DMN - 5 thoughts: Tony Romo bad, Cowboys embarrassing in opening loss

[bbgun]

5 thoughts: Tony Romo bad, Cowboys embarrassing in opening loss
By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
6:28 pm on September 7, 2014 | Permalink


ARLINGTON – Well, that was ugly. San Francisco didn’t need NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith against a Dallas Cowboys team that looked poor in all three phases Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

Here are my five thoughts on the Cowboys losing their season opener 28-17. And if you didn’t watch, believe me, it wasn’t that close.

1.) Jerry Jones sure knew what he was talking about when he said the Cowboys faced “an uphill battle” and had their “backs up against the wall” this season. That display Sunday afternoon was embarrassing. The offense, which was projected to be among the league’s best, wasn’t good and the defense looked even worse than the group that finished last in the NFL a year ago. Bottom line, this season has the potential to get real ugly. I projected 7-9. I might have been being too generous.

2.) There was one bright spot on the day for the Cowboys: DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys’ running game. Dallas had a chance to tie the game early, but instead of running on second down from the 2-yard line, Tony Romo dropped back to pass and was sacked. Murray had carried five times for 26 yards at that point and should’ve gotten another handoff. Yes, Murray did allow the game’s first score when he fumbled on the Cowboys’ opening drive, but he made up for that with 118 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Murray should be in line for another Pro Bowl appearance running behind this offensive line. But will the Cowboys stay committed to him?

3.) Good news: Tony Romo had his back tested on several occasions, and he never seemed to be in much pain. Bad news: Romo was pretty bad. He threw three first half interceptions and really had no one to blame but himself. A badly thrown ball and a couple of poor decisions greatly helped San Francisco build a 28-3 halftime lead. I expect Romo to be much better going forward. Then again, I can’t remember the last time he looked that bad. The worst part of his game had to be the deep ball. All were underthrown.

4.) Jerry Jones said during offseason workouts that the defense would be better because it couldn’t possibly be any worse than it was in 2013. He was wrong. Just because you finish last doesn’t mean the play actually can’t get worse. After not scoring a touchdown during the preseason, San Francisco looked like the NFL’s best offense, especially in the first half as they easily pulled away. Forget blaming the scheme, Monte Kiffin or Rod Marinelli, the Cowboys just don’t have enough playmakers on that side of the ball.

5.) It certainly felt like the Cowboys were playing in San Francisco on Sunday. The 49er faithful took over AT&T Stadium and made their presence known early. Cowboys fans care because they want a home field advantage. But I doubt Jerry Jones does. The announced attendance was 91,174. That’s a lot of hot dogs, nachos and beer. Cowboys fans that want to see Jones fail say stop going to the games. The problem, you can’t guarantee the other team’s fans won’t attend an event at arguably the finest sports venue in the country.

 

[dbair1967]

agree with all except #4

the defense was not as bad as it was last yr...they had one really bad possession (that first one, but even then they hit Kapernick a couple of times pretty quick)

 

[Bob Sacamano]

JJ Wilcox needs a lot of work. Blew a pretty routine underneath coverage on a 3rd down in the 3rd quarter. Sure he hits hard, but it's usually him piling on at the end of the play.

Morris Claiborne is feisty, I'll give him that.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

agree with all except #4

the defense was not as bad as it was last yr...they had one really bad possession (that first one, but even then they hit Kapernick a couple of times pretty quick)

It was fine against the run and put pressure on Kaepernick a few times (With Spencer and DLaw in the lineup plus more snaps from Melton, the pass rush could be better down the line), but the back end looks like the same old.

 

[dbair1967]

It was fine against the run and put pressure on Kaepernick a few times (With Spencer and DLaw in the lineup plus more snaps from Melton, the pass rush could be better down the line), but the back end looks like the same old.

most of the busted coverages or bad coverages were zone plays though

I think Troy is right, they just really don't understand it or where they are supposed to go against certain looks...I suspect when Scandrick comes back we'll see a lot less zone (hopefully)

 

[dbair1967]

JJ.

Morris Claiborne is feisty, I'll give him that.

Yeah he had a decent first game back...definitely appears more physical

When Scandrick gets back it will be interesting to see what they do with the starting CB's. After what we saw last yr and today, Carr should be benched.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Yeah he had a decent first game back...definitely appears more physical

When Scandrick gets back it will be interesting to see what they do with the starting CB's. After what we saw last yr and today, Carr should be benched.

I didn't think Morris had a decent game.

And on one play where he was lined up in man, Stevie Johnson ate his lunch. The dude just isn't very good.

 

[jnday]

I was blasted on this forum by a couple of posters and several posters from other forums when I stated that it was foolish to count on a 34 year old QB that was coming off of two back surgeries. I found it hard to believe that he would maintain his same level of play and he sure as hell wasn't going to play at his previous level for another five years or more. I have never hated Romo, but I thought he was a good QB with some faults that would prevent him from being anything more than the QB that he has shown himself to be. I thought his contract was going to be a decision that ended up hurting the team more than most of Jerry's blunders. I was all for drafting Johnny Football due to the reason that there is no QB on the team that has the talent to be developed into a starter. I think Romo will have some more decent games in his career, but today is just a sample of what the future holds for the QB position in Dallas. The contract is going to insure that finding and paying Romo's replacement will be a painful process. I don't think Jerry will ever admit to the mistake and because of that reason, replacing Romo is going to be a prolonged process that will take several years to complete. I have mentioned before that Mallet would have been a much better long-term option than Weeden and he would have come with a very small investment. The post-Aikman years didn't teach Jerry a damn thing.

 

[dbair1967]

Johnny Football sux J

He is gonna be a massive bust and would have been an even more massive bust here because of it being the Cowboys, and having the Romo thing.

 

[jnday]

Johnny Football sux J

He is gonna be a massive bust and would have been an even more massive bust here because of it being the Cowboys, and having the Romo thing.

He will be a bust in Cleveland. All QBs are. He could have done much better with any other team.

 

[overused]

3/29/2013: Signed a seven-year, $119.5 million contract.

The deal contains $55 million guaranteed, including a $25 million signing bonus and Romo's base salaries in years one and two.

2014: $1 million (+ $12.5 million "signing" bonus),
2015: $17 million,
2016: $8.5 million,
2017: $14 million,
2018: $19.5 million,
2019: $20.5 million, 2020: Free Agent

Good golly what a SMART GM we have

SIGN UNTIL HES 39

It was surprising to see Tony's judgement so rusty. That's what has a lot of fans concerned -- the fact that he had wide open receivers and chose to throw into double and triple coverage, especially in the endzone. He's been around too long to expect those kinds of mistakes.

So, while fluke turnovers will usually get you beaten, these should have been avoided; we should have had a chance to win.

I generally agree with the positive takes on this game; I'm just choking on Romo's choke. At least he should be able to fix this; he needs more reps to get comfortable again, and his limited preseason action wasn't wise

he's a 10 year vet nothing should surprise him if he was a ELITE QB

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Romo was terrible. I know the Niners are a pretty good team but the Cowboys o-line held their own. Murray ran great. I was worried about Romo before the season, this confirms my fears. I think he is done. This is the beginning of the end.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Johnny Football sux J

He is gonna be a massive bust and would have been an even more massive bust here because of it being the Cowboys, and having the Romo thing.

Not a chance. Manziel would have been a perfect fit in Dallas. Jones dropped the ball on that one.

 

[Rynie]

Manziel sucks. Did you watch any of the pre-season games? He's going to bust harder than a virgin at a porn shoot.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Manziel sucks. Did you watch any of the pre-season games? He's going to bust harder than a virgin at a porn shoot.

Watched every play. Preseason has no bearing on his future just like it has no bearing on any of the other rookie QBs past or present. I remember Troy Aikman playing against the Saints on opening day. Do you know how he did?

Manziel is going to be a star. Its just a matter of time.

 

[Doomsday]

At least he should be able to fix this; he needs more reps to get comfortable again, and his limited preseason action wasn't wise

he's a 10 year vet nothing should surprise him if he was a ELITE QB

His mobility is gone. He has no zip or touch on the ball, or any real control of it. His deep passes are flat.

It's his back. Can't and won't be fixed.

He's Tony Bledsoe now.

 

[Rynie]

I'm not a Romo - hater, per se , but it's time to move on. Oh wait, we still owe him $1,000,000,000,000.

 

[Doomsday]

They can sugarcoat it and deny it all they want, but nobody's the same after going under the knife for invasive disk surgery.

 

[jnday]

They can sugarcoat it and deny it all they want, but nobody's the same after going under the knife for invasive disk surgery.

You are right. I have had several surgeries on my spine/disk and the surgery may take care of one big problem, but it creates several small ones. Every surgery took something out of me and limited my physical capabilities.

 

[Doomsday]

You are right. I have had several surgeries on my spine/disk and the surgery may take care of one big problem, but it creates several small ones. Every surgery took something out of me and limited my physical capabilities.

Especially in the lower back. Payton Manning's neck surgery was a walk in the park compared to what Romo had. The area they carved up on Romo is involved and interconnected with everything you do, including just breathing.