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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
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Here’s what we picked up on the TiVo at Tim MacMahon’s two-LCD palace in Fort Worth. And sorry for the delay, but some technical issues forced me out to what I’ve heard the locals call “Cowtown.” Or at least that’s what my man Calvin Watkins likes to refer to it as. … We’re seeing a pattern now developing with how defenses attack Tony Romo, and it’s probably one that should’ve been utilized earlier. Pressuring Romo and putting him in scramble situations, these guys have learned, only puts him at his best. Now, the Vikings did try to generate a rush, but they did it in a different way. They’d drop a defensive tackle – usually Kevin Williams – underneath and run what looked like a zone blitz. The twist was that Williams seemed to be there not as a cover guy, but simply to spy Romo. In plenty of other cases, the disciplined, reserved nature of the pass rush indicated that the tackles were instructed to get push, but not hit gaps too aggressively and give Romo a lane to step up into. The first time the QB could do that demonstrated why. On the play, a third-and-2 on the game’s first drive, the Vikings left end spun inside on Marc Columbo. Romo saw this, roll right and – as the play broke down around him – found Terrell Owens sitting down in a hole in the zone for 24 yards. But it was so many other occasions on Sunday when you really saw Romo’s growth. Yes, it was a dink-and-dunk day. Thing was, that Romo seemed comfortable in the pocket, checking down underneath with the Vikings playing off the receivers, and that’s something that will serve him well when the tests get tougher. A lot of times, I think T.O. gets killed for being a guy who just gets by on being an exceptional physical talent. Well, Sunday proved why he’s more than that with Owens’ awareness and knowledge of coverage. On that 24-yard strike, Owens was running a fly out of the ‘Z’ (flanker) position on the right side. Recognizing that Romo was flushed from the pocket, Owens sat down in a hole between the underneath and deep parts of the Vikings cover-2, finding the space for Romo to get him the ball. Five plays later, on his touchdown, Owens – perhaps the most scrutinized player on the field in coverage – lulled the Vikings to sleep in the back of the end zone, slipped behind the coverage, and settled in a hole between two defenders. And Romo found him for the 5-yard score. Then, on a third-and-9 on the Cowboys’ next drive, he ran a comeback to the right sideline, and made his break with enough space to get back to the ball and out of bounds right at the sticks. Say what you will, but T.O. showed he’s got that football awareness that great receivers generally have. It’s hard to ever pinned the ebbs and flows of a unit on one player, but really, it seemed like the run defense’s success was based heavily on Jay Ratliff’s play on Sunday. And that’s not unusual, that a nose tackle is the most important guy for a 3-4 defense. In the first quarter, Vikings center Matt Birk absolutely throttled Ratliff, sealing him off and creating lanes on 6-yard runs by Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, and taking him completely out to open seams on zone runs. And then, it happened. In the second quarter, Ratliff turned the tables, controlling Birk at the point and shedding effectively from there on. In the first quarter, the Vikings had 54 yards on eight rushes. From then on, they 77 yards on 19 carries. But 28 of those yards came on two carries at the end of the third quarter, with Ratliff out of the game. So that brings the number down to a pretty respectable 49 yards on 17 carries. Tank Johnson will find his place here, but Ratliff really showed the kind of nose tackle he’s playing in those three quarters Sunday. So here’s where we explain how it wasn’t all Ratliff getting the job done against the run. After the Cowboys got gashed on the first drive, they started playing Roy Williams a lot closer to the line. The only question that remains is why that wasn’t the plan from the get-go. The Vikings have little to threaten on the outside, a quarterback who’s struggles don’t need to expounded on here, and the top running game in the league. Williams needed to be down there. As noted in the rush chart a couple blog entries ago, the Vikings went to max-protect plenty and almost never kept just five men into block. In fact, it was more often than not four blocking six or five blocking seven. So imagine the advantage this gives the coverage. In those cases, you’ll drop seven guys to cover four receivers or six to cover three. And imagine a quarterback as inexperienced as Jackson being forced to find the open man in those situations. Here’s what happens: 6-of-19, 72 yards. Plus, a clinic on how the Cowboys’ pressure is strong enough that the simple threat of it coming has other teams bracing for impact, and opening things up even more for the Dallas defensive playcallers. Also down there is the effectiveness with which Dallas ran the ball out of three-receiver sets – 58 yards on seven carries – and I’ll go a little further with it here. On the Cowboys’ first drive, out of the no-huddle, 10 passes were called in 14 plays. The Cowboys ran three plays, all completed passes, while the no-huddle kept the Vikings’ base personnel on the field. And then Dallas turned the tables. When the Cowboys’ went to ‘11’ personnel from there, the Vikings brought in a fifth defensive back. And that allowed the Cowboys to rip off chunks against a six-man front. I agree that Adrian Peterson needs to see the ball more. But I can also see why he’s not ready to play on an every-down basis. In the fourth quarter, a blitzing Bradie James flat-out embarrassed Peterson with a spin move on his way to a sack. It’s not that unusual that a top rookie back has trouble with blitz pick-up, since most weren’t asked to do it much in college. That doesn’t make it any less of a liability. And if you simply bring another back into handle that, and have someone like Peterson in to run, it can tip your play-calling to the other team. Marc Colombo’s struggles were well-documented here on Sunday. There was the sack he allowed to Kenechi Udeze, the way Ray Edwards beat him to create a sack for Bryan Robison, and the two false starts. But Kyle Kosier had a similarly tough day dealing with nose tackle Pat Williams, who causes trouble for most. And Williams, not noted as a pass rusher, was able to get in Romo’s face some, in addition to keep the running game out of the middle of the field. Finally, I’m starting to see the difference in how Julius Jones is used. The trouble with Jones, to me, seems like it has as much to do with how he fits his linemen as anything. Jones is at his best on zone running plays where he’s charged with reading the defense, finding a seam, and making one cut into the opening upfield. It’s for the same reason he was good on screens Sunday: Jones works well in space because he has burst and can change direction quickly. The way he cuts can catch defenders, influenced in a direction by the blocking, off balance. Well, the trouble appears to be that the Cowboys line isn’t well-fit to run much zone. Yes, they can do it, but the massive front is better in man-blocking situations that require less movement and quickness. And those looks fit Marion Barber like a glove – he’s aggressive into the hole and can beat guys one-on-one with his shake or his shoulders. That’s not to say that Jones is better than Barber. I think it’s clear that Barber’s been better. But it is to say that Barber has been put in a better position to succeed with a line and scheme that fits his style better. |
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Comments
Posted by Ed Harris @ 6:22 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Great Article. I appreciate finding the hidden keys to success or failure. Now I see why he hasn't had as much success as he expected. I like that burst that Julius has, and with him running really hard, I hope he can break a few runs. Will they ever have both JJ & MBIII in at the same time, with JJ in the slot for screens or reverses? That would put him in space...He could also play a "Preston Pearson/3rd down back/reciever" type role and find the holes in the coverage.
Posted by Jay @ 6:24 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Dude! I love the breakdown of the games you are providing. Keep up the good work!
Posted by paul mccracken @ 6:28 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Great break-down. One of the best articles I've read on the subject. Good work, Al.
Posted by gpaq @ 6:36 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I agree. great work. i love the x's & o's. that tivo is great. i gotta get me one!
Posted by Craig @ 6:44 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
We're all now seeing why the News brought Breer on board. Nice work, man. Very informative and interesting.
I'd like the record to reflect that all the Breer haters have apparently faded away, and those of us in the "wait and see" camp are reaping the benefits.
Posted by Patrick @ 7:07 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I enjoy your posts very much. Could you teach Tim how to think before he writes?
Posted by Eduardo @ 7:12 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Albert is by far the best analyst on written football media coverage. He has a knack for breaking down a game, while making it easy to understand his points.
Congrats!
Posted by Bill in DC @ 7:16 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Nice article. Thanks
Posted by Big Mike @ 7:26 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I'll keep the trend going...Great job Mr. Breer. Keep up the good work.
Posted by al jones @ 7:42 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
This is the type of reporting we want. Great job and keep it up. I have also noticed the number of entries in the blog has increased dramatically.
Posted by mscappa @ 7:54 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
wow, well done! it's hard being a 'boys fan here in the dc area...well for a lot of reasons. but mainly because you can't find coverage like this! it's always about how we're over confident or the latest on t.o's recent slip up to the media. Luckily there haven't been too many of those recently;)
Thanks for taking the time guys, you've gained a new loyal reader behind enemy lines here in dc! looking forward to reading continued in-depth coverage after the buy!
Posted by Teddy @ 7:59 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I think Jones can still be a decent (but not asuper star) full time starting running back on some team. But he is not fit with current pass-oriented scheme in Dallas. When you have Romo, Owens, and Witten, your offense will be pass oriented. They should run more screens with Jones. Barber is more fit with the scheme right now. It might be a waste of Jones talent.
I said this because it seems every fan wants to get rid of Jones soon. A lot of people think Jones is just someone to throw under the bus. That is not fair to him.
Actually he is not doing that bad even though his number is not that good. In the game against Vikings, the first opening offense drive was very great, 14-play, more than 8 minutes. Jones was on the drive. He ran four times and caught the ball twice. He must also be doing well for pass protection. But he did not get too many rushing yards.
Against New England, one of the best drives (maybe the best drive, anyway, they only had two TD drive) was the one at the beginning of the 2nd half, Jones was on the drive and he played a key role in the drive.
I think you cannot just see the statistics of his yards. You know Barber gained more than half of his yards in the 4th quarter. For some reasons, Jones played very little in the 4th quarter. When Dallas was in the lead, Barber was the one to kill the clock. When Dallas tried to catch up, they usually went to one RB and Barber was that RB most of time. On average, rushing yards are easier to get in the 4th quarter because the defense is usually very tired.
It is not very fair to Jones. They should play him some more in the 4th quarter. Barber is a better receiver running routes. But Jones is better at running screens. I do not know who is a better pass blocker. Why does not Dallas use Jones in one back offense that much?
Posted by clay @ 8:24 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I was thinking along the same lines in terms of defending Romo. It seems like a no-blitz or delayed blitz is the best way to go. On some of the few plays that worked for Chicago defensively, Urlacher acted as a spy who came in to get the sack after Romo dodged the 1st wave of pass rushers. The problem in Chicago's case was that it took a great pass defender out of the coverage, but I'd expect to see more containment and less all out rushing on Romo, since he seems to throw as well or better on the run than in the pocket.
Also, I never figured why people thought TO got by on talent alone. If he had that much physical talent he would have been much more heralded early on.
Posted by KsDalFan @ 9:21 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Good job of breaking it down. Now that the Cowboys "hopefully" have figured out how other teams are defending Romo, maybe Garret could design a roll out play or two to get Romo out of the pocket?
Posted by Rolando @ 9:39 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Jeez, albert, you keep this up, and you may still be around here in January.
Posted by Will @ 9:44 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
To pile on - GREAT column! More, more, more!
Concerning Romo, I'm surprised that the last couple of weeks (NE, MIN) defenses still try a jailhouse break blitz (two blitzers in the A and B gaps) and Romo evades the rush and makes a play. This isn't Bledsoe, fellas! Must be some arrogant coordinators.
The DAL OL isn't that great - Kosier is a whodat and Colombo is a scrap heap reclamation project. MIN's OL has more pedigree and their DL is perhaps the best in football. Their LB are fast, aggressive, and don't miss too many tackles. MIN is a good team, too bad Childress is a "system" guy and believed that Traveriosuy or whatever his name is will succeed. Same with their WR.
Good commentary on Jones. Let's drop the starter/backup thing. They need two backs. And in today's NFL - every team needs two capable backs.
Posted by Horace Franklin @ 9:47 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
The analysis on the RB's is dead on. I really could see Julis behind the Denver OL, just breaking off chunks of yardage. But having the two different styles of RB's will cause the line not to establish and identity and will not allow them to establish a consistent running game.
Posted by D.B. from N.M. @ 10:28 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
I hope people start appreciating the way Wade Phillips uses Julius Jones and MB3 the way I do. I'm sick and tired of people saying that MB3 needs to start over Julius Jones. They have totally different running styles that compliment each other and I think that affects what defenses game plan. I like it the way it is and I hope it doesn't change for a long time. The only thing different that I would like to see is Julius Jones and MB3 swapping as starters from time to time. Make defenses guess which running back is going to start. I would think that defenses would have even a harder time game planning against Dallas' offense if that was the case. Julius and Barber could be the best tandem since in NFL history. I cant think of a better tandem right now other than maybe Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush. The tandems that I can think of on the top of my head are the likes of Kenneth Davis/Thurman Thomas, Rodney Hampton/Ottis Anderson/Dave Meggett, Alstott/Dunn, Ron Dayne/Tiki Barber, John Riggins/George Rogers, Roger Craig/Tom Rathman or even Herscell Walker/Tyrone Wheatley. Oh and Muarice Jones Drew/Fred Taylor.
Posted by Sunjay @ 10:28 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
A great article. Its good to see the breakdown like this. Can you breakdown regarding our defense too?
Posted by trey w @ 10:38 PM Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Some Armchair Observations:
Miles Austin needs a shot at returning a few kicks. Thompson hasn't done crap this year.
At what point do we ask why Demarcus Ware isn't getting sacks like Merriman did last year in this defense? I think at this point the comparisons can cease. Merriman is a superior defender at attacking and sacking the QB. D. Ware is a great athlete, but needs more of a mean streak. I've seen him pussyfoot around the Qb a coulple times, instead of pounding him into the ground. Can we piss Demarcus Ware off somehow?
Roy Williams is faster this year, but can't hit as hard. Man, he closed the gap last week on that flag to the slot. Couldn't believe it was "biscuit shy of a linebacker" Roy.
We need to try and block a punt at some point. Is it just me, or do we never go after punts? Pat Watkins is 6'5", and fast, why isn't he rushing the punter?
Terence Newman needs to return punts. Patrick Crayton needs to tuck the football, and quit holding it out from his body, or like a loaf of bread.
Where is Bobby Carpenter? Does he play for the Cowboys?
Can anybody on our offense tackle? 5 returns for td's this year.
Posted by John @ 6:39 AM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Great analysis! Please keep Tale of the Tape going.
Posted by shahab @ 7:35 AM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
great, now we have Albert making excuses for JJ. the bottom line is JJ's not getting it done.
Posted by ken @ 9:00 AM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Romo's a manchild.
Posted by Steven @ 9:03 AM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Trey
Agree with you on Thompson. Looks like he is disinterested out there this year.
As for Ware. I think you should go back and watch closely. The guy is constantly around the QB. He is usually going against not only a LT but a TE or RB as well. His speed rush is dynamite and his bull rush is impressive for a guy his size. Teams are scheming to not let him get sacks. Either with quick drops or double teams. Merriman has alot of other weapons alongside him in SD which frees him up more. Now that Ellis is back and making waves look for teams to not be able to concentrate as much on Ware.
I don't know where Watkins plays on punt return but I know he is a hell of a gunner on punt coverage. I agree I would like to see us get a little pressure on the punter.
Newman is a situational returner. Crayton was 4th in the NFC in return average going into Sundays game so he has done a nice job. Newman is always looking for the home run which is fine, but a guy who realizes he needs to just get upfield is best on most occasions.
Bobby Carpenter was a strange pick by the Cowboys. We were already loaded at LB when we picked him and then Ellis swtched and now we drafted Spencer. He is great on special teams but I don't know if thats what you want from a 1st round LB.
Posted by craig @ 12:00 PM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Nice job Albert.
Although...
I could have told you they were going to start using that pressure scheme against the 6'2" Romo. Oh wait, I did before the Patriots game on this very blog.
It was the same thing they were doing to Romo last year when he was in a slump. Looks like he's adjusting better this time around.
Posted by craig @ 12:01 PM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Nice job Albert.
Although...
I could have told you they were going to start using that pressure scheme against the 6'2" Romo. Oh wait, I did before the Patriots game on this very blog.
It was the same thing they were doing to Romo last year when he was in a slump. Looks like he's adjusting better this time around.
Posted by drhorton @ 12:45 PM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Nice breakdown. Keep them coming Albert!
On the JJ question, I think the Cowboys need to use him more like the Colts usedJoseph Addai on Monday against Jacksonville. He was lined up next to Manning, would block on the blitz, or go about 5 yards downfield for the dump off. JJ could get a lot of yardage in the passing game on plays like this.
Posted by trey w @ 2:55 PM Wed, Oct 24, 2007
Hey Stephen,
My opinion is that Ware has just as many capable weapons around him as Merriman did. Ellis, James, Ayodele, Burnett, etc. are no slouches. At some point, people need to stop making excuses for Ware. I don't want to hear bout double teams etc. all pass rushers get double teamed, and he's being moved around all over the line to compensate for that. For all the plays you 've seen him around the qb, which is common for a pass rushing end in a 3/4 attacking defense, I've seen him blocked by the tight end alone, (no help) several times. He's just not the sack artist Merriman is, and doesn't have the raw power to dominate the man in front of him. Hell, Umenyora for the Giants has like 5 more sacks than Ware, playing a similar position.
Newman v. Crayton on punt returns. Hands down Newman gives us the best chance for points on returns. Crayton has been VERY VERY LUCKY that he hasn't fumbled more. He is EXTREMELY CARELESS with the ball, and runs straight up and down---matter of time before he hurts us with another fumble, mark my words. When teams are backed up on the own end, Newman should be back there every time.
Bobby Carpenter is a BUST. Go ahead and admit it to yourselves Cowboy Fan. He's a part-time special teams player, that lacks mobility. What a waste. Nice one Bill. Hope Bobby's Dad appreciated that.
Posted by Albert Breer @ 4:29 PM Thu, Oct 25, 2007
Great analysis!
Dad
Posted by bill clark @ 5:04 PM Thu, Oct 25, 2007
albert,
those ole Texas boys are taking a shine to your writing BUT watch-out for the greased flagpole!
Uncle Bill