NFL: Cowboys Mailbag -- Pats-Cowboys rematch would be interesting with Henry healthy
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
I'm with Patrick Crayton: Bring on the rematch.
I want to see what the Cowboys can do against Tom Brady and Co. with Tank Johnson at nose tackle, Anthony Henry at right cornerback, Terence Newman rather than Nate Jones defending Wes Welker in the slot and Terry Glenn stretching that defense Crayton thumbed his nose at Monday.
Don't get me wrong: The Patriots were clearly the better team Sunday, and I wouldn't hesitate to pick them in a rematch. But I just think it might have been interesting had Henry been healthy and Jones been on the sideline where he belongs. That's the game I want to see.
“Certainly, the secondary was a worry for us with the matchups they had,” Wade Phillips said. “When the leading interceptor (Henry) in the league didn't play, that's got to worry you some. If we get Anthony back, that will really help our nickel. But there are no excuses, they outplayed us.”
At least that's true of the Pats offense. But was their defense superior to the Cowboys offense? With the exception of Tedy Bruschi, there was little impact from their linebackers. And Bill Belichick probably didn't care much for all the missed tackles by his defensive backs. He also probably wasn't too pleased with the defense allowing the Cowboys to gain 6.5 yards per rushing attempt.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. The Cowboys have a long road ahead of them before they can engage in any serious Super Bowl talk (sorry Crayton) and major defensive concerns of their own. If things don't improve, I see losses looming to the Giants, the Packers, the Lions and the Redskins (on the road).
But if they get to Arizona with a healthy defense? With Johnson in the middle?
Bring on the rematch.
Now on to this week's mail:
Is this Clayton guy for real? The Pats gave them a thumping. Actually, the score should have been worse. Brady should have had eight TDs. Keep writing these stories and we'll make sure the Patriots keep seeing them. – Ossie Magalhaes, Acushnet, Mass.
Quick history lesson: According to Wikipedia, Acushnet was first settled in 1659 and its name is derived from the Wampanoag “Cushnea,” meaning “peaceful resting place near water.” According to the city's Web site, it has a population of 10,607 and is the “original home” of the Titleist golf ball. Now back to Ossie's letter. All I can tell you, sir, is that all of the reporters covering the Cowboys will be making frequent trips to “Clayton's” locker and we'll be sure to pass along any more insults.
Why don't they put Roy Williams at linebacker and put a different safety in? Williams can't cover anyone. – Chris Hutchinson, South Haven, Mich.
He's too small to play linebacker in the 3-4. As far as not being able to cover anybody goes, I'm not going to argue that point. But don't expect Patrick Watkins or Keith Davis to do any better.
Someone should tell the Cowboys to stop predicting Super Bowl so early in the season. Thinking that far ahead is a recipe for disaster. You would never hear teams like the Patriots or Colts doing that. They have a lot to learn. – John, Boston
It isn't very wise, but I'm OK with it. I haven't received this many e-mails on one topic in quite some time.
I thought that with Phillips being here we were going to see all kinds of different blitz packages. But all I see is almost the same thing I saw last year, with the Cowboys only blitzing from the edges. Why don't they use their middle linebackers to blitz so these quarterbacks don't get so comfy sitting in the pocket? – James, Miami
Brady did his best work Sunday when Phillips sent five or six defenders at him, so it really didn't matter what kind of blitz package they employed. I think you'll see more exotic, packages, though once Anthony Henry returns. Having two capable corners on the field will allow Phillips to send Williams more often.
I can't figure out if Dallas had all those penalties due to the athletes across the ball from them or if it was just a matter of poor execution? – Rob McPeak, Richmond, Va.
I'd say more of the later than the former. Penalties are the Cowboy way, Rob. It's been that way ever since Jimmy Johnson left. Here's the breakdown for Sunday's game: Offsides (4), false start (2), offensive holding (2), offensive pass interference (1), defensive pass interference (1), illegal shift (1), roughing the passer (1).
San Antonio Express-News
I'm with Patrick Crayton: Bring on the rematch.
I want to see what the Cowboys can do against Tom Brady and Co. with Tank Johnson at nose tackle, Anthony Henry at right cornerback, Terence Newman rather than Nate Jones defending Wes Welker in the slot and Terry Glenn stretching that defense Crayton thumbed his nose at Monday.
Don't get me wrong: The Patriots were clearly the better team Sunday, and I wouldn't hesitate to pick them in a rematch. But I just think it might have been interesting had Henry been healthy and Jones been on the sideline where he belongs. That's the game I want to see.
“Certainly, the secondary was a worry for us with the matchups they had,” Wade Phillips said. “When the leading interceptor (Henry) in the league didn't play, that's got to worry you some. If we get Anthony back, that will really help our nickel. But there are no excuses, they outplayed us.”
At least that's true of the Pats offense. But was their defense superior to the Cowboys offense? With the exception of Tedy Bruschi, there was little impact from their linebackers. And Bill Belichick probably didn't care much for all the missed tackles by his defensive backs. He also probably wasn't too pleased with the defense allowing the Cowboys to gain 6.5 yards per rushing attempt.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. The Cowboys have a long road ahead of them before they can engage in any serious Super Bowl talk (sorry Crayton) and major defensive concerns of their own. If things don't improve, I see losses looming to the Giants, the Packers, the Lions and the Redskins (on the road).
But if they get to Arizona with a healthy defense? With Johnson in the middle?
Bring on the rematch.
Now on to this week's mail:
Is this Clayton guy for real? The Pats gave them a thumping. Actually, the score should have been worse. Brady should have had eight TDs. Keep writing these stories and we'll make sure the Patriots keep seeing them. – Ossie Magalhaes, Acushnet, Mass.
Quick history lesson: According to Wikipedia, Acushnet was first settled in 1659 and its name is derived from the Wampanoag “Cushnea,” meaning “peaceful resting place near water.” According to the city's Web site, it has a population of 10,607 and is the “original home” of the Titleist golf ball. Now back to Ossie's letter. All I can tell you, sir, is that all of the reporters covering the Cowboys will be making frequent trips to “Clayton's” locker and we'll be sure to pass along any more insults.
Why don't they put Roy Williams at linebacker and put a different safety in? Williams can't cover anyone. – Chris Hutchinson, South Haven, Mich.
He's too small to play linebacker in the 3-4. As far as not being able to cover anybody goes, I'm not going to argue that point. But don't expect Patrick Watkins or Keith Davis to do any better.
Someone should tell the Cowboys to stop predicting Super Bowl so early in the season. Thinking that far ahead is a recipe for disaster. You would never hear teams like the Patriots or Colts doing that. They have a lot to learn. – John, Boston
It isn't very wise, but I'm OK with it. I haven't received this many e-mails on one topic in quite some time.
I thought that with Phillips being here we were going to see all kinds of different blitz packages. But all I see is almost the same thing I saw last year, with the Cowboys only blitzing from the edges. Why don't they use their middle linebackers to blitz so these quarterbacks don't get so comfy sitting in the pocket? – James, Miami
Brady did his best work Sunday when Phillips sent five or six defenders at him, so it really didn't matter what kind of blitz package they employed. I think you'll see more exotic, packages, though once Anthony Henry returns. Having two capable corners on the field will allow Phillips to send Williams more often.
I can't figure out if Dallas had all those penalties due to the athletes across the ball from them or if it was just a matter of poor execution? – Rob McPeak, Richmond, Va.
I'd say more of the later than the former. Penalties are the Cowboy way, Rob. It's been that way ever since Jimmy Johnson left. Here's the breakdown for Sunday's game: Offsides (4), false start (2), offensive holding (2), offensive pass interference (1), defensive pass interference (1), illegal shift (1), roughing the passer (1).
posted by The Gryphon at 8:06 PM
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