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Sturm: Cowboys defense gave up; how to start rebuilding this team
Posted at 12:54 AM on Tue., Oct. 26, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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SportsDayDFW phoned The Ticket's Bob Sturm to comment on the Cowboys' loss to the Giants. The following is a transcription of the interview:
On quarterback Jon Kitna's performance once Tony Romo left the game with an injury: The early returns were ugly. He progressed and started moving the offense, but we should temper the enthusiasm. The Giants backed off their secondary a bit into a defense that allowed certain routes a lot easier underneath. The final quarter and a half were much better. I'm not sure if that's a sign to come.
On the Romo injury:
It's catastrophic. He is one of the upper-tier quarterbacks in this league. His performance is far above average. His quarterback rating is always in the 90s. And we talk about the Cowboys' conservative offense each week, but it was at the expense of protecting their franchise quarterback. In the NFL it only takes one mistake in your pass protection to effectively end your season. It clearly puts this team into the 2011 phase of their plans.
On the defense:
They must count on the defense to win games. There are certain teams they can do that against, but you saw tonight, an offense like the Giants', they could pick what they wanted to do for a large part of the night: 300 yards in the air, 200 on the ground. The Cowboys were unable to get much pressure on Eli Manning. This is certainly not a Pittsburgh situation where they can pretty much ask their defense to win games while their quarterback is gone. Maybe against Jacksonville (next week), but with Aaron Rodgers , Drew Brees, Peyton Manning in the next month, I don't see much hope for long-term success with the defense providing the thrust of your effectiveness.
What's next for Cowboys?
This is what happens in many NFL cities where they really must lower their focus from Super Bowl and division title and start focusing on the week-to-week grind of trying to win one game here and one game there. And find out about guys on the roster.
It's high time to really find out what this offensive line can do. With Romo out, it's a perfect chance to look at the NFL for young replacements. They should strongly consider a rebuild now and understand 2010 is not in the cards. Take a more macro approach to their operation.
On who needs to get more play time:
One that jumps out at me (linebacker) Sean Lee . I would put him out on the field in more situations. Keith Brooking's window is probably done with this season. (Play) young safeties perhaps to see if they can play in place of those not getting it done on the field. Continue to feed Dez Bryant. But more than anything, with a 1-5 record, the focus must go to the personnel department. You may have to turn over the bottom half of your roster for guys on practice squads who might be able to compete. It makes no sense to have one-dimensional veterans on your bench if they aren't going to productive. If Jason Williams cannot be depended on, then what is the point holding a roster spot for him? Cut your losses and maybe move along. Same with a guy like Kevin Ogletree. He is not worthy of a gameday spot. Let's go find some players who are. This team has been in a win-now mode for quite awhile. They need to replenish their supply. The starters are not getting any younger and they need to start thinking big picture at quite a few spots.
On the biggest disappointment:
I was very disappointed with the third quarter defense in what appeared to be a significant drop in intensity and a lack of effort. It did not appear there was a lot of conviction (on some of the long runs). I certainly dispute Wade Phillips' claim that everyone fought hard and did not give up. I don't think there's any question they gave up. The Brandon Jacobs' TD run. The Gerald Sensabaugh tackle attempt on Mario Manningham was somewhere between uncommitted or just unskilled. He didn't even make contact with him; that's crazy.
Posted at 12:54 AM on Tue., Oct. 26, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
SportsDayDFW sports Bio | E-mail | News tips
SportsDayDFW phoned The Ticket's Bob Sturm to comment on the Cowboys' loss to the Giants. The following is a transcription of the interview:
On quarterback Jon Kitna's performance once Tony Romo left the game with an injury: The early returns were ugly. He progressed and started moving the offense, but we should temper the enthusiasm. The Giants backed off their secondary a bit into a defense that allowed certain routes a lot easier underneath. The final quarter and a half were much better. I'm not sure if that's a sign to come.
On the Romo injury:
It's catastrophic. He is one of the upper-tier quarterbacks in this league. His performance is far above average. His quarterback rating is always in the 90s. And we talk about the Cowboys' conservative offense each week, but it was at the expense of protecting their franchise quarterback. In the NFL it only takes one mistake in your pass protection to effectively end your season. It clearly puts this team into the 2011 phase of their plans.
On the defense:
They must count on the defense to win games. There are certain teams they can do that against, but you saw tonight, an offense like the Giants', they could pick what they wanted to do for a large part of the night: 300 yards in the air, 200 on the ground. The Cowboys were unable to get much pressure on Eli Manning. This is certainly not a Pittsburgh situation where they can pretty much ask their defense to win games while their quarterback is gone. Maybe against Jacksonville (next week), but with Aaron Rodgers , Drew Brees, Peyton Manning in the next month, I don't see much hope for long-term success with the defense providing the thrust of your effectiveness.
What's next for Cowboys?
This is what happens in many NFL cities where they really must lower their focus from Super Bowl and division title and start focusing on the week-to-week grind of trying to win one game here and one game there. And find out about guys on the roster.
It's high time to really find out what this offensive line can do. With Romo out, it's a perfect chance to look at the NFL for young replacements. They should strongly consider a rebuild now and understand 2010 is not in the cards. Take a more macro approach to their operation.
On who needs to get more play time:
One that jumps out at me (linebacker) Sean Lee . I would put him out on the field in more situations. Keith Brooking's window is probably done with this season. (Play) young safeties perhaps to see if they can play in place of those not getting it done on the field. Continue to feed Dez Bryant. But more than anything, with a 1-5 record, the focus must go to the personnel department. You may have to turn over the bottom half of your roster for guys on practice squads who might be able to compete. It makes no sense to have one-dimensional veterans on your bench if they aren't going to productive. If Jason Williams cannot be depended on, then what is the point holding a roster spot for him? Cut your losses and maybe move along. Same with a guy like Kevin Ogletree. He is not worthy of a gameday spot. Let's go find some players who are. This team has been in a win-now mode for quite awhile. They need to replenish their supply. The starters are not getting any younger and they need to start thinking big picture at quite a few spots.
On the biggest disappointment:
I was very disappointed with the third quarter defense in what appeared to be a significant drop in intensity and a lack of effort. It did not appear there was a lot of conviction (on some of the long runs). I certainly dispute Wade Phillips' claim that everyone fought hard and did not give up. I don't think there's any question they gave up. The Brandon Jacobs' TD run. The Gerald Sensabaugh tackle attempt on Mario Manningham was somewhere between uncommitted or just unskilled. He didn't even make contact with him; that's crazy.
