Cowboys-Packers final game thoughts
The more this one sinks in, the sweeter it it gets. The Cowboys are 11-1. Are you kidding me? Clint mentioned this morning, that none of us really know what that feels like. And we have seen some pretty impressive things from this team over the years.
If anyone doesn’t believe in Jason Garrett, Tony Romo and the offense at this point, well then they never will. And if anyone doesn’t believe in the defense, as much improvement as they have shown over the course of the year, with still a month to get better - and healthy - well then they probably won’t believe in anything until the championship is in the trophy case. As for me, I’m in. All in. Have been for awhile now.
Here are my thoughts, 24 hours later, about some of the individuals and moments in last night’s game. I think the single biggest story in the game was the absence of Charles Woodson and the Packers complete inability to have an answer for the Dallas passing game.
Tony Romo - It’s time to stop talking about our quarterback as some bright-eyed kid who loves Brett Favre and makes a great story because of his background. He’s more than a great story. Romo is putting together one of the all-time great seasons ever, and he’s doing it in his first full-year as a starting quarterback. There are two quarterbacks in the league, who I consider better than him at this point. And not by much. And they weren’t as good as Romo in their second seasons. Call him what he is. Our quarterback for a long time. And a player who has a chance to be one of the all-time greats.
Brett Favre - Favre got rattled last night. The Cowboys believed pressuring Favre was the only way to limit the Green Bay offense. And they managed to get it done, and they did it in their normal fashion, by sending no more than 5 rushers. Although, they were a little more exotic than usual in this one. Sending Nate Jones off the corner a little more than normal. Bradie James came on the rush. They came from everywhere, but did not compromise the defense. It was a great game plan. And Aaron Rodgers gave the Packers a better chance to win last night than Brett Favre did.
Terrell Owens - What can you say about the guy? He is doing all the right things, saying all the right things. Owens has had a great career, one which will probably end up in the Hall of Fame. And yet, this year appears to be his finest season ever. He has a chance to better his personal best in yardage, average and touchdowns in a single season. And Owens has a shot at Irvin’s receiving yardage record. He will break Clarke’s touchdown record. He abused Al Harris last night. If the Packers think they can match Harris one-on-one with Owens next time, Woodson or no Woodson, well let’s just say I hope they try again.
Jason Witten - Gamer. Money. Cris Collinsworth said last night Witten is the best tight end in the game, because of his all-around ability. He won’t get any argument from me. A great offense needs two elite receivers. The Cowboys have them in Owens and Witten. And I think having a top-notch tight end, a top-notch wide receiver and a good second wide receiver puts more pressure on the defense than having two great wide receivers and a good tight end. Witten is invaluable to the Cowboys offense.
The Offensive Line - I’ll just include all of these guys as a group. Marc Colombo had a heck of a game last night. He pretty much shut down Kampman. And he did it at less than full strength. I thought Davis played okay. But I actually saw Pickett make more plays in the running game than I think I’ve seen anyone who was matched up against Davis this year. Still, Davis is a Pro Bowler. Like everyone else, his pass protection was great. No bad snaps from Gurode. Kosier and Flo were quiet. Exactly what we like. There is no doubt in my mind, Adams would have handled KGB. Woodson was a big loss to the Packers. I don’t think missing KGB had much of an effect on the outcome.
Roy Williams - Williams had a very good game. I’ve said it a million times and I’m going to keep saying it. He is more responsible than anyone for the Cowboys 3.6 opponents rushing average (coming into the Packers game. I haven’t looked it up since the end of the game). Roy took partial blame from the media for the Grant 62-yard run, but the reality is Williams came from the other side of the field. Ken Hamlin had a clear tackle and didn’t wrap up. Akin Ayodele got blown away. Williams had nothing to do with that run. The new scheme is okay with me for now. I’m all for getting Williams closer to the line where he can make plays.
Terence Newman - Pro Bowler. No question.
DeMarcus Ware - Maybe NFL defensive MVP if he has a strong finish. Sack guys like him aren’t supposed to be as effective at everything else. Ware is a one of a kind.
Ken Hamlin - Pretty good. I still want him signed long term. Hamlin is still in the honeymoon period where he gets no accountability from the media and fans for blown coverage and missed tackles. And he gives up some big plays. But he is a pretty good player. A lot better than what we’ve had there for a long time. And Hamlin should be cost effective. Sign him.
Greg Ellis - Fine wine.
Jay Ratliff - We had one heck of a draft in ‘05. Ware, Spears, Burnett, Barber, Canty and Ratliff. It’s going to go down as one of the best in Cowboys history.
Marcus Spears - He’s effective. He’s very good in the rotation the Cowboys use. A solid run plugger. I’m still not content with his production against the pass. But he’s a positive presence on the defense. I think Spears is going to have to drop about 10 pounds to be the player everyone expects him to be. And I’m not sure he is capable of doing it at this point. Weight has been a problem for him throughout his career and he’s got it more under control now than ever. A switch to nose might be best long term. But the Cowboys need him at end right now, and NT looks set for a long time. Not sure where we go here.
Chris Canty - The prototype at the position he plays. Canty is getting better all the time. The old man knew what he was doing here. Canty just engulfs offensive lineman. And when Ware is on the same side, it’s a thing of beauty. I don’t think Canty will ever get Pro Bowl recognition. I see him as an 8-sack player down the road. That is a lot for where he plays and everything else he does but it’s just not enough with all of the small pass-rushing 4-3 defensive end specialists in the league. But in this defense, he’s a Pro Bowler. It’s tough to find a better one. If Spears wants to study someone, this is the guy.
Bradie James - Leader of the defense. Steady. Sure tackler. More explosive this season.
Patrick Crayton - The offense is better with him in it. Romo’s security blanket. He just finds the open areas and makes plays. He also has a little more explosiveness this year than I expected.
Nate Jones - That was a big play he made last night. The Cowboys sure like to send him off the corner and he’s good at it. He has found his niche in this defense. I think he has more upside than Jacques Reeves.
Jacques Reeves - The thing I like about Reeves is his willingness to come up and make a tackle. He still gives up too much cushion. But he doesn’t give up big plays anymore. He has really helped this team.
Tank Johnson - Next year. Look out.
Marion Barber - Perfect role for him. I like Barber exactly the way they are using him right now. Garrett needs to throw out that screen play though. Burn it. Throw it to Julius. Something. I hope Barber is in this role for a long time. The Cowboys need another runner as a complement next year. I’m okay with Julius, if he doesn’t expect to be paid like a 20-carry back.
The plays that went against the Pack last night - The Al Harris strip was an interception. Blown call. We got lucky on that one. The two pass interferences though, were good calls. The first one clearly was interference. The second one, the defender got his hands up on the shoulder area, and he wasn’t looking back, so it’s interference. The home team gets that call.
Miles Austin - Spark. I think we will see him in the offense a little more going forward. Not much shake in the return game, though. Solid. But we need to look for a game-breaker next year.
Aaron Rodgers - The Pack have a guy when Favre retires. I would have liked to see the Cowboys send five guys against him more often. Maybe even six occasionally. I think he proved pretty early on he was going to make plays against a four-man rush.
Ryan Grant - That is a shifty little back the Pack have there. And strong. I’m still not convinced the Pack will use the run enough.
The five wide offense - Overrated. Dangerous if you don’t get pressure. Dangerous to them if you do.
False starts - Colombo is starting to catch Flo-itis. They need to correct this. We can’t convert 3rd-and-19’s in the playoffs. I don’t think…
Those who think the Cowboys can’t compete with the Pats - You’re nuts. They competed last time. They had a lead in the third quarter. With a banged up secondary. They’re getting better. Pressuring the quarterback better. Defending in coverage better. The offense is even more efficient. It will be a game if we get there. Trust me.
Kevin Burnett - Impact. Major impact. Burnett is fantastic in the role he is in right now. But at some point, it’s not going to be fair to him or the team to keep him off the field. He plays a lot now. He needs to be an every down linebacker next year.
Jason Garrett - Hang around buddy. We got a good thing going here. Do you really want to go coach some team, who stinks so bad they have to look for a new coach? When you can take over this machine down the road?
Wade Phillips - Needs to get more credit. Much more credit. Garrett, and all of the other coaches have a first-hand view of how you run a team.
Sam Hurd - My guy. I have to include him. I don’t know if he’s going to make it as a number two receiver yet, or not. I know he has the ability. I need to see some plays from him in the passing game. I still love how he competes on special teams. This is a wide receiver, remember? He’s down there making big tackles like a safety. There is a spot for him on this team for a long time.
I could probably do this all night. But we have 10 days until the next game, which stinks. So I’ll save some myself some stuff to say next time.
