Posts

Dialing 9-11: Romo to Williams

/0 Comments/in /by

Several stories around the web discussing the relationship between Tony Romo and Roy Williams are popping up. I’m loving their attitudes. They have both been putting a lot of time in and working hard together for months.

Yes, there is a lot of pressure on Roy Williams this season, but the same goes for Tony Romo. They both seem eager to step up their game and do what is expected and more.

***

An article at Yahoo Sportstalks about Romo to Williams. Here are some quotes from them:

“The pressure’s on me,” Williams said. “The expectations are big. But that’s fine. That’s how I want them to be.”

“Oh, we’re close. There’s still little things, still routes,” Romo said. “It’s not just about running a route on air. It’s about different coverages you’re going to see and how you’re going to come out of your break. … It’s our first full season. Once you see it from all of them, it’s easier the next go-around.”

“When things happen the way they’re supposed to happen, I’m just going to have a smile on my face,” Williams said. “The only people that know I can do it is my family. They can’t wait either.”

“Just catch the ball when he throws it to me,” Williams said. “And butter him up, bring him some food, just let him borrow some money if he needs some. Just be his best friend. … Put my arm around his neck and hug him and tell him that his girlfriend looks pretty good and go from there.”

***

Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News has an article entitled, “Dallas Cowboys’ Romo tackling flaws head on“. Here’s a taste of it:

Romo said he would take a more “active approach” as a leader, beginning with his early March workouts with wide receiver Roy Williams. Slowly, both players have seen the fruits of that work pay off during the organized team activities through Monday, the first day of a three-day minicamp.

***

Last but not least, a video clip from ESPN.com featuring Roy, Wade, Witten and more:

 

***

I don’t think we have even come close to seeing what Roy Williams can bring to this team. Not even offseason camps or even preseason games are going to show us what he is capable of. I am ready to see him in full action, playing for blood as the Dallas Cowboys #1 receiver. Roy is going to prove his worth and show you exactly why Jerry Jones gave up so much to get him on this team.

We have seen what Tony Romo can do. The question will be can he repeat what he has done in the past, especially in 2007, and even go beyond that? We will just have to wait and see and hope he blows our minds away!

Hey, that’s why they play the games, right?

I realize Romo and Roy have doubters all over the place. But I can honestly tell you I am not one of them. Unless they give me reason to believe otherwise, both #9 and #11 have 100% of my support.

SS Sensabaugh A Favorite Of Campo

/0 Comments/in /by

Since this off-season began I was predicting my home town player Gerald Sensabaugh to join my other home town player Jason Witten in Dallas my friends were saying theres no way Gerald would be a Dallas Cowboy. I debated and argued all the way until that faithful day when the Cowboys signed him. I though my arguments were over but no everywhere I looked it seemed like every Cowboys fan I talked to was doubting what Gerald could do, so I just said wait and see.

Now according to dallascowboys.com writer Mickey Spagnola Sensabaugh is one of Secondary Coach Dave Campo’s favorites. Here is what Mickey’s article said.

You might say for the majority of his years with the Cowboys, Dave Campo, first secondary coach, then defensive coordinator and then head coach before returning as secondary coach in 2008, was spoiled at the safety position. During his previous 14 seasons, he mostly had the likes of Ray Horton, James Washington, Thomas Everett, Darren Woodson, Brock Marion and George Teague back there. He even enjoyed a rather nice rookie season out of Roy Williams.

So last season probably was a little bit of a shellshock for Camps, who returned for a 15th season. Heck, even over his three years as head coach, when Woodson remained healthy, he had Woodson and Teague back there. Injuries and performance made last year somewhat of a crap shoot.

That’s why I said to him, with the addition of Gerald Sensabaugh and all the young guys brought in, this might be the best the safety position has looked since, well, Woodson was playing.

He laughed, saying it was funny I’d bring up Woodson, “because when I got to Jacksonville (2005) I remember saying Sensabaugh (a rookie then) had the kind of burst Woodson had. Now I’m not saying he’s Woodson.”

Of course not, and he’s probably 10 to 15 pounds lighter. But Campo was trying to make a point about Sensabaugh’s ability to cover, not only from the deep safety spot, but also going inside to the weak linebacker spot on the nickel, where Woodson spoiled the Cowboys his entire career with an ability to cover even receivers in the slot.

Third Place in the NFC East?

/0 Comments/in /by

Seeing how training camp hasn’t started, and the NFL Network needs a continuous stream of new stories to run, football predictions always finds it’s way into their programming lineup.

That’s exactly what the topic was between Deion Sanders, Jamie Dukes, Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp the other day.

The panel talked about what we lost and what we gained. Mostly it was about no T.O and how Roy Williams isn’t that good. And of course a dash of Romo bashing for good measure.

All in all it was basically the Boys’ have a long road in front of them. Jamie Dukes said “11, 10 win team” while Faulk, Sapp and Sanders said “8-8/9-8, third in the NFC East.” Brian Baldinger said the same a bit later, with Rich Eisen questioning all of it.

The truth is we lost a good wide-out/headache and this is really Romo’s time to shine. But by far we’re not a third place in the east.

To me the whole NFC East is hurting right now. The Eagles lost their team leader in Brian Dawkins, the Giants lost Plaxico, and the Redskins…they’re the Redskins… they suck.The table so far is wide open. Even the Skins might have a chance, the way things look.

We can say anything right? The last thing we should worry about is what others think… 

Lets prove the NFL world wrong by being the greatest team in the world.

Let’s Go Boys’!!!

The Cowboys Got A Lot Riding On Roy Williams

/0 Comments/in /by

That title may actually be the biggest understatement of the year…

While many of us fans wait anxiously for the start of another football season, some of us can only hope and wonder what the receiving corps will be like without the enigmatic Terrell Owens stealing the show.

This new brand of Cowboys will now feature Roy E. Williams in the starring role, a role he is all to familiar with from his days with the Detroit Lions.

The Cowboys have a lot riding on Williams, especially after signing him to a five-year, $45 million extension almost immediately after they traded for him. In that trade, the Cowboys gave up a ton of draft picks.

In a recent article by Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN, several former Cowboys weighed in on Williams…

Troy Aikman claimed the trade for Williams would be “one of the biggest busts in the history of the league” if Williams didn’t become a dominant receiver. Emmitt Smith recently hinted that the Cowboys have no explosiveness in their passing game now that Owens has been banished. Deion Sanders also has shown about as much love for Williams as Rush Limbaugh displays for Democrats. Sanders openly questioned Williams’ work ethic.

When asked to respond, Roy Williams said,

“I don’t know why those guys started thinking I can’t play. I guess I’ll just have to show them what I can do.”

That goes without saying, but so much of a wide receivers success depends on the guy whose job it is to get the ball in his hands.

Last season, that didn’t happen as often as it should have. In fact, Williams ended his season with Dallas with a disappointing 19 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown in ten games. Let me break that down for you even further, he averaged just 2 catches and 20 yards per game!

The time has come for Roy Williams to put up or shut up.

The Cowboys have their entire season riding on Williams. They have invested a great deal of time, a boat load of money, and a lot of valuable resources on him. They have even adjusted the roster so that he can perform without any distractions. They are giving him every opportunity to succeed, and now it’s up to him to perform up to all those lofty expectations. The time for trash talking and boasting has come to an end.

Even Tony Romo is spending extra time with Williams so that they can finally get on the same page and put last season behind them. Romo has a lot riding on Williams too.

As a die hard Cowboys fan, I feel a nervous tension whenever I think about our receiving situation. I have so many questions, and all of them are still unanswered because only the upcoming season can do that.

I just hope that Jerry Jones knows what he’s doing…

HELP! True Blue Fan Stuck in Bear Country…

/0 Comments/in /by

I have been a Cowboys fan since the late 70’s early 80’s. Unfortunately I am stuck in Illinois, an hour and half away from Chicago, in a little town of about 15,000 people. So needless to say most of the fans here are Chicago Bears fans. Some of my best friends are major Bears fans. Everywhere I look I see that annoying Bears head.

I drive around in a yellow truck. So I stand out. But my truck is decked out in Cowboys emblems – steering wheel cover, mats, a big true blue sticker on the back.

The offseason has been very trying this year. I had to hear all the crap about T.O. and then listen to the talk about Jay Cutler. OK, they finally have a decent QB but they will still stink. HA. Anyway this is my first and I hope many blogs about the Cowboys.

OK lets talk about the Cowboys and T.O. since I mentioned that. I was a little upset that they released him. With all the injuries to everyone last year, I don’t think the offense had time to click. Roy Williams was hurting, Tony was hurting but I don’t think would really admit it. I would have loved to see what the offense would have brought this year. Tony, T.O., Williams, Witten, Barber, and Jones. I would just had to say WOW. I know T.O. would have complained about the ball not coming his way, but we will never know what would happened.

Now lets really see if getting rid of T.O. was actually a move to make the team “Romo-friendly”. What exactly is “Romo-friendly” anyway? Oh well, we will see.

I bleed Blue and Silver throughout my veins. I have converted my fiancee also. I have a little one on the way too. Another Cowboys fan in this Bear town. I’m getting the numbers up. Ha Ha. Thanks for reading.

– Aaron “DoughboyCowboy”

Tuesday’s OTA Notes

/0 Comments/in /by

Here are a few updates from Tuesday’s practice.

Jason Garrett seems to be a little different during practice so far in 2009. Yesterday he actually got mad at Jason Witten when he had a false start, yelling…

“get me another tight end!”

The same thing happened when a false start was called on Leonard Davis.

 “Get me a new right guard!”

It was reported that Davis walked over to Garrett and said something, but Garrett just ignored him. Wade Phillips pulled Davis from the first team for one play because of the false start.  There is something about this that I like. Many people have said that this team is too soft and we all know how many penalties they have been called for in recent years. Most of those penalties were at the worst possible times.

Although it has been reported that Tony Romo and Roy Williams have been working a lot together. In yesterday’s seven-on-seven drills they were not on the same page as they missed on several passes. Looks like they need to keep working. Which is what these OTA’s are all about.

Sam Hurd was the latest to hit the injury list with a sore quadriceps muscle. It is not believed to be anything serious. This goes along with injuries to Isaiah Stanback (torn meniscus), Rodney Hannah (broken finger), Tim Anderson (toe), Jason Hatcher (knee), Kyle Kosier (foot) and Nick Folk (hip).

Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick received first team reps opposite Terrence Newman. Mike Mickens has yet to attend the OTA’s until he officially graduates. DeAngeloSmith has worked at corner and safety. Newman broke up multiple plays on Tuesday while also coming close to intercepting a Romo pass that could have gone for a touchdown. Fifth round pick safety Michael Hamlin has been getting praise from coach Brett Maxie for his play and he also calls him a sponge. Everything that is asked of Hamlin, he then takes it onto the field and performs at a high level. 

The Cowboys released cornerback Tra Battle and defensive tackle Casey Tyler on Tuesday.

A new twist to the Cowboys offense was when the first team scored in the red zone on a Marion Barber halfback pass to Patrick Crayton.

It’s still early, but I’m starting to like many of the things I’m reading about the Cowboys. I especially like the toughness from Garrett and Phillips. I think that is what this team needs. They need to be coached and praised when everything is working, but also called out when things are not working. I really hope that not being in the spotlight (Hard Knocks) this season will help them. Keep working guys. It will all pay off in the end.

Roy Williams Upset, Chris McAlister to Dallas?

/0 Comments/in /by

It has been reported by DallasCowboys.com that Roy Williams is a little upset over the criticism he has received about whether he can be a number one receiver in Dallas. I myself think he can be that go to guy for Tony Romo. Wasn’t Williams a number one receiver in Detroit until Calvin Johnson came along? In almost every conversation I was a part of last preseason people were yelling for Jerry Jones to go and trade for Roy Williams. That’s what Jones did and now all I hear is that Williams cannot be that guy. Why? Is it because what Dallas traded to get him? Is it because some people are still hypnotized by Terrell Owens? Williams put up some good numbers on some bad Detroit teams. I think he has every right to be upset with what he has been hearing.

“Why am I a target? I’m just a guy,” Williams said Wednesday. “I’m a coachable wide receiver who does what he’s coached to do. I’m getting grief from everybody. I don’t know why, I’ve just got to go out there and prove to people that I can play this game.”

“Every time I say something about what I do positively it gets turned around negative. I’m just going to continue to do what I’ve been doing and everybody can see what we can do in September.”

I would love for Roy Williams to have a great season and to make everyone who doubted him eat their words.

Could Chris McAlister be coming to Dallas? Would it help Dallas? I’ve heard that the Cowboys along with Seattle and San Diego have shown interest in the three-time Pro Bowler. McAlister is currently rehabbing from knee surgery. If given clearance to play come July I think it might be a good idea to look into signing him. Right now the Cowboys have only one experienced corner in Terrence Newman. I love what Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins did last season and I think our two draft picks, Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith were good choices. But I think the experience of McAlister would help the Cowboys secondary and also help the young corners.

Former Cowboys Strong Safety Williams Goes To Bengals

/0 Comments/in , /by

Nfl.com has reported that the Bengals and Roy Williams have agreed on a contract. I bid you good luck Superman.

The Bengals have agreed to terms with former Cowboys free safety Roy Williams.

The Cowboys released Williams, once regarded as one of the fiercest safeties in the NFL, after last season.

In Cincinnati, Williams will be reunited with Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who coached the Cowboys’ defense when the safety had some of his best production.

Draft Day Fast Approaching

/0 Comments/in /by

As the 2009 NFL Draft fast approaches, I have read many articles about what the Cowboys will do with their first pick. All of these are opinions of course which is what makes draft day so much fun. Do they go best talent on the board no matter what position? Do they go for best talent in the most needed positions? Do they try to get back into the first round? Will Jerry Jones make a move that will change the whole look of the Cowboys draft? The Cowboys have 11 draft picks this year and I think it’s a great opportunity to add talent, depth and maybe even find those gems in the later rounds.

I would think Safety would be the Cowboys first concern with the release of Roy Williams and the options they currently have to play alongside Ken Hamlin. They have Keith Davis, Pat Watkins and newly signed Gerald Sensabaugh on the roster, but if either Louis Delmas from Western Michigan or Patrick Chung from Oregon are still available at pick 51 I would think it would be hard to pass them over. Both are excellent Safeties and should be able contribute early for the Cowboys and maybe even become a starter.

Then there is the question of Wide Receiver? What happens if there is still a top receiver on the board come pick 51? What if players like Hakeem Nicks or Brian Robiskie is still available for the Cowboys? You can’t have too many weapons on offense if you ask me. The Cowboys have Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, but if we can add a game breaker at wide receiver it will be hard to pass up.

There are so many options and only a few minutes to make the pick. I’m sure whatever the pick is it will be debated by all. Come pick 51 I’m not sure I would want to be Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips. I believe they will have a lot of options and directions they can go to add more talent to the already talented Cowboys roster. When it comes to Jerry Jones anything is possible. Draft Day is like Christmas morning…you know you’re going to get things, you just hope they are things that will be great! Will the players selected be the missing pieces to the Cowboys puzzle? Time will tell. All I know for sure is that I will be sitting, watching and waiting this weekend as I always do.

Cowboys Have the Talent to Contend in ’09

/0 Comments/in /by

The minute the schedule was released, the media went haywire attacking the Cowboys and predicting a disappointing season. As a change of pace, here is a comment that does quite the opposite.

Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News talks about the final four in 2009. Here’s what he had to say about one of the two NFC teams to make the list, The Dallas Cowboys:

“Now it gets interesting. In the past two years, we’ve had Giants-Packers and Eagles-Cardinals as the NFC’s championship game matchup. Not only it is hard to predict which team will make the playoffs in this conference, but the seeds also don’t mean anything.

So why not go with a third different team from the NFL’s best division, the NFC East? With Owens out of town and the team dumping some off-field baggage, the Cowboys are in position to open their new stadium in style. The defensive talent, led by DeMarcus Ware, is Super Bowl worthy. The key is becoming more efficient and balanced offensively, and helping that carry over to the entire team.

The passing game won’t lose too much once Roy Williams gets on the same page with Tony Romo, but without the crutch of T.O., the ‘Boys will lean more on a strong rushing attack as the ideal complement to their defense. Going back to the basics of pounding away with Marion Barber and Felix Jones to set up the pass will turn Dallas from a disappointing non-playoff team to the contender it should have been.”

Jason Garrett Needs To Be The Cowboys MVP

/0 Comments/in /by

Here we are, three weeks before the draft and unless we make a blockbuster trade to move up or sign Holt or Harrison our offense right now is probably the offense that will start the 2009 season.

Now that we cut loose our most explosive offensive weapon (which I still believe is a huge mistake) we need to focus on what we need to get that sixth title.

Jason Garrett in my opinion needs to be the MVP of this team in order for the Cowboys to compete. MVP meaning… the most valuable play-caller.

He wowed us in 2007 when the offense racked up huge numbers, but once teams caught on and took away THE PLAYER, the offense was average at best. Garrett’s play calling was way too predictable  last year, I mean think back at all the times we had an incomplete pass on first down, then a one-yard run on second, and then a five-yard completion on third, and finally a punt. That scenario played out so many times last season… too many to remember.

Even with THE PLAYER gone, this offense is loaded with talent ranging from the three headed monster in the backfield, to Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin downfield, to Mr. Reliable himself, Jason Witten who I believe will suffer most due to The Player’s departure. I just see him drawing that extra man from the defense which could and should open up Martellus Bennett to have a decent season.

If Garret can use the talent he has and accounts for the defensive adjustments during the game, there is no reason we shouldn’t be able to put up 30 passes per game in 2009.

Here is my gameplan…

First, he needs to find a way to get Tashard Choice, Felix Jones, and Marion Barber into the game as much as possible whether its throwing Felix out in the slot or even loading up  the backfield with all three… he needs to get creative with these three.

Second, lots of screen passes is a must. Get the ball in these guys hands and make the defense stop them.

Third, once you establish to the opposing defense that they need to come up and stop our three backs, this will free up Witten and Bennett in the middle of the field for some nice chunks of yardage.

Fourth, they need to throw downfield more. If the Cowboys accomplish the first three items on this list, it should leave our receivers in one on one coverage. With Williams’ height and ability, coupled with the speedy Austin Miles, it could be a potent combination.

Finally and most important, the offensive line needs to have that killer instinct. Whether its run blocking or protecting Tony, they need to step up and show that they are not only the biggest but also the baddest group in the league. Mark Colombo, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, Kyle Kosier and Flozell Adams are all locked into long deals and for decent chunks of Jerry Jones’ money. They need to play with that swagger we often hear so much about.

So there it is my plan for Garrett to become the Cowboys MVP in 2009.

If I am right and Garrett can use that Princeton education of his to establish a smarter, creative and more efficient playbook, then hopefully we’ll be celebrating our sixth ring in Miami in February of 2010.

Edited by Joe D.

The Quiet Days of Offseason

/in /by

A month away from the NFL draft and everything in Cowboys land seems a bit quiet for my taste. No more T.O. drama, no more Romo/Jessica sightings, no more throw Wade under the bus talk. Seems too quiet doesn’t it?

First off let me talk about my boy Demarcus Ware. I am still wondering why the Jones boys haven’t signed him to a long extension yet. Ware should become the richest player in NFL history within the next couple of weeks though. The guy deserves it. He was about half a step this year of having about 30 sacks. The NFL even took one away from him. James Harrison is good but he isn’t nowhere near Demarcus Ware’s playing level, 101 yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl or not.
Some Terrell Owens news. Ugh! Terrell Owens states that Jerry Jones reneged on his word to keep him in Dallas and that Stephen Jones and a couple others were behind his surprising release. Let me say this one last time. I actually loved Terrell Owens on this team. There is no way in God’s green earth you can convince me that Roy Williams, the receiver, is a legitimate # 1 receiver in the NFL. He hasn’t proven it, Detroit or not. I think way too many fans are being way too optimistic about Roy Williams. Sure he has better hands but he can’t stretch the field and he isn’t the hardest worker in the world. I really hope he proves me wrong. Back to T.O.. Yes, Jerry probably did back stab Terrell Owens to an extent but I really think this helps Romo more than anybody else on this team. This is going to be a make or break year for Romo. It’s his team now.
The NFL schedule does not come out until later this spring but sources say that Dallas will open Week 1 in Denver in the FOX 3 PM slot. They will also host the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving. I think playing in Denver Week 1 is gonna be awesome. Sources also said that Dallas will not open in the new stadium until Week 3 either in a Sunday night or Monday night game. I bet it’s either Philly or the Giants. On an unrelated note, sources state Jerry Jones is asking the NFL  for permission to change the navy blue jerseys (technically home jerseys) for the 2011 season to commemorate the hosting of the super bowl in the new stadium. I don’t know if this is a good thing or bad or to what extent the jersey change will take effect. I guess we will not find out until the 2011 season.
Dallas Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips stated that it takes a full 4 seasons before anyone can judge a coach in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers Coach Mike Singletary stated when told of this that he thought this was a win now league. I couldn’t of said it better myself. Thats why Jerry Jones should of fired Wade Phillips when this season ended. I couldn’t help but shake my head when I read that. I wonder what Jerry Jones thought of that statement by Wade.  Let’s make our # 1 receiver the scapegoat I guess and cut him. Oh didn’t we already do that?
Training Camp in San Antonio. Guys I can’t wait. I already asked for that first week off of work so I can be there. It’s gonna be awesome. See ya there Shelby!!!