SB Nation User Blog: torchindefenses

Calling out Gerald Sensabaugh, Terrance Newman, the entire O-line and Garrett

torchindefenses — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:45:46 -0000

Horrible. nuf said...

but I have to have 75 words. Sensabaugh had a few plays that were terrible, noting his 1st half PI down to the 3 yd line the worst. Terrance Newman had even more fopa's. He was horrific. He was burned over and over again. We need to get another CB next year to compete.

The offensive line failed to get in on 3rd and 4th and one. Romo was pressured and sacked ALL day.

Garrett calling another run play on 4th and one? Come on...

Getting into the playoffs will be up to the defense

torchindefenses — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:06:46 -0000

While the offense has been anemic at times this year, the defense is the unit that will either make or break the next 4 games. The offense always seems to stay in the game but it's the defensive let downs that have been getting the losses. As the cliche goes, defense win championships. I'm not sure what adjustments Wade will bring this week, against Philip Rivers which is ranked with a passer rating of 3rd in the NFL. Dallas has the 20th pass defense in the league which means that Dallas' defensive line needs to get to Rivers, and often.

As far as the offensive side of the ball, I think Garrett needs to get back to the running game. He gives into the shotgun when only 7 points behind. I don't understand this philosophy. This team gets into trouble when they pass too much. They stack up on penalties, ending up with 3rd and long and stall drives. This also gets Dallas' defense worn out because they are on the field a lot quicker. Garrett tends to take what the defense gives and tries to exploit it, but I think he goes overboard. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

I had to write this post because I want to see what other fans are thinking about these points. This defense has shown potential. In the Atlanta, Philly and Washington games, the defense showed up big time. The Giants (twice), Denver and Green Bay games were all games where the defense had let big plays get the best of them and couldn't stop the offense when needed. No coincidence that these are Dallas' 4 losses of the season. It comes down to excecution and it only takes a play or two sometimes (a lot of times) to determine the outcome of a game. This team will dominate a game and end up losing it on a play or two. Makes me nauseous. If Dallas' defense can play at a high level every game and every play they may make the playoffs. It can happen, I'm hoping they can do it but I'm holding my breath.

Oakland @ Dallas - A Trap Game if I ever saw one

torchindefenses — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:50:21 -0000

Oakland has never lost to the Bengals in Oakland 10-0.

Oakland has never lost at Dallas 3-0. Oakland has a new QB that can actually manage a game. They got back all their starters last week. They have some talented players on that team and a solid defense.

The way Romo has been playing the last two games and with his back hurting, this doesnt' look too good. He needs to pull it together.

The WR's just are not getting the job done against good CB's, especially Roy Williams. I know, he needs to go. I feel the same, but he's here now and know one else is stepping up the last two games.

Witten is a gametime decision. Not liking that. I think that he'll play, with some effectiveness but not the same Witten.

Greg Ellis against Doug Free. Yep, this will be something to watch. Hope Romo feels better cause he will have to move a bit.

I hope Dallas puts on a show. Don't we all?

Cowboys Wide Receivers still having issues getting open

torchindefenses — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:33:17 -0000

The Green Bay game showed a blueprint for how to beat the Cowboys. Shadow Witten all game, bring elaborate blitz packages and get to Romo while having good CB play.

It almost worked again today with Washington. Although the offensive line was fairly solid, Washington's 1st place pass defense made it very hard for Dallas' WR's to get open. This is a point I have been making since the playoff game with the Giants. Against a really good secondary, these guys have a very hard time getting open due to lack of separation. Plus a lot of drops. Now that Austin is being eyed by the opposing FS's, this is starting to become a problem for Dallas.

Garrett ran the ball more, trying to mix it up after calls by many that Garrett was passing too much. I know Darryl Johnston mentioned that the shotgun made the Cowboys one dimensional and I have to agree with him. I also think that Romo feels more comfortable in the shotgun and that is why Garrett is calling those plays. I would much rather see Romo behind center calling play action plays than the shotgun but for some reason he is in the shotgun quite a bit. I think it's to limit Romo getting rattled.

Austin needs to learn how to get open even when doubled. Dallas needs another WR, (not named Roy Williams) to complement Austin. Roy drops 90% of his balls. If Roy doesn't get it together quick, he might not be here next year.

All this makes me nervous going into December, where Romo is 5-8 and the schedule is very hard after Turkey day. Dallas will rebound and get the passing game going again at times, no doubt. When it comes to big games and good defenses, I don't think Dallas has the firepower to get the job done. One side factor is Felix Jones, he hasn't been the same since his ligament tear. He needs to be back to 100% health to make this offense explosive. With Witten, Austin, a healthy Felix Jones and an emerging MB, good defenses would have a harder time not giving up points.

I don't think that the Raiders will be much of a problem and it will good to have a few extra days to get more rest and preparation for the December run. Hopefully Austin can pull through and Felix can get 100% healthy.

All that said, they pulled out the win so celebration is in order!!

GO COWBOYS!!!

Dallas' ineptitude strikes again

torchindefenses — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:15:22 -0000

GOTCHA!

If you made it this far you were going to slam me for being a "hater" or a pessimist, right? The Boys' played well yesterday and it feels good! While they weren't perfect and still need some improvement, they showed that they can play very good football for 4 quarters.

1. Since the Denver loss Romo has turned in some good performances. He hasn't had an INT and has for the most part been taking sacks instead of forcing the ball into tight coverage. He did make some bad throws yesterday that luckily didn't get picked off but for the most part he had a very good day. Romo has impressed me as of late.

2. Less penalties. Still a few but not crazy stupid.

3. The pass rush is on!!

4. Scandrick and Jenkins are players and hitting hard

5. Doug Free held his own, great to finally be able to get him involved to see what he can do.

6. TNew put a nice hit for a fumble - at least he did something right

7. Garrett is taking what the defense gives. That's why Dallas passed so much. Good decision, good play calling.

8. Austin is the man. This is a blast to watch. T.O. who?

9. Special teams - Joe, you get coach of the year

The defense still needs to improve. The DB's will get better still as the year goes on. This team is finally playing like a team. They have one another's back. Good stuff!

Next Year's Coach canidates.. no it's not too early to discuss

torchindefenses — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:21:22 -0000

Next years coach, is it too early to be discussing this topic?

Unfortunately the way I see it, this has to happen after this year. JJ could shock us all after this season ends with a resounding thud and keep Wade on for another waste of talented players time as they age. The schedule that Dallas has to play from here on out is very tough. I don't see a team that is playing together and playing well consistently to eek out 9 wins. After 3 years, Wade has put his touch on this team. He is a talented co-ordinator, not the best head coach. Just my opinion but I would bet some real money on it. Okay, sounds a bit like the panic button was pressed, I admit it. I pressed it. Word is that these guys are working hard. Problem is, it is not showing up on the field. Many posts are arguing that this group of players were coached by a more stringent Parcells and they still had the same problems. I agree that these problems were inherited from Parcells. Parcells was at the end of his coaching career. He didn't have the same energy that he did 20 years ago.

Discipline, or lack thereof

This has been said so much of Wade and I'm very tired. Tired of hearing it. Tired of listening to it from the media. Tired of reading it here on BTB. Soft Wade, camp cupcake Wade, so on and so forth. Sorry to any BTB readers that are sick of it as I am and I apologize.

NFL films had 49ers new head coach, Mike Singletary miked up last week. How he was relating to the players and making them accountable for their mistakes was refreshing to say the least. He has also made that defense solid. No nonsense football, play your heart out or get off the field. What does Wade do? In fact, how is Wade treating this weeks break? How many practices? Not enough I hear. May be Romo is going to the Bahamas? I kid, but now that I mention it, is he?

Next years coach

My nomination, Mike Nolan, current defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. Who's yours?

Same ol' song & dance. Romo will not be starting next year. INT KING

torchindefenses — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:53:11 -0000

Tony Romo. Well likable QB that most everyone has come to enjoy watching when he is playing well. He can be electrifying. I read that Coach Parcells used to tell Romo if he can learn to manage the game and tame his gunslinger ways he could be a very good QB. Romo is cut from the Brett Farve mold. Under pressure, they both make more mistakes than they should. One difference, Farve would make a big play, then put up an INT. Farve can win close games after a few INT's. Romo plays terrible for most of the entire game. Romo is not going to change. He is not going to get better with his decision making. This kind of thing can't be taught. It just is his mentality. Look at Shaun Hill of the 49ers. This guy doesn't look great, isn't fun to watch but he is a winner. He is 9-3 and has around a 90 QB rating. Do the fans want the wins or the excitement?

There needs to be a change at the QB. After this year. Give Romo this year to either #$%! or get off the pot. If he fails, Dallas needs to give the other 51 players a shot with a new QB. He might not be as flashy, but if a QB can make the throws when needed, manage the game without turning the ball over, that team has a good chance to win. Especially if that team has a good running game and a solid defense. (well, at least Dallas has one out of two after week 2).

Romo can tell himself and everyone else that he will get better but when that split second comes and he throws the pass and it floats right to the CB or Safety, you have to wonder, will this guy ever change? I'll be saying this again, I'm sure of it. He may win some exciting games this year but when it comes down to getting into the playoffs or the actual playoff games, he chokes. He is an INT king.

Week 2: The Dallas offense against the Giants defense

torchindefenses — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:17:03 -0000

Dallas was exposed most of last year with a soft middle, making it a bullseye to run up the gut. This year, after one only one game, it looks like that trend will continue. The problem was two fold with small LB play and Ratliff being as small as he is. Dallas signed Brooking to add some size to the LB group. One element is still, I say STILL missing. A big, run stuffing, real 3-4 DT is needed. Let Ratliff take over on 3rd downs for the rush. Play him as a DE the rest of the time, but I degress.

The Giants have a better front defensive 7 than Dallas does. Other than Ware they have better personel. Dallas' offense needs to out perform the Giants offense. The Giants are going to try to control the ball with the run and should have some success with it, running up the middle with Jacobs. That will set up the play action for a few strikes downfield. They will score on Dallas' defense no question. The question is, can Dallas score more points than Eli & Co. against a tough Giants defense? I see Dallas playing man to man with these young receivers and moving Gerald Sensabaugh up closer to the line of scrimmage. Stop the run. Make Eli beat you with these young receivers.

I dare you Eli, Ware was denied his weekly QB and is hungry this week!

Placing bets on WR's to stretch the field

torchindefenses — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:39:58 -0000

Dallas has all the pieces in place to make it into the playoffs this year. Or do they? Without the homerun threat of a fast, sure handed WR, can this team continually find the end zone? Once defensive coordinators figure out that Dallas cannot stretch the field, they will stop the run. It won't matter what three headed monster we have back there, they will stop us.

Until the season is 5 or 6 games deep and there are consistent 20+ passes that connect, I'll be thinking this team won't be able to get to the playoffs. You can win running the football, with the occasional draw here and there. Add in some passes to the TE's and a few to the WR's and you can score. My problem with this is that it makes a very long field. I know Jason Garrett knows this and he has always been one to air it out. He had T.O. at his disposal.

Dallas didn't connect deep in pre-season and I know they haven't had much luck during training camp with the deep ball. I know they will try it. It's up to Austin and Hurd (hopefully at some point Ogletree) to make it happen. If not, defenses will creep up to the line of scrimmage and it will be a lot harder to go 80 yards for the TD.

I know, I know. The two TE set can really make the oppositional D's heads spin. They will have a hard time covering both of these TE's. I won't be convinced that this team can get to the playoffs until the deep ball is connecting on a regular basis. It's up to you no name WR's. Put up or get out of the NFL.

This debate has been slung about on here for months and months. I'm bringing it back. Well, it's 4 days and counting. What do you think?

Something to consider about our WR's, JJ are you listening?

torchindefenses — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:12:50 -0000

Two years ago, when T.O. was hurt, Dallas' offense started to sputter. The WR's couldn't get separation from the DB's and the SS moved up in the box and stuffed our running game. What or who now is different? We have the exact same players that cannot separate from good CB's. The only two players that can are Miles Austin, who is injury prone and not a proven WR and Roy Williams who separates by using his body and jump attributes.

This season will go either of two ways. Miles Austin will develop into a real, deep threat and keep opposing SS's honest so long as he stays healty. Roy Williams will be the possesion WR and goal line fade that keeps the chains moving. Add Felix Jones and the defense will be guessing what's coming next.

The other scenario is a bit more bleak. SS's coming up to play in the box to stop the run because the CB's are covering the WR's. The WR's dropping a lot of balls, not getting open, stalling drives and the running game not able to do it all. I'm crossing my fingers, really counting on Roy and Austin.

Will that be enough?