In a Season Where Everything Seemed to Go Wrong, Five Things Went Right

A lot of things went wrong for the Dallas Cowboys last year. But this was a 9-7 team that played in the NFC East with a first place schedule so some things worked and some player shined. If the staff can focus on what worked all should be merry in Arlington this season.

Hey Dude You Left Your Helmet

The most productive player on offense was TE Jason Witten who had 81 receptions. A decent blocker, Witten was deadly coming out of the slot as a receiver. So deadly his own teammate Terrell Owens complained Witten was catching too many passes.  

The alleged rift in the offense was Owens felt Tony Romo was favoring his travel roommate and not looking for the wide receivers – read Terrell Owens.

The real story is no one could cover him in the slot. He is not going to get bumped by the OLB out there, and at 6’5” and 262 lbs not only is he too fast for the most MLBs, he too darn big. He’s taken a couple of pops from safeties waiting for him in the post but that just makes for more highlights of him running free with his helmet off.   

I Shoot Better When I Move – the Sundance Kid

With Owens gone there is no reason for Jason Garrett to second guess his play calling because an incomplete pass might result in a complete flair up on the bench.  So roll Romo out.

Romo idolized Brett Farve growing up. And he plays a lot like him. In so many ways it’s the greatest complement ever. In one way it is not. Romo does not protect the ball well. He throws too many picks and as Bill Parcells will tell you his little girl hands do not hold the ball well.

One thing Romo does do is make plays. And when he rolls out good things usually happen. Moving the quarterback shrinks the field, but if you overload that side with Roy Williams and Witten, there should be enough out there to make a play.

This will also take some pressure off the offensive line that ran blocked well but broke down in pass blocking.  

Malachi Crunch

The highlight of the Cowboy defense last year was the DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis rushing the passer from the outside linebacker position. The defense amassed 59 sacks and these two guys had 28 of them.

The resurgence of the 3-4 is a result of the league becoming a passing league. It is imperative to get to the quarter back quickly and the most effective is for your two biggest linebackers to come out of a two point stance and get after it.

The problem is Greg Ellis and his eight sacks is going to be release or traded. If Anthony Spencer cannot fill in DeMarcus Ware is going to see triple teams.

No. The Other Guy from Arkansas

Critics said Jerry Jones at worst reached and at best was being a homer selecting Felix Jones from Jerry’s Alma Mater with the 22^nd pick in the 2008 draft. Darren McFadden was the stud running back out of Arkansas.

Early in the season, Jones (either one) made McFadden look like a bust.

Then Felix got injured.

When he did play Felix was explosive returning kicks and running out of the backfield. He was so effective it looked like the coaching staff was withholding carries because the team had invested so much money in Marion Barber.  

But Felix is literally what the doctor ordered for Barber. The knock on Barber has been he runs into everything full speed. Giving him rest should keep him fresh for the fourth where his hard running style will work well against tired defense trying to arm tackle him.

The key is not to label Felix a 3^rd down back. Too many coaches in the NFL label their second running a change of pace back and then only use them on third downs.

 Why? So they can break a 50 yard draw play on 3^rd and 18? Putting a back in only on certain down and distances gives the defense a chance to shorten your play book. Give Felix the ball more often and whenever.

Select Default (Recommended)

Put Patrick Crayton back as the number two receiver!

With the departure of Owens this is going to happen anyway, but Crayton emerged in 2007 playing Terry Glenn’s old spot. The Cowboys thought so much of him they gave him a long term contract. Then week seven he gets moved back to number three to allow Roy Williams to play the #2. The result? Williams was invisible and Crayton’s production dropped.   

Crayton is a speed guy and too small always be over the middle. Why do you think he dropped that pass in the Giant playoff loss? Put him on the outside and let him go to work.

Here is all you need to know about Crayton, Bill Parcells loved the guy.