Special Teams
The Cowboys' special teams finally showed up for a game and they played a major role in turning the momentum in favor of the Cowboys. The momentum shifted when T.O. scored the 1st touchdown, but the special teams took over the next 2 opportunities. On the ensuing kickoff #52-Carlos Polk streaked down his lane and made an awesome hit at the 15 and he followed it up when the Rams went to punt by blocking it for a safety. Notice that I mentioned that Polk streaked down his lane-this was textbook, disciplined kickoff coverage. Every special team's player stayed in their lanes as they ran down the field. The special teams followed it up by pinning the 49ers on the 1-yard line and the following kickoff Keith Davis tackled the return man at the 18. These were 2 kickoff returns that did not reach the 20 and this is very good considering Nick Folk deepest kicks barely reached the 5-yard line. Folk is a great field goal kicker. He made 4-40 yard+ field goals and his longest is a 53-yarder that won the game against Buffalo. However, the Cowboys are going to have to waste a roster spot for a kickoff specialist, but for now the kickoff coverage has to assume that the 5-yard line is the deepest Folk is going to kick and they must have lights-out coverage on every kickoff.
Defensively
Except fot the first and last 2 49ers offensive series, the Cowboys played great defense. Once again the Cowboys recorded 4 sacks and 11 knockdowns. The 49ers earned their 2 field goals on the 1st 2 offensive sets of the game because the Cowboys did bring some heat to Shaun Hill. However, the defense played soft in the 4th quarter and allowed the 49ers to score 2 touchdowns. The defense also had an interception and a fumble recovery that should have been a touchdown if it wasn't for the infamous, inadvertent whistle. Two ints. over the last two games and that is the result of pressuring the quarterback. They must continue to get to the quarterback before he gets to the Cowboys secondary. Jay Ratliff is becoming a beast at nose tackle, and Zach Thomas and James Brady are becoming a great pair of middle linebackers. The 49ers only ran the ball for a total net of 26 yards. Fans can say that these are the 49ers, but Frank Gore is not chopped liver either. The secondary did allow for Hill to throw for 303 yards, but the 49ers netted 278 because of the 4 sacks that also rattled him into making some bad throws.
Offensively
The 49ers defense was determined to stop Barber and they were very effective, but Romo and T.O. went crazy. The 1 thing that bothered me about the offense was the lack of consistency. The big play was what allowed the Cowboys to score touchdowns and that is what teams want to do and prevent other teams from doing. In fact, making and preventing big plays is on every teams defensive and offensive goals chart in the dressing rooms. Garrett's play-calling has improved tremendously over the last two games. Redskins wanted to stop Romo, so Garrett gave them a heavy dose of Barber. The 49ers wanted to stop Barber and Garret went to the passing game for big plays. Defensively, teams are going to have to choose their poison, now that Garrett is calling plays like Zampese and Turner. The only blemishs that Romo committed were his fumble/interception and the floater he threw to Witten, but by this time the game was out of reach for the 49ers. Overall, Romo did a great job of taking care of the ball and just as important the pinkie held-up when he fell on it. On a lighter side Romo must have caught Jessica flirting with Witten or Witten must have said her name in his sleep, since both are roommates on the road. Maybe this the reason Romo floated the pass to Witten when he got drilled by the safety. If not, then Romo needs to take Witten to the best steak dinner he has ever eaten.
Phillips
Phillips showed his emotions by fist pumping when the Cowboys made big plays, but he needs to keep the foot on the gas pedal even when the Cowboys get a large lead. This was evident when the 49ers scored the 2 touchdowns duirng the 4th quarter. Any coach knows that their teams will take on their personalities, character, and principles.
Taylor Walker
Ashley Allen
Sled Hockey
Heisman Moments: Closest Finishes
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Cowboys played great yesterday. I listened to the 2nd-4th quarters on the radio while helping my uncle with some yardwork as we get the 49ers games out here. The 1st quarter I thought it was going to be a long day for Romo. His passes were were either off target or just coming out of his hand lame-duck-style. Even though I couldnt see it, from the radio he sounded like he got a rhythm going with T.O. and then it was on from there. 49ers miscues and redzone meltdowns didnt hurt either. Great blog.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
The 49ers played a good game at the beginning and their defensive game plan was solid. Shaun Hill might become a very good quarterback. If they keep Singeltary as their head coach, then they are going to be force to be reckoned.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
Romo's timing on the long ball was excellent. If he hadn't suffered the injury this year, I don't think it would be a big exaggeration to say that he'd be this year's number 1 QB in the league.
Ha ha --- Good point about the steak dinner. Anyone on the team that used to leave a goalie exposed on our hockey teams (with a bad give-away or defensive lapse) used to have to treat the goalie to a meal as well since the goalie was always the one that would field the immediate blame on the ice for any goal.
YODA
Total Comments (16874)
Nice analogy and thanks for the comment!
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
This win should keep T.O. from pouting on the sidelines. It was good to see Romo getting back in form, they will need that for the final playoff push, if they get in at all.
Enjoyed reading this
The Womanizer
Total Comments (127)
Liked the comment on Witten. Man, what a collision!!
CowboyDave
Total Comments (27117)
Witten is one tough sonofabitch. Already playing with a broken rib then taking a hit like that and STILL coming back into the game is unbelievable.
This will shock some considering the numbers he put up, but Tony didn't look that great. Yes, the deep ball was definitely there when he had time, but short and intermediate passes were obviously hindered by the splint. Usually an exceptionally accurate passer on those kind of routes he was floating/missing them far too often. I'll feel much better when he loses the damn splint.
On a positive note, he went back to more of what he did last year to buy time. This year he was concentrating way too much on footwork and staying in the pocket. In this game he let his instincts take over. That's the Romo who is most effective.
I agree with the killer instinct lacking from Wade. People threw fits about the Patriots 'running up the score' last year, but Phillips need to adapt some of that kind of philosophy. He's just Fing nice a guy to be an effective leader.
C-C-C
Total Comments (23435)
I hope this is just a taste of what's to come the rest of the year. It would be a shame to get on an upswing and bomb against one of the quality teams (after Seattle who I'm not overlooking by the way). Romo looked closer to his old self Sunday, playing with instinct instead of to NOT lose the game! Witten is a warrior, you can't say enough about his heart, effort, and desire to win! We need 21 more with that same heart! Boo to Romo for stringing him out on that one play that could have gotten him killed! We've lost Kosier for what seems like the year which is huge! Mike Jenkins out with a hammy (not a big loss there)! What's up with all the hamstring injuries this year? It's an obvious sign that players are not conditioning properly and coaches are not demanding it!
All in all I'm cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the season especially if we can get the ball to Roy Williams more and use Choice to spell Barber more. Throw in a dose of Bennett to spice things up and who knows what we can achieve!
I know I shouldn't be thinking like this but one cannot help but look forward to the December 14th Sunday night game with the Gents! We owe them a little sumpin', sumpin'! This time with ALL the troops on the field including the General!
Cowboystar
Total Comments (1168)
Witten is a tough SOB but man what a hit.
BEAST!
Leander , TX
Total Comments (1283)
The medium range pass was the reason for Witten getting hit the way he did. The Cowboys to a man cannot allow for his sacrifice to go in vain.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
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