The Dallas Cowboys season is over.
In a span of mere seconds, Cowboys fans went through a roller coaster of emotions that is all too familiar for Dallas Sports Fans. The Cowboys and Packers put on a show today at Lambeau field and it's a shame that what we will be talking about all week is an instant replay decision rather than the gutsy play of Tony Romo and Aaron Rogers. They both played hurt and put on a show for the entire NFL world to delight in. While most fans will focus on the Dez Bryant Catch (and yes it was a catch and I will forever refer to it as such), there were four other game changing plays that must be discussed.
1. The play: With the Cowboys driving late in the first half, the Cowboys lined up with Tony Romo in shotgun on 3rd and 1. Romo mishandled the snap and ultimately threw an incompletion to Terrance Williams at the Goal Line. This botched play led to a 4 and 1 field goal attempt which turned into a 4 and 6 field goal attempt after a false start. The kick was partially blocked and what could've and should've been a 17-7 halftime lead for the Cowboys, turned into a 14 - 10 game as Green Bay kicked a last second field goal. I don't like the call here at all. While the running game appeared stagnant in the first half, Demarco Murray was money on short distance third down runs and instead of sticking with what was working, the Cowboys got cute and it cost them. Had the Cowboys converted on 3rd down, were possibly looking at a 21-7 halftime score which completely changes the game.
2. The play: The Cowboys stopped the Packers on their first drive of the second half and were driving early the in the third quarter when Demarco Murray did what Demarco Murray do. The Cowboys offensive line could not have opened a bigger hole for Murray who tends to fumble the ball at absolutely the worst time, every time. At minimum Demarco Murray goes 40 yards before realizing no ones around him and tripping on his own feet. At minimum the Cowboys kick a field goal for a 17-10 lead and most likely score to make it a 21-10 game. Instead the Packers drove the ball for a field goal and made it a one point game. For all he's done this year, Demarco Murray is a liability with bad vision who makes critical mistakes at the worst times. He needs to be last on our free agent priority list behind players, coaches, ball boys and parking attendants.
3. The play: The Cowboys responded to the Demarco Murray fumble with an outstanding drive resulting in a 21-13 lead late in the third quarter. On the ensuing kick off, the Packers return man fumbled the ball and James Hanna proceed to let the ball bounce off his chest before losing the ball in a scrum. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF PLAYS THAT WIN AND LOSE FOOTBALL GAMES AND HANNA FAILED. You have to come away with that ball. Fumbles don't grow on trees and if you are going to shock the world and beat Green Bay, these are the plays that make that possible. If Hanna recovers the ball, we lead by 11 and probably 15 heading into the fourth quarter. The game changes significantly if the Cowboys recover that fumble and the 4th and 1 heist perhaps never happens at all.
4. The play: The Cowboys had the Packers on their heels early in the fourth quarter who were facing 3rd and 15 on the Cowboys 46 yard line. Rodgers had all day to throw and delivered a strike to Devante Adams who was able to juke Safety Barry Church and run all the way to the end zone. There is no excuse for the Cowboys defense and several glaring issues lead to such a completion. The first problem with this play is the Cowboys pass rush. This has been an issue all season and will no doubt be addressed this offseason. Rodgers had far too much time to pass and this hurt the Cowboys. The second issue was Sterling Moore trying to deflect the pass rather than concentrating on making a tackle. This has happened far too many times to Cowboys DB's and leads to far too many big plays. I also don't understand why Marinelli refuses to blitz in this situation. The Cowboys hardly blitz and in many ways they aren't good enough to blitz, but Rodgers was clearly hobbled and a blitz in this situation perhaps gains the Cowboys a game changing sack. It's one thing to choose your blitzes and use them sparingly, it's another to refuse to do so and constantly give up conversions on 3rd and long all day long.
The Dez Bryant catch will dominate social media and the airwaves and honestly the biggest problem I have with it is that it ruined what otherwise had been a very compelling game. We see this happens all the time. A great game is overshadowed by a game changing call that leaves a sour taste in everyone's mouth. Honestly fans on both sides of the equation should admit that we were all screwed over by this call. We lost a chance to see the game settled on the field and just like that a great game was ruined. Who knows what happens if the catch is upheld. The Cowboys most likely score and go for two leaving the game in Aaron Rodgers hands. Who knows what happens? The way the Cowboys D was playing, the Packers probably move the length of the field and win. Instead, we were left wondering what if. We will never know how the game would've unfolded and that is a shame for everyone involved. I hope the NFL takes a hard look at this rule and I hope the Cowboys maintain their integrity and professionalism and they discuss this call and this game going forward.
The Cowboys season is over but their opportunity is not lost. I hope the Cowboys use their money wisely this offseason and that to me starts with signing Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and Bruce Carter (More to come on Cowboys offseason priorities later).
DJM
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Lambeau Letdown
Wow. Nothing like a huge call to encourage me back to writing. Before I start ranting about the "Reversal Heard Round the World," let's touch on the basics of a fantastic Cowboys season, and a strong showing in this year's Divisional Playoff Round.
1. If we're being honest, the Cowboys surprised us all this season.
Even if you're Skip Bayless who pulled a winning record prediction out of his butt, you didn't actually expect the Cowboys to win anywhere near 10 games, let alone being tied for the best record in football [12-4] going into the postseason.
2. The Cowboys have proved that they can deliver in the playoffs.
With their last game coming down to essentially one play before vying for a Conference Title in Seattle, this team proved to themselves and to everyone else that they're ready to turn the chapter on the 8-8 seasons and build on the legacy of the early 90s success.
3. The NFL has serious decisions to make about the rulebook, its application, and the referees who are placed in the hot seat week in and week out.
For goodness sake, why not consider putting together teams of refs which actually understand each other enough to act with poise in high pressure situations? While we're scrutinizing, I'll represent the Lions for a minute and rally for pass interference being added to the docket for ability to review and overturn.
Now for today's game.
1. The Cowboys missed opportunities to extend their lead and put this game out of reach.
The biggest of these was at the end of the first half when Red J decided to kick a long field goal on a 4th and 1. Continue to believe in your team. You have endless options for smoothly getting that yard, and against a Packers team that has proven they can't deliver on 4th down.
2. The referees missed opportunities to do their job.
With key 3rd down "make-up Detroit" penalty calls on the Packers' winning drive, the referees consistently botched their responsibility to the fans, their commissioner, and ultimately to the teams involved. On both sides, calls were missed, ignored and blown out of proportion. The largest of these was the game-altering call to reverse the beautiful Bryant catch on an ensuing Cowboys drive. The catch went from season-defining for the Cowboys to career-defining for the idiot ref whose reputation is now fully instituted as a "catch-crusher." Remember Megatron?
3. The Packers missed opportunities to show any sort of class.
Late blocks, sacks on Romo (seconds after the ball was released) and penalties all around showed the world that this Packers team is dirty and deserves no honor in the long run. The only glimmer of hope for that team is a phenomenal quarterback who delivers even under high pressure and when he's feeling at much less than 100%.
All of that being said, as a fan, I can't complain about a quality showdown on a huge stage. The Cowboys showed up and did everything they needed to do to win this game. It was no fault of their own which took that opportunity away.
Eventually, we're all going to have to realize that the NFL has much to think about. The Lions believed they were screwed, and I'll never take that away from them. Now the Cowboys, in most camps, believe they're screwed, and no one can take that away from them. When the day is over, we see corruption from the top down, greed that wants nothing more than to increase profit margin.
Here's an interesting thought. When Mike & Mike asked Mark Cuban, "Where do you draw the line between making money and winning games?" Mark replied, "You don't, at least I don't." He later went on to say that "we're 5 games over .500 and it kills me." It's THAT mentality that the NFL needs to apply to their business framework.
At some point, the NFL has to stop thinking about how to make money, about how to please everyone, and about how to be politically correct about selecting referees, and get to the fact of the matter. If the fans, and teams aren't happy, then we're doing something wrong. When the fans and teams aren't happy, the NFL loses. In turn, fair played games with quality officiating yields happy fans, teams, and a winning NFL.
I can't help but think that if the NFL continues in this direction, their impending doom will come even earlier than Cuban predicted.
Last thoughts:
Pay Dez, Pay Garrett, and don't overpay Demarco.
JMiller
1. If we're being honest, the Cowboys surprised us all this season.
Even if you're Skip Bayless who pulled a winning record prediction out of his butt, you didn't actually expect the Cowboys to win anywhere near 10 games, let alone being tied for the best record in football [12-4] going into the postseason.
2. The Cowboys have proved that they can deliver in the playoffs.
With their last game coming down to essentially one play before vying for a Conference Title in Seattle, this team proved to themselves and to everyone else that they're ready to turn the chapter on the 8-8 seasons and build on the legacy of the early 90s success.
3. The NFL has serious decisions to make about the rulebook, its application, and the referees who are placed in the hot seat week in and week out.
For goodness sake, why not consider putting together teams of refs which actually understand each other enough to act with poise in high pressure situations? While we're scrutinizing, I'll represent the Lions for a minute and rally for pass interference being added to the docket for ability to review and overturn.
Now for today's game.
1. The Cowboys missed opportunities to extend their lead and put this game out of reach.
The biggest of these was at the end of the first half when Red J decided to kick a long field goal on a 4th and 1. Continue to believe in your team. You have endless options for smoothly getting that yard, and against a Packers team that has proven they can't deliver on 4th down.
2. The referees missed opportunities to do their job.
With key 3rd down "make-up Detroit" penalty calls on the Packers' winning drive, the referees consistently botched their responsibility to the fans, their commissioner, and ultimately to the teams involved. On both sides, calls were missed, ignored and blown out of proportion. The largest of these was the game-altering call to reverse the beautiful Bryant catch on an ensuing Cowboys drive. The catch went from season-defining for the Cowboys to career-defining for the idiot ref whose reputation is now fully instituted as a "catch-crusher." Remember Megatron?
3. The Packers missed opportunities to show any sort of class.
Late blocks, sacks on Romo (seconds after the ball was released) and penalties all around showed the world that this Packers team is dirty and deserves no honor in the long run. The only glimmer of hope for that team is a phenomenal quarterback who delivers even under high pressure and when he's feeling at much less than 100%.
All of that being said, as a fan, I can't complain about a quality showdown on a huge stage. The Cowboys showed up and did everything they needed to do to win this game. It was no fault of their own which took that opportunity away.
Eventually, we're all going to have to realize that the NFL has much to think about. The Lions believed they were screwed, and I'll never take that away from them. Now the Cowboys, in most camps, believe they're screwed, and no one can take that away from them. When the day is over, we see corruption from the top down, greed that wants nothing more than to increase profit margin.
Here's an interesting thought. When Mike & Mike asked Mark Cuban, "Where do you draw the line between making money and winning games?" Mark replied, "You don't, at least I don't." He later went on to say that "we're 5 games over .500 and it kills me." It's THAT mentality that the NFL needs to apply to their business framework.
At some point, the NFL has to stop thinking about how to make money, about how to please everyone, and about how to be politically correct about selecting referees, and get to the fact of the matter. If the fans, and teams aren't happy, then we're doing something wrong. When the fans and teams aren't happy, the NFL loses. In turn, fair played games with quality officiating yields happy fans, teams, and a winning NFL.
I can't help but think that if the NFL continues in this direction, their impending doom will come even earlier than Cuban predicted.
Last thoughts:
Pay Dez, Pay Garrett, and don't overpay Demarco.
JMiller
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