My 5 Points Cowboys Dominate!!!!

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Saints
by William C. Walker Jr.

Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) high steps into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown ahead of New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, September 28, 2014.

How Bout Them Cowboys!!!!!!! Sorry I couldn't resist that.  As much as I loved seeing the Cowboys comeback last week in St. Louis down 21-0, there's something so satisfying with a beat-down. Especially when prognosticators all week gave the Boys no chance.  Even despite the fact that Dallas has the number one leading rusher in the league.  With great pleasure here are my 5 points from the Cowboys big win.

5. Good riddance Mo: I hate to kick a man while he's down, but it has to be done.  The Cowboys are a better defense without Mo Claiborne.  This week Mo Claiborne left the team after finding out that he was losing his starting job to Orlando Scandrick.  Anyone that's watched this team knows that the demotion was warranted, and after Claiborne went down with a knee injury in the first quarter you'd be crazy to say this defense wasn't better off.  Former New England Patriot Sterling Moore was a more than adequate upgrade over the 6th overall draft pick Claiborne.  Sterling Moore known in New England for his last second pass break-up against the Baltimore Ravens receiver Lee Evans in the 2012 AFC Championship game.  I didn't think Scandrick would make that big a difference coming back to the starting line-up but the evidence so far is clear.

4. Defense stepped up: On a night where Dallas dominated, I'm not going to lie a tad bit of nervousness rose in the 4th Quarter. An accurate statement had been made of the Dallas Cowboys last year and previous seasons saying "They've snatched defeat from the jaws of victory".  Too many times the defense would blow a large lead.  With 8 minutes left in the game the Saints had the ball down only 14 near midfield after Dallas had their second 3 and out.  The recipe for disaster was there yet defense held on and after a insane fake punt attempt got the ball back to the offense.  This defense has far exceeded expectations, after being shredded by Austin Davis last week. For the majority of the game they kept Drew Brees in check.  Last week Rolando McClain and Justin Durant didn't play, who knew having them back would help so much?  Props once again to Bruce Carter who has been balling after looking horrible last year.  Hopefully his quad injury isn't too severe, but this defense has stepped up in a big way.  Forcing 3 turnovers if they can add a pass rush from the D-line this defense can still improve.

3. Perfect Game plan: I can't believe I'm going to say this, but Jason Garrett and the coaching staff put together a perfect game plan.  From electing to take the ball first as opposed to deferring to the second half, to continuing to focus on the run.  The very first drive was a 12 play 80 yard masterpiece utilizing the run and play-action pass to great effect.  If they can keep this kind of game plan going with this balance this offense is going to be hard to stop.  For years fans have been screaming for Dallas to commit to the run, and allow DeMarco Murray.  This year they seem to have finally learned from the past.  With New Orleans committing 8 to the box to stop the run it gave Romo single coverage all night long, and with precision he hit the open man.  Romo finished 22-29 for 262 yards and 3 TDs to 0 interceptions, and a blistering 12-12 when passing from play-action.  It's not rocket science running the football only helps Romo operate more efficiently.

2. Complete Offense:  After the game Tony Romo spoke of how this is the most "complete offense" he's been apart of.  The production backs up his claim.  Now while we've seen this offense thrive in the past, it's always been a pass first mentality which was led by Romo's arm.  Last year alone Romo attempted a pass 535 times, that's a lot for any QB that's asking for a bit much from a 35 year old QB coming off two back surgeries. As the season continues and teams try and focus on stopping the run, it will continue to open things up for receivers Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Jason Witten.  It's quality over quantity Dallas looks like a balanced offense and a more complete unit than in times pasts. This is a formula for winning football, we're only a quarter into the season and while there's still a chance things could fall apart in December.  The chances of that will slim if the team keeps playing at this level.

1. DeMarco Murray MVP: The undoubtedly MVP of the first quarter of the season for this team has been DeMarco Murray.  Finally getting through a game without fumbling the ball Murray continued to shine.  Already leading the league in rushing going into last night's game, Murray added 24 carries 149 yards and 2 TDs to his totals.  The performance give's Murray his 4th straight game of 100 yards rushing and scoring at least 1 TD putting him with elite company.  Only 3 other players have done so Emmitt Smith(4 times), O.J. Simpson (5 times), and Jim Brown (6 times).  If Murray rushes for 100 yards Sunday against Houston he'll break the franchise record being the only Dallas Cowboy back to rush for 100 yards in 5 consecutive games.  Beating out Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith who ran for 100 yards in 4 consecutive games 4 times twice in 95, and Tony Dorsett who did it 4 times.  Murray has been stellar the first 4 weeks of the season.  After Sunday night's win Dallas's record improves to 14-1 when Murray gets 20 or more carries.  If the 4th year pro can keep this pace and Dallas keeps stacking wins he can legitimately be in the conversation for league MVP.

My 5 Points Comeback Cowboys

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Rams
by William C Walker Jr.

Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) is gang tackled by St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) and defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the Dallas Cowboys vs. the St. Louis Rams NFL football game at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, September 21, 2014. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

September 22, 2014

Here we are at week 3 and the Cowboys are now sitting at 2-1.  Before the season started I think many a Cowboy fan took a look at the schedule and said I can see the Cowboys at 2-1.  Now how they've gotten here I don't think many of us could have predicted.  So after a monumental comeback by the Boys at the  Rams here are my 5 points I took away from the game.

5. DeMarco Murray has fumble-li-tus!: Granted Murray is killing it as of right now leading the league in rushing at 285 yards.  For the third straight game Murray had a 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.  You know what else DeMarco Murray has done for the third straight game?  He's fumbled the ball on the first offensive series.  One time you can chalk that up as accident, second time development, but a third time without a doubt is a trend.  The word is out so Murray more than ever will have to be more cognizant of protecting the ball!  Teams are going to test him every game trying to see if Murray will continue to cough the ball up.

4. The O-Line Holds Up: While the Dallas offensive line has looked masterful in their run blocking.  They were looking  equally suspect in the pass blocking department.  St. Louis sports four 1st round draft picks on their starting defensive line, not to mention a pretty deep rotation.  So it wasn't a given that the o-line that struggled against Tennessee's pass rush last week would be able to hold up. Tony Romo for the first time this year didn't suffer a sack, and had a relatively clean pocket to throw from.  While it took a while to get the run game going Romo was able to make a wide array of throws without feeling the heat from St. Louis's pass rush.  That's a positive sign that the 3 first round picks Dallas has spent in building this line is paying off.

3. Has the Real Defense Arrived: Before the season started anyone that witnessed the Cowboys defense last season knew it would be an uphill battle this year.  After the first 2 weeks you had to be mildly optimistic seeing the defense not get completely obliterated.  Now they haven't been perfect showing flashes of that team from last year.  However going into Sunday's game this defense hadn't given up a single point in the 4th Quarter. The defense without Rolando McClain and Justin Durant  seemed to have some effect, because the Rams continually gashed the defense.  Austin Davis was looking like Kurt Warner during the St. Louis hay-days as he used and abused the Dallas secondary.  It's clear as day to me that Dallas doesn't have the defensive personnel to run an effective zone coverage.  When running zone you need an effective pass rush one where the quarterback doesn't have time to find the open man.  Not to mention that the corners Dallas have were initially brought in under Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme that called for more Man coverage.  Now I'll tip my hat to Bruce Carter for playing well at the middle linebacker spot with a pick 6, and Mo Claiborne after being burnt all day finally making a play with a game sealing interception.  But seeing St. Louis march up and down the field brought back flashbacks to that historically bad defense last year. Cowboys fans have to hope this was an apparition of the past, and not a sign of things to come.

2. Romo's back?: Tony Romo looked more like himself than the previous 2 games.  With some of his throws there was a question of was it rust or was there still something wrong with his back?  The questions didn't dissipate when Romo sat out a practice this week complaining of back stiffness. I mean Romo was never a scrambler but he always had a decent amount of mobility.  Most of which he would use to avoid pass rush and make plays while on the move.  With the two back surgeries the fear was that part of Tony's game was in the past.  Romo looked like the quarterback from Dallas's past avoiding the rush stepping up in the pocket. Where 2 weeks ago when Romo refused to scramble for a first down on 3rd and short against San Francisco that reservation wasn't present against the Rams. With the Cowboys down by four and facing a 3rd & 14 from the Dallas 16 yard line.  Tony Romo sprinted from the confines of the pocket making a move to fake out Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree to pick-up the first down.  Throughout the game Romo made quality throws Dez Bryant on a 68 yard bomb to close the gap making the score 21-17, and finally marching the team down field hitting Terrance Williams on a 12 yard slant to finally take the lead.  Romo's performance should be an encouraging sign that coupled with their run game this offense could have a great year.

1. Dallas Committed to the Run!: That statement is amazing in an of itself, all during the off season Garrett and the coaching staff spoke of how they were committed to running the ball this year.  It definitely helps when you have success running the ball which Dallas has had after the first 2 weeks. But being down 21-0 midway through the 2nd quarter can anyone honestly say they thought the Cowboys would stick with the run?  Especially since St. Louis actually committed to stopping the run.  The fact that DeMarco Murray had already set the franchise rushing record with 253 yards the first time he faced the Rams, followed by 175 yards the second time, had to play a factor in the Rams game plan.  Whatever that plan was it was effective Murray was met with a wall of Rams defenders every time he touched the ball.  At one point he had 6 carries for negative 2 yards rushing.  In the past that was all the excuse Tony Romo and Jason Garrett needed to abandon the run throw in the score of 21-0 it was about to be bombs away.  The Cowboys actually stuck with the game plan on their very next drive and their patience paid off, Murray gashed the Rams for runs of 14, 20, and 4 yards finishing the drive with a 1 yard touchdown plunge.  This new found commitment to the run game is paying the Cowboys instant dividends.  On the very first play of the second half the entire Rams secondary bit so hard on the play fake a wide open Dez Bryant had time to stop and tie his cleats before catching a 68 yard touchdown bomb.  Out of all the things that took place in Sunday's game this was the most encouraging sign displayed by the Cowboys.  As long as Dallas can continue to control the clock and put points on the board without turning the ball over they may finally escape their steady 8-8 fate.

Deeper Issues: With the NFL mired in turmoil ever since last week let's see why this issue goes beyond the NFL

Deeper Issues

by William C. Walker Jr.

Starting Top Left: Jonathan, Dwyer, Greg Hardy,
Bottom Left, Adrian Peterson, and Ray Rice all find themselves in limbo.

September 18, 2014

Jonathan Dwyer running back for the Arizona Cardinals because the latest NFL player to be deactivated . After being arrested based on domestic violence charges from an incident in July involving his wife and 17 month old son. Dwyer now joins former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice, Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson, and the Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy as players to have their careers on hold. The NFL has been steadily drowning in bad PR since TMZ released the video of Ray Rice knocking unconscious his then fiancee Janay Palmer. The NFL has constantly been playing catch up since Rice's initial 2 game suspension. In all honesty it shouldn't have taken another video for them to realize a stiffer penalty should have been employed. So while I agree that Rice's punishment is definitely justified, it feels wrong to me that this punishment was doled out after the fact. I know this is a court of law so Double Jeopardy doesn't apply, but the NFL has been reacting to public opinion as opposed to actually trying to do the right thing.

As if this wasn't bad enough then within the same week you have Adrian Peterson one of the best backs in the NFL, now charged with child abuse for an incident involving his 4 year old son. Peterson's actions have made things a little more clouded. While Rice's actions were immediately and unanimously condemned. Peterson's actions brought up a clear divide between those who have experienced or enforced corporal punishment. I think Adrian Peterson suffered more from sheer stupidity than rather the intent to physically harm his child. Within the black community itself corporal punishment has been seen as a way to discipline a child, which the roots of this idea many believe can be traced back to slavery itself. Where I can see the logic in that I think Peterson's actions stem more from personal experience than a throwback to slavery. But at the heart of all of the issues is the reality that these young men are mere reflections of issues that reside in our very society. Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Jonathan Dwyer aren't the only men that have committed acts of domestic violence. Even more sadly is that they probably won't be the last. However rather than the quick reaction to categorize and demonize every NFL player should be the thought of how can we educate and assist to prevent these actions in the first place not just in the NFL but in society.

I was taught right from wrong, and instilled what I should and should not do. Yet when you have these young men that have been given anything and everything at a very young age. It's easy to see how some can lose their way.  We live in a country where sex & violence sells on a daily basis we're bombarded with it. So while you may applaud a billion dollar company like Anheuser Busch for releasing a statement on their condemnation of the NFL's actions.  Are they actually going to step away from their billion dollar cash cow, that heavily promotes nor regulate the consumption of their product at stadiums across the country.  I'm not going to even touch on the effects that alcohol has on countless yet escapes the criticisms of say tobacco or other narcotics, but that's for another article. It's easy to scream for blood it's much harder to try and actually fix the problem. The thing that bothers me so much about all of this is would any of these issues come to light if Ray Rice hadn't been video taped striking his fiancee? There were plenty of players that committed crimes before this yet you never heard a word nor the public outcry that's been evident in this case. The truth is Greg Hardy would have continued playing, he was actually convicted of his domestic violence charge before the video of Ray Rice ever surfaced. Yet it wasn't until Peterson's deactivation and the media's added attention that the Panthers decided to deactivate him. While the media swarms to get every detail in regards to these cases. As well as reopen old transgressions see ESPN dusting off an E:60 piece on 2007 incident involving Brandon Marshall. 

Scandal sells this isn't some new concept.  There are 1600 players in the NFL yet less than 1% of the league has shrouded everyone under this dark cloud.  While the majority of the players in the NFL may do the right thing, there's no story in tracking the good guys. I say this because while it's easy to immediately rush to a conclusion before all facts are presented and pass judgment, I have a problem with punishment being doled out before due process. Part of the NFL's issue in dealing with this has been a monster of it's own creation. When Roger Goodell came into the league he set himself up as judge, jury, and executioner punishing players before the legal process would even run it's course. This actually drew criticism and it was this criticism that made Goodell take a wait and see approach, but after the public outcry in the Ray Rice case he's now felt the need to react again. That's not real leadership that's just going the way the wind blows and there's always something about that mindset and philosophy that just seems wrong to me. While lost in all of this is that how can we help stem the appeal to respond in violence to situations. This issue is bigger than the NFL beyond reacting to surface it's time to look deeper.

Smash Mouth at it's finest My 5 Points

My 5 Points on: Dallas vs. Tennessee

by. William C. Walker Jr.

                                          DeMarco Murray on one of his career high 29 carries

September 15, 2014

Now that's more like it, after that humiliating performance last week at home against the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas rebounded nicely.  Like last week I'm going to give my 5 key points from the Cowboys win.  It's early in the season but one can hope that Dallas can stick with the recipe they used in this game.  What they put on display was smash mouth football at it's finest.

5. Passing concerns: Last week I started with the little positive that Dallas displayed.  So this week I'll start with the little negative that came from yesterday's game.  As great as DeMarco Murray and the offensive line's  run blocking has been.  Romo and the offensive pass blocking has been equally as shaky or bad.  Romo was sacked four times knocked down another 5.  It's a little concerning especially when you have a 34 year old quarterback coming off of 2 back surgeries.  All the while during the poor pass protection Romo still looks like he's either shaking off rust, or the effects of a lingering back problem.  Some of his throws just don't seem as crisp or are way off target.  Romo improved over last week in the decision making department but you still can't watch him play and not have concerns.

4. Dominant on 3rd: Last year the Cowboys struggled immensely on 3rd down conversions.  Offensively and defensively they could neither stay on the field or get off of it.  That wasn't an issue versus the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.  The Cowboys owned 3rd down 9-16 as opposed to the Titans going 2-10.  That was huge in the game the key was the fact that the Cowboys kept themselves in manageable 3rd downs.  When you're facing 3rd & 2s as opposed to 3rd & 10s it's a little easier to convert, and those were the situations the Dallas offense kept putting themselves in.  As much as fans were rightfully worried about this defense they stepped up and shutdown Tennessee. Granted it was the Titans but this group should take any victory they can get.

3. A steal in McClain: It's early but you can't deny how good Rolando McClain has looked in the first 2 games.  After a solid week 1 performance McClain followed it up with a team lead 7 tackles 1 sack and 1 interception (that should've been a pick six).  When Sean Lee went down plenty wondered how Dallas would replace their best defensive player, I'm not going to say McClain has down that not even close, but there's potential that's showing.  For a defense that's desperate for playmakers McClain is stepping up to fill the role.  Let's just hope he can keep this positive momentum going.

2. Props to the D: Dallas's defense last year was flat out horrendous. That's not hyperbole or opinion that's factual.  They were historically bad last year one of the 4 worst defense's statistically in the history of the NFL, and the worst defense in the history of the franchise. Now going into this year you had 4 of your best players gone. Ware's in Denver, Hatcher in Washington, Sean Lee on IR, and Orlando Scandrick suspended.  So no one thought this defense could stop a nose bleed let alone and NFL offense.  Yet take away the points the offense gift wrapped the 49ers this D only gave up 14 points.  Against the Titans that looked pretty good against Kansas City last week, were completely shut down held to only 10 points denied a rally late in the 4th quarter.  Now I remember last year when Dallas's D-line was made up of no names looked pretty good for the first couple of games, and then reality struck.  But as of now I have to give props to a defense that looks like they can at least improve from their 31st ranking of last year. If Dallas's offense doesn't squander the effort from the D, than Cowboys fans can be a little optimistic.

1. Run the ball!:  DeMarco Murray is a beast after his good yet wasted performance last week against San Fran.  Murray followed it up with a career high 29 carries 167 yards rushing and a TD.  Mind you this was against a defense that the week before held Jamaal Charles to only 7 carries 19 yards. Murray's play only puts more emphasis on the fact that Dallas needs to be a RUN first team.  With Romo's arm looking shaky all the more reason to continue to RUN THE BALL.  Now the question is will Dallas stick with it?  One can only hope when you see Dallas at 2nd & 2 from the 3 and Romo opts to throw a back shoulder fade, it makes you cringe.  They followed it with the same play on 3rd & 2 on the other side the X-factor Dez Bryant came up with the TD.  I get it Dez Bryant is a beast I won't deny it when he's one on one in the red zone he screams for the ball.  But I just want Dallas to embrace who and what they are which should be a running football team.  Under head coach Jason Garrett this is something they've seemed to run (no pun intended) away from.  Mind you after DeMarco's performance Dallas moves to 12-1 when he gets 20 carries or more.  Common sense would say it's obvious in what Dallas should be doing going forward, but this is the same team that with a 3 TD lead against Green Bay last year opted to keep throwing.  It's early but it's encouraging when you see a stat line 45 runs to 25 pass.  If Dallas can stick to this formula and the defense hold up then they could go as far as DeMarco Murray's legs take them.

 

Does Only Video Matter?

Does Only Video Matter?
by. William C. Walker Jr

September 8, 2014

By now I'm sure many have seen the video of now former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice assaulting his wife Janay Parker.  It's extremely disgusting to behold, I'm a firm believer that a man shouldn't strike a woman.  But what makes this even more disturbing is seeing the events leading to Rice's actions on the elevator.  I was raised to never strike a woman, as a man there are a multitude of options that can be used against a woman opposed to striking her.  I believe the punishment Rice has received is justified, but at the same time I just think people should take a moment before they call for lifetime bans.  I'm not defending what he did it was blatantly wrong and it's amazing to me that he wasn't charged, but there have been players in this league that actually killed people and were still allowed to play.  Josh Brent a former player of the Cowboys willingly chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol, the result was the death of his teammate and best friend Jerry Brown.  While Brent was given probation their was no public outrage or call for a lifetime ban.

Society to me is quick to vilify a person the moment they're transgression is exposed.  If there was no video of Rice's incident would their be such an outcry?  While the 49ers Ray McDonald maybe getting some attention from his own domestic violence arrest there's no outright cry for his dismissal.  The woman he's alleged to assault was pregnant yet you barely hear news in regards to his status.  I've been a fervent objector to how Roger Goodell handles his duties as NFL commissioner.  I just have a problem when you suspend someone before the legal system has done it's part.  So even though I thought his initial 2 game suspension of Rice was way too light, I don't think it was wrong for him to take in account that Rice hadn't been charged, nor had he a history of legal issues.  I do think it's a little late and a poor precedent to be so knee-jerk to public outcry.

So while I think the Ravens were justified in dismissing Rice, was it really necessary to add an indefinite suspension on top of it?  Let's be honest there won't be a team that will touch Rice with a 100 foot pole this year.  So with that taken into account shouldn't the year be enough for him.  I hope he continues to seek help for his issues, and that it truly was a one-time mistake though the way he attacked her unprovoked makes me question the man's character all together.  It's hard to believe it was the first time he's done this, and with that in mind it's practically impossible to feel sorry for him which I don't.  But I think I just have an issue with not believing that people can redeem themselves.  There are a ton of abusers that work everyday jobs let's not just ignore these non-celebrity victims because their abuse wasn't caught on video.

What do you think is a lifetime ban justifiable?

New Season Same Results My 5 Points

My 5 Points on: 49ers vs. Cowboys
by William C Walker Jr.

September 7, 2014

Last year I went on a quest to try and stay even-keel when it came to my Cowboys season. I wasn't very successful, it's hard to be a passionate fan and not get fired up watching your team.  Even if they are a team terribly coached and even worse miss-managed.  So before I go and extreme lengthy tirades this year, I said I would keep my posts to a concise 5 observations from the game.  After watching the game what was clearly evident to me is that this is a new season with the same issues.

5. DeMarco Murray is a Pro Bowl Back: I'd figure I'd start with the positive, DeMarco Murray started the season off showing that his Pro Bowl selection last year was no fluke. True he didn't start the game off right by fumbling the ball on his first carry that led to a San Fran TD.  But he more than made up for it against a team that hadn't given up a 100 yard rushing performance in about a year Murray ran for 118 on 22 carries and a TD.  Murray only highlighted the fact that the offense needs to go through him!  When you have a defense as bad as Dallas and a QB that's prone to making bonehead decisions running the ball needs be priority 1.

4. This Defense is Bad: Look last year Dallas went 8-8 even though they were sporting one of the 3rd worst defenses in the history of the NFL.  The worse defense in the history of the Dallas franchise, yet they still went 5-1 in the NFC East.  So it didn't seem too crazy to say hey if they could just get a little bit better this team won't be so bad.  Yet after watching San Fran (a team that could barely score in the preseason) score in 3 plays, you had to think wow this defense may actually be worse.  I will say if the offense didn't dig such a deep hole they may have faired better, but you still saw the same mistakes. Why Dallas tries to run zone?  When they clearly have the personnel to run man is utterly mind boggling.

3.  So much for Home Field Advantage: Ever since Jerry Jones opened up this billion dollar palace, it's been clear that homefield advantage has not been a priority.  I mean that crowd had to be practically half 49er, from the opening fumble score, to each Romo interception you could hear the crowd.  But this goes beyond just a homefield advantage for the Boys. Fans of the Cowboys all know that the main issue is Jerry Jones as the GM, but if you follow the team you know this moron is going nowhere.  But if there was any hope in making JJ see the light it was to affect his bottom line.  When Dallas went through the dark ages of the Dave Campo years Dallas sank into non-relevance therefore he was forced to hire Parcells.  It doesn't matter if Cowboys fans don't buy tickets when the opposing team is filling the stadium to capactiy.  What Jerry Jones has created is a tourists attraction where opposing fans can watch a game in a Super Bowl level atmosphere against a hated opponent.  As long the cash keeps flowing in JJ sees no point in hiring the right people.  And if  you think the moron has learned just peep the report where he's was crying about not drafting Johnny Football.  Yes because with all that was wrong with this team, we needed Johnny Football (SARCASM).

2. RETARDED REDZONE PLAYCALLING: A lot was made of the fact that Scott Linehan would be the one calling the plays instead of Jason Garrett, but it didn't seem make a difference when it mattered most.  Someone please explain to me why after being down 7-0 your offense marches to the 2 yard line 2nd and 1; your running back DeMarco Murray to that point had 5 carries for 26 yards and instead of RUNNING THE BALL you drop back to pass!? The result sack which turns a 2nd & 1 into 3rd & 10. I mean that was the same stupidity that has plagued Dallas ever since Jason Garrett has taken over.  It's not like you were struggling to run the ball you were being very successful. My biggest issue is that this staff fails to even learn from their past mistakes. Because 1st and Goal from the 5 let's pass, 3rd and 1 from the 3 hey let's pass.  It doesn't matter that my running back is averaging 6 YARDS a CARRY why run the ball?  Nor the fact that my QB is clearly off his game, which brings me to my last point.

1. Romo was Awful:  Romo was bad, flat out horrible and I'm a Romo fan.  I'll admit after throwing away the game to Washington back in the 2012 finale, I admitted I couldn't defend him anymore. But I still don't blame him for the majority of Dallas' woes.  Yet with that said he was horrendous this game, and I lump him right in with not learning from the past.  I mean seriously Romo made 1st year rookie mistakes this game.  Down 14-3 Dallas again marches to 1st & Goal from the 5, the 5!  Now I've already raved about how they should've ran the ball, but once they decided to pass the results were on Romo.  After running outside the pocket to avoid the rush Romo's options were run for the endzone, attempt to pass into COVERAGE, or throw the ball away! So what does Romo decide to do?  Try to fit a ball into double coverage pass intercepted drive over.  Now that decision would've made sense if he was a rookie QB not a 12 year VETERAN which is what ROMO is supposed to be!  Yet that wasn't the only decision he made that didn't make any sense, Dez Bryant triple covered Romo decides to throw there, and Dez Bryant double covered on 1st & 10 again Romo throws.  What's so frustrating is that Romo seems to not comprehend situational football, I don't have the exact number but it seems that the majority of Romo's interceptions seems to come on 1st Down.  Like Garrett and his staff he seems to never learn from his mistakes.  Learn to live to fight another day, it's ok to THROW THE BALL AWAY SOMETIME. Finally for all the talk that Garrett and Co. gave during training camp and preseason that Romo missing practice time wasn't a big deal, yes that clearly looked like the case.  As he missed wide open receivers or threw into double/triple coverage.

I'm always going to root for Big D, but it's embarrassing watching crap on display like this afternoon.  Until next Sunday where hopefully I'll have 5 positive points.  for all that talk Garrett and company said about Romo missing practice and time during the preseason not being a big deal. Yeah it didn't look like a big deal when Romo was way off target or throwing into double/triple coverage.for all that talk Garrett and company said about Romo missing practice and time during the preseason not being a big deal. Yeah it didn't look like a big deal when Romo was way off target or throwing into double/triple coverage.  for all that talk Garrett and company said about Romo missing practice and time during the preseason not being a big deal. Yeah it didn't look like a big deal when Romo was way off target or throwing into double/triple coverage.dddd