Dak Prescott stakes his claim to the cowboys backup QB job

[sirensong 111]

The cowboys won, that last TD pass was Russell Wilson like. Romo would had curled up and taken the sack.

 

 

 

you're adorable. ironically, that play was eerily similar to romo's spin move.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFiEIAXzfNc

 

 

http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2014/10/12/romo-scrambles-finds-williams-insane-catch

[Cruzer 1,996]

we saw different games then. i saw plenty of open receivers, and dak consistently missing them through the first 3 quarters.

I guess we did.. I saw a couple of guys open that he missed - but for the most part, he didn't have much time to do anything about it anyways. That defense was no joke - it's the same defense that completely shut down and punished 2-time SB winner Big Ben and the vaunted Steelers' offense... Given what we've seen of late - I think Romo is sacked 5 times before the half, assuming he got up from the first 4 sacks.

 

I still blame this staff for a good portion of the early ineptness... You don't go 2 weeks and looked like you're surprised with all the blitz packages. For 3 quarters our front 5 got it's ass handed to them... Somebody finally woke up and figured out to keep Witten in protection, which coincidentally is about the same time we started moving the ball - scoring on 4 of the last 6 possessions, including the 75 yard winning drive... I think Dak reminded all of us of Romo with the game winner - that was classic Romo if I ever saw it.

 

I'm pretty worried about what our secondary is going to look like now. Wilcox has proven he can hit, but he's a horrible liability in coverage. Scandrick is no slouch at corner, but I sure did love having the depth we had. Luckily Brown has been a remarkable surprise so far this year. Props to the boys upstairs for that draft find.

[Cruzer 1,996]

you're adorable. ironically, that play was eerily similar to romo's spin move.

Those were awesome, and one of the many reasons #9 is adored here....... But that was also 2 broken collarbones and a broken spine ago - and he wasn't 36 either.

[tanatastic 2,062]

The Oline is great but you still get punished in an average nfl game. A qb needs to either be mobile enough to minimize damage or strong enough to take it and get back up. I seriously doubt Romos ability to get pounded and recover like he used to. Even Brett Favre, the toughest and most stubborn qb ever realized he could no longer get hit and deal with it.

[Cruzer 1,996]

The Oline is great but you still get punished in an average nfl game. A qb needs to either be mobile enough to minimize damage or strong enough to take it and get back up. I seriously doubt Romos ability to get pounded and recover like he used to. Even Brett Favre, the toughest and most stubborn qb ever realized he could no longer get hit and deal with it.

You are exactly right... Most of the Romo defenders think this is some kind of rebellion against #9 simply bcoz of the fact he's old news, bcoz we've forgotten what he's done for us and what he used to be - nothing could be further from the truth. This is simply, 100% about what kind of a qb he is now, today - not 6 years ago, not 4 years ago and not 2 years ago back in the big season of 2014.It's about what kind of qb his 36 year old, beaten up body can allow him to be now. Most people don't just bounce back from 2 broken collarbones and a spine break, all in a 12 month span, and just walk back onto the field like nothings happened, fresh as ever.. I honestly worry about him getting back out there and facing a front like Dak saw last night. I honestly don't think he survives it - and I don't want to see that, for him - cuz I'll always be a Romo fan.

 

Unfortunately there is only 1 way to find out what Romo has left and more importantly, what his body has left. And that's to play him of course... Dallas also has a huge decision to make financially going forward - so I'm sure the #'s people want to see if he's worth the investment, or if it's time to move on.. I really wish he was ready this week - we have Cleveland and it's prolly going to be our most winnable game the rest of the way... But Pitt in a couple weeks is looking more like the start date. Which again, Pitt's rush, on the road - I'm already nervous for him.... Then again, if he some how is 2014 again - this offense could really, really be scary.

[sirensong 111]

Those were awesome, and one of the many reasons #9 is adored here....... But that was also 2 broken collarbones and a broken spine ago - and he wasn't 36 either.

 

he made the exact same play last season against miami, after the broken collarbone (there was only 1 that was re-aggravated because he was cleared to play too soon--quit exaggerating). and he made the same kind of play several times after the broken spinal processes in 2014, when he was 34. your skeleton doesn't magically change between the ages of 34 and 36.

[Cruzer 1,996]

 

he made the exact same play last season against miami, after the broken collarbone (there was only 1 that was re-aggravated because he was cleared to play too soon--quit exaggerating). and he made the same kind of play several times after the broken spinal processes in 2014, when he was 34. your skeleton doesn't magically change between the ages of 34 and 36.

It doesn't - 2 broken collarbones and a broken spine is the same as not ever having them - really?? I'm no doctor, but I'm guessing Romo's collarbone is many times more susceptible to being broken over the normal qbs.. I'm guessing what would normally be a normal fall, or hit, would break it all over again.. And for sure he's not as fast as he used to be. Go back and watch the Seattle preseason game, where he got run down from behind. He looked noticeably slower then.

[thePRO 78]

The cowboys won, that last TD pass was Russell Wilson like. Romo would had curled up and taken the sack.

 

When you have a winner, you just rolled with it.

 

You know nothing about anything...

 

Just two years ago Romo evaded the almighty JJ fricken Watt.

 

[sirensong 111]

You are exactly right... Most of the Romo defenders think this is some kind of rebellion against #9 simply bcoz of the fact he's old news, bcoz we've forgotten what he's done for us and what he used to be - nothing could be further from the truth. This is simply, 100% about what kind of a qb he is now, today

 

 

nonsense. you don't know what kind of QB he is now--you just can't see him at the moment, so you assume the guy you can see must be better.

 

the difference is that dak has been playing the game on 'easy' mode, while romo normally plays on 'nightmare' difficulty. holley was talking about this on 105.3 earlier in the week. so far, dak has been tasked with making the simplest, most basic reads and throws in the game, with maximum margin for error. he hasn't been required to execute complex concepts or to fit the ball into tight windows, so it has been comparatively easy for him not to make major mistakes. he has been very good at operating within those limitations, but don't mistake that for the level of sophistication in which romo routinely operates.

 

what we do know about romo is that his arm is in better shape than in 2014. he is just as physically capable of scrambling as 2014 (he successfully escaped a sack on the play he got hurt in preseason). the only negative you can come up with is that he broke his collarbone in 2015 (stop calling it two separate injuries), and a vertebra on a blindside hit in preseason. that's it. no nerve stuff, no chronic joint stuff--just bone. but with a better offensive line than 2014, better defense than 2014, and better RB than 2014, the odds are extremely good that romo himself would perform better than he did in 2014.

 

i like dak. a lot. but yeah--you're in 'new toy' mode.

[cavern 70]

i'm curious. the cowboys are 6-1, 2nd best record in the game. at what point do you think it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation?

 

just curious. i'm not passionate either way, but i do think it is an interesting situation.

 

 

 

nonsense. you don't know what kind of QB he is now--you just can't see him at the moment, so you assume the guy you can see must be better.

 

the difference is that dak has been playing the game on 'easy' mode, while romo normally plays on 'nightmare' difficulty. holley was talking about this on 105.3 earlier in the week. so far, dak has been tasked with making the simplest, most basic reads and throws in the game, with maximum margin for error. he hasn't been required to execute complex concepts or to fit the ball into tight windows, so it has been comparatively easy for him not to make major mistakes. he has been very good at operating within those limitations, but don't mistake that for the level of sophistication in which romo routinely operates.

 

what we do know about romo is that his arm is in better shape than in 2014. he is just as physically capable of scrambling as 2014 (he successfully escaped a sack on the play he got hurt in preseason). the only negative you can come up with is that he broke his collarbone in 2015 (stop calling it two separate injuries), and a vertebra on a blindside hit in preseason. that's it. no nerve stuff, no chronic joint stuff--just bone. but with a better offensive line than 2014, better defense than 2014, and better RB than 2014, the odds are extremely good that romo himself would perform better than he did in 2014.

 

i like dak. a lot. but yeah--you're in 'new toy' mode.

[sirensong 111]

i'm curious. the cowboys are 6-1, 2nd best record in the game. at what point do you think it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation?

 

just curious. i'm not passionate either way, but i do think it is an interesting situation.

 

 

 

as i posted last night, this game took us across that threshold. until those last 2 drives, dak showed us that he's a rookie 4th rounder with a ton of growing left to do before he can begin to run the offense as effectively as romo does. romo is simply a better NFL QB than dak, which is to be expected given the difference in experience levels.

 

but we're watching one of those football mysteries that completely defy rational explanation. at this point, the disparity in QB-ability simply doesn't matter--team magic is happening, and you just don't mess with that.

 

but that's because of team intangibles, not dak being better at the position. those who are claiming that dak is better at the position are just wrong.

[cavern 70]

Yeah, he's not playing better than Romo did at his peak. And it's pointless to try to argue who, speculatively, would play better right now.

 

How close is Romo to being ready? Do you think he's ready to be a supportive back up for a while?

[sirensong 111]

And it's pointless to try to argue who, speculatively, would play better right now.

 

 

no, not at all. that's one of the most basic concepts in sports--projecting which player is the most likely to perform better. we start doing that in kindergarden, picking kickball teams. you make that assessment based on evidence, and the idea that the best indicator of future performance is past performance. and in the cold light of day, all the evidence indicates that the moment he is medically cleared, romo will be more capable of running an NFL offense than dak is. IOW, romo is more technically proficient at the position, and there is no evidence whatsoever that indicates a change in this assessment. the only objective football argument against romo returning is some quasi-medical twaddle suggesting that his skeleton has radically mutated in the last 18 months.

 

the absurdity of that argument comes out when we explore what would actually happen in the worst case. romo returns, gets hurt immediately, and dak is back as the starter, having had the benefit of watching a pro bowler go through the gameplanning and preparation phase.

 

in other words, people are saying "we have to play dak because otherwise dak would have to play." it's nonsense. it's farce. it's ridiculous.

 

in the end, the question comes down to the magic and mystery of team sports, and adhering to the statistical folly of "riding the hot hand". as illogical as that concept is, at a certain point you have to abide by it. sports is just that way sometimes--talent and ability don't always tell the tale. like i said, we're watching magic happen.

 

 

 

and to answer your question directly, romo is the paragon of both competitiveness and team play. he'll rip his guts out to start, but if it doesn't work out that way, he'll do everything he can to help dak succeed.

[R8RMick 242]

Did Dallas just lose HALF of its secondary???? Wow. Raider fans are whining because we lost Sean Smith for maybe a few weeks. I reminded them it could be worse.

[sirensong 111]

yep. church with a broken arm for 3-5, and claiborne with a sports hernia that may require surgery (end of season). so brown moves to nickel corner, wilcox/heath play SS in base/FS in cover package, and the team will likely make a move. IIRC, they brought in a PS corner last week, but i suspect they'll also make a move for a veteran.

[cavern 70]

i think, when you explore your "worst case" below you have to factor in the potential of shaking the confidence the team has in the staff, etc. confidence and swagger is a funny thing. you certainly don't want the players to suddenly have any doubt as to what the coaches are doing.

 

as for me, i'll be surprised if they start romo for anything less than a 2 game losing streak, but i am just wild guessing

 

 

no, not at all. that's one of the most basic concepts in sports--projecting which player is the most likely to perform better. we start doing that in kindergarden, picking kickball teams. you make that assessment based on evidence, and the idea that the best indicator of future performance is past performance. and in the cold light of day, all the evidence indicates that the moment he is medically cleared, romo will be more capable of running an NFL offense than dak is. IOW, romo is more technically proficient at the position, and there is no evidence whatsoever that indicates a change in this assessment. the only objective football argument against romo returning is some quasi-medical twaddle suggesting that his skeleton has radically mutated in the last 18 months.

 

the absurdity of that argument comes out when we explore what would actually happen in the worst case. romo returns, gets hurt immediately, and dak is back as the starter, having had the benefit of watching a pro bowler go through the gameplanning and preparation phase.

 

in other words, people are saying "we have to play dak because otherwise dak would have to play." it's nonsense. it's farce. it's ridiculous.

 

in the end, the question comes down to the magic and mystery of team sports, and adhering to the statistical folly of "riding the hot hand". as illogical as that concept is, at a certain point you have to abide by it. sports is just that way sometimes--talent and ability don't always tell the tale. like i said, we're watching magic happen.

 

 

 

and to answer your question directly, romo is the paragon of both competitiveness and team play. he'll rip his guts out to start, but if it doesn't work out that way, he'll do everything he can to help dak succeed.

[Cruzer 1,996]

nonsense. you don't know what kind of QB he is now--you just can't see him at the moment, so you assume the guy you can see must be better.

You are exactly right - I think I've said that over and over again if you paid attention at all. What I have said (also) is that we DO KNOW: in the past 12 months Tone has endured 2 broken collarbones and a broken spine - that we do know. We also know this is no longer 2014, it's the back half of 2016 - and he's 36 now.

 

I also don't think it's any secret Dak is operating a system that Romo prolly would amp up a bit - have more tools in the shed so-to-speak, to work with... But again, we don't know which Tony Romo we are getting back... I do know, with the "advanced, complex, veteran package" playbook Romo was under full assault siege, just like Dak Sunday night, in the 2009 Divisional game against the Vikes. With all his advanced knowledge, jedi training and everything else - he went for all of 198 yards, 1 pick and no tds.. Why? Bcoz he spent most of the day on his back - bcoz he couldn't escape the rush. They sacked him 6 times that day - and he was young... I wasn't lying or being funny - I seriously don't think Romo survives that game in one piece Sunday night .

 

Dak has made some goofs, some horribly bad decisions and has been lucky... But he's also been freakish damn good.. He has an "IT" that you can't teach and you can't buy. And that "IT" is what elevates him (or has) when under the gun, in crunch time, with the game on the line. The overtime game winning drive was nothing short of spectacular - right up there with anyone's you want to compare it to.

 

But I've also said the guys paying the bills are going to have to see what Romo has left in the tank - mostly bcoz they have a huge financial decision to make this offseason... If 2014 Romo is still with us - cool beans, bring it on - let's roll. If not, let's not hang onto the the past just bcoz he was performing miracles back in 2014.

[Cruzer 1,996]

as i posted last night, this game took us across that threshold. until those last 2 drives, dak showed us that he's a rookie 4th rounder with a ton of growing left to do before he can begin to run the offense as effectively as romo does.

That same Philly defense annihilated Pittsburgh... They turned 2-time SB Champion Roethlisberger into a 4th round rookie too I guess... He went for 257, a td and a pick - he also was sacked 4 times... He hung all of 3 points on the Eagles - and that was with Antonio Brown on the field... I watched that game - most of Big Ben's stats came in junk time.

[tanatastic 2,062]

There will be no winning for Jerry this year with this qb situation. Its SB or bust or people will say they goofed up. If Dak stays on and loses in the playoffs people will say should have went back to Tony. If Tony plays and loses any games at all those same people will say should have stayed with Dak. Rock and a hard place, theres will be no right decision in the fans eyes.

[thePRO 78]

The solution is simple. It's time for Jerry, Jason, and the rest of the staff to be the most innovative team. Time to alternate series between Dak and Romo and win a Super Bowl. Easy answer.

 

[Frozenbeernuts 2,423]

There will be no winning for Jerry this year with this qb situation. Its SB or bust or people will say they goofed up. If Dak stays on and loses in the playoffs people will say should have went back to Tony. If Tony plays and loses any games at all those same people will say should have stayed with Dak. Rock and a hard place, theres will be no right decision in the fans eyes.

Well yeah there are some pretty dumb Dallas fans out there

[Cruzer 1,996]

There will be no winning for Jerry this year with this qb situation. Its SB or bust or people will say they goofed up. If Dak stays on and loses in the playoffs people will say should have went back to Tony. If Tony plays and loses any games at all those same people will say should have stayed with Dak. Rock and a hard place, theres will be no right decision in the fans eyes.

No denying Jerry is in a pickle... But of all the pickles to have, this isn't a bad one to be in.

 

The ding dong homers will say SB or bust, they normally do.. But the realist know we've something building here. And as good as some of the pieces are shaping up to be, we've still a few holes to address.. I'm not sure this defense is good enough to beat a team like NE and Tom Brady. They might be, but I'm not sure.. We still really need a pass rush of some kind, and it would be nice to be able to stop the run more with more consistency.

[R8RMick 242]

They are hands down the best team in the NFC, though not sure what this new spate of injuries means. Elliott is a beast, and the team is much better off having taken him at 4. Agree Cruzer???

 

Sorry, had to get you back there.

[Cruzer 1,996]

They are hands down the best team in the NFC, though not sure what this new spate of injuries means. Elliott is a beast, and the team is much better off having taken him at 4. Agree Cruzer???

 

Sorry, had to get you back there.

If you remember, the question was never "if" Elliot would be a beast - the question was if Elliot was the right pick, the right approach to rebuilding this team.. As great as he's doing, as fun as he is to watch - I still say no.

 

Lost in all the hoopla and parade planning is that this team still has some holes on the defensive side of the ball. This "Bend Don't Break" strategy is holding it's own right now, but Philly made it abundantly clear that it's no where near bullet proof enough to win in January... If Philly did what they did, with a rookie qb, terrible wrs and diminutive Sproles - what would Brady do to this unit? The Eagles (and NY in Week 1) make it pretty clear that we have big problems when it comes to stopping the run. Even more alarming, we have big trouble stopping it when we know they are going to run it (see the NY game). We also have yet to generate any kind of pass rush. Now I know we got to Wentz a couple of times late in that game, but in general - we don't worry qbs sitting back there doing their thing. Maybe, hopefully, those late sacks against Wentz weren't a fluke. Maybe, hopefully, those are a sign of things to come.. Bcoz the only surefire way to beat the Brady's of the world is to get to him, pressure him, hurry him - and hit him.

 

Anybody notice what Jay Ajai has been in doing in Miami, behind that that line? He was sitting there as late as the 5th round in last year's draft - if he's tearing up chunks of 200 yards for the Dolphins, what do you think he could do behind this line? How about Derrick Henry - anyone notice how damn good he's looked in Tennessee? What could he look like behind this line? ... I still trade down and deal the 4th pick - grab defense with the 1st you swapped for - then grab Henry in the 2nd. All the while I have extra 1st, 2nds and/or 3rds to keep building on my defense.

[Ray_T 794]

If you remember, the question was never "if" Elliot would be a beast - the question was if Elliot was the right pick, the right approach to rebuilding this team.. As great as he's doing, as fun as he is to watch - I still say no.

 

Lost in all hoopla and parade planning is that this team still has glaring holes on the defensive side of the ball. This "Bend Don't Break" strategy is holding it's own right now, but Philly made it abundantly clear that it's no where near bullet proof enough to win in January... If Philly did what they did, with a rookie qb, terrible wrs and diminutive Sproles - what would Brady do to this unit? The Eagles (and NY in Week 1) make it glaringly clear that we have big problems when it comes to stopping the run. Even more alarming, we have big trouble stopping it when we know they are going to run it (see the NY game). We also have yet to generate any kind of pass rush. Now I know we got to Wentz a couple of times late in that game, but in general - we don't worry qbs sitting back there doing their thing. Maybe, hopefully, those late sacks against Wentz weren't a fluke. Maybe, hopefully, those are a sign of things to come.. Bcoz the only surefire way to beat the Brady's of the world is to get to him, pressure the hell out of him, hurry him - and hit him.

 

Anybody notice what Jay Ajai has been in doing in Miami, behind that that line? He was sitting there as late as the 5th round in last year's draft - what do you think he'd do behind this line if he's tearing up chunks of 200 yards for the Dolphins? How about Derrick Henry - anyone notice how damn good he's looked in Tennessee? What could he look like behind this line? ... I still trade down and deal the 4th pick - grab defense with the 1st you swapped for - then grab Henry in the 2nd. All the while I have extra 1st, 2nds and/or 3rds to keep building on my defense.

I have to say, I was of this opinion when he was drafted. I felt the D needed a lot of upgrades, and that it was stupid to ignore that.

 

but, Zeke has improved the offense, and the heavy run game has taken a lot of heat off the Defense Just simply by the fact that the D spends a lot less time on the field.

 

now that I see how this has turned out, I cannot argue with the decision. That being said, if Zeke turned out to be anything less than an elite franchise RB, this decision could easily have bombed. It was a questionable risk to take at the time, but it was a risk that paid off I think.

[Cruzer 1,996]

I have to say, I was of this opinion when he was drafted. I felt the D needed a lot of upgrades, and that it was stupid to ignore that.

 

but, Zeke has improved the offense, and the heavy run game has taken a lot of heat off the Defense Just simply by the fact that the D spends a lot less time on the field.

 

now that I see how this has turned out, I cannot argue with the decision. That being said, if Zeke turned out to be anything less than an elite franchise RB, this decision could easily have bombed. It was a questionable risk to take at the time, but it was a risk that paid off I think.

I don't think anyone would not say it hasn't paid off - he's been phenomenal.. But I think if Henry and/or Ajai was running behind this line, we'd be saying similar things - plus we'd have about 3 extra draft shots at improving the defense... Everyone knows the draft is a #'s game - you fire as many bullets as you can and hope one or two hits... Minny's front 7 has a couple 1st Rounders, but it's also littered with 4th and 2nd Rounders too. I watched Jordan Hicks make play after play against us Sunday night - he was a 3rd Rounder... We can make this defensive unit not just good, we can make it formidable - but it takes draft picks.... To Stephen and Will's credit - they did a great job in this draft finding some gems. Collins looks like a real player and even Anthony Brown has been a nice find.. And who knows, J. Smith may turn out to be a player too... But can you ever have enough, can you ever have too many draft picks? I'd sure still love to have a real pass rushing end, still love to have a chunk ass run stopping tackle, love to have as many corners as I can get.

[vuduchile 1,947]

That same Philly defense annihilated Pittsburgh... They turned 2-time SB Champion Roethlisberger into a 4th round rookie too I guess... He went for 257, a td and a pick - he also was sacked 4 times... He hung 3 points on the Eagles - and that was with Antonio Brown on the field... I watched that game - most of Big Ben's stats came in junk time.

Valid points. The Eagles D is no joke. I was pleasantly surprised that Dak hung in there and beat them.

[sirensong 111]

Valid points. The Eagles D is no joke. I was pleasantly surprised that Dak hung in there and beat them.

 

i was too, but let's be realistic--luck had a lot to do with it. the eye in the sky don't lie.

 

 

 

It's really hard to just go with "He made the plays when it mattered"when Dak threw the game-ending interception. McKelvin just dropped it.

 

 

 

This wasn't a finger tips catch either. McKelvin SHOULD have caught this. He didn't just have an outside chance at it.

 

 

https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/793585708233523201

 

https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/793585851921989632

[nobody 2,926]

He's laying out and diving for the ball. "Should've caught it" is a little strong.

[R8RMick 242]

If you remember, the question was never "if" Elliot would be a beast - the question was if Elliot was the right pick, the right approach to rebuilding this team.. As great as he's doing, as fun as he is to watch - I still say no.

 

Lost in all the hoopla and parade planning is that this team still has some holes on the defensive side of the ball. This "Bend Don't Break" strategy is holding it's own right now, but Philly made it abundantly clear that it's no where near bullet proof enough to win in January... If Philly did what they did, with a rookie qb, terrible wrs and diminutive Sproles - what would Brady do to this unit? The Eagles (and NY in Week 1) make it pretty clear that we have big problems when it comes to stopping the run. Even more alarming, we have big trouble stopping it when we know they are going to run it (see the NY game). We also have yet to generate any kind of pass rush. Now I know we got to Wentz a couple of times late in that game, but in general - we don't worry qbs sitting back there doing their thing. Maybe, hopefully, those late sacks against Wentz weren't a fluke. Maybe, hopefully, those are a sign of things to come.. Bcoz the only surefire way to beat the Brady's of the world is to get to him, pressure him, hurry him - and hit him.

 

Anybody notice what Jay Ajai has been in doing in Miami, behind that that line? He was sitting there as late as the 5th round in last year's draft - if he's tearing up chunks of 200 yards for the Dolphins, what do you think he could do behind this line? How about Derrick Henry - anyone notice how damn good he's looked in Tennessee? What could he look like behind this line? ... I still trade down and deal the 4th pick - grab defense with the 1st you swapped for - then grab Henry in the 2nd. All the while I have extra 1st, 2nds and/or 3rds to keep building on my defense.

Interesting to see you double down on the Walmart approach to running back, just throw a JAG back there behind this line, when you have the best complete young running back to hit the league since Eric Dickerson right in front of you.

 

I see you've been silent on the resurgence of DeMarco Murray, as if there's any question as to whether his use by The Chipster was his problem or not.

 

So the power running game, fueled by Zeke Elliott's talent, is propping up the same QB you've gotten glassy eyed over. But you still wish you'd traded the pick?

 

Smh... Cowboy fans.

 

JK, it's all good. Enjoy it my friend! .

[Cruzer 1,996]

Interesting to see you double down on the Walmart approach to running back, just throw a JAG back there behind this line, when you have the best complete young running back to hit the league since Eric Dickerson right in front of you.

 

I see you've been silent on the resurgence of DeMarco Murray, as if there's any question as to whether his use by The Chipster was his problem or not.

Ha, your memory is slipping again.. If you remember, it was never a question "if" Murray was a good back. The question was, was he worth the cap commitment given his age, injury history and workload. Jerry offered $4m a year - an offer I was totally cool with. But I was not on board with going over $5m - no way. Jerry actually made a good no-sign there.

 

Walmart approach? Ha, you're a roll today... We're not talking about Derrick Lassic and Tashsard Choice here - we're talking about top talent, young, explosive backs in Ajai and Henry... We've had this debate over and over when Murray was here... If you could have one - you'd take the star RB, not me - give me that offensive line, all day and twice on Sunday.

[R8RMick 242]

Ha, your memory is slipping again.. If you remember, it was never a question "if" Murray was a good back. The question was, was he worth the cap commitment given his age, injury history and workload. Jerry offered $4m a year - an offer I was totally cool with. But I was not on board with going over $5m - no way. Jerry actually made a good no-sign there.

 

Walmart approach? Ha, you're a roll today... We're not talking about Derrick Lassic and Tashsard Choice here - we're talking about top talent, young, explosive backs in Ajai and Henry... We've had this debate over and over when Murray was here... If you could have one - you'd take the star RB, not me - give me that offensive line, all day and twice on Sunday.

 

Offering Murray $4 mill per after 2014 was a slap in the face, the team never intended to re-sign him. Lol, you act like he wanted Adrian Peterson money. It's a moot point as even he could not have saved last year.

 

Elliott, that kid is special. Lol, you comparing him to Ajaye and Henry is laughable really. I did a double take last Sunday night, not believing a RB could hit the hole that fast. Dude is quick.

 

You rave about the offensive line, and yes it's good, but to get the utmost out of its potential you need a Zeke Elliott. Period. Dallas is a running team, 2014 all over again. Elliott allows that.

[Cruzer 1,996]

Offering Murray $4 mill per after 2014 was a slap in the face, the team never intended to re-sign him. Lol, you act like he wanted Adrian Peterson money. It's a moot point as even he could not have saved last year.

 

You rave about the offensive line, and yes it's good, but to get the utmost out of its potential you need a Zeke Elliott. Period. Dallas is a running team, 2014 all over again. Elliott allows that.

Slap in the face, to who - you? The game had shifted, the landscape isn't the same - the RB position devalued while you were. watching other things. Murray was made a fair offer for what the value of the position. He was coming off a 392 touch season, at 27 - would have been risky to offer him what he wanted.. And to his credit - he found a team to pay his price, good for him.

 

You need a Zeke Elliot to get the utmost out of this line - really? This line is better than it was in 2014, and Zeke wasn't here - how it do? Oh that's right, it turned a 3 round, overlooked, injury prone rb out of OU and made him not only the league's leading rusher, they made him the Cowboys all time single season rushing leader... That's astounding considering Zeke was still at Ohio State.

 

Of the 20 rbs with at least 90 attempts this year, there are 5 averaging the same as Zeke in ypc.. Heck yea Zeke has been phenomenal - but those type guys, with inferior lines - couldn't do similar here? Only a Zeke can get yards behind this line - really?

[sirensong 111]

He's laying out and diving for the ball. "Should've caught it" is a little strong.

 

it hit him in the chest, between both arms. it was a drop pure and simple.

[sirensong 111]

 

You need a Zeke Elliot to get the utmost out of this line - really? This line is better than it was in 2014, and Zeke wasn't here - how it do? Oh that's right, it turned a 3 round, overlooked, injury prone rb out of OU and made him not only the league's leading rusher, they made him the Cowboys all time single season rushing leader... That's astounding considering Zeke was still at Ohio State.

 

 

once again, the difference is that in 2014, romo was playing QB, which kept defenses from walking the 8th man down into the box. murray did most of his damage against a 7-man front. once defenses finally committed to stopping murray, his YPC dropped below 4.0 for the remainder of the season.

 

zeke is running against 8 and 9-man fronts. imagine how good his numbers would be if defenses actually had to worry about romo beating them downfield.

[sirensong 111]

 

Of the 20 rbs with at least 90 attempts this year, there are 5 averaging the same as Zeke in ypc.. Heck yea Zeke has been phenomenal - but those type guys, with inferior lines - couldn't do similar here? Only a Zeke can get yards behind this line - really?

 

 

emmitt smith's career average is 4.2 YPC.

 

felix jones' career average is 4.7

 

so evidently emmitt was nothing special, and the cowboys should have drafted tony bennett instead because any old RB could have run behind that line.

[Cruzer 1,996]

so evidently emmitt was nothing special, and the cowboys should have drafted tony bennett instead because any old RB could have run behind that line.

I don't have tell you, many argue that. But I countered with those that ran while Emmitt was out, well - sucked.... But is the case here - is Zeke really the only one who could run behind this line? Boy I don't think so. As great as he's been - I think Henry flourishes behind this line damn near as well. Which isn't a slap on Zeke - it's a credit to the line, to Dak, the offense in general.

[Cruzer 1,996]

 

once again, the difference is that in 2014, romo was playing QB, which kept defenses from walking the 8th man down into the box. murray did most of his damage against a 7-man front. once defenses finally committed to stopping murray, his YPC dropped below 4.0 for the remainder of the season.

Is Zeke running thru 8 and 9 man fronts?

[sirensong 111]

Is Zeke running thru 8 and 9 man fronts?

 

yes, consistently. when DAL is in base personnel (only 2 WR), it is rare not to see the opposing SS walked down into the box. the FS also cheats down at times.

[brotherbock 349]

Only one solution to this QB problem:

 

Two-QB sets.

 

 

Time to innovate, Cowboys. Forget swapping drives, get both guys out there on the field at the same time. Both of them back in the shotgun, defense doesn't know which one the snap is going to, rush comes for Tony, he flips it to Dak who launches the pass.

 

I'm telling you...two-QB sets. Wave of the future.