SB Nation User Blog: mdlusk

Take it out on the Skins

mdlusk — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:34:48 -0000

A good 63-0 woodshed game would do everybody some good. We're 6-3, get to 8-3 and then let's see where we stand. Don't give up on the season yet. The OL did finally start looking like they could protect Romo later in the game. They'll have to keep that up with Columbo out. Can we get the running game actually going again?

Now, who do we use for the 7th active OLman until Columbo can return (after regular season).

Oh, and let's please just can the talk about playoffs until we can actually be close to it, please? I'm still saying we get to 11-5 on the season. I hope they prove me right.

Everybody, calm down and take a deep breath. Myself included. We still have 7 games to play.

Jerry Jones ends all speculation of a coaching change during the season

mdlusk — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:50:57 -0000

Jerry Jones ends all speculation of a coaching change during the season

Wade Phillips is your head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for this whole season. Period. Whether anyone outside of Jerry likes it or not.

Classless Redskin Mike Sellers

mdlusk — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:38:12 -0000

Classless Redskin Mike Sellers

Scroll down to the end where the "Game Notes" section is. Thanks to Patriots (and real patriot) LB Mike Hanson for picking up the flag Sellers threw down.

Can we talk about something other than TO? Or even who we're not signing in free agency?

mdlusk — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:24:26 -0000

How about next season's running back rotation? Barber is reportedly returning to a closer role (that suits him best, I believe). So how do we effectively use Felix Jones and Tashard Choice?

I can see some Pro-T formations with Barber or Choice on one side, and Felix on the other . Then flare them out (deadly with Barber and Felix, especially, I'm not sure how Choices' hands are yet), or run them, fake inside handoffs with a HB toss to Felix to the outside. A lot of misdirection possible there.

Who should get the majority of carries? The NY Giants might have been a blueprint, but I don't think even Bradshaw for them would compare to Felix's speed (so I would put Felix in more than Bradshaw), and Barber is not as big as Jacobs (so I wouldn't put Barber in for as much as Jacobs was). Choice seemed to be too good to keep off the field even though he doesn't have Barber's power (though he does seem to be more North-South runner than Barber), or Felix's speed (Choice does have Emmitt's old smoothness to his maneuvers, though, if Felix had that, he'd be Barry Sanders).

I don't think any of the three can handle a true workhorse load, though Choice might be the closest to it.

I can almost see a 33%-33%-33% split in carries and touches. Our season next year, now that we are TO-less, will probably have to depend on the running game to succeed, so finding the proper rotation and usages is going to be absolutely critical to this team. I just don't see the passing game hitting more than 3200 yards and 20-25 TDs.

On the other hand, I want to see about 2000 rushing yards with about 20-25 rushing TDs. I think with these three than can be very possible. Or we can just watch them try to do workhorse loads and go down one-by-one, along with our season, again.

What would you say is the proper rotation? I'm very curious, because 3 viable running backs is a unique situation for me (I didn't keep an eye on the Giants much).

The Great Romo Debate Thread

mdlusk — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:04:23 -0000

In order to preserve for ourselves and our posterity a more perfect union of Boys fans, to prevent thread hijackings and Romofest 2k9s (and 2k10s, etc.), to restore order and maintain tranquility on the boards in an otherwise innocent thread, I hereby ordain and establish this fanpost as a thread to which to bring any and all Romo arguments. Be you Terry, Romosexual, Romophile, or Romophobe, this is to create your place to argue about it.

So long as our handy dandy mods allow it, let's keep this thread available through recommendations to any and all comers. Let's keep it at least somewhat civil. We all root for the same team, after all.

Team attitude: It's not that they don't have enough pride, it's that they have entirely too much.

mdlusk — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:28:49 -0000

Why do the good team laugh at us? Why does the team seem to step on the field and lay eggs in big games? Why did the Patriots and Ravens treat us like jokes (just to name 2)?

The problem is clearly too much hot air being generated, and not enough backing it up being done. Good teams boast about how they are going to destroy you. Elite teams don't have to boast, they know they will, and they let their playing do the talking. They let the merely good teams keep on boasting, they just keep preparing all the harder.

Proposal: put a gag order on the entire team. Or better yet, but actual gags on the entire team. No one says a word until they've actually accomplished something that PROVES they are an elite team.

Get rid of the boasting braggadocio, that makes zero believers anyway, and start playing like it. Preparing harder, not talking louder wins games. Stop trying to convince yourself that you'll win due to all your talent, and start believing due to all the preparation you do during the week.

Until the coaching staff demands it, the owner demands it, and the leaders on the team itself demand it, it won't happen. That's what I see as one essential ingredient changing the attitude of the team and going from a "collection of toys" (or a collection of individual talent) to an elite team.

Just my $.02

Turn OFF ESPN!

mdlusk — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:09:41 -0000

No seriously, just turn it off for the rest of the season whenever a discussion of the Boys comes on. Just turn it off. You're only missing a heartache. Don't watch Skippy Boy or read Slick Eddie. Just ignore the four letter network. For your own sanity. And frankly, for the sanity of this blog. Don't give them the ratings or the website hits. Deprive them of their livelihood. They don't deserve the attention of intelligent fans.

If they start being fair and balanced with their reporting, then we can tune back in. I'm not holding my breath.

You'll thank yourself, ease a lot of unnecessary stress, and we'll thank you as well from those of us who already follow this policy.

All eyes on Ratliff

mdlusk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:14:53 -0000

I know that it has been mentioned that the pass rush is the key to the game against the Steelers, and I agree. That means that Ware will be front and center of the discussion, of course, but he will also be the center of Pittsburgh's attention. Since Raf mentioned that Pittsburgh's middle 3 are not quite up to par with their tackles, that means insude pressure will be the best way to take some burden off of Ware's shoulders (and maybe gimpy knee). Sure Ellis and Spencer need to provide some bookend pressure, but Rat has the potential to really whip his man, and if he draws a double team, some ILB needs to take the open gap that creates.

But Rat is the linchpin, I think, pressure from him can drive Ben into Ware's arms, or into a blitzer. It will also mean that there will be much greater opportunities for the other LBs and the blitz.

So, GO RAT!

(my first fanpost)