I think that we could pull this off.  We have the talent to make it work.  What are you thoughts?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_offense

The popular term "West Coast Offense" is more of a philosophy and an approach to the game than it is a set of plays or formations. Traditional offensive thinking argues that a team must establish its running game first, which will draw the defense in and open up vertical passing lanes downfield (i.e., passing lanes that run perpendicular to the line of scrimmage).

Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense, however, differs from traditional offense by instead emphasizing a short, horizontal passing attack to help stretch the defense out, thus opening up running lanes. The West Coast Offense as implemented under Walsh features precisely run pass patterns by the receivers that make up about 65% to 80% of the offensive scheme. With the defense stretched out, the offense is then free to focus the remaining plays on longer throws (more than 14 yards) and mid to long yard rushes.

Walsh's West Coast Offense attempts to open up running and passing lanes for the backs and receivers to exploit, by causing the defense to concentrate on short passes. Since most down and distance situations can be attacked with a pass or a run, the intent is to make offensive play calling unpredictable and thus keep the defense's play "honest".

Beyond the basic principle of passing to set up the run, there are few rules that govern Walsh's West Coast Offense. Originally the offense used two split backs, giving it an uneven alignment in which five players aligned to one side of the ball and four players aligned on the other side (with the quarterback and center directly behind the ball). Although Walsh-influenced teams now commonly use formations with more or fewer than two backs, the offense's unevenness is still reflected in its pass protection philosophy and continues to distinguish it from single back passing offenses. Throughout the years, coaches have added to, adjusted, modified, simplified, and enhanced Bill Walsh's original adaptation of the Paul Brown offense. Formations and plays vary greatly, as does play calling.

Another key part of the Walsh implementation was "pass first, run later." It was Walsh's intention to gain an early lead by passing the ball, then run the ball on a tired defense late in the game, wearing them down further and running down the clock. The San Francisco 49ers under Walsh often executed this very effectively.

Another key element in Walsh's attack was the three step dropback instead of traditional seven step drops or shotgun formations. The three step drop helped the quarterback get the ball out faster resulting in far fewer sacks. "WCO" plays unfold quicker than in traditional offenses and are usually based on timing routes by the receivers. In this offense the receivers also have reads and change their routes based on the coverages presented to them. The quarterback makes three reads and if no opportunity is available after three reads, the QB will then check off to a back or tight end. Five step and even 7 step dropbacks are now implemented in modern day WCO's because defensive speed has increased since the 80's. Some modern WCO's have even used shotgun formations (e.g. Green Bay, Atlanta '04-'06).

The majority of West Coast Offense routes occur within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. 3-step and 5-step drops by the quarterback to take the place of the run and force the opposing defense to commit their focus solely on those intermediate routes. Contrary to popular belief, the offense also uses the 7-step drop for shallow crosses, deep ins and comebacks. For instance, the Michigan Wolverines utilize the 5- and 7-step drops about 85% of the time with West Coast pass schemes implemented by Quarterbacks Coach Scot Loeffler. Because of the speed of modern defenses, only utilizing the 3- and 5-step pass game would be ineffective since the defense could squat and break hard on short-to-intermediate throws with no fear of a downfield pass.

The original West Coast Offense of Sid Gillman uses some of the same principles (pass to establish the run, quarterback throws to timed spots), but offensive formations are generally less complicated with more wideouts and motion. The timed spots are often farther downfield than in the Walsh-style offense, and the system requires a greater reliance on traditional pocket passing.

A Walsh innovation was scripting the first 15 offensive plays of the game (Walsh went as far as to scripting the first 25 plays but most teams stop at 15). Since the offensive team knew that the first 15 plays would be run as scripted no matter what, they could practice those plays to perfection, minimizing mistakes and penalties. Success of the offense could establish momentum and dictate the flow of the game. Scripting also added an element of surprise, since a defense could be caught off guard by a scripted play that had no relationship to the current situation (e.g., a run play on third-and-long). It also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to run test plays against the defense to gauge their reactions in game situations. Later in the game, an observed tendency in a certain situation by the opposing defense could be exploited.

Finally, the West Coast offense, with its emphasis on quick reactive skills, can be seen to further develop the running quarterback motif, where extremely fast running quarterbacks (Michael Vick, Vince Young) and other notable scrambling quarterbacks (Jake Plummer and Donovan McNabb) are valued, if they are good passers, because in blitz or short-yardage situations, when the West Coast offense's value is negated, the running quarterback can make up this difference by posing a threat to make the first down himself, paralyzing an aggressive defense.

 

RUN, RUN, and RUN some more with a few short passes and a few screens and a hurry up type offense. 

This will limit turn overs and allow Tony to get into a rythym.  Once he has that, then unleash the deep throws, but not until the defense is on their heels.

We all know that Tony is not geat out of the gate, and that is O.K.  If red-ball will play to his strengths and keep it conservative AT FIRST,  it will keep the Eagles honest and take away their best defensive threats, rushing the passer and defendig the pass.  We can beat them up with the run, even if we are not getting much at the begining. 

How say you?????

If I am not mistaken, with Tampa Bays loss, a win over the Eagles will put us in the playoffs.  As bad as the game was yesterday, we are not done.  If the boys can somehow take all their frustrations out on the Eagles next week (Which I think they will), then it is a new game. 

Also, Holland should be back and we are a different team when we do not have to rely on Proctor.

Let's focus on the positive!!!!

I must say, I was really upset that so many people booed T.O. at the Giants game.  It was unfounded and uncalled for.  This guy has done so much for the organization and was really the target of something ugly last week, that he did not start.  No matter his past with other organizations, he has been great here in Big D.  A true team leader as well.

So bring down the house, bring the signs to support T.O.....he deserves our appology!!!

Pass this around...Texas Stadium needs to rock when T.O. is introduced this weekend, the last regular game at Texas Stadium.  We owe him and we owe the team.

I write the diary with a heavy heart, I feel the loss of yesterdays (and end of the season) as if a big part of my life just ended because, for the time being, it has.  You see, being a Cowboy fan is not just something I enjoy, it is a way of life for me and my family.  Being a dedicated fan is in my blood, passed down from my father before me.  I have dreams of my son’s being draft picks for future Cowboys.  I envision my daughter on the sidelines yelling "Go Cowboys" as a member of the prestigious Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.  It is a part of me...it is who I am.

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I just moved up here from Texas, where I was able to watch every game, and went to several too.

Now I am in Idaho, and so far it is mostly Seattle and Denver fans up here.  I will get all the games (thanks to hefty $$$ to pay for Direct TV's NFL sunday ticket), but I am having a hard time finding fans, and I am having serious withdrawls!

Anyone out there in Idaho (Boise area)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, where do we have any holes, and I am talking both side's of the ball.  The nearest thing I can think of is a BACK-UP NT.  BUt I am talking about Starters.  Is their another team in the NFL that can say that they have all their hole's filled?

Even the championship Colt's have a few major holes.  

This Cowboy's team is primed and ready for a serious SB run.  We have a team that is stacked with talent, and several, that I feel, are going to have monster breakout seasons (Canty, Spears, Ware (yes, I say Ware because he will crush his own numbers from last year), Jones, Fasano, and ofcourse Romo).  You stack that up with a young offensive play caller who learned from the best, and will be aggressive as they come. A head coach who has a strong defensive background with an aggressive mind set who has a history of creating dominant defenses....WHERE ARE OUR HOLES!!!!

Damn, it gives me chills just thinking about how this whole team/organization stacks up this year!!!

Let me hear your thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Updated

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One word...EGO!!!!

1.  Somebody said it before, that Jimmy Johnson needs a few more seasons, with wins, to be considered a for the HOF.  His ego probably would want that.
2.  What better bost to his ego is there than to come into Dallas and do what BP couldn't.  
3.  What better way to show JJ that he should have never been let go.

I know it is a long shot, but I do believe it is a viable possibility.  I also think that he is one of a select few that could handle TO and get the most out of him.

Okay, somebody help me on this one.  If Romo continues to play at this level, he would definately be deserving of the Pro Bowl.

However...is he "actually" eligible?  When you go to the Pro Bowl voting on NFL.com, it still has Drew Bledsoe on the ballet sheet.  TR is not on there.  I know the players and coaches count for a large percent, but doesn't the fan voting?

Somebody please shed light on this for me...is it possible????

I have been a DB supporter most of the time.  But I expected him to have a much better game this week.  He didn't make bad decisions, ecen made a few good one's, but he was still not good enough in my mind.

Follow me here for a second.  Romo finally made his first pass, actually two.  True, it was only two passes, but one was for 33 yards and the other for a TD.  But what I noticed was how the team reacted to it.  They were stoked, really stoked.  Now, I don't recall them getting that excited any other times they have scored this season.  To me, it seems he gives this team a "spark" that DB dosen't, something that is needed.  It was only 1 drive, 2 passes and 1 TD.  But it was real, and the teams "spirit" was real too!

This is just an observation, but I would like eveyones opinion who reads this.  Am I the only one who sensed this?

Everyday, we get on this board and post or ideas, dreams, hopes and frustrations with our Dallas Cowboys.  For a long time, they have been regarded as "America's Team", although some people balk at that notion.  Nonetheless, they are "Our Team".  That being said, true Cowboy fans should support their team thru think and thin.  That does not mean that we should not be made when things do not go our way.  However, keep this in mind, take our frustrations and multiply it by 1000...that is how the players and staff feel.  On the flip side, I would give anything to know what it is like to be a Dallas Cowboys and hold up that championship trophy.

Please keep this in mind thru the ups and downs of this year.  BP has credentials, and great ones at that.  His decision will sometimes be flawed, he is human.  However, he has something that we do not have...ACCURATE INFORMATION.  I am sure during his great seasons with other teams, there where times when he was critiqued for his decisions then as well.  He makes his decisions based on the information and knowledge that he has, that may not be privy to us.  It kind of reminds me of one of the lines in "A Few Good Men", "...You have the privilege of NOT knowing what I know".  We can sit here and bitch, moan, complain, ask to start Romo, to play MBIII over JJ, etc, etc., and that is what is so great about this board.  But the last time I checked, BP had a Super bowl ring and nobody on this board does.  Therefore, unless you get the call to coach an NFL team, I would say that BP has the upper edge in what it takes to take this team to the Super bowl.  If he plays Drew of Tony, he has his reasons.  If he plays JJ continuously over MBIII, he has his reasons.  Again, we can complain all we want (I have done my fair share), but let us remember...this is our team and we should support them thru the good and the bad!

GO COWBOYS!!!!

Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers will miss the season opener because of a hamstring injury.  Apparently, he has injuried the other hamstring now, which is common if you return to activities to early due to overcompensation.

It would be pretty safe to say, this is one of the primary reasons why T.O. took his time.  Looks to me that he knew what he was doing all along.  

Let the mediots choke on this:

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CAR/9642207

I can't tell you exactely why, but this Pat Watkins, I feel can be the missing piece to our defensive puzzle.  The kids a player and as already received rave reviews from BP, even implying he may challange KD for the starting position.  The kid has the size, reach and athletic ability to challange any ball thrown his way.  He has already made a few int. in the first few days of practice.

Here is a bit from an article I found on one of the Houston Texans pages.

"Watkins' size is his greatest asset. Like other tall defenders with a little giddyup to his gait, he has excellent range to cover more than his share of gridiron real estate. Watkins swats down passes with his long arms like he's goaltending in the NBA. He ought to improve any redzone defense, even as a rookie. So Watkins is more than just tall. He gets the most out of height, and better yet, he has the fluidity of someone a half foot shorter at his position.

Watkins was also known for coming up with the big play at Florida State. Ten interceptions in his career, coupled with a few big tackles and turnovers, and Watkins earned that reputation the hard way. The team that drafts Watkins won't just be adding a solid zone defender on pass defense, but they will also be adding someone that can shore up their run defense, too."

This kids a player and could be our steal of the draft.  MARK MY WORDS!!!!!!!!!

Rest of the article at http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/2006/prospects/watkinsp.html

I recently went back and watched some clips from a few games last year.  Yes, JJ looked more elusive and quick, and yes there were bigger holes for him to run in.  The holes, I understand, but he still is not displaying the elusiveness and shiftiness that he showed last year once he hit the secondary.

My conclussion, he bulked up too much.

I don't care what they say he weighs now and last year...the man looks/is bigger.  And to me, the extra weight will slow you down and take away some of your agility, even if all the mass is pure muscle.  It is all about the bodies ability to compensate and balance itself when the person changes direction.  There is a fine line, and JJ may have crossed it.

Does JJ need to be bigger...No.  He was extremely effective at the weight he played at last year.  For comparrisons sake (not saying he is in their class), look at LT, Marshall Faulk, Barry Sanders.  Where these big backs?  Not at all.  Where they/ are they effective?  YES!!  Were they/are they feature backs?  YES.  Personnaly, I think JJ needs to get back to the physical shape he was in last year and do what he did best, followed his instincts.  If he can do that, and if BP lets him, I believe he can be everything we thought he would be, and more.