Sunday, November 14, 2010

What A Difference A Week Makes

I guess I underestimated Jason Garrett's impact on the team. While I have been impressed by him all week and I was already sold on him as the permanent head coach I didn't think he could do enough to turn the team completely around in one week. I don't know if I've ever been happier to be wrong.

It amazes me that the team playing against the Giants was the same team we saw against the Packers last week. The Cowboys played better in every way possible this week. And you could feel the difference in their energy and attitude from the opening kickoff to the last play of the game.

It is a shame that it took a wasted season for the team and the owner to realize that things needed to change. But if that gives the team a better shot at a legitimate title run next season then I guess that is what had to happen. Jerry Jones never would have fired Wade Phillips unless the team totally went in the tank. And they did.

This week on offense the Cowboys were hitting big play after big play. Dez Bryant is amazing. Every time a deep ball is heading his way I feel confident that he is going to come down with it. He has amazing natural talent. The offensive line was better than they have been all season. The running game was actually pretty decent for a change. And Jon Kitna had time to hit several big passes down the field. And Felix Jones finally looked like the guy from last season again.

The defense was still pretty dicey. The Giants moved the ball at will for the most part. But the McCann interception returned 101 yards for a touchdown was huge. And Alan Ball jumping a route to close out the game was awesome. But Alan Ball was still terrible and one play doesn't fool me into believing he should be on the field. The biggest defensive improvement was the run defense. While the run defense wasn't great it was the best it has been all season.

On special teams it is becoming obvious that David Buehler just can't get it done as a kicker. He seems to make about 2 out of every 3 kicks but the misses always come at big moments. Hopefully the Cowboys will address that problem in the offseason. Dez Bryant's impact on the return game is huge. The Giants punter was so scared of him he was kicking the ball out of bounds 20 yards short to prevent a return. And Dez nearly broke a kickoff return for a touchdown as well.

I hope this is the start of the turnaround we have all been waiting for since the season started. This game only means something if the Cowboys build on their success and start stringing together some wins. Detroit won't be a cake walk next week but they do give the Cowboys a good chance to start a winning streak.

Jason Garrett may not have convinced everyone that he should be given the permanent job yet, but I'm sure people are going to start taking him seriously now. And the best part about the win is that is validates the changes he has made. The players that were on the fence about him have to see now that the methods have resulted in success they haven't seen in a long time.

8 comments:

  1. Kinda weird how the Cowboys rebound and found all their talent again in just 1 week after Wade was fired.. Bob Costa even saw something wrong with that.. I think Deion Sanders saw it too.. Poor wade.. Kinda feel he didn't deserve being fired.. Oh well.. Cowboys on the rise.. Lets win next week as well.. Go Cowboys!! True Fan forever..

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  2. My concern with Garrett is as a OC. Like I have been posting for the past several weeks, Garrett still runs the most predictable offense in football. While this week was a nice change of pace, Garrett and his style of offense is not the right fit for the Cowboys. I would say it was more of an amazing display of talent that kept the Cowboys in this than play calling. 71 yard screen by Felix, Bryant's acrobatics, and Austin's route running were the difference, not Garrett's offensive prowess.

    While he did motivate this team and had them play with a chip on their shoulder that has been missing for a while, this does not mean that Garrett should be handed this position. I would hate for the Cowboys to yet again miss out on signing a high profile asshole of a coach that will light a fire under their asses.

    Garretts saving grace--- he does spend time with Jimmy Johnson and picks his brain routinely (and while on Vacation with Troy Aikman might I add). Maybe if a little bit of Jimmy's attitude and culture rub off on Garrett he will have a better shot. It's too early to tell his head coaching potential, but as an OC, I think we've seen enough.

    A.S.K.

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  3. I believe I called it. I get 200 Defending the star points now.

    So let me say this. Garrett isn't like Wade he isn't going to be HC/OC. He will just be HC and leave the play calling to the OC with veto rights. I think that if they will hire a good OC then we can see.

    But lets take this into account. Why are the cowboys plays predictable? Because we do pass, run, pass, etc etc ad nauseum?

    Well honestly our run game needs to show up and show some potential like they did last night. Then we will run more. Until then I say play the strengths. If they can't defend Dez and Austin and williams and witten up the middle then hit them with passes. Do it on a 3-1 pass to run ratio. Play your strengths.

    Also everyone crooning for another HC. I think you kindly need to stfu. We get another coach in who knows what changes they will make. What we need is more of the same of last night. Absolutely unstoppable.

    Also F* the refs last night. That pass interference call that made the score to 20 was absolute BS. Hakeem tripped over himself, bumped into Newman, and then fell. not the other way around. So really 33-13.

    The only demand I will give to any fan right now from last night is this: Get a new kicker. I mean wtf was that about? He's hot and cold and more frozen then anything.

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  4. Crap sorry. The above was WBF.

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  5. What was the deal with Ratliff having to seperate Newman and Sensabaugh...(i think it was them 2)...sooo nice to see them win!

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  6. WBF,

    I think it is wrong of you to assume that Garrett will hire a OC in the offseason. That the speculative at best. But it isn't me who is saying the Offense is predictable, it is a lot of players and DC's around the league, including Ray Lewis two years ago. While we did see more of a mix up yesterday, when Garrett gets into a funk, it really is terrible. Playcallers get into a rhythm and it's hard when you keep going three and out, and that is NOT always Garrett's fault on play calling. I do not base this opinion on this season, but the past three years, and there are countless players that have echoed the same beliefs.

    I think you are also wrong by saying if we get another coach we do not know what you are going to get. You can get an offensive minded coach or a defensive minded coach. Within that, you get coaches that are well versed in 34, 43, 52 defenses; west coast, power-i, and/or spread offenses. You very realistically know the kind of person you are getting as a head coach, especially with some of the names that have been tossed around.

    While I do not think it is necessary to have a "big name" head coach, I do think the Cowboys need a disciplinarian, someone with an ego that can handle the stage, is not intimidated in the least by the media or that can control the media, and someone that the players will have instant respect for.

    Like I said, Garrett's saving grace may be that he continues to pick Johnson's brain about being the coach of the Cowboys and the more I think about it, he may be one of the only guys that can quasi-stand up to Jerry Jones because Jerry hand picked him and groomed him for years.

    That said, what we need is a coach that will get on players asses and make sure they are disciplined. Don't forget that this is the same offensive unit that has been one of the most penalized in the league for a few years now. While operating in another capacity may change the overall culture, I am not prepared to declare Garrett as the coach of the future that will ensure, as you so eloquently put it, make us absolutely unstoppable.

    Too early to tell and speculate, but what we can do is look back at a body of work, not a game, but it is a step in the right direction.

    A.S.K.

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  7. Touche ASK. We will see. I can't wait to get to the end of this season because it is going to be an interesting off-season.

    WBF :)

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  8. Interesting post I enjoyed read this.

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