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What part of Cowboys Stadium did he autograph this time?I watched the Dallas Cowboys screw up another lead -- 12 points, five or so minutes -- to the New Jersey Giants -- 37-34 -- and I felt absolutely sick for Tony Romo.
The level of disgust and "here we go again" despair on his face last night when Dan Bailey's game-tying field goal was blocked was heart breaking. I have no real love for Romo. I don't necessarily hate the guy either. He's the prototypical quarterback: He gets too much credit when they win and too much blame when he loses. Still, he skates a lot.
However, you put up 34 points on the board at home and you expect to win no matter how much you are up.
Rob Ryan, essentially, will be judged on the level of the talent he has on the roster. Remember, this is the same defense outside of Abram Elam and Kenyon Coleman (and, frankly, each of them have been substantial improvements over their predecessors, which includes Alan Ball). It's playing like the defense of 2010. And 1999. And 2004.
For those who think the Cowboys personnel on defense is adequate probably think Ryan stinks. Those who think it's DeMarcus Ware and some dudes think Ryan deserves a better shake.
Ryan blitzes a lot. A LOT. Which is what we expected when he was hired. Still, some of those were ridiculous and it resulted in at least three big plays, including the touchdown to Mario Manningham when you are I at home had a better shot at making the tackle.
Either Ryan's blitz happy or he doesn't think his personnel, straight up, can A) get pressure on the quarterback and/or B) cover. Probably a whole lot of both.
He blitzes with the idea that the quarterback will throw a bad pass. Unfortunately, good quarterbacks/teams discover this and exploit it and Dallas blitzers can't get to the quarterback. Teams are figuring out the Dallas Cowboys and this seems like the same ol' song and dance dating back to Jon Kitna carving the Cowboys up when Bill Parcells was coaching.
What I don't understand is how anyone -- general manager, head coach, coordinator -- would think that a defense where Frank Walker, Terence Newman (back on the shit list), Alan Ball, Keith Brooking and every other spare on the defensive side of the ball could carry this team for four quarters.
Walker, literally, is good for one awful mistake a week. There's not a game that doesn't feature Ball getting burnt. Terence Newman is the most overrated cornerback in the history of the franchise. Either they suck or are completely washed up and the Cowboys spent a year of your life, a year of Romo's career and a year of bloated contracts with the thought that they could possibly get into the NFC playoffs.
The Cowboys are more terrible than their record speaks to. They're terrible at home. They're terrible in December (0-2). You walk from every game -- win or lose -- thinking about the dozen ways they could have lost or areas where they need to improve. You look at every loss and pinpoint the dozen plays and players that giftwrapped the game to the opponent.
Remember, shit runs downhill.
Grades:
Quarterback -- A
Were there passes Romo could have made better? Did that safety hurt? Sure. However, if Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees have the game Romo had, they all win with their respective teams. Zero problem with Romo.
Running Back -- A
The news here is DeMarco Murray going down with a broken ankle. He's out for the year. Felix Jones was good in place; however, the huge fumble deep in Cowboys territory luckily set up just a field goal, the difference in the game, if you'd like to nitpick everything. How do the Cowboys not have three healthy running backs? Are we still keeping four kickers?
Wide Receiver -- A
The questions as to Laurent Robinson upon the return of Miles Austin were answered. The guy seems like the real deal, a certifiable third receiver. How many gigantic catches did he have? And he makes tough catches. Per Dez Bryant, it's pretty clear he has zero rapport with Tony Romo.
Tight End -- C-
Either opponents are taking Jason Witten out of the game, he and Romo are not in sync or he's not getting open. Witten's just a little more than a safety net. He's a viable, play-making part of the offense. He not getting the ball is an issue.
Offensive Line -- D-
I'd cut them slack going against the Giants had they not pulled the same shit against worse teams. Particularly, Phil Costa and Doug Free are having terrifically awful years. Free gets abused every other snap. It's the center that I don't get. Don't you practice? Don't you know when to snap the ball? Don't you snap with a second on the play clock whether Romo wants it or not? Shit for brains. On the other hand, Tyron Smith is a man. Literally. He's 21 now and he's on the track toward super stardom.
Defensive Line -- F
Aside from some plays by Jay Ratliff, this crew was pushed off the line of scrimmage all night. Brandon Jacobs abused them (he tossed some Cowboys defenders like rag dolls). This crew is terrible.
Linebackers -- F
Take out Sean Lee's ridiculous interception and show me a play that the linebackers made. DeMarcus Ware's been quiet -- the softest 15 sacks in league history. He hasn't had an important sack in a year and if he's getting tripled, someone else has one on one.
Secondary -- F-
Good teams, Terence Newman, have players that make that interception and go up 7-0 early. Bad teams let that sure-fire score fall on the ground. No part of this team barks louder with the least amount of bite. Or even scratch.
Special Teams -- B
Blocked kick or no, the special teams are not to fault here. Dan Bailey hit two 49-yard field goals. Coverage was good. A non-entity in this game.
Coaching -- F
Four fourth-quarter penalties. Third double-digit choke job of the year. At least Tony Romo was the one calling the timeouts. Doesn't help that Rob Ryan didn't face the media last night. What a turdburger.
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