Gameday Chatter Thread |Ravens v. Cowboys| - 8/16/14
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So do I.
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Mario Edwards part deux.
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Notes: Defensive Steps, RB's Big Run, ST Issues, More
Posted 7 hours ago
Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – The first defensive play of the game for the Cowboys symbolized the improved day for a first-team defense that shouldn’t be judged on the final score.
Baltimore led, 14-7, before the Cowboys’ defense ever touched the field at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter, but Davon Coleman got the defense off to a good start with a pressure on Joe Flacco to force an incompletion.
On the night, Baltimore’s offense only scored two touchdowns against a Dallas defense that surrendered 331 yards of total offense, which was 64 yards fewer than it allowed a week prior to the Chargers. Head coach Jason Garrett said the defense absolutely made strides.
“The defense’s ability to get off on third downs, they did that a couple of times, and obviously that’s the key to playing good defense,” Garrett said. “Be good on first and second down, and somehow, someway get off the field on third down and they did that against a pretty good offense.”
The Ravens scored 27 points in the first half, but seven points came on a fumble returned for a touchdown, another seven came on a kick return touchdown and only three occurred against the full first-team defense.
The Cowboys’ defense forced two punts on the Ravens’ first three possessions once they were able to step on the field. Bruce Carter broke up a pass to force a punt on the Ravens’ first drive.
George Selvie said despite the public perception of the heavily criticized defense, the group and the coaches hold themselves to a high standard. Barry Church said he hears snippets of how people refer to the Cowboys’ defense, but he doesn’t let it get to him.
“We just have to push that in the back of our minds and believe that what we can do is special here,” Church said. “I feel like we can do that.”
Williams’ Way
The most punishing run of the Cowboys’ preseason came courtesy of Ryan Williams on Saturday.
Williams went for 27 yards up the left sideline in the fourth quarter, bulldozing a Baltimore defensive back and getting inside the 5-yard line, capping that drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Williams said he just ran hard, and after sitting the majority of the game, he had to make his presence felt when he got the chance.
“It was one on one with the safety,” Williams said. “Because I’m very shifty, a lot of people were like, ‘Man, I thought you were going to juke him.’ But man, look, I was waiting on the sideline for three quarters. Somebody was going to feel that.”
Williams said that was a play he really needed as he fights to make the roster. He said his coaches had been talking all week about “carpe diem.”
“Seize these opportunities,” Williams said. “Given I didn’t play until the fourth quarter, sitting cold on the sideline, I had to make something happen.
“I love the lights, man, and I love getting the crowd into it, I love getting the team into it. It was great. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I really needed that play.”
That said, he knows he needs to make his mark on special teams to secure a roster spot. He said he only had three kickoff returns as the off returner and thought he did well with those chances, but he hopes he can make his presence felt in that regard the next couple games and show how willing he is to contribute in any way possible.
“I need to make an impact on special teams,” he said. “Let’s be real. DeMarco Murray’s a Pro Bowl running back. He’s an emerging running back. So I’ve got to show them that I can make an impact on the special teams so they can keep all four of us, and, you know, just have a nice rotation throughout the season. So that’s my goal. I’ve never played special teams before, so I’ve been busting my tail these past couple weeks making sure I can be fundamentally sound on these special teams.”
Roommate To Roommate
Quarterback Dustin Vaughan’s seemed to develop some chemistry with wide receiver Jamar Newsome. That makes sense, considering they were roommates at training camp.
Vaughan found Newsome for a 24-yard gain up the left sideline and went back to him the next play for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
“We developed a good relationship throughout training camp,” Vaughan said. “But I don’t think the receiver necessarily dictates where you throw the ball – the coverage does. They were giving us a coverage, and they were isolating him one-on-one. He’s a great receiver, especially in those situations where you have him one-on-one, so you’ve got to take advantage of that as a quarterback.”
Flashback
Vaughan played a year ago at AT&T Stadium in September. Only that time, there were only about 3,000 fans in the stands.
The former West Texas A&M quarterback overcame a 21-0 deficit to come back and defeat Chadron State 34-31. He once again got close to a comeback victory, leading two fourth quarter touchdown drives against the Ravens on Saturday before falling just short.
“It was different for sure,” Vaughan said. “A lot more people, but it was still kind of the same. You go out there, start playing football, and you kind of lose track of the audience. You lose track of the crowd and the noise, and you start focusing on football and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
Tough Teams
The Cowboys’ struggles covering kicks on Saturday night was especially odd for anyone who watched this team last year.
Baltimore wide receiver Deonte Thompson returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, which marked the first time the Cowboys had surrendered one in almost a year. In fact, the Ravens’ kick return average of 46 yards was nearly double what Dallas allowed on kicks last year – a mere 20.8 yards.
“Sometimes guys get aggressive and want to go make a play on the ball, but you have to have lane integrity and we’ll get a closer look when we watch the tape,” Garrett said. “But that was the initial analysis.”
It might not be time to panic just yet, however.
The last time the Cowboys allowed a kick return touchdown before Saturday was just last preseason, when Bengals receiver Brandon Tate housed a 75-yarder in the fourth preseason game.
-David Helman
Déjà vu
If anyone can appreciate the game Zach Minter had, it’s George Selvie.
Selvie was a training camp addition last year who had to immediately make his presence felt. Minter, who’s trying to make the roster like Selvie did, managed to notch two sacks in a forced fumble despite only being with the team since Thursday.
“He came out and made a big splash,” Selvie said. “I’m happy for him coming out there and doing that. He helped us get back in that game, so that’s big. We need playmakers like that.”
Selvie was also making his preseason debut with the Cowboys after nursing a groin injury. He probable had more to focus on than looking at the newcomer defensive tackle, but he know who Minter was coming in.
“I did the same thing last year, so I got excited for him,” Selvie said. “I love to see a guy get out there and make some plays.”
Quick Hits
•Speaking of déjà vu, the kickoff return touchdown the Cowboys allowed went for 108 yards. They allowed the same yardage on a kick return touchdown by Jacoby Jones when the teams met in the regular season in 2012 in Baltimore.
•All four Cowboys quarterbacks played in Saturday’s game. Brandon Weeden threw for the most yards, but he also had 12 more attempts than any other quarterback and was the only one to finish without a touchdown pass.
•DeVonte Holloman (neck) and Gavin Escobar (shoulder) both left the game. Escobar’s injury doesn’t appear to be as serious as Holloman’s, who’s missed time in the past with a neck injury. Escobar finished the game with three catches for 58 yards.
Posted 7 hours ago
Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – The first defensive play of the game for the Cowboys symbolized the improved day for a first-team defense that shouldn’t be judged on the final score.
Baltimore led, 14-7, before the Cowboys’ defense ever touched the field at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter, but Davon Coleman got the defense off to a good start with a pressure on Joe Flacco to force an incompletion.
On the night, Baltimore’s offense only scored two touchdowns against a Dallas defense that surrendered 331 yards of total offense, which was 64 yards fewer than it allowed a week prior to the Chargers. Head coach Jason Garrett said the defense absolutely made strides.
“The defense’s ability to get off on third downs, they did that a couple of times, and obviously that’s the key to playing good defense,” Garrett said. “Be good on first and second down, and somehow, someway get off the field on third down and they did that against a pretty good offense.”
The Ravens scored 27 points in the first half, but seven points came on a fumble returned for a touchdown, another seven came on a kick return touchdown and only three occurred against the full first-team defense.
The Cowboys’ defense forced two punts on the Ravens’ first three possessions once they were able to step on the field. Bruce Carter broke up a pass to force a punt on the Ravens’ first drive.
George Selvie said despite the public perception of the heavily criticized defense, the group and the coaches hold themselves to a high standard. Barry Church said he hears snippets of how people refer to the Cowboys’ defense, but he doesn’t let it get to him.
“We just have to push that in the back of our minds and believe that what we can do is special here,” Church said. “I feel like we can do that.”
Williams’ Way
The most punishing run of the Cowboys’ preseason came courtesy of Ryan Williams on Saturday.
Williams went for 27 yards up the left sideline in the fourth quarter, bulldozing a Baltimore defensive back and getting inside the 5-yard line, capping that drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Williams said he just ran hard, and after sitting the majority of the game, he had to make his presence felt when he got the chance.
“It was one on one with the safety,” Williams said. “Because I’m very shifty, a lot of people were like, ‘Man, I thought you were going to juke him.’ But man, look, I was waiting on the sideline for three quarters. Somebody was going to feel that.”
Williams said that was a play he really needed as he fights to make the roster. He said his coaches had been talking all week about “carpe diem.”
“Seize these opportunities,” Williams said. “Given I didn’t play until the fourth quarter, sitting cold on the sideline, I had to make something happen.
“I love the lights, man, and I love getting the crowd into it, I love getting the team into it. It was great. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I really needed that play.”
That said, he knows he needs to make his mark on special teams to secure a roster spot. He said he only had three kickoff returns as the off returner and thought he did well with those chances, but he hopes he can make his presence felt in that regard the next couple games and show how willing he is to contribute in any way possible.
“I need to make an impact on special teams,” he said. “Let’s be real. DeMarco Murray’s a Pro Bowl running back. He’s an emerging running back. So I’ve got to show them that I can make an impact on the special teams so they can keep all four of us, and, you know, just have a nice rotation throughout the season. So that’s my goal. I’ve never played special teams before, so I’ve been busting my tail these past couple weeks making sure I can be fundamentally sound on these special teams.”
Roommate To Roommate
Quarterback Dustin Vaughan’s seemed to develop some chemistry with wide receiver Jamar Newsome. That makes sense, considering they were roommates at training camp.
Vaughan found Newsome for a 24-yard gain up the left sideline and went back to him the next play for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
“We developed a good relationship throughout training camp,” Vaughan said. “But I don’t think the receiver necessarily dictates where you throw the ball – the coverage does. They were giving us a coverage, and they were isolating him one-on-one. He’s a great receiver, especially in those situations where you have him one-on-one, so you’ve got to take advantage of that as a quarterback.”
Flashback
Vaughan played a year ago at AT&T Stadium in September. Only that time, there were only about 3,000 fans in the stands.
The former West Texas A&M quarterback overcame a 21-0 deficit to come back and defeat Chadron State 34-31. He once again got close to a comeback victory, leading two fourth quarter touchdown drives against the Ravens on Saturday before falling just short.
“It was different for sure,” Vaughan said. “A lot more people, but it was still kind of the same. You go out there, start playing football, and you kind of lose track of the audience. You lose track of the crowd and the noise, and you start focusing on football and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
Tough Teams
The Cowboys’ struggles covering kicks on Saturday night was especially odd for anyone who watched this team last year.
Baltimore wide receiver Deonte Thompson returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, which marked the first time the Cowboys had surrendered one in almost a year. In fact, the Ravens’ kick return average of 46 yards was nearly double what Dallas allowed on kicks last year – a mere 20.8 yards.
“Sometimes guys get aggressive and want to go make a play on the ball, but you have to have lane integrity and we’ll get a closer look when we watch the tape,” Garrett said. “But that was the initial analysis.”
It might not be time to panic just yet, however.
The last time the Cowboys allowed a kick return touchdown before Saturday was just last preseason, when Bengals receiver Brandon Tate housed a 75-yarder in the fourth preseason game.
-David Helman
Déjà vu
If anyone can appreciate the game Zach Minter had, it’s George Selvie.
Selvie was a training camp addition last year who had to immediately make his presence felt. Minter, who’s trying to make the roster like Selvie did, managed to notch two sacks in a forced fumble despite only being with the team since Thursday.
“He came out and made a big splash,” Selvie said. “I’m happy for him coming out there and doing that. He helped us get back in that game, so that’s big. We need playmakers like that.”
Selvie was also making his preseason debut with the Cowboys after nursing a groin injury. He probable had more to focus on than looking at the newcomer defensive tackle, but he know who Minter was coming in.
“I did the same thing last year, so I got excited for him,” Selvie said. “I love to see a guy get out there and make some plays.”
Quick Hits
•Speaking of déjà vu, the kickoff return touchdown the Cowboys allowed went for 108 yards. They allowed the same yardage on a kick return touchdown by Jacoby Jones when the teams met in the regular season in 2012 in Baltimore.
•All four Cowboys quarterbacks played in Saturday’s game. Brandon Weeden threw for the most yards, but he also had 12 more attempts than any other quarterback and was the only one to finish without a touchdown pass.
•DeVonte Holloman (neck) and Gavin Escobar (shoulder) both left the game. Escobar’s injury doesn’t appear to be as serious as Holloman’s, who’s missed time in the past with a neck injury. Escobar finished the game with three catches for 58 yards.
Stars
DCC 4Life
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I would cut Weeden and make Vaughan the back-up QB. Keeping Weeden around is like putting a band-aid on a bombing victim. We're not winning anything if Romo goes out. I like the way Vaughan looks as the play is unfolding; he seems to have good awareness, Weeden on the other hand is a giant turd with no talent and an inability to throw accurately or look past the primary receiver. Surely someone in our front office can see that? Guess not...
Also keep Ryan Williams, and cut some other JAG that fills a "special role".
hstour
Brand New Member
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Weeden's problem is the same knock on him in Cleveland. He folds (throws and decision making) when he's pressured. Will he ever be anything more than a passable backup, I doubt it. But he was better last week with the 1's when he wasn't pressured. And if Romo goes down, it's not like they will sub out the O-Line too. Weeden will be behind a much better line.
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RB Ryan Williams shows flashes
August, 17, 2014
By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The battle for the third running back spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster became much more interesting during the fourth quarter Saturday night.
That’s when Ryan Williams, the former second-round pick who played only five games in three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals because of injuries, provided glimpses of the potential that made him so highly regarded coming out of Virginia Tech.
Williams carried five times for 36 yards in the quarter. The highlights were a 27-yard run on which he ran right over a Baltimore Ravens safety and a 3-yard touchdown run that featured what hyperbole-prone owner and general manager Jerry Jones called an “Emmitt Smith cut.”
“He helped himself, there’s no question about that,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s a good runner. He and I have had some conversations over the course of training camp, and sometimes guys just need to get the weight of the world off their shoulders and just go play and play with a passion and a spirit.
“He certainly did that tonight, and we saw him break tackles, run over guys and just play with that elusiveness that we saw in him coming out of school.”
Williams, who ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee as a rookie, went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury his second season and essentially redshirted last year, readily admits that he didn’t have a great training camp.
The reality of the situation is that Williams is probably competing with 2013 fifth-round pick Joseph Randle for a roster spot. And Williams is well aware that Randle, who had another impressive performance with 41 yards on seven carries, is ahead of him on the depth chart.
“I feel like that’s where I went wrong,” Williams said. “During training camp, I was thinking too much. I didn’t just go out there and play. I want to be on the team. I want to be on my favorite team, and this is my favorite team.
“But one thing that I realized, man, I’ve never been a player to think. I’ve just been a player to react. So if I just go out there and show my skills, I’ll just let the chips fall where they fall – and I’m hoping all my chips fall here. That’s the plan and that’s the goal.”
Williams said words can’t describe the feeling he had after making big plays after such a long, twisted comeback road. He firmly believes that he’s physically back to being the same tailback who was a second-round pick a few years ago.
Williams has two more weeks to prove to the Cowboys he’s worth keeping on the roster and is eager for the opportunity.
“Yeah, he’s a good running back,” Jones said. “Of course, Joseph Randle has had a great camp. It’s really pushed Randle to have Williams behind him, but I’m glad to see Williams have that good night.”
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They are not going to dump Randle for Williams even though Williams is superior. It's very maddening.
August, 17, 2014
By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The battle for the third running back spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster became much more interesting during the fourth quarter Saturday night.
That’s when Ryan Williams, the former second-round pick who played only five games in three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals because of injuries, provided glimpses of the potential that made him so highly regarded coming out of Virginia Tech.
Williams carried five times for 36 yards in the quarter. The highlights were a 27-yard run on which he ran right over a Baltimore Ravens safety and a 3-yard touchdown run that featured what hyperbole-prone owner and general manager Jerry Jones called an “Emmitt Smith cut.”
“He helped himself, there’s no question about that,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s a good runner. He and I have had some conversations over the course of training camp, and sometimes guys just need to get the weight of the world off their shoulders and just go play and play with a passion and a spirit.
“He certainly did that tonight, and we saw him break tackles, run over guys and just play with that elusiveness that we saw in him coming out of school.”
Williams, who ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee as a rookie, went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury his second season and essentially redshirted last year, readily admits that he didn’t have a great training camp.
The reality of the situation is that Williams is probably competing with 2013 fifth-round pick Joseph Randle for a roster spot. And Williams is well aware that Randle, who had another impressive performance with 41 yards on seven carries, is ahead of him on the depth chart.
“I feel like that’s where I went wrong,” Williams said. “During training camp, I was thinking too much. I didn’t just go out there and play. I want to be on the team. I want to be on my favorite team, and this is my favorite team.
“But one thing that I realized, man, I’ve never been a player to think. I’ve just been a player to react. So if I just go out there and show my skills, I’ll just let the chips fall where they fall – and I’m hoping all my chips fall here. That’s the plan and that’s the goal.”
Williams said words can’t describe the feeling he had after making big plays after such a long, twisted comeback road. He firmly believes that he’s physically back to being the same tailback who was a second-round pick a few years ago.
Williams has two more weeks to prove to the Cowboys he’s worth keeping on the roster and is eager for the opportunity.
“Yeah, he’s a good running back,” Jones said. “Of course, Joseph Randle has had a great camp. It’s really pushed Randle to have Williams behind him, but I’m glad to see Williams have that good night.”
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They are not going to dump Randle for Williams even though Williams is superior. It's very maddening.
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
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I'm not crazy about Harris at this point. His routes are not real clean. He always has someone latched to him. With his speed he should always be able to find some separation at some point in the route. His hands are slightly above average IMO.
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I don't think they were better. The main difference is that they didn't get the ball shoved down their throat like SD did. They did have a few denied 3rd down plays and did get a couple of sacks. But don't fool yourself, this is still a depth poor defense and the starters aren't a lot better.