The Great Jimster provided some valuable insights into the Cowboys early this morning. Here’s what he said in his Fox Sports column:
Cowboys are back?
Saturday was the best the Cowboys have looked all year long.
Not only did they beat an outstanding team in the Saints, but they beat them on the road and in a hostile, loud environment.
I think the Cowboys have finally realized that their receivers don’t have the separation speed. And so they changed their offense and became more methodical.
Tony Romo was taking what was given to him in the underneath passing game and they were pounding the ball. I really loved their offensive approach. They didn’t turn it over a single time.
I know he’s taken a lot of heat for the team’s record in December, but Romo has played very well the last three weeks. And their defense played well against New Orleans.
It looks like to me that if the Cowboys can maintain this same focus and intensity for the final two games, they will have a shot against anybody in the playoffs.
Here’s what I’m trying to say about the Dallas offense: Miles Austin doesn’t have speed.
Now, he is strong and he has a great burst, but he doesn’t have any separation speed. That is probably why he wasn’t in the lineup earlier in the season. He’s really not a fast guy, but he does break tackles and he does make big plays. His first touchdown against the Saints was a double move against a zone coverage. That score makes him appear fast, but if you lock onto him man-to-man he doesn’t get away from you.
I think that Jason Garrett has finally figured out what Roy Williams can do in this offense. Even the other night, he dropped a slant route.
They didn’t know what he could do earlier in the year. It was a different style of offense earlier in the season.
They were doing a lot of stuff like flanking Felix Jones out and throwing to him. Now, they are alternating Jones and Marion Barber in the backfield and figured out that they are a running football team. Let’s pound the football and then throw the little drag routes, the little underneath stuff, that’s what they do best.
Now, that they have figured out what they are on offense, they are a much better offensive team. They don’t have as many big plays, but they also don’t have as many turnovers.
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Great Jimster, I agree with 99.1% of everything you say. But what exactly has Jason Garrett learned about what Roy Williams can do? I guess you meant he learned that Roy can drop any pass. How awesome. So glad we gave up those draft picks. Who wants fresh young talent when you can have old, unreliable, expensive #1 receivers!!!!
On the NFL Network Matt Millen said pretty much similar about Roy Williams. He can't double cut, but he can run posts and curls. Throw to him high in the End Zone. And he did drop a pass, but lets not forget, TO dropped a lot of passes too, and he is the poster boy for Prima Donnas. Roy seems like a true team player.
I don't want a “team player” only. I want a producer. Give me Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, and Kevin Ogletree as my starting wide receivers. Trade or drop Roy Williams for ANY draft picks possible. Give Sam Hurd one more year to break out like I thought he would this year. And go out and do what it takes to get a Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, or Jeremy Maclin-type rookie.
And while we're at it, let's reevaluate our receivers coach and make sure he actually has what it takes to take raw talent and develop it.
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