SPORTSDAY

Posted by coy @ 6:32 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

If the Cowboys do not fix the "d" they will not win their 1st play-off game in 10+ years. Where was the pass rush. Not enough blitzing. Last week after Bret went down the blitzing stopped also. Our DB's are not good enough to cover anyone for very long. Just admit it the secondary stinks. Primarily roy williams, and our middle LB's. They cannot cover anyone. The "d" needs to shut up and show up every week. J. Kitna may have taled some smack last year, but he backed it up with a great game. Until B. James and T. Newman can back it up then they jsut need to SHUT UP.

As far as the 2 pass interference penalties that were not called. The first one was not PI, looked alot like one last week that was not called for the Cowboys against Green Bay. The second was obviously PI.

Now, all that being said the BOYS did win.

Posted by Tim @ 6:46 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

The D ,which is new, has problems when the game plan has to be changed. But in the second half they did better. Stop critsizing unless you understand the defense. with GB they stopped because he ran past them when they did. This is horrible that a 12-1 team gets this much critasisum. The colts last year had the same problem but in the playoffs they became solid and the won a ring.

Posted by Todd @ 6:59 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Kitna simply stated what he thought was true, it wasn’t like he was trash-talking. Let's face it. Our middle LB's instill no fear in opponents. They are an average unit. Our DB’s are suspect at times even without significant injuries. It’s hard to feel fully confident about our defense. Both units need some upgrade in the off season.

Posted by bobby @ 7:00 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I have seen the Colts, and these Cowboys, are not the Colts.

Posted by Cougar @ 7:11 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

You are right bobby-

These Cowboys are better. Plus the Parcells Cowboys beat those Colts.

Posted by Other @ 7:30 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

"Kitna simply stated what he thought was true, it wasn’t like he was trash-talking.""

Sorry Todd, but that IS trash talking when you name individuals in your criticism. It's one thing to say "The Cowboys secondary looked confused" or "their linebackers were never able to blah, blah, blah" and quite another to say "Number 56 looked liked he as lost", "Newman is certainly no Marcus Trufant".. Those are PERSONAL insults, i.e. TRASH TALKING. Now, he did a pretty fair job of backing it up, but don't act like Kitna wasn't running his mouth.

Posted by Joseph from Houston @ 7:33 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Great observations!! It may have worked out this way on this particular Sunday, but I'll take Bradie James and Terrance Newman on my team 99/100 games.

Posted by Creth Davis @ 8:05 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

sadly what Kitna said was true last year and wasn't too far off this year...

but I hate the friggin' Lions and I hate Kitna's whiny face.

Posted by toran @ 8:12 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

December 22: Cowboys vs Panthers is on the NFL Network. Want to be able to watch it? Email at toranfiddes@yahoo.com for info.

Posted by dan @ 8:13 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

kitna is no rex grossman

Posted by Elisha Arlan @ 8:18 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Kitna may have been right but, being right in football only counts IF it leads to a "W". In this case, Kitna gets an "L." Remember, "On Any Given Sundy..."

Posted by Elisha Arlan @ 8:19 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Kitna may have been right but, being right in football only counts IF it leads to a "W". In this case, Kitna gets an "L." Remember, "On Any Given Sundy..."

Posted by JohnG @ 8:23 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

You're on the nose Tim!.

Posted by Chris @ 8:24 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Bottom Line: Holiday-Time in Dallas sure is more fun, and friendly, when the Cowboys are playing great. Thanks Boys!

Posted by tex @ 8:24 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

On the contrary, Kitna's words were so true!

I was worrying all week not that Kitna couldn't back up his statements, but that Newman and James couldn't back up theirs.

It's obvious that the Dallas D can and will be had against a good team or a team playing on full emotion.

Our Linebackers are average at best, and T. New is good but not great. Deion Sanders he is not!

As far as I'm concerned, this win was extremely lucky and basically the Boys did not come close to shutting down Kitna and friends. The defense should be embarassed that their skirts were pulled down so brazenly on national TV.

This team may have the best record in the NFC, but a playoff win in the divisional playoffs, much less the NFC championship or SB is by no means guaranteed. If the defense plays this way, we still could be one and done, i.e. like the Chargers last year.

Hate to pour cold water on this "win" Cow fans, but it's the truth.

Posted by Preston @ 8:35 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I watch so much on the Detroit Pistons and the Lions I don't miss a thing, being a Detroit fan I have never seen so much drastic cheap measures taken by leagues to change the outcome. Since I'm practically married being a Detroit fan is what I live to do, it's the only thing I enjoy anymore. I herd this was said before and I'm starting to think maybe it's comman in a lot of Detroit Lions fans, "when they win I have a good week, when they lose I have a bad one"....took the words right out of my mouth. The loss to the Cowboys was heart breaking and considering the Lions had plenty of chances to put the game away, but the fact of the matter is the Lions had more chances, more considerable game changing plays that were taken away from them with bad calls. The Lions played a great game on Dec 10 against the Dallas and they deserved to win, but the odds to win when the reffs are stacked against you are horribly small, the question is how do you beat the officials and the contenders you're up against? As a Detroit fan I relize it's sellout games at every game and with that being said it don't intise many changes for the better in Detroit. The fans in Michigan are so loyal and always there no matter what. I myself have felt so much in a game that I have dreamt I was apart of the team and doing what needed to be done to make the changes. I really think sometimes the players need to relize what they have been given the chance to do in life...they have accounted fame and fortune and the ability to put themselves in the history books. I am pshically a sports contender in any sport and wish I would have been raised to relize your dreams are not dreams, they're are wants of reality. If I would have been raised with such mentallity and relized at such a younger age I with no doubt would be playing a professional sport. Relizing at the age of 25 now, I just never got on that train. As a true hearted fan I snapped after the game with Dallas and I no longer have a big screen TV, Lions hopes , or the head-ache. I'm still a fan and always will be.....maybe I'll have a TV by next season.....see ya next season Detroit.

Posted by JJB @ 8:41 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I'm not sure what game you were watching, Tim, but the "d" did not improve much in the 2nd half. The Lions were still running the ball at will. I think the Packers exposed the Cowboys weak run defense up the middle because the Lions attacked them there all day with great success. And as Babe pointed out in the radio broadcast, Martz should have chosen to continue running the ball until the Cowboys finally stopped them. As it was, his play calling and some poor execution by the Lions offense late in the game helped the Lions snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

This is no time to defend the Cowboys defense. They were awful in the first half, and never made the needed adjustments in the second half.

Posted by D Suckert. @ 8:52 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I had a bad vibe when two of the better Cowboys were talking waaaaay too much before the game. They both have egg on their face now. In the future, the Cowboy players had better keep their mouths shut and focus on the game rather than giving sound bites (TO is excluded from this rule since he can back it up). Kitna's comments from last year seem amazingly accurate. Consider how pitiful the Cowboys defense played the run/rushed the quarterback and how much of a play maker Mr. Trufant was on Sunday.

Posted by cowboys1977 @ 9:00 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

The Cowboys on the defensive side of the ball has too many players that are not very bright when it comes to football IQ. You watch how they make the same stupid mental errors and missed assignments every game. You look at the Patriots and they don't have near the talent the Cowboys have on defense but they do have players that don't make mistakes and players who play smart football.

Posted by ivana hussein @ 9:12 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Bottom line: Cowboys won, Lions lost on December 09, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

END OF STORY!

Posted by Chris/Denton @ 9:20 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Preston, you need to seek help...immediately.

I think the Cowboys came out a little "flat" after that big game against the Packers and 10 days off. I can see Newman and Henry being a little rusty, Newman moving back to his regular LCB spot after playing on the right all season and to me it didn't look like Henry was 100% at all, still looked pretty gimpy. There is NO excuse for R. Willaims, sorry but the guy is terrible when blitzing, pulls up and seems afraid to attack the blocker, we know his weakness against the pass and now seems almost afraid to "lay the wood" to receivers and backs when trying to make a tackle.

B. James has played well all season but certainly was trying too hard and playing undisciplined which led to some big plays for the Lions. I haven't been a fan of Akin since day one and have to agree that Carpenter must REALLY stink if he can't take the starting job from him. I know Burnett is a little undersized for an ILB in the 3-4 defense but the guy makes plays and I'd like to see how he would do as the starter along side James.

To some this may be nitpicking since our beloved Cowboys clinched the NFC East and are 12-1 but after watching the "1 and done" the last few seasons in the playoffs I for one just want to see them play their best football and at the least make it to the Superbowl. This "near miss" against the Lions will hopefully keep the players grounded, humble and make them understand that they have to continue to get better and focus to reach their goals.

Posted by Chris @ 9:32 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

"cowboys1977" is right. I'm beginning to think that either "average IQ" or "football IQ" is the problem here. What the hell is wrong with some of our defensive starters? Game after game after game it's the SAME THING! Especially with Roy Williams -- missing tackles, always a split second late to the play, failing to wrap up. And our interior just isn't the same since Jason Ferguson went down. What happened to Tank? He got moved around like a rag doll. And Ayodele just isn't good enough -- he wouldn't be starting on a lot of teams. Ferchrissake, let Carpenter have a shot, at least!

And I think another problem might be that Ellis, Ware and Spencer just seem like nice guys -- TOO nice, that is. Their play in getting to the QB doesn't seem as though it's invested with any "meanness". Where's the fire? Where's the follow-through? Those guys need to start being mean bastards when they're on the field.

Posted by Vox Veritas @ 9:35 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Don't be too hard on the D. The Lions ran alot of come-back routes and those are hard to defend. In 5 trips into the red zone, the Lions scored only 2 TDs so the D must have been doing something right.

Posted by Nummy @ 9:39 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

The game isn't about proving Kitna wrong, you ninny. It's about winning. Try to enjoy the win!

Posted by Marco @ 9:42 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Preston, Man, take a chill pill.

If the Lions "deserved" to win, the field goal would have not been missed, they would not have been stopped by the defense, and the couple of bad calls would not have been the difference. Certainly not worth trashing your TV over.

The ref calls weren't the difference. A mediocre quarterback versus a SUPERIOR quarterback was the difference. Too bad your TV was lost for naught - better luck next season...

And, no, the "D" is not the best in the league. Neither is Indy's or the Pack's. But with Romo (as apparent in Buffalo and Detroit), it may not matter. This is the best team in the NFC. C'mon folks, enjoy this! This is the best Pokes team since the early 90's. Romo is the best Dallas QB EVER (and I remember Roger and even before).

There will be a playoff victory - we may make it to the Superbowl. It's still a great year, even without that. Beating Detroit in December is sweet. Beating ANY NFC East team is sweet. And keeping Favre's Texas Stadium losing streak alive is pure bliss.

GO POKES!!!

Posted by Craig @ 10:03 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Grab! Grab! Grab! this team just do not know how to tackle at all. Roy Williams and the hold defense contiuned there ways of inartfully tacking. Don't these guys know anything about wrapping up the dude with the ball. There's only so much that coaching can do. It's up to the players to do it on the field.

Posted by Jeff @ 10:09 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Preston needs spillchick...er spell check. Other than that, he is still a nut. Everyone in the league knows that the Cows are vulnerable in the flats. You can dink 8 yards out of this defense anytime you want. Everyone knows that the linebacking corp is amazingly weak and that Bobby Carpenter ain't happening. Everyone in the league that plays the Cows know this and the Cows know this. The Cows will draft some good linebacking in the next draft. In the meantime, relax and enjoy the game. The biggest problem in the game yesterday was not the lack of defense, it was the lack of our usual offense. We should have put up 40+ points on that bunch. Every team has an off day. The only time we have lost this year is to the only team in the league that is undefeated. But several of us on this blog warned everyone not to take Detroit lightly. They are one good GM away from having a playoff/division champ team. I say we should all pitch in at help pay Matt Millen's salary to keep him there.

Posted by Rusty G. @ 10:23 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Not to throw too much water on the doom-and-gloomers, but Dallas is still in the Top 10 in team defense based on yards per game. And every team has natural volatility in its performances - New England allows 294 ypg, compared with our 311, but on average they vary by 73 ypg from week to week. That is to say, our team is not remarkably worse defensively than a lot of the top squads in terms of yards allowed, with the exception of Pittsburgh, who is substantially more effective than the rest of us.

Yes, it's disheartening. Yes, T-New, Henry, James and Ayodele played poorly this week.

But this is still a top 10 defense with a top 5 pash rush and, when we properly prepare a game plan to stop the run, a top 5 run defense. Those are important pieces to the puzzle that playoff wins have been to us this last decade.

Posted by Aaron Layman @ 10:38 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Guys, this was a fluke. The Lions haven't been able to run all season and all of a sudden they start running on the fifth ranked run defense in the league? Clearly, the Lions had a great game plan and the Cowboys didn't adjust defensively. The Cowboys also played poor fundamentally (overpursuing, missing tackles), these things are correctable, especially since it really hasn't been an issue all year long. Hopefully they learned a lesson, I am still not too concerned though. Maybe if the defense plays poorly next week, then it will be time to hit the panic button.

Posted by Jerry @ 11:17 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I just love all the experts on here, if some of you were as good as you thought you were you'd have a job in the NFL. A 12-1 record doesn't come easily. Your not going to beat everyone by double digits, just ask the Pats they have "the greatest team of all times" and they struggled for 2 weeks in a row. A win is a win be happy that the boys will be playing at home in the playoffs. The defense made plays when it mattered and the offense came through as usual, this is a very good team and if you can't see that then go jump on someone else's bandwagon.

Posted by Ray @ 11:26 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Preston, the poster child for Detroit public education.

Posted by Saint Jimmy @ 11:49 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Where'd my Terry Glenn is going to practice this week comment go? Jeez, the Sports Day staff's ego so fragile that they can't take getting scooped by some fan that has no contact with the team?

Posted by turbonupe @ 11:55 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

They won the game, quit ya DAYUM whinning, enjoy this while you can. In the end, when it get's written in the books, will it say, they won but, no, it will say 12 up, 1 down

Posted by Ozzie @ 11:58 AM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Yeah whatever! We are going to the superbowl and the lions nowhere! So who cares about anything else! Go Cowboys!

Posted by Jarhead @ 12:12 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Kitna guaranteed that his team would win at least 10 games......They won't. Regardless of his other comments they lost, we won.....enough said.

Posted by ap @ 12:34 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that picture look like Kitna just shanked T-New?

...I've been watching too much "Oz"

Posted by Teddy @ 12:43 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I think they will likely win the first playoff game. They will very likely face Tampa Bay or New York. Both team do not consistent offense. Yes, they will score points against Dallas. But Dallas offense should score enough to beat them.

Seattle will meet Green Bay. Dallas will then meet either one of them. Dallas should be favored to win. But it will be a struggle. It will not be easy. It could go either way. Green Bay has a good offense. Seattle has a good offense too, but not consistent.

But there is no way for Dallas to slow down New England offense. No one has done that this season when the game was on the line. But you can score against New England too. Hope Terry Glenn will help Dallas to keep pace with New England. If the score is within striking distance, if the Dallas has the ball at the last, they have a chance to win then.

Posted by Teddy @ 1:03 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

For some reasons, Dallas defense is only good at defending either run or pass. In the game against Washington, they planned to stop Washington rushing attack. That was because Skins liked to run football a lot. But when Skins threw ball all over the field, the defense was lost. They did not adjust well and was torched by Jason Campbell.

Against Lions, they have planned to stop Lion passing game because Lions did not like to run. When Lions decided to run, Dallas defense was confused and was gushed by Lions. The running game also opened gate for the Lions passing attack. In the end, Dallas defense gave up almost 400 yards to a struggling team without their top wide receiver.

Posted by redbeard @ 1:34 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I certainly hope we don't lose Garrett next year to some head coaching position.

Posted by Dan @ 1:35 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Yesterday made it clear that our two 1st round draft picks will be used on defense.

We have to make our defense better, we have to have a defense that enables Romo and company not just to make a playoff run, but win the Super Bowl, and win MULTIPLE Super Bowls.

And that isn't going to happen with this defense as presently constituted.

We need another corner.

We need a real Safety, and the Hamelin/Williams tandem isn't getting it done.

We need a good linebacker, the corps of linebackers we have aren't good enough.

BUT if we get that safety, that corner, if we get that linebacker, or maybe only 2 out of 3 for next year, THEN we might have a true shut-down defense.

Posted by JohnW @ 2:18 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I don't mean to excuse or ignore the D's weaknesses, but just a few other factors to consider:

- Without that goal-line stand in the 1st quarter (after 1st and goal on the one), we lose. Same goes for the other stop that forced a FG early. Same thing for the stop on their last possession when they could have run the clock out by kneeling on the ball.

- I remember seeing the time of possession stats on the TV early in the 4th quarter. Dallas 15 minutes to Detroit's 33. That's what good teams usually do to the others - wear their defense out by keeping them on the field all day. It also says two things - on defense, we weren't giving up big plays for scores. And on offense we were killing our own D by not giving them any rest.

Again, I'm still worried about our defensive weaknesses, but they did pull off enough stops to give the O a chance to win, and without a lot of support from the O.

Bright spot - only 3 penalties. Take away DeWare's planting of Kitna and we're talking 2 flags for 8 yards.

Posted by Tim @ 2:23 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Please explain to me how Indy won the superbowel last year without a true shut down defense against a true shut down defense? Because in the big games they made the plays. They also had a great offense. Defense wins playoff games is not true anymore it is offense ask the bears.

Posted by ivana hussein @ 2:25 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

For heaven's sake!

You, men, are more quarrelsome than we, women!

The game has been over almost 24 hours ago. And, the men are still quacking about it like mad...men!

It's over! Get on with your life. Perhaps, your women should bang your heads with their rolling pin?

Posted by sonel @ 2:39 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

A nail biter indeed. I don't want our boys to get to sucked in to this trashtalking business it doesn't suit us. And I agree a win is a win...no matter how ugly it was. I was at the foot of my bed screaming the whole time. It's dismal here is washington with the cloudy skies and the deadskins 5-7 record but thank you DALLAS for making the sun shine! HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS????

Posted by JDA @ 3:55 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I swear Roy Williams does a double coat of WD40 on his hands every game!! Plus he must also wear slippery shoes too. When was the last time he was able to overcome a mistake and turnaround and make it right.

Yeah, I'm glad they are 12-1, clinched the East and are headed for the playoffs.

But you can't keep expecting the offense to score 35 points because the defense is giving up 34 again.

Posted by James @ 4:51 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Hey Ivana...so, what's your excuse? Your man not good enough for football?!??!! I don't see him here. So, don't tell us about what are women are doing or not. Mine was watching the game with me as I'm pretty sure most of them were.

Posted by Bobo @ 6:53 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Come on...did not improve as the game progressed????
Lions scored 20 points in the 1st half and 7 in the 2nd half...isn't that an improvement???

Posted by Preston @ 7:53 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

It's funny too cause you all talk like you watch the Lions or something..The Lions missed a feild goal and I said that was one reason they lost and it was.....but the pass interferiance call and acouple others the reffs simple ignored are other reasons....there were 2 drives, STRONG DRIVES that were ended because of bad calls on the reffs and like the spokesmen on TV mentioned during the game the Lions were looking strong on those drives and were highly potential touchdown or field goal drives......Roy Williams hands greesy...lol..talk about something you know about....maybe Calvin Johnson hands greesy ....not Roy.....Lions not being able to run the ball all season.....lol... more like they can and have, but their cordinator just likes to play the pass game....you're a bunch fools who just like to type about things you know nothing about.....only reason half you are on here making comments is because you are some sorry ass fans watching a team and liking them because they're winning (Cowboys). Here in Michigan they're real fans, we watch and care all the time. If you think I took it way to far and lost my temper I think you need to be born in Michgan to understand the heart ache of emotions as a Lions fan....besides having emotions about something you love is nothing to play with...like I said I'm a real fan...and you know when you're a Detroit Lions fan you're a real fan....pose on someone else.

Posted by Preston @ 7:58 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

It's funny because you all talk like you watch the Lions or something.....The Lions missed a feild goal and I said that was ONE reason they lost and it was.....but the pass interferiance call and acouple others the reffs simple ignored are other reasons reguardless you like the fact they had got screwed on those calls it's all facts and they'd won if they were'nt screwed....there were 2 drives, STRONG DRIVES that were ended because of bad calls on the reffs and like the spokesmen on TV mentioned during the game the Lions were looking strong on those drives and were highly potential touchdown or field goal drives......Roy Williams hands greesy...lol..talk about something you know about....maybe Calvin Johnson hands greesy ....not Roy.....Lions not being able to run the ball all season.....lol... more like they can and have, but their cordinator just likes to play the pass game....you're a bunch fools who just like to type about things you know nothing about.....only reason half you are on here making comments is because you are some sorry ass fans watching a team and liking them because they're winning (Cowboys). Here in Michigan they're real fans, we watch and care all the time. If you think I took it way to far and lost my temper I think you need to be born in Michgan to understand the heart ache of emotions as a Lions fan....besides having emotions about something you love is nothing to play with...like I said I'm a real fan...and you know when you're REAL FAN when you're a Detroit Lions fan!....pose on someone else....when the Patroit win it all you'll be Patroit fans.

Posted by herson @ 9:47 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

wow where did this clown come from?

Posted by cowboyfan_9 @ 11:15 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

I think that the Defense did adjust. I believe phillips is right when he points out that the D run defense gave up 3.9y/rush after they surprised us on the first series. That is not horrendous. Yes, they had us on our heels the first half. Yes, they scored 20 pts in the first half (which is not good), but how many did they score second half ?? 7. Alright, I will give you it should have been 10. But when we needed it they buckled down on stopped the lions.
Our pass D did not generate much pressure, but I think that was a fluke. Maybe they got the front guys looking run first instead of pass, making them second guess themselves (just a thought). It did appear that Kitna was throwing fairly quickly too, mainly to short timing routes. Newman and Henry were both getting back to their real positions and obviously rusty. Earlier in the year Newman said it was going to very tough for him to readjust to being on the left side and Henry had not played that much in weeks. They will get better. This all led to what we saw from our D, but in the long run we will learn from it. I do not feel it is a sign of a defense collapsing as some people have said. We will be better this week, and when it came down to it we made the plays when we had to to win the game. Just my opinion.

Posted by Cowboyfan_9 @ 11:25 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007

Preston,
To say that cowboys fans don't know how to be real fans is laughable. It is not like we have not been through rough seasons and heartache the last 10 years. This is after all TEXAS where football is king. Most people who live here, live breathe and eat football from high school, college, and especially the COWBOYS. We have been true to this team since its inception. I am sorry the Lions are still breaking your heart and I feel for you. But don't fault us because our team is having an amazing season and I think we both know that the better team won Sunday. Good luck to your Lions next year, Preston.