10. Even if you were a Time Warner Cable refugee banished to watching the game on Telemundo 39, the Cowboys committed
seis turnovers. Seven points. Six turnovers. Ugly, but not necessarily shocking. The Cowboys were minus-13 in turnover margin last season, 5th-worst in the NFL and a huge reason they finished 8-8. If Dallas doesn't protect the ball, everything else is meaningless. Here's betting Jason Garrett doesn't let his team spend a day at the beach before a regular-season game.
9. DeVonte Holloman has already made more plays as a Cowboys' No. 57 than Victor Butler did. He's got two pre-season picks, and also had a sack/forced fumble negated by replay.
8. Micah Pellerin's hit made me miss the good ol' days of contact football. Covering a punt he launched shoulder to helmet for a huge hit. Of course he was flagged. Might be fined. And I know, football is safer. But it ain't better.
7. Speaking of big hits, did you see Miles Austin lower his head and deliver a blow after a second-quarter catch? Totally came out of nowhere. Has to be the hardest hit the receiver has ever produced.
6. Visiting the Cowboys out in California during camp were actress Kate Bosworth, Chris Paul and Yankees' manager Joe Girardi. But the guest with the biggest impact was Peter Berg. Who? He's he director of the upcoming movie "Lone Survivor", about a Navy SEAL mission gone wrong. A clip of the film had the team riveted.
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5. So far Monte Kiffin is delivering on his promise. His "Tampa 2" defense is predicated on forcing turnovers and the Cowboys got another one Saturday, though it took linebacker Kyle Wilber's seven-touch, unathletic fumble recovery to finally corral it.
4. The Cowboys likely won't carry three quarterbacks on the roster. But if they did no doubt No. 3 would be Alex Tanney. He shows a strong arm, poise in the pocket and completed his first 10 passes against the Cardinals, making him Alex Ten-for-Tenney. If nothing else, guy has a spot locked up on the practice squad.
3. The Cowboys missed on what should have been a 47-yard touchdown pass on their first series, but Tony Romo inexcusably overthrew rookie receiver Terrance Williams. Or, did Williams run the wrong route? Maybe Williams - based on the coverage - was supposed to run a crossing route. But, to me, getting behind the defense with nothing but green to the end zone is always the right route. And Romo didn't throw a crossing route, he simply overthrew Williams. Admitted Garrett, "Tony missed a throw.” After the flurry of first-half mistakes Romo was hot, yelling and gesturing and about as mad as we've ever seen him on the football field. Sorta refreshing.
2. Sure, Lance Dunbar fumbled at the end of his 43-yard catch-and-run inside Arizona's 10. But try to imagine Felix Jones making that play. Well, he could fumble but you get the point. Dunbar's got the hands and the wheels and the jukes to be a legit third-down weapon, something the Cowboys haven't had since ... dang, that'll take some serious digging.
EDIT: Dangit, Dunbar shows up to practice this morning in a walking boot. Sprained foot. Out 3-4 weeks. Sept. 8 opener vs. Giants in jeopardy. Ouch indeed.
1. Best sign of training camp: The first-team defense will thrive without Rob Ryan. On three game-opening possessions, the defense has produced a fumble recovery (Dolphins), a fumble recovery (Raiders) and a three-and-out (Cardinals).
Saw ESPN's McMahon blame Williams for that horrible overthrow yesterday. My thoughts were exactly the same as yours. Romo wasn't throwing a crossing route.
ReplyDeleteYour common sense/perspective is greatly appreciated.
DeleteRichie...wasn't the Kyle Wilbur dribble, er, fumble recovery overturned on review? Ruling that QB's arm was going forward (although I can't figure how the ball went backward). No turnover.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same mediocre team that will produce the same anemic numbers on offense. Not bashing. It's just the way it is. I'll keep watching and cheering them on, but expectations need to be grounded in reality.
ReplyDeleteAlex Ten-for-Tenney?
ReplyDeleteWhen did Chris Berman show up? Is Norm here?
You are better than this Richie.