Cowboys Try To Give Game To Bucs, Bucs Say ‘No, That’s OK’
Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) scrambles out of the pocket chased by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
I’m Really not trying to be facetious, that is how the game played out. To be fair, it was the Offenses of Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers trying to lose the game – thankfully, the Bucs Offense just did a better job.
Both our ‘Boys and the Bucs Defenses played great, if not amazing. Cowboys LB, Sean Lee continues his impressive emergence as the heart and soul of our ‘D’. DeMarcus Ware is a monster when he wants to be. Overall, Rob Ryan and the entire Cowboys defense went from zero to hero in one week. I always knew they had it in them. No I didn’t.
The Buccaneers got pressure on Romo just rushing 3 players, collapsing the pocket on a regular basis. They must have game planned to take away the Cowboys running game, at least I hope they did, because Cowboys running back, DeMarco Murray was going backward most the time and I’d hate to think that we’re just that bad.
For the 3rd straight game, Cowboy’s QB, Tony Romo, has thrown an interception in the first few minutes of a game. Not unlike last years game against the New York Jets, Romo also fumbled deep in the opponents territory costing his team points. Unlike last year, though, this time it didn’t cost us the game.
Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the huddle with receiver Miles Austin (19) Dez Bryant (88) DeMarco Murray (29) in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Before I make this sound like Romo is to blame for how poorly the Cowboys played against the Bucs at Cowboys Stadium, he’s not. At times, (like last year) Romo was by himself back there. Heck, he even caught his own pass at one point. What does Romo have to do to convince Jerry Jones to get him a real offensive line? Hey, Romo, tell Jerry you’ll chip in for their salaries, or better yet, that you’ll clean his glasses for him.
To add insult to the offensive line’s injury, Romo’s security blanket has behaved more like a wet blanket. Cowboys TE, Jason
Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) cannot make the catch during the third quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cowboys Stadium. Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
Witten, is not playing well (he’s not). Either his injury isn’t healed at all or there was some side affect we are not aware of. I am a big Jason Witten fan and I’m sure (hoping) that this anomaly is temporary. Regardless, Romo’s sure thing is not there right now and he needs to stop relying on him.
Romo’s O Line is not reliable, the running game is not there the last couple games, most his receivers run poor or wrong routes or often drop the ball and his most trusted go to guy is not trust worthy right now. Under the circumstances, I think Romo is performing pretty well so far. Even though on the surface it looks Romo played poorly yesterday, he had a lot of help.
I also like what Romo said after the game about not apologizing for a tough win. A win is a win. Former Cowboys coach, Bill Parcells, used to say “It is what it is”. This game IS a win for the Cowboys, and I’ll take it.
Next up, Da Bears, who are having some offensive line problems of their own. While we are on the subject, if Chicago Bears QB, Jay Cutler, played for this Cowboys team, with our O line and sure handed, expert route running receivers, he’d completely snap and start hurting people.
Points and Observations:
-Mike Jenkins needed that pass breakup he had late in the game. He plays way better with confidence. I’m not as worried about him as I was.
-Barry Church out for the year is bad news. I wish him a speedy recovery.
-Hey, who is #23? He looked to have fun taunting a Buccaneer into a penalty and he covered well on some of the plays I saw. Who is this guy? CB LeQuan Lewis, who we picked up from the NY Jets. I have been wrong before, but I might like this player. The Cowboys waived Mario Butler instead of him, so maybe they like him too.
-Tampa Bay Bucs QB, Josh Freeman, had a deer in the headlights look for most the game. Lucky for us, I guess.
-Is Cowboys K, Dan Bailey, human? I’d call him the second coming of Rafael Septien, who was pretty much automatic inside the 40 yard line (remember), except Rafael disgraced himself off the field.
-Doug Free has regressed and the Cowboys should be very concerned.
-Lawrence Vickers and Felix Jones are taking up roster spots.
-Tampa Bay coach, Greg Schiano, did his kneel down crash thing again. Funny, when you know it’s coming, its just as affective as just letting the victory formation kneel down happen like it always has. Listen, Schiano, you proved your point to your team, but the kneel down is ceremonial in nature in the NFL – where the team that beat you runs out the clock – . I doubt we’ll see much more of it, and I’m willing to bet the competition committee stops it after this season.
-I think players and coaches have learned the tendencies of these replacement refs and its open season for dirty plays and purposefully hurting eachother. It’s a shame, but teams like the Seattle Seahawks are capitalizing on it. Roger Goodell made player safety such a big deal (just to try to get ahead of all these concussion lawsuits) that he single handedly destroyed the New Orleans Saints. Now to save a few bucks, he is risking player safety and single handedly destroying the integrity of the NFL and proving the validity of the concussion lawsuits – that its $$$, not safety, the NFL cares about. Sad to say that it will take knocking a Tom Brady out of a game before he does anything about it.
One more thing….
-My dad used to say that a team takes on the personality of it’s coach. The Cowboys are sloppy, undisciplined, inconsistent and do stupid things – Jason Garrett is … wait, that can’t be right.
– Artie Cappello