Problem in Dallas (1 Viewer)

[Big Daddy Kane]

Roy Williams (safety) - is a LB that was playing safety

Anthony Henry - is a safety playing cornerback

Andre Gurode - is a guard playing center (that dude has no business snapping a ball)

Brad Johnson - is a QB's coach trying to play QB

Wade Phillips - is a team mascot trying to be the coach

 

[Bankerguy]

Roy Williams (safety) - is a LB that was playing safetyAnthony Henry - is a safety playing cornerbackAndre Gurode - is a guard playing center (that dude has no business snapping a ball)Brad Johnson - is a QB's coach trying to play QBWade Phillips - is a team mascot trying to be the coach

1) Roy...played his last game as Cowboy.2) Probably right3) He is a good center, but cannot handle the shotgun. Questionable smarts as well.4) Grandpa should be cut this morning5) Barry Switzer part deux needs to go as well.4/5 won't happen though. Jerry addressed the team

 

[Steady Mooobin]

Unfortunately the Cowboys don't have the outside linebackers to play a 4-3, but I think that is the big issue. With the 3-4, both Greg Ellis and Ware are out covering backs and TE's sometimes. When the defense sends out too many rec's, those guys are forced to cover rather then rush the passer. The top two pass rushers dropping back in coverage allows the opposing QB all day to pass. Like Ive said, the last thing I want Ellis doing is back peddling into coverage coming off that achiles(sp?) injury.

I know Ware had three sacks yesterday, (and has had at least 1 in 10 consecutive games) but it's the plays where he isn't rushing that hurt.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( ), I would align the defense like this:

Ware

Tank

Ratlif

Ellis

Roy Williams

Bradie James

Zack Thomas

Pacman

Henry (s)

Hamlin (S)

Newman

On offense I would put Austin, Crayton, and Hurd on the outside and let Roy and TO play the slot. I have never understood why offenses put their best receivers against the defenses best corners. But with the combination of TO, Roy, Witten, Barber, Felix Jones, and even a average Crayton, there is simply NO excuse not to be able to move the ball.

 

[Bankerguy]

Unfortunately the Cowboys don't have the outside linebackers to play a 4-3, but I think that is the big issue. With the 3-4, both Greg Ellis and Ware are out covering backs and TE's sometimes. When the defense sends out too many rec's, those guys are forced to cover rather then rush the passer. The top two pass rushers dropping back in coverage allows the opposing QB all day to pass. Like Ive said, the last thing I want Ellis doing is back peddling into coverage coming off that achiles(sp?) injury. I know Ware had three sacks yesterday, (and has had at least 1 in 10 consecutive games) but it's the plays where he isn't rushing that hurt. If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( ), I would align the defense like this:WareTankRatlifEllisRoy WilliamsBradie JamesZack ThomasPacmanHenry (s)Hamlin (S)NewmanOn offense I would put Austin, Crayton, and Hurd on the outside and let Roy and TO play the slot. I have never understood why offenses put their best receivers against the defenses best corners. But with the combination of TO, Roy, Witten, Barber, Felix Jones, and even a average Crayton, there is simply NO excuse not to be able to move the ball.

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

 

[Steady Mooobin]

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( :( ), I would align the defense like this:

 

[Bankerguy]

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( :( ), I would align the defense like this:

Ah.......Well, I think ROY played his last game with the Cowboys.

 

[Chase Stuart]

For a guy who made the Pro Bowl at center the last two years, I don't think Gurode's out of position.

Wade Phillips is a very good coach who gets way too much flak. Last year he was terrific and two weeks ago he was great. Now all of the sudden he stinks because his team lost their QB?

 

[Ridgelake]

For a guy who made the Pro Bowl at center the last two years, I don't think Gurode's out of position.Wade Phillips is a very good coach who gets way too much flak. Last year he was terrific and two weeks ago he was great. Now all of the sudden he stinks because his team lost their QB?

Gurode is clearly better at center than guard. He's played both extensively in his career. And his pro bowls aren't a result of reputation. He earned those, unlike some Cowboys.Chase, Dallas' problems are greater than just Romo going down. I wish it were that simple.

 

[Bankerguy]

For a guy who made the Pro Bowl at center the last two years, I don't think Gurode's out of position.Wade Phillips is a very good coach who gets way too much flak. Last year he was terrific and two weeks ago he was great. Now all of the sudden he stinks because his team lost their QB?

Chase,They won despite Wade. They had no injuries last year and had some miracle comebacks (Detroit and Buffalo). The offense bailed out this terrible defense. Wade had failed to recognize the problems (Defense/Special teams and predictable game plans) and do anything about them.

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( ), I would align the defense like this:

Ah.......Well, I think ROY played his last game with the Cowboys.

I think Roy is out too. He's just too proud to accept the fact he is a LB. I also think the 3-4 has to go (it should have been dumped after last year). In the NFC East you need a 4-3, and you can't be forcing DE's like Greg Ellis to drop back into coverage as often as the 3-4 requires him to do. I also wish they hadn't extended Terrance Newman so soon (I'm probably in the minority here). But I just don't see the talent in him to justify the contract extension he got. To me he's been the best of a sorry crew of CB's on the team over the years, which isn't saying a whole lot. But he's not a playmaker and his nagging injuries are getting old.

 

[coolnerd]

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( ), I would align the defense like this:

Ah.......Well, I think ROY played his last game with the Cowboys.

I think Roy is out too. He's just too proud to accept the fact he is a LB. I also think the 3-4 has to go (it should have been dumped after last year). In the NFC East you need a 4-3, and you can't be forcing DE's like Greg Ellis to drop back into coverage as often as the 3-4 requires him to do. I also wish they hadn't extended Terrance Newman so soon (I'm probably in the minority here). But I just don't see the talent in him to justify the contract extension he got. To me he's been the best of a sorry crew of CB's on the team over the years, which isn't saying a whole lot. But he's not a playmaker and his nagging injuries are getting old.

The problem is that Roy Williams has NEVER played LB in the college or the pros. While he has some attributes of an OLB, at pretty close to 30 (29 at start of 2009 season), the examples of players making a successful dramatic move like that are few and far between. That is a move someone makes fairly early in their career, not one in an attempt to save it.

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

I too would go to the 4-3. However, Roy is out for the year as is Hurd.....just an FYI.

If everybody was healthy and not suspended ( ), I would align the defense like this:

Ah.......Well, I think ROY played his last game with the Cowboys.

I think Roy is out too. He's just too proud to accept the fact he is a LB. I also think the 3-4 has to go (it should have been dumped after last year). In the NFC East you need a 4-3, and you can't be forcing DE's like Greg Ellis to drop back into coverage as often as the 3-4 requires him to do. I also wish they hadn't extended Terrance Newman so soon (I'm probably in the minority here). But I just don't see the talent in him to justify the contract extension he got. To me he's been the best of a sorry crew of CB's on the team over the years, which isn't saying a whole lot. But he's not a playmaker and his nagging injuries are getting old.

The problem is that Roy Williams has NEVER played LB in the college or the pros. While he has some attributes of an OLB, at pretty close to 30 (29 at start of 2009 season), the examples of players making a successful dramatic move like that are few and far between. That is a move someone makes fairly early in their career, not one in an attempt to save it.

I agree. But an attempt to save a career by trying to switch may be about all he has left. I doubt any team shows any interest in him at safety other than Dallas, and even in Dallas he's wore out his welcome.