Let me start off by saying that although the celebration penalty by Marc Colombo was a turning point in the game it is not the reason or even an excuse for why they lost this game. Rather than delve any further into that, however, I would like to address the call.
The rule is that a player cannot use the ground as a prop to enhance his celebration after a touchdown. The fact that this is a rule in the first place is ludicrous but it is even more utterly ridiculous that the game officials would even think that Colombo was trying to use the ground as a prop after Jason Witten handed him the ball to spike after his 4th quarter touchdown. Colombo is a giant. He is a right tackle and naturally does not have the nimblest of feet. In his excitement, it is so blatant, so eye-gougingly obvious that he lost his balance and fell and did not intend to use the ground to celebrate that it makes me sick.
Shame on the NFL for wasting its off-season time by making rules that are meant to curb the entertainment that these playmakers can provide. More shame on the officiating crew for not adhering to common sense and understanding that Colombo merely fell. It did not cost the Cowboys the game but it certainly factored into the loss. It would have been interesting to see if the Titans would have scored so easily if the Cowboys did not have to kickoff so close to their own endzone.
The NFL is reviewing its rule that affected the Calvin Johnson TD reception that was not, from week one and they should do the same for this.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Cowboys Titans reaction
Just as Staples has its EASY button, sports fans have their PANIC button. Well Cowboys fans, it's about time we start to think about pressing that button. What other choice do we have? We are now firmly entrenched in the basement of the NFC East and easily look like the most vulnerable team in the division. Sundays 34-27 loss to the Titans was disheartening to say the least. Any momentum gained by the win over the Texans 2 weeks ago fled during the premature bye week and the Cowboys, specifically the defense, came out looking flat. The pressure on Vince Young was sporadic and unrelentless. I understand that our defense is not the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, who demoralized every aspect of the Titans offense only a short time ago, but we are supposed to have a "great" defense. Our run defense let Chris Johnson do whatever he pleased and allowed Vince Young to be comfortable and efficient throughout most of the game.
CB Mike Jenkins has seemingly fallen into the "Sophmore slump" only it's his third year in the league. After a Pro-Bowl season last year it seems he has taken a step back. He has been spotty all season and on Sunday he was downright terrible. Our linebackers and downtackles had trouble stopping the run and the safeties were nowhere to be seen. It seems that at times, only Demarcus Ware comes to play. Even Keith Brooking had an uncharacteristically poor game, tackling wise. Wade Phillips is the head coach of the Cowboys because of his "great" defensive mind. Of course the players are the ones who have to show up on the field but Wade needs to find a way for a defense this talented to start playing up to its full potential.
On the offensive side of the ball there were numerous signs of potential, but at this point Cowboys fans should be expecting more than signs. Yes, the boys' put up 27 points and yes, Roy Williams is quietly having a superb year and Miles Austin is a downright stud... and we all know the abilities of Dez Bryant; still, Romo has been hot and cold this year. (One positive is that he played shaky in the first stages of last season) He had a great day throwing the ball for big yardage ( 31 completions for 406 yards) but he also threw three extremely costly turnovers that are all on him.
This offensive line is starting to look its age and that is a bad thing. Colombo looked a bit overwhelmed at times as did Andre Gurode, and Leonard Davis is so vulnerable in pass defending that he had to be replaced by Montrae Holland. How can as mobile a Quarterback as Tony Romo get sacked 6 times? This happens when the offensive line is the albatross of your team. They are getting beaten with both strength and speed and it's amazing Romo was still able to put up the numbers he did. The offensive line also accounted for half of the teams 133 yards in penalties! If you're going to be old at least act like a veteran and get some discipline!
So where do the Cowboys go from here? With the offensive line I honestly can offer no advice. Something in practice needs to change. The only player whose spot is in jeopardy is Davis'. Maybe give Holland a try there, I didn't see any pressures over his spot once he came in. As a unit they simply need to play better and smarter. Let's see some grit and intelligence out there! Offensively I think it's clear that Felix Jones needs to get more touches than Marion Barber. He is a greater threat and is running the ball better. I believe that Barber can still be useful. He always runs hard and can get the tough yards when needed but when your establishing the run I think it's a better strategy to run the more dangerous guy out there.
Defensively, Wade needs to find a way to get more pressure on the Quarterback. Our secondary is looking like its open for business when the QB has ample time to throw the rock.
Finally... start looking for a kicker. I don't trust Buehler for a moment. I don't know if there is anyone better out there but it can't hurt to look.
CB Mike Jenkins has seemingly fallen into the "Sophmore slump" only it's his third year in the league. After a Pro-Bowl season last year it seems he has taken a step back. He has been spotty all season and on Sunday he was downright terrible. Our linebackers and downtackles had trouble stopping the run and the safeties were nowhere to be seen. It seems that at times, only Demarcus Ware comes to play. Even Keith Brooking had an uncharacteristically poor game, tackling wise. Wade Phillips is the head coach of the Cowboys because of his "great" defensive mind. Of course the players are the ones who have to show up on the field but Wade needs to find a way for a defense this talented to start playing up to its full potential.
On the offensive side of the ball there were numerous signs of potential, but at this point Cowboys fans should be expecting more than signs. Yes, the boys' put up 27 points and yes, Roy Williams is quietly having a superb year and Miles Austin is a downright stud... and we all know the abilities of Dez Bryant; still, Romo has been hot and cold this year. (One positive is that he played shaky in the first stages of last season) He had a great day throwing the ball for big yardage ( 31 completions for 406 yards) but he also threw three extremely costly turnovers that are all on him.
This offensive line is starting to look its age and that is a bad thing. Colombo looked a bit overwhelmed at times as did Andre Gurode, and Leonard Davis is so vulnerable in pass defending that he had to be replaced by Montrae Holland. How can as mobile a Quarterback as Tony Romo get sacked 6 times? This happens when the offensive line is the albatross of your team. They are getting beaten with both strength and speed and it's amazing Romo was still able to put up the numbers he did. The offensive line also accounted for half of the teams 133 yards in penalties! If you're going to be old at least act like a veteran and get some discipline!
So where do the Cowboys go from here? With the offensive line I honestly can offer no advice. Something in practice needs to change. The only player whose spot is in jeopardy is Davis'. Maybe give Holland a try there, I didn't see any pressures over his spot once he came in. As a unit they simply need to play better and smarter. Let's see some grit and intelligence out there! Offensively I think it's clear that Felix Jones needs to get more touches than Marion Barber. He is a greater threat and is running the ball better. I believe that Barber can still be useful. He always runs hard and can get the tough yards when needed but when your establishing the run I think it's a better strategy to run the more dangerous guy out there.
Defensively, Wade needs to find a way to get more pressure on the Quarterback. Our secondary is looking like its open for business when the QB has ample time to throw the rock.
Finally... start looking for a kicker. I don't trust Buehler for a moment. I don't know if there is anyone better out there but it can't hurt to look.
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