8
Nov
2009
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!
By C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y!
Ogletree is a guy the Cowboys like (Photo: AP)
Big game on the slate tonight between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Giants loss to San Diego today, the Eagles can really take control in the division with a win tonight. The Cowboys are trying to show that they are legit and not the same team that got humiliated at the Linc last year.
I am going to offer thoughts on the game throughout the evening. If you are interested in following along or participating just join in in the comments section below.
There has been a lot of talk about the Romo-Williams disconnect this week. It will be interesting to see if Romo forces that issue here tonight. It would be a mistake; the beauty of the Cowboys offense the last few weeks has been the team’s willingness to spread the ball out.
Romo has struggled against the Eagles because they bring the heat so consistently . . . . they are doing that on the initial drive here– forcing a Cowboy punt.
BTW; which of the following was the worst thing about the Costas-Romo pre-game interview:
a) Costas wearing the black sportcoat with black turtle-neck;
b) Costas asking Romo about his hat; or
c) Romo’s hat.
Cowboys get the first break. Should have been a first down; instead it is a turnover.
The ball looks slippery.
Ogletree is a guy that the Cowboys like quite a bit.
Eagles are off to a rocky start offensively. Two drives, at least two dropped passes. A lot of crossing patterns early for the Eagles– guys are open, they just aren’t catching the ball.
I don’t agree that the problem is that Romo doesn’t know where Williams is going to be, as Chris Collinsworth said. The problem is that Williams is not getting separation from DBs. He is a long-strider and not a great route runner: he’s not getting open.
The Eagles are in love with the pass right now, long an Andy Reid trademark. With a banged up offensive line the Eagles need to stick to the run or else Ratliff, Ware, and Spears are going to be able to pin their ears back.
Martellus Bennett has been a big disappointment thus far in his sophomore campaign. Dropped balls, bad routes. He is blocking well, but has not been the weapon Dallas thought he would be.
Cory Proctor played a lot for Dallas last season (in place of Kyle Kosier) but not very well. The loss of Gurude is a big one.
Terrible penalty for Dallas. Lost a chance to pin the Eagles at the one with a spotty offensive line.
Ware is getting some shots on McNabb. Weaver actually had some success on some runs but the Eagles go right back to the air.
Newman’s been OK in coverage this year but fantastic in run support.
Any chance a flesh-eating bacteria takes over both locker rooms at half-time, or is that just wishful thinking on my part???
it’s really the only chance the Giants have of remaining competitive in the NFC east.
Does Patrick Crayton have gold teeth? I swear I just saw that during a sideline shot.
McCoy reminds me a of a young Keith Byars. Short strides, shifty. He was a very good draft pick for them.
Romo can get himself into trouble here– a drive with under 2 minutes to go in the half where the Cowboys are ahead– let’s see if the new Romo is safer with the ball.
Artie!
I thought you’d gone into hiding.
Crayton is no Edgerrin James. His choppers are pearly white. He does, however, chew gum.
Did I mention (yes, I did) that Ogletree is a guy the Cowboys like?
Look for Roy Williams
Big stop by the Eagles.
That Crayton run and catch aside the Eagles defense has been very solid tonight.
Artie-
Very surprised that the Giants did not win today. When does Bill Sheridan start to re-work his resume? Though somewhat better today, the Giants still don’t look the same on defense. Manning looks like he has lost a little bit of confidence as well.
The Giants couldn’t beat the Chargers in exactly the kind of game that Norv Turner loves to lose.
What turns this around for the G-men?
I love Andy Reid’s comment to the fellow who held on the opening kick “come on, baby!”
Terrible call on Asanti Samuels. How is that a penalty?
The Giants loss was brutal today. Although it was better today, I can’t explain the lack of pass rush, and the way they gave up that final drive without any fight at all was disgusting. On the bright side, Eli finally had a good game.
Ultimately, I thought the Giants got out-coached today … especially down the stretch, which is a terrifying prospect considering this was against Norv Turner. Sheridan’s blitz packages don’t surprise anyone, and they leave gaping holes in the secondary. And the biggest mistake was by Coughlin. After the Terrell Thomas interception with 1st & goal, he played not to lose and settled for a FG without even taking a shot at the end zone. In my mind, the game was over right then.
I don’t know what – if anything – is going to turn it around for them. The sky is now officially falling, and everyone will be looking to point fingers. And these past few weeks have been terrible. But at 5-4, I’m not quite falling into the gloom and doom camp yet. Every team has bad stretches, and the Giants now have a bye week to re-group and get their heads right.
Ugghh. I don’t know if I can watch any more football today.
Not a good throw by Romo– big series because momentum is with the Eagles right now.
The bye is coming at a perfect time for them. I don’t understand the lack of a pass rush either. After starting hot, the Giants’ young receiving core has stepped back a little.
Did anyone else notice that Al Michaels basically called Chris Collinsworth a liar when Collinsworth said he had three cheese steaks since he came to Philly?
Brent Celek has an abnormally large smile
That was a big turnover by McNabb. Maclin’s route wasn’t a very good one and the Eagles have been working the seems all night– Jenkins wasn’t fooled.
That was a big turnover by McNabb. Maclin’s route wasn’t a very good one and the Eagles have been working the seams all night– Jenkins wasn’t fooled.
Can we agree that Celek is really Tom Selleck working undercover for a Magnum PI episode (which needs to be made into a movie already).
The Cowboys have to burn their second timeout of the half. Could be a big deal down the stretch.
Celek is having a crazy good year. Here’s an interview with Celek done by Chris Cooley … apparently he can’t grow the Magnum mustache:
http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2009/01/playoff-interviews-brent-celek.html
Huge stop if it stands up: a very interesting challenge by Reid. Both teams are potentially going to be down to one time out with 10+ minutes to go in the game.
Does he have to challenge this given where on the field this is at?
Nobody can grow that mustache.
Miles Austin is making himself some money right now.
Barber’s been hurt for a few weeks now. The Cowboys said that he looked better in practice this week– we’ll get to see how he closes tonight. Looked good on back-to-back delayed draw plays.
Big win for Dallas. Big showing for Dallas’ defense.
Thanks for tuning in.
Good win for the Cowboys. I guess. Whatever.
Hope you don’t mind that I added a banner pic of your boy Ogletree.