Putting the BIG D back in DALLAS

BY: AY NoLogy

Jerry Jones said a few weeks ago that change will come to Valley Ranch and with the recent firings of running backs coach Skip Peete and ex defensive coordinator Rob Ryan changes are in the making. 

The Dallas Cowboys have hired former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to become the 12th defensive coordinator in Dallas Cowboys history. Kiffin, is widely considered to be one of the best defensive coordinators in modern football.   

Here are a few things that I like and dislike about the Dallas Cowboys switching from the 3-4 to the Tampa 2 4-3 defense.

My Dislikes

1. I really felt as though in a 3-4 we were literally just a nose tackle and a play making safety away from having the best defense in the league when we are healthy.

2. We will more than likely lose Anthony Spencer. It is not worth breaking bank on him and not know what you’ll get from him as a defensive end. He earned his money as an outside linebacker and he’ll want his money. Whether he signs elsewhere as a defensive end or outside linebacker with our cap situation we have to let him walk. We don’t have the chips to gamble on his transition.

3. Having effective safety play is a must in order to have an effective Tampa 2/Cover 2 defense, and safety is just not something we can honestly be confident about.

My Likes

1. Hiring coach Kiffin was great for our cornerbacks. They will now be in an effective zone scheme and you will see our guys make plays on the ball like Asante Samuel and Ronde Barber. Especially Morris Claiborne.

2. This is a perfect draft for 4-3 defensive lineman. There are plenty of defensive ends and defensive tackles who can come in and have an immediate impact. We have some serious speed and play making ability at the linebacker and cornerback position. If we can get a young guy who plays hard up front and find our combo at safety we can still become one of the best defenses in the league.

3. They say only an idiot keeps doing the same thing and expects different results. We haven’t had success in the 3-4 for the majority of seasons that we’ve been in it. We’ve always had the right pieces but not the right coach, or the right coach but not the right pieces. So change is a good thing for our future to establish a stable identity and we have the pieces that could work.

Think about it the same six or seven (3-4) coaches keep getting recycled around the league.  No matter who coaches it, its slim pickings to plug the right pieces into the puzzle. If we can keep building on the youth we have now, we can get back to our identity in the 4-3 as a defense that keeps points off of the board and forces turnovers.

Will the hiring of Monte Kiffin be the answer for the defensive side of the ball for the Dallas Cowboys?

Only time will tell……

Cowboys at Redskins

Do or die. That’s the motto for tonight’s prime-time showdown between the 8-7 Dallas Cowboys and the 9-6 Washington Redskins. With the Chicago Bears 26-24 victory over the Detroit Lions earlier today, the Redskins are now unable to obtain a wildcard spot if they lose to Dallas.

Here is the tiebreak scenario if Dallas were to win: Both teams would be 9-7 overall. The head-to-head would be tied also, with the ‘Skins 38-31 victory in Dallas on Thanksgiving day. That leads us to the Common Game record. Both teams faced the Giants and Eagles twice.

After those games, the Redskins’ Common Games record is 3-1 and the Cowboys’ is as well. After playing the NFC South, The ‘Skins are 5-3 and Dallas is 5-3. So far, another tie, but after the AFC North, Washington was 7-5 and Dallas was 8-4.  There you have it, if the Cowboys win, it goes that deep. If the Redskins win, the claim the Division due to 2-0 vs The Cowboys. This truly is the definition of a ‘down-to-the-wire’ division championship chase.

Robert Griffin III has the weapons: Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson, Josh Morgan, Alfred Morris, and the option play. RGIII does have momentum, too. 6 wins in a row to be exact, but does this compare to the pressure for Romo to perform in Big-D?  Mr. Romo has 1 year left on his contract, and you have to think that if he gets blown out, Jerry Jones, even though it seems unlikely, could sever ties and head in the next direction. But, ver 4,600 yards after 16 weeks isn’t too shabby at all. No one seems to care because Romo is Romo and he isn’t very popular.

In fact, he’s mostly hated by anyone who doesn’t like the Cowboys. He can silence the critics tonight though. Good luck to both teams, but may the Cowboys win!

Cowboys sign WR Anthony Armstrong

The Dallas Cowboys sign former Washington Redskins wide receiver Anthony Armstrong today.

Armstrong, who is from Carrollton, Texas played for the Dallas Arena League team the Dallas Desperados he also played with Miami Dolphins (2008–2009) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2012).

He has 54 career receptions for 986 yards and five touchdowns in his three years in the NFL.

 

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Two Fan Icons: Crazy Ray and Chief Zee

If you’re a die-hard Dallas Cowboys or a Washington Redskins fan you know these two. Wilford Jones aka “Crazy Ray” was the unofficial mascot of the Dallas Cowboys. Crazy Ray was what I called a super fan.

He won the hearts of every Cowboys fan nationwide, he was given a Special Parking Pass and All-access for home games. Whether you watched him in person at a Cowboys game or on television Ray left a lasting impression on you.

Sadly, Crazy Ray died on March 17, 2007 from heart disease and diabetes at age of 76 in Dallas, Texas. He missed only three games in 46 seasons.

Zema Williams aka “Chief Zee” was the Redskins unofficial mascot. A die hard fan of the Redskins, you could see him at all the Washington Redskins games. He was known for wearing his American Indian head dress and a tomahawk.  Since 1978 Chief Zee only missed four Redskins home games.

Chief Zee was so loved that November 7, 1985 was declared “Chief Zee Day” in Washington, DC.

The two were great friends on and off the field when Crazy Ray passed Chief Zee spoke at his memorial service. Chief zee started to tear up and he thought it’d be fitting to take a Cowboys hat from someone and his head-dress off  in the audience and yell “COWBOYS!!”

Television sportscaster Pat Summerall was sitting by the speakers and asked why Chief Zee was crying and he said, “Because I had to put that Cowboys hat on it made me cry, Crazy Ray is going to be missed. What a class act.

Cowboys vs Redskins

DALLAS COWBOYS (5-5) VS WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-6)

Cowboys Stadium

Kickoff: 3:25 pm CST

Quick Facts:

Series Record: Cowboys leads 62-40-2.

Last Meeting: Dallas 27 – Washington 24 (Overtime), Nov. 20th, 2011.

Last Meeting in Dallas: Dallas 18 -Washington 16, Sept. 16th, 2011.

Series Streak: Dallas has won the last three out of six of the last seven games.

Series Break down by game. (Includes Regular Season and Postseason games.)

11/20/2011	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 24, OT	80,122
09/26/2011	Dallas Cowboys 18, Washington Redskins 16	91,017
12/19/2010	Dallas Cowboys 33, Washington Redskins 30	86,904
09/12/2010	Washington Redskins 13, Dallas Cowboys 7	90,670
12/27/2009	Dallas Cowboys 17, Washington Redskins 0	88,221
11/22/2009	Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Redskins 6	85,277
11/16/2008	Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Redskins 10	90,830
09/28/2008	Washington Redskins 26, Dallas Cowboys 24	63,462
12/30/2007	Washington Redskins 27, Dallas Cowboys 6	90,910
11/18/2007	Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Redskins 23	63,706
11/05/2006	Washington Redskins 22, Dallas Cowboys 19	90,250
09/17/2006	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 10	63,152
12/18/2005	Washington Redskins 35, Dallas Cowboys 7	90,588
09/19/2005	Washington Redskins 14, Dallas Cowboys 13	65,207
12/26/2004	Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Redskins 10	63,705
09/27/2004	Dallas Cowboys 21, Washington Redskins 18	90,367
12/14/2003	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 0	70,284
11/02/2003	Dallas Cowboys 21, Washington Redskins 14	64,002
12/29/2002	Washington Redskins 20, Dallas Cowboys 14	84,142
11/28/2002	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 20	63,606
12/02/2001	Dallas Cowboys 20, Washington Redskins 14	85,112
10/15/2001	Dallas Cowboys 9, Washington Redskins 7	63,941
12/10/2000	Dallas Cowboys 32, Washington Redskins 13	63,467
09/18/2000	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 21	84,431
10/24/1999	Dallas Cowboys 38, Washington Redskins 20	64,377
09/12/1999	Dallas Cowboys 41, Washington Redskins 35, OT	79,237
12/27/1998	Dallas Cowboys 23, Washington Redskins 7	63,565
10/04/1998	Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 10	72,284
11/16/1997	Dallas Cowboys 17, Washington Redskins 14	64,559
10/13/1997	Washington Redskins 21, Dallas Cowboys 16	76,159
12/22/1996	Washington Redskins 37, Dallas Cowboys 10	56,454
11/28/1996	Dallas Cowboys 21, Washington Redskins 10	64,955
12/03/1995	Washington Redskins 24, Dallas Cowboys 17	–
10/01/1995	Washington Redskins 27, Dallas Cowboys 23	55,489
11/20/1994	Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 7	–
10/02/1994	Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Redskins 7	–
12/26/1993	Dallas Cowboys 38, Washington Redskins 3	–
09/06/1993	Washington Redskins 35, Dallas Cowboys 16	–
12/13/1992	Washington Redskins 20, Dallas Cowboys 17	–
09/07/1992	Dallas Cowboys 23, Washington Redskins 10	–
11/24/1991	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 21	–
09/09/1991	Washington Redskins 33, Dallas Cowboys 31	–
11/22/1990	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 17	–
09/23/1990	Washington Redskins 19, Dallas Cowboys 15	–
11/05/1989	Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Redskins 3	–
09/24/1989	Washington Redskins 30, Dallas Cowboys 7	–
12/11/1988	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 17	–
10/09/1988	Washington Redskins 35, Dallas Cowboys 17	–
12/13/1987	Washington Redskins 24, Dallas Cowboys 20	–
10/19/1987	Washington Redskins 13, Dallas Cowboys 7	–
11/23/1986	Washington Redskins 41, Dallas Cowboys 14	–
10/12/1986	Dallas Cowboys 30, Washington Redskins 6	–
11/10/1985	Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Redskins 7	–
09/09/1985	Dallas Cowboys 44, Washington Redskins 14	–
12/09/1984	Washington Redskins 30, Dallas Cowboys 28	–
10/14/1984	Washington Redskins 34, Dallas Cowboys 14	–
12/11/1983	Washington Redskins 31, Dallas Cowboys 10	–
09/05/1983	Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 30	–
01/22/1983	Washington Redskins 31, Dallas Cowboys 17 (NFC Championship Game)	55,045
12/05/1982	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 10	–
11/22/1981	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 10	–
09/06/1981	Dallas Cowboys 26, Washington Redskins 10	–
11/23/1980	Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Redskins 10	–
09/08/1980	Dallas Cowboys 17, Washington Redskins 3	–
12/16/1979	Dallas Cowboys 35, Washington Redskins 34	–
11/18/1979	Washington Redskins 34, Dallas Cowboys 20	–
11/23/1978	Dallas Cowboys 37, Washington Redskins 10	–
10/02/1978	Washington Redskins 9, Dallas Cowboys 5	–
11/27/1977	Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Redskins 7	–
10/16/1977	Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Redskins 16	–
12/12/1976	Washington Redskins 27, Dallas Cowboys 14	–
10/31/1976	Dallas Cowboys 20, Washington Redskins 7	–
12/13/1975	Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 10	–
11/02/1975	Washington Redskins 30, Dallas Cowboys 24, OT	–
11/28/1974	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 23	–
11/17/1974	Washington Redskins 28, Dallas Cowboys 21	–
12/09/1973	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 7	–
10/08/1973	Washington Redskins 14, Dallas Cowboys 7	–
12/31/1972	Washington Redskins 26, Dallas Cowboys 3 (NFC Championship Game)	53,129
12/09/1972	Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Redskins 24	–
10/22/1972	Washington Redskins 24, Dallas Cowboys 20	–
11/21/1971	Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Redskins 0	–
10/03/1971	Washington Redskins 20, Dallas Cowboys 16	–
12/06/1970	Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Redskins 0	–
11/22/1970	Dallas Cowboys 45, Washington Redskins 21	–
12/21/1969	Dallas Cowboys 20, Washington Redskins 10	–
11/16/1969	Dallas Cowboys 41, Washington Redskins 28	–
11/28/1968	Dallas Cowboys 29, Washington Redskins 20	–
11/17/1968	Dallas Cowboys 44, Washington Redskins 24	–
11/19/1967	Washington Redskins 27, Dallas Cowboys 20	–
10/08/1967	Dallas Cowboys 17, Washington Redskins 14	–
12/11/1966	Washington Redskins 34, Dallas Cowboys 31	–
11/13/1966	Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 30	–
11/28/1965	Washington Redskins 34, Dallas Cowboys 31	–
09/26/1965	Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 7	–
11/22/1964	Washington Redskins 28, Dallas Cowboys 16	–
09/20/1964	Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 18	–
11/03/1963	Dallas Cowboys 35, Washington Redskins 20	–
09/29/1963	Washington Redskins 21, Dallas Cowboys 17	–
11/04/1962	Dallas Cowboys 38, Washington Redskins 10	–
09/16/1962	Dallas Cowboys 35, Washington Redskins 35	–
12/17/1961	Washington Redskins 34, Dallas Cowboys 24	–
11/19/1961	Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Redskins 28	–
10/09/1960	Washington Redskins 26, Dallas Cowboys 14	–

Source: http://www.footballdb.com

Cowboys place LB Orie Lemon on IR; sign LB Gary Guyton

The Dallas Cowboys have placed LB Orie Lemon (hamstring) on injured reserve to make room for the newly signed linebacker Gary Guyton. Cowboys hope that inside linebacker Dan Connor will be ready to return to the field this Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Guyton signed by the New England Patriots in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. He started 32 games with 4.5 sacks and three interceptions for the Patriots.

 

 

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Week 10: Dallas Cowboys vs Atlanta Falcons

   

Dallas Cowboys (3-4)  vs.  Atlanta Falcons (7-0)

Quick Facts:

Series Record: Dallas leads the series 16-8.

Last Meeting (Dallas): October 25, 2009 Cowboys won 37-21.

Last Meeting (Atlanta): December 16, 2006  Cowboys won 38-28.

Series Streak: Cowboys won the last two meetings, and five out of the last seven.

WR Dez Bryant and OLB Anthony Spencer active for today’s game

 

Dallas Cowboys will have wide receiver Dez Bryant (groin) and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (strained pectoral muscle) in the starting lineup. Both will be active for today’s NFC match up against the Carolina Panthers.

 

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Cowboys tame Panthers 19-14; move to .500

The Dallas Cowboys (3-3) defeated the lowly Carolina Panthers (1-5) 19-14 to move the team to .500 and ended a two-game losing streak.  The win moves the Cowboys in a tie with the eagles for second place in the NFC East division.  The player of the game was returning outside linebacker Anthony Spencer. Spencer finished with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted) and one sack. Miles Austin lead all Cowboys receivers with five catches for 97 yards and one touchdown.

Running back Felix Jones ran for 44 yards on 15 carries. Jones was sideline some of the second half of the game with a neck strain and a bruised knee. Tony Romo finished 24 of 34 for 227 yards passing and the Cowboys lone touchdown.

Next up for the Cowboys will be the division leading New York Giants (5-2) at Cowboys Stadium.

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Cowboys vs Panthers

Week #6

Dallas Cowboys (2-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-4)

Bank Of America Stadium

Quick Facts:

Series Record: Dallas leads series 8-3.

Last Meeting: Sept. 28th, 2009 (Dallas 21 Carolina 7)

Series Streak: Cowboys won the last four meetings.

Panthers Offensive Rank

• 18.4 points per game. (25th)
• 337 total yards per game. (23rd)
• 223 passing yard per game. (22nd)
• 114 rushing yards per game. (13th)

Panthers Defensive Rank

• 25 points per game. (21st)
• 377  total yards per game. (23rd)
• 249.6 passing yards per game. (19th)
• 127.4 rushing yards per game. (23rd)

Cowboys Offensive Rank

• 18.8 points per game. (24th)
• 387.4 total yards per game. (6th)
• 287.8 passing yards per game. (6th)
• 99.6 rushing yards per game. (20th)

Cowboys Defensive Rank

• 23.8 points per game. (20th)
• 285.2 total yards per game. (2nd)
• 181.6 passing yards per game. (2nd)
• 103.6 rushing yards per game. (13th)

Sources: NFL.Com,DallasCowboys.com

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