Giants vs. Cowboys Week 1 Finally it's here

[Cowboyz1]

Before I get started I must say opening weekend has to be one of the best five days of the year. It should be a holiday starting Wed. That said, every year I get giddy about this time of year. Football is back. Good luck to everyone, except those in the East of course.

 

First Down

 

Draft day, Cowboys on the clock. With the 31st pick of the 2013 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Travis Frederick, Center, Wisconsin.......................................

 

After about a good minute of complete silence, I throw my hands up in air and plunge back into the couch shaking my head. First thing out of my mouth, Who the fk is Travis Frederick.

 

Next thing I hear, I have him as a third round pick, says Mayock, whom I respect a great deal.

 

I sink further into the couch cussing Jerry and his son watching them shake hands and smile in the war room.

 

I was sure they would go D line, Safety, or one of the big named lineman. Nowhere in the realm of possibilities would the Cowboys pick a Center. Maybe a top G/C but a pure center no.

 

So now I'm pissed off. Ready to throw in the towel on this year draft.

 

Then comes TE Gavin Escabar, and I about went to the gun safe, hotwire, New York, 5th floor window overlooking the Draft hall.

 

Then Terrence Williams, JJ Wilcox, BW Webb and finally Joseph Randle ending LB Holloman. By the second day I perked up a bit as I reviewed the Center pick.

 

Now fast forward to today. As it turns out Fredrick may be one of the best picks the Cowboys have ever made for need. This kid is ridiculously smart and he's nasty. The kid had the calls down by the first few days of practice and amazed the coaches and players. By the second week of camp he was calling out the D the protections and adjustments while the coaches just looked at each other with cheshire cat grins on their faces. Then you watch the kid block and lets just say he's nasty. I mean really nasty. He's still a rookie but a very good one. After watching him in practice then take what he learned onto the field in preseason, I will tell you this. The center of the O line IS NOT a problem anymore. Not one bad snap ever. NOT ONE. That includes shotguns.

 

Second Down

 

Leary will start on the left side of Fredrick at guard and Smith at left tackle. The first time I saw Leary week one of camp he got off on the count and punched Hatcher in the chest with both hands. Hatcher stood straight up like he was hit by lightning and Leary proceeded to escort him out of the whole. I said, it's only hatcher and he wasn't expecting it prolly. Next play, Ware comes in on a twist and bam, leary passes off the stunt and stands Ware up like a light pole with the same punch. Ware shook his head in shame and shook his finger at him.

 

Now both the center and guard are both 1st year players but to say they are upgrades over last year is an understatement. Now they sign Waters and what a great get. Played at a pro bowl level most of his career and now come in to play right guard for the Cowboys. Even if he doesn't play at a pro bowl level this year he will give the rookies something they can't get on the practice field and thats experience. What a great signing.

 

So I will tell you this much. The Cowboys O line will be night and day from last year if what I saw over the last month isn't a mirage. Tony Romo should have that extra second this year.

 

Third Down

 

Dez Bryant is uncoverable period. He made catches that just defied possible. When he wants to go get it, he does just that. Goes and gets it. But where he has really improved is in his understanding of where he needs to be. He and Romo are synced. Austin is healthy and playing very big with a lot of speed. Teams will have to put two guys on Dez all game or he is going to kill you. Romo has been sick accurate. Just sayin. Beasley is solid in the slot as #3, he definitely is shifty like Amendola or Welker and has the hands to boot but a second year rookie with lots to learn. Oh did I mention thank GOD K Ogletree is gone

 

Now all they have to do is stay healthy and this Cowboys Offense is going to score points.

 

Defensively, I can tell you this. They are hard to score touchdowns on and when teams get inside the 30, yards get very hard to come by. I see what they are trying to do and that is play very sound, tackle, strip and get into the lanes. The lanes get shrink as the opposing O drives as does the room to make plays on this defense. Lee and Carter are all over the field. Defense should be better than people think.

 

Forth Down

 

How does all this play out on Sunday. The Giants have the Cowboys number in Dallas as they have never lost so it's hard to have confidence they can wip em. I know this though, this will either be a shootout or a blow out because the Cowboys are going to score points and a lot of them.

 

Bottom line for me is this. The Cowboys have improved their O line and everyone his healthy on offense. The Giants haven't really stopped us offensively and I don't see it happening Sunday. The question mark for me is with Ratliff out in the middle, do we get push and can we stop the run. Ware off the edge in the 4-3 should be even more dangerous but on the other side Spencer is out so another question mark there.

 

I won't even make a prediction of score or a winner because I have sucked at it badly. I will say this though. The Cowboys are going to score A LOT of points and when I say A LOT of points I mean 34+.

 

Man I can't wait.

 

Front Row, Soupanuts, and all you other Giants fans. Where you at. Tell me about your squad and break me off some insults and incites.

Edited September 5, 2013 by Cowboyz1

[Joebirds55]

"So I will tell you this much. The Cowboys O line will be night and day from last year if what I saw over the last month isn't a mirage. Tony Romo should have that extra second this year."

 

Ill keep this in mind after "Slip" throws 4 picks and you still say he's a top 5 qb and if he had just a half second more time back there he'd be on a Rodgers/Brees/Brady type level...

[MTSuper7]

I couldn't imagine anyone else making a post like this. I'll give you one thing, Cowboyz1: nobody wears his heart on his sleeve about his team like you.

 

That being said, Dallas will be fun to watch this year. But if they don't make the playoffs, Garrett may be shown the door. Nay, he should be. I've never been all that impressed with him as HC anyway...

[buddahj]

Go Eagles

[CowboysDiehard]

Hold on to your hat...I'm bringing rare optimism into the season this year. With their schedule, I think Dallas can go 10-6 or better and take the division. Maybe even win a playoff game.

[Scooby's Hubby]

This might be our year to finally win a home game against Eli !!!

[whomper]

 

Cant beat Cowboyz1. Huddle gold

[irish]

Hold on to your hat...I'm bringing rare optimism into the season this year. With their schedule, I think Dallas can go 10-6 or better and take the division. Maybe even win a playoff game.

 

 

10-6 is exactly where i see them as well. i haven't been this confident about the boys in awhile. defense is looking good and the offense is as solid as solid as always. i also think the o-line will be key this year. cowboy fans were moaning about frederick when we took him in the first but the guy is smart and he's a beast.

Edited September 6, 2013 by irish

[irish]

giants get their first beatdown at the hands of the boys in our house.

Edited September 5, 2013 by irish

[satelliteoflovegm]

Dear God...

 

But you know what? Enjoy the day!!! It is an awesome time.

[Cowboyz1]

"So I will tell you this much. The Cowboys O line will be night and day from last year if what I saw over the last month isn't a mirage. Tony Romo should have that extra second this year."

 

Ill keep this in mind after "Slip" throws 4 picks and you still say he's a top 5 qb and if he had just a half second more time back there he'd be on a Rodgers/Brees/Brady type level...

 

 

He may have a 4 pick game but I suspect there will be 4 touchdown passes to go with them!

[Joebirds55]

I got him in my big money league so I hope you're right about the 4tds. I'm rooting for him.

[stevegrab]

Always fun to read, we'll see about this idea that the Cowboys are going to score a lot (over 30) regularly.

[Geo33]

Gmen baby.

[Scorcher]

A fun read, lots of good info, thanks Cowboyz1

[jrobertz]

I cant wait until sunday. I will be there. I am really going to being paying attention to the O-Line. This will be my first chance to see Dez live and I cant wait. The last game I was at was when we beat the eagles in the playoffs. My prediction is the Cowboys 27 and the Giants 23.

[Tripleshot]

I think Dez might dethrone Calvin as top scoring WR this year. I'd have loved to have him on any of my fantasy teams but I went RB-RB in almost all my drafts and missed out on him. I did take a flyer on Murray in my office money league based on value where I picked him and plan on riding him as long as he stays healthy. I know Austin has looked really sharp this preseason, but I had him last year and just couldn't pull the trigger as the taste of tweaked hammies was still in my mouth. And I have Romo has my QB in two of my four leagues. I think there is reason for optimism in Dallas this season, but all ur NFC base belong to us Seahawks.

[Cowboyz1]

Oh and I almost forgot. David Wilson is a fumbler. So temper your yearly expectations for him. I plan on keeping Brown for that very reason. I predict a big fumble on Sunday night, just like he did in the first game last year. A years experience won't allow him to be caught on the sidelines blubbering but he coughs it up nonetheless. Had problems in college holding on to the rock and if there is one thing Tom can't stand is a fumbler. Unless I see him holding the ball up like Tiki Barber, the ball will come out on Sunday night.

[Wpob]

Even as a Giants fan, I can't hate on Cowboyz1 because he is such a glass half full fan of his team, that I respect that. No matter how many times Romo and the Cowboys don't live up to his lofty expectations, he always comes back the next year ready for success. Jerry should hire him to work in the Cowboys PR department.

 

This will be a fun game. I do not expect a blow out like the Denver/Baltimore game, but I do think both teams break 30. However, I am going with the Giants and their undefeated record playing in Jerry's new toy of a stadium. Giants 34-31.

 

Play all your Giants and Cowboys. This is going to be a fantasy feast for the skill position players.

 

One question for Cowboyz1, if this is another non-playoff season or a one and done, is it time for a new coach or possible a new direction? How long will Jerry be able to put up with another year without a playoff appearances AND/OR a playoff win? Since they won the Super Bowl in 1995, they have been to the playoffs seven times (none since 2009) and have only two wins and seven losses. This can't be sitting well with Jerry or Cowboy nation.

[Cowboyz1]

Even as a Giants fan, I can't hate on Cowboyz1 because he is such a glass half full fan of his team, that I respect that. No matter how many times Romo and the Cowboys don't live up to his lofty expectations, he always comes back the next year ready for success. Jerry should hire him to work in the Cowboys PR department.

 

This will be a fun game. I do not expect a blow out like the Denver/Baltimore game, but I do think both teams break 30. However, I am going with the Giants and their undefeated record playing in Jerry's new toy of a stadium. Giants 34-31.

 

Play all your Giants and Cowboys. This is going to be a fantasy feast for the skill position players.

 

One question for Cowboyz1, if this is another non-playoff season or a one and done, is it time for a new coach or possible a new direction? How long will Jerry be able to put up with another year without a playoff appearances AND/OR a playoff win? Since they won the Super Bowl in 1995, they have been to the playoffs seven times (none since 2009) and have only two wins and seven losses. This can't be sitting well with Jerry or Cowboy nation.

 

 

Well I will tell you this. If the key say 7 players on each side of the ball stay healthy all year and the Cowboys don't go deep into the playoffs I would say yes, Garrett may be in trouble. Especially if he makes some bad coaching moves along the way. That said, Jerry is looking at Garrett for the long hall. Garrett will really have to do something that shows him he's not progressing as a coach or the team would have to really play poorly.

 

There have been excuses that you can point to that really very few coaches if any could overcome. Last year for example, even IF we found a way to beat the Redskins with our 3rd and fourth string Linebackers, 2 safeties off the street, makeshift O line, and Ware playing with one arm, and second string receivers. We may not have been able to field a team the following week. The game would have been a joke, playing without Dez, Miles, Harris, and less then half the squad on defense that started the season. So Garrett has A LOT of rope.

 

I will say this though, barring a catastrophic injury plagued season like last year, this could very well decide whether Garrett is closer to leaving or cementing his tenure. Either way I say he has at least 2 more years to figure things out.

[MTSuper7]

Garrett might have a lot of rope. But he probably shouldn't.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

Garrett might have a lot of rope. But he probably shouldn't.

 

why?

[irish]

why?

 

 

Because we haven't won the Superbowl.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

Because we haven't won the Superbowl.

 

then I suppose there's 31 other coaches every season that should be out of rope

[irish]

then I suppose there's 31 other coaches every season that should be out of rope

 

 

Exactly!