Scouting the Cowboys

LUKE23 · Post #1 » by **LUKE23** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:58 pm

This is a good football team. Loaded on offense. Barber is one of, if not the hardest runners in the NFL and finishes off every run with a blow. Witten is the best pass catching TE in football righ now (yes, I think he's better than Gonzalez and Gates). Owens is still a top 5 WR. Romo is accurate with the deep ball. The OL is massive.

The 3-4 scheme has given the Packers problems in past seasons. We are going to need all of our RB's healthy for this game because up the middle is the main weakness of the 3-4. Dallas' LB's can really fly but if you get your hands on them you can push them around. We really need Wells to play this game and Spitz to move back to guard, because Spitz is a much better run blocker than Moll is.

I'm very glad the game is at Lambeau, just because I don't like their speed advantage on turf, but I think it is somewhat negated playing on grass.

We need a big game from Grant and for Rodgers to get the ball out quick (Ware will be coming) and not throw any INT. Points should be plentiful in this game. I think the Packers will probably have to win the turnover battle to win the game.

Post #2 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:27 pm

We need to somehow stop, or slow down, Whitten.

crkone · Post #3 » by **crkone** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:51 pm

We need some more blitzing by Hawk. I would love to see a corner blitz or two also when in their 4 receiver sets. We need to get to Romo fast before he has time to get it to Witten over the middle or one of the receivers deep. Witten should be covered by a CB whenever possible to negate his receiving skills. I would sacrifice the run game to get him covered by a Tramon Williams. I would play nickel and dime defense all day long.

LUKE23 · Post #4 » by **LUKE23** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:53 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3590252

Roy Williams out at least three games for the Boys. He's overrated as hell, but still should open up the pass game some.

Witten with a separated shoulder, but doesn't sound like he will miss time.

BuckFan25226 · Post #5 » by **BuckFan25226** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:59 pm

If we can give Rodgers protection, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't pick apart this Dallas secondary. So far this year Collins and Bigby have looked pretty good, albeit against the Vikes and Lions. This will be a great test for our defense, plus we get Woodson this year, and it's on our turf. And I have a hard time seeing us getting off to the brain dead start Favre put us in last year.

bucks59 · Post #6 » by **bucks59** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:49 pm

We definitly need to get safety help on Owens, he tore us apart last year. And we need to get a ton of pressure on Romo. Thats the best way to beat him and get him to make costly errors.

If we can get a running game going and control the time of possession, that would be huge for the defense.

Post #7 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:59 pm

Yeah hopefully we have learned that Al Harris cannot cover good receivers one on one.

bucks59 · Post #8 » by **bucks59** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:03 pm

Also, if the Packers want any chance of winning, they obviously have to cut down on stupid penalties. They are definitely going to get a pass inerference call or two, thats inevitable. But the holding penalties and the false start penalities need to stop.

ClassicJack · Post #9 » by **ClassicJack** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:24 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:Yeah hopefully we have learned that Al Harris cannot cover good receivers one on one.

I don't know if it's that he can't cover good receivers as much as it's big and freakishly athletic recievers. I thought he was pretty good Sunday against a couple of really good receivers in Williams/Johnson.

With that said, I don't want Al Harris anywhere near Terrell Owens on Sunday night. That scenario just does not bode well at all for the Pack.

aaprigs311 · Post #10 » by **aaprigs311** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:32 pm

The Cowboys had a hard time containing McNabb last night. I expect Rodgers to be on the move a lot Sunday whether he's passing on the move or just running for his life. We need to take the big plays away from Romo. Whether that means blitzing him relentlessly or conservative saftey play. Make them sustain a long drive to score, Romo still makes some bad mistakes. Our special teams better be ready for Felix Jones too. Hopefully Crosby can kick the ball outta the endzone the majority of the time or kick it away from Jones.

Ayt · Post #11 » by **Ayt** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:42 pm

It wasn't Harris that blew it against TO last year. It was the zone we were playing. Our defense should look much better this time around since we have Woody back and we won't be playing any garbage zones that our guys can't execute.

Post #12 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:02 pm

According to McGinn, Harris was blowing off a lot of the Packers called defenses vs. Dallas last year just so he could go one on one with TO. His ego may have cost us that game.

Post #13 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:08 pm

ClassicJack wrote:I don't know if it's that he can't cover good receivers as much as it's big and freakishly athletic recievers. I thought he was pretty good Sunday against a couple of really good receivers in Williams/Johnson.

McGinn: "If Kitna had any accuracy, Roy Williams would have enjoyed a huge day at Al Harris' expense. Williams probably has never been open as much against Harris as he was Sunday. Harris is playing too high, doesn't change directions well and looks as if he has lost speed".

LUKE23 · Post #14 » by **LUKE23** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:36 pm

Yeah, I just returned from a lunch meeting, and one of the guys there was talking about how he feels Harris really looks like he's losing it before our eyes. We are going to have to address DB in the next offseason, and IMO, this is a spot where Thompson should use his money (Chris Gamble comes to mind). I like Tramon, but I like him a lot better at nickel.

ClassicJack · Post #15 » by **ClassicJack** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:35 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:
ClassicJack wrote:I don't know if it's that he can't cover good receivers as much as it's big and freakishly athletic recievers. I thought he was pretty good Sunday against a couple of really good receivers in Williams/Johnson.

McGinn: "If Kitna had any accuracy, Roy Williams would have enjoyed a huge day at Al Harris' expense. Williams probably has never been open as much against Harris as he was Sunday. Harris is playing too high, doesn't change directions well and looks as if he has lost speed".

Point taken but 3 receptions for 48 yards and 0 TDs beats McGinn's if's and probably's though. Harris is definitely on the downside and I expected a huge drop-off for him coming into this season but I haven't noticed the huge dropoff that others are noticing yet. There were times when I was actually surprised that Harris was able to keep up with Williams so well. Obviously competition plays a role in that and a lot of my questions about Harris will likely be answered on Sunday.

Newz · Post #16 » by **Newz** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:51 pm

I haven't been this excited about a Packer game since the Superbowls. I think we have a very good chance to beat them and cement ourselves atop the NFC. (For now)

My keys to the game: (In order of importance)

1.) PRESSURE ROMO. He has looked bad and very mistake prone under pressure. Blitz him and if he beats you when the pressure if on then he earned it. If you let him sit back in the pocket he is going to completely destroy us.
2.) Stop Jason Witten. Last year we had a lot of problems with tight ends. If that continues we are going to get wrecked, because Jason Witten will make big play after big play against us. To me he is even a bigger threat than TO.
3.) If we get ahead, don't let up. The Packers cannot play as a run first team. We have to be aggressive and attack them with 5-WR sets and roll-outs by Rodgers to buy him time to make big plays. Go for big plays early and often, because we are going to HAVE to score. Even if our defense still plays great the Cowboys offense is still going to get 24+ points.

steger_3434 · Post #17 » by **steger_3434** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:42 pm

You're more excited for this game than the NFC Championship game at home in unreal conditions last year?

Newz · Post #18 » by **Newz** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:49 pm

steger_3434 wrote:You're more excited for this game than the NFC Championship game at home in unreal conditions last year?

As strange as it sounds, yes.

It is exciting (for me at least) to see a new QB leading this team. Favre is my favorite player of all time... But I'm only 23 and ever since I've watched football he has been the QB that I've seen playing for the Packers.

Rodgers has a ton of talent and it is very exciting for me to see if this young team is the real deal. If we beat the Cowboys with this group of players it could prove that we will have a good team for another 10 years or so since a lot of our players are so young. (Obviously a lot can change in that time)

I think I am a bigger football fan and behind the Packers now more than ever that they have changed the face of their franchise... It is just refreshing and exciting to see something new I guess.

xTitan · Post #19 » by **xTitan** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:11 am

It is a big game because when you play 16 they are all big, but if the Packers stay healthy, and that is a big if, they will be a far better team at the end of the year than they are now and I am not sure you can say that about the Cowboys.

El Duderino · Post #20 » by **El Duderino** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:53 am

Games like Sunday night are why i love being a sports fan. Two of the most historic franchises in the NFL. Two of the best teams in the NFC if they stay reasonably healthy. I hate Jerry Jones and the Cowboys and we finally get then at home. There will be tons of hype. We get to see how Rodgers does against a media darling team and i expect him to play well so long as the line does it's job. It should be a close enough that during the game i end up feeling all the emotions of nervous, excited, pissed off, and hopefully thrilled with a victory and the camera panning on a bummed Jerry Jones.

The best part, it's great entertainment for free. Non sports fans have no clue what they are missing, but i can't wait for Sunday to get here.