DMN: Don't panic Dallas Cowboys fans; it's only one preseason game

[tr1]

Wow, didn't take long for the exuses to pop up....


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...r.36409a0.html
After one preseason game, it seems most of you think Felix Jones is going to the Hall of Fame and Martellus Bennett should be cut.

My response: Chill out.

Nothing is concrete after one preseason game. We won't even know what either guy is capable of at the end of this season. It takes time, whether you choose to believe that or not.

Different players learn at a different pace. Some rookies are learning to handle real failure for the first time.

Bennett is an athletic freak. Do you think he's been manhandled much in his athletic career? Nope. It takes time to learn how to handle getting your butt kicked, while not letting it affect the next play.

Jones looked terrific in the first game, but he still must learn how to handle the rigors of an NFL season. He must deal with teams game-planning for him once he starts getting special attention.

I expect him to be a good player, but there are no guarantees. Let's stop labeling guys so quickly.

Time will tell. We don't have to guess.
COWBOYS Q&A

Q: Our bad kick-coverage teams are going to kill us this season if they don't improve.

John Trovato

TAYLOR: I think you're right, but I assume they will improve. The first game is usually the worst for the coverage units because you have a bunch of young guys, who are excited, and don't stay in their lanes because they're trying so hard to make a play and earn a roster spot. Let's wait another couple of weeks before all the gloom and doom starts.

Q: Is Tashard Choice better than Felix Jones? I am reading that he is. You should know.

Tom Allen

TAYLOR: Where, my friend, have you been reading that? Choice has been solid during training camp, but Jones has been everything the Cowboys thought he would be when they drafted him. Choice will have a role on this team, but Jones is going to be a significant contributor.
• • •

Q: Could you give us your opinion on Brad Johnson's performance against the San Diego Chargers. I know that it's the first game of preseason, but he didn't seem to be real sharp with his decision-making, especially after his first and second read. We seem to get more pep in the offense when Richard Bartel took over.

Sharp, Los Angeles

TAYLOR: You had me going until you said Bartel looked better than Johnson. Give me a break. Bartel is not even just a guy, though he has improved from last season. Johnson will get some work with the first team in practice or during the game this weekend, so the Cowboys can figure out whether they need him to be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback.

The second-team line struggled and that played a role in Johnson looking bad. The Cowboys are trying to figure out how much of that is Johnson and how much of it is the second team.
• • •

Q: The Anthony Fasano trade still bothers me. They gave up a young guy who seemed to be a reliable blocker with good hands, and they drafted Martellus Bennett in his place, who is clearly a project.

Matt Packard, Southlake

TAYLOR: This isn't just directed at you, Matt; it's directed at a lot of people. You guys overreact way too much to one preseason game. It takes some guys longer to develop than others. Fasano didn't do anything in two seasons for you to think he's going to develop into one of the game's best tight ends.

He was OK, but let's not act like he was anything but that. Bennett has struggled, but guys adjust at different rates. Let's wait a season or two before we claim without equivocation that he can't play.
• • •

Q: First-team defense looks ready. However, this stuff about not tackling in camp creates bad form and habits. I would put the second and third teams through the Oklahoma Drill next week.

Chuck Cypert, Plano

TAYLOR: Chuck, that sounds great in theory. But do that, and you might not have enough backups to get through practice. Phillips is trying to figure out how to get his team through training camp without sustaining any injuries. For now, that's the big goal. Thus far, he's been successful with that approach. At the same time, there's no doubt that they were a little bit rusty because they haven't hit much in practice. That shouldn't be as much of an issue in Denver.
• • •

Q: Talking to the incoming coaches here (A&M), they were ecstatic when coach Dennis Franchione decided to leave. They could not figure out how a guy as talented as Martellus Bennett failed to put up any kind of numbers at the NCAA level. Even though Fran was hideously offensive as an offensive coach, that should never have stopped Bennett from getting several throws. He is a nice kid but a horrible player in regards to the bottom line aspects of football.

Bryan Rich

TAYLOR: I have one word in response: whatever. Coach Fran had one of the worst passing offenses in the country, which might be why Bennett is having such a hard time adjusting to the NFL. Maybe, he hasn't had any real coaching about technique since he left high school. You said yourself Coach Fran was hideous. Bennett must not have been too bad since he was drafted in the second round. This is what I call piling on.
• • •

Q: How is Hudson Houck coaching the line in comparison to Tony Sparano? What improvements can we expect with him as the line coach?

Doug Heard

TAYLOR: Not much has changed. The Cowboys still use a combination of man-to-man and zone blocking. If there is one difference, it's that the Cowboys use more plays designed to run downhill to take advantage of their size on the offensive line.
• • •

Q: How do you see the competition between offensive tackles Pat McQuistan and Doug Free working out? Is it possible they keep both? Are you of the mind-set that they'll let Marc Colombo go in free agency instead of pay him?

Tommy Hamilton, Arlington

TAYLOR: McQuistan is more versatile because he can play guard, but Free is coming along better at tackle. They both make the team because one of them needs to take over for Colombo next season.
• • •

Q: What is the reason injured players do not travel with the team? I would think the guys should all be together, no matter what.

Erick Jaeger, Cable Wis.

TAYLOR: Sometimes, it makes more sense for a guy to stay in Dallas or training camp and get around-the-clock treatment for his injury. The idea is to get back on the field as quickly as possible. You can't always do that being on the road with the team.
• • •

Q: I haven't heard much about Marcus Dixon. How is he doing?

Rob Daubert

TAYLOR: Dixon has a back injury that has kept him out of practice for a few days. As an undrafted free agent, he needs to get back into the mix as soon as possible.

[Califan007]

You had me going until you said Bartel looked better than Johnson. Give me a break. Bartel is not even just a guy, though he has improved from last season. Johnson will get some work with the first team in practice or during the game this weekend, so the Cowboys can figure out whether they need him to be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback.

The second-team line struggled and that played a role in Johnson looking bad. The Cowboys are trying to figure out how much of that is Johnson and how much of it is the second team.

Ok, I'm trying to follow the logic here...

It's laughable to think that Bartel looked better than Johnson...yet the Cowboys are gonna put Johnson with the starters...to "figure out" whether he should be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback??..???...

TAYLOR: I have one word in response: whatever. Coach Fran had one of the worst passing offenses in the country, which might be why Bennett is having such a hard time adjusting to the NFL. Maybe, he hasn't had any real coaching about technique since he left high school. You said yourself Coach Fran was hideous. Bennett must not have been too bad since he was drafted in the second round. This is what I call piling on.

This guy must post here in ATN lol ..."Whatever" lol..."piling on" lol..."he was picked in the 2nd round so he can't be too bad" ....hard to argue against that type of logic lol...

[slogriff]

Ok, I'm trying to follow the logic here...

It's laughable to think that Bartel looked better than Johnson...yet the Cowboys are gonna put Johnson with the starters...to "figure out" whether he should be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback??..???...

They want to put Johnson with the starters to figure out whether he can be a productive enough starter if Romo goes down. To determine this they need to have Johnson put in more game time with the #1 OL.

If they don't think he could effectively lead the team as the starter, then they will have to diligently try to bring in someone who can be the #2 QB. Bartel will not be the #2. I doubt they will even carry him as a #3 QB.

[Califan007]

They want to put Johnson with the starters to figure out whether he can be a productive enough starter if Romo goes down. To determine this they need to have Johnson put in more game time with the #1 OL.

If they don't think he could effectively lead the team as the starter, then they will have to diligently try to bring in someone who can be the #2 QB. Bartel will not be the #2. I doubt they will even carry him as a #3 QB.

So if Johnson performs poorly with the starters, they may just cut him loose, and then try and find a #2 elsewhere instead of promoting Bartel?...And they might not keep Bartel, either?

[slogriff]

So if Johnson performs poorly with the starters, they may just cut him loose, and then try and find a #2 elsewhere instead of promoting Bartel?...And they might not keep Bartel, either?

The Boys have big expectations for this year. Everyone wants to talk about what happens if T.O. goes down when the more damaging scenario is what happens if Romo goes down. They need to feel that they have someone who can come in and "manage" the team well enough to still give them a chance at the playoffs and possibly further.

Johnson has two known strikes against him, poor arm strength and immobility. He didn't look great in the 1st pre-season game and many (fans at least) have great concerns in his ability to be that QB. They need to give him more time with the 1st team to reassure themselves they have the right guy.

Johnson will be the #2 but I expect/hope Jerry will cut Bartel (a very raw project) and bring in another vet QB to be the #3 QB and capable of competing with BJ to take over as starter if Romo were to go down. If BJ looks poorly with the 1st team it obviously increases the likelihood of this scenario.

[VCDefectors]

So if Johnson performs poorly with the starters, they may just cut him loose, and then try and find a #2 elsewhere instead of promoting Bartel?...And they might not keep Bartel, either?

At this point, I am not impressed with either one, especially ol' noodle arm Johnson. I agree with the naysayers on this one. If Romo goes down, the Cowboys are screwed.

[Bware_Dware]

Great article TR. Though when you highlighted the Question, you may have wanted to use your expertise at color schemes to highlight the answer, since it pertains to most people here in the ES.

As for Brad Johnson, he will be cut if he still shows he sucks behind the #1 O-line. I think the Cowboys are waiting for a vet to be released to sign him on, Simms comes to mind. I wanted Culpepper until I noticed it seems he wants to compete for the starting role. If he comes to reality, I hope the Cowboys pick him up for a #2 role.

[paloosa]

What is such a big deal about Dallas? According to the media lovefest and the Cowboy faithful, they are loaded with talent in every position and are the odds on favorites for the Super Bowl. Now there are questions about TO and that there isn't any good talent behind him. Behind Romo, Brad Johnson and Bartel aren't good enough to take over if he goes down. Questions about Martellus Bennett and whether or not he is good enough or better than Fasano. Then there are questions about two OLine projects that are there to take over next year for Columbo. Then there is this big praise about Felix Jones, the only bright spot in their only preseason game. So what does all this mean? Nothing but a reality check. The Cowboys aren't as good as everyone says they are.

I can remember that one article (Can't remember when or who wrote it and don't have a link to verify it) said that the Cowboys were the best team in the NFL with the most talent. I am sure if I were to search for it I would be able to find the article and add it as a link. But the point is they have just as many questions as any other team and maybe more. Just because everyone says you are good doesn't mean you are. Having a Hall of Fame Basketball player address your team won't make you play great. And Having your owner place you in a reality TV series called, "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys" won't make you a better team or make everyone love you. So welcome to reality.

[slogriff]

What is such a big deal about Dallas? According to the media lovefest and the Cowboy faithful, they are loaded with talent in every position and are the odds on favorites for the Super Bowl. Now there are questions about TO and that there isn't any good talent behind him. Behind Romo, Brad Johnson and Bartel aren't good enough to take over if he goes down. Questions about Martellus Bennett and whether or not he is good enough or better than Fasano. Then there are questions about two OLine projects that are there to take over next year for Columbo. Then there is this big praise about Felix Jones, the only bright spot in their only preseason game. So what does all this mean? Nothing but a reality check. The Cowboys aren't as good as everyone says they are.

I can remember that one article (Can't remember when or who wrote it and don't have a link to verify it) said that the Cowboys were the best team in the NFL with the most talent. I am sure if I were to search for it I would be able to find the article and add it as a link. But the point is they have just as many questions as any other team and maybe more. Just because everyone says you are good doesn't mean you are. Having a Hall of Fame Basketball player address your team won't make you play great. And Having your owner place you in a reality TV series called, "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys" won't make you a better team or make everyone love you. So welcome to reality.

I would say the answer is the questions you mention are all about backups. Unlike most teams, there are very few questions/concerns about the quality of the Cowboys starters.

Every team will have concerns if they begin having injuries. Especially if you expect to have backups that are as good as pro-bowl starters like T.O. or Romo. Just as I would think there would be concerns if Brady or Moss went down for the Pats.

[DeMarco Murray 29]

So if Johnson performs poorly with the starters, they may just cut him loose, and then try and find a #2 elsewhere instead of promoting Bartel?...And they might not keep Bartel, either?

Believe me man, the logic behind it is as retarded as it sounds. I am with you, it sounds just plain dumb.

I don't think there is a fan out there that thinks Brad Johnson has anything left. His play now is just horrible. Why Jerry and co. want to keep him around for anything more then a 3rd string QB is beyond me.

[tr1]

Great article TR. Though when you highlighted the Question, you may have wanted to use your expertise at color schemes to highlight the answer, since it pertains to most people here in the ES.

When I saw a question that actually takes reality into account, and it comes from a puke fan, it's worthy of highlighting.

My puke fan friends are so much more in touch with reality than any puke fan posters here in ATN. I suspect their more in line with posters on CZ.

[tr1]

I would say the answer is the questions you mention are all about backups. Unlike most teams, there are very few questions/concerns about the quality of the Cowboys starters.

Roy Williams? Nose tackle isn't settled. Henry is adequate, but hardly the answer. On offense, MB has not been a feature back...and he's looked awful in TC.

And that o-line will not repeat that performance of the firs 12 games of last year...ain't gonna happen.

So, go peddle your nonsense elsewhere.

[doncherry]

MB has not been a feature back...and he's looked awful in TC.

Link? Or are you hearing this from your "Puke friends"?

[tr1]

Link? Or are you hearing this from your "Puke friends"?

I read the training camp reports. Give it a try. And, I listen to my puke fan friends.

[slogriff]

Roy Williams? Nose tackle isn't settled. Henry is adequate, but hardly the answer. On offense, MB has not been a feature back...and he's looked awful in TC.

And that o-line will not repeat that performance of the firs 12 games of last year...ain't gonna happen.

So, go peddle your nonsense elsewhere.

You submit an O-line that has played together for two years sending 3 to the PB & 2 other PB players as concerns.

Thanks for reaffirming my point.

Have you seen MB look awful or are you still hearing those voices?