SI's Don Banks

Don Banks has a weekly Power Ranking article where he lists NFL teams from #1 to #32.  The Dallas Cowboys began the previous week at 14 and due to their loss against the NY Jets, they were downgraded to 15.  He states:

I really don’t understand the organization’s rush to support Tony Romo after his fourth-quarter meltdown cost the Cowboys what would have — and should have — been a significant upset road win against the Jets. Romo has lost seven of his past eight starts for Dallas, dating from the Cowboys’ blowout loss at Minnesota in the 2009 NFC divisional playoffs, and he is almost solely responsible for the first loss in franchise history in a game which Dallas led by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Somebody needs to tell Jerry Jones that maybe Romo could use tough love more than unconditional love.

Let me get this straight.  An underdog team travels to New York on the 10th anniversary of September 11.  They are playing against a team that was one game away from participating in the Super Bowl in the previous year.  They are in a hostile environment and that team comes within a touchdown of victory… and they are downgraded.  Sure it would make sense if they are downgraded from 4 to 5, but from 14 to 15?  Considering the Cowboys dominated the Jets for roughly 3 quarters of the game – considering the Cowboys stifled the Jets vaunted running game – considering the Cowboys forced turnovers – and considering the Jets needed 3 miracle plays (fumble with a knee 1 inch off the ground, blocked punt, and a boneheaded interception) simply to be in position to win… with all that in consideration the Cowboys are downgraded.  Many Cowboys fans would point to there being a 4th miracle play with Nick Folk making a 50 yard field goal.   (more…)

(photo by dallascowboys.com)

As predicted, Tony Romo is being bashed and berated for his fourth quarter efforts against the NY Jets on Sunday night.  Without question, the consensus is the fumble at the goal line was the pivot point in a closely contested game.  We have all seen the play, but no one has taken the time to truly break down the play.

The play which set up the 1st and goal from the 3 yard line was a spectacular 30 yard pinpoint throw by Romo to Jason Witten who was in man coverage against Eric Smith.  Without Romo, the Cowboys are still around their 33 yard line.  Jon Kitna, as good of a backup QB as he is, cannot make that throw as evidenced by his pass selections in 2010.  Witten, who has received a fair share of blame, runs toward the left pylon only to be knocked out of bounds by a player who is substantially smaller.  Witten does step out of bounds at the 3.5 yard line.  His foot grazes the sideline by less than one inch.  If not for the inch, he does take the ball over the pylon for a touchdown.  Shall we insert a cliche’ about football being a game of inches?

The next play, 1st and goal from the 3 yard line is a run to the right with Felix Jones.  The Cowboys had an unbalanced line to the right (Doug Free playing TE) and motioned John Phillips to the right.  Against a seemingly base defense by the Jets, Jones gets just past the 2 yard line.  On 2nd and goal, the Cowboys throw a pass to Miles Austin who did not seem aware the ball would be coming his way.  On the play, Austin is the first read.  If Austin has position on Antonio Cromartie, the pass is coming his way.  However, as the ball is in the air, Austin is looking back at Cromartie and never turns his head to look for the ball until the ball whips past him.  The ball skirts passed Cromartie’s outstretched hands and the Cowboys narrowly avoid a 103 yard interception return. (more…)

Rob Ryan's defense really stepped up on Sunday

This is the first article by one of our newest writers, Robert Diton. He’ll be providing us with his Cowboy insights every Wednesday morning. Enjoy! – SM

If you’re like me, you’ve been waiting for Week One since January 3^rd. Watching Stephen McGee lead the team to a Week 17 victory might have prevented us from getting a higher draft pick (anyone want to argue with Tyron Smith being a great addition to the offensive line, though?), but I just love beating the Eagles, especially in Philadelphia, and it doesn’t even matter if we’re going up against Vick’s backup’s backup.

While I am a huge fan of football in general (I do watch every game of the playoffs and play fantasy football every year), I’m sure I can speak for many of you when I say there’s just nothing like watching our Cowboys play their hearts out. Nothing compares to watching the silver and blue take the field.

Being from New Jersey, it’s hard for me to see too many games in person (granted, the team will be in the Garden State twice this year which will be a great treat) but I do all I can to make the Cowboys’ presence known in my home on game day: I wear my #82 jersey with matching hat and shoes, play some of the official music of the Dallas Cowboys during pre-game, and allow no distractions at all from kickoff until I can see 00:00 left in the 4^th quarter. Football Day! (more…)