bubba9497
October-2nd-2008, 01:41 AM
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/947305.html
Click link for entire article
The four unhorsed men of this Dallas Cowboys apocalypse
Even now, well into this week, very few locally can handle the truth. The Cowboys lost a game — at home — to a hated foe — simply because the other team was better on that particular afternoon.
Better in all areas.
So suck it up, and move on. Move on to, say, the Bengals, a dismal outfit making a Sunday visit as we roll out the barrels for an Oktoberfest of Ws.
It’s the schedule this month. Ridiculously easy. If the Cowboys don’t sweep October, then, OK, there might be issues to consider.
Meanwhile, give thanks to the Redskins. They ended our September of grab-butt euphoria (count me among those guilty of too much early praise), and, at least you would think, placed priorities back in proper order. The blame game for the Redskins thing was so widespread, it’s unfair to single out certain names.
But ...
When did being unfair actually matter?
When it comes to personal favorites, I usually always let them skate, but as a side note to Dave Campo (secondary), Hudson Houck (offensive line) and Brian Stewart (defensive coordinator), did the Redskins sneak up on you guys? Did you take a beach trip to Cabo (Tony can get you a good price on a condo) instead of formulating a game plan? Fellows, your people weren’t exactly coached up for this game.
But locally and nationally, the harsh printed and verbal beatings this week have been aimed in the direction of four Valley Ranch residents. Let us today consider the case of those four:
Eldorado Owens.
Talk about weird. On ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, all the big TV faces (each one a former player or coach) verbally busted on Eldo. They harpooned No. 81 in a severe manner. I watched all of it, and disagreed. Totally disagreed. Shocking, but true.
Their emphasis was on Owens about to go Philly and San Fran on the Cowboys. About to go McNabb and Garcia on Romo. Granted, this would normally fall right into my kitchen. If Eldo is gonna blow, then I can say told you so.
I’m not saying it won’t happen, and on Wednesday at Valley Ranch, Owens was sounding a tad defensive and irritated, maybe a sign he’s creeping closer to being a ledge-jumper again. This guy is a nutcase. Plus, he’s selfishly stupid.
But at the moment, here’s what is even worse for the Cowboys. Eldo is simply not very good as a football player. In consecutive games (and the last three contests when you consider he was shutout the final 40 minutes of the win over the Eagles), Owens has become a star receiver who looks soft and clueless. With that big strong body (ask him, he’ll take off his shirt for you), No. 81 is getting roughed up and knocked around by smaller corners.
Forgot all your safety-over-the-top crap alibis. Owens can’t even get off the line of scrimmage. He had one flurry of production to start the second half against the Redskins. Otherwise, he was punked by Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers. Charles Woodson did the same thing for Green Bay, and the Philly corners started the trend when they slapped Owens upside the head.
The Cowboys can’t win in December or January with Eldo being a $12 million decoy. They need him to be a great wideout. Where is that guy? Who is this fraud?
Wade Phillips.
Here’s the problem, coach. You were hired to be Mr. Fix It for the defense. When that defense was steamrolled by the Redskins (by air and foot), and when you also aren’t even being head coach on the sideline, Wade, what the heck good are you?
Don’t tell us on Monday, 24 hours after the wreck, that the offense needed to run the ball more. Tell that to Jason Garrett or to Tony Romo at some point during Sunday’s game. Not that I haven’t mentioned this before. Not that thousands aren’t saying it this week, but Wade, get a pair of brass ones, and start shouting some sideline commands.
"I’m the head coach. I can do anything I want," Phillips said Monday.
Yeah, well ...
Jason Garrett.
There’s tarnish on the Golden Boy this week, but admittedly, I even stooped so low there was personal research involved Wednesday before delivering the usual rip job. (Jason is one of my favorites, hence the dreaded research.)
There is, of course, NO defense of Young Red for a mystifying snub of Marion Barber in the running game. Plus, for Felix Jones to not have one carry from scrimmage, I say immediately revoke Garrett’s Princeton degree.
But in going back and reviewing each offensive series for the Cowboys, there was a strange pattern to that game (the stellar play of the Skins’ defense is the reason), which is what both Wade and Jason attempted to explain afterward.
And then if you consider the usual "check-with-me" freedom given Tony Romo at the line of scrimmage, any quarterback will opt for the pass if he sees anything close to an eight-man defensive front.
Should Garrett have removed "check-with-me" privileges from Romo and forced the run into an eight-man front? Normally, the answer is no, but the easy second-guess is now, "yes."
Whatever, this team can’t afford to have Barber and Felix ignored. Don’t ever do that again, Red.
Tony Romo.
What the hell is wrong with you, son? No. 81 could not get open on a consistent basis. Why repeatedly force the ball to a player who has suddenly become all mouth, no hands, no toughness.
If you’re scared, say you’re scared. Otherwise, get back to being a quarterback instead of a nurse for that guy’s damaged ego.
(Tony is my No. 1 favorite. But this time he really hissed me off.)
Click link for entire article
The four unhorsed men of this Dallas Cowboys apocalypse
Even now, well into this week, very few locally can handle the truth. The Cowboys lost a game — at home — to a hated foe — simply because the other team was better on that particular afternoon.
Better in all areas.
So suck it up, and move on. Move on to, say, the Bengals, a dismal outfit making a Sunday visit as we roll out the barrels for an Oktoberfest of Ws.
It’s the schedule this month. Ridiculously easy. If the Cowboys don’t sweep October, then, OK, there might be issues to consider.
Meanwhile, give thanks to the Redskins. They ended our September of grab-butt euphoria (count me among those guilty of too much early praise), and, at least you would think, placed priorities back in proper order. The blame game for the Redskins thing was so widespread, it’s unfair to single out certain names.
But ...
When did being unfair actually matter?
When it comes to personal favorites, I usually always let them skate, but as a side note to Dave Campo (secondary), Hudson Houck (offensive line) and Brian Stewart (defensive coordinator), did the Redskins sneak up on you guys? Did you take a beach trip to Cabo (Tony can get you a good price on a condo) instead of formulating a game plan? Fellows, your people weren’t exactly coached up for this game.
But locally and nationally, the harsh printed and verbal beatings this week have been aimed in the direction of four Valley Ranch residents. Let us today consider the case of those four:
Eldorado Owens.
Talk about weird. On ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, all the big TV faces (each one a former player or coach) verbally busted on Eldo. They harpooned No. 81 in a severe manner. I watched all of it, and disagreed. Totally disagreed. Shocking, but true.
Their emphasis was on Owens about to go Philly and San Fran on the Cowboys. About to go McNabb and Garcia on Romo. Granted, this would normally fall right into my kitchen. If Eldo is gonna blow, then I can say told you so.
I’m not saying it won’t happen, and on Wednesday at Valley Ranch, Owens was sounding a tad defensive and irritated, maybe a sign he’s creeping closer to being a ledge-jumper again. This guy is a nutcase. Plus, he’s selfishly stupid.
But at the moment, here’s what is even worse for the Cowboys. Eldo is simply not very good as a football player. In consecutive games (and the last three contests when you consider he was shutout the final 40 minutes of the win over the Eagles), Owens has become a star receiver who looks soft and clueless. With that big strong body (ask him, he’ll take off his shirt for you), No. 81 is getting roughed up and knocked around by smaller corners.
Forgot all your safety-over-the-top crap alibis. Owens can’t even get off the line of scrimmage. He had one flurry of production to start the second half against the Redskins. Otherwise, he was punked by Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers. Charles Woodson did the same thing for Green Bay, and the Philly corners started the trend when they slapped Owens upside the head.
The Cowboys can’t win in December or January with Eldo being a $12 million decoy. They need him to be a great wideout. Where is that guy? Who is this fraud?
Wade Phillips.
Here’s the problem, coach. You were hired to be Mr. Fix It for the defense. When that defense was steamrolled by the Redskins (by air and foot), and when you also aren’t even being head coach on the sideline, Wade, what the heck good are you?
Don’t tell us on Monday, 24 hours after the wreck, that the offense needed to run the ball more. Tell that to Jason Garrett or to Tony Romo at some point during Sunday’s game. Not that I haven’t mentioned this before. Not that thousands aren’t saying it this week, but Wade, get a pair of brass ones, and start shouting some sideline commands.
"I’m the head coach. I can do anything I want," Phillips said Monday.
Yeah, well ...
Jason Garrett.
There’s tarnish on the Golden Boy this week, but admittedly, I even stooped so low there was personal research involved Wednesday before delivering the usual rip job. (Jason is one of my favorites, hence the dreaded research.)
There is, of course, NO defense of Young Red for a mystifying snub of Marion Barber in the running game. Plus, for Felix Jones to not have one carry from scrimmage, I say immediately revoke Garrett’s Princeton degree.
But in going back and reviewing each offensive series for the Cowboys, there was a strange pattern to that game (the stellar play of the Skins’ defense is the reason), which is what both Wade and Jason attempted to explain afterward.
And then if you consider the usual "check-with-me" freedom given Tony Romo at the line of scrimmage, any quarterback will opt for the pass if he sees anything close to an eight-man defensive front.
Should Garrett have removed "check-with-me" privileges from Romo and forced the run into an eight-man front? Normally, the answer is no, but the easy second-guess is now, "yes."
Whatever, this team can’t afford to have Barber and Felix ignored. Don’t ever do that again, Red.
Tony Romo.
What the hell is wrong with you, son? No. 81 could not get open on a consistent basis. Why repeatedly force the ball to a player who has suddenly become all mouth, no hands, no toughness.
If you’re scared, say you’re scared. Otherwise, get back to being a quarterback instead of a nurse for that guy’s damaged ego.
(Tony is my No. 1 favorite. But this time he really hissed me off.)