Nobody's going to confuse them with the 85 Bears or anything but I don't think they're nearly as bad on that side of the ball as they're made out to be.Only scoring 3 points against this Cowboys defense is pretty putrid, with or without Beckham.
Nobody's going to confuse them with the 85 Bears or anything but I don't think they're nearly as bad on that side of the ball as they're made out to be.Only scoring 3 points against this Cowboys defense is pretty putrid, with or without Beckham.
We shall see. They're certainly not bad but a team with a strong passing offense, like GB or Atlanta, should really be able to exploit this secondary. The Giants are such a dumpster fire without Beckham that it's hard to make any kind of judgment one way or another from yesterday. Up next is Denver and their pedestrian offense, Arizona (likely without Johnson), and the Rams so they'll be just fine for a while. I also think the defense benefits from the offense's ability to control the ball. It's pretty tough to force a 3 and out against the Cowboys offense. Did the Giants force a single one last night? I don't recall one and they have a really good defense.Nobody's going to confuse them with the 85 Bears or anything but I don't think they're nearly as bad on that side of the ball as they're made out to be.
We saw what happens to the Cowboys defense when they face a great offense AND the Cowboys offense sputters a bit...you get the GB playoff game 1st half where they fell behind 21-3 before they got back to playing their game and beating up GB a bit in the 2nd half. The defense has to be protected to a certain extent against a good offense. I doubt this crew is much better than last year's version. DeMarcus Lawrence could be a difference-maker though if he's maturing into a good pass rusher finally. He looked great last night, but hard to judge when he's facing a shitty tackle. But he did what you would expect a good rusher to do against a shitty tackle, so that's a good sign. If they keep Sean Lee healthy and Lawrence (and Irving when he gets back in a few weeks) are legit on the D-line, then the defense should be more than adequate given the talent and ball-control ability of the offense.We shall see. They're certainly not bad but a team with a strong passing offense, like GB or Atlanta, should really be able to exploit this secondary. The Giants are such a dumpster fire without Beckham that it's hard to make any kind of judgment one way or another from yesterday. Up next is Denver and their pedestrian offense, Arizona (likely without Johnson), and the Rams so they'll be just fine for a while. I also think the defense benefits from the offense's ability to control the ball. It's pretty tough to force a 3 and out against the Cowboys offense. Did the Giants force a single one last night? I don't recall one and they have a really good defense.
Yup. This offense is very good. They have an elite OL, RB, WR, two very good options in Beasley/Witten for the short stuff, and a couple guys in Terrance Williams/Butler who are capable of making plays. Dak still obviously has some development but he does a very good job of not turning the ball over - 4 INTs in 17 regular season games is quite ridiculous for a young QB. I'm really looking forward to the Week 5 game against Green Bay. These 2 teams could be on yet another playoff collision course so it will be a very important game for potential seeding purposes.We saw what happens to the Cowboys defense when they face a great offense AND the Cowboys offense sputters a bit...you get the GB playoff game 1st half where they fell behind 21-3 before they got back to playing their game and beating up GB a bit in the 2nd half. The defense has to be protected to a certain extent against a good offense. I doubt this crew is much better than last year's version. DeMarcus Lawrence could be a difference-maker though if he's maturing into a good pass rusher finally. He looked great last night, but hard to judge when he's facing a shitty tackle. But he did what you would expect a good rusher to do against a shitty tackle, so that's a good sign. If they keep Sean Lee healthy and Lawrence (and Irving when he gets back in a few weeks) are legit on the D-line, then the defense should be more than adequate given the talent and ball-control ability of the offense.
I will say that even though they only scored 19 points last night, it was a good sign they gained nearly 400 yards and controlled the tempo like that on a night where Dak Prescott was clearly off. He overthrew a lot of balls to open receivers...particularly in the first half, so you felt they left quite a bit of meat on the bone. If he was on target, then the offense probably hangs a 30-spot on a good Giants defense.
Another good test for the offense next week in Denver.
It seems to me that Dak is somewhat overprotective. He needs to see the receive open, and he doesn't do well with anticipation. If the pass isn't there after 3-4 seconds he tucks & runs. So he's going to have high completions percentage, low Interception rate and pedestrian counting stats.Yup. This offense is very good. They have an elite OL, RB, WR, two very good options in Beasley/Witten for the short stuff, and a couple guys in Terrance Williams/Butler who are capable of making plays. Dak still obviously has some development but he does a very good job of not turning the ball over - 4 INTs in 17 regular season games is quite ridiculous for a young QB. I'm really looking forward to the Week 5 game against Green Bay. These 2 teams could be on yet another playoff collision course so it will be a very important game for potential seeding purposes.
No I don't. I was just going off of Wallach's snippets. I think he was getting it from one of the paid services (being a lawyer that probably already had access). It might be out there somewhere though.Do you have a link to the transcript? I'd love to read it.
Of possible interest to Cowboys fans and fantasy football fans, the NFL has appealed the judge's injunction. They have also asked for the judge to stay his stay (which would reinstate the suspension). They essentially acknowledge this is a hopeless act, but they have to do this in order to ask the court of appeals to lift the stay. The NFL, recognizing that the judge will almost certainly deny their motion, has also asked the judge to rule quickly -- basically, that's their ticket to ask the court of appeals.
I checked pacer but it's not there yet, because the parties are supposed to get 7 days to identify any portions confidential before it goes public. Wallach must have gotten it from a party.No I don't. I was just going off of Wallach's snippets. I think he was getting it from one of the paid services (being a lawyer that probably already had access). It might be out there somewhere though.
No.So I guess they suck again, huh?
He also got like 5 carries when the game actually mattered, Dallas offensive game plan was sort of odd. Dallas defense wasnt really very good to start, so their second stringers are likely going to be really bad.Playing in Denver is extremely tough. So no, they don't suck, but losing almost all their secondary was a tough break to overcome. No idea what happened with Elliot, but there is a fair chance this NFL legal drama is causing a loss of focus.
I don't understand what is going on with the offense. They came out slinging the ball around the yard against the Giants too. The only reason Elliott got to 100 yards in that game was because they started running out the clock late in the game. Prescott hasn't exactly been sharp either, so that is not a recipe for success. Linehan has some 'splaining to do.He also got like 5 carries when the game actually mattered, Dallas offensive game plan was sort of odd.
This concerns me the most long-term. This team goes nowhere without the running game so either he needs to get re-focused or he might as well just serve his suspension (that, at least, would cause him to come back with a chip on his shoulder). They can ill-afford for him to pout his way through the whole season.No idea what happened with Elliot, but there is a fair chance this NFL legal drama is causing a loss of focus.
I'm not worried about them long-term. They got their asses handed to them but that can still be considered an anomaly. They handled the Giants' defensive front just fine, and there is a school of thought that the Giants specifically tailored their defense to counter the Cowboys offense. If that continues to happen, I'll amend my statement but for now, I'm far more concerned about Elliott's frame of mind.I can't put it all on Elliott when the offensive line got its collective ass whipped all day long. There are some issues up front that are just as concerning.
Being in legal limbo is the worst case scenario. The suspension is hanging over his head, nothing is clear, and there is not an insignificant chance he could end up missing games later in the season. Meanwhile he's playing now but not being used correctly or doesn't have his head in the game.This concerns me the most long-term. This team goes nowhere without the running game so either he needs to get re-focused or he might as well just serve his suspension (that, at least, would cause him to come back with a chip on his shoulder). They can ill-afford for him to pout his way through the whole season.
I think it's a little from column A and a little from column B. Whatever the case is with his usage, he's a professional and he's expected to be ready whenever his number is called. If he doesn't have his head right, that could potentially be disastrous to the team's season - especially if he ends up serving his suspension towards the tail end of it.Meanwhile he's playing now but not being used correctly or doesn't have his head in the game.
Is there anything to him dogging it? I was watching on RedZone and they flashed into an INT or fumble and FOX made a point to show that Elliot put his hands on his hips and just shook his head instead of showing any effort. I'm sure this happens constantly in the NFL, but was that just an isolated "Look at this!" or is there a larger issue. i'm guessing it's nothing and don't judge anything as shown on 1 minute clips on RedZone.I think it's a little from column A and a little from column B. Whatever the case is with his usage, he's a professional and he's expected to be ready whenever his number is called. If he doesn't have his head right, that could potentially be disastrous to the team's season - especially if he ends up serving his suspension towards the tail end of it.
Siemian is Matt Cassel 3.6 (or whatever Shitty QB Who Looks Decent In Small Sample is on these days).No.
If Siemian plays this well, let alone improves, Broncos are going to provide a rude awakening to more than a few of us.
They planned for Life Without Zeke and then, having Zeke, have scrambled to plug him into the plan. You're right, that is on Linehan (and Garrett, but who am I kidding?). They look lost because the parts are greater than the whole right now. It's the first five minutes of a Rock & Roll HOF performance where the BIG NAMES are having trouble finding the groove.I don't understand what is going on with the offense. They came out slinging the ball around the yard against the Giants too. The only reason Elliott got to 100 yards in that game was because they started running out the clock late in the game. Prescott hasn't exactly been sharp either, so that is not a recipe for success. Linehan has some 'splaining to do.
I'd tell him to serve it now, but that's because I think the NFL won't lose on the discipline issue until there's a strike. Brady folded rather than have it "affect the team" and you can't argue the results. They can't execute the "no Zeke" plan until Zeke is gone but with every game, that offseason plan becomes more outdated and flawed. So, while I think Linehan's fucking up, I see why he's fucking up. Almost no one could, or would, try to do both. I'm sure the coaches would like to know which plan they have to craft each week and the uncertainty leads to disjointed performances.This concerns me the most long-term. This team goes nowhere without the running game so either he needs to get re-focused or he might as well just serve his suspension (that, at least, would cause him to come back with a chip on his shoulder). They can ill-afford for him to pout his way through the whole season.
Brady fought the suspension for 18 months. He didn't exactly fold.I'd tell him to serve it now, but that's because I think the NFL won't lose on the discipline issue until there's a strike. Brady folded rather than have it "affect the team" and you can't argue the results. They can't execute the "no Zeke" plan until Zeke is gone but with every game, that offseason plan becomes more outdated and flawed. So, while I think Linehan's fucking up, I see why he's fucking up. Almost no one could, or would, try to do both. I'm sure the coaches would like to know which plan they have to
craft each week and the uncertainty leads to disjointed performances.
I don't place as much emphasis on that one play as the web seems to be wanting to do. It was his overall body language was disappointing - and that one play was part of it. Maybe, as I said about the offensive line, this was a one-off and there's no cause for alarm. That was, after all, probably the worst game of his life. He can be forgiven for being disappointed and getting carried away but the all-watching eye of Sauron will be on him until something else draws its ire.Is there anything to him dogging it? I was watching on RedZone and they flashed into an INT or fumble and FOX made a point to show that Elliot put his hands on his hips and just shook his head instead of showing any effort. I'm sure this happens constantly in the NFL, but was that just an isolated "Look at this!" or is there a larger issue. i'm guessing it's nothing and don't judge anything as shown on 1 minute clips on RedZone.
I'm starting to come around to this. This feels like a no-win situation for him and the sooner he takes his medicine, the better off the team will probably be. Though I'm not 100% sure what's better for him personally, and I can certainly understand him wanting to fight for what's left of his eroding reputation.I'd tell him to serve it now, but that's because I think the NFL won't lose on the discipline issue until there's a strike. Brady folded rather than have it "affect the team" and you can't argue the results.
ITP's Brandon Thorn pointed out that Dallas is changing up two of five OL positions, which is no joke. In the long run, they're too talented not to be fine, but there may be some growing pains until they settle in.I'm not worried about them long-term. They got their asses handed to them but that can still be considered an anomaly. They handled the Giants' defensive front just fine, and there is a school of thought that the Giants specifically tailored their defense to counter the Cowboys offense. If that continues to happen, I'll amend my statement but for now, I'm far more concerned about Elliott's frame of mind.
But may become moot if 5th circuit goes with what Clements wants them to do which is get it out of Mazzant's courtroom completely.Judge Mazzant says he won’t be able to resolve the NFLPA’s petition to vacate before November 5, 2017:
I think the big difference between this and TB12 is that it would in effect be perceived as Elliott was admitting to being someone who beats women. TB12's "offense" was completely insignificant in relation, and through the process, the public perception amongst rational people came around to think the whole thing was a charade. The average NFL fan has paid no attention to the Elliott case, and if he just relents and says "for the team", then he will forever be labeled a woman-beater. I don't know if he is or not, but I can certainly understand why he would want to fight this to his figurative death if he is in fact innocent.I'm starting to come around to this. This feels like a no-win situation for him and the sooner he takes his medicine, the better off the team will probably be. Though I'm not 100% sure what's better for him personally, and I can certainly understand him wanting to fight for what's left of his eroding reputation.
While that's certainly true and almost definitely is part of the consideration to keep up the fight, let's not forget the verdict is already out in the court of public opinion. Win or lose, he will always carry the woman beater label (and now you can add the "quit on his team" label too). Whether that's fair or not we'll likely never know.I think the big difference between this and TB12 is that it would in effect be perceived as Elliott was admitting to being someone who beats women. TB12's "offense" was completely insignificant in relation, and through the process, the public perception amongst rational people came around to think the whole thing was a charade. The average NFL fan has paid no attention to the Elliott case, and if he just relents and says "for the team", then he will forever be labeled a woman-beater. I don't know if he is or not, but I can certainly understand why he would want to fight this to his figurative death if he is in fact innocent.
Is this the standard these days? There's currently 11 of 30+ QB's who have won a road playoff game. There's only 7 that have won more than 2.Siemian is Matt Cassel 3.6 (or whatever Shitty QB Who Looks Decent In Small Sample is on these days).
Their defense is legit. Joseph looks like a good hire. I am not buying Siemian until he wins a playoff game on the road. He's average. And average has value, but it when push comes to shove, it doesn't win playoff games.
Yeah, just for a bit of a primer on what is happening, for those interested.As to the court case,
But may become moot if 5th circuit goes with what Clements wants them to do which is get it out of Mazzant's courtroom completely.
Wallach has some good tweets up today with all the different arguments happening right now, NFL to 5th Circuit, Mazzant to the 5th Circuit, and the NFLPA from last week (I think as they aren't due to respond yet or will be responding soon to teh latest).
I was replying to a post that said Siemian might be capable of delivering a "rude awakening." I disagree with that assessment. I will not be worried about Siemian delivering a rude awakening to anyone until he wins a road playoff game. Until such time, he may continue to look like a cromulent quarterback, a la Matt Cassel.Is this the standard these days? There's currently 11 of 30+ QB's who have won a road playoff game. There's only 7 that have won more than 2.
"Current" QB's that have never won a road game in the playoffs:
Dalton
Stafford
Cam Newton
Matt Ryan
Matt Schaub
Palmer
I don't disagree with your overall point but winning road playoff games make you a top 30% QB rather than a garbage replacement as you infer seems really flawed.
And since that scenario would never happen, you can sleep tight tonight knowing your theory could never be disproved, Mr Profile In Courage.I wouldn't be afraid of Newton or Ryan in a road playoff game
oh really look i am not a siemian fan he also played well aga a underrated changer front 7 siemian will throw for 2 td's most games yes he will have a stinker but bet on siemian throwing 30 td passes this seasonAnd since that scenario would never happen, you can sleep tight tonight knowing your theory could never be disproved, Mr Profile In Courage.
With that said, I agree that's a silly metric. And that Siemian will likely never come close to repeating that performance again.
Considering he has six on the season and would need to average fewer than two per game the rest of the way to reach that milestone, you're not really going out on a limb.oh really look i am not a siemian fan he also played well aga a underrated changer front 7 siemian will throw for 2 td's most games yes he will have a stinker but bet on siemian throwing 30 td passes this season
Not sure they are that bad but this defense better get healthy and the offense better figure it out soon if they want to be dancing in January.Hey 6-10, welcome back. How wonderful to see you.
I'm pretty sure when they got the ball down four with 9:56 remaining that they would've signed up for being up three with 1:13 left. Rodgers is just an absolute assassin.Scott Linehan, best of luck in your future endeavors.
Why give the assassin all the tools to kill you with too?I'm pretty sure when they got the ball down four with 9:56 remaining that they would've signed up for being up three with 1:13 left. Rodgers is just an absolute assassin.
I don't see what was Linehan's fault, aside from the pick-six if you wanted to go there. They went on a go-ahead drive that lasted almost nine minutes. What else were they supposed to do?Why give the assassin all the tools to kill you with too?
Fade to Dez on 2nd and 1 from the 11 or whatever was completely braindead and stopped the clock.I don't see what was Linehan's fault, aside from the pick-six if you wanted to go there. They went on a go-ahead drive that lasted almost nine minutes. What else were they supposed to do?