Dallas Cowboys Game Review for Week 3

Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Final Score: 34-31
Overall Record: 2-1
Fantasy Stud w/ stats: Drew Bledsoe 24 for 38 363yards 2TDs 2INTS
Fantasy Dud w/ stats: Patrick Crayton 4 catches for 39yards 0TDS

Overall Recap: Niner’s OLB Julian Peterson guaranteed a win over the Cowboys; unfortunately he did not consider the heart and class of a Parcells’ ran team. At the end of the game the Cowboys got the “W” and Peterson & Co. stay losers. The Cowboys started out the game slow and totally out of sync. This is becoming a regular thing for the Cowboys. In the last three games the Cowboys have started out slow. The Cowboys started out the game down 21-6 and the offense and defense was looking totally deflated. The Cowboys were able to avoid disaster before the half by stopping the 49ers and ending the half down 24-12. The second half started out even, but the Cowboys made the comeback run in the 4^th quarter by scoring 15 points. Bledsoe clutched out another game.

QB play: Drew Bledsoe had 2TDS and 2INTS, and led the Cowboys to the game winning drive. Bledsoe made the hard passes and was able to move the ball when the time came to do so. Bledsoe again, showed his experience and composure in the pocket. Drew Bledsoe gets my MVP award for week 3.

RB play: Julius Jones carried the load again 26 times for 85yrds and 2TDS. The Niners supposedly did not have a great run defense, but they did a great job slowing down Julius Jones. Like the rest of the offense, Julius has started out the games slow, but eventually made some key runs for us down the stretch.

WR play: If I had another gameball to handout it would be to Keyshawn Johnson. Keyshawn had another awesome performance against the Niners. Key 5 catches for 74yrds 1TD and a 2pt conversion. Key has become a favorite target for Bledsoe recently and you can expect the same the rest of the year. Terry Glenn was the other WR that had some great game breaking catches when we needed them Glenn made critical 1^st downs and racked up 137yrds on 5 catches. Patrick Crayton was held to 4 catches for 39yrds.

TE play: We all knew Witten would need to be more involved in the offense sooner or later, and against the Niners, Witten had 6 catches for 85yrds and 1TD. Witten was slowed down in the 2^nd half of the game, but his play had to be respected, thus opening it up for the other WRs.

K play: Jose Cortez missed an extra point, and is not a fan favorite, no one has confidence in him making the clutch kicks.

DST play: The Defense had some major breakdowns with tackling and issues in the secondary. The Defense gave up 31 points. The defense is currently ranked 21overall

Dallas Cowboys Week 4 Preview

Record: 2-1
Opponent and Opponent's Record: Oakland Raiders 0-3
Projected Score: Cowboys 27 Raiders 24
Prediction Record: (did you win your prediction or lose?) 3-1
Projected Fantasy Stud w/ stats: Drew Bledsoe 220yrds 3TDS 1INTS
Projected Fantasy Dud w/ stats: Patrick Crayton 3 catches 50 yrs 0TDS

Overall Preview: The Cowboys just finished another thriller, and will actually remain in the Bay Area since their next opponent is the Oakland Raiders. Although the Raiders are 0-3, by no means does this mean the Cowboys are guaranteed a win. In fact, it’s possible the Cowboys could lose. The Cowboys have shown they can step toe-to-toe in a shoot out. Only difference in this game is that the Raiders have the “Cowboys Killer” in Randy Moss. Randy Moss has just about beaten the Cowboys on his own over the years, and you can bet this game will be no different. Both these teams matchup well, similar offenses, and the defensive players are similar as well. The key as usual will be penalties and turnovers.

QB preview: Bledsoe will have to be spot-on accurate against the Raiders secondary, they are fast and quick to the ball. Bledsoe will need to deliver the ball where only the receiver can catch the ball. We should see more involvement from the TE again, and from the slot receiver.

RB preview: Julius is still looking for a breakout game, and he may have to wait one more week. The Raiders run defense is pretty stout, and has pretty much shut down RBs like Dillon and Westbrook. Julius will have to earn every yard possible.

WR preview: Speedy receivers Glenn and Price will not be a big factor, because the Raiders have very fast CBs to cancel out the speed factor, that will leave experience and technique, and that means Keyshawn. Look for Keyshawn to work the field and catch the ball on slants, out patterns. Keyshawn knows how to manipulate the field, and knows how to beat the Raiders secondary. Crayton is a similar type WR, he can find the open field, but he is still a little raw in his technique. Crayton could be the x-factor against the Raiders.

TE preview: Witten was a force that demanded respect in coverage, and the Cowboys will need Witten again against the Raiders. This is going to be a chess game all day, and the Cowboys definitely have the upper hand in the TE matchups. If Witten can demand some coverage from a LB or safety, then this will give the Cowboys some opportunities down the field and in the running attack.

PK preview: The Cowboys DO NOT want the game to come down to a game winning field goal, so the Cowboys will try to convert all their redzone attempts into TDs. Cortez is not reliable

DST preview: Whether you like the 3-4 defense or not, the defense has come through down the stretch. They have yet to dominate or manhandle anyone yet, in fact, you can say offenses have located the Cowboys weakness, and this resides in the secondary. Henry and Newman are stars at CB, but sometimes it’s required that they get some help from the safeties. Roy Williams is not stellar in deep coverage; he’s your roaming type and box safety. This brings us to Keith Davis, our special teams ace. 3 weeks into the season is enough for fans to have true concerns over Davis’ play. Fans love him, but his inexperience at FS is showing and offenses are exploiting it every chance they get. Either Davis improves his reads, or you will see another safety back there, Willie Pile or possibly Jacques Reeves – the speedy CB/Safety.

Dallas Cowboys Game Preview for Week 2
Record: 1-0
Opponent and Opponent's Record: Washington Redskins 1-0
Projected Score: Cowboys 27 Redskins 16
Prediction Record: (did you win your prediction or lose?) 2-0
Projected Fantasy Stud w/ stats: Drew Bledsoe 250yrds 3TDS 0INTS
Projected Fantasy Dud w/ stats: Jason Witten 3 catches 60yrs 0-1TDS

Overall Preview: The Washington Redskins come to Texas Stadium. Our home crowd will be electrified, The Cowboys are coming off a shootout and clutch win against the Chargers, its Monday Night Football, and the Cowboys will be inducting “The Triplets” Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith. Expect the Cowboys to come out the gates and take it to the Redskins. The Redskins are 0-5 the last 5 times the Cowboys have hosted the Redskins. Keys to the game will be to slow down Clinton Portis, win the battles in the trenches, limit penalties and turnovers, create turnovers on defense, and field position will be key.

QB preview: Bledsoe is poised to have another great game, this will mark his debut at home in Texas Stadium. Bledsoe has had great success with a Parcells ran team, and you can bet the results will be the same on Monday Night. Bledsoe has various weapons in the air attack, the Redskins will NOT be able to stop them all, and someone will be open, whether that be Key, Glenn, Witten, or the new weapon in Crayton.

RB preview: Look for Julius Jones to really light it up on the ground. Julius wants to have a career game at home against the much hated Redskins. In addition, he wants to be seen by Emmitt Smith, The Cowboys greatest running back ever. Besides Bledsoe, Expect Julius to have a huge day 150+ yards and 2TDS

WR preview: Terry Glenn has had a quiet preseason, but it’s only a matter of time before Glenn has a breakout game, and this could be the week. Glenn has had good games against the ‘Skins in the past, and now he’ll have Bledsoe at the helm to deliver the ball to him. Keyshawn matches up well against the ‘Skins CBs. Expect the Cowboys to throw the ball to rookie Carlos Rogers early and often, his play is suspect and you can bet the Cowboys are going to take their shots at him. Patrick Crayton is the Redskins killer; he proved it last time these teams played. Crayton gave us a preview of his composure, and we’ll see Crayton involved in the game as well. Newly acquired WR Peerless Price status for the game is still up in the air, BUT if he makes the active roster, we could see total domination in the passing game; we will see some 4 wideout sets.

TE preview: Jason Witten will provide key blocking and will demand a LB to cover him. I like Witten’s chances against these Redskins LB corps. If anything this will aid in the running game, less men in the box, more game breaking runs for Julius.

PK preview: As long as Cortez can make the FGs when his number is called that’ll be fine, missed field goals will not be acceptable, every point will count especially against a division rival like the Redskins.

DST preview: The defense will have their hands full again this week with Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, other than that, if the Cowboys slow them down, it could be a long day for the Redskins. The Cowboys secondary is revamped. Anthony Henry and Terence Newman can handle single coverage, and big hitters Roy Williams and Killer Davis will be roaming around looking for the next big play.OT Jansen will have his hands full, and he’s not 100% with a broken finger, expect a mad rush from both ends and OLBs. We’re going to be in Brunell’s face all day.

GOING DEEP
By Howard Cox

NO I am not talking about Bledsoe dropping back and letting one air out for Terry Glenn to run under. What I am talking about is the rotation depth the Dallas Cowboys now possess along the defensive line. YES once again they have enough talented players to rotate through and not lose a great amount of ability while doing it. Why is this important you ask? Just listen to what DT LaRoi Glover had to say about that very situation. "I thought we were a lot fresher at the end," Glover said. "It helps to have six linemen you can count on like that. We've got some rookies out there, but guys like myself, Greg and (Ferguson), you need some veterans who have been through the fire."

The team has not had a serious depth advantage on the defense since the early ‘90s. Here are those guys that now return that depth to the franchise: DT LaRoi Glover, Jason Ferguson, DEs Greg Ellis, Kenyon Coleman, Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. Also, if they wish to use them OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Eric Ogbogu can play the DE position when the team moves to a 4-man front. Glover and Ferguson are solid players in the middle of the line and give great push from there on pass or run plays. Ellis and Coleman are good from the ends, although Coleman has flashed signs of greater ability in the 3-4 scheme. Rookies Spears and Canty can play either DT or DE depending on what the coaching staff desires. All of this spells success for a revamped defense. As stated by Glover this allows the starters to be fresher at the end of the game. Why is this important? Just go back to the game vs. San Diego. The Chargers possess one of the top, if not the top Running Back in the league. He was held to only 72 yards rushing and pretty much wasn’t used in the 4th quarter, especially absent on 4 chances to get into the endzone from the 7-yard line when the game was on the line. With fresh legs the starters could still key on containing Tomlinson and also put pressure on the QB for passing downs. The end result was NO touchdown for the Chargers and a victory for Dallas.

Now mistakes were made and some assignments will have to be worked out, especially for the rookies. That is expected when so many young players are added to the mix and the scheme is new for most of the veterans as well. Look forward for the DL to get stronger as they mold into a solid unit and give opposing offenses fits. I love it because at the end of the game when a lot of teams run the ball at will on tired defensive linemen, they no longer have that luxury against the Cowboys and will have to still face talented, rested players from either the first or second unit.

Man I love having the ability to GO DEEP again!!!! How ‘bout them Cowboys?!?!?

Winning Is Our Business: Cowboys Win Opener, 28-24

The Cowboys Set the tone, Domination 2005 is now in full effect. Not only did the Cowboys stayed focused, we stepped up to the challenge. The Chargers were 12-4 for a reason last year, they are a pretty good team, a contende,r and a victory on their home turf really bodes well for our team.

The game started out on a wrong foot when the Chargers drove and scored at will, the next series was even worse with the insanity of 5 consecutive offensive penalties against our O-line

It appeared that the Cowboys had settled down, and dug in. An all heavyweight bout then ensued, with both teams answering each other scores.

As predicted, special teams played a key element in today's game, on both sides. Darren Sproles was explosive and dangerous; however, the Cowboys were able to capitalize on some poor punts from the Chargers in the 4th Quarter.

Its hard to say what player deserves today's Gameball - it really is, it could even be said the WHOLE team deserves the gameball, it was a complete team effort!

Roy Williams was all over the field, Anthony Henry showed why we chose him in free agency, rookies Ware, Spears, and Canty were bringing the pressure and helped contain LT and the Chargers offense.

On Offense, Drew Bledsoe played a near perfect game, his debut was impressive to say the least. Patrick Crayton is going to be something special for the Cowboys, he is the real deal people! If you aren't on the Crayton wagon, you better be. Keyshawn, Glenn, Julius, Witten, also contributed in key drives, everyone stepped up.

GO COWBOYS!