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Jason Garrett's gamble makes statement for and to Dallas Cowboys
December, 28, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
LANDOVER, Md. – Jason Garrett talked about the look the Washington Redskins gave on the first four kickoffs of the game that gave the Dallas Cowboys a tip that an on-side kick might work. A product of hours of film study and practice field preparation was there to be had.
That’s just coachspeak.
There was more than just a look when Garrett OK’d an on-side kick try after the Dallas Cowboys took a 20-7 lead in the second quarter.
It was about sending a message. It was about taking the game. It was about telling the Redskins you have no chance on this day. It was telling the rest of the NFC that the Cowboys are a serious contender for a spot in Super Bow XLIX.
It was a gutsy call even with a 13-point lead.
“He’s not much of a risk taker when it comes to playing the game or calling calls, but he knew we had to get that momentum,” safety Barry Church said.
Church recovered the on-side kick. Six plays later DeMarco Murray had a 9-yard touchdown run and the Cowboys had a 27-7 lead.
The Redskins closed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the game was essentially decided on the Cowboys’ first five offensive possessions when they scored three touchdowns and two field goals.
They took the game by the throat early and did not let go.
In the words that has come to symbolize this team from the start of organized team activities in May, minicamp in June, training camp in July and August and the start of the regular season in September, the Cowboys finished the fight with their 44-17 dismantling of the Redskins.
“We’re playing to win the game,” Tony Romo said.
Throughout the week Garrett was questioned about the wisdom of playing his starters in a game that would have little effect on their playoff seed.
DeMarco Murray is not yet two weeks removed from a broken left hand. Tony Romo has played most of the year with a sore back. Jason Witten sprained his knee last week. Just about everybody had something that bothered them Sunday.
But they played anyway.
Romo didn’t come out until the fourth quarter after throwing 34 passes, the most he has had in a game since Week 5. Murray still had 20 carries, reaching 100 yards for the 12th time in a game during the season. He also set the franchise record for rushing yards in a season with 1,845 yards. Dez Bryant set the team record for touchdown catches in a season with 16 thanks to grabs of 65 and 23 yards in the first quarter.
“They keep fighting for each other,” Garrett said of his players. “That has been a big mantra for us right from the start and they demonstrated it day in and day out in practice and in the games we have played. We talk a lot about being your best regardless of circumstances. Don’t tell me what the circumstances are. Good, bad or indifferent, go be your best. Be your best individually so we can be our best collectively.”
The Cowboys can look back at several defining moments during this 12-4 season – winning at Seattle in October, Romo’s toughness playing through two transverse process fractures in London, blowing a 21-point lead at Philadelphia only to recover and win on the road in December, Murray playing six days after hand surgery last week … Sunday’s on-side kick.
“It just makes us want to play that much harder for him, just knowing that he can, shoot, risk the whole game on an on-side kick for us,” Church said. “We know he has our back and he probably would’ve taken the blame if something happened and they took it down the field and grabbed the momentum. Just knowing that he has our back like that, just makes us want to play that much harder for him.”
One fight has ended. Another is beginning.
“This is what we worked for and winning the division is the first goal because it’s an opportunity to play in the playoffs,” Garrett said. “I’m excited to see who we play and when we’ll play them and get ready for those challenges. This is a lot of hard work by everybody to get to this point, so it’s time to take advantage of that.”
_______________________________________
Loved this. And I would have loved it even if it hadn't worked. It's the epitome of the stepping on the throat mentality and it sends a great message to the team.
December, 28, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
LANDOVER, Md. – Jason Garrett talked about the look the Washington Redskins gave on the first four kickoffs of the game that gave the Dallas Cowboys a tip that an on-side kick might work. A product of hours of film study and practice field preparation was there to be had.
That’s just coachspeak.
There was more than just a look when Garrett OK’d an on-side kick try after the Dallas Cowboys took a 20-7 lead in the second quarter.
It was about sending a message. It was about taking the game. It was about telling the Redskins you have no chance on this day. It was telling the rest of the NFC that the Cowboys are a serious contender for a spot in Super Bow XLIX.
It was a gutsy call even with a 13-point lead.
“He’s not much of a risk taker when it comes to playing the game or calling calls, but he knew we had to get that momentum,” safety Barry Church said.
Church recovered the on-side kick. Six plays later DeMarco Murray had a 9-yard touchdown run and the Cowboys had a 27-7 lead.
The Redskins closed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the game was essentially decided on the Cowboys’ first five offensive possessions when they scored three touchdowns and two field goals.
They took the game by the throat early and did not let go.
In the words that has come to symbolize this team from the start of organized team activities in May, minicamp in June, training camp in July and August and the start of the regular season in September, the Cowboys finished the fight with their 44-17 dismantling of the Redskins.
“We’re playing to win the game,” Tony Romo said.
Throughout the week Garrett was questioned about the wisdom of playing his starters in a game that would have little effect on their playoff seed.
DeMarco Murray is not yet two weeks removed from a broken left hand. Tony Romo has played most of the year with a sore back. Jason Witten sprained his knee last week. Just about everybody had something that bothered them Sunday.
But they played anyway.
Romo didn’t come out until the fourth quarter after throwing 34 passes, the most he has had in a game since Week 5. Murray still had 20 carries, reaching 100 yards for the 12th time in a game during the season. He also set the franchise record for rushing yards in a season with 1,845 yards. Dez Bryant set the team record for touchdown catches in a season with 16 thanks to grabs of 65 and 23 yards in the first quarter.
“They keep fighting for each other,” Garrett said of his players. “That has been a big mantra for us right from the start and they demonstrated it day in and day out in practice and in the games we have played. We talk a lot about being your best regardless of circumstances. Don’t tell me what the circumstances are. Good, bad or indifferent, go be your best. Be your best individually so we can be our best collectively.”
The Cowboys can look back at several defining moments during this 12-4 season – winning at Seattle in October, Romo’s toughness playing through two transverse process fractures in London, blowing a 21-point lead at Philadelphia only to recover and win on the road in December, Murray playing six days after hand surgery last week … Sunday’s on-side kick.
“It just makes us want to play that much harder for him, just knowing that he can, shoot, risk the whole game on an on-side kick for us,” Church said. “We know he has our back and he probably would’ve taken the blame if something happened and they took it down the field and grabbed the momentum. Just knowing that he has our back like that, just makes us want to play that much harder for him.”
One fight has ended. Another is beginning.
“This is what we worked for and winning the division is the first goal because it’s an opportunity to play in the playoffs,” Garrett said. “I’m excited to see who we play and when we’ll play them and get ready for those challenges. This is a lot of hard work by everybody to get to this point, so it’s time to take advantage of that.”
_______________________________________
Loved this. And I would have loved it even if it hadn't worked. It's the epitome of the stepping on the throat mentality and it sends a great message to the team.
