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Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys: In-Game Discussion

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Na... Bell and DeAngelo easily

 

....but Dallas is 3-deep

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....but Dallas is 3-deep

McFadden is garbage always has been. The drop off from Zeke to dmac is much much greater than bell to d will.

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Stafford is down by contact before losing the ball

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Ugh. What a distasteful end to an awful weekend of football.

 

Worked for me. Championship locked up with that Stafford fumble. :lock:

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Worked for me. Championship locked up with that Stafford fumble. :lock:

 

Dang....that's shaving it close.

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...However, this is one knock on Dak, as great as he has been. I just don't see that killer instinct, or willingness to exploit weaknesses when presented. Perhaps, as a rookie, he is handcuffed and it falls on bad coaching/play calling.

 

You think Brady would have left Moss on an island with that defensive scrub for even a play? He would have wore him out every freakin' play until they made a switch. This is one of the only parts of Dak's game that gives me pause.

You're seriously comparing the killer instincts of 4x SB Champion with those of a rookie? You're seriously comparing the killer instincts of a guy with 31 playoff games, 6 SB starts and 3 SB MVPs with that of a rookie with all of 15 games under his belt.......................really?

 

Might want to take a look at Tom's 1st year he actually played - which wasn't his rookie year. His killer instinct wasn't much to write home about.

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You're seriously comparing the killer instincts of 4x SB Champion with those of a rookie? You're seriously comparing the killer instincts of a guy with 31 playoff games, 6 SB starts and 3 SB MVPs with that of a rookie with all of 15 games under his belt.......................really?

 

Yes, I am.....and also comparing your writing skills to Hemingway.

 

This is actually a compliment to Dak. I believe he has a chance to be a great NFL QB, if he learns to exploit weaknesses and to drive daggers into hearts..... which, ironically, he showed a bit more of last night late in the game. However, this particular comment was simply in reference to the Cowboy's chances in the post-season this year.

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Yes, I am.....and also comparing your writing skills to Hemingway.

 

This is actually a compliment to Dak. I believe he has a chance to be a great NFL QB, if he learns to exploit weaknesses and to drive daggers into hearts..... which, ironically, he showed a bit more of last night late in the game. However, this particular comment was simply in reference to the Cowboy's chances in the post-season this year.

I think crawfishing is what you're doing... You're point was pretty clear and concise - and directly aimed at Dak. Not Dallas prospects going forward in the postseason.

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I think crawfishing is what you're doing... You're point was pretty clear and concise - and directly aimed at Dak. Not Dallas prospects going forward in the postseason.

 

You would fail as a mind-reader, as I likely would as an NFL QB scout.

 

The comment was directly aimed at Dak, as it pertains to the Cowboy's chances in the playoffs. His play will decide their fate. He will need to be aggressive and exploitive to win it all.

 

In fact, I have made this point and we have had this conversation before:

 

http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=462436&hl=

(post #20)

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The comment was directly aimed at Dak, as it pertains to the Cowboy's chances in the playoffs. His play will decide their fate. He will need to be aggressive and exploitive to win it all.

Saying a qb's play will decide a team's fate in a SB is perhaps the broadest, most generic statement one could make.. Of course it will.. But if this team makes it to the SB it will bcoz they excelled and continued to do what it was all year long. That being running the ball, time of possession, not turning it over and bend don't break defense. It would be ridiculous to make it to the SB and then have Dak completely change is style just for that game, it's not what he is.

 

This team's success will depend on the defense and the running game - with Dak doing just enuff to manage the clock and chains.

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it's not what he is.

 

Yes, it is not what he has been. As stated before, I'm not sure if he is being prevented from turning it loose, or if it is just not what he is most comfortable doing. However, he did it in the 2nd half last night....with outstanding results.

 

Whatever the case, he showed last night that he is able to light things up, which can only benefit Zeke. Managing the clock and trying to move the chains will most likely not get it done in the post-season. The Giants have shown them that....twice.

 

Cowboys have the ability to run up points, but just don't seem to want to sometimes. Patriots come out every week trying to hang 50 on somebody. They want to dominate and embarrass you. It makes some people hate them (heck, I don't even like them), but it is a wildly successful strategy.

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Patriots come out every week trying to hang 50 on somebody. They want to dominate and embarrass you. It makes some people hate them (heck, I don't even like them), but it is a wildly successful strategy.

Of course they do, they have one of (if not the) GOAT quarterbacks - why would that not be your style? Don Coryell had the same philosophy in the early 80's as did Jack Pardee in the 90's with his Run-and-Shoot offense. Why? Bcoz that was their strength.

 

Dak and Dallas is not built to win that way... Doesn't mean they wouldn't love to blow people out - but in a ball control style offense, you normally win by grinding it out. You win by capitalizing on your opportunities, controlling the clock, keeping the other team's offense off the field and not turning it over.... That being said, would I like to see us take a few more shots? Sure, especially going vertical with Butler - but that's not Dak's game - least not yet.

 

Interesting note: NE's "Hang 50, Go for the Throat, Killer Instinct" style offense has them 5th in the league in total points scored................................................................................... Dallas is 4th.

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Brady missed four games , so I wonder if they wouldn't be higher then 5th if had played in those first four.

 

Plus no Gronk for over most of the season.

 

They are very successful.

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Brady missed four games , so I wonder if they wouldn't be higher then 5th if had played in those first four.

 

Plus no Gronk for over most of the season.

 

They are very successful.

Maybe, then again - they did put up 23, 31 and 27 in the 1st three games of his absence... Gronk? Ok, and? Everybody has injuries. Dak didn't have Dez for 3 weeks either.

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Of course they do, they have one of (if not the) GOAT quarterbacks - why would that not be your style? Don Coryell had the same philosophy in the early 80's as did Jack Pardee in the 90's with his Run-and-Shoot offense. Why? Bcoz that was their strength.

 

Dak and Dallas is not built to win that way... Doesn't mean they wouldn't love to blow people out - but in a ball control style offense, you normally win by grinding it out. You win by capitalizing on your opportunities, controlling the clock, keeping the other team's offense off the field and not turning it over.... That being said, would I like to see us take a few more shots? Sure, especially going vertical with Butler - but that's not Dak's game - least not yet.

 

Interesting note: NE's "Hang 50, Go for the Throat, Killer Instinct" style offense has them 5th in the league in total points scored................................................................................... Dallas is 4th.

Well they also were without Brady for 4 games. Plus their schedule may have been more difficult. Schedule has a ton to do witha a lot of these types of stats

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Well they also were without Brady for 4 games. Plus their schedule may have been more difficult. Schedule has a ton to do witha a lot of these types of stats

True, but the Pats cruised along just fine w/out him - scoring plenty of points in his absence.

 

Strength of schedule? Of all the excuses to pull out of a hat, definitely want to avoid this one..... To date, NE has enjoyed the 31st ranked (hardest) schedule in the league.

 

http://www.predictionmachine.com/Strength-of-Schedule-Rankings

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Four games without Brady the Pats avg 24 points per game.

 

The eleven games with Brady they have avg 30 points per game.

 

The Cowboys avg 27 points per game.

 

I think Brady being there the whole season makes a big difference.

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Four games without Brady the Pats avg 24 points per game.

 

The eleven games with Brady they have avg 30 points per game.

 

The Cowboys avg 27 points per game.

 

I think Brady being there the whole season makes a big difference.

Yeah and 2.5 were with Jacoby Brisset, who isn't an NFL quarterback by any means. I actually was surprised the Pats would waste a pick on someone with that little talent.

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The Cowboys avg 27 points per game.

Lost in all of it is this very point - that Dallas is doing just fine w/out this so-called killer instinct to want to hang 50... Dak is doing what he does and still hanging 27 a game - it's working, it's what he is.

 

This is not a discussion on the intrinsic value of Brady and his offense. It was merely a comparison.

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Lost in all of it is this very point - that Dallas is doing just fine w/out this so-called killer instinct to want to hang 50.. it's working,

 

 

 

Not against the Giants.....

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Not against the Giants.....

And the hang 50, killer instinct plan didn't exactly work out for Brady in Denver either... Examples can be found across the board, if you bother to look.

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And the hang 50, killer instinct plan didn't exactly work out for Brady in Denver either... Examples can be found across the board, if you bother to look.

 

Gotta wonder what that game woulda looked like in NE.....or against an NFL caliber QB capable of actually putting up some points. Alex "small ball" Smith certainly knew the combo against Big D at home.

 

 

If I bother to look? Through the magic of DVR, I have watched nearly every NFL game this season. Listen, Cruz, I assume you are a Cowboy fan.....I get it. They are very good this year. They could possibly win a title, and I wouldn't be at all shocked. However, in my observation (which is obviously different than yours), the Boys will likely not win a title with Zeke and ball control alone. Their defense likely isn't good enough to accomplish that..

 

Dak is gonna have to start lighting teams up a bit more....again, like he did against the Lions in the 2nd half. Use Zeke to soften and then to close out. That is the winning combo. Step on their friggin' necks and make them submit. I understand that you are not a big Dez fan, and that's fine. But he showed last week that he is still a dangerous weapon and elite WR. Beasely, Williams, and Butler are good complimentary WR's, as well. Dak has the arm and talent......and the ammo is there.

 

Do you really think that they can play small ball with GB or Atl?

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If I bother to look? Through the magic of DVR, I have watched nearly every NFL game this season. Listen, Cruz, I assume you are a Cowboy fan.....I get it. They are very good this year. They could possibly win a title, and I wouldn't be at all shocked. However, in my observation (which is obviously different than yours), the Boys will likely not win a title with Zeke and ball control alone. Their defense likely isn't good enough to accomplish that..

I am indeed a Boys fan, have been since '75. I've bee lucky, seen plenty of football even before the magic of dvrs... You'll also be hard pressed to find anyone who gets on them more than me.

 

That being said, I've seen enough to know that you don't beat Tom Brady by trying to outgun him in a shootout. As a matter of fact, we don't even have to speculate on how to beat Tom Brady - the NY Giants have given us 2 game films on exactly how to do it... In each of their SB wins over the Pats they did it by (1) getting to Brady, knocking him on his ass, (2) disrupting Brady, throwing off his rhythm, (3) keeping Brady off the field, limiting his possessions and (4) controlling the clock. You don't come out chunking it all over the place, extending the game and giving Brady and the Pats 3 to 4 more extra possessions a game.

 

In their 1st SB meeting Brady hung all of 14 points on the Giants - mostly bcoz he spent the majority of the day running for his life. NY put him on his ass 5 times that game - not to mention all the pressures... In their 2nd meeting the Giants held the ball for 37 minutes, Brady and the Pats only had it for 22.. And needless to say, they only put up 17 points.

 

I do agree with you on part of it - would love to see this team go vertical with the passing game more. All this dink and dunk, passes behind the line are pointless. But I also don't want to come in planning on Dak airing it out 45 times a game... Ball control, time of possession and no turnovers is how this team wins - it's what they are. I'm not going to change that just bcoz it's January now... Nor am I even looking to Brady or a SB appearance. We will have our hands full with either GB or NY - first things first.

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(1) getting to Brady, knocking him on his ass, (2) disrupting Brady, throwing off his rhythm,

 

 

 

Totally agree.

 

But does Dallas have the personnel to stay in Brady's face?

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Totally agree.

 

But does Dallas have the personnel to stay in Brady's face?

Ha, well there's the rub.... We do not have a Justin Houston or even a Justin Tuck from a few years back. What we do have is a late blooming David Irving - who's been almost unstoppable of late. We are really banged up on the front line, but hopefully will have everyone ready to go in 2 weeks. Tank Lawrence, C. Thornton, T. Crawford and Gregory should all be available and on the field - that will help.

 

I have said from day one, and even going back years before that... In today's game: you send offensive stars to Pro Bowls, you win SBs with defense 1st, qbs 2nd and then ball control/running game 3rd. As magical as this season has been, I do not think we have the defense to win the big one, not just yet. Zeke and this line can only do so much - you eventually have to defensively shut down high powered offenses like Atlanta and NE - and Zeke alone isn't enough. Nor is trying to throw your way to a 35-38 shootout.

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you eventually have to defensively shut down high powered offenses like Atlanta and NE - and Zeke alone isn't enough. Nor is trying to throw your way to a 35-38 shootout.

 

.....and that was my whole point. I believe that a shootout (with a good bounce of the ball here and there) is the Cowboys only shot at a title.

 

Will be an interesting post-season

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As magical as this season has been, I do not think we have the defense to win the big one, not just yet. Zeke and this line can only do so much - you eventually have to defensively shut down high powered offenses like Atlanta and NE - and Zeke alone isn't enough. Nor is trying to throw your way to a 35-38 shootout.

 

 

agree they're not objectively there yet. one bonus should be an injection of fresh legs as the injured return (mo, the whole D-line, LB depth), and that's a wild card--freshness makes a serious difference in the postseason. i refuse to count this team out.

 

that said, the idea of next year's team already makes me grin. lee and jaylon, with a historically deep CB/edge draft? :clap:

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agree they're not objectively there yet. one bonus should be an injection of fresh legs as the injured return (mo, the whole D-line, LB depth), and that's a wild card--freshness makes a serious difference in the postseason. i refuse to count this team out.

 

that said, the idea of next year's team already makes me grin. lee and jaylon, with a historically deep CB/edge draft? :clap:

I am hoping to gosh that the fresh legs coupled with the home crowd gives us an extra gear or two. Cuz no matter who we face next week, and then after that - it's going to be brutal.

 

All the teams are beatable though... Atlanta is unstoppable, but they aren't exactly world beaters on defense themselves... GB - they are decimated on defense, especially in the secondary... Seattle, they are not the same Hawks team as before - and Thomas' injury is crushing.. And of course NY - really hard to beat a team 3 times in one year, twice at home. I'll take my chances with them a 3rd time in Jerry World.

 

Still pulling hard for Jaylon Smith...... But even if he does recover - I hope we focus hard and heavy on defense in the upcoming draft - especially linebackers and corners.

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I heard on the Fan the other day (might have been Fish).... Dallas lead the league in sacks for the month of December. Uh, what???? :shocking:

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I heard on the Fan the other day (might have bee Fish).... Dallas lead the league in sacks for the month of December. Uh, what???? :shocking:

could be I guess.

I know that Erving kid specifically was coming on.

 

Plus they were playing some bad offenses w/ no running game (MN, NYG, Tampa, Det) and were up a lot of the time, so that bodes well for your pass rush.

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http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/01/05/cowboys-rookie-lb-jaylon-smith-nerve-leg-regenerating-helped-playoffs-elite-level

 

How does Smith know his nerve is regenerating in his leg? Is it because doctors have told him or is it something he's feeling now that he wasn't feeling before?

"Both. Doctors and tests all of that good stuff, feeling," Smith said. "There are things I didn't have before that I'm definitely getting now."

What's that regenerating sensation feel like?

"It feels like it's coming back," Smith said, smiling.

Smith said he's running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash now as most of his speed has returned. He also said his change-of-direction sprinting has been positive.

 

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Still pulling hard for Jaylon Smith...... But even if he does recover - I hope we focus hard and heavy on defense in the upcoming draft - especially linebackers and corners.

 

 

absolutely. other than maaaaybe a mid-round WR, i'd be happy if this draft was nothing but defense. i don't see LB as a need (especially with jaylon saying he could have actually played this year). even the depth guys have made real contributions. would much, much rather see pass rushers, corners, and even a SS.

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