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Bob Sturm: How I think Cowboys will tweak offensive approach Sunday; Jason Garrett’s magic (and tragic) number for wins
Bob Sturm
Published: December 11, 2014 5:55 pm
Comment
Special Contributor Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: Do you think Tony Romo is checking out of pass plays more or are the plays he is given more for the run? I guess I used to blame Romo a little for all the pass plays called. I’m sorry.
Bob Sturm: I think so and I think that is what he is supposed to do. I don’t believe he has as many choices to make in those scenarios, but I also believe that it is more of a math game where he counts defenders and makes his choices based on evidence and not the feel for changing on the fly. They are pretty strict about when to check into a run, usually.
Question: Finish the sentence… Cowboys win thanks to a big effort by ….?
Bob Sturm: Dan Bailey.
Question: Do you think Rolondo McClain could return to full health with more rotational play among LB’s, or is off-season surgery more a likely scenario?
Bob Sturm: I think he is banged up, but I do believe he is still playing reasonably well. He had some really nice moments against the Bears. It wouldn’t shock me at all for him to need some repairs in the spring.
Question: What do you think happens with Garrett under scenario of 9, 10 and 11 wins?
Bob Sturm: 9 wins = he is out. 10 or more, and i don’t see how you could fire (or not extend) a coach you have hung in with for so long after that. He stays with his next win.
Question: I understand that, if the Eagles have similar success scoring quickly against this Cowboys defense than they did at Thanksgiving, Dallas might look to tilt time of possession in their favor by leaning on Murray. But would you agree that given a) Philly’s front seven and b) several mismatches in passing game (Dez vs Fletcher !!!), the Cowboys should be looking to attack through the air a little more, even from the start? And do you think the OL is up to the task of giving #9 enough time to take those shots?
Bob Sturm: I like your thinking there. I think the Cowboys need to throw the ball more on early downs to loosen up the front 7, and then come back with the ground and pound more as we go. I think that will be the play on Sunday night.
Question: Lots of Romo haters still out there. Would this team go any further with Troy Aikman in his prime?
Bob Sturm: That question is a no-win for all involved. I think Aikman was fantastic (because he was), but never was asked to carry a mediocre team to the promised land. So, to argue that we know how it would work out is speculative a best. But, conversely, it seems that Romo would have had wonderful success with the 1990s crew, because they were so good at every spot on the field. Romo will never compare historically with Aikman, but it would sure be nice to see him have some success in the post season before he retires.
Question: Saw you favored the 3-4 over the 4-3. I just remember a lot of wasted timeouts and blown assignments. But will admit talent wasn’t there. Why is the 3-4 better?
Bob Sturm: For me, 3-4 is just a more versatile defense that allows far more options for deception and disguising pressure on the QB. You send 4 guys, but they don’t know which 4 until the snap. The Cowboys tried it for almost a decade – 2005-2012 – and most years had a very good defense. It ended poorly, but I would never blame the scheme, but obviously, Jerry did. I don’t think the team has progressed much with the scheme change and the benefits have been limited.
Question: Do you think Rod Marinelli will opt for more man coverage now that Patmon has returned against the Eagles this week? What other adjustments do the Cowboys need to make on the defensive side of the ball?
Bob Sturm: I do think we will see much more man coverage, but I am not sure we should anticipate tons of Patmon. I am anxious to see this defense look much more prepared and in place to have a chance on Sunday. And yes, I think they will be and will also have a great chance to win.
Question: Could you give me an assessment of the blocking abilities of Gavin Escobar and James Hanna? I know Witten can do it and assume part of the running success includes tight end blocking.
Bob Sturm: Hanna is the better blocker for sure. I think Escobar is willing, but at his height, he will always be more useful flexed out into the slot.
Question: Might there be a surprise hero in Sunday’s Eagles-Cowboys game we aren’t thinking of?
Bob Sturm: I think the possibility of Terrence Williams reemerging is definitely in play. On defense, JJ Wilcox might be my pick to click for a huge moment. Why not?
Question: does it seem to you that Philly simply hates Dallas with greater intensity that vice versa ? It seems like they hit harder and run faster, and perhaps my mind is attributing that to passion (rather than talent). Does that sort of emotion factor in when professionals play, or are all pros about equally intense on the field?
Bob Sturm: I don’t think you can play for either organization and not hold feelings of malice for the opposition in this series. There is just too much bad blood and history to not have higher intensity. This doesn’t need any help, but these two teams do not like each other. And as a fan, that is exciting.
Question: Would you spend $7/8 million on Murray this off season, or, use that $$$ to help the defense? I think Randle, Williams and a mid round draft pick might be good enough.
Bob Sturm: I think $8m is the going rate and a fair deal. I would definitely spend it on him. It is then a question of years. I would do 2 or 3, but I bet it will take 4.
Question: Should it surprise us that Fox just dumped the Packers game here to show the Browns-Bengals? If you had your choice, which would you watch this week?
Bob Sturm: I think the entire football world wants to watch Johnny, so I have no issues with a common sense decision like that – especially with his Texan connections.
Question: Give us Cowboys fans reasons to believe Sunday will be different than Turkey Day.
Bob Sturm: I think the Cowboys are a good football team who allowed the game to get away from them on Thanksgiving. But, I don’t believe that properly measured the difference between the two sides – especially with Sanchez. The Cowboys looked shellshocked and gassed on that day and now they have extra rest and film to study. I think the Cowboys will do much better.
Bob Sturm
Published: December 11, 2014 5:55 pm
Comment
Special Contributor Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: Do you think Tony Romo is checking out of pass plays more or are the plays he is given more for the run? I guess I used to blame Romo a little for all the pass plays called. I’m sorry.
Bob Sturm: I think so and I think that is what he is supposed to do. I don’t believe he has as many choices to make in those scenarios, but I also believe that it is more of a math game where he counts defenders and makes his choices based on evidence and not the feel for changing on the fly. They are pretty strict about when to check into a run, usually.
Question: Finish the sentence… Cowboys win thanks to a big effort by ….?
Bob Sturm: Dan Bailey.
Question: Do you think Rolondo McClain could return to full health with more rotational play among LB’s, or is off-season surgery more a likely scenario?
Bob Sturm: I think he is banged up, but I do believe he is still playing reasonably well. He had some really nice moments against the Bears. It wouldn’t shock me at all for him to need some repairs in the spring.
Question: What do you think happens with Garrett under scenario of 9, 10 and 11 wins?
Bob Sturm: 9 wins = he is out. 10 or more, and i don’t see how you could fire (or not extend) a coach you have hung in with for so long after that. He stays with his next win.
Question: I understand that, if the Eagles have similar success scoring quickly against this Cowboys defense than they did at Thanksgiving, Dallas might look to tilt time of possession in their favor by leaning on Murray. But would you agree that given a) Philly’s front seven and b) several mismatches in passing game (Dez vs Fletcher !!!), the Cowboys should be looking to attack through the air a little more, even from the start? And do you think the OL is up to the task of giving #9 enough time to take those shots?
Bob Sturm: I like your thinking there. I think the Cowboys need to throw the ball more on early downs to loosen up the front 7, and then come back with the ground and pound more as we go. I think that will be the play on Sunday night.
Question: Lots of Romo haters still out there. Would this team go any further with Troy Aikman in his prime?
Bob Sturm: That question is a no-win for all involved. I think Aikman was fantastic (because he was), but never was asked to carry a mediocre team to the promised land. So, to argue that we know how it would work out is speculative a best. But, conversely, it seems that Romo would have had wonderful success with the 1990s crew, because they were so good at every spot on the field. Romo will never compare historically with Aikman, but it would sure be nice to see him have some success in the post season before he retires.
Question: Saw you favored the 3-4 over the 4-3. I just remember a lot of wasted timeouts and blown assignments. But will admit talent wasn’t there. Why is the 3-4 better?
Bob Sturm: For me, 3-4 is just a more versatile defense that allows far more options for deception and disguising pressure on the QB. You send 4 guys, but they don’t know which 4 until the snap. The Cowboys tried it for almost a decade – 2005-2012 – and most years had a very good defense. It ended poorly, but I would never blame the scheme, but obviously, Jerry did. I don’t think the team has progressed much with the scheme change and the benefits have been limited.
Question: Do you think Rod Marinelli will opt for more man coverage now that Patmon has returned against the Eagles this week? What other adjustments do the Cowboys need to make on the defensive side of the ball?
Bob Sturm: I do think we will see much more man coverage, but I am not sure we should anticipate tons of Patmon. I am anxious to see this defense look much more prepared and in place to have a chance on Sunday. And yes, I think they will be and will also have a great chance to win.
Question: Could you give me an assessment of the blocking abilities of Gavin Escobar and James Hanna? I know Witten can do it and assume part of the running success includes tight end blocking.
Bob Sturm: Hanna is the better blocker for sure. I think Escobar is willing, but at his height, he will always be more useful flexed out into the slot.
Question: Might there be a surprise hero in Sunday’s Eagles-Cowboys game we aren’t thinking of?
Bob Sturm: I think the possibility of Terrence Williams reemerging is definitely in play. On defense, JJ Wilcox might be my pick to click for a huge moment. Why not?
Question: does it seem to you that Philly simply hates Dallas with greater intensity that vice versa ? It seems like they hit harder and run faster, and perhaps my mind is attributing that to passion (rather than talent). Does that sort of emotion factor in when professionals play, or are all pros about equally intense on the field?
Bob Sturm: I don’t think you can play for either organization and not hold feelings of malice for the opposition in this series. There is just too much bad blood and history to not have higher intensity. This doesn’t need any help, but these two teams do not like each other. And as a fan, that is exciting.
Question: Would you spend $7/8 million on Murray this off season, or, use that $$$ to help the defense? I think Randle, Williams and a mid round draft pick might be good enough.
Bob Sturm: I think $8m is the going rate and a fair deal. I would definitely spend it on him. It is then a question of years. I would do 2 or 3, but I bet it will take 4.
Question: Should it surprise us that Fox just dumped the Packers game here to show the Browns-Bengals? If you had your choice, which would you watch this week?
Bob Sturm: I think the entire football world wants to watch Johnny, so I have no issues with a common sense decision like that – especially with his Texan connections.
Question: Give us Cowboys fans reasons to believe Sunday will be different than Turkey Day.
Bob Sturm: I think the Cowboys are a good football team who allowed the game to get away from them on Thanksgiving. But, I don’t believe that properly measured the difference between the two sides – especially with Sanchez. The Cowboys looked shellshocked and gassed on that day and now they have extra rest and film to study. I think the Cowboys will do much better.