tr1
September-15th-2010, 07:08 AM
Posted Tuesday, Sep. 14, 2010
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/09/14/2468874/some-sage-advice-for-the-winless.html
By David Thomas
Right about now, the Dallas Cowboys of Arlington have to be looking around their empty bandwagon, wondering where everyone went and, perhaps, even sneaking a sniff of their armpits to see if that's the reason there suddenly is so much elbow room aboard the blue-and-silver bus bound for Super Bowl XLV.
Yeah, the Cowboys pretty much stunk up the place Sunday night in that 13-7 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Local reaction since has been typical for a Cowboys loss: a bunch of Chicken Littles running around proclaiming the retractable roof is falling.
As for me, however, I'm one who tends to view life's retractable roof as being half open rather than half closed.
Granted, the Cowboys did just open the season by losing to a division opponent that finished in the cellar three of the past four seasons.
And they did just lose what looks to be one of their two easiest road games this season, if not the easiest. And they did score only seven points after assuring us that what happened -- or didn't happen -- with the offense in the preseason would stay in the preseason.
And the way they lost has stirred up old questions about how the Cowboys organization is structured, particularly when it comes to the owner/general manager and the head coach.
But other than those minor points:doh:, it was only the first game of 16.
Not that I'm one of those thinking the season needs saving at this point, but I do have five little tweaks to drop into the Valley Ranch suggestion box:
1. Find a way to get the ball more into the hands of Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Marion Barber.
I don't think there are enough footballs on the field to do that, but have you noticed that whenever coaches are asked about a particularly good offensive player, they always say they need to find a way to get the ball into his hands more?
So I'm suggesting that to start with.
2. Move Alex Barron to the defensive line.:ols:
Granted, the Cowboys didn't allow the Redskins' offense to score a touchdown, so that side of the ball isn't a problem. But seeing how good Barron was in his Cowboys debut at getting his hands on opponents, I think he has potential as a tackler.
3. On the situational plays section of Jason Garrett's play sheet, go underneath the part that reads "1st-and-20, inside own 40, 4 seconds left in half" and scratch out "Hail Mary" and replace it with "Load Left.":ols:
Just in case Wade Phillips can't get to Garrett in time to say "Take a knee!" there needs to be a play that, although it has its own troubled history, we at least know doesn't give the other team points.
4. Read the readers' comments on www.star-telegram.com.
There is no shortage of opinions there, that's for sure. I don't think Cowboys officials would agree with -- and especially appreciate -- everything you all have to say, but they could take a peek.
5. Hire Nolan Ryan to run the team.
Take a look at what's happening down Randol Mill Road with the Rangers and it's obvious the Cowboys could use more from the Rangers than just their parking lots.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/09/14/2468874/some-sage-advice-for-the-winless.html
By David Thomas
Right about now, the Dallas Cowboys of Arlington have to be looking around their empty bandwagon, wondering where everyone went and, perhaps, even sneaking a sniff of their armpits to see if that's the reason there suddenly is so much elbow room aboard the blue-and-silver bus bound for Super Bowl XLV.
Yeah, the Cowboys pretty much stunk up the place Sunday night in that 13-7 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Local reaction since has been typical for a Cowboys loss: a bunch of Chicken Littles running around proclaiming the retractable roof is falling.
As for me, however, I'm one who tends to view life's retractable roof as being half open rather than half closed.
Granted, the Cowboys did just open the season by losing to a division opponent that finished in the cellar three of the past four seasons.
And they did just lose what looks to be one of their two easiest road games this season, if not the easiest. And they did score only seven points after assuring us that what happened -- or didn't happen -- with the offense in the preseason would stay in the preseason.
And the way they lost has stirred up old questions about how the Cowboys organization is structured, particularly when it comes to the owner/general manager and the head coach.
But other than those minor points:doh:, it was only the first game of 16.
Not that I'm one of those thinking the season needs saving at this point, but I do have five little tweaks to drop into the Valley Ranch suggestion box:
1. Find a way to get the ball more into the hands of Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Marion Barber.
I don't think there are enough footballs on the field to do that, but have you noticed that whenever coaches are asked about a particularly good offensive player, they always say they need to find a way to get the ball into his hands more?
So I'm suggesting that to start with.
2. Move Alex Barron to the defensive line.:ols:
Granted, the Cowboys didn't allow the Redskins' offense to score a touchdown, so that side of the ball isn't a problem. But seeing how good Barron was in his Cowboys debut at getting his hands on opponents, I think he has potential as a tackler.
3. On the situational plays section of Jason Garrett's play sheet, go underneath the part that reads "1st-and-20, inside own 40, 4 seconds left in half" and scratch out "Hail Mary" and replace it with "Load Left.":ols:
Just in case Wade Phillips can't get to Garrett in time to say "Take a knee!" there needs to be a play that, although it has its own troubled history, we at least know doesn't give the other team points.
4. Read the readers' comments on www.star-telegram.com.
There is no shortage of opinions there, that's for sure. I don't think Cowboys officials would agree with -- and especially appreciate -- everything you all have to say, but they could take a peek.
5. Hire Nolan Ryan to run the team.
Take a look at what's happening down Randol Mill Road with the Rangers and it's obvious the Cowboys could use more from the Rangers than just their parking lots.