performance.

Finally! A Sensible addition. Gerald Sensebaugh has the look of a very solid safety in both coverage and run support. For the first time since Brock Marion left town, it’s very possible the Dallas Cowboys won’t be known for ridiculous blown deep coverage against guys like Santana Moss, DeSean Jackson and others. The confidence that comes with having the right help over the top should give Newman and the two sophomore CB’s a big sigh of relief on play action passes and allow them to jump some routes that they shied away from in years past. That should mean more turnovers!

Who’s got his back? He plays on offense but doesn’t start. In fact, if he never sees the field on offense this season, it’s likely good things are happening for our Cowboys. However, if (God forbid) something happens and Tony Romo goes down, we finally have a QB behind him who isn’t over the hill, isn’t playing with a noodle for a right arm and isn’t going to force us to pair down the playbook to accommodate his physical inabilities. Yes, Jon Kitna may not make a single notable play this year, but if he has to, I think most people feel like he can. And that’s a feeling of security that we haven’t had in quite a while.

Chuck Howley would have loved this. Keith Brooking is not in his prime. He’s no longer the sideline-to-sideline force that he was in his mid-20’s. What he is, is nasty, tough and violent – three things not normally associated with Dallas’ defense. Brooking may turn out to be an even bigger addition to the Cowboys defense than Sensebaugh because of what he brings them…an identity. This is a lunch pail guy, the kind that you’d normally see playing in Chicago or Baltimore or Pittsburgh. Brooking doesn’t want to hit opponents, he wants to punish them. He’s a practice hard - play hard kind of player and could quickly become one of the emotional leaders of this defense. Having played for Phillips before and knowing what he wants to accomplish on defense is an added benefit because that familiarity will allow him to assume a more ‘front and center’ vocal role in the locker room. I’m thinking the over/under on concussions he causes in 2009 is three. Any takers?

Buehler? Buehler? Anyone? Buehler? How do you not just get all excited about this kid from USC? He’s an athlete, through and through. While I don’t know if our Special Teams coverage will be markedly improved this year or not, I do know that opponents will have a lot farther to run after kickoffs if they want to start their possession beyond the 25-yard line, which has been the case against Dallas for several years now. This guy could be worth 80 yards of field position per game! I hope this kid turns out to be my draft judgment error of 2009 (2008 was Bennett, assuming he continues to improve physically and mentally). In a pinch, this guy can play gunner, safety, LB, nose tackle and offensive coordinator. One thing: shouldn’t they play the Beatles’ Twist and Shout before every one of his kickoffs?

We must protect this house! Say what you will about the video screen being too low, Cowboys Stadium is the new yardstick by which all other sporting venues in the world will be measured. It is remarkable, both in scope and in grandeur. I’d like to think it can add a new dimension to the term, "home field advantage". D.D. Lewis said "Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch his favorite team play." Well, Cowboys Stadium has a hole AND a 60-yard long HD video screen where God can watch instant replays too. Seriously, what better place to call home for America’s team and its fans? Come to think of it, what better place to begin a new Dallas dynasty?

After the sting of a bitter, season-ending blowout loss to an unnamed division foe, after dealing with a long off-season of heartache from last year’s season with ‘Super Bowl or bust’ expectations, we stand on the verge of finally being able to give grace to the past and look toward the future. Indeed, there is plenty to like and feel good about when it comes to the 2009 iteration of the Dallas Cowboys. So, let’s put aside our differences of opinion about whether we should have cut Isaiah Stanbust or whether Tony should be playing ‘hide the sausage’ with his new GF the night before the game. None of that really matters now. What does matter is that we all must unite under a single banner…one that connects us during the fateful journey ahead, a banner of hope for the sixth Cowboys Bling. Yes, it’s time to focus our collective POSITIVE energies and direct them toward our beloved team as they go into battle. They need us right now…let us not falter.

GO COWBOYS!

TWO THINGS THAT SHOULD CONCERN EVERY COWBOYS FAN

5Blings — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:43:37 -0000

I’m pretty clear in my own mind about what I want from my team. I’m not the fan who just wants a playoff win under their belt to break the string of failures. No. I want Dallas to win the Super Bowl. This year and every year. Nothing less than that will satisfy me. So, I was thinking about what could get in the way of a Super Bowl run for our beloved Cowboys this year. As with any fanpost (note: this is the disclaimer), some of this may be emanating from my own personal bias that comes from so many years without a new Bling to rub the Bleeding Green Nation’s noses in, but I think THESE two things should concern every Cowboys fan as we look toward the upcoming campaign…

Coaching

Okay, let’s be honest. This is another one of Jerry’s ill-conceived coaching staffs where the bass-ackward process of hiring assistants took place before hiring the head coach. In Jerry’s tenure as GM of the Cowboys, the track record for the staffs he created by making the HC work with Jones’ group of handpicked assistants/coordinators has been pretty abysmal. Thus far, this one hasn’t fared much better.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jason Garrett was widely criticized by some for not taking full advantage of the weapons available to him last year and for not being more imaginative (was Romo pointing his finger at Garrett in his final news conference of ‘08?) in his play calling. Others continue to hail him as a budding genius in the offensive coaching ranks and cite the production of the team in 2007 along with big numbers from Tony Romo. At one time, he was viewed as Dallas’ next great Head Coach. Is that still true? Regardless, he was hired by the GM and not the Head Coach and that has always had the potential to create a (perceived or real) division. At the very least, it is atypical of the way most staffs are built and invites tension when things don’t go as planned. As if that wasn’t enough, pursuant to one of my previous rants, is there an assistant coach whose unit has more heat on them than Hudson Houck? His coaching performance alone could determine if the Cowboys sink or swim in 2009. Can Hud be the hero we want him to be?

On Special Teams, I can’t find a Bruce Read apologist anywhere on SB Nation. The hiring of Joe DeCamilis was lauded by everyone (including fans who didn’t have a clue about who his resume). In truth, Dallas could have hired Bar Refaeli (you're welcome) to coach the Specials and it would have been lauded as a watershed move by Jerry and the Cowboys front office. That is how bad we wanted a change here. So, we have one. But thus far, through Camp and two meaningless pre-season games (it is early, so I suggest we cut him some slack), Special Teams still look like anything but. At some point, if things don't improve dramatically, people will start asking, is Joe D the turnaround specialist that everyone was hoping he would be?

On the defensive side of the ball, Wade is working without a Defensive Coordinator (unless you count him as the DC), which is another questionable decision by the GM. Time will tell if Wade, running HIS 3-4 with HIS calls, elevates this unit to elite status or if it makes it more difficult to wear both the DC and HC hats. To be fair, Mike Martz was the HC and was the OC, if not in name. Andy Reid has done it too. The question is, can this team win a Super Bowl with that model?

Speaking of the HC, is anyone in the NFL on a hotter seat than Wade Phillips? He’s been criticized for not being enough of an authoritarian to get the players to perform at consistently high levels (i.e. the Coach Cupcake references). He’s been poked at for his “country bumpkin” approach with the media. As if that was not enough, his boss has personal relationships with 2 of the 3 hottest candidates presumed available for a head coaching job (Shanahan and Holmgren) in 2010 and Wade was not given a new contract extension. This isn’t a secret and the media (not just ESPN) has reported on this ad nauseum. If the team starts to struggle, might we see a repeat of what happened in Seattle with Holmgren being a lame duck last year? Or, is the tough camp coupled with a new version of Wade, focused on accountability, enough to overcome recent failures?

The real question is this; do the dynamics of this coaching staff’s mixture, structure and tenuous contract situation create urgency on the part of the entire staff in a way that forces them to work together and elevate the team’s performance? Or does it create a ‘CYA’ environment where everyone is jockeying for position for 2010 and just tries to make sure they are not in the crosshairs if (or when) the team faces adversity?

Leadership

We’ve all heard that this version of the Dallas Cowboys was built to be more “Romo-friendly”, but does that translate into him becoming the team’s true leader? Isn’t it safe to assume that if Romo DOES NOT step up and into the role of leader (at least for his offensive unit) that there really is no one else that can? As I pointed out in an earlier fanpost, this is a golden opportunity for Romo in that he may not have a locker room that is tailor-made for him like this if a Holmgren or Shanahan comes to Dallas. The initial reports are good out of Valley Ranch, but some people think this could be marketing spin from the king of spin himself, Jerry Jones.

What about the defense? Is Bradie James the leader of that group? And if he is, does he give this defense enough of an identity that would allow it to improve dramatically in the areas that so many BTB’ers have done an excellent job of pointing out (turnovers generated, points allowed, 3rd down performance, penalties, etc.)?

Also, is there a cast of characters that we’re not talking about yet that are really the unsung heroes of their respective units and assume accountability for performance beyond just their individual contribution? As an example, I am extremely excited about what Keith Brooking brings to the table for this defense in that he handles his work between games like a true professional, and then goes out and plays on the field with the type of aggression and physicality that has been missing for some time in Dallas. Are there others that you think that can, should or will step up?

My Take

When it comes to coaching, I think about all of the HOF coaches and what made them great. Men like Halas, Brown and Lombardi who were lightning rods, incredibly dynamic and passionate individuals. They personified the values of the teams they built. Madden, Landry, Noll, Gibbs and Walsh who all won Super Bowls through discipline, but also were innovators in their own right. Great teams, teams that make you say “Oh yeah, they were dominant, one of the best for a long time” generally have great leaders. Can Wade (or maybe for that matter, Jason) be that kind of leader?

Leadership is a tricky thing. Is it earned or bestowed? Is it something you are born with a genetic predisposition for, or can anyone do it if thrust into a situation that requires it of them? Maybe you’re the leader just by virtue of having the position that ‘normally’ is associated with being the leader? Head to your local book store and just look at how many books have been written about leadership. Can anyone be a Patton or a Schwarzkopf?

Either way, this team has (at least these) two big, non-roster question marks heading into the 2009 season. We’ll get to see the answers play out over the next several months and this is just one more reason to be excited about what is to come.

GO COWBOYS!

VICK SIGNS WITH EAGIRLS

5Blings — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:58:43 -0000

VICK SIGNS WITH EAGIRLS

Downfall of the birds...

Romo De-constructed

5Blings — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:09:02 -0000

Tony Romo. The mere mention of his name conjures up a multitude of images; QB, celebrity, the fumble in Seattle, the miracle comeback against the Bills, the breakdowns late in the season, the wild play against the Rams, Jessica, no-Jessica, Cabogate, T.O., Witten, Tuna, Garrett, the list goes on and on.

Whatever side of the debate (that rages on) about Tony Romo that you sit on, some things about him and his play cannot be denied;

The Good

Playmaking - Romo’s ability to make things happen is par excellence when compared to his peers. A great deal of that revolves around his mobility in and out of the pocket. He can take a broken or disrupted play and turn it into something magical. Few QB’s in the NFL have Romo’s sense of how to turn defeat into victory on any given play. One thing I have clung to since Romo took over for Drew Bledsoe is that Romo’s presence gives me hope. He gives me hope unlike any other QB since Aikman, and that is comforting in the face of adversity.

Accuracy - he can thread the ball into tight spaces. Say what you will about his sometimes careless approach to the game, Romo is a highly accurate passer, as his statistics show, when given time in the pocket. He can deliver a deep ball down the sideline, a crossing pattern to the receiver in stride and a floater in between the LB and the Safety all with the right amount of touch and zip as needed. Few QB’s in the NFL can match Romo’s accuracy.

Confidence – is there any QB in the NFL that believes more in his own ability to do it all than Tony Romo? He has shown the ability to forget about horrible, errant throws and slow starts in a way that is reminiscent of that fish (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) in Finding Nemo with the short term memory loss. He has shown a great deal of resilience in the face of mounting pressure from both the fans and the media to take the next big step. He seems unfazed by negative yardage plays and plays like he’s still on the sand lot, where 3rd and 23 just means another chance to throw for a TD.

The Bad

Decision Making (on the field) – of all of his weaknesses, this generally tops everyone’s list. Romo has not yet demonstrated, in certain game situations, an understanding of when to check down, throw a ball away, or run the ball out of bounds or tuck and duck. Romo’s erratic behavior has, at times, imperiled the team’s ability to win by turning the ball over and putting the defense in untenable positions. Some will say that you have to accept this as part of his “gunslinger” attitude, but most lament the fact that it is easy to point to this as the area that keeps him out of being mentioned in the same breaths as the Roethlisbergers, Brady’s and Manning’s (either one) as one of the best QB’s in the NFL.

Ball Security – not since Daunte Culpepper set the record for most fumbles by a QB in a season (with 23!!) has so much been made of a top-flight’s QB’s ball security habits, particularly in regard to what he does when moving around in the pocket. Detractors snipe at how he holds the ball so loosely, rather than tucking it, when moving around back there. Truthfully, even the most fervent Romo supporters know that he needs to work on and fix this, but, as Tiki Barber showed, it can be overcome.

Finishing – it is difficult to know whether Romo’s late-season swoons have been related to conditioning (as was purported on BTB), questionable mental toughness (the notion of football and its importance to him has also come up on this site) or just a team-wide mental block that brings down his individual level of play. Regardless, Romo’s performance has tended to decline in those all-important December contests (note: I reject the idea that December games are against tougher teams because it just seems like a cop out to blame the schedule) and it is no secret that he has not been able to get the offense to peak at the right time.

The Ugly

Slow Starts – Romo is notorious for starting slowly in games. Unlike some of his contemporaries, who tend to get up on their opponents early, Romo supporters advocate the theory that he is surveying his opponent, like the first few rounds of a prize fight, before he deciphers their plan of attack and starts going after their weaknesses. Doubters point to how this keeps Dallas from being able to pull away early and sets the stage for either heroic comebacks or epic 4th quarter failures, neither of which should be a staple for winning organizations.

Decision Making (off the field) – I wanted to, but just couldn’t leave this off of the list. Romo’s visibility in the non-sports tabloids is higher than any other non-Super Bowl winning QB (although Mark Sanchez may try to give him a run for his money over time). Romo has no one other than himself to blame for this. He has not shied away from stepping on stage at concerts, being a regular on the golf tour, partying at the hippest clubs with high-profile celebrities and I won’t belabor the Jessica thing. This is exacerbated by claims that Romo’s work ethic and conditioning are not those of someone who takes his position as seriously as the past Cowboys greats. Does it matter who he hangs with and how he spends his time off of the field? Maybe and maybe not. Either way, it is huge fodder for the throngs of detractors who see Romo as 60% celebrity and 40% QB of America’s Team.

Leadership – a lot of how you feel about this topic depends on what you believe makes a leader and where leadership traits come from. Some say leaders are born and others say they are made. Romo has struggled to make this “his team” and nowhere was that more evident than his placating of a certain mercurial Wide Receiver during last year’s feud between the two of them and Jason Witten. While Romo doesn’t have the 1st round pedigrees of former Super Bowl winners, Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, what he does have is a $67 million dollar contract and the reigns of America’s Team without the aforementioned distractions. He has not shown, thus far, the innate leadership qualities that allow a QB to command the attention of their team in any and all situations.

Final Analysis…

Face it, we are spoiled. We’ve come to believe that our QB has to be Captain America or some semblance of him. We’ve also been guilty of forgetting where we’ve come from. We’ve forgotten about Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde, Drew Henson, Drew Bledsoe and Chad Hutchinson. It is not enough to be a Pro Bowl player when you are the Dallas Cowboys’ QB. You have to be the next ‘one’ to lead the team to the Promised Land. Having said that, Romo has to know that he cannot be as erratic in clutch situations, or as blasé about his own poor performances, in 2009 as he was in 2008. Dallas fans want a Tim Tebow-esque very public, visible commitment to the team and to winning from their QB, and thus far, Romo has not come anywhere close to giving the fans what they want. We want the steely-eyed stare of a purposeful leader on and off the field because, well, that is what we have been conditioned to expect from our past glory years…and we’re spoiled.

Regardless, this is a defining moment for Tony Romo. Whether you believe QB’s get too much credit and blame or you believe a great player at the NFL’s most visible position can elevate your team’s play, this is Romo’s big chance. He is in the prime of his athletic career and has a solid supporting cast, an ever-improving defense and a locker room made to order. He has a command of the offense and still holds the keys to the City of Dallas. He may never again have the opportunity that lies before him. The table has been set with great expectations from Tony Romo. Now, he has to deliver, and that means he has to win, in December…and beyond.

GO COWBOYS!!!

Poll

At the end of 2009, the main thing we'll remember about Tony Romo's performance will be that he

developed into a smarter QB with fewer turnovers

245 votes

continued to be the gunslinger with fans taking the good with the bad

110 votes

saw his performance decline from a lack of a gamebreaking WR

20 votes

made more news off the field than on it

12 votes

387 votes | Poll has closed