Blogging The Boys

Anyone up at 5am on Sunday morning probably pissed in the bed and had to get up.

LOL

StrosSouth - January 8, 2012 reply

Or they work early. :P

I go on the clock at work at 4:45 am. /shudder
I am a night owl and hate getting up pre 4am.

what do you do?

I am a inspector for the USDA. So when a plant is running we have to be there to keep a eye on things.

insert meat joke

I hope these are the first 3 things addressed

They know they must improve the back end of their defense. They know they need to find someone to help Ware put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. And they know they need help on the interior of their offensive line.

2 FA and 1st pick or 1FA and 1st two picks

i hope its 2 fa and 1st round pick

sign Finnegan for the secondary, Carl Nicks for the offensive line, and draft a pass rusher

Nets2410 - January 8, 2012 via Android app reply

It is soooo simple and straight forward...

failing to protect the quarterback and you may have to use the backups for the rest of the season but failing to have a better cornerback may cost you points
but with good protection and a good quarterback you can always get ahead or come back and win the game
have you guys not watching Peyton Manning, Tom Brady. Drew Brees etc etc….
Offensive Line Protection is the ultimate priority. Period.
OLine, OLine, OLine, OLine, OLine, OLine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sbnles - January 9, 2012 reply

I'm quite proud of Cowboys fans and media

We aren’t hearing Romo can’t win in December nonsense or terrible Menes about Ware disappearing in big moments or TO locker room stories or Dez saggy pants initiatives.

Instead the media are talking about political power structures and interior line play.

I think there’s something to be said for the football IQ the media is displaying in the wake of this season.

Blue Eyed Devil - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

Well

Theres still quite a bit of people that bring up those subjects all the time. But there will always be ignorant people, so you cant really change that. I’ll read an article about the Cowboys or Dez Bryant and the comments are just incredibly annoying. I think this season highlighted how bad our secondary was so the media laid off Romo. Instead of “choking” it was about not finishing games and giving up leads.

BrickTop - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

And next season, no matter how bad or good...

We’ll hear those same old talking heads spout off about Romo in December, the Cowboys can’t finish, yada yada, yada. Especially if we happen to be in first place. 90% of America has no clue that Romo has long ago slain that dragon. They will fail to mention that he threw 8 tds and 0 ints in December this year. Or that he amassed those stout numbers in only 3 games. Running their mouths is what they’re paid to do. Gathering and communicating facts is not required. Romo’s real problem is this; will the Cowboys be good enough before he gets old?

White Wolf - January 8, 2012 reply

Yup

Totally agree. I certainly think it’s capable for Romo to put together at least 2-3 very good seasons so we can put substantial talent at the offensive line and defense.

BrickTop - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

+9

I’m in Germany this week so I’m going to try that whole “using numbers” thing OCC started here.

dunkman - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

At least and if they can protect him, probably more.

pfloyd1 - January 8, 2012 reply

It's being said, including on this board, but at least some of the media are definitely focusing

less on Romo (they can see his numbers for this year, too) and more on the real problem areas. Even some of the national media finally get it, too.

[Chuckles] How many teams have claimed to be the new America's Team just in the last year?

I think this goes to show just how many people out there have obsessions with the Cowboys. (Good and Bad) So many people hate that the Cowboys are the one. So many are tweaked that their team is not. It also shows a complete lack of creativity. Can’t they just go get their own nickname? This is a very weathered argument. We have withstood the test of time with this name. It transcends football. I mean, how many baseball teams are America’s Team? How many basketball teams? College Teams? In American Sports, there is only one America’s Team. Everyone wants to be America’s Team, but only the Dallas Cowboys are.

Pretenders, get over it already.

White Wolf - January 8, 2012 reply

Yessir! Rec!

love making them green

rec White Wolf

I am Ironman!!! - January 8, 2012 reply

Wake up people! The Texans HAVE replaced the Cowboys

In some parts of Houston. Nice work there.

dunkman - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

Exactly, in some parts of houston,

They don’t even have domninion over their own host city. I still see lots of cowboys gear in h-town this past week I was there for new years weekend and could see at least 40-45% of the people there who had on NFL apparel had cowboys gear. Though the playoff run they are on this year will increase their bandwagon.

I still think that the majority of their fans outside of Houston come from disgruntled former cowboys fans that have left the team since Landry was fired or Jimmy quit (basically the start of the Jerry Jones era).

cowboy78 - January 8, 2012 reply

What’s really funny is they are popular just about anywhere you go. You will see people wearing hats with the star, or bumper stickers, or flags in front of their lawns.

Aaron Burtram - January 8, 2012 reply

I'm a Dallas fan who never lived in Texas

Never bothered to ever consider the Texans when thinking about football. Never think of them as relevant. Sounds to me much like Panther or Jaguar or Texans fans can make claims that their team matters. But it’s just not true as soon as you leave the home town.

Eagles suck - January 9, 2012 reply

Good Morning Everyone.

Tom: I think the NBC writer was reading your stuff. That assessment is really close to what you layed out in your post and it seems too rational for a normal sports writer this soon after the season. Normally they still want everyone beheaded.

oldboysfan - January 8, 2012 reply

I was actually a little perturbed by that.

I hadn’t seen it, and hope I got my article out first – but I’m afraid to go back and check.

Tom Ryle - January 8, 2012 reply

That "5 Things We Learned in 2011" article is among the worst pieces I've ever read

Key19 - January 8, 2012 reply

I was meaning the stay and go piece.

and yes the 5 things piece is just junk.

oldboysfan - January 8, 2012 reply

America's Team...

I hear crap about how we’re not America’s team anymore all the time from Steelers fans that I work with. You know, the Texans colors are red, white and blue. I wonder if that’s some sort of subtle jab at our claim of America’s team.

Mr. Patrick - January 8, 2012 reply

That is what 1 writer was saying about the Pats.

Their colors and better success rate the last decade should make them America’s Team.

Jenkin's shoulder surgery is scheduled for next week btw.

Err, it is Sunday, it is this week.

You must have had the drink

last night rather than going to bed.

oldboysfan - January 8, 2012 reply

lol, yeah I will pay for that tomorrow.

The Witten article was interesting

The writer hand an interesting analysis, but I found the final paragraph a little odd (bold emphasis min):

At 29, Witten has some incredible career numbers for a tight end. He’s still relatively young and a player the Cowboys can count on for years to come.

I worry that Witten’s a relatively old 29.

The writer notes that Witten’s targets per game for the last eight games dropped 31% from the first eight games, which he attributed JW being bracket covered. Any place to get real data on this? Curious to know if he was double teamed more in 2011, particularly the last 8 games, than years prior.

If true, there is some solace in what looked like a serious drop-off. However, it was oft mentioned that Robinson flourished because Dez was constantly doubled. In a 3-wide w TE set, seems like Miles should have been getting a lot of single coverage, too.

Miles missed a lot of playing time. Dez missed some time also and was limited in others.

I would think Witten had more targets with both of those out early in the year and before Robinson took off.

Yep

He averaged 11.5 targets/game for the 1st 4 games.

More to your point:
For first eight games of 2011 his completion% was 63% for 64 targets
For the last eight games it was 74% for 53 targets

Consistent with them forcing the ball to him early in the season when they had fewer options.

He tied his career high for ypc, but his completion% is 5 points lower than it was in 09.

oops

first eight games 70 targets 63% completions
last eight games 47 targets 74% completions

Im telling you.

Jason Witten is gonna fall off that cliff in the next 2 years. Its time to liquidate. Watch what I tell you. He’s slowing down. I dont mean look at his numbers. Watch him move. That body is in the beginning stages of breaking down.

I don't want to "liquidate," but I agree that he looks like he's slowing down. I was watching

a clip from 2009, and he looked so much faster. What I do think is that it’s time to target a TE in the draft in one of the lower rounds, particularly since Bennett may be out.

I just dont want to wait too long.

Like everyone else I’d love to see him end his HOF career in Dallas, breaking all the TE records. But what I dont want is for him to make it to another contract, Jerry to overpay him, and his play to fall off the cliff shortly after. Not to be heartless, but if someone offered a 2nd round pick for him Id take it, tell John Phillips be ready to start, and never look back.

Thank the Stars you're not our GM.

You’re out of your mind with this one.

+82

+ 82 MILLION

and that is at a discount

burmafrd1944 - January 8, 2012 reply

I just dont see what the big deal is?

I really dont think every offense needs a Pro Bowl tight end to be successful. Id rather have some chips that can help us improve our O-Line, and a TE who can get us 55 catches a year. The formula we have been using clearly doesnt work. A wealth of skill position talent and an average line wont cut it. Id much rather move Witten or Austin, and use some of those acquired assets to improve the line. I think an upright Romo, and a dominant running game would take us farther. Sometimes I think you can have too many weapons.

Fix the Oline, fine.

Move Witten is absurd, I’m sorry. You just don’t unload a future HOF when he has done nothing but good for your franchise, and still has a lot left in the tank.
Austin you could make a case for because quite frankly, I consider him injury prone.
But Witten is not only Tony Romo’s crutch, but a face of our franchise. He is also under contract until 2017 I believe.
What are you talking about, mannnnnnnn?

Screw Romo's safety blanket.

Im so tired of hearing that. Who is Tom Brady’s safety blanket? Or Drew Bree’s? Or Aaron Rodgers? Maybe Romo doesnt need a damn crutch, maybe he needs to just make reads, and throw footballs.

And who can say Witten “has a lot left in the tank” if you watch him move around he damn sure doesnt look that way. Something has to move, Witten, Austin, somebody. Its stagnant, somethings gotta shake.

Wow. Just wow. Mensa, it's not cool to comment under two names at once.

Tom Brady has two elite TE’s now, not sure you want to go there. He also doesn’t need a “safety blanket” as you put it because he has an Oline that, you know, DOES THEIR JOB WELL.
Drew Brees – same boat with the Oline..
If you want to make FAIR comparisons, how about Phillip Rivers. Think they’d make the same snap decision on Gates- who is CLEARLY Rivers’ “safety blanket” due to shoddy Oline play?
Get real. You just tried comparing our offense to, arguably, the three best passing offenses in the game with the deepest WR sets.
Gain some perspective before you speak again, please.

Brady was doing it long before there

were Gronko and Hernandez. Brees was getting it done long before he had Jimmy Graham. And how the hell is Gate’s Rivers’ safety blanket when he is either not on the field, or limping around when he’s out there.

Tom Brady has two elite TE’s now, not sure you want to go there. He also doesn’t need a "safety blanket" as you put it because he has an Oline that, you know, DOES THEIR JOB WELL

Doesnt that prove my point? Id rather put some assets into building a dominant line. I dont care if Romo is throwing to a bunch of nobodies. I think he’s that good of a quarterback.

So what in the hell does this have to do with Jason Witten???

Get an oline! Keep your HOF TE! End of story!
Btw, that looks to be EXACTLY what JG is attempting to do, don’t you think?
In your reply you still don’t address the fact that you’re comparing apples to truck tires with this Brady, Brees, Rogers talk. Get real.

And how the hell is Gate’s Rivers’ safety blanket when he is either not on the field, or limping around when he’s out there.

So because he’s injured the last two seasons he’s never on the field?
I guess 2003-2009 doesn’t count. LMAO

You're right on, Carl

As always. The Cowboys have the wisdom of Branch Rickey’s maxim completely backwards, so we’re always old and slow. Witten was a terrible blocker this year. I’d take a second rounder for him in an instant.

kindablue - January 8, 2012 reply

Strange how Witten can't move - BUT IS ALWAYS OPEN.

Who cares if you WALK PAST the first down chains – they still move.
Which I suggest you do some of – move on.

If someone needs to be traded, it's Dez.

I don’t know if he brings a #2, but he’s the only contract that can be moved. He’s not very productive so far, easy to replace.

Are you serious? Not very productive?

Very

Unless we trade Dez for first rd pick and take Justin Blackmon

I would never sign off on this. Look at the numbers I posted below, he’s been productive alright. I expect him to put up even better numbers next season.

Rohpuri - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

"Dez Bryant hasn't been very productive"

Whatever you’re smoking, I want some. You need to check your facts:

2010: 12 games 45 rec, 561 yrds, 6TDs + 215 return yrds and 2 TDs

2011: 15 games 63 rec, 928 yrds, 9TDS + 103 return yards.

Career: 27 of 32 possible games: 108 receptions, 1489 receiving yrds, 17 total TDS.

You probably would’ve cut Michael Irvin after 1989.

Rohpuri - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

No, but I don't think Dez will ever be close to Irvin as a WR.

He was talking about making a trade to help other spots on the team. Austin and Witten’s contracts won’t let that kind of trade happen. I’m not saying trade anyone, but if they do, Dez is the only trade that will work.

You very clearly have no idea how football transactions work.

I mean like none.

mh420800 - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I am firmly in the camp of better to trade a year too early than a year too late, but I don't trust the Cowboys' GM to use the picks acquired in such a trade in anything resembling a wise manner

Seanrude - January 8, 2012 reply

Amen

I am firmly in the camp of better to trade a year too early than a year too late, but I don’t trust the Cowboys’ GM

Why trade at all?

I guess I don’t understand the need to trade players who have been the cornerstone of your team. Every player gets old and their production decreases. Teams with little CLASS trade their key/elite players instead of letting them retire w/ the franchise they started with.

I see no problem trading players acquired via free agency but Newman, Ware, Witten, Romo, Ratliff, etc. were all drafted by Dallas.

The real issue is that the head coach and GM need a set of balls big enough to tell their previously elite players that they are no longer worthy of starting and will be backups or released.

But trading shows that you have no class – the one thing the Boys have is class.

I know what you're saying, but he just got his new contract, and if I had to guess, he'll

choose to retire before the next one. I hope he does retire a Cowboy.

How long is he signed through?

2017

Holy cow, I missed that signing.

God I hope he never gets near the end of that deal.

Way too long. I hope he retires after 2 more seasons. There is going to be a precipitous

fall in the next 2 years.

Can I borrow your crystal ball?

I’ve got some powerball numbers to hash out…

Like Gonzalez

Thank you.

Different kind of athlete.

Witten was never the athlete Gonzales was.

+1

That's the best you can do?

I mean, the fact that we're forced to compare him to a once-in-a-lifetime talent should tell you all you need to know.

+1

Witten is breaking down. Slow and can’t block worth a damn anymore. At this point in his career he’s a slow wide receiver who runs great routes and falls down the instant someone touches him.

kindablue - January 8, 2012 reply

Why because Witten is white so hes not athletic ?

Maybe because Tony Gonzo is one of the most athletic TE's

to ever play the game. Maybe because he was a borderline NBA draft pick as well.

And Witten is athletic?

Witten is cerebral and Tony is athletic right? Racist stereotypes I can’t stand.

isn't*

Ahhh who cares about race.

If you are Green and were born on Mars if you can play I don’t care. Just win. Make the astute moves needed to get out of this mediocrity.

I dont see whats racist or stereotypical about this

Well I guess everyone in the NFL is pretty athletic right? Tony Gonzo is a rare athlete. Jason Witten is a pretty good athlete. You want me to even it up? Jeremy Shockey is an outstanding athlete, but not the football player Jason Witten is. There ya go. White supremely athletic TE. We good now?

yup!

It just irks me I doubt you were thinking it but it was all offseason Lee is cerebral but Carter is athletic

I don't think it's a race thing

Lee is one of the most cerebral linebackers in the game, but he’s also extremely athletic (he has excellent burst and lateral agility for a linebacker).

Carter? We haven’t seen enough about him to know. We know he’s a fast linebacker and we think he can deliver big hits. I don’t think it’s an either-or proposition—Lee is the headiest linebacker in the game, but he’s also a great athlete.

Bradie James? A very well-rounded player. He’s never been the most athletic linebacker, but in his prime, he was a smart linebacker who worked hard and always got into position.

Carter hasn’t displayed, in college or in extremely limited action in the NFL, that he has the same kind of football smarts that Lee has. And it’s not a race thing—it’s just that Carter is a “redshirt rookie” and Lee has been a once-in-a-lifetime, freak-of-nature player. I think people would be feeling the same way if their races were reversed.

Admiral Dallas - January 8, 2012 reply

speaking of atheltic TEs and race

Is Jimmy Graham black or white, I honestly can’t tell.

I won't argue with this.

But I won’t agree with this sentiment that Witten is “slowing down” based on an eye test.
Dude caught and ran for the second highest completion of his career this year – 64 yarder.
He hasn’t dipped below 64 completions SINCE 2003 – his ROOKIE YEAR.
Need I mention he has played in EVERY GAME since starting in his 9th game of his Rookie year?
I never thought I’d say this, but people need to go back to Romo bashing because that is less annoying than this garbage – not intended for you Fern. Although I don’t necessarily agree nor disagree with your eye test.
Cutting ties with a man based on that, though? I disagree 100%

No one said he sucked or is unworthy of a roster spot.

You can a little decline though. A 6 year contract was not smart by Jerry. Those kinds of contracts get you Terrance Newman’s. How did you like his production this year ?

Do you know how NFL contracts work?

Now we're comparing Jason Witten to TNew?

Christ…
And the talk started because someone here wants to “liquidate” JWitt for a second round pick.

Im telling you.
Jason Witten is gonna fall off that cliff in the next 2 years. Its time to liquidate

You just don't unload someone like Jason Witten. PERIOD.

When the time comes, I will GUARANTEE that Jason will do whatever is best for this team – be that restructuring or retiring, because that’s what the man has always been about, the TEAM. No ego to push here. He is the PROTOTYPICAL Dallas Cowboy. He lives for this. He’d rather sacrifice himself than become a detriment. I’d wager my livelihood on that statement.

LMAO!!

Listen to yourself.

When the time comes, I will GUARANTEE that Jason will do whatever is best for this team – be that restructuring or retiring, because that’s what the man has always been about, the TEAM. No ego to push here. He is the PROTOTYPICAL Dallas Cowboy. He lives for this. He’d rather sacrifice himself than become a detriment. I’d wager my livelihood on that statement.

You sound like you are talking about a God. I know he’s great. He’s an all-time great Cowboy, top 5 TE in the league, and probably a good guy. Im just saying no one on this roster over the age of 23-24 should be considered untradeable. Not Ware, not Romo, not Witten, Not anyone.

U guys and this Witten worship. I like him too but damn.

You just don't understand, in the NFL you can't trade big vet contracts for high draft choices unless it's a QB.

The draft choices are aren’t paid the big money anymore.

Yep

Witten has been great for us, but many fans can’t conceive he ever makes mistakes, like getting several false start and illegal formation penalties each year and missing blocking assignments.

kindablue - January 8, 2012 reply

Or drops, or that occasional lack of effort

on a less than perfect throw that results in a pick.

Oh OK. I didn't realize that you don't actually watch the games.

This all makes sense now. Carry on…
Drops? Lack of effort?
A career receiving average of 11.4 yards per that spans 9 seasons really points to lack of effort.

Not to mention his whole 3 career fumbles lost.

I think his season high in drops was in ‘08 when he had a grand total of 5, btw.
Yeah, he suffers from lack of effort.
Keep digging. Eventually you may hit on something I agree with. I doubt it. But it’s worth a shot

+82

You’re wasting your time with these fools

Im talking about those half ass attempts at poorly thrown balls

like the interception that went off his foot last year against the Giants. Ball was thrown behind him. Instead of throwing on the breaks, and trying to either catch it or knock it down. He throws back a lazy hand and keeps jogging, ball hits him on the foot and gets picked. Do you watch the games? He’s done crap like that on a few occasions.

dude, there's nothing lazy about Witten, thats crazy talk

Interesting banter...

Let’s keep it real – there is NO player in ANY sport who has played at ANY time that gives 100% effort at ALL times. I invite anyone to try and name one.

Witten is no different. Yes, he has lapses. Yes, he has made mistakes. No, he isn’t perfect.

But, he IS an elite TE and has been the best offensive player on the Dallas Cowboys for the past 5-8 years. Better than TO. Better than Romo (way better) and better than MBIII, FJ, DM, Dez and Miles. He may not be the best blocking TE in the league, he may not catch the most balls and he may not be the fastest or run the best routes but he IS, without question, in the top 5 of all those categories. And, when you combine all the different aspects TEs have, I think he’s the best TE in the league. Better than Gronkoswki or Coates or Gonzalez or Hernandez or any of the others.

That kind of player, you don’t trade. Dallas has many needs but trading your best offensive player who may be a yr or two past his prime is desparation and shows no class. Those that suggest it are downright foolish and uncouth.

There are a handful of players who lay it on the line each and every play

not a lot but they do exist and Witten happens to be one of them for sure.

yes

DIRE WOLF - January 9, 2012 reply

Again, I thank the Star you are not the GM of the Dallas Cowboys.

So let me get your opinion straight:
Let’s trade Jason Witten, despite the fact that we would get (at best) probably a 3rd rounder?
That’s a genius move. Here’s your sign.

First off Witten wouldn't bring a 2nd rounder.

Newman has been done for a few years. Yet year after year we are forced to watch him fail because of a dumb contract. If you are fine with that, great for you. I would prefer better production for that money.

If you can’t admit you saw a slight decline in Witten’s skills it doesn’t bother me. Jerry has had that mindset for years and look where we are.

Im not sure what he would net

What did Gonzo go for a couple years ago? A 2 and a 3?

I love Witten, He is the consumate Cowboy.

I am disturbed that Jerry wasted his career. I think at best he would get you a 3rd.

Why disagree with me? I don't want him cut or traded.

However, I do think he's slowed down.

I actually agree with this.

Not the time horizon I exactly have in mind, but Jason Witten is a really old 29. I too am concerned how many years he has left in the tank (which is part of why I advocated trading him in 2010). I wouldn’t like it a lot, but I could totally see us drafting a TE this year. I hope we wait until a mid-round to do it, but I could get behind it as long as we address other needs with our time in FA and our first couple picks.

Creasy729 - January 8, 2012 reply

Trading Witten shouldn't be a discussion unless you're picking up a proven interior Olineman and another decent draft pick, and plan on drafting a TE.

Especially with Bennett on the way out.
I don’t see any of that going on, save for Bennett being on the way out.

Witten was a 3rd rounder. Maybe one of the greatest 3rd round picks in Cowboys history.

After watching the saints

we need to use our first 2 picks on the OL.

the saints have at best an average def. The offense is so good they are never out of a game. Brees is rarely touched and his WR run wild against any defense.

The def makes 1 or 2 plays a game and the saints get ahead early.

OL,OL,CB,DE and sign 1 FA at CB or DE.

How are the pats the number 1 seed with that def?

A great off!!!

oneforthethumb - January 8, 2012 reply

Haley to Cards

Deal rumored close to being done. Link

i really never like the guy i couldnt figure out why everyone wanted him back here with tony sparano

All Sparano did was recycle dallas trash into their oline Marc Columbo, Corey Procter , mcqustion … all guys that are trash ..

I give those guys jake long but he was a blue chipper other than that Miami qbs stayed hurt and their oline stayed trashy.

lostar2009 - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

Haley is a A$$

that is about all you heard in KC. Weis jumped ship fast; and if he could not stand Haley that says a lot

burmafrd1944 - January 8, 2012 reply

hehehehe

I still LOL when I see this

Me too. I absolutely LOVE this .gif

I’ve had the opportunity to use it twice this week. = )

yeah there were a lot of rumors about that

ratware - January 8, 2012 reply

defense, defense, defense, blah, blah, blah

if it’s important to improve our pass rush, it’s clearly at least as important to defeat the opponent’s pass rush, but actually moreso. the qb is the linchpin of the team. you dont trade protection of a qb who missed 8 games in the past 2 years, and who played 6 games with cracked ribs and a punctured lung, for a better pass rush. you dont trade protection of the qb to get a better secondary. first and foremost, you MAKE MOVES TO PROTECT THE QB, then you shore up the pass defense and the pass rush. somebody please wake up

hiredavid61 - January 8, 2012 reply

A lot of people are starting to lean that way.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=dallascowboys&id=4689396

Justin Taplin-Ross

is a nice under the radar signing….solid football player with great measurables….I like what Garrett has been doing since last off season…keep it up JG

BWAREofDWARE94 - January 8, 2012 reply

cowboys using a sweatshop

theres always something negative

yehti - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

If true, they just need to set a good example and stop.

+1

Best early christmas present ever!

Toss Dave Campo out.

Final Frame - January 8, 2012 reply

Dave Campo's days may be over

Rohpuri - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

Please let it be so

PLEASE

burmafrd1944 - January 8, 2012 reply

Thoughts...

But Dallas Cowboys fans are already focused on next season LOL. That’s a Cowboys fan only hope.

Spagnola is a Jerry lackey. If Jerry told Mickey that bulls didn’t have balls Mickey would write about it. Mickey is also a puppet scared to say something negative about Jerry. I have much more respect for Gosslein and Galloway who aren’t afraid to take Jerry to task.

Jerry is incapable of running the Cowboys. See the Texans and Bengals as examples.

Why is being America’s team so important to Dallas fans ? Winning to me is more important.

Changes to the coaching staff won’t matter with Jerry as gm and the team lacking talent.

Ware and his .5 sack away from 20…on a losing team………wasted career in Dallas

Romo is good but I too believe he has peaked.

As Wade would often say after another crushing defeat…“I saw some good thangs” ……well. I saw a team a long ways away from real superbowl contention. Tyron and Lee were young pluses. Ware and Witten, Jerry has betrayed you.

Scattershooting . . . while wondering

how you can compare an employee of the Dallas Cowboys with local sports columnists.

Spagnola is a Jerry lackey. If Jerry told Mickey that bulls didn’t have balls Mickey would write about it. Mickey is also a puppet scared to say something negative about Jerry. I have much more respect for Gosslein and Galloway who aren’t afraid to take Jerry to task.

You do realize that Gosslein and Galloway aren’t paid by Jerry, right?

Uncle Angus - January 8, 2012 reply

+ Galloway loves to stir the pot.

Mickey is a schlep.

You do realize that Gosslein and Galloway aren’t paid by Jerry, right?

The other 2 tell the truth

I realize, of course, that you love to show your disdain for Cowboys employees

from top to bottom. And calling people “beneath” you names is par for the mensa course. But you still ignored the point, which is a rhetorical strategy but not a particularly effective one.

You’re probably independently wealthy from your mensa powers, but let’s say hypothetically you weren’t. I’d love to see you “take” your boss “to task.”

Uncle Angus - January 9, 2012 reply

+1 for the Blackie Sherrod reference.

Thanks for bringing back a classic line from one of the greats.

hookerhome - January 9, 2012 reply

Indeed one of the greats.

Glad someone caught it. You show your age. : )

Uncle Angus - January 10, 2012 reply

Read him in the Dallas Times-Herald a long time ago.

Back when they had Blackie, Skip Bayless, and Frank Luksa, as columnists, the T-H was better than anything at at the straight-laced (except for Randy Galloway) at TDMN.

It was a sad day when the Times-Herald folded, and everyone watched to see who would be absorbed into the other papers (included the FWST).

Blackie Sherrod and Bob St. John were my favorite Dallas-area columnists of all time.

hookerhome - January 11, 2012 reply

last year

the Bengals and Texans fans wanted their front office and coaches fired.

Pro football talk reporting

that Wade Phillips, among other veteran coaches, are being considered for the Bucs HC position. Should we craft a letter of recommendation for him? He can take Campo with him.

nycowboysfan - January 8, 2012 reply

Wade is a great DC, but HC, not so much

Wade still thinks he's all that as a HC. I'll be happy to help you with that rec letter.

I wouldn't these guys as our first 5 draft picks

Rd1: David DeCastro (G) Stanford
Rd2: Brandon Washington (G) Miami
Rd3: Brandon Boykin (CB) South Carolina
Rd4: George Iloka (FS) Boise State
Rd5: Keith Tandy (CB) West Virginia

It addresses the offensive line and secondary

Rohpuri - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

That list makes you realize how many holes would still reamain on this roster.

Yup

This ain’t gonna get fixed in the coming 12 months…so as long as they get good players in the draft, I don’t care what positions they play. Just keep grinding on personnel and get as many RKGs as possible, and continue to improve this roster, both in terms of talent and finances.

rabblerousr - January 8, 2012 reply

Really?

You don’t think you can add two wins in 12 months? Add DeCastro and maybe Finnegan or something you don’t think that’s adding two wins? A full season of a healthy Murray? Maybe Austin, Dez, and Robinson at full strength with a healthy Romo and time to pass? That’s probably adding two wins IMO.

Not many if you ask me

The only holes left would be at Dline and OLB.

The problem with this team was with interior of the offensive line and the back end of the defense. Sure those areas up in this yr’s draft and fill in some gaps in free agency.

Rohpuri - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

It seems like

Guards and CB are 2 relatively deep positions in this draft. That is good for us. Try using FA to shore up some other positions.

nycowboysfan - January 8, 2012 reply

We are America's Team, always will be period !

The media can’t criticize Tony because there is nothing to criticize and since, for the most part they hate us, they’ll find something else to criticize about us.

We must protect Tony at all costs by signing OL men in FA and/or by drafting DeCastro if he’s there at #14.

I’d like 1 FA and 2 FA signings for O and D, respectively. Get Nicks or Grubbs. Get Campbell if possible or Avril/Jones. Look at FA secondary help as more become available. Not sure about Grimes and Finnegan.

Draft BPA to fill our many needs.

pfloyd1 - January 8, 2012 reply

Sounds like Campo will decamp.

Acquire Sparano and Haley, both, and maybe 2012 won’t look like 2011.

stubabe - January 8, 2012 reply

I heard the same BS about Romo last season

that he reached his ceiling, he’s as good as he’ll ever be, but then he goes and has the best season of his career with a poor OL.

Magary is a freakin moron.

I think Romo has peaked. He may play a few more years at this peak.

Romo is damn good it’s not a knock to say that some thinks he has peaked. He just plays on a horrible team with horrible leadership.

you're wrong just like all the haters were last year

With a better OL he can put up even better production no doubt

How do you know ? You don't.

He is good enough to win a superbowl but you don’t know that he would be better. It’s not about the stats. it’s making that huge throw on 3rd down and 14.

If you're good enough to throw up 4500 yards you're good enough to make the big throw.

That's where you lose me. He's made plenty of huge throws.

Romo has made those routinely throughout his career so whats your point?

Romo is entering his prime years as qb, thats how I know.

I'm not a hater. If he's at his peak, that means he's in elite company. If he can

maintain that for the next few years, we have a real chance at Super Bowls.

He's entering his prime years, doesn't mean he can't get better

I never understood this garbage about players reaching their peak or plateau because everyone can get better every year if they continue to work on getting better which Romo does year in and year out and his career production reflects as much.

Drew Magary is a comic genius. Go to Kissing Suzy Kolber and tell me you don't piss yourself laughing

Seanrude - January 8, 2012 reply

don't care, just know he knows nothing about football

actually, he knows quite a bit, his job there is to pucnh the buttons of Cowboys' fans, which he clearly succeeds at doing

Seanrude - January 8, 2012 reply

Yeah, don't get the point. A sports news reporting agency employs someone to

say stupid, unfunny things to get attention? What am I saying? That’s exactly what they all do.

judging from his article, no he doesn't

Well, his article was certainly laughable.

I know Sparano would hopefully take over for Houck as o line coach.

But what exactly would Haley do?

Coakey - January 8, 2012 reply

get punched for not shutting his mouth

Can someone link me to a couple comments where Haley was praised here on BTB

the amount of anticipation I’m seeing for Haley’s return doesn’t match my memory of how he was perceived while here.

KD Drummond - January 8, 2012 reply

*1

Love to have Sparano, but not Haley.

/1

I am tired of plusing things haha Dire can multiply Ill divide.

KD, Todd's exit from Dallas was not pretty

He wa a Parcells guy and was swept out as soon as Parcells left. He was having a constant conflict with TO and was being blamed for TO’s lack of production and there wer many fights between the two. Todd can be a very in your face guy.

Todd and Romo got along great and are close friends. Tony credits Todd as much as anyone for his development. Tony never realy did forgive TO for his public fight with Todd. Most fans and media in Dallas at the time sided with Owens in his fight with Todd at the time.

Birddog26 - January 8, 2012 reply

now that’s an interesting take that I will absorb- but I’m not sure I want Romo to have a buddy from the past. That doesn’t always work out to be what people want it too.

KD Drummond - January 8, 2012 reply

The biggest problem I have with this is that you're judging him solely by his time in Dallas

When he was OC in Arizona he ran a top notch passing game with a geriatric QB, two great WRs, and not much running game to speak of. He was the WRs coach of several pretty terrible offenses. Vinny Testeverde, Terrance Copper, and Quincy Morgan…barf. 2005 he had some over the hill players and guys that were already on borrowed time. He had one season where he had something to work with and that was 2006. Romo had 2900 yards in ten starts (over 16 starts that’s 4600 yards) and he had two thousand yards receivers. I want Haley with this team. I feel that Dez, Austin, and hopefully Robinson (don’t forget Witten either) have the talent to make up the best receiving corps in the league. I just think that they need a QB that has time to pass and a coach that can get the most out of them and the passing game. I think Haley’s definitely part of that.

Haley was a brilliant, mad-scientist OC.

His play calling was simply a work of art during his time in Arizona—they were probably my favorite NFL team to watch during the Warner-Haley years.

Admiral Dallas - January 8, 2012 reply

actually I'm also judging him on his performance while HC of Kansas City

2009 below average offense
2010 average offense
2011 below average offense

conflicts with numerous people along numerous stops.

and his time in Arizona? I didn’t watch them much, will admit… but his ratings are decidedly average for the time he spent there as well. A geriatric QB? we’re talking about HOF Kurt Warner right?

In his five seasons since, Dallas offense outranks Haley’s offenses whenever Romo has been healthy, and only ranked a couple spots behind his when Romo was out.

Still don’t see it.

KD Drummond - January 8, 2012 reply

I don't remember him here. I know he's POed people elsewhere. I'm more interested in

Sparano.

5 things we learned....

What a crock of ….. Anyway… They dog Romo and they don’t look around at the rest of the leagues QBs and notice that every QB, with out an exception have bad games. Some far worse than others. Romo played extremely well considering he played numerous games banged up.
Demarco Murray, ended up in the worst place possible on his last play of this season, with his foot being rolled over by a 300 lb lineman. I don’t think that means he will be an injury waiting to happen when he gets on the field. He played lights out ever since he got the chance to start.

Aaron Burtram - January 8, 2012 reply

Romo's criticism is a product of playing on a crappy team.

very true

The teams offensive line

And while the Cowboys knew it would have growing pains, the offensive line should have performed better

This after mentioning all the injuries the team had to play through? come on man

Aaron Burtram - January 8, 2012 reply

TNew

2003 NFL Draft Bio
All-America and All-Conference pick as a senior and honored as the Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back. Finished the season with 54 tackles, 5 INTs and a team leading 14 pass breakups. Explosive, shut down corner with great playing speed. Displays top footwork off the line, fluid hip movement and loses nothing in transition. Quickly plants and breaks on the ball, possesses a great burst of closing or recovery speed and makes a lot of plays on the ball.

40-Time? 4.39
Victor Cruz? 4.49

Yet he couldn’t chase down Cruz in a championship game… he needs to move to the slot or be replaced obviously… 5th overall pick in 2003… he had a good run but he is not the same guy we drafted even when healthy. I think he also gets gassed easily playing in the LCB spot, he needs to be fresh to be effective and maybe we’re better off with bringing up a Mario Butler or using Ball in the slot and Scandrick at LCB.

scraig - January 8, 2012 reply

he has just gotten old and lost his speed

he used to be one of the fastest guys in the league

maybe we have been too hard on TNew

Can u imagine how he must feel about his performance this season? He knows he played like s#!t this yr. can we please stop throwing him under the bus? have any of u had a groin injury or pulled hammy? let alone trying to cover cruz, who has tore it up on everyone this yr. I blame the lockout more than the players. Conditioning, time in camp with the coaches, F.A. was screwed up, scramble to getem signed etc… I had a double groin pull once. took forever to heal. Youth speeds healing, buts it harder to b patient when yer young. i wasn’t couldn’t stay off bb court. gp’s make it hard to turn your hips, hurts to raise arms, jump, reach. had to b tuff making a tackle. No wonder he played off so much! He’s a warrior in my book. The best we had. backfield was banged up and Eli cashed in. It takes a whole team to win. thats all. there, I feel better. thanks for listening to my bitchen. give the boys a break. It was just a ruff season all around.

ps I’d still b on the look out for a good cb this offseason :)

letsgtld - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

At some point in time

you go to the coach and tell him that you don’t have it anymore. There’s no shame in that. TNew could’ve (and maybe he did) pull Ryan aside and tell him that while he wants to play (as every player does), the his play just might not be good enough.

I’m a coach and I’ve had players tell me that. Some, I gave a pep talk to and told them to get out there and do their best – usually because they were the best option I had. Others, I told them I respected their words, that I know it took courage and honesty to tell me, that I would consider them carefully and that they should continue to play hard and not to expect immediate replacement as their effort/leadership is necessary to the team beyond their shortcomings.

But, I respected ALL of them for doing so.

TNew has been a shutdown corner for a few years in his career. The other years, he was always solid to elite. Now, he’s below average. Not his fault – he’s just older and there’s nothing wrong w/ that.

But as fans, we’re not here to be lenient (at least I’m not). I want the best 22 players on the field at all times. I have respect for Tnew but it’s time for him to go.

I agree

that he has to go as our starting cb. Maybe He’ll sign as our nickle guy for a reasonable contract, thinking that that might be his best chance to get a ring. My point is I hate seeing him ride off into the sunset like that. We need his experience. He’s been a Cowboy a long time. Lets not take all his dignaty. Fans can be brutal and I want to win as much as everyone else. u know, respect the star

letsgtld - January 9, 2012 via mobile reply

Fact we could have has Namdi in the Tburn draft.

So could thirty other teams.

I guess they’re horribly ran too.

Dallas with the fewest playoff wins in the last 15 years not named Detroit.

Seems we have dibbs on horribly run.

or Cincinnati

Well that makes all the difference, Cincy sucks as much as Dallas so all is well

Seanrude - January 9, 2012 reply

not true, Cincy made the playoffs, we didn't

Terry - January 10, 2012 reply

Dallas sucks more than Cincy, so all is well, or something

Seanrude - January 10, 2012 reply

Sad huh ?

Sooooooooooooooo that means Rob is coming back? :)

KB_24 - January 8, 2012 reply

Did a quick search on this

Tully kid? Any words outside of the usual youtube video (which everyone above the age of 12 has as well)?