ADSENSE Link Ads 200 x 90
ADSENSE 336 x 280
#want The first two suck just as much as the third, but you pull up your pants and live to fight another day.
The third kills. The third typically means you played well at a game or sport for a period of time before it all fell apart.
I present to you the 2011 Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys lost a ball-cruncher 27-24 last night to the New York Jets despite having a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter (in the franchise's history, they'd never lost a game with such a lead at such a late point of time).
It kills because any asshole that watched the game can point to one or two instances that changed the game. Yes, the blocked kick, the interception and the fumble at the goalline were killers.
To me, the play of the game -- for the Jets, I guess -- was the Cowboys' inability to convert a third-and-one in the fourth quarter after the Jets had tied the game following the blocked kick with about five minutes left in the game.
The Cowboys had moved the ball reasonably well in the half. Felix Jones ran for eight and then one yard on first and second downs. On third-and-one, to keep the drive alive and maybe win this game, the Cowboys give the ball to the very cold Tashard Choice who was stuffed, no thanks to a shitload of penetration.
No, it didn't directly result in the point swing such as Romo's fumble or interception or the blocked kick, but it showed us what the Cowboys were: A team that can't get a yard.
Speaks volumes.
Grades:
Quarterback -- C
The Cowboys lost this game partially thanks to Tony Romo. They were never in it without him. Romo's fumble and interception should not be ignored here. The first three quarters were exactly what the Cowboys need. The final quarter is what will keep this team at .500 and Romo a marginally great quarterback. But never great.
Running Back -- C
To tell you the truth, I was surprised at the totals at the end of the game. I didn't think Felix Jones had peeled off 20-yard runs. But didn't think it was that bad. Seemed always to be going forward. Felt like there were holes there. Loved all of the pass plays to the backs.
Wide Receiver -- A
Receivers -- Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Kevin Ogletree -- caught nine passes. I think all nine were huge. They either resulted in a score or first down 90 percent of the time. Austin's and Bryant's touchdown catches should be shown to every high school, college and pro pass catchers.
Tight End -- A
Jason Witten passed Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch on the all-time receiving yards list.
Offensive Line -- C
Hit and miss. At times, there seemed to be a lot of green around Tony Romo. Other times they weren't. That was a line performance that you can win with and for that they get a "C." Thought Tyron Smith was the weakest of what I saw, but he wasn't bad or anything. Thought Bill Nagy was downright good. Romo will have his hands full all year.
Defensive Line -- B
I noticed two guys: Jay Ratliff chasing Mark Sanchez around Jersey and Sean Lissemore making tackles. To the point that I had to look up who No. 95 was. The gashing running plays that were happening in the pre-season were not there tonight.
Linebacker -- A
Three sacks and an interception. Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware were beasts all night. Anthony Spencer showed signs of life.
Secondary -- D
One guy I'm tired of is Mike Jenkins. He missed three-fourths of the game due to a series of bullshit injuries while Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick were missing time due to real injuries and we were treated to a heaping of Danny McCray, Barry Church, Bryan McCann and Alan Ball. And you know what? I didn't mind it. At least they were trying. I can't say the same for Jenkins.
Special Teams -- F
You make a block and make the Jets earn that touchdown. A punt should not be that difficult.
Coaching -- B
I really feel the Cowboys came to New Jersey really ready to play and with the talent given to them they made the most out of it. I felt that Rob Ryan absolutely wrung the most out of that hodgepodge of guys in the secondary. What confuses me is how he can do more with less compared to Wade Phillips the last two seasons.
0 Response to "The little things"
Posting Komentar