Is There A True Reason To Be Concerned?

An article by Joshua Edwards    1 Comment

Well the pre-season has finally come to an end. THANK GOD!!! Let me start off with a side note, I would love to only have 2 pre-season games. Too many people get hurt in the pre-season. I would not say they don’t play as hard but they play different than they would in the regular season. Different play calling, doing things in pre-season you would not normally do “just to see if they can do it” To me, THAT is what is getting these players hurt during pre-season. They are professionals; they should be ready to play whenever they are asked.

Ok enough with that side note, now to my real reason for posting. Is there a legitimate reason for concern for the season this year? Whether that concern is our offensive line or our defense as a whole?  Or do we chalk the bad losses and tight wins up as “O its only pre-season we have nothing to be worried about”. Well I did a minor breakdown of stats from our pre-season games this year.

These are off of NFL.COM

HALL OF FAME GAME – COWBOYS VS BENGALS

THEIRS                                                             OURS

First downs 10                                                first downs 17

Passing yards 136                                          passing yards 212

Rushing yards 43                                            rushing yards 85

Total net yards 179                                        total net yards 297

RED ZONE 1/2 50%                                         RED ZONE 0/3 0%

WEEK 1 VS RAIDERS

THEIRS                                                              OURS

First downs 18                                                first downs 13

Passing yards 188                                          passing yards 197

Rushing yards 129                                         rushing yards 66

Total net yards 317                                       total net yards 263

RED ZONE 1/3 33%                                        RED ZONE 0/4 0%

WEEK 2 VS CHARGERS

THEIRS                                                            OURS

First downs 19                                                first downs 11

Passing yards 202                                         passing yards 140

Rushing yards 92                                           rushing yards 54

Total net yards 294                                       total net yards 194

RED ZONE 2/2 100%                                    RED ZONE 2/4 50%

WEEK 3 VS TEXANS

THEIRS                                                              OURS

First downs 24                                                 first downs 17

Passing yards 208                                           passing yards 226

Rushing yards 173                                          rushing yards 13

Total net yards 381                                         total net yards 239

RED ZONE 1/4 25%                                         RED ZONE 0/2 0%

WEEK 4 VS DOLPHINS

THEIRS                                                              OURS

First downs 20                                                first downs 22

Passing yards 226                                          passing yards 295

Rushing yards 102                                         rushing yard   79

Total net yards 328                                       total net yards 374

RED ZONE 2/4 50%                                      RED ZONE 1/2 50%

TOTALS

First downs        91                     to             86

Passing Yards    960                  to            1070

Rushing Yards   539                  to             297

Total net Yards 1499                to             1367

Red Zone           7/15  46%        to             3/15 20%

Now I do realize the last pre-season game against the dolphins was all backups, however I personally feel that needs to be brought up because if you look at the game, they had a really good offensive showing. What does that say for our starters? Not a lot but you HAVE to look at the protection that Kitna got vs. what Romo got in the other games. I guess that is just the battle during pre-season trying to win a spot on the team.

My concern is the pass defense against the short 5 – 10 yard pass. Every game this year, that I was able to catch I saw the apposing team complete those passes right down the field almost every time. One play in particular comes to mind. Week 3 vs. .the Texans. Jacoby Jones was wide right and Sensabaugh was defending him. When Schaub took the snap and Jacoby took off, Sensabaugh was right with him. However, Jacoby stopped and turned around running a 5 – 7 yard hitch route. Well I know because I was really paying attention to that 5 – 10 yard pass defense, that Sensabaugh SAW him stop and turn, but he just kept running up the field leaving Jones WIDE open for that 7 yard reception. They are so worried about getting beat deep, they are giving up those plays all game long and the apposing team is driving right down the field on them it seems like every possession.

So in my opinion, the defense, which doesn’t get me wrong I LOVE our defense, does concern me. I think that we will be able to work out the kinks and make a great run at a great season, just wanted to get some other points of view on the subject.

GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!