Mental Mistakes Crush Cowboys in 13-7 Loss to Redskins in Season Opener
[picappgallerysingle id="9751107"]
The first half was not kind to the Cowboys; it was full of penalties and other mental mistakes. After the Cowboys’ only meaningful drive ended in a missed field goal by David Buehler, running back Tashard Choice fumbled a pitch from quarterback Tony Romo on an improvisational last play of the half. Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall scooped up the loose ball and high-stepped into the end zone for a cheap score to put the Redskins up ten at intermission. There were only four seconds remaining, with the ball spotted deep in Dallas territory. NBC announcer Al Michaels said it would either by a Hail Mary or a kneel. Romo’s lining up in the shotgun ruled out the latter, but the Cowboy quarterback did not throw the ball deep downfield. Instead, he almost took a sack before flipping the ball to Choice, who allowed the Redskins their only touchdown of the game. Some plays are dumb and some plays just leave you speechless. This one was shameful for the Dallas faithful.
Dallas was called for seven penalties in that first half alone; everything from roughing the passer to offensive pass interference. Hand-in-hand with those penalties were negative plays that stalled drives. Between the two, it was like the Boys were taking two steps forward and one step back on every possession. Even worse was the missed 34-yard field goal by Buehler that would have tied the game early. After a dynamite preseason finale, which provided Cowboys Nation with the utmost faith in Buehler, the second-year kicker brought back previous doubt in his ability. It’s all in his head; he has to realize that kicking a 51-yarder against Miami in an exhibition is the same as kicking a 34-yard field goal that actually counts. Kickers’ minds are a strange place.
[picappgallerysingle id="9751122"]A big reason the Cowboys had a chance for a comeback win was the offense finding an excellent rhythym in the second half. The key for creating that momentum was the creative use of the three Dallas running backs. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett had two and one time all three of his NFL starting-caliber backs on the field at the same time. Using Barber as a fullback confused the defense when he went right while Jones took the ball left. Even more so was Choice running a college option with Jones as the pitchman and Barber the lead blocker. In regular formations, the even distribution of carries created an excellent change of tempo that Dallas fans have been waiting for from this three-headed rushing monster. I guess it’s better late than never for Garrett to figure this out, but it sure was refreshing to finally see it on the field.
The Dallas receiving corps has been under a microscope for the entire off-season, with everyone anxiously awaiting the NFL debut of first-round draft pick Dez Bryant. The rookie did not disappoint, hauling in eight passes for fifty-six yards. Even more impressive was Miles Austin, who played up to his new six-year extension. The 2009 breakout player caught ten balls for 146 yards, including a 4-yard score. Of course, Romo’s play did not go unnoticed; the 30-year-old completed 66% of his 47 passes for 282 yards and the score to Austin. On the final drive, Romo threw two consecutive passes that should have been intercepted to end the game, but good fortune allowed him to convert a critical fourth-and-ten to keep the game alive. Even more critical was the final play of the game, where Romo completed a touchdown to Roy Williams on third-and-ten from the Washington 13-yard line with three seconds to play. However, a holding penalty on backup right tackle Alex Barron ended the game, and possibly Barron’s tenure in Dallas.
[picappgallerysingle id="9750720"]
One thing is for sure; Romo did not disappoint the Dallas faithful. The undrafted Pro Bowl quarterback did not throw an interception nor make any play to cause his team to lose. The Cowboys’ makeshift offensive line crumbled in the absence of starters Kyle Kosier and Marc Colombo, especially Barron, the NFL’s most penalized player for the past two years. The fact that the NFL’s second-ranked offense in 2009 only scored seven points is a cause for concern, but that has a lot to do with the offensive line. Silly mistakes cost the Cowboys the game, though. Not even the ridiculous amount of penalties matched the magnitude of Choice’s fumble to end the first half. The Dallas defense did not allow a touchdown, so take away that scoop-and-score by Hall and the Cowboys win the game. I would love to see the contest replayed with Kosier and Colombo in the lineup, but injuries are part of the game. Romo was only sacked one time and the running game exceeded expectations, so the actual play of the offensive line was not even the deciding factor. Penalties and one bone-headed play cost the Cowboys a positive start to the season. Unlike poor offensive line play, those two things can easily be fixed.
Buy Dallas Cowboys Tickets | Buy Dallas Cowboys Apparel
Check out what others are saying about this post...
-
[...] even the Redskins’ top-ten pass defense. It was penalties and just dumb mental mistakes that cost the Cowboys a win in Washington Sunday night. Dallas held McNabb in check the entire game and kept the Redskins’ [...]
-
[...] was ghastly obvious the Cowboys needed their injured veteran starting offensive linemen during Sunday’s loss at Washington. Right tackle Alex Barron had so many holding penalties that some writers have said he should be [...]
-
[...] a dreadful performance by right tackle Alex Barron in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss at Washington, Dallas fans were thrilled to hear veteran offensive linemen Marc Colombo and Kyle Kosier returned [...]
-
[...] a bitter loss at Washington in Week 1, the Cowboys return to Texas to take on the Bears in this year’s home opener. Chicago [...]
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
FEATURED PARTNERS
4 Rants to “Mental Mistakes Crush Cowboys in 13-7 Loss to Reds...”