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F. DeMarco Murray AbrahamThat's a full season, of sorts. It started a year ago that Garrett was promoted and Wade Phillips fired.
The Cowboys are 9-7 with Garrett. Is that acceptable?
Consider that Jon Kitna started seven of those games and Stephen McGee, one.
The good wins: at New York Giants, at Indianapolis (with Manning), at San Francisco.
The bad losses: one point versus Arizona, the DeSean Jackson catch and run at home, last week's ass-whipping against the Eagles, at the New York Jets ("No, Tony, No!") and vs. Detroit Lions.
At this point, I think the general consensus is that they can beat the bad teams, hold their own against good ones and get their doors blown off at any moment. That's 9-7.
They've been blown out once (last week) and who knows how many games they win with Tony Romo last season (the Philly, Arizona, New Orleans losses came by a total of seven points).
However, I will take up for the guy. Although the win-loss stat isn't glimmering, there's a different attitude with the franchise now. We assume that decisions are being made by the coach, there's a defensive coordinator who takes blame instead of looking up at the top 8 banner in the rafters and there's talent here that may not be as good as the next team over, but they do more good than bad.
There's accountability. If you come into camp overweight, that's not cool and you'll have to battle to get a roster spot. If you are a veteran, you have to fight just like any rookie or undrafted free agent. If you don't produce on any level, then you are liable to be jettisoned. Just ask Tashard Choice.
The Cowboys have also discovered DeMarco Murray, Doug Free, Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Laurent Robinson, John Phillips and Tyron Smith (in one form or another) with Garrett leading this team. Not that those guys don't blossom under Phillips, but it is what it is.
The grades:
Quarterback -- A
The only way the Seahawks beat you is if you give them turnovers. And Tony Romo is this team's turnover machine. However, if he makes wise decisions, this team is probably going to win. A very efficient win. Having a running game is going to turn his career around and add about three years.
Running Back -- A+
I hate the Dallas Cowboys. I love watching DeMarco Murray run the ball. Sets the franchise record for most yards in a three-game span. He has such a great burst and, I think, amazing vision and patience, something that Felix Jones doesn't have enough of. Add his power and the way he shakes off tackles. Reminds you of someone.
Wide Receiver -- B+
Caught 11 of Romo's 19 completions. Frankly, if the Cowboys offense is running (literally, figuratively) then the wide receivers are a second thought. This offense (should) never run through Romo's arm again. How is it that Laurent Robinson couldn't keep a job?
Tight End -- B
Not many teams let Jason Witten run free and easy quite like the Seahawks.
Offensive Line -- B
I find it interesting that the offensive line sucks up until the point that Felix Jones is hurt, DeMarco Murray is inserted as the starting running back and suddenly they have a top 11 running back and Tony Romo is standing upright for 60 minutes. Offensive lines look a lot better when there's a running back that can hit the holes that are there and when defensive linemen are pinning their ears back and going whole hog on Romo. Funny.
Defensive Line -- F
I thought the defensive line was pushed off the ball all day. There was almost no pressure, not even a hurry. If the Seahawks had Dave Krieg instead of Tavaris Jackson the Cowboys would have had a lot more trouble.
Linebackers -- F
Have you seen DeMarcus Ware kept in check more than he was yesterday? The inside guys missed Sean Lee badly. Keith Brooking is like a lame mare in a horse race in the pass game.
Secondary -- C
If you take away the plays that found Frank Walker or Alan Ball trailing behind, the secondary was great. Unfortunately, those plays count too and typically if there were a big play to be had, Walker and Ball were typically a part of it.
Special Teams -- D
Mixed bag. Two blocked kicks, four kickers combined for perfection in the punting and placekicking game. Still, awful returns from Kevin Ogletree and Dez Bryant and that Jesse Holley penalty kept special teams from being special.
Coaching -- D
Despite the win, the Cowboys looked sluggish for all 60 minutes. Out of the gate, they looked awful. Playcalling inside the 10 yard line is pathetic. Defense looked especially suspect considering the amount of blame they took a week ago. Rob Ryan seemingly did not light the proverbial fire beneath his guys. Leon Washington and Marshawn Lynch had their way in the run game. Remember way back two weeks ago when the Cowboys were the best in the league against the run?
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