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By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
jonmachota32@yahoo.com
11:03 PM on Sun., Sep. 11, 2011
A surprisingly strong start to Sunday night's season opener in New Jersey was ruined with a fourth quarter collapse. Spearheaded by some inept play by quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead for the first time in franchise history and lost to the New York Jets 27-24.
Here are my five thoughts on what unfolded at MetLife Stadium.
1.) Tony Romo will never be considered an elite quarterback if he can't operate in clutch situations. Through three quarters he looked like the MVP of the game, throwing for over 300 yards with two touchdowns and no mistakes. But with the clock winding down in the fourth, he couldn't have been much worse. A fumble at the goal line with nine minutes remaining was topped by a terrible interception right into the hands of the best cornerback in football, Darrelle Revis , eight minutes later. The intended receiver was Dez Bryant, who was double-covered. The icing on the cake came when Phil Costa's shotgun snap hit Romo in the stomach because the quarterback wasn't paying attention with eight seconds left in the game. Even Romo's biggest supporters have to be scratching their heads about his fourth quarter play.
2.) Rob Ryan's defense was better than many of the experts expected in his Dallas debut. After getting gashed by the run at times in the preseason, Ryan's group was excellent against a backfield of Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson, limiting the Jets to 45 rushing yards. Moving DeMarcus Ware around also appeared to work well. Arguably the best pass rusher in the game recorded two sacks. If it hadn't been for injuries to the Cowboys' top three corners -- Terence Newman, who didn't dress, Mike Jenkins, who battled injuries all night, and Orlando Scandrick, who departed early with an ankle injury -- the outcome probably would have been different.
3.) Sean Lee is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The 25-year-old middle linebacker had the Cowboys' biggest defensive play of the game on an interception he returned 37 yards to the goal line. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was looking for tight end Dustin Keller when Lee jumped up and made the play late in the third quarter. After making the catch, Lee followed with some nifty moves that made him appear to be a tight end for a few seconds. Reminiscent of his performance against Peyton Manning and the Colts last season, Lee was in the right place at the right time most of the night, leading the team in tackles with 12. He has earned the starting spot over Keith Brooking.
4.) Everyone who has followed the Cowboys since last season already knows it, but it was confirmed in the first quarter Sunday night -- Dez Bryant is the real deal. Yes, the Cowboys' top big play threat was cramping badly most of the game and needed an IV to return, but when he's healthy and focused, he's as good as any at his position. The game's opening series saw Bryant grab a 42-yard slant to get the offense rolling. He then capped the nine-play drive with a jump-ball touchdown grab over talented cornerback Antonio Cromartie on third and goal. Bryant finished with three grabs for 71 yards.
5.) At 29, there are plenty of good years left in Jason Witten's professional football career. Witten, who signed a five-year, $37 million contract extension Sunday, led the Cowboys in receiving with six catches for 110 yards. If it wasn't for Romo's mistakes late, Witten's performance would appear more outstanding. His biggest contribution came with less than 12 minutes to play and the Cowboys up 24-17. On second and eight at the Dallas 33, Witten caught a pass from Romo and took it 64 yards down the sideline. However, Romo's fumble followed three plays later. Despite the loss, it was obvious Sunday, when the Cowboys need to move the chains in a crucial situation, No. 82 is still the go-to guy.
jonmachota32@yahoo.com
11:03 PM on Sun., Sep. 11, 2011
A surprisingly strong start to Sunday night's season opener in New Jersey was ruined with a fourth quarter collapse. Spearheaded by some inept play by quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead for the first time in franchise history and lost to the New York Jets 27-24.
Here are my five thoughts on what unfolded at MetLife Stadium.
1.) Tony Romo will never be considered an elite quarterback if he can't operate in clutch situations. Through three quarters he looked like the MVP of the game, throwing for over 300 yards with two touchdowns and no mistakes. But with the clock winding down in the fourth, he couldn't have been much worse. A fumble at the goal line with nine minutes remaining was topped by a terrible interception right into the hands of the best cornerback in football, Darrelle Revis , eight minutes later. The intended receiver was Dez Bryant, who was double-covered. The icing on the cake came when Phil Costa's shotgun snap hit Romo in the stomach because the quarterback wasn't paying attention with eight seconds left in the game. Even Romo's biggest supporters have to be scratching their heads about his fourth quarter play.
2.) Rob Ryan's defense was better than many of the experts expected in his Dallas debut. After getting gashed by the run at times in the preseason, Ryan's group was excellent against a backfield of Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson, limiting the Jets to 45 rushing yards. Moving DeMarcus Ware around also appeared to work well. Arguably the best pass rusher in the game recorded two sacks. If it hadn't been for injuries to the Cowboys' top three corners -- Terence Newman, who didn't dress, Mike Jenkins, who battled injuries all night, and Orlando Scandrick, who departed early with an ankle injury -- the outcome probably would have been different.
3.) Sean Lee is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The 25-year-old middle linebacker had the Cowboys' biggest defensive play of the game on an interception he returned 37 yards to the goal line. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was looking for tight end Dustin Keller when Lee jumped up and made the play late in the third quarter. After making the catch, Lee followed with some nifty moves that made him appear to be a tight end for a few seconds. Reminiscent of his performance against Peyton Manning and the Colts last season, Lee was in the right place at the right time most of the night, leading the team in tackles with 12. He has earned the starting spot over Keith Brooking.
4.) Everyone who has followed the Cowboys since last season already knows it, but it was confirmed in the first quarter Sunday night -- Dez Bryant is the real deal. Yes, the Cowboys' top big play threat was cramping badly most of the game and needed an IV to return, but when he's healthy and focused, he's as good as any at his position. The game's opening series saw Bryant grab a 42-yard slant to get the offense rolling. He then capped the nine-play drive with a jump-ball touchdown grab over talented cornerback Antonio Cromartie on third and goal. Bryant finished with three grabs for 71 yards.
5.) At 29, there are plenty of good years left in Jason Witten's professional football career. Witten, who signed a five-year, $37 million contract extension Sunday, led the Cowboys in receiving with six catches for 110 yards. If it wasn't for Romo's mistakes late, Witten's performance would appear more outstanding. His biggest contribution came with less than 12 minutes to play and the Cowboys up 24-17. On second and eight at the Dallas 33, Witten caught a pass from Romo and took it 64 yards down the sideline. However, Romo's fumble followed three plays later. Despite the loss, it was obvious Sunday, when the Cowboys need to move the chains in a crucial situation, No. 82 is still the go-to guy.
