Dallas Cowboys going Back to the Future of 2010

The Dallas Cowboys slipped to their fourth successive loss of the season this week to the New York Giants. The game was considered a must win by both teams. The Cowboys were desperate to break their losing streak, while the Giants wanted victory to keep a foot in the divisional playoff race.

A bye week had seen a host of changes seemingly all positive come into place for Dallas. Brandon Weeden was relinquished of starting quarterback duties, replaced by the veteran Matt Cassel. Rookie La’el Collins was named the starting left guard ahead of Ronald Leary. And it was declared that running back Christine Michael would play a bigger role in the ground game.

In three starts since Tony Romo went down in Week 2, Weeden had produced just one touchdown, amassed 666 passing yards and thrown 2 interceptions. Vanilla would be putting it politely. The Cowboys had shown absolutely nothing with him at the helm and really had nothing to lose by naming Cassel as starter.

"“Matt is the perfect guy for this situation, and he’s going to give the Cowboys everything he has. He brings a lot of energy; he’s kind of built for this situation.” – Brian Waters"

In the first half against the Giants, it looked like Waters could be right. The Cowboys edged ahead thanks to a couple of Dan Bailey field goals and a Darren McFadden touchdown.

The second half and the third quarter in particular were a horror show. Three interceptions from Cassel saw the pendulum swing from the conservative Brandon Weeden to the gambling Cassel. Unfortunately with gambling you don’t always win. While one interception can be placed at the feet of Terrance Williams, the other two were bizarre decisions by Cassel. And there were ample opportunity for more.

Jerry Jones confirmed that Cassel will remain as starter until Romo returns, and there’s no doubt that the team did function better with him at the reigns. We saw more variety of plays in the opening drive than we had in 3 games with Weeden.

The offensive line have underwhelmed this season, but they flashed signs of their former selves in the game opening up some great holes. Doug Free and Travis Frederick in particular made a couple of pivotal blocks in allowing McFadden enough freedom to slip through for big gains.

After a injury plagued start to the year for Ron Leary, it felt like the time was right for La’el Collins to be named starter. While the team had rotated Collins with Mackenzy Bernadeau in games, it was the rookie who stood out. Offensive line coach Frank Pollack suggests play as you learn is the best method for Collins at this stage.

"“He’s made a lot of good progress in his technique, his body control and position, his balance. He’s done a lot of growing as far as his awareness to schemes and what teams are doing. He’s going to continue to grow. The more he plays, the better he’ll be.” – Frank Pollack"

At the start of September the Cowboys sent a conditional draft pick to Seattle in exchange for running back Christine Michael. An excellent pass blocker for the Seahawks opportunities were limited behind Beastmode Marshawn Lynch, and with the Cowboys running back by committee it seemed like a great deal for both teams.

In his previous games for the Cowboys it seemed unlikely he’d ever make an impression with just single rushing attempts against the Saints and the Patriots. Maybe losing Joseph Randle to a back injury early on against the Giants forced the Cowboys hand in handing Michael the ball more often than intended.

Darren McFadden was the clear lead back, and the highlight of the offense against the Giants. He finished with over 150 yards from 29 carries – just one shy of his NFL career best. Christine Michael still seemed an after thought though, with just five carries for 18 yards. Taking the ball from McFadden while he looked hot would’ve been silly, but when the team looks destitute in offensive weapons why not test what you’ve got?

The optimism that had gathered around the Cowboys during the bye week has been dispersed by that gut wrenching divisional loss. Yet another game where the Cowboys have defeated themselves. Offensive errors across the board, missed opportunities by the defense.

The Cowboys now prop up the NFC East with a 2-4 record and home games against Seattle and Philadelphia couldn’t come at a worse time.

This is the first time the Cowboys have lost 4 consecutive games since the 6-10 season of 2010. That was the year Tony Romo broke his left clavicle for the first time. Wade Phillips was fired after going 1-7 and replaced by Jason Garrett. The team eventually finished 3rd in the division with Garrett taking them to a 5-3 record. So far we’ve the broken clavicle in 2015. Going 5-3 seems insurmountable right now. But the return of Dez Bryant could change my mind.

Next: Better Cowboys Quarterback: Matt Cassel or Brandon Weeden?