The Cowboys must make three major changes now
Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs after a reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones (31) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Change Number Three: Cornerback
Byron Jones had a little audition for himself last Sunday. He passed.
Jones held Patriots tight-end Rob Gronkowski to four catches for 67 yards. Gronk did not score. He only had one catch in the first half.
If you ask me, Jones won that battle, and he deserves to play some more. The six-foot one, 205 pound defensive back held his own against one of the very best in the game today in Rob Gronkowski, who stands at six-foot six, 265 pounds.
Jones was aggressive. He was unafraid of Gronk’s status. He did not sink from the spotlight. And for a 23-year old rookie to step up against the Super Bowl champs, a Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Tom Brady, I’d say that Jones deserves a beer.
For now, some extra playing time, whether it means starting or not, is definitely in order for number 31.
Final Thoughts:
• I think Jim Nantz of CBS is making Phil Simms look great on Sundays. I don’t know about you, but Simms’ analysis makes me want to rediscover my Madden ’95, Super Nintendo game just to hear announcers Pat Summerall and John Madden.
Simms is wrong about Weeden. He totally lost me when he said that Weeden should keep taking those check downs — because you take what the defense will give you.
Well, the Cowboys were down 17 points in the second half, so I’d imagine Mr. Simms that, the defense wants you to take those. They’ll even handwrite the offensive coordinator a thank-you note and deliver it to the sidelines themselves.
Bad Simms, bad.
• I think the Cowboys will lose against the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if Brandon Weeden starts. That would put the Boys at 2-7 overall before Romo returns.
• I think the Cowboys will win two, maybe three games against the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if Matt Cassel starts. Mix and match whatever games you like, but Cassel will get a couple of wins there.
Let’s say he steals away two wins. The Boys will have a 4-5 overall record before Romo returns for a Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins, with six more games remaining.
• I had no idea Greg Hardy was that good. Wow. I mean, how many times have you heard that this guy is this and that, only to find out he was out of the league the next couple of years. Hardy is living up to his athletic reputation. Rod Marinelli is probably 30-years old again.
• I said it before, I’ll say it again: Rolando McClain is everything. He was the change in 2014, and his return last Sunday feeds this fact. McClain finished with eight tackles, which was tied for first on the team. He had one sack and one quarterback hit.
• I think the “D” in Big D is just getting started. The Dallas defense entered the game with six sacks in four games. In the first half against New England they had five. Hardy accounted for two of those sacks, and McClain had one too. Oh, and Randy Gregory is coming back too.
• I don’t think Dez Bryant could have helped Weeden’s success meter. Weeden’s final pass, where he over threw Terrance Williams in the end zone, sums it all up.
Williams was mad, angry, and frustrated by the inaccurate throw that cost him a TD grab, and an opportunity for Dallas to score six for the day. Williams’ reaction was pretty much how everyone — from fans to players to coaches — felt that day with the offense.
• I think the Bye Week will do wonders for the Cowboys; it couldn’t be at a perfect time. It’s time for change. Plus, Bryant will be one week healthier, as will Romo. The Boys will re-group. Cassel (hopefully it’s him starting) will have two weeks to prepare for a stronger New York Giants team. This game will matter, and the Cowboys will need this division win to keep their 2015 playoff hopes alive.