The Official America's Team Analysis Thread

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

The way they played against the Redskins and the Raiders, I wouldn't be surprised if you're bowlegged after the game. This year's version of the Cowboys can look great at times but has also shown they can be very bad too... Who knows what we'll get next week...

Fundamentally, they're a darn good team. When it comes down to it, really they are. Sometimes, various players make mistakes, other times, the playcalling is atrocious. For as close as they were to having a few extra losses, you have to realize they were equally as close to being 5-0 right now. Yeah, a lot of teams have lost close games, but not all of those teams are as talented on both sides of the ball as this team is. I LOVE seeing the draft picks already being solid contributors every week.

Have faith, yo.

[Casey37]

Cowboys win. Whew. I must have lost about 8 pounds watching that game.

Outstanding game, guys.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Cowboys win. Whew. I must have lost about 8 pounds watching that game.

Outstanding game, guys.

Outstanding game, I don't know about that. But outstanding win? Definitely!!!

[Casey37]

Outstanding game, I don't know about that. But outstanding win? Definitely!!!

Agreed, it wasn't pretty. Still, they played their hearts out, and managed to come out on top.

Here's to Da Pokes.

[texasyankee]

It was a great victory - not at all a great game.
The Boyz racked up a lot of yardage, yet only scored 16 points. Turnovers cost us.

Got to hand it to our defense for limiting the giants to only 2 field goals until the very last minute.

Boyz in first place!

[Soriambi]

I figured that Drew Bledsoe still had some gas left in the tank, but I didn't know he had this much left. He's looking like an All-Pro. (At least based on his numbers.)

[texasyankee]

We need to get a better running attack going......when might Jones come back?

[texasyankee]

I dont know how we match up against the Seahawks - whom we play next Sunday - but just the fact that it's a road game makes it that much tougher......

[texasyankee]

Did anyone notice during the 2nd half that Bledsoe threw a pass out-of-bounds & hit our cheerleader in her tush?

I couldnt believe my eyes & Fox Sports didnt even replay it......

[dabomb2045]

extremely ugly game...but a win for Dallas is all that matters

Bledsoe hasnt played at this high of a level in YEARS.....great game for Ware also

[OxDiesel]

Did anyone notice during the 2nd half that Bledsoe threw a pass out-of-bounds & hit our cheerleader in her tush?

I couldnt believe my eyes & Fox Sports didnt even replay it......

YES -- all my boys were together today, and we all noticed it.
And we kept waiting for Stock & Aik to say something or show it again.
The coverage of Fux Sports gets worse and worse every week.

[texasyankee]

YES -- all my boys were together today, and we all noticed it.
And we kept waiting for Stock & Aik to say something or show it again.

Thanks for replying.....I'm glad someone verified what I thought I saw.

If Madden was doing the game, you can bet he woulda said something - and probably replayed the incident.....the cheerleader turned around & had a big grin....maybe Drew was trying to send a message? lol.....
Aikman is so dry & matter of fact - he really needs to let it all hang out sometime.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Thanks for replying.....I'm glad someone verified what I thought I saw.

If Madden was doing the game, you can bet he woulda said something - and probably replayed the incident.....the cheerleader turned around & had a big grin....maybe Drew was trying to send a message? lol.....
Aikman is so dry & matter of fact - he really needs to let it all hang out sometime.

Every once in awhile he lets loose. I really enjoy those times. I think overall, he does a really good job.

I also saw the cheerleader get hit and wasn't sure if she was hit where I thought she was.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

I dont know how we match up against the Seahawks - whom we play next Sunday - but just the fact that it's a road game makes it that much tougher......

I think the main thing we need to worry about is Shaun Alexander. With the exception of the illustrious Frank Gore, we've managed to contain some pretty good RBs so far this season.

[dabomb2045]

I think the main thing we need to worry about is Shaun Alexander. With the exception of the illustrious Frank Gore, we've managed to contain some pretty good RBs so far this season.

Seattle is overrated...always has been, always will be....Dallas should win

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

I kinda got the feeling just from watching today that we could have really put them away were it not for all the mistakes, but looking at the game stats pretty much confirms it. Have you seen the total offense and time of possession split?

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/bo...meId=251016006

This is a d*mn good offense when they don't make mistakes, and fortunately, the defense is good enough to make up for it when they do.

[Sillycon]

man, the injuries are going to hurt... Flozell Adams is out for the year with a torn ACL... We're really thin in that line and losing him would make Drew's blindside more vulnerable. Bledsoe has been effective because of the protection he's been receiving. The loss of Adams could change that...

Losing Crayton is also a blow as well since he's a reliable receiver with great hands. Peerless Price finally gets to play but he's a different sort of receiver than Crayton. We already have Glenn stretching out the field. We need someone (other than Witten) who can traverse the middle and make the tough catches...

[texasyankee]

Again, I dont know anything about Seattle except their won/lost record.

However, tomorrow's game against them is gonna be extra tough now with our injuries. I hate to repeat that old mantra, but we are gonna have to execute a near-perfect game to win....no mistakes.

[Tal Hawkins]

Again, I dont know anything about Seattle except their won/lost record.

However, tomorrow's game against them is gonna be extra tough now with our injuries. I hate to repeat that old mantra, but we are gonna have to execute a near-perfect game to win....no mistakes.

You're right...no mistakes. As long as the D shows up and if Bledsoe can continue to play well I think the Cowboys win. I'm curious to see how Peerless Price steps in and fills Crayton's spot. I read somewhere that he prefers to play out of the slot...if that's what he was doing in Buffalo then I think Parcells shoud throw in a few more plays for Price.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Well, the D showed up... until the end there. This was like the 'Skins game Part II except worse because of the role played by the turnovers.

Just like last week, controlled time of possession, but did nothing with it. Too many penalties, turnovers, and the missed FG was one too many. I didn't feel comfortable with coming away with only a FG after Roy's pick. Alas.

Darn it.

[dabomb2045]

Well, the D showed up... until the end there. This was like the 'Skins game Part II except worse because of the role played by the turnovers.

Just like last week, controlled time of possession, but did nothing with it. Too many penalties, turnovers, and the missed FG was one too many. I didn't feel comfortable with coming away with only a FG after Roy's pick. Alas.

Darn it.

I'd like to know where the hell Bledsoe was trying to throw that ball

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

I'd like to know where the hell Bledsoe was trying to throw that ball

True, but they're a missed 29-yard FG away from us not even having this discussion, all other negative things about this game aside. WHO (among the people who get paid to do this, anyway) misses from 29 yards?!?!?!?!?!?!

[dabomb2045]

True, but they're a missed 29-yard FG away from us not even having this discussion, all other negative things about this game aside. WHO (among the people who get paid to do this, anyway) misses from 29 yards?!?!?!?!?!?!

Cortez is horrible....Parcells needs to cut his ass and find a real kicker

sucks that they lose a game in which they pretty much contain Alexander

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Cortez is horrible....Parcells needs to cut his ass and find a real kicker

sucks that they lose a game in which they pretty much contain Alexander

I don't think they're past the time limit after which they can sign Cundiff again, but heck, go get Tim Seder! He can't make anything over 40, but he won't miss from 29!

(Plus, he runs that fake FG for a touchdown like no one else. )

[dabomb2045]

I don't think they're past the time limit after which they can sign Cundiff again, but heck, go get Tim Seder! He can't make anything over 40, but he won't miss from 29!

(Plus, he runs that fake FG for a touchdown like no one else. )

I'd rather pick a fan out of the crowd at random then see Cortez on this team anymore....even they wont miss from 29

just a bad loss...I'm still upset at Bledsoe too, just a horrific decision to try to force that ball in there

[FreeYayo]

It's about time the real Bledsoe showed up.

Actually just kidding (kinda)

[Sillycon]

Predictably, the passing game will only go as far as the OL will allow it to with their pass protection. Surprisingly, the problem wasn't with Flozell Adams's LT replacement, Tucker. It was on Rivera (again...big free agent bust?) and the rookie RT, Rob Petiti. Torrin Tucker actually did an okay job.

I was willing to give Cortez a pass since I thought people were too hard on him and he had been fairly solid recently. However, his miss on the 29 yarder AND his subsequent blaming of the holder, Romo (when replays showed that Romo got the ball down and laces away) warrants a big F-YOU... I hope they cut your ass and you're back to painting houses again...

Another big play was Bledsoe throwing that INT.. WTF is he thinking?! There were defenders all over the place there! Just throw it away or chuck it downfield or even kneel (though that would be a Parcells decision)!

While I thought Adams would be a bigger loss than Crayton, it just seemed to be the reverse in today's game. Since Bledsoe wasn't getting the protection, he could've had some help with Crayton's sure hands with the intermediate middle of the field passes... Their 3rd down efficiency really sucked against the Seahawks.

..and then there was the playcalling again. Enough with the playcalling which allows them to not lose as opposed to the type of playcalling that PLAYS TO WIN. Be aggressive! Stop trying to rely on the defense. Yes, the defense has been good... BUT IT ISN'T GREAT! You're just setting up the defense to lose! For whatever reason, the defensive line just can't get a push in late game situations. As a result, the opposing QB has a ton of time to wait for the Dallas secondary to eventually break down and allow a receiver to get loose. Even when they try to counteract that by blitzing, that only leaves a bunch of holes which a quick slant can quickly exploit.

Disappointing game to say the least. The Cowboys have talent but at this point, they're just an okay team not a great team....

[OxDiesel]

I don't think they're past the time limit after which they can sign Cundiff again, but heck, go get Tim Seder! He can't make anything over 40, but he won't miss from 29!

(Plus, he runs that fake FG for a touchdown like no one else. )

I would even take Lin Elliott over this piece of crap. What makes the whole thing even more beautiful is this jerk actually has the balls to pull a Ray Finkel and blame Romo's hold.

If there is a god in heaven, Cortez will be on the curb with today's garbage, and there will be a single-bar helmet waiting in a locker for Gary Anderson. Or Morten Andersen. Or Anderson Cooper for all I care. Just as long as Jose Cortez never wears The Star again for as long as he lives.

[dabomb2045]

I would even take Lin Elliott over this piece of crap. What makes the whole thing even more beautiful is this jerk actually has the balls to pull a Ray Finkel and blame Romo's hold.

If there is a god in heaven, Cortez will be on the curb with today's garbage, and there will be a single-bar helmet waiting in a locker for Gary Anderson. Or Morten Andersen. Or Anderson Cooper for all I care. Just as long as Jose Cortez never wears The Star again for as long as he lives.

it really surprises me that Parcells has put up with Cortez this long

[Tal Hawkins]

I was willing to give Cortez a pass since I thought people were too hard on him and he had been fairly solid recently. However, his miss on the 29 yarder AND his subsequent blaming of the holder, Romo (when replays showed that Romo got the ball down and laces away) warrants a big F-YOU... I hope they cut your ass and you're back to painting houses again...

That glare Cortez shot at Romo after the miss was a joke...Romo was able to grab the bad snap and get the ball in position perfectly. Aside from the Philly game, Cortez has been terrible...he redefines the term 'suck'.

The defense played more than adequate to get the W...If I was on the D I'd be pissed as hell...2 turnovers recovered inside the Seattle 15 and the offense walks away with 3 points.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Nice game so far by Marion "Worst. Pick. Ever." Barber, III, no?

[SuperMario66]

Marion Barber played a helluva game today. I gotta agree that this RB by committee seems to be coming to an end. I just have to keep reminding myself that 5-3 is good even thought we should be 7-1. Damn fourth quarter.

[dabomb2045]

the best part of this game....was knowing Cortez wasnt around anymore

[Clive]

the best part of this game....was knowing Cortez wasnt around anymore

Maybe some of his XFL buddies can find him a job when David Akers comes back.

[Tal Hawkins]

Nice game so far by Marion "Worst. Pick. Ever." Barber, III, no?

Marion Barber played a helluva game today. I gotta agree that this RB by committee seems to be coming to an end. I just have to keep reminding myself that 5-3 is good even thought we should be 7-1. Damn fourth quarter.

I was lucky enough to score free tickets to the game yesterday, so we got to watch Barber up close...he is GOOD. A buddy of mine asked me during the game 'think Julius is getting scared about losing his job?" To be fair, one game doesn't make Barber the next great Cowboys running back...but from what I saw, he's a better option than Jones.

7-1 would be so nice right now.

the best part of this game....was knowing Cortez wasnt around anymore

Amen to that.

[OxDiesel]

Things may be better this season, Natalie, but this draft really wasn't a good start. Maybe what JJ & Tuna thought was so funny is the way everyone is fawning all over their work this weekend. I was NOT laughing. I'm sick of hearing about the great job they did when I can show you THREE different times they screwed up:
1. Taking Ware instead of Merriman. I know Ware has the speed, but I'm not sold on the strength. He's to skinny to take on guys like Pace, Ogden or even Alex Barron. I wanted somebody that was quick AND could shed blocks. Merriman was a proven talent against better competition.
2. Taking Burnett in the 2nd Round. I know a good pass rush makes your coverage better, but nothing could have helped that secondary last year; they were absolutely atrocious. Taking Corey Webster or Justin Miller, who also could have been a nice addition on returns, would have been the smarter choice to pair with Newman. Both CBs were taken within the following 15 picks.
3. Taking Barber in the 4th. Worst. Pick. Of Our Draft. Well, at least with Jerome Mathis and Craphonso Thorpe still on the board. Speed WR is a much bigger hole than change-of-pace RB. If they feel Julius Jones can't handle being an every-down back, they never should have passed on Steven Jackson and taken him. Meanwhile, both WRs were gone within 7 picks after MB3.

Taking Chris Canty (DE) and Justin Beriault (S) in the 4th and 6th Rounds were the only smart picks they made. I'm not counting Marcus Spears, because that was a no-brainer -- my unborn daughter could have made that pick. Those three guys are the only things that saved this draft.

OVERALL GRADE: B/B- (and only because they did fill some needs and holes, just not as well as they could have)

Nice game so far by Marion "Worst. Pick. Ever." Barber, III, no?

:EATING CROW & PULLING FOOT OUT OF MY MOUTH:

How did I know this was going to come back to haunt me???
And I didn't say "Ever", Nat -- I said "Of Our Draft". Big difference. If you're going to quote me, do it right.

And as far as my astute analysis goes, Everything I said still makes me slightly better than Joe Theesman or Tim McCornball. I said it about D-Ware during the preseason, and I'll say it again now about MB3 -- I'm VERY happy about being very wrong.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

How did I know this was going to come back to haunt me???
And I didn't say "Ever", Nat -- I said "Of Our Draft". Big difference. If you're going to quote me, do it right.

Sorry, but I did it literally off the top of my head.

[dabomb2045]

lets not get too carried away with Barber...its one game....Jones is the better RB

[Tal Hawkins]

lets not get too carried away with Barber...its one game....Jones is the better RB

Only if he can stay healthy is Jones the better running back...and he hasn't been able to do that this year or last. At the least, when Jones returns, Dallas will have 2 very good running backs.

I'm not saying Jones needs to lose the starting spot...but Barber needs to get more carries.

[OxDiesel]

lets not get too carried away with Barber...its one game....Jones is the better RB

I don't think we're getting cariied away about anything. The only thing MB3 has done so far is prove my comment about him being a wasted draft pick wrong, that's all. He's got a LONG way to go before he's in Emmitt's, Dorsett's, or even Herschel Walker's class.

[texasyankee]

My Boyz sweeep dem iggles.....way to go Roy Williams.......BOYZ IN FIRST!

[Sillycon]

TERRIBLE game by the Cowboys tonight. They were lucky the Iggles handed the game to them...

Offense was terrible. Specifically the offensive line who couldn't open up any running lanes or give Drew some pass protection which gave way to that AWFUL AWFUL BONEHEADED INT by Drew. The playcalling by the coaches also sucked. While the running game wasn't there, the pass protection WAS decent up til the midway point of the 2nd quarter. They could've stretched out the field during that period and use the pass to hopefully open up the running game. However, they just tried to establish the running game instead and when the pass protection finally faltered from midway through the 2nd quarter and onward, it reduced the numbers of options they could've pursued on that side of the ball and frankly, I didn't see any chance of them putting together good drives.

As for the defensive side, the Iggles o-line gave McNabb a TON of time. There was NO pressure from the Cowboys. McNabb also looked very mobile which served to make it even more tougher for the 'boys defense. The Dallas LB'ers look real slow this game. Surprisingly, the Iggles mountain errrr.. center who replaced Hank Fraley played VERY well and they kept getting a huge push up the middle. Fraley better watch out or this could turn into a Wally Pip/Lou Gehrig scenario. A 380lb center makes the middle very safe for the Iggles. Despite the Iggles o-line dominating, the Dallas defense, while they bent, didn't break. Only that Bledsoe MEATHEAD of a throw caused the 14-7 deficit at the time.

So what happened?

Dallas finally opens up the offense and at the same time, the Iggles played the prevent (as in prevents wins) which leads to the 2nd td. Then Jerry Jones pays off the Iggles offensive coordinator who proceeds to call a pass play instead of using their effective running game which worked all game. Roy Williams scores the 3rd td on that awful McNabb throw. (McNabb fakes being hurt as he lies there trying to draw attention away from that terrible throw. While I don't doubt that he has an injury, I *DO* doubt how much the injury is affecting him though.)

Dallas has the lead... YET, the Iggles still have a chance. #35 Reeves of the Cowboys plays like a blind man as he doesn't know where the ball is but he is DAMN lucky Reggie Brown drops the ball. #35 strikes again when he could've picked off a pass but doesn't catch it. After ALL that, it ends up as a 61 yard fg attempt for the Iggles to win the game as us Cowboys fans down our heart medication by the bottle. After all, opposing fg kickers just DON'T miss against the Cowboys. BEFORE this season, opposing kickers have only missed FOUR field goals in the past TWO seasons (JUST TWO PER SEASON!!!) AND so far, have been PERFECT this season.

phew, Akers misses it and we all sit there in stunned happiness...

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE showing by the Cowboys.... and they still win? I guess that's sorta payback for the games they gave away to the Redskins and the Seahawks...

Excuse me while I take a valium and get some sleep...

[OxDiesel]

DEFINITELY makes up for that ridiculous finish against the Redskins.....
I just wish I had actually seen it. I can't believe I actually fell asleep at 20-7.

Sure it was ugly, but a win is a win -- except when it's a win that puts you in FIRST PLACE.

[#1PaFan]

Hi! This is Troy. I was going to join the Playmaker up in the Owners's Suite, but, on the way there, I separated both shoulders, tore the MCL in my right knee, sprained the ACL in my left knee, ruptured a disc in my back, and hell, my Period just started....

[SuperMario66]

Hi! This is Troy. I was going to join the Playmaker up in the Owners's Suite, but, on the way there, I separated both shoulders, tore the MCL in my right knee, sprained the ACL in my left knee, ruptured a disc in my back, and hell, my Period just started....

He was my first crush.

[texasyankee]

Way to go, Boyz! Boyz beat dem Lions, 20-7 to remain in first place.

No touchdown passes, but Dallas was able to combine ball control by running the ball and letting those Lions implode thru a multitude of defensive penalties. Julius Jones & Marion Barber ran the ball well......our defense played good.

Now, for the turkey game with those Broncos......

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Now we know they can hang with the best. An EASY FG away from an outright win, and the vaunted Denver running game was stuffed until the end. Like Parcells said, I'm disappointed with the outcome, but I'm not disappointed with the effort.

[#1PaFan]

Now we know they can hang with the best. An EASY FG away from an outright win, and the vaunted Denver running game was stuffed until the end. Like Parcells said, I'm disappointed with the outcome, but I'm not disappointed with the effort.

Yep! In a Home Game. On Thanksgiving. With, uh, some rather favorable calls.

[RIyankee]

Now we know they can hang with the best. An EASY FG away from an outright win, and the vaunted Denver running game was stuffed until the end. Like Parcells said, I'm disappointed with the outcome, but I'm not disappointed with the effort.

I said this game would be on Bledsoe's shoulders and his 2 INTs killed his team.

Denver also made two turnovers, but Dallas couldn't run on Denver's 2nd ranked rushing defense. Denver is now an impressive 5-1 against quailty teams. Dallas is 2-2.

To put it most simply, the AFC is better than the NFC.

[dabomb2045]

only if stupid Cundiff didnt miss that FG....that miss was even worse then any of Feely's misses tonight