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Usual disclaimer, not all the comments below are directed at people here.
4-2 under Garrett, IMO he should have the job locked up. Our defense is swiss cheese, but at least they are finding ways to win instead of finding ways to lose. Once we got up 27-7, it would have been great to run them off the field in blowout fashion, but the defense just doesnt hold up.
Maybe instead of dwelling on negatives, people should try to focus on the positives. We've scored at least 33 pts in all 4 wins and in the 2 losses, scored 27 each time. We've averaged 32.2 pts per game since Garrett took over, with our backup QB for all 6 games. We scored 33 yesterday and were missing 3 of our 4 best WR's (And yeah, I'm counting Ogletree as a "better" WR than Hurd, not better "player", but definitely better WR)
1) Jon Kitna continues to do a tremendous job. Yeah he doesnt throw the ball down the field as much as we'd all like, but he's been extremely effective. Probably the teams MVP this year at this point IMO.
2) Jason Witten had an awesome game. Carried the passing game yesterday. I cant believe I saw threads wanting to trade him. Guy's almost assuredly going to finish with 1000+ yds (that would be the 3rd time) and with 2 games left, has already tied his career high in tds with 7. How can anyone argue he doesnt belong in the probowl? Can you say S-T-U-P-I-D?
3) Nice games for Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Liked the way they were used and the mix between the plays. For those trying to make the argument that the running game isnt better since Garrett took over, I guess I'd ask what you are looking at. It still isnt great and there are still too many plays where we dont gain 4+ yds, but the really bad runs, the negative runs have been reduced drastically. In the 6 games since the coaching change, we've ran it 191 times for 839 yds (thats 4.4 per carry, and we're averaging just under 32 carries per game) a yds per game of just a tad under 140. Yes, Miles Austin has a couple of nice reverses, but those are RUNS, and you dont subtract those from other teams or discount their run game because of it. They still have to be executed correctly or they dont work. I think we're seeing the type of offensive team Garrett wants to have, we just dont have the OL completely in place to maximize it yet.
4) Sam Hurd, love the guys effort and his special teams skill, but he is not a legit WR. People can make all the excuses they want for him, but he dropped two tds yesterday that I'm pretty sure our other WR's (especially Bryant, RW and Austin, probably even Ogletree would have all caught)
5) I know a ton of people still dont want the guy here, but I like Buehler and his upside. This is his first year as a NFL kicker, and he's 22/29 now (76%). The 4/7 from 30-39yds needs improvement, but he's 10/14 from 40+ (that includes the 4/5 from 50+). With another offseason to work on mechanics etc etc, he could be pretty damn good. He has made two game winning kicks the last three weeks, and the touchback he got yesterday after the GW FG was clutch.
6) The defense gave up 30 pts again and once again made a medicore QB look really good for too much of the game, but we did get 5 sacks and did force 3 turnovers, and two of the sacks and game ending turnover were key plays. We also held a pretty good running team to 55yds rushing. We're only giving up 88 yds per game on the ground since Garrett took over, and though the avg is 4.0 yds per carry again, thats only because of one game (Philly). In the other 5 games, the highest has been 3.8 and only twice in six games has the opponent gained over 100 yds. (NYG was the other, and they just barely went over 100) The other positive is 5 of the 6 teams all gained less yds rushing than they average for the yr vs us (Philly the lone exception). Ware was outstanding yesterday, not just because of the two sacks and key forced fumble, he was all over the field vs the run and pass and actually led the team in tackles.
7) Bryan McCann is very exciting on returns, but he's also one of those hold your breath guys when it comes to fielding the ball cleanly. If he gets that part of his return game worked out, he could be very good for a long time.
8) After having a really good run with penalties, yesterday the bug was back to the tune of 9/70 yds. The Spencer call was pretty awful, and I still dont see how anyone can explain officials "missing" the returner get blatantly tripped in the middle of the field with nobody else around them. I also am continually amazed at how awful officials are when it comes to other teams holding our guys. When was the last time you remember Ware's guy drawing a holding penalty? He's only the elite 3-4 OLB in the NFL. How many times do I have to see Ratliff get taken down with no call? We did give up 30 pts, but the defense was probably going to hold the Skins to a FG or have them go for a 4th and very long before the blown call on Spencer, in which they missed not one but TWO guys being held. There was also an OBVIOUS block in the back on one of their plays in the redzone where they got a 1st and goal (think it was a screen to Moss, and Scandrick was totally blocked in the back, into the ground)
9) Church and McCray got alot of snaps yesterday (Church got all of Sensabaugh's I believe) but the results were mixed I thought. Church seemed to be out of place some and slow to get to the spot, but I did like the way McCray moved around. Both guys have some upside, not sure either is the answer in terms of being a potential starter, but both guys were good rookie FA finds. Also, the more I see Josh Brent, the more I think he might be the future at NT here. I think we hit on him.
10) I thought yesterday might have been Gronkowki's best game. He had several pretty good blocks and his timing seems to be getting better.
11) I guess Jones basically ruled Romo done for 2010. I'm disappointed because I'd love to see the offense now with him out there. But there's definitely alot to be excited about in 2011 offensively. Getting him back, a full offseason and TC for Dez Bryant, subtracting Barber and a couple of the OL (especially Colombo) and we could be a dominating offensive team in 2011.
12) I dont think Pasqualoni (or any of the current defensive assistants) will be back next yr, but I do give Pasqualoni some credit for taking over a really bad situation and at least improving some things. 6 weeks is not enough time to fix all the issues we have, but he's done an admirable job. They give up too many passing yards and points, but the run defense is better than it was the first 8 games under Wade, and they are getting turnovers and some timely sacks that werent there before either.
13) McBriar shanked one yesterday (might be the first time I've ever seen him do that, if its not its def the first one in awhile) but his next punt that was downed close to the GL was absolutely huge. Buehler's touchback after the GW FG was also big. When your missing alot of key guys offensively and struggle defensively, these types of plays are big.
14) I think they are gonna have to do some real thinking on Anthony Spencer. To me he's been the single biggest disappointment on the team this year (on a team with alot of disappointments). I believe next yr will be the final yr of his deal. The new HC and staff will have to decide is this yr the real Spencer, or was the 2nd half of last yr the real Spencer. If they think he isnt the guy, then they have to decide if Butler or Williams might work out. If thats not the case, OLB could be a higher priority than most previously believed, and April's draft appears to be stocked with talent that fits for 3-4 OLB positions. OL and safety (both spots) are obvious holes, but we need somebody that can consistently rush the passer opp Ware, otherwise this style of defense wont ever work.
15) I've said it every week, but I'm def sold on Garrett being the guy. He's a winner and is definitely changing things at VR. We have a number of issues that need to be addressed, but those things will get addressed IMO. I'm excited as hell to see what he can do with this offense with a real training camp and a couple of upgrades on the OL. Defensively, we've seen in the not too distant past that they can be good, though several positions need to be looked at as well as the defensive staff and scheme.
4-2 under Garrett, IMO he should have the job locked up. Our defense is swiss cheese, but at least they are finding ways to win instead of finding ways to lose. Once we got up 27-7, it would have been great to run them off the field in blowout fashion, but the defense just doesnt hold up.
Maybe instead of dwelling on negatives, people should try to focus on the positives. We've scored at least 33 pts in all 4 wins and in the 2 losses, scored 27 each time. We've averaged 32.2 pts per game since Garrett took over, with our backup QB for all 6 games. We scored 33 yesterday and were missing 3 of our 4 best WR's (And yeah, I'm counting Ogletree as a "better" WR than Hurd, not better "player", but definitely better WR)
1) Jon Kitna continues to do a tremendous job. Yeah he doesnt throw the ball down the field as much as we'd all like, but he's been extremely effective. Probably the teams MVP this year at this point IMO.
2) Jason Witten had an awesome game. Carried the passing game yesterday. I cant believe I saw threads wanting to trade him. Guy's almost assuredly going to finish with 1000+ yds (that would be the 3rd time) and with 2 games left, has already tied his career high in tds with 7. How can anyone argue he doesnt belong in the probowl? Can you say S-T-U-P-I-D?
3) Nice games for Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Liked the way they were used and the mix between the plays. For those trying to make the argument that the running game isnt better since Garrett took over, I guess I'd ask what you are looking at. It still isnt great and there are still too many plays where we dont gain 4+ yds, but the really bad runs, the negative runs have been reduced drastically. In the 6 games since the coaching change, we've ran it 191 times for 839 yds (thats 4.4 per carry, and we're averaging just under 32 carries per game) a yds per game of just a tad under 140. Yes, Miles Austin has a couple of nice reverses, but those are RUNS, and you dont subtract those from other teams or discount their run game because of it. They still have to be executed correctly or they dont work. I think we're seeing the type of offensive team Garrett wants to have, we just dont have the OL completely in place to maximize it yet.
4) Sam Hurd, love the guys effort and his special teams skill, but he is not a legit WR. People can make all the excuses they want for him, but he dropped two tds yesterday that I'm pretty sure our other WR's (especially Bryant, RW and Austin, probably even Ogletree would have all caught)
5) I know a ton of people still dont want the guy here, but I like Buehler and his upside. This is his first year as a NFL kicker, and he's 22/29 now (76%). The 4/7 from 30-39yds needs improvement, but he's 10/14 from 40+ (that includes the 4/5 from 50+). With another offseason to work on mechanics etc etc, he could be pretty damn good. He has made two game winning kicks the last three weeks, and the touchback he got yesterday after the GW FG was clutch.
6) The defense gave up 30 pts again and once again made a medicore QB look really good for too much of the game, but we did get 5 sacks and did force 3 turnovers, and two of the sacks and game ending turnover were key plays. We also held a pretty good running team to 55yds rushing. We're only giving up 88 yds per game on the ground since Garrett took over, and though the avg is 4.0 yds per carry again, thats only because of one game (Philly). In the other 5 games, the highest has been 3.8 and only twice in six games has the opponent gained over 100 yds. (NYG was the other, and they just barely went over 100) The other positive is 5 of the 6 teams all gained less yds rushing than they average for the yr vs us (Philly the lone exception). Ware was outstanding yesterday, not just because of the two sacks and key forced fumble, he was all over the field vs the run and pass and actually led the team in tackles.
7) Bryan McCann is very exciting on returns, but he's also one of those hold your breath guys when it comes to fielding the ball cleanly. If he gets that part of his return game worked out, he could be very good for a long time.
8) After having a really good run with penalties, yesterday the bug was back to the tune of 9/70 yds. The Spencer call was pretty awful, and I still dont see how anyone can explain officials "missing" the returner get blatantly tripped in the middle of the field with nobody else around them. I also am continually amazed at how awful officials are when it comes to other teams holding our guys. When was the last time you remember Ware's guy drawing a holding penalty? He's only the elite 3-4 OLB in the NFL. How many times do I have to see Ratliff get taken down with no call? We did give up 30 pts, but the defense was probably going to hold the Skins to a FG or have them go for a 4th and very long before the blown call on Spencer, in which they missed not one but TWO guys being held. There was also an OBVIOUS block in the back on one of their plays in the redzone where they got a 1st and goal (think it was a screen to Moss, and Scandrick was totally blocked in the back, into the ground)
9) Church and McCray got alot of snaps yesterday (Church got all of Sensabaugh's I believe) but the results were mixed I thought. Church seemed to be out of place some and slow to get to the spot, but I did like the way McCray moved around. Both guys have some upside, not sure either is the answer in terms of being a potential starter, but both guys were good rookie FA finds. Also, the more I see Josh Brent, the more I think he might be the future at NT here. I think we hit on him.
10) I thought yesterday might have been Gronkowki's best game. He had several pretty good blocks and his timing seems to be getting better.
11) I guess Jones basically ruled Romo done for 2010. I'm disappointed because I'd love to see the offense now with him out there. But there's definitely alot to be excited about in 2011 offensively. Getting him back, a full offseason and TC for Dez Bryant, subtracting Barber and a couple of the OL (especially Colombo) and we could be a dominating offensive team in 2011.
12) I dont think Pasqualoni (or any of the current defensive assistants) will be back next yr, but I do give Pasqualoni some credit for taking over a really bad situation and at least improving some things. 6 weeks is not enough time to fix all the issues we have, but he's done an admirable job. They give up too many passing yards and points, but the run defense is better than it was the first 8 games under Wade, and they are getting turnovers and some timely sacks that werent there before either.
13) McBriar shanked one yesterday (might be the first time I've ever seen him do that, if its not its def the first one in awhile) but his next punt that was downed close to the GL was absolutely huge. Buehler's touchback after the GW FG was also big. When your missing alot of key guys offensively and struggle defensively, these types of plays are big.
14) I think they are gonna have to do some real thinking on Anthony Spencer. To me he's been the single biggest disappointment on the team this year (on a team with alot of disappointments). I believe next yr will be the final yr of his deal. The new HC and staff will have to decide is this yr the real Spencer, or was the 2nd half of last yr the real Spencer. If they think he isnt the guy, then they have to decide if Butler or Williams might work out. If thats not the case, OLB could be a higher priority than most previously believed, and April's draft appears to be stocked with talent that fits for 3-4 OLB positions. OL and safety (both spots) are obvious holes, but we need somebody that can consistently rush the passer opp Ware, otherwise this style of defense wont ever work.
15) I've said it every week, but I'm def sold on Garrett being the guy. He's a winner and is definitely changing things at VR. We have a number of issues that need to be addressed, but those things will get addressed IMO. I'm excited as hell to see what he can do with this offense with a real training camp and a couple of upgrades on the OL. Defensively, we've seen in the not too distant past that they can be good, though several positions need to be looked at as well as the defensive staff and scheme.
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