Cowboys' problems extend way beyond quarterback
By Eric Edholm
Nov. 3, 2008
QB Tony Romo eventually will come back from his broken pinky finger, most likely after this week’s bye in the game against the Redskins at Washington. But what he won’t do is fix the team’s defensive problems or line up on the offensive line. The Cowboys made some plays in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, sacking Eli Manning four times and forcing three turnovers, but they also were gouged on the ground and allowed the Giants to rush the passer with freewill. The Cowboys find themselves in last place in the rugged NFC East, and given the way they have played of late, it’s where they deserve to be.
The PFW spin
There’s a school of thought that the Cowboys' recent troubles at quarterback have forced the team to play differently in other areas — such as by changing the route running for the receivers, running the ball more than they would, taking more chances defensively, etc. — and there is truth to that. But they still haven’t done any of that well.
The run defense has been atrocious lately. The Cowboys allowed 200 rushing yards on Sunday, bringing their three-game total allowed to 439 yards, or 146.3 per game. Granted, the offensive sluggishness puts somewhat of an undue burden on the defense by forcing it to play so much, but there is enough depth and playmakers on that side of the ball to suggest that this unit should be playing far better than it is.
The O-line has not done its job either, and the blame can be spread to all five spots. OLT Flozell Adams appears old and slow. Left guard has been bad, no matter who lines up there. C Andre Gurode hasn’t opened running holes, nor has ORG Leonard Davis, not like he did last season or at the beginning of this one. And ORT Marc Colombo doesn’t appear able to get out to the second level and finish blocks out there.
Want to know why the Cowboys have lost games? The run game — on both sides — tells a big story. In the team’s four losses, the Cowboys have allowed 601 rush yards and run for only 322. That number brings up the question of this team’s toughness. And several veterans have brought up this point, either hinting at it or making reference to it following the loss on Sunday. A few weeks ago, after the strange, shocking loss at St. Louis, it started as a whisper, but now this team has some soul-searching to do over the bye.
Romo can’t rescue this team by himself. He makes it better, yes, and perhaps good enough to get into the playoffs. But a four-week layoff will hurt him, and having not spent any time with new WR Roy Williams also makes the reintroduction to the offense a little slower. Five of the seven remaining games are against teams with winning records, and three of those are division games, including facing these Giants again in Week 15.
There’s a lot to accomplish for these Cowboys between now and next Sunday.
Nov. 3, 2008
QB Tony Romo eventually will come back from his broken pinky finger, most likely after this week’s bye in the game against the Redskins at Washington. But what he won’t do is fix the team’s defensive problems or line up on the offensive line. The Cowboys made some plays in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, sacking Eli Manning four times and forcing three turnovers, but they also were gouged on the ground and allowed the Giants to rush the passer with freewill. The Cowboys find themselves in last place in the rugged NFC East, and given the way they have played of late, it’s where they deserve to be.
The PFW spin
There’s a school of thought that the Cowboys' recent troubles at quarterback have forced the team to play differently in other areas — such as by changing the route running for the receivers, running the ball more than they would, taking more chances defensively, etc. — and there is truth to that. But they still haven’t done any of that well.
The run defense has been atrocious lately. The Cowboys allowed 200 rushing yards on Sunday, bringing their three-game total allowed to 439 yards, or 146.3 per game. Granted, the offensive sluggishness puts somewhat of an undue burden on the defense by forcing it to play so much, but there is enough depth and playmakers on that side of the ball to suggest that this unit should be playing far better than it is.
The O-line has not done its job either, and the blame can be spread to all five spots. OLT Flozell Adams appears old and slow. Left guard has been bad, no matter who lines up there. C Andre Gurode hasn’t opened running holes, nor has ORG Leonard Davis, not like he did last season or at the beginning of this one. And ORT Marc Colombo doesn’t appear able to get out to the second level and finish blocks out there.
Want to know why the Cowboys have lost games? The run game — on both sides — tells a big story. In the team’s four losses, the Cowboys have allowed 601 rush yards and run for only 322. That number brings up the question of this team’s toughness. And several veterans have brought up this point, either hinting at it or making reference to it following the loss on Sunday. A few weeks ago, after the strange, shocking loss at St. Louis, it started as a whisper, but now this team has some soul-searching to do over the bye.
Romo can’t rescue this team by himself. He makes it better, yes, and perhaps good enough to get into the playoffs. But a four-week layoff will hurt him, and having not spent any time with new WR Roy Williams also makes the reintroduction to the offense a little slower. Five of the seven remaining games are against teams with winning records, and three of those are division games, including facing these Giants again in Week 15.
There’s a lot to accomplish for these Cowboys between now and next Sunday.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:33 PM
<< Home