Cowboys special contributor Bob Sturm held a chat on Monday. Here are some highlights.
The idea that the Cowboys weren't built to play from behind makes a lot of sense. Not sure its a good strategy but interesting. On that theme, I have been wondering about Marinelli's up tempo defense....the idea that he calls everyone out for "loafs" on Monday and wants guys swarming to the ball, running around etc. To me our defense wears out late and I am wondering if its just too much running around in the first half. Does that add to your theory that this team needs a lead to to play with, so Marinelli wants them to smother opponents early?
Well, his tempo is surely more effective when you have a lead and it was at its best when the Bucs or the Bears were a team that could get ahead and smother you. There is no doubt playing defense is a different game when you are ahead. So many things swing to your advantage and as we said a few weeks back, 35% of the plays generate 60% of the takeaways. That can't be a coincidence. The Cowboys built this team expecting to be ahead. Now, hopefully they get to it. They also gave him the depth in the offseason that would work against fatigue issues. They shouldn't be getting tired. And again, that goes back to winning time of possession and keeping snaps low.
Did you read Goose's column on Witten and how challenging it is for TE's to get into the Hall of Fame? It seems we all assume he's a lock for the Hall but I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the ballot for a while before he eventually gets in.
I did. That said, I think he is a versatile enough player that people appreciate his blocking and do not consider him a glorified WR. He is going in quite quickly in my opinion. Maybe only DeMarcus Ware is as much a no brainer in the last generation of Cowboys.
I was listening to the show today, and wanted to know what your thoughts on Greg Hardy are as far as him being on the team for the rest of the season and next year?
Great topic. I think a lot has yet to be determined. You can absolutely look at this from 10 directions. Is he a great player? Yes. Is he going to be expensive? Yes. As expensive as it seemed at first? No. Is he really a ton of trouble behind the scenes? I don't know. I just don't know if he is back. If they go 9-7 and he ends up with 10 sacks? Sure. If they go 6-10 and he ends up with 6? Doubtful. Sorry, I just have no feel for this one.
Do any of the young Cowboys strike you as the type that we are gong to see around here for 10+ years like Witten and Romo?
10 years is a very long career. But, I am certain Dez gets there. Tyron, too. And, while it is too early to predict Byron Jones, he seems promising. Zack Martin and or Travis Frederick have a chance, too. But, Witten and Romo are likely going to be remembered for a long, long time for the runs they have going here.