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Gosselin: If the Cowboys don't start winning, go with Stephen McGee Nov. 21 against the Lions
Posted at 12:00 PM on Fri., Oct. 29, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin chatted with fans and answered questions on Thursday about the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare for their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here are some highlights:
On starting Stephen McGee or going with Jon Kitna:
I wouldn't punt on the season just yet. The Cowboys have lost five games -- but everyone else in the NFC has lost at least two. I see some 10-6 records winning division titles. That means 9-7 wild cards. Can the Cowboys go 8-2 the rest of the way? They certainly have the talent, even with Jon Kitna at quarterback. I expected the Cowboys to win the NFC this season and it was more than Tony Romo . This team allegedly had three top flight wide receivers, a Pro Bowl tight end, three backs who could start for anyone in the NFL and a shut-down defense. That talent is still there -- we just haven't seen any of it to this point. I'd go with Kitna these next three weeks against Jacksonville, Green Bay and the Giants . If this team is 4-5 at that point, then I'd continue with Kitna. If the Cowboys are 2-7 or 1-8, then I'd start Stephen McGee at home Nov. 21 against the Detroit Lions. If you can't be good, be young. The Cowboys need to find out about McGee and a lot of other young players.
On the possibility that the Cowboys quit on Monday night:
Quit is rather harsh. But I did see a defense that didn't rise up to the challenge. A defense that actually shirked from the challenge. That was the most disappointing aspect of that game. The Cowboys have four Pro Bowlers on defense. Bradie James thinks he should be a Pro Bowler as well. Demarcus Ware may be the best defensive player in the NFL. Romo went down with the Cowboys leading 13-7. It becomes the defense's job to slam the door at that point and not let the Giants back into the game. That's what a great defense does. This Cowboys team was supposed to have a great defense. In 1976, when the Pittsburgh Steelers lost Trry Bradshaw, it was on the Steel Curtain defense to win low-scoring games. That defense pitched five shutouts and held two more opponents to a field goal during an eight-game stretch to close the season, giving the Steelers a division title. We're going to find out about this defense and these players the rest of the way. Do you rise up, put the rest of the team on your shoulders and save the season? Or do you go out with a whimper like Monday night? If this defense doesn't stand up, there could be a lot of players walking out the door with Phillips at season's end.
On signing a free agent quarterback:
Kitna is the best option right now. He's been in the offense two years. He knows the plays and his receivers. If you bring in a Culpepper or a Garcia, there would be a learning curve. Like I said above, the next three weeks will determine which direction the Dallas season heads. By the time Garcia or Culpepper got up to speed with the offense, the season could already be lost. If Kitna can't right the ship, then go young with McGee. This team doesn't need to get any older than it already is.
On this version of the Cowboys being the worst team in NFL history:
I'd take the talent on this team over the talent on the 0-16 Detroit Lions of 2007 or the 0-14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 1976. Worst team ever? That's a bit harsh. I'd take the talent on this team over that of the 1989 Cowboys. Not even the worst team in franchise history. Let's not over-react here. There are still pieces in place for this to be a contending team. We need to re-arrange some deck chairs first, though.
On the chances of Wade Phillips remaining the Cowboys head coach next season:
The Cowboys need upgrades in a lot of areas. This team had Super Bowl aspirations. If it misses out on the playoffs, we'll see another coaching search. Jones has to make a credibility hire -- someone who will give the fan base of America's Team hope. Someone with a name or a ring, preferably both.
Posted at 12:00 PM on Fri., Oct. 29, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
SportsDayDFW sports Bio | E-mail | News tips
The Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin chatted with fans and answered questions on Thursday about the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare for their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here are some highlights:
On starting Stephen McGee or going with Jon Kitna:
I wouldn't punt on the season just yet. The Cowboys have lost five games -- but everyone else in the NFC has lost at least two. I see some 10-6 records winning division titles. That means 9-7 wild cards. Can the Cowboys go 8-2 the rest of the way? They certainly have the talent, even with Jon Kitna at quarterback. I expected the Cowboys to win the NFC this season and it was more than Tony Romo . This team allegedly had three top flight wide receivers, a Pro Bowl tight end, three backs who could start for anyone in the NFL and a shut-down defense. That talent is still there -- we just haven't seen any of it to this point. I'd go with Kitna these next three weeks against Jacksonville, Green Bay and the Giants . If this team is 4-5 at that point, then I'd continue with Kitna. If the Cowboys are 2-7 or 1-8, then I'd start Stephen McGee at home Nov. 21 against the Detroit Lions. If you can't be good, be young. The Cowboys need to find out about McGee and a lot of other young players.
On the possibility that the Cowboys quit on Monday night:
Quit is rather harsh. But I did see a defense that didn't rise up to the challenge. A defense that actually shirked from the challenge. That was the most disappointing aspect of that game. The Cowboys have four Pro Bowlers on defense. Bradie James thinks he should be a Pro Bowler as well. Demarcus Ware may be the best defensive player in the NFL. Romo went down with the Cowboys leading 13-7. It becomes the defense's job to slam the door at that point and not let the Giants back into the game. That's what a great defense does. This Cowboys team was supposed to have a great defense. In 1976, when the Pittsburgh Steelers lost Trry Bradshaw, it was on the Steel Curtain defense to win low-scoring games. That defense pitched five shutouts and held two more opponents to a field goal during an eight-game stretch to close the season, giving the Steelers a division title. We're going to find out about this defense and these players the rest of the way. Do you rise up, put the rest of the team on your shoulders and save the season? Or do you go out with a whimper like Monday night? If this defense doesn't stand up, there could be a lot of players walking out the door with Phillips at season's end.
On signing a free agent quarterback:
Kitna is the best option right now. He's been in the offense two years. He knows the plays and his receivers. If you bring in a Culpepper or a Garcia, there would be a learning curve. Like I said above, the next three weeks will determine which direction the Dallas season heads. By the time Garcia or Culpepper got up to speed with the offense, the season could already be lost. If Kitna can't right the ship, then go young with McGee. This team doesn't need to get any older than it already is.
On this version of the Cowboys being the worst team in NFL history:
I'd take the talent on this team over the talent on the 0-16 Detroit Lions of 2007 or the 0-14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 1976. Worst team ever? That's a bit harsh. I'd take the talent on this team over that of the 1989 Cowboys. Not even the worst team in franchise history. Let's not over-react here. There are still pieces in place for this to be a contending team. We need to re-arrange some deck chairs first, though.
On the chances of Wade Phillips remaining the Cowboys head coach next season:
The Cowboys need upgrades in a lot of areas. This team had Super Bowl aspirations. If it misses out on the playoffs, we'll see another coaching search. Jones has to make a credibility hire -- someone who will give the fan base of America's Team hope. Someone with a name or a ring, preferably both.