Good To Know

Nice piece from Bleacher Report..... Apparently Romo gives high praise for first round draft pick Travis Frederick.

Bleacher Report - Romo + Frederick

First Fight at Cowboys Camp

It's been more than two weeks at camp and no fights.  But Linebacker Ernie Simms and Running Back Lance Dunbar got into a little spat after Simms slung Dunbar to the ground after a run.
The guys are probably feeling that middle of training camp dun-drums with tempers beginning to flare.  Will be good for them to hit another team on Friday night against Oakland.

A Few Good Men

You have to like the attitude and comments from Travis Frederick, the Cowboys first round draft pick Offensive Lineman who will most likely play Center but also played Guard Sunday Night in the Hall of Fame Game.  Here's a quote from Frederick from the Star-Telegram:

Travis Frederick liked his first NFL action at center.
“I thought that went pretty well,” he said.
His time at guard? Not as well. The Cowboys’ rookie first-round pick said he wasn’t as clean at right guard, where he played in the second half of Sunday night’s game against Miami.
“The mistake at guard was I overstepped on a shade technique in pass protection,” he said. “That was on me. It caused a pressure, not a sack. But a pressure is still not what we are looking for. I need to be solid.”
Frederick has been working at center the majority of the time in training camp, but the Cowboys are still looking at him at guard, potentially to play him at right guard and use veteran Phil Costa at center.

That's the kind of football players that are needed.  When asked about his performance, he talked about one technique misstep which created a QB "pressure", not a sack.  This attention to detail and desire to be perfect on every down is what has been missing for such a long time with the Cowboys.  There's a reason that only ~ 7 players are left on this team since Jason Garrett took over.  They didn't want to use the word re-building since Romo and Witten were in their prime.  But that's exactly what has been taking place.  And now we can only hope that the youth and "Garrett" kind of football guys can play at a level to help propel Romo, Witten, Ware deep into the playoffs before they are too old.  It may already be too late, but we'll see if the two timelines can overlap for a year or two before the "old" guys' physical ability begin to deteriorate to a fault.

Another point I want to make, is the drafting of Travis Frederick.  I get so tired of the "experts" in print, tv and radio, talking about how the Cowboys drafted Frederick too early.  If he ends up being a 10 - 12 year starter at center, gives continuity to the line, directs the line play calling, prevents pressure up the middle and clears holes for the RBs, then isn't that worth a first round draft pick?   My point is, you don't know how a good a draft is until at least 3 years later.  And amazingly, the "experts" love to talk about how poorly a team did with the draft, but they never come back and discuss their mistakes three years later.  I remember many experts saying that the Cowboys should've drafted Shawn Merriman instead of DeMarcus Ware.  So how did that work out??

I like the kind of people the Cowboys are drafting these days, and hopefully it will pay off in the next 2 -3 years before the "older" guys begin to fade.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2013/08/tr.html#storylink=cpy

Let The Games Begin!

Sorry for disappearing last week.  I was hanging out in Charlotte, NC home of the Carolina Panthers.  I attended the Cowboys/Panthers regular season game in Charlotte last year, October 2012.  It was great fun and the tailgating was awesome.  Unlike Eagles fans, the Panthers fans were very hospitable.

Well, we finally have football!  Albeit pre-season football, but after 7 months of nothing, even pre-season football was an awesome respite.  Personally, I like the pre-season games.  While I think its ridiculous that teams charge full ticket prices for these games, they are fun to watch if you are looking at individuals and not the team prospective.  I really enjoyed watching the Cowboys rookie RB, Randle; first round draft pick Frederick, etc.  These guys get a full work out and while they are playing against other 2nd or 3rd string personnel, it's fun to see how they perform.

So my thoughts on the Cowboys after the first pre-season game.......

1. I thought the team as a whole looked very well prepared, especially when compared to the Dolphins.  There were very few penalties, both offense and defense were lining up properly, and they didn't have to call timeouts because the play didn't get in in time (unlike last year when this was occurring on defense as late as week 17).  There were no huge busts in position, (ie. a safety letting a WR run free for an easy catch).  While you might read this and say, these are pro-football teams they shouldn't have these problems, and you would be right.  But if you've watched many pre-season games, you will see this happens a lot, especially in the first one or two pre-season games where 3rd and 4th stringers are playing. So I thought the coaches had done an excellent job, particularly on defense where Monte Kiffin's new 4-3 scheme was being used for the first time.  So I would give Jason Garret an A on his first game as a "walk around" coach.
2. Speaking of coaching and changes, obviously the big story (other than Romo's cyst), has been the change in offensive play calling.  Both Garrett and Callahan have repeatedly discussed their need to run the ball more effectively.  When you talk about running the ball, obviously everyone thinks Running Back, but we all know, the offensive line is vital in running effectively.  Part of the reason the Cowboys ran so little in 2012, was the absolute inability to run the ball.  After a while you can only run into a brick wall so many times, until you say Eff it and throw the ball.  But last night, Callahan showed the Cowboys propensity to run the ball early and often.  And different from last night, they looked very effective doing it.  They rushed for a total of 170 yards and a couple of rushing TD's.  All of the backs looked very good.... Dunbar, Tanner, Randle..... of course we didn't see DeMarco, but the offensive line, grounded by Leary and Travis Frederick, opened some huge holes and the RBs did what they were supposed to do, which is make at least one person miss a tackle.  So it was a great first week outing for the running game which has to improve over last year.
3. Defense --- well the talk is of course about "can the Cowboys convert to the Mone Kiffin 4-3 defense?".  While I don't want to get too excited about the first of a 5 game preseason schedule, the simple answer is YES.  The defense looked organized, well coached, completed the simple tasks of lining up properly, no huge blown coverages, did well stopping the run, got multiple sacks on the QB, recovered a fumble, got an interception, then ran the interception back for a 75 yard Touch Down.  The squad played aggressively and instinctively, as though they had always played the 4-3.  But I think this is why the move to the 4-3 is good idea.  Because at the heart of defense, the 4-3 is just a simpler scheme than the 3-4.  And in an age with huge turnover in personnel from year to year with free agency, injuries that occur throughout the year and change in coaching, you need a simpler base scheme in order to be able to plug people in without them having to had been in the scheme for 15 years.  Can't say enough good things about the defense, but I would be remiss, if I didn't bring up Selvie.  He looked like a manbeast out there, throwing offensive lineman around like they were rag dolls.  We may have found the replacement for Tyrone Crawford who was lost for the year at DT with a torn Achilles.

So great start to a very long season.  And the best news of all, no major injuries.  Matt Johnson injured his ankle, but hey what else is new.  Other than that, no major injuries to speak of.  As a Baylor Alum, I was personally disappointed that I didn't get to see Terrance Williams play, but from what I have read, he will play Friday night against the Raiders.

Monte Kiffin Funny Line

I guess this morning is the day of funny one liners..... next up, Monte Kiffin:

His approach with players:
“I call it hard coaching, hard love,’’ Kiffin said. “People will say, ‘hey, you’re a good guy. You’re doing great.’
“You ain’t doing great. We’ve got to get better.’’

Funny Jason Witten Story

This funny anecdote told by Jason Garrett explains the level of passion Jason Witten brings to the game every day.....

Slowing Witten down: The Cowboys use “veteran rest days” to keep older guys fresh in camp. DeMarcus Ware, Miles Austin and Jason Hatcher have all benefitted from one already. But one guy who’s not all that keen on rest days is Jason Witten. Jason Garrett relayed an anecdote from 2009, when he pulled Witten for one play of a game during which the tight end’s sole responsibility was to block. Witten was so upset, he wouldn’t talk to Garrett about it for a week.

“So literally we had a battle where he did not talk to me for a week about ‘Aggie 21’ and whamming the nose,” Garrett said. “So getting him to take a day off of practice is a little bit like the ‘Aggie 21’ story. You start the conversation, he nods his head and he continues to nod his head and he goes out to practice again and again and again. He’s a guy you want to make sure you give some rest… But he never wants to come off the football field. Somehow, some way, we’ve got to pry him off in the next five weeks.” 

Cowboys Overview

Great summary and overview after the first week of training camp for the Cowboys and thoughts on the type of season the Cowboys will have this year.  By Engel with the FW Star-Telegram:

Star-Telegram Story Cowboys

Witten...Man or Machine?

Great article by Charean Williams of Fort Worth Star-Telegram about Jason Witten.  Incredible athlete and teammate.  The fact that he set the NFL Record for receptions by a Tight End in the same year that he started the season with a lacerated spleen..... Unbelievable.

Jason Witten FWST Article

Negative Media

So following up on my comment from the previous post about the media painting the Cowboys in a negative light.....

As I watched coverage of training camp by ESPN and particularly NFL network yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the disdain and disrespect by which all of the coverage and interviews were done when it came to the Cowboys.  Then with other teams, they treated the player being interviewed or the coverage with respect and straight coverage.  I'll give a couple of examples to make my point....

• NFL Network - while camera was in studio with a live video feed of the Cowboys practicing in the background in pads but with no helmets.....NFL commentator said "I thought they were supposed to be in pads, but they don't have any helmets....where's there helmets....(another commentator interjected).... Yeah where's that Star.... in a very derogatory voice.

• NFL Network - about to go live to Michael Irvin in Oxnard California to Cowboys Training Camp, Rich Eisen says...."Cowboys have been in Oxnard for Training Camp now for several years, I'm surprised they haven't got a sponsor contract for naming rights for the field"...... again done in a very derogatory voice.  

Really?!  Oh yeah, last I checked Cowboys Stadium is just Cowboys Stadium (I know this is about to change soon).  Not like the 49ers and every other team that sells the naming rights to the stadium.  From Eisen's comment, you would think the Cowboys are the only team to generate revenue from sponsorships.  Really?!  Then immediately following this snide comment, the NFL cameras show the Eagles at "Novacare" Practice Field.  But nay, not one comment from Rich Eisen.  What's the deal?!  What does he have against the Cowboys?

• NFL Network - The big eared guy for NFL network while interviewing Witten.... "So in Jason Garrett's team speech video, he said the team needs leaders.  Was he calling you guys out, because you don't have leaders on the team?"  

Really?!  Every coach in the NFL talks about leaders on the team and in opening speeches to the team for the year.  And the big eared guy has to turn it around and make it sound like the coach is calling guys out for not being a leader, on day one of training camp before any work is even completed.
Really?!

So why the constant negative bias against a team that hasn't even been relevant (one playoff win in 15 years)?

Romo to Follow Garrett as Offensive Coordinator

Apparently Romo wants to follow in the footsteps of Jason Garrett, and after playing football as QB, become an offensive coordinator.  And who knows, after that possibly head coach (that's my comment, not Romo's).  Here's a quick hit from Dallas Morning News:

Romo wants to coach: Jerry Jones wanted Tony Romo to get more involved in the offense this off-season, and apparently Romo has taken to it like a fish to water. In fact, Jones revealed that his quarterback now has aspirations of becoming a coordinator one day. “[Romo] told me, ‘When I’m through playing ball, I want to be an offensive coordinator One of the biggest shame things for me is that I may never have gotten to call my own plays. I think I’m a heck of an offensive coordinator,’ ” Jones said.

Ben Bass..... Who?

Interesting blog mention from FW Star-Telegram on Ben Bass, rookie Free Agent from Texas A&M.  I have seen his name pop up on several blogs this week.   He seems to be getting the coaches attention on the Defensive Line, primarily at Tackle but apparently now at Defense End.  Certainly good to have some good news come out about the Defensive Line with so many injuries already occurring on the DL (Jat Ratliff, Anthony Spencer and of course the loss of Tyron Crawford for the entire year with an Achilles tear on the first day of practice).

Ben Bass Star-Telegram Blog Mention

Cowboys Defensive Tackling Percentage

Great analysis by Jonathan Bales of the Dallas Morning News, breaking down the tackling percentage of the Dallas Cowboys' Defense from last year and how it compares to the top four defenses in the league.  Obviously this is just a part of the picture.  Turnovers, how many big plays (20 yards or greater) does a defense give up, total points allowed, etc...  But I always hear from the "expert commentators" that the Cowboys don't do the basic things well.  This stat obviously refutes that assertion.

Are the Cowboys a Poor Tacking Team?

Beware Dware!

DeMarcus wanted to show everyone that his injured shoulder was OK.  See article from DMN and the video link from Ware's facebook page demonstrating his strength.  Incredible!

DeMarcus Ware ‘loving’ move to DE - DMN

Ware's Facebook Video

Aaron Rodgers Needs to Pay Up

I know it was all in jest, but the arrogance of the Rodgers tweet in response to Sutton deserves a little pay back.  I think Aaron Rodgers should donate a one game paycheck to a charity of Sutton's choice.  Anyone who would stick up for Ryan Braun deserves all of the grief they can get.

Aaron Rodgers Tweet Bet

The Dez Train Continues On

Dez is all the rage now in Cowboys training camp.  Hopefully this can carry over into the season.

Dez Dominates - Dallas Morning News

Dez Story - FW Star-Telegram

and another one from Star-Telegram...Dez

Jason Garrett Video

Due to Peter King's bias against the Cowboys, I hate to promote his new MMQB, but I think every Cowboys fan should watch this video.  Excellent inside view of Jason Garrett and the opening Training Camp speech to the team.  

Click HERE to take you to a Star-Telegram blog to watch the video so you don't have to go to MMQB and give Peter "The Cowboys Hater" King more hits.

Peter King Uses Cowboys to Get Good Ratings for His New Website

It is really aggravating that the Cowboys let Peter King use them to promote his new website.  He has not been a friend of the Cowboys.  Click Here for Garrett's comments about Peter King having this access to his speech.  It obviously was not Garrett's choice, of course we all know it was Jerry's decision.  In the post Garrett tries to be nice and said....."He’s been a great friend to the NFL and a great friend to the Cowboys for years."  All you have to do is read any of King's MMQB articles and you know that simply is not the case.  Even in this new inaugural MMQB he lists how many times he talks about individual football teams and he admits that his mention of the Cowboys is second to least of all 32 teams.  While the Cowboys have been very mediocre for the past 15 years, they are still America's Team and still garner larger TV ratings than any other team, even when they are 8-8.  So for King to barely mention them is just a concerted effort on his part to ignore them.  Couple this small number of mentions in his article with the fact that the largest percentage of those Cowboys discussions are always in a negative light.  

So with all of that Cowboys Hating History, it's disconcerting that Jerry would "help" Peter King out with this new website. King obviously used the huge interest the Cowboys always brings to kick off the new MMQB. 

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2013/07/jason-garrett-calls-pre-camp-speech-posted-by-peter-king-nuts-and-bolts-but-says-motivation-is-no-1-.html#storylink=cpy

Battle at Running Back Already Heating Up

It's just day 1 of training camp, but look what rabblerousr at "Blogging The Boys" had to say about Lance Dunbar.  I have read similar points from other observers.  Here's the link to the whole article by rabblerousr if you are interested, great writeup on the first day of practice...Bloggingtheboys rabblerousr day 1 training camp writeup

Player of the Day: Lance Dunbar. Not only did Dunbar (somewhat surprisingly) take second-team snaps, he backed up his depth chart status by often looking like the quickest guy on the field. More importantly, he showed a gift for finding a hole and shooting through it before it closed. Going into the season, many observers thought that Joseph Randle would be Murray's backup, with Dunbar serving as the third down back. Today's practice suggested a new possibility: Dunbar as the backup and the bigger Randle as the third-down back.

Football Has Begun

Football has begun, well sorta.  Cowboys and Dolphins reported to training camp over the weekend as these two teams will play each other in the first/early pre-season Hall of Fame Game.

Some quick hits from the first day of Cowboys Training Camp:

• Romo Back Injury/Cyst is very concerning.. Romo Back Problem

• First Round Draft Pick Travis Frederick looking good...Frederick Shotgun Snaps On Target

• Can't even get past the conditioning test without significant injuries already occurring with Tyrone Crawford out for the season with an Achilles Tear...Crawford Out

• Ratliff already sitting on the sidelines like last year, personal opinion, time to cut ties with this one.  If you can't get on the field then you don't belong on the team..."The Rat" picks up where last year ended

These are just a few, we'll keep a close eye on all things Cowboys and also begin more general NFL news and especially Fantasy Football News and Opinions as the preseason unfolds.  Can't wait, this is going to be a great season!

Peter King's New MMQB Website....

Peter King Loves the Cowboys when it Help promote his new website....

OMG - Peter King's Inaugural website MMQB is using two different Dallas Cowboys headlines on the front page of ccnsi.com......

PeterKINGMONDAY MORNING QB A new day: Jason Garrett wants to establish a new Cowboys identity.

AND
MMQB: Starting in the Cowboys' inner sanctum

Who saw that coming???  Oh yea, I did last week.  But I do stand corrected, I said Mr. King (lover of all things Patriots and Giants, hater of all things Cowboys, except when it helps to promote his new website) would use a Cowboy Headline...singular, he is actually using two different Cowboys headlines including a picture of Jason Garrett at Training Camp to get the clicks a coming.
Well one thing you can say about King, he is predictable. 

For reference, to the post above, here's what I posted on the MMQB comments section last week.....

 

So Mr. King who hates the Cowboys, is critical of the players, critical of the management, critical of the new stadium and in general as most northeast liberal elites commonly are, hates the Cowboys...... Just coincidentally is going to Cowboys Training camp the weekend before his new MMQB website starts??? Really, of course the reason is because the Cowboys are starting their camp early, so it is logical that he would start there first.... LOL.  Detroit, which he loves, is also starting early, why not visit there first so the headlines on the first MMQB post on the new website would feature Lions stories??
Of course the answer is, there is no coincidence.  Cowboys are #1 on the Forbes list and they always draw interest.  So by being able to put "Cowboys" somewhere in the headlines of the new MMBQ inaugural post he will draw more interest and more hits.  Even though he hates the Cowboys, he loves how they help him.  Hypocrite.