Opinions on playing time vs Redskins

[dbair1967]

Been much chatter about what the Cowboys will do vs Washington. Many seem to think the game is worthless and we should treat it as a week one or two of preseason game. I haven't run it through the playoff scenario thing myself but read that if Seattle and Arizona both lose, we don't have to win to get the bye. (The only way we can get the first seed is both of them lose and GB/Det tie)

I guess I can see it both ways. Jimmy didn't rest starters in 1992 when we had the 2nd seed wrapped up, in fact he left Emmitt and Aikman in until early in the 2nd half IIRC, and let Emmitt get enough carries to win the rushing title over Barry Foster. Bill Belichick never rests key guys (including Brady) in season finales it appears. On the other hand if Romo, Dez, Murray, Tyron Smith or Frederick got hurt and had to miss the playoff game/s it'd be a disaster for us. We need all those guys.

I guess the fear of resting guys is getting them out of their routine and maybe slowing down the momentum they clearly have going right now. We're on the best roll we've been on in quite some time, especially offensively. But the injury fear has to be a concern as well.

Broaddus was saying Zack Martin was playing at 75% at best the other day and he came out of the game early (maybe the same series or perhaps even a series before Romo did, cant remember). He clearly could use the rest. Free almost assuredly isn't going to play, meaning you'd have two backups (albeit guys with starting experience, which is good) playing at RG and RT. I don't think Murray is in any danger of hurting his hand more, but to me he does look a little tired. Getting him the franchise record for rush yards in a season would be nice and I'm sure he wants it (as well team itself probably wants it for him) but getting a week off to recuperate would be nice too. Rolando McClain continues to play on a sore knee as well.

If Garrett plays these guys and somebody important gets hurt, he'll be crucified. On the other hand if he sits key guys and they come out the next weekend vs Detroit or GB completely out of rhythm he'll get criticized for that too. It's definitely a tough situation to be in.

What say you Cabal?

 

[bbgun]

in fact he left Emmitt and Aikman in until early in the 2nd half IIRC, and let Emmitt get enough carries to win the rushing title over Barry Foster.

and that's when the legend of Curvin Richards began

 

[dbair1967]

and that's when the legend of Curvin Richards began

and ended...

 

[bbgun]

he was no Sherman Williams, that's for sure

I see our starters playing a series or two at most. wouldn't bet on Murray surpassing Emmitt, either

 

[SixisBetter]

Garrett's probably going err on the side of caution I'd guess,so yeah a couple of series or so maybe.

 

[yimyammer]

Like you, I'm really torn, it really seems like a damned if you do and damned if don't situation. I wish the bye was in play 100% if they won, then the decision would be easy.

I don't see what giving the starters a few series does. Seems to me, they should either commit ahead of time to playing it like any other week and going for the win or rest almost every significant player and start Weeden and give the backups experience.

If I knew they could go up there and protect Romo, come out 100% healthy and kick the Redskins ass, it would be a no brainer.

I don't know why Haslett seems to have a bead on Romo but for whatever reason, he gives Romo hell and I'm not wild about exposing Romo to that and going into the playoffs with our opponents seeing Haslett's D make Romo look terrible. This feels like a weak approach and part of me wants to say fuck it and tell the team to go kick some ass and if they can't get beat this team, maybe they don't deserve to be in the hunt.

I like not having to stress over whether they get to play in the playoffs but this stress isn't a lot of fun either.

Garrett & CO have a tough decision on their hands

 

[Doomsday]

Need to win the game regardless. Few things are worse than backing into the playoffs with a loss under your belt.

 

[Sheik]

If they come out crisp and score some points early, take the starters out.

 

[NoShame]

If they come out crisp and score some points early, take the starters out.

I'm with that.

At most the first half. But if we're a sloppy mess then we need to get that shit out of our system and play the entire game.

Part of me thinks a dog fight would do this team some good. I'd hate to see us go into the first round over-confident and get whooped.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

If they come out crisp and score some points early, take the starters out.

Exactly, or if we score 10-14 points in the first 2 or 3 possessions...

Remove Romo, Dez, Rolando, Spencer, Murray, Martin and Scandrick after 1 quarter no matter what..

 

[cmd34(work)]

Nope. Run QB draws on every play. Really test Romo's back before the playoffs.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

You play it like a regular game. Winning a playoff bye is unlikely but still possible. Redskins are going to come out fighting, Cowboys better match their intensity or they will get their butts kicked.

 

[bbgun]

Cowboys better match their intensity or they will get their butts kicked.

RG3's in a groove again and we have little to play for, so a butt kicking is highly likely

 

[ZeroClub]

I haven't run it through the playoff scenario thing myself but read that if Seattle and Arizona both lose, we don't have to win to get the bye.

I read the same thing.

It seems very odd that the Cowboys would win the tie breaker with the Seahawks and Cardinals at 11-5 but not at 12-4. If the Cowboys go 11-5 it'd mean yet another loss to an NFC team.

Anyone know the specific reasons why the 11-5 tie with the Seahawks and Cardinals works for the Cowboys, but a 12-5 tie with the same teams doesn't work for the Cowboys?

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I’d sell my soul to the devil for a Detriot/Packer tie. Anyone else with me?

 

[dbair1967]

It seems very odd that the Cowboys would win the tie breaker with the Seahawks and Cardinals at 11-5 but not at 12-4. If the Cowboys go 11-5 it'd mean yet another loss to an NFC team.

Anyone know the specific reasons why the 11-5 tie with the Seahawks and Cardinals works for the Cowboys, but a 12-5 tie with the same teams doesn't work for the Cowboys?

Green Bay or Detroit would be the #1 seed at 12-4 (11-4-1 should they tie). If Arizona loses they cant win the division at 11-5 because Seattle swept them. So it'd be just us and Seattle at 11-5 and we beat Seattle. The 3 way tie (with Seattle and GB or Detroit) is where they dont take into account head to head. Green Bay really gets rewarded in a 3 way tie and we kinda get hosed, because we beat Seattle (which will be the 1) and Seattle beat GB (which will be the 2)

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Seems Jerry doesn't want us losing our edge, so expect the starters to play quite often.

 

[Doomsday]

Keep the momentum going vs. risk of losing somebody to a stupid injury in a meaningless game.

Pygmalion Effect - plant the positive seed for the self fulfilling prophesy - if you act scared you will play scared and you WILL get that injury you fear. No. Full speed ahead and club these losers severely about the head and shoulders, all damn day. Hang a fortyburger on them and never look back.

 

[ZeroClub]

Green Bay or Detroit would be the #1 seed at 12-4 (11-4-1 should they tie). If Arizona loses they cant win the division at 11-5 because Seattle swept them. So it'd be just us and Seattle at 11-5 and we beat Seattle. The 3 way tie (with Seattle and GB or Detroit) is where they dont take into account head to head. Green Bay really gets rewarded in a 3 way tie and we kinda get hosed, because we beat Seattle (which will be the 1) and Seattle beat GB (which will be the 2)

Nice job explaining. Thanks