Chocolate Lab
THEY'RE EATING THE DOGS
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Panthers Stuff...
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Bill Shatner
Lock phasers on target
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Brock Hoffman proving himself indispensable.
Chocolate Lab
THEY'RE EATING THE DOGS
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- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 25,218
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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More 27. Oh good.
dpf1123
DCC 4Life
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Cowboys Pregame Three Thoughts: Week 15
Week 15 trip to Charlotte to play a noon game at Carolina – the tickets sell themselves!
Bob Sturm
Dec 14, 2024
We know now that without a doubt, Dallas will play exactly four more games this season. We also know that this one is the last one that they will play where there will be no juice whatsoever. That is because this is the last game where we have two teams going nowhere at all. Carolina might be right at bottom or bottoming out and the next three games have a little something:
So, because it is on the schedule, let’s get you ready for this one in the best way we know how. Three Thoughts – but to be fair, I am not sure I have had many thoughts about this one as a game, but I do have a few football items to discuss for you.
Because I believe in completing our missions even when the games are not what we first hoped, these are my Cowboys-Panthers PreGame Three Thoughts:
To the game itself, let’s look at each side of the ball.
When Dallas has the ball:
– We need to continue to watch Rico Dowdle and ask questions about what he can provide moving forward and how much the Cowboys should be investing in RB as we look ahead to 2025.
Do you know who leads the NFL in rushing from Week 9 to Week 14 as we enter Week 15?
Saquon Barkley has 857 yards in that span and is a guy that I am pretty sure is my NFL MVP as we hit this weekend. He has been ridiculous.
But, who is 2nd? Rico Dowdle. Now it is a very distant 2nd, but Rico sit 2nd in the entire NFL since November 3rd and I think that is pretty cool:
To compare, through the first eight weeks of 2024, Rico had himself 246 yards and here is the list of Quarterbacks who had more rushing yards than he did at that point:
But, I smile every time I see Dowdle getting things done. 485 yards in six games is not going to change the course of NFL history. But, it will tell us that he was clearly their best runner and at 5.22 yards per carry, there is plenty of reason to believe that he is worthy of consideration for the job in 2025.
Of course, you do need to get him under contract, first. But, every good game he has will get him some more money (from someone) and I am pleased to see league-minimum employees work hard to earn their money.
Now, look at the tale of the tape. Carolina’s run defense is absurdly brutal. At 170.1 yards per game, they have a chance to be one of the worst rushing defenses in ages.
Carolina has a chance to catch the worst run defense since 2000 as the 2022 Houston Texans are in range. Houston conceded 2,894 yards rushing in that 3-13-1 season and here is Carolina who has already allowed 2,211 yards through 13 games. Could Carolina allow 684 more yards? Well, they would have to allow 171 yards per game for four more games.
They average allowing 170.1, so I think they can do it.
One key is that it is pretty clear that they won’t have Jadeveon Clowney to cause stress on the edges. I think Dallas tries to run the ball again and to minimize the passing game of Cooper Rush. But, when Rush does pass it, I need a big day from the tight ends and I think Jake Ferguson, in particular.
Ok, let’s flip the field now.
When The Panthers have the ball:
– I think the story about this side of the ball is clear and obvious. I cannot wait to see Bryce Young play against Mike Zimmer on Sunday to see how well the former great prospect has salvaged his development finally. It has been a rough couple of seasons and now we are once-again seeing what made him a no-brainer over CJ Stroud in the 2023 draft.
The numbers suggest things are bad for Carolina’s offense. That is because things are bad for the Carolina offense. But, in preparing for this game, I see that new coach Dave Canales is getting things done.
He was hired because two years ago he had a lot to do with the resurgence of Geno Smith in Seattle. Then, last year he had a lot to do with the resurgence of Baker Mayfield. So, he was the obvious hire in Carolina because they desperately needed Bryce Young to get that same treatment.
Bryce had a very poor rookie season and it was just as bad this past September. So, they sat him down and let him catch his breath.
I have not read what Canales has done, but I watch the film. I am very excited about what I see now from Young and I wanted to make some reels for you to see what I am talking about. First, here is his game a few weeks ago against Kansas City. I picked a few minutes of tape for you to see his work.
Then, I did the same with last week’s 4th Quarter against the Eagles. Again, it isn’t the whole game and he isn’t playing perfectly, but this looks like Bryce Young again.
I see confidence, belief, conviction, aggression, and even a little swagger.
I am not willing to say this is another Dave Canales success story, but if I am a Carolina fan, I would be very excited about how this kid looks. It is just season 2 of a 5-year rookie contract and in my opinion, the situation has greatly improved. There is a path to where they get him some more weapons and by this time next year, maybe the Panthers are headed in the correct direction.
It is the proper process for an organization that has seldom done things the right way.
A few other players of note here would be Ikem Ekwonu who we will feature below and Xavier Legette from South Carolina who is showing some very nice flashes at times this season (although he dropped a huge TD pass late against the Eagles).
Meanwhile, we now find out that Trevon Diggs is having his 2024 ended by the team in what may or may not be a significant situation or perhaps the Cowboys pulling the parachute on the season after the DeMarvion Overshown injury from last week.
That puts Marist Liufau on our list of guys for the Cowboys to watch carefully here for a month. It is fair to suggest the last three drafts lack enough strong starters and maybe he can help swing that number in the correct direction if he keeps making plays. I have liked what he has shown this year, but now we are about to see a lot more as he will no longer be a backup. They now need him to be a full-timer. That might cause him to need to deal with issues they have been hiding him from.
– Finally, I do think we are probably at the point in the story where we do have to at least consider the possibility that this isn’t it for Mike McCarthy. That does not mean it is the right move or the one I would endorse, but it would be foolish to continue to completely ignore the rhetoric and measuring which way the wind appears to be blowing right now.
With Bill Belichick taking the job at North Carolina, we probably find ourselves at an interesting point in the story where this Mike McCarthy component must be addressed.
Anyone who reads this space knows that I think he is a good NFL coach and I find it repulsive the way he is insulted and at times demeaned. He is not treated with the respect he has earned and while I realize it comes with the job, at times it sure feels mean-spirited and personal. We get it, he is overweight. But, to act like he isn’t one of the better coaches in the league for the last 20 years is crazy. And yet, very few of his contemporaries, John Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, Andy Reid, and the others who have been at it for a long bit have to deal with the personal stuff.
But, none of that should matter one way or the other with regards to whether the Cowboys can do better than him to coach this team in 2025. Of course, we also know he is a free-agent as well, so even if they want him back, they can’t get him for just one year. If they want him, it will require a multi-year deal and like the Dak Prescott conversation, that might not be the right path.
So, do I believe that all this smoke means there is a fire? Not really. I like Mike but I also think there is a great chance they are just trying to get to the end of the year. Yet, you don’t let him go unless you think you can do better. Can you?
Many on the name of candidates appear to be “change for change sake” or “change because we are tired of this guy” and not clear upgrades. I think more than anything, we better see what this last month offers us, but to the many who have asked me, no, I do not think he is back for sure. I think this is more of the “what are they going to say” when they get asked these questions every week with a lame-duck coach and a season that has gone nowhere.
Week 15 trip to Charlotte to play a noon game at Carolina – the tickets sell themselves!
Bob Sturm
Dec 14, 2024
We know now that without a doubt, Dallas will play exactly four more games this season. We also know that this one is the last one that they will play where there will be no juice whatsoever. That is because this is the last game where we have two teams going nowhere at all. Carolina might be right at bottom or bottoming out and the next three games have a little something:
- Week 16 - Sunday Night against Tampa Bay who will desperately need a win.
- Week 17 at Philadelphia with the Eagles trying to secure seeding.
- Week 18 home versus a Washington side that may badly need a win - or else.
So, because it is on the schedule, let’s get you ready for this one in the best way we know how. Three Thoughts – but to be fair, I am not sure I have had many thoughts about this one as a game, but I do have a few football items to discuss for you.
Because I believe in completing our missions even when the games are not what we first hoped, these are my Cowboys-Panthers PreGame Three Thoughts:
To the game itself, let’s look at each side of the ball.
When Dallas has the ball:
– We need to continue to watch Rico Dowdle and ask questions about what he can provide moving forward and how much the Cowboys should be investing in RB as we look ahead to 2025.
Do you know who leads the NFL in rushing from Week 9 to Week 14 as we enter Week 15?
Saquon Barkley has 857 yards in that span and is a guy that I am pretty sure is my NFL MVP as we hit this weekend. He has been ridiculous.
But, who is 2nd? Rico Dowdle. Now it is a very distant 2nd, but Rico sit 2nd in the entire NFL since November 3rd and I think that is pretty cool:
To compare, through the first eight weeks of 2024, Rico had himself 246 yards and here is the list of Quarterbacks who had more rushing yards than he did at that point:
- Lamar Jackson, 570 yards
- Jayden Daniels, 427 yards
- Kyler Murray, 350 yards
- Jalen Hurts, 270 yards
- Bo Nix, 264 yards
But, I smile every time I see Dowdle getting things done. 485 yards in six games is not going to change the course of NFL history. But, it will tell us that he was clearly their best runner and at 5.22 yards per carry, there is plenty of reason to believe that he is worthy of consideration for the job in 2025.
Of course, you do need to get him under contract, first. But, every good game he has will get him some more money (from someone) and I am pleased to see league-minimum employees work hard to earn their money.
Now, look at the tale of the tape. Carolina’s run defense is absurdly brutal. At 170.1 yards per game, they have a chance to be one of the worst rushing defenses in ages.
Carolina has a chance to catch the worst run defense since 2000 as the 2022 Houston Texans are in range. Houston conceded 2,894 yards rushing in that 3-13-1 season and here is Carolina who has already allowed 2,211 yards through 13 games. Could Carolina allow 684 more yards? Well, they would have to allow 171 yards per game for four more games.
They average allowing 170.1, so I think they can do it.
One key is that it is pretty clear that they won’t have Jadeveon Clowney to cause stress on the edges. I think Dallas tries to run the ball again and to minimize the passing game of Cooper Rush. But, when Rush does pass it, I need a big day from the tight ends and I think Jake Ferguson, in particular.
Ok, let’s flip the field now.
When The Panthers have the ball:
– I think the story about this side of the ball is clear and obvious. I cannot wait to see Bryce Young play against Mike Zimmer on Sunday to see how well the former great prospect has salvaged his development finally. It has been a rough couple of seasons and now we are once-again seeing what made him a no-brainer over CJ Stroud in the 2023 draft.
The numbers suggest things are bad for Carolina’s offense. That is because things are bad for the Carolina offense. But, in preparing for this game, I see that new coach Dave Canales is getting things done.
He was hired because two years ago he had a lot to do with the resurgence of Geno Smith in Seattle. Then, last year he had a lot to do with the resurgence of Baker Mayfield. So, he was the obvious hire in Carolina because they desperately needed Bryce Young to get that same treatment.
Bryce had a very poor rookie season and it was just as bad this past September. So, they sat him down and let him catch his breath.
I have not read what Canales has done, but I watch the film. I am very excited about what I see now from Young and I wanted to make some reels for you to see what I am talking about. First, here is his game a few weeks ago against Kansas City. I picked a few minutes of tape for you to see his work.
Then, I did the same with last week’s 4th Quarter against the Eagles. Again, it isn’t the whole game and he isn’t playing perfectly, but this looks like Bryce Young again.
I see confidence, belief, conviction, aggression, and even a little swagger.
I am not willing to say this is another Dave Canales success story, but if I am a Carolina fan, I would be very excited about how this kid looks. It is just season 2 of a 5-year rookie contract and in my opinion, the situation has greatly improved. There is a path to where they get him some more weapons and by this time next year, maybe the Panthers are headed in the correct direction.
It is the proper process for an organization that has seldom done things the right way.
A few other players of note here would be Ikem Ekwonu who we will feature below and Xavier Legette from South Carolina who is showing some very nice flashes at times this season (although he dropped a huge TD pass late against the Eagles).
Meanwhile, we now find out that Trevon Diggs is having his 2024 ended by the team in what may or may not be a significant situation or perhaps the Cowboys pulling the parachute on the season after the DeMarvion Overshown injury from last week.
That puts Marist Liufau on our list of guys for the Cowboys to watch carefully here for a month. It is fair to suggest the last three drafts lack enough strong starters and maybe he can help swing that number in the correct direction if he keeps making plays. I have liked what he has shown this year, but now we are about to see a lot more as he will no longer be a backup. They now need him to be a full-timer. That might cause him to need to deal with issues they have been hiding him from.
– Finally, I do think we are probably at the point in the story where we do have to at least consider the possibility that this isn’t it for Mike McCarthy. That does not mean it is the right move or the one I would endorse, but it would be foolish to continue to completely ignore the rhetoric and measuring which way the wind appears to be blowing right now.
With Bill Belichick taking the job at North Carolina, we probably find ourselves at an interesting point in the story where this Mike McCarthy component must be addressed.
Anyone who reads this space knows that I think he is a good NFL coach and I find it repulsive the way he is insulted and at times demeaned. He is not treated with the respect he has earned and while I realize it comes with the job, at times it sure feels mean-spirited and personal. We get it, he is overweight. But, to act like he isn’t one of the better coaches in the league for the last 20 years is crazy. And yet, very few of his contemporaries, John Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, Andy Reid, and the others who have been at it for a long bit have to deal with the personal stuff.
But, none of that should matter one way or the other with regards to whether the Cowboys can do better than him to coach this team in 2025. Of course, we also know he is a free-agent as well, so even if they want him back, they can’t get him for just one year. If they want him, it will require a multi-year deal and like the Dak Prescott conversation, that might not be the right path.
So, do I believe that all this smoke means there is a fire? Not really. I like Mike but I also think there is a great chance they are just trying to get to the end of the year. Yet, you don’t let him go unless you think you can do better. Can you?
Many on the name of candidates appear to be “change for change sake” or “change because we are tired of this guy” and not clear upgrades. I think more than anything, we better see what this last month offers us, but to the many who have asked me, no, I do not think he is back for sure. I think this is more of the “what are they going to say” when they get asked these questions every week with a lame-duck coach and a season that has gone nowhere.
ravidubey
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 21,149
Hope: maybe that’s why he was playing so poorly. Reality: nope, the player we saw those years ago is likely gone.
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