19 yds rushing on 14 attempts

[Porky]

I also agree with Herv. We need a top shelf impact RB with the #1 next year. Not sure how/if the collarbone will affect Adrian Peterson's draft status, but I think Marshawn Lynch may be just as good or better. At least one person has compared him to Tomlinson. He is more of a dual threat that AP, and so far at least, has proven to be more duarble. I have only seen one Cal game, but I will be trying to catch another or two along the way, as I think he would be terrific as a Texan.

 

[Hervoyel]

Maybe the knee jerk reaction is expecting anything more out of Dayne. Last year seems to be the anomaly. Maybe we are overworking him though - he had almost as many carries in the first three games this year as he had in his ten games last year.

I actually think we're underworking him but I don't think we have much alternative. Until our line can open a hole for Dayne (or Gado, or Lundy) to run through we're not going to have a back get hot on us.

I believe that Ron Dayne is a guy who you beat against the other team steadily all day long and who starts to really punish them in the second half. I kind of think of him as a dinosaur type player in the league today and I don't think New York ever gave him those kind of carries. I think if they had then he'd probably not be in the league today. Those kind of backs don't hold up long term and NFL teams don't often run guys into the ground these days, at least not in that way. It's a bit of a different era.

The flip side of that is that Dayne isn't very productive in a system where he gets fewer touches. In New York he was very ordinary. He produced in Denver during limited action but then it's been demonstrated clearly that anyone halfway capable can produce in Denver. Our offensive line is not Denvers offensive line. I seriously question whether or not any our guys could even make the #2 spot on the depth chart in Denver right now. Some of them wouldn't even make the team. Dayne isn't going anywhere behind this mess.

 

[rittenhouserobz]

Well, here is my opinion.

The Texans will have an aweful running game this year, but next year will have to be an improvement. I don't care what you say. We will not rush the ball for less than 50 yards next year. Kubiak had to start somewhere. He couldn't build the team out of thin air. To be honest, I expect the Texans will not have a winning season next year. For now, I will scan the remaining schedule and look for some possible high points.

 

[Keldar]

Was it just me or did the backs seem like they were running in slow motion today at Dallas?

It just looked that way compared to how fast our weakling O-line was getting tossed on their bee-hinds by the Dallas D.

 

[ledzeppelin229]

I actually think we're underworking him but I don't think we have much alternative. Until our line can open a hole for Dayne (or Gado, or Lundy) to run through we're not going to have a back get hot on us.

I believe that Ron Dayne is a guy who you beat against the other team steadily all day long and who starts to really punish them in the second half. I kind of think of him as a dinosaur type player in the league today and I don't think New York ever gave him those kind of carries. I think if they had then he'd probably not be in the league today. Those kind of backs don't hold up long term and NFL teams don't often run guys into the ground these days, at least not in that way. It's a bit of a different era.

The flip side of that is that Dayne isn't very productive in a system where he gets fewer touches. In New York he was very ordinary. He produced in Denver during limited action but then it's been demonstrated clearly that anyone halfway capable can produce in Denver. Our offensive line is not Denvers offensive line. I seriously question whether or not any our guys could even make the #2 spot on the depth chart in Denver right now. Some of them wouldn't even make the team. Dayne isn't going anywhere behind this mess.

In some instances I would buy into this, but I'm having difficulty with Dayne. True he might be a talented running back behind a top 5 run blocking line, but right now he's showing that hes only productive in a system where the RB can be crappy talent wise but still produce due to the OL -- which equals Dayne is crappy. Add that to our offensive line seems a little crappy (average at best) and you get crappy with a side of extra crappy. Today I just saw him run into his own teammates too many times to ever see him wearing out the defense. Everytime he runs it seems like he's searching for the biggest pile of Texans players and seeing if he can be a bowling ball against them, but it never works. What was his longest run today? a few yards? I don't care how good the D is or how bad the OL is, that won't cut it in any situation.

 

[phan1]

I'm probably making a totally unintelligent statement right now, but it's obvious getting Sherman hasn't been as valuable as I had previously thought. I mean, he's totally F'n up our Oline! C'mon, we've never ever been this bad on the ground. But we've also never been this good in pass protection either... One Oline problem or another eh? This is really, really depressing.

 

[Scottyboy]

This Running game is a joke.

THis Team is a joke..... :-(

cUT nON HACKERS AND get solid players..

I mean this thing is bad. :brickwall

 

[Ibar_Harry]

The only person who should be running the ball on this team is Carr. Why, because at least they have to respect the fact that he can throw the ball. That gives him an edge the other backs don't have and it is the only way we are going to make any yards. Unfortunately that may well lead to the early demise of David. I keep saying we have to pass, pass, pass, pass, pass the ball until the other team believes we are only going to pass the ball. Then, our running game wil have some success.

 

[Ibar_Harry]

Oh, and yes, I thought Kubiak would play the game exactly the way he did against Dallas. Yes, I thought this would be the end result. It was literally a fore gone conclusion as how this game would play out and it did. They were ours for the taking is we did nothing but pass the ball and get a lead. We didn't do it and you now see the result.

 

[thunderkyss]

LJ's slow start is still better than Dayne's. Then there's that whole thing about LJ racking up 1700+ yards and 20TD's in 9 starts last year, while Ron Dayne was thinking of 1700 different ways to order his Whataburger. Sometimes I wonder what planet you're from.

That means absolutely nothing..... Kinda like a lot of folks waiting for Jamal Lewis to break 2000 yards again.... ain't gonna happen. one year wonder, that's LJ. he won't ever break 1400 yards again, he'll be an avg back from now on.

Dayne's gonna get those Whataburgers, don't you worry about that.

Tenn and Detroit won today, with the Titans playing good against the Colts last week,as well-oh, and TB won with a rookie QB--we're fast running out of teams we have a chance to beat=Skins got beat today, as did the Eagles by the Saints (who also have a new HC and QB)--seems like most teams ahead of us are getting better while we're.....

So what are you saying?? we need to change our QB??

I'm not even going there.

Thunderkyss,

It's not about not trying to win football games. It's about asking a very pointed question: how much better is Chris Brown than what we have? I don't want to give up a middle round pick for someone that isn't going to be a part of the long-term future. Perhaps it gets us from 6-10 to 7-9. Or maybe we go from 5-11 to 6-10.

There's a big difference between tanking games and simply not mortgaging your future for a mediocre player.

I'd much rather fix the problem. If we're going to be trading our picks let's get something that will fix something. Get us a good Gaurd, or a good Center....

in 5 games, David Carr's been sacked 15 times... that's 3 per game. in a 16 game season, that's 48 times. That is way too much. We can't protect the QB, and we can't run the ball..... Duh, lets get a gaurd & or Center that will help us do both.

Or we can get us a Runningback that will (maybe, what they heck has ChrisBrown done??) improve our runing back, but our QB still get's sacked 50 times for the season.

 

[thunderkyss]

You draft the RB with your 1 next season, sign the best veteran DB you can find and draft another one in either the 2nd or 3rd rounds (depending on which is deeper, LB or DB) and you stand pat with your receivers as they are.

Personally, I'd rather go with Kubiaks approach..... the one he used this past offseason.

Well, first, I'd start Activating WaliLundy.... he can start Dayne if he wants. He can start Gado if he wants..... but to go into the game with those two, who are basically the same guy, doesn't make sense to me. Dayne or Gado, and Lundy.

But in the offseason, look at what's available in FA, and pick from the best. From that group of best, who would he want to work with. then go after him. Weaver, Moulds, Walter, Cook, Putz....... that's how we got those guys, and I like those guys. All of them minus Moulds has plenty of years left in them, and I like what they all have brought so far.

IF we can get another WR, cool, if there are no DBs, cool, if we can find a good young gaurd, cool.......

Then go into the draft taking BPA in the first round, based on need.

Of course if you've got one player, like a true shutdown Corner that is way, way better than anything you're going to be able to get latter in the draft(which usually isn't the case with Running backs or WideReciever), then do what you gotta do to get him.

 

[thunderkyss]

I'm probably making a totally unintelligent statement right now, but it's obvious getting Sherman hasn't been as valuable as I had previously thought. I mean, he's totally F'n up our Oline! C'mon, we've never ever been this bad on the ground. But we've also never been this good in pass protection either... One Oline problem or another eh? This is really, really depressing.

This Running game is a joke.

THis Team is a joke..... :-(

cUT nON HACKERS AND get solid players..

I mean this thing is bad. :brickwall

I personally wouldn't go that far.

Sheman's job is to teach, and prepare. While I do blame the Ol for our follie running the ball, I don't know how much we can blame on this GB vs Denver controversy we think is going on.

Kubiak has stated he's installed his system 3 times. Go back to the beginning every time. He's also said that our guys don't know what the heck they are doing. Well, he said they are in the beginning phase.

If you were an OL coach, what would be the first thing you'd work on??

Me, I'd work on penalties, and getting rid of them. FalseStarts, Holding, Formation...... & this team is light years ahead of any team we've put on the field as far as penalties go.

IMHO, this game, we looked more Denver than Greenbay. This is the first game that I think we've been more Denver than Greenbay. So I think Kubiak is thinking we'll be turning the corner soon. I'll admit I was wrong about our running game showing up this week. Maybe next week. I've noticed everybody looks like they know what they are supposed to be doing(my opinion of what they are supposed to be doing). it's only been a couple of plays(running plays) where it looked like one or two guys were working against the rest of the line. I don't know how long it's going to take to fix that.

I was hoping to watch the denver game tonight, but I didn't. I wanted to see how they played in their system. Our guys seem to want to get in front of the defender, and get in his way.

Washington's OL wanted to move you off your spot.... they didn't go to block the LBs, they went to put him on his ass........ go ask Demeco. I wanted to see how Denver did it. To me, it looks like our guys are in practice, offensively, we didn't lay any good hits on anyone..... well, Cook did, but he wasn't hitting guys like Ellis, and Canty, and he ain't got enough junk in the trunk to move those guys.

Leach being a bit bigger might have changed the face of our running game today....

Anyway, just saying.......... looks like we are turning the corner, and will be more Denver before long.

 

[jerek]

I'm going to make this short and sweet.

The running backs are not the problem.

Did anyone see any holes being opened on any of those running plays?

You absolutely have to be kidding me.

The holes were there. They closed before Dayne could take two steps. He's too slow and is completely incapable of making a direcitonal change.

Herv is right -- might as well teach Owen Daniels a handoff.

TKyss -- I don't know in what world in which you have three downs to advance the ball ten yards would you continue to run the ball at 1.3 YPC.

 

[Sarg01]

We acctually tried to trade up for DeAngelo Williams on draft day, but it didnt happen.

Maybe the line is so focused on keeping Carr upright that they can't run block. Does that even make sense? I never played any line, so someone will have to clue me in.

Oh, and trading up for DeAngelo Williams would have been a bad mistake. I breathed a big sigh of relief when Chicago muffed the trade up for us. That's the DeMeco pick you're talking about trading up from - plus one of our other picks, probably the Winston or Daniels one.

We're too focused on the "system" at the moment, and the line isn't ready to execute the system. We need a guy who can run off-tackle until we can get Davis back.

 

[Runner]

Dayne points the finger at the o-line and then says, "it's on me":

"It's tough when you have to run through your guys and theirs," Dayne said, pointing to his offensive line being pushed into the backfield on a number of occasions. "It's tough when there are eight or nine (defenders) in the box and guys are not getting the push, but I should have just got (the necessary yard) the times I was in there to run it. It was on me, and I'm going to work on it in practice this week to get better at that."

A bad stat:

Not coincidentally, the Texans had seven plays on which they needed one yard or less to make a first down, and they failed to convert on any of those opportunities. (Twice, David Carr threw incompletions.)

"It eats at your manhood when you can't get three feet," guard Chester Pitts said.

Maybe it is time to work smarter and not harder. The coaches need to do an honest root cause analysis of the running problems:

"Frustrating is the word to describe it," Gado said. "I don't know what else we can do as a unit. ... Coaches have an extra emphasis in meetings, and we've had extra meetings with the line, running backs and tight ends and extra walk-throughs. It just hasn't seemed to work."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4261407.html

 

[joshri]

I'd be thrilled if the Texans managed to pry Michael Turner away from San Diego. Of course I wouldn't trade a first for him.

 

[thunderkyss]

You absolutely have to be kidding me.

TKyss -- I don't know in what world in which you have three downs to advance the ball ten yards would you continue to run the ball at 1.3 YPC.

ugh...... no, that would be stupid. if you mean to run the ball three times in a row. I'm just saying even thought the running game wasn't working, we've got to have the appearance of sticking with the run game, to keep the defense honest. that 1.3 ypc was a 4 yard run a couple of times, a 7 yard run once, and a few 3 yard runs.

KC never stopped running the ball, even though they were blown out worse than we were. If you know your team needs to work on running the ball, why not run the ball during the game, so you'd at least have something to look at Monday Morning??

When we got to pass, pass, pass...... we weren't going to do anything any way, because they knew it was going to be pass, pass, pass.

When we were going pass, run, pass, or whatever combination, more times than not, we'd pick up a first down or two, and move the ball. doesn't matter that we weren't getting much on each run.

 

[Vinny]

Dayne is a journeyman...for a reason. Gado was not drafted...for a reason. Lundy was available in the 6th round...for a reason. So much for that "plug any ol' back" into the Kubes system stuff. Sure, plug anyone in...but that doesn't mean they won't suck. On the other theme to this thread...McCree, Wright and Glenn were all cut. They all play prominent roles on other teams now. Our talent evaluators have sucked since day 1 and much of the reason we are one of the worst teams in football year in, year out.

Also, if you have a QB that can't make plays anywhere else except underneath the linebacker drops and in the flat....it's tough to run.

that about sums it up for me.

 

[beerlover]

Dayne is a journeyman...for a reason. Gado was not drafted...for a reason. Lundy was available in the 6th round...for a reason. So much for that "plug any ol' back" into the Kubes system stuff. Sure, plug anyone in...but that doesn't mean they won't suck. On the other theme to this thread...McCree, Wright and Glenn were all cut. They all play prominent roles on other teams now. Our talent evaluators have sucked since day 1 and much of the reason we are one of the worst teams in football year in, year out.

Also, if you have a QB that can't make plays anywhere else except underneath the linebacker drops and in the flat....it's tough to run.

that about sums it up for me.

add this to it for me- the Texans rushing game has gone from bad to worse since Spencer got hurt.

 

[DayneBum]

It looks like maybe 3 of us on this board are seeing this. The popular consensus around here seems to be that the RBs are the problem.

Dayne got 98 yards with a long of 55 last year on the Dallas D. The Cowboys defense isn't that much different than it was last year.

Maybe you guys see holes, but I don't.

Thank you Red Bull...EVERYONE needs to take heed to this statement....The Cowboys have the exact same defense they had last year. Dayne basically single handley beat the Cowboys last year on thanksgiving. He had 7 carries for about 100yards. A 16yrd td, along with a 55 yard OT winning run, with 14.1 avg.....ITS THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE RB'S. In this Zone blocking scheme, u read your lineman. If there not doing there job, LT2 woulndt even look good.....you guys/gals gotta understand, the running game starts with the O_LINE!!!!!!! I dont know what Game or texans team you message board coaches have been watching, but the offensive line is a big problem.

 

[Vinny]

when you dink and dunk underneath as your only passing game you just load the box with defenders and it is harder to run...you got to have a more vertical passing game to open up some of those rush lanes.

 

[powerfuldragon]

^^you also have to have a good team.

 

[real]

Thank you Red Bull...EVERYONE needs to take heed to this statement....The Cowboys have the exact same defense they had last year. Dayne basically single handley beat the Cowboys last year on thanksgiving. He had 7 carries for about 100yards. A 16yrd td, along with a 55 yard OT winning run, with 14.1 avg.....ITS THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE RB'S. In this Zone blocking scheme, u read your lineman. If there not doing there job, LT2 woulndt even look good.....you guys/gals gotta understand, the running game starts with the O_LINE!!!!!!! I dont know what Game or texans team you message board coaches have been watching, but the offensive line is a big problem.

I don't really see how you can fully point the finger at either one....Both need an upgrade....We don't have world class backs or olineman...

It just depends on how you look at the situation....We definitely need our line to block better...but at the same time we don't really have a franchise back on our team....As little as I liked DD, I have to admit that he is missed right now, because if we got anything at all out of our running game we could give some teams headaches...There have been holes on some plays...I have watched the line and IMO, they aren't doing that bad of a job...They aren't just blowing people off the ball but when you're running backs are looking at the ground it doesn't help....

 

[Texans_Chick]

when you dink and dunk underneath as your only passing game you just load the box with defenders and it is harder to run...you got to have a more vertical passing game to open up some of those rush lanes.

I haven't looked at the tape again, but it didn't look like they were loading the box.

You have to have the play calling that goes vertical. Also, yesterday's weather conditions were not the best for going way down field.

 

[Vinny]

I haven't looked at the tape again, but it didn't look like they were loading the box.

You have to have the play calling that goes vertical. Also, yesterday's weather conditions were not the best for going way down field.

We rarely challenge the deep middle in the Carr era. Defenses do not have to worry about the whole field if they play a team that throws most of it's passes under the linebacker drops. I don't have to relook at the tape to know this....this isn't a one game thing.

 

[DayneBum]

I don't really see how you can fully point the finger at either one....Both need an upgrade....We don't have world class backs or olineman...

It just depends on how you look at the situation....We definitely need our line to block better...but at the same time we don't really have a franchise back on our team....As little as I liked DD, I have to admit that he is missed right now, because if we got anything at all out of our running game we could give some teams headaches...There have been holes on some plays...I have watched the line and IMO, they aren't doing that bad of a job...They aren't just blowing people off the ball but when you're running backs are looking at the ground it doesn't help....

Yea u maybe right. but it dont matter whose back there. When u run only 14 times, its not the rb's at all.......if there are no holes, no rb is gonna have success. It doesnt matter if there is some holes or not, its just not gonna happen. Dallas' defense were ranked higher last year, and Dayne carried 7times for 100 yrds. In the ZB scheme, it all begins with the o-line. Actually, it doesnt even look like they are running a zb scheme.

 

[texan279]

Thank you Red Bull...EVERYONE needs to take heed to this statement....The Cowboys have the exact same defense they had last year. Dayne basically single handley beat the Cowboys last year on thanksgiving. He had 7 carries for about 100yards. A 16yrd td, along with a 55 yard OT winning run, with 14.1 avg.....ITS THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE RB'S. In this Zone blocking scheme, u read your lineman. If there not doing there job, LT2 woulndt even look good.....you guys/gals gotta understand, the running game starts with the O_LINE!!!!!!! I dont know what Game or texans team you message board coaches have been watching, but the offensive line is a big problem.

Dallas has 5 players starting on their defense who either did not start last season, were not on the team last season, or played a different position last season, so while the scheme may be the same, the personnel is not. And they also have a different defensive line and linebacker coach this season.

 

[TheOgre]

I keep hearing how this team wants to run the ball (through two regimes), yet to date we have spent no 1st rounders and one 2nd rounder on our RB's and O-line combined. That is just insane.

 

[Vinny]

Dallas has 5 players starting on their defense who either did not start last season, were not on the team last season, or played a different position last season, so while the scheme may be the same, the personnel is not. And they also have a different defensive line and linebacker coach this season.

apparently they don't need 5 years to "gel".

 

[Vinny]

I keep hearing how this team wants to run the ball (through two regimes), yet to date we have spent no 1st rounders and one 2nd rounder on our RB's and O-line combined. That is just insane.

recipe for a bad team.

 

[beerlover]

I don't really see how you can fully point the finger at either one....Both need an upgrade....We don't have world class backs or olineman...

It just depends on how you look at the situation....We definitely need our line to block better...but at the same time we don't really have a franchise back on our team....As little as I liked DD, I have to admit that he is missed right now, because if we got anything at all out of our running game we could give some teams headaches...There have been holes on some plays...I have watched the line and IMO, they aren't doing that bad of a job...They aren't just blowing people off the ball but when you're running backs are looking at the ground it doesn't help....

the holes close too quickly for the RB's the Texans have, blame it on the OL cause we don't have anyone able to hit the hole that quick.

now if the Texans had been able to trade up for DeAngelo Williams he would have addressed this need (however we would not have DeMeco Ryans). Looking forward to the draft I hope the Texans are able to trade down & pick up more picks. I would like to pick up a franchise LT (move Spencer to RT) then mid to late 1st rd. draft a RB like Kenny Irons who can explode through the hole, runs north & south, has excellent vision and burst to turn the edge, until then you can't blame the RB's who depend on their line to develop holes.

 

[real]

Yea u maybe right. but it dont matter whose back there. When u run only 14 times, its not the rb's at all.......if there are no holes, no rb is gonna have success. It doesnt matter if there is some holes or not, its just not gonna happen. Dallas' defense were ranked higher last year, and Dayne carried 7times for 100 yrds. In the ZB scheme, it all begins with the o-line. Actually, it doesnt even look like they are running a zb scheme.

You need to go back and watch the film...there were holes...

It's not really fair to compare our line in it's first year under the system, to a Denver line who have been running it for years....

Like I said earlier....Im not really disagreeing with you...I would love a dominant O-line....But at the same time I did see some holes....

 

[El Tejano]

These RBs stink but so does the rest of the team. The inability to run has been the reason our record is what it is. Get Chris Taylor and Wali Lundy in their because at least these kids have the rookie excuse. Not sure how Vernand Morency is doing in GB but he was showing something for us and we let him go.

It is pretty evident that Kubiak is just cleaning house.

 

[tsip]

"So what are you saying?? we need to change our QB??"

...many of your posts either a) list the teams we'll beat on our schedule remaining because they are 'so bad' and we are better or b) make excuses why we lost to a team because they are so good and are SB bound...

My posts points out that many of these 'bad' teams are playing better--Titans,Browns,Raiders,for example--than the Texans..

..and that these--so called 'elite' teams--that beat us are getting beat, like the Redskins and Eagles...

Our problem is that this coaching staff does not take it 'one' game at a time and come up with a game plan that gives us a chance to beat that weeks opponent that week...instead, like Capers, we either have no game plan or a 'one fits all' game plan...

Plain and simple, this team is still being 'coached not to lose.' :brickwall :brickwall :brickwall

 

[tsip]

"Anyway, just saying.......... looks like we are turning the corner, and will be more Denver before long."


TK, where do you get this 'stuff?' Please enlighten me about 'what' we accomplished in the Dallas game that has 'turning the corner' written on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Malloy]

I believe this is all Green Bay and Mike Sherman and I think that we have a real problem. One thing I do know when I see it is an offense that's straddling philosophies. I watched Capers/Palmer try to coexist for three seasons. This looks a lot like that.

Interesting, and I agree 100%. I'm REALLY hoping that there's not some internal Kubiak-Sherman power struggle going on, that could kill what's left of this team.

 

[JDizzle]

I did a little research and came upon a little stat that made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

We've got more yards due to opponent penalties (345) than we do running the ball (338).

I say we suit up some yellow flags!

 

[dat_boy_yec]

If the play call is an inside run then it is an inside run. One of the few good Dayne runs was in the first quarter to the outside.

The stuffing is so bad, I am starting to wonder if there is any telegraphing of the plays or if it is just bad. I am thinking it is just bad, but you never know.

I didn't notice any of that Power I stuff today--did I miss it?

You know why that run had a semblance of success. It was delayed. Carr dropped back as if he were going to pass and Dayne looked up as if he was going to pick up the blitz. Carr then handed the ball to Dayne. You know what made that successful. Dayne had that extra second where he could see where the hole was developing and went to it. What I also notice is that once he gets the ball he puts his head down and drives down hill. The man has no vision. We can't do that delay every time he has to keep his head up until he finds the hole.

 

[Vinny]

I did a little research and came upon a little stat that made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

We've got more yards due to opponent penalties (345) than we do running the ball (338).

I say we suit up some yellow flags!

that's just sad.

 

[barzilla]

in 5 games, David Carr's been sacked 15 times... that's 3 per game. in a 16 game season, that's 48 times. That is way too much. We can't protect the QB, and we can't run the ball..... Duh, lets get a gaurd & or Center that will help us do both.

Okay, so I repeat the question in another way. What centers or guards are available via trade that would be a long-term solution? If there are starter quality people out there that can be had for a mid round pick I say go for it. Somehow, I don't see how that is possible. After all, if they were starter quality then wouldn't they be starting?

The point is that it seems easy enough to say, "just make some changes to improve the ballclub," but I would assume that Kubiak and Smith have already studied the available field and have made their value judgement. At this point, I still trust their evaluation of talent a lot more than anyone in here. If they think there's nothing good available then I'm inclined to go with their word.

I think we underestimate what kind of damage a series of piss poor drafts did to this team. I don't think this is a case of make one little trade and all of our protection problems suddenly go away. The OL was neglected in the draft until this season (minus one second round bust) and it shows. To make matters worse, all of our free agent signings have gone up bust. This ain't going to be fixed overnight.

 

[Meloy]

I'm beginning to think that a stoned Ricky Williams could be better than what we have atm. I'd take him stoned, Domanick on crutches and a 1 legged crossbred hickbilly over what we have let alone LJ or LT...

It might take a stoned Ricky WIlliams a while to get to the line, but at least we would know why.

 

[Meloy]

I did a little research and came upon a little stat that made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

We've got more yards due to opponent penalties (345) than we do running the ball (338).

I say we suit up some yellow flags!

I say we use a 2nd rounder on the yellow flag. Can't hurt as our over all record for this round ain't too good. Ryans looks great this year, but if those flags keep piling up the yards, I say go for it.

 

[SESupergenius]

Is yellow flag a free agent? Getting less than 20 yards is not tollerable, but more importantly, we can't gain a yard on 3rd or 4th down to sustain a drive. I see that if we are 2nd and 2 or less we try a pass....ok that is smart football because we have the 3rd down to get a couple of yards...no biggie, unless of course you can't run the ball. The Cowboys saw that we couldn't run the ball and dropped back into coverage, thus limiting Carr's options and forcing throws. If the running game can get going all they need to do is drop back. We use the dink and doink as our running game because they rush 4 guys and we can't even take that on with our linemen....pathetic.

 

[thunderkyss]

Dallas has 5 players starting on their defense who either did not start last season, were not on the team last season, or played a different position last season, so while the scheme may be the same, the personnel is not. And they also have a different defensive line and linebacker coach this season.

Are you sure about that??

Spears, Ware, Canty(was the starter by December, he most likely played a lot in November as well), Ferguson, Henry, BradyJames, Williams & Newman all are returning to the spots they started last year.

Greg Ellis played an undersized DE till Canty got his thang going, Ayodele is new alltogether.

So that's only 2 of 11 new or converted players.

while on offense, we've got Dayne, Owen/Putz, Salaam, Moulds, Walter/Cook, Flanagan, & McKinney, & Pitts starting at positions they didn't start at last season. Salaam, Cook/Walter, & Dayne didn't even start at their position for the team they came from.

That's 8 of 11 starters. But you expect us to run against a team returning 9 of 11 starters??

Now let's recap this. Your argument is that Dallas D should have been weaker than it was last year, because you thought 5 of the players were new to the team.

only two of the 11 are actually knew to the team, or the position being played.

We have 8 of 11 starters that didn't start at their respective position with this team & you believe we should be stronger running the ball??

Is that right, is that the way you see this?? I don't want to put any words in your mouth, so please correct me if I misunderstood something.

 

[Ibar_Harry]

I will repeat my self several times. The only person running the ball right now should be Carr. Probably get him killed, but he is the only back we have capable of running the ball. He is bigger, stronger and faster than anything we have called a RB or FB. Those guys should be bocking for him.

There is another reason I say that and that is they have to lay off a little bit, because he can throw the ball. He has an advantage that the other backs don't have in addition to that fact. He actually has to play Vic like for this team to have a chance. Yes, we have to PASS, PASS, PASS, PASS the ball until the other team is only worried about the PASS, then we can run the ball on occassion.

There is no vertical passing game even though we are capable of it. I repeat on short yardage they know KUBIAK must RUN the ball. That is his philosophy and the other teams love it. We may not win another ball game, but if at least we would do the above we would have a chance. Hey, Manning is basically doing it why can't we. Oh, yes David is not Manning, but he's not bad. We have to turn the confidence of this team around and you are not going to do it by playing to your weakness rather than your strength. If you loose playing your best game that is acceptable. But don't loose the game doing what you can not due..................

I will also say KUBIAK = CAPERS.................END OF STORY..............

 

[Vinny]

passing the ball led to the easy Cowboys scores Ibar. I'm all for 4 yard passes, but just make sure your guy doesn't try to challenge the deep seam or get the ball over the linebackers. This isn't his strength.

 

[jerek]

Speaking of passing, does anybody notice how opposing quarterbacks very deliberately target Sanders, McCleon, and even Buchanon? D-Rob had a pretty good showing in the first half and they didn't even look his way after that. IIRC all three T.O. catches were against horrible coverage by Sanders and McCleon. A notable halftime adjustment and one that I get tired of seeing, week after week.

This has been going on all season and I thought we were getting decent pressure up front against the Cowboys (though we still need line work.) I traditionally have thought well of Hoke but I'm beginning to question if that wasn't just Aaron Glenn being the man that whole time.

 

[thunderkyss]

I will repeat my self several times. The only person running the ball right now should be Carr. Probably get him killed, but he is the only back we have capable of running the ball. He is bigger, stronger and faster than anything we have called a RB or FB. Those guys should be bocking for him.
I will also say KUBIAK = CAPERS.................END OF STORY..............

just stop it, you're being silly.

Did you by any chance see Anthony Henry pic that ball intended for AJ?? do you know why it was picked off??

because David was looking at AJ the whole time. He wasn't pressured, no Dallas Cowboy got close to him all day. He had time. Did he look for another reciever?? no.

Don't act like David is the only one on this team that is doing anything. Our defense actually held Dallas to two field goals before David gave them the short 23 yard field.

Dayne actually picked up 6(I thought it was 7) yards on a pitch to the left side. He was fast enough to beat everyone but a CB to the edge, and had that guy not yanked his face mask off his helmet(dirty play), Dayne would have tiptoed that one into the endzone.

As a matter of fact, Dayne played a huge role in getting us down to the 1 yard line to begin with.

 

[JDizzle]

As a matter of fact, Dayne played a huge role in getting us down to the 1 yard line to begin with.

He also played a huge role in not scoring.

 

[wags]

Did you by any chance see Anthony Henry pic that ball intended for AJ?? do you know why it was picked off??

because David was looking at AJ the whole time. He wasn't pressured, no Dallas Cowboy got close to him all day. He had time. Did he look for another reciever?? no.

It was intercepted because Carr threw off his back foot and didn't have any zip on the ball. That was by far his weakest pass of the day.

It would also help if AJ came back to the ball, but lets take it one step at a time. Baby steps to the professional level.