SPORTSDAY

Posted by Tally @ 9:30 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Then Wade lied to us.

According to everything he said during the week they would play to win.

Withholding offensive/defensive plays and schemes may be wise for the playoffs, but that is not playing to win.

If this is true, no wonder the players had no incentive either knowing the offensive and defensive playcalling and gameplans were not designed to give the team the maximum chance to win the game.

Apparently the playes and coaches think they can just "turn it on" in the playoffs.

ITS GONNA BE A LONG 2-WEEKS OUT HERE IN FAN LAND.

Posted by Bryan @ 9:30 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

The Cowboys will be ready to go! I am sick of people saying all the negative stuff about the team. It's like, even if your a Miami fan-Expect to win every damn game!

Posted by WW @ 9:36 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

All the ostrages who want to stick their heads in the sand and act like Bryan, that we expect to win every game are conveniently missing the point.

This team has played like anything but a super bowl quality team for 4-weeks now, not just this game. There are tons of reasons for concern and disappointment at this point.

Posted by Todd @ 9:41 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

I Know we have not played well the past few weeks for various reasons. But remember this, all we need is one win to start the momentum again. Gotta believe they are going to go balls out the next game. If not, it will be a major downer. We did seem to win 13 games. Not too shabby.

Posted by Tony Romo @ 9:48 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

I'd like a pet "ostrage".

Posted by Tony in NY @ 9:55 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

A lot of dropped balls on potentially game changing plays today. Being held to 5 yards rushing? Are you kidding me? A hundred and sumthin' total yards of offense, what? There's nothing to be confident about with a performance like this one. If the 'Boys were trying in the first quarter,at least enough to garner a few personal achievements, they failed miserably. And if they just gave up and didn't care, then they faked it pretty well. As much a rival as the Redskins are, I am glad they made the playoffs, and at the Cowboys expense. I haven't seen our team get mad yet in December. Maybe this will leave a bad taste in their mouth. For their sake and ours I hope they get a bad case of the nasties in January. Their intensity and execution has been seriously diminished. They really need to kick some serious ass, and soon.

Posted by Jim in Austin @ 9:56 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

I understand not wanting to get too fancy with their offense, but how does that explain the 'Pokes secondary suddenly doing a great impersonation of stinky swiss cheese? If we're trying to make our upcoming foes feel good about their chances--mission accomplished!
Is momentum something you can turn on and off, like a switch? Well, we'll see, won't we? Woe betides Cowboydom if that switch somehow doesn't flip!

Posted by Justin @ 9:57 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

the 2006 Colts were 1 - 3 in December.

Posted by TG in Phila @ 9:58 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

A new season starts in 2 weeks. Yes there is reason for concern, but let's not get nuts here. We certainly need TO back. Just a quick recap, the Car game was going fine until he went down, but we did still win on the road. The Phi game was a stinker - chalk it up to a division rivalry. And lastly we did come back vs Det and won. Let's have some optimism that the boys will get things turned around. I for one am excited and still think we have a very good shot to go to the big one. So sure that my air, hotel, and rental car are all booked for PHX.

Posted by Real Albert Einstein @ 10:16 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Fans crack me up. They over react in a win and even more so in a loss.

The Cowboys were disappointing, but the new season starts in two weeks. They win twice in home and are in the Super Bowl.

3 of the last 4 games were on the road and two of the teams ended well. Eagles played well down the stretch and the Panthers team beat the Seahawks & Tampa Bay in between the Cowboys lost. Guess those fans should really be upset, since they lost today also.

The Redskins ended the season well, so three of the last four were against teams playing well while the Cowboys were not sharp. How did the Redskins do the four games before they started their win streak? The season goes in streaks for many teams throughout the year.

As mentioned before, the Colts last year stumbled into the playoffs and did well.

If the Cowboys can get a good start in the next game, I like their chances going through the NFC. They have two full weeks to correct their problems and get back some key members of the team.

Posted by ed mike davis @ 10:24 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

How about them Cowboys!

Posted by gary @ 10:32 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

i don't care what the stakes were...were the starting olinemen in game, yes...still can't run the ball with any kind of consistency and no matter what romo said, if we can't run it or have the threat of running it, dallas will not beat anyone in tghese playoffs...how can you be uninspired and flat running the ball!?

Posted by cowboy128 @ 10:40 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Thank you Titans for making the Cowboys first round pick from the Browns as high as possible.

Posted by Cowboy fan in Seattle @ 10:45 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

The Cowboys went 13-3 while playing in the NFC East, a division that is sending three teams into the playoffs. While December has not been great, I like our chances here.

Posted by Willy Henderson @ 10:50 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

To all of the whiners out there,
What if the 'Boys come out in two weeks and whip some butt? Will you admit that you were wrong and apologize for being so pessamistic?
There are sure some weak kneed fair weather fans on this site.
somebody said on onother post that 13and3 doesen't mean anything unless you win the superbowl. It sure has meant something to me. I have had a fantastic time watching the 'Boys this season and I am looking forward to watching them have a great playoff run.

Posted by Tom @ 11:03 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Cowboys were in a unique situation. Not only did they have nothing to play for (on the road against a team that had everything to play for), but it's also a team they could play in two weeks in the playoffs. They clearly didn't want to show them ANYTHING. Just think about it? Can you remember a guy in motion all day (probably happened but I can't remember it). Having guys in motion is a regular feature of their offense and key to their scheme, but they clearly didn't want to give the Skins a look at the things they'll try to do in the playoffs and hence played the most conventional, base offense you'll ever see in the NFL. And it was the same story on defense. Not sure there was a blitz all day. Never more than a 4 man rush. And they never moved Ware (or others) arounds. Again, the most base defense (all day) you'll ever see in the NFL. The schemes they use in two weeks (against the Skins or whoever) will have nothing in common with the "schemes" they ran today. Granted today, was pretty uninspired and sloppy, but zero reason to panic.

Posted by Jrs2300 @ 11:05 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

First off.. Troy Aikman and Bucks Washington Love.. made me sick today..

Jacque Reeves just don't belong in the pros.. we have seen a whole season of him and he's not doing it... SH*% 4 YEARS OF WATCHING FOR THIS FROM HIM AND NATE JONES...

I am bothered by somethings I seen from Wade this year ... and I want to know who agrees

1, getting Miles Austin playing time too damn late.. he should've been getting catches from Game F*%$#ing #1.

2. Sign some real damn corners..

3. if you are going to blitz.. why play a deep zone letting anyone on the other team catch balls FREE over the middle.. it's a flawed scheme

4. don't dare ever think having Jacque Reeves can guard a #1 Wr ever again.. what's wrong with you ??

5. Maybe it's time to go to the Zone running scheme. Justin Fargas even got a 1000 yard this season and Dallas had NONE..

6. Start running 4 and 5 wides... is it illegal to take Witten off the field for once to make it more explosive... WOW

Posted by RR @ 11:16 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Certainly you can hold back in your last couple of regular season games and then just turn it on for the playoffs. Just ask Avery Johnson.

Posted by Tom @ 11:18 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Also, a little history lesson, for all of those in panic mode. With nothing to play for in the final game of '94, the Cowboys lose in uninspired fashion to a mediocre Giants team on the road. Starting QB plays a half. Other starters sit out. They only score 10 points and have under 200 yards total offense. And overall they hadn't played particularly well in the final month of the season.

... and two weeks later they opened the playoffs by beating a good Packers team 35-9. (Not saying these Cowboys compare to the mid-90s version, but still ...)

"Lackluster Cowboys lose finale"
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1994/122594giants.html

Posted by CC Dean @ 11:18 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Some fans guestamate what will or won't happen for Cowboys based on the last 4 games, 2 of which we played fine, 1 was poor because of Tony's injured thumb, and this last one bad because of injuries, lack of motivation and a sloppy field. Come people, let's wake up and realize that the Cowboys have a very talented team, a very competitive team and we will be ready and will play well.

Posted by James @ 11:29 PM Sun, Dec 30, 2007

Not exactly what most of us were hoping for, but after watching the game (again), it was pretty clear this was a "pre-season" type game. Little to no creativity on the offense, just lined up and ran plays with no emotion or intensity. Defensively, very, very vanilla, I think there were 2 blitz packages all game. The rest was simple coverage with Ball, Reeves and Jones getting serious playing time.
All is not lost Cowboy fans, I hope Washington wins and Seattle and comes back to Dallas, then we'll see what were made of, and I'm guessing a very different outcome

Posted by adnls9 @ 12:17 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Not only was the "D" vanilla but, they palyed primarily 2nd teamers at the corner spots and even let Alan Ball (A ROOKIE) play quite a bit. So the secondary did not play too poorly. As little as the BOYS blitzed they did manage to get pretty good pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, they played very uninspired. Tony Romo looked like he would have had rather been in Dallas with T.O.

Posted by Steve @ 12:36 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Miles Austin is the number 2. He needs to play. I know he had some drop (as others) but every time this kid catches the ball it is like an explosion.

He gets open. Hurd and Crayton have trouble

Posted by Antonious @ 1:01 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

I agree with Jrs2300; we need some DB's bad!!!!
Did anybody see Bob Sanders against the Titans this afternoon in the 1st and 2nd Quarter? Now that's the kind of Safety we need!!! Reeves and Jones has to go, lets get the kid from the Raiders he is a free agent this year. Also don't forget we let Charles Woodson walk right through free agency a couple of years back and sign with Green Bay!! Damn!!! We need to shore up that Secondary!

http://antonious-sportstalk.blogspot.com/

Posted by Ron @ 1:18 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Everyone needs to take a chill pill especially all of the Garrett lovers who have tried to divide the team offensively and defensively. It is what it is. Until this season is completely played out then people should make an evaluation of the team. This team has achieve more than their present talent level. This coaching staff achieved more than the previous group. The flaws are recognizable. All they can do is play out the season and hopefully get on a roll. It's ironic how Cowboy fans cry wolf about the defense giving up points. Have you ever thought about the offense need to try and score more points? You don't hear Patriots fans talking about how terrible their defense is or a certain player needs to be banished when they were giving up 35 points to the Giants or 20+ points in serveral games. Their offense just reached deeper and scored more than the other team. The Cowboys offense have not been able to do this as of late. And for the TO haters, I hope you see how important he is to the success of this offense. TO is the MVP of the Cowboys because if he was not they would still be scoring touchdowns and moving the ball without him in the lineup. Give TO his credit regardless if you like him or not. I bet Jason Witten and Crayton would love to see him in the lineup again so they can get single coverage again.

Cowboy fans let the season play out then b*%@# and complain until next season if they don't make it to the Super Bowl.

Posted by Dale @ 5:09 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

How could this team be concerned? It has
beaten a bunch of teams that were not playing
as well as they are now. At least 3 teams in
the NFC are better than the Boys today. Show
me some defense Wade or go back to California.

Posted by Rachel @ 7:19 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

I think the Cowboys will do better in the Playoffs!
GO COWBOYS! "WE Believe"!!!! At least I do!

Posted by John @ 8:21 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Sorry Cowgirl fans....your time is up! The 'skins are playing inspired ball, and after crushing the Seahawks next week, they'll be back to send the 'boys off to their tee times.....

Posted by David @ 9:14 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

The Cowboys offense is playing horrible. Even when they lost against the lions in the last game of the season last year, they scored 30 plus points. They have barely scored that many in the last 3 games totaled together!

The performance yesterday was just flat out pathetic and you can't say that it was because the game didn't matter. They played most of their starter's deep into the 3rd quarter. Romo still threw his wobbly interceptions and missed receivers. And the other receivers had grease on their hands. The defense maintained their integrity to some extent except they allowed the Roy Williams gaping hole to return and undermine the performance.

Posted by Hooch @ 9:51 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

It is easy to say we will be ready next time but history tells us otherwise. Slumping teams do not rise to the occasion very often. It is much easier to go in with a win then a loss.

Posted by skinsfan in austin! @ 10:21 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Hail to the Redksins!

Deja Vu--Redskins will be playing Dallas in two weeks after we dispense of Seattle. UNlike the first matchup where the game was in our hands, skins will leave with a victory and cowpokes will be heading into a long post-season wondering went wrong. Can you say overrated!!

Posted by Andrew @ 10:25 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

The Redskins just plain whipped the Cowboys and Romo can say what he wants --that the Cowboys were holding things back, but why in the heck would you risk injury to your starters if you didn't care about winning. Dallas tried to win this game and could not do it. Romo's excuse is bad one and reveals the real problem for the Cowboys --Romo is no Aikman.

Posted by sam @ 11:30 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Roy Williams needs to go. This is the 50th time he has missed a tackle for a touchdown. Wake up Jerry Jones! He is not the same player you signed two years ago. Or is it the fact that he does not want to get hurt to collect all of his contract money? Ill bet you that Bill Belicheck would have let him go last year!!!!!!!

Posted by Real Albert Einstein @ 11:55 AM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

The Redskins whipped the Cowboys good yeaterday and the players should be disappointed in their performance. redskins had everything to play and plenty of emotion at home against their rival. Good news for the Cowboys is the skins showed their gameplan if they managed to get by the seahawks, it's a huge advantage for the Cowboys. Collins has been good, but there is a reason he is a backup. Next week or the week after redskin fans will find out why. Wait until 13 days and the fans of the other teams will disappear quietly in the night along with the fair weather Eagle......err Cowboys fans.

Cowboys will have the game in hand in 2 weeks and win by double digit points unless the other team gets a late score. I think this past game was a wake up call. I really do hope it's the Redskins, but they will have their hands full with the hawks.

Posted by RMB @ 12:33 PM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

I can see the cowgirl fans are downplaying this game because they did not have some starters play in yesterdays Massacre. Well let’s see, the Redskins ALSO did not have a few starters play: Jon Jansen did not play. Oh, neither did Randy Thomas. Hey, did anyone see Carlos Rodgers or Rocky McIntosh? Oh yea, they did not play either. The cowgirls will get ALL of their starters back when the playoffs start, the Redskins will not. Oh, SEAN TAYLOR WILL NEVER BE BACK!!!!. So to all the cowgirl fans who had to sit and watch your team get their butt kicked, Quit you sissy whining. I can’t wait until the Redskins play the girls again in two weeks!!!!

Posted by joel @ 12:33 PM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Why all the whining about the offense? Over the last 5 games: 37 vs GB, 28 (but for Witten's fumble 35) vs Det, and 17 in first half vs Car. The only bad game with a full strength unit was Philly and you can chalk that up to Romo and his thumb. Defensive consistency is a concern but, if we get TO back, I don't see the offense having a problem.

Posted by W. Barkley @ 5:36 PM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

Bull____!... If The game against Washington didn't mean anything... why did the Cowboys keep in starters for the whole game...Wade is blowing smoke now but he wanted that win.

Posted by Ed @ 6:55 PM Mon, Dec 31, 2007

If you think you're in for a long 2 weeks, try living in DC! The Redskins actually said they beat us by 21 because that's Sean Taylor's number.