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Bob Sturm: Not being play-caller helping Jason Garrett, who will be Cowboys coach for years to come
By Bob Sturm
6:22 pm on October 22, 2014
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered Cowboys questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: Aside from Philly, Arizona and Indy, what’s the most problematic game left on the Cowboys’ schedule?
Bob Sturm: At Chicago and At New York better be on that list, too. This is the NFL, so let’s be smart enough not to put anything in the win column prematurely. For some reason, the London game gives me a little odd feeling.
Question: I love how the Cowboys are playing, but i also feel like they needed some really special plays at critical times to get to 6-1. Amazing throws and catches and timely turnovers…the margin is thin in these games. Could easily have 3 or 4 wins and be middle of the pack.
Bob Sturm: I guess it does come down to a play here and there like 3rd and 20 against Seattle. However, very few of these games do not pass the scorecard test. That is, like a boxing match, what would impartial judges say when asked to score the game based on who had the better advantage for more of the game. From that standpoint, most of these wins seem to be games that the Cowboys generally controlled, in my opinion.
Question: Do you think part of the reason we are finally succeeding is Garrett’s influence on the team is starting to come through in year 4?
Bob Sturm: I think Jason Garrett must share in some of the credit. I have a hard time quantifying that credit, because if I was Jerry, I would have fired Jason Garrett after the 2012 season. But, Jerry stuck with him and now it appears that Jason will have the job for many more years as an extension is inevitable. It is clear he has benefited big time from passing off play-calling and being able to focus more on his job as the leader of the team on the sideline and a more macro approach to the job. Play-calling for a coach is just such a big responsibility that it seemed to hinder his entire job.
Question: What should we expect from Lawrence?
Bob Sturm: DeMarcus Lawrence is a very explosive player. He is not that big so he may be a passing downs edge rusher to begin with, but I am excited to get a DE pass rush threat into the mix. I profiled him redraft here:
Question: Michael Sam was worth taking a look at, right? Seems many are acting like it was publicity stunt or money grab for merch, but neither fit the true story here.
Bob Sturm: I guess I have a hard time knowing how to characterize this story. Honestly, given the issues on the DL when September was around, I was fine with them giving him a try, but I also knew from the draft work that he was a very famous player, but also was a classic NFL roster fringe guy. It would be crazy to say he has no chance of ever being a player in the league, but it would also be crazy to not recognize his obvious limitations. I have no idea what to expect next in his career, but the Cowboys who clear $300m a year in profit, do not need money grabs.
Question: Who is our current number-three wide receiver? It seems like Harris has been inconsistent but Beasley hasn’t gotten many targets. I’m not complaining with Dez and Williams lighting it up. Just curious.
Bob Sturm: Complicated answer because #3 can mean different things. If you are asking who is the best fit when they want to have 3 WRs on the field right now, I would say it is absolutely Cole Beasely. His work on 3rd Downs has been very strong and he is a real weapon against teams with depth issues as attrition takes over in the 2nd half of a season. On the other hand, who would most likely substitute in the event of an injury to 88 or 83, well then that would be Devin Street, I assume. Harris is useful and has some packages designed for him, but it seems that PR and KR are his main gigs, and some change up opportunities at WR where he is a very good blocker.
Question: Statistically, this defense seems identical to last year’s, except worse in sacks. Why are people raving about it so much? It seems like we’re due for a big letdown if the offense slips even a little bit.
Bob Sturm: It is a delicate balance. Remember, in the worst defensive season in franchise history last year, this team was one FG from the playoffs in which they would have hosted a home game (against the Saints, I believe). Instead, they failed on that last drive when Kyle Orton threw an INT and we threw everything in the dumpster. I realize that the defense is not winning easily, but their battle and scheme and rotational upgrades seem to say it is better than last year. I am clearly an advocate of a widespread talent infusion on the defense next spring, but this is a feisty bunch that will fight you hard.
Question: Any idea why opposing defenses are unable to stop Romo from moving to the outside, since he does it every time there’s someone on his blind side?
Bob Sturm: Well, I am sure they know his tendencies, but 2 things: 1) he is way more athletic with his improvs than people think until it happens in front of them. 2) even though he spins to the same place every time, back and to the left, it is a safe spot where pass rushers never come from. I imagine some day he will get decked doing that, but so far, so good.
Question: What did you think of Parnell in the game? Seemed like they were giving him a lot of TE help.
Bob Sturm: I thought he was pretty good. Really good with the run and passable with protection. He had some help, but I would actually not consider it more than a normal amount of Doug Free help.
Question: Have the Cowboys played Colt McCoy before? I can’t remember. Can you foresee a big day for the Dallas-D?
Bob Sturm: This will be the first Cowboys vs Colt McCoy matchup ever. I can absolutely see a big day from the Cowboys, but McCoy I am sure would love to rain on that parade. And he has some weapons that can make that happen. Last week, they played a QB with limited skill players. This week it is a limited QB with pretty solid skill players.
Question: How much better is this Dallas Cowboys football team if Jesse Holley is still on it? Did you see LFC today?
Bob Sturm: I would say I enjoyed the Jesse Holley era while it lasted. #GoodDude And yes, I saw that Liverpool did not teach Real Madrid a lesson.
Question: I think the defense can’t really hold up until we have some true pass rushers. You think Demarcus Lawrence is really the answer?
Bob Sturm: Personally, it would be disingenuous for me to suggest that Lawrence is the answer for a pass rush. He will play 8-9 games and if he gives you 3 sacks in 2014, that should be considered impressive. I liked him at Boise, but I didn’t love him. I did question the idea of moving up because I didn’t see him being worth 2 starters. But, the Cowboys did. So, let’s see. The one thing it means, though, is less of Jeremy Mincey, most likely. And for my money, Mincey has done ok.
Question: just curious when you guys were at camp did you not see anything on the cowboys to show that they could be this good? did all signs to you point to 6-10?
Bob Sturm: I have been to 17 training camps and honestly, there is very little from a practice or a scrimmage that I have ever seen that equates to wins and losses. Even the coaches and the scouts have to wait and see what this means against the other 31 teams, so media members can speculate all we want, but we are generally going on what we think this team is going to have.
By Bob Sturm
6:22 pm on October 22, 2014
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered Cowboys questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: Aside from Philly, Arizona and Indy, what’s the most problematic game left on the Cowboys’ schedule?
Bob Sturm: At Chicago and At New York better be on that list, too. This is the NFL, so let’s be smart enough not to put anything in the win column prematurely. For some reason, the London game gives me a little odd feeling.
Question: I love how the Cowboys are playing, but i also feel like they needed some really special plays at critical times to get to 6-1. Amazing throws and catches and timely turnovers…the margin is thin in these games. Could easily have 3 or 4 wins and be middle of the pack.
Bob Sturm: I guess it does come down to a play here and there like 3rd and 20 against Seattle. However, very few of these games do not pass the scorecard test. That is, like a boxing match, what would impartial judges say when asked to score the game based on who had the better advantage for more of the game. From that standpoint, most of these wins seem to be games that the Cowboys generally controlled, in my opinion.
Question: Do you think part of the reason we are finally succeeding is Garrett’s influence on the team is starting to come through in year 4?
Bob Sturm: I think Jason Garrett must share in some of the credit. I have a hard time quantifying that credit, because if I was Jerry, I would have fired Jason Garrett after the 2012 season. But, Jerry stuck with him and now it appears that Jason will have the job for many more years as an extension is inevitable. It is clear he has benefited big time from passing off play-calling and being able to focus more on his job as the leader of the team on the sideline and a more macro approach to the job. Play-calling for a coach is just such a big responsibility that it seemed to hinder his entire job.
Question: What should we expect from Lawrence?
Bob Sturm: DeMarcus Lawrence is a very explosive player. He is not that big so he may be a passing downs edge rusher to begin with, but I am excited to get a DE pass rush threat into the mix. I profiled him redraft here:
Question: Michael Sam was worth taking a look at, right? Seems many are acting like it was publicity stunt or money grab for merch, but neither fit the true story here.
Bob Sturm: I guess I have a hard time knowing how to characterize this story. Honestly, given the issues on the DL when September was around, I was fine with them giving him a try, but I also knew from the draft work that he was a very famous player, but also was a classic NFL roster fringe guy. It would be crazy to say he has no chance of ever being a player in the league, but it would also be crazy to not recognize his obvious limitations. I have no idea what to expect next in his career, but the Cowboys who clear $300m a year in profit, do not need money grabs.
Question: Who is our current number-three wide receiver? It seems like Harris has been inconsistent but Beasley hasn’t gotten many targets. I’m not complaining with Dez and Williams lighting it up. Just curious.
Bob Sturm: Complicated answer because #3 can mean different things. If you are asking who is the best fit when they want to have 3 WRs on the field right now, I would say it is absolutely Cole Beasely. His work on 3rd Downs has been very strong and he is a real weapon against teams with depth issues as attrition takes over in the 2nd half of a season. On the other hand, who would most likely substitute in the event of an injury to 88 or 83, well then that would be Devin Street, I assume. Harris is useful and has some packages designed for him, but it seems that PR and KR are his main gigs, and some change up opportunities at WR where he is a very good blocker.
Question: Statistically, this defense seems identical to last year’s, except worse in sacks. Why are people raving about it so much? It seems like we’re due for a big letdown if the offense slips even a little bit.
Bob Sturm: It is a delicate balance. Remember, in the worst defensive season in franchise history last year, this team was one FG from the playoffs in which they would have hosted a home game (against the Saints, I believe). Instead, they failed on that last drive when Kyle Orton threw an INT and we threw everything in the dumpster. I realize that the defense is not winning easily, but their battle and scheme and rotational upgrades seem to say it is better than last year. I am clearly an advocate of a widespread talent infusion on the defense next spring, but this is a feisty bunch that will fight you hard.
Question: Any idea why opposing defenses are unable to stop Romo from moving to the outside, since he does it every time there’s someone on his blind side?
Bob Sturm: Well, I am sure they know his tendencies, but 2 things: 1) he is way more athletic with his improvs than people think until it happens in front of them. 2) even though he spins to the same place every time, back and to the left, it is a safe spot where pass rushers never come from. I imagine some day he will get decked doing that, but so far, so good.
Question: What did you think of Parnell in the game? Seemed like they were giving him a lot of TE help.
Bob Sturm: I thought he was pretty good. Really good with the run and passable with protection. He had some help, but I would actually not consider it more than a normal amount of Doug Free help.
Question: Have the Cowboys played Colt McCoy before? I can’t remember. Can you foresee a big day for the Dallas-D?
Bob Sturm: This will be the first Cowboys vs Colt McCoy matchup ever. I can absolutely see a big day from the Cowboys, but McCoy I am sure would love to rain on that parade. And he has some weapons that can make that happen. Last week, they played a QB with limited skill players. This week it is a limited QB with pretty solid skill players.
Question: How much better is this Dallas Cowboys football team if Jesse Holley is still on it? Did you see LFC today?
Bob Sturm: I would say I enjoyed the Jesse Holley era while it lasted. #GoodDude And yes, I saw that Liverpool did not teach Real Madrid a lesson.
Question: I think the defense can’t really hold up until we have some true pass rushers. You think Demarcus Lawrence is really the answer?
Bob Sturm: Personally, it would be disingenuous for me to suggest that Lawrence is the answer for a pass rush. He will play 8-9 games and if he gives you 3 sacks in 2014, that should be considered impressive. I liked him at Boise, but I didn’t love him. I did question the idea of moving up because I didn’t see him being worth 2 starters. But, the Cowboys did. So, let’s see. The one thing it means, though, is less of Jeremy Mincey, most likely. And for my money, Mincey has done ok.
Question: just curious when you guys were at camp did you not see anything on the cowboys to show that they could be this good? did all signs to you point to 6-10?
Bob Sturm: I have been to 17 training camps and honestly, there is very little from a practice or a scrimmage that I have ever seen that equates to wins and losses. Even the coaches and the scouts have to wait and see what this means against the other 31 teams, so media members can speculate all we want, but we are generally going on what we think this team is going to have.