Scott Linehan

[TBBishop]

I think this is their best start in 7 years though.

Jones didn't become a great talent evaluator overnight. Freckles didn't become a great coach overnight. Romo didn't 86 his gag reflex overnight. Just can't buy in yet.

 

[tpaulus_2]

I recall a lot of people on this board calling for Linehan's head the last couple of seasons because of questionable playcalling and game planning. And I still don't see why Stafford's sidearm throwing is such a problem with everyone. He'll hit several of them in a game and everyone will harp on the one bad one. Aaron Rodgers throws them too but it works out for him so no one questions his mechanics.

 

[themuzzer]

I recall a lot of people on this board calling for Linehan's head the last couple of seasons because of questionable playcalling and game planning. And I still don't see why Stafford's sidearm throwing is such a problem with everyone. He'll hit several of them in a game and everyone will harp on the one bad one. Aaron Rodgers throws them too but it works out for him so no one questions his mechanics.

Side arm is part of the game, Some people hate it......I hate it when Favre did it too us, and Rodgers does it too us etc etc.......If Stafford could do it like a bunch of others with success the fans would love it. I'd like to think he could scramble two yards and side arm a pass......He lacks that mobility/ability.

Russell Wilson doesn't have the arm Stafford has but can scramble and buy 1 or 2 seconds and in the NFL that is life and death......Stafford can't do that.....Wish he could.

 

[broncosmitty]

Jones didn't become a great talent evaluator overnight. Freckles didn't become a great coach overnight. Romo didn't 86 his gag reflex overnight. Just can't buy in yet.

No me either. But Im less convinced of their defense. Im still waiting for 350 yards thru the air on a regular basis. Im also waiting for Murray to fumble more, then get hurt.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I tread lightly with Stafford. You'll get no disagreement from me on him locking on. But like you said, he's not playing carelessly as we've seen in the past. I'll take that. If he can shake the "gunslinger" (hate the term, selfish and reckless painted in a positive light is all that is.) mindset, take what is given to him and mitigate costly turnovers he's moving in the right direction. (Game manger he will never be.)

On BP having a lesser role, I assumed he would, so I was prepared.(I wasn't shy about loving him being resigned) Fauria had a season under his belt, a #2 receiver was brought in, a pass catching TE was drafted.... But only one of the three has been utilized. (Fauria obviously isnt.)Scheme, situational play calling, or Stafford I don't know why we've seen the offense be as inept as its been. So I can't say I saw BPs role being what it considering the circumstances.

If this season were the way it is, with Scotty still calling plays, we'd be hearing screaming about Linehan, but Im okay with Lombardi only being politely questioned.

Linny has better talent on his O-Line right at the moment. As I've noted somewhere else in here, I'll take LT Smith over Reiff, C Frederick over Raiola and what is current RG Martin (he was Domer's LT last year whom many a scout thought could play anywhere on O-Line) and would move him to LG in place of Sims. Those (3) alone combined with Warford and Waddle might make our O-Line as good as theirs. Linny went to the same well to drink from all to often as Lion's OC and who knows how much Schwartz had him handcuffed to what he wanted from the offense. Murray is a much better runner than Bush or Bell or Riddick even though he has his own fumbling issues. Witten is a crafty vet who's better than any TE we have right now, imo. All in all, Dallas does have better talent to work with, JMO. We got used to screaming at Linny for reasons. it wouldn't have changed.

I like Staffy's commitment, so far, in not trying to make something happen that isn't really there. His mechanics still seem the same to my eyes. I'd just like to see him made to move in/out/around the pocket more to buy some more time. That is one thing he's not accustomed to doing. Peyton isn't very mobile but yet he can accomplish that feat pretty well and did so in his college days as well as his first 5 years in the NFL. All in all, I'll take a less risky Stafford than his former self throwing to CJ (any receiver really) in double or triple coverage.

I saw plenty of times during the Dal vs Sea game where they had 21 packages and still threw to Witten or Bryant or Williams not just running the ball. Running the 21 packages would give the O-Line help but also boost some confidence. All JMO....

 

[broncosmitty]

I know people love to dog on Romo more than most QBs. I do too. Hes very talented though. (Personally, I think hes a Top Ten QB, prolly 9th in my eyes tbh) And also has that subtle elusiveness. We saw it from Staff in the first game, but I haven't had the same feeling in the five games since. (Save for a couple plays.)That could be on account of pressure though. (But Id think the pressure would force him to move outside the pocket more.)

Talent wise I think Linehan has upgraded with his move. Line goes to BigD, TE goes big D,(Not even utilized fully yet.) RBs go to BigD, Dez is not CJ, but he's about as close as you can get and he's been on the field. I'll shock the board and give us the edge at the #2 receiver as well, but it's not by a landslide. Terrance Williams is going to give us more spectacular catches to see on highlight films in the near future. Dan Bailey is money in the bank. (Special teams, but Im giving Linny the edge with services as well.)And despite the reputation as a choke artist, Romo is the more polished QB. But I won't pretend that Stafford doesn't have more potential. He does, if for no reason other than age.

This is Scottie's thread, but he landed in the right place to succeed. It's Rod who should be getting credit for Dallas being 5-1. Took over one of the worst defenses in NFL history (we saw first hand how poorly they held a lead), Ware was cut and Lee is gone for the year. If he keeps the group somewhere remotely close to where they are now Ill be beyond impressed. But I have my doubts. It just doesn't seem possible.

 

[Thruthefog]

Over this stretch of years that the Cowboys have been around 8-8, they've started hot several times only to falter in the second half. We should know all about that and shouldn't be buying this with the Cowboys at this point.

I know exactly what you are talking about bishop, but this is different. Before, they did it the same way the Lions were doing it. With smoke and mirrors.

I never took them seriously either, but this time, Jerrah's done it right. He finally understood that the shiny pieces of the team couldn't do their job unless the invisible pieces up front did theirs. He's been quietly building that OL. I'm looking forward to seeing Eagles/Cowboys.

 

[themuzzer]

I know exactly what you are talking about bishop, but this is different. Before, they did it the same way the Lions were doing it. With smoke and mirrors.

I never took them seriously either, but this time, Jerrah's done it right. He finally understood that the shiny pieces of the team couldn't do their job unless the invisible pieces up front did theirs. He's been quietly building that OL. I'm looking forward to seeing Eagles/Cowboys.

Keep talking like that and you might be labeled a Cowboy Fan......We don't want that to happen simply because you realize what another team is doing.

 

[Thruthefog]

Keep talking like that and you might be labeled a Cowboy Fan......We don't want that to happen simply because you realize what another team is doing.

The difference is that I don't pull for them. Nothing would make me happier than for bishop to be right, and the whole team implodes. But that's the envious side of me.

 

[themuzzer]

The difference is that I don't pull for them. Nothing would make me happier than for bishop to be right, and the whole team implodes. But that's the envious side of me.

I don't put much stock in Tomy Romo. Just an opinion. After the botch snap hold attempt in Seattle like 5 years ago.

They look good so far though. Running game looks real solid.....But that isn't Tomy Romo running the ball.....I think when a team forces Dallas to pass, their true color will show.

 

[Thruthefog]

I don't put much stock in Tomy Romo. Just an opinion. After the botch snap hold attempt in Seattle like 5 years ago.

They look good so far though. Running game looks real solid.....But that isn't Tomy Romo running the ball.....I think when a team forces Dallas to pass, their true color will show.

But how many teams are going to be able to force Dallas to throw the ball?

 

[themuzzer]

But how many teams are going to be able to force Dallas to throw the ball?

The Question is.....How many teams can and how many teams try......The ones that can should succeed.....Just an observation.

 

[gandydancer]

The Question is.....How many teams can and how many teams try......The ones that can should succeed.....Just an observation.

The Seahawks made Romo pass a bunch. Dallas leads the league in 3rd down %... not all runs. Romo dissected the hawks at times. The run game is taking pressure off and keeping safeties off and the dumps to Dunbar and Murray are there all day. The offense sealed the game late and Romo did not choke.

 

[themuzzer]

The Seahawks made Romo pass a bunch. Dallas leads the league in 3rd down %... not all runs. Romo dissected the hawks at times. The run game is taking pressure off and keeping safeties off and the dumps to Dunbar and Murray are there all day. The offense sealed the game late and Romo did not choke.

I watched it different. Dallas instilled their will on the ground. Much like the Chargers did. That forced Seattle to try and stop the run. Seattle isn't that good at stopping the run. Chargers and Cowboys exploited a weakness. That's what I saw.

Seattle lost because they can't stop the run. ESPN might say otherwise, much like ESPN might say Romo has his moxy back. The Hawks got beat by a superior OL and RB that wanted it.

 

[Naughtymax]

I watched it different. Dallas instilled their will on the ground. Much like the Chargers did. That forced Seattle to try and stop the run. Seattle isn't that good at stopping the run. Chargers and Cowboys exploited a weakness. That's what I saw.

Seattle lost because they can't stop the run. ESPN might say otherwise, much like ESPN might say Romo has his moxy back. The Hawks got beat by a superior OL and RB that wanted it.

Mr. October, that's Tony Romo all right. He's even Mr. December until the games matter. Then he, better than any QB I know, finds a way to lose.

 

[gandydancer]

I watched it different. Dallas instilled their will on the ground. Much like the Chargers did. That forced Seattle to try and stop the run. Seattle isn't that good at stopping the run. Chargers and Cowboys exploited a weakness. That's what I saw.

Seattle lost because they can't stop the run. ESPN might say otherwise, much like ESPN might say Romo has his moxy back. The Hawks got beat by a superior OL and RB that wanted it.

Only thing I watch on ESPN is the games. Never listen to bias highlights. I did notice balance of run/pass 37 to 32 take away Romo's kneel down and scramble and Garrett called dead even game. Romo does not have moxy back. You do not see that Romo was just a big a part of that win, then you might sound like some hear defending poor play of the Lions.

 

[TwoCents22]

Linny has better talent on his O-Line right at the moment. As I've noted somewhere else in here, I'll take LT Smith over Reiff, C Frederick over Raiola and what is current RG Martin (he was Domer's LT last year whom many a scout thought could play anywhere on O-Line) and would move him to LG in place of Sims. Those (3) alone combined with Warford and Waddle might make our O-Line as good as theirs. Linny went to the same well to drink from all to often as Lion's OC and who knows how much Schwartz had him handcuffed to what he wanted from the offense. Murray is a much better runner than Bush or Bell or Riddick even though he has his own fumbling issues. Witten is a crafty vet who's better than any TE we have right now, imo. All in all, Dallas does have better talent to work with, JMO. We got used to screaming at Linny for reasons. it wouldn't have changed.

I like Staffy's commitment, so far, in not trying to make something happen that isn't really there. His mechanics still seem the same to my eyes. I'd just like to see him made to move in/out/around the pocket more to buy some more time. That is one thing he's not accustomed to doing. Peyton isn't very mobile but yet he can accomplish that feat pretty well and did so in his college days as well as his first 5 years in the NFL. All in all, I'll take a less risky Stafford than his former self throwing to CJ (any receiver really) in double or triple coverage.

I saw plenty of times during the Dal vs Sea game where they had 21 packages and still threw to Witten or Bryant or Williams not just running the ball. Running the 21 packages would give the O-Line help but also boost some confidence. All JMO....

Focusing on the Cowboys players vs Lions, I don't think at before the season many would've favored the Cowboys. Especially not on the OLine.

 

[Thruthefog]

I watched it different. Dallas instilled their will on the ground. Much like the Chargers did. That forced Seattle to try and stop the run. Seattle isn't that good at stopping the run. Chargers and Cowboys exploited a weakness. That's what I saw.

Seattle lost because they can't stop the run. ESPN might say otherwise, much like ESPN might say Romo has his moxy back. The Hawks got beat by a superior OL and RB that wanted it.

But make no mistake. Cornerbacks are still more important than defensive tackles.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Focusing on the Cowboys players vs Lions, I don't think at before the season many would've favored the Cowboys. Especially not on the OLine.

Idk, they had three recent 1st round picks on that line heading into the season, so the talent was definitely there. Now, we were coming off a great season by the o-line, so I can see where you're coming from. We were better at RG and RT coming into the season, but Smith, Frederick, and Martin were all better prospects heading into this year then Reiff, Sims, and Raiola, imo...

 

[tpaulus_2]

But make no mistake. Cornerbacks are still more important than defensive tackles.

Well obviously- just look at our defense.

We spent all of our early draft capital on defense on D-linemen and where has that got us? The reason our defense is getting torched every week is that our CBs are a washed up free agent and a pick from way late in the draft (any picks that aren't a 1st rounder are "late round" picks, fyi), plus whomever we could round up to play in the nickel.

Can't have a good defense in this league unless you have a minimum of 3 first round CBs on the field, I think our defense through 6 weeks this year certainly proves that.