Post by prossman on Jan 20, 2009 15:33:11 GMT -7
DMN Blog: JJT Mailbag part I
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1:59 PM Tue, Jan 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor E-mail News tips
Q. It is often mentioned that the Cowboys lack players willing to be leaders. Terrence Newman at times seems to be willing to do this based on comments in the media about accountability. Is there some reason that others will not follow his lead?
Loren Tien , Andover, KS
TAYLOR: Leadership is all about having charisma and the innate ability to get people to follow. You can teach people leadership skills, but the most effective efficient leaders are born. There's something in their DNA that makes people automatically follow them because of their confidence and presence. Newman has some leadership traits, but there hasn't been a throng of players lining up behind him to follow him. There's no Michael Irvin or Ray Lewis on this team. There's no charismatic presence on this team who can talk to every facet of the locker room - white and black, offensive and defensive players, rookies and veterans - and unite them as one. Until that happens, this team will struggle. That's why you can have a team with tough-minded, quality players like Newman, Jason Witten, Bradie James, Marion Barber and DeMarcus Ware and, yet, the Cowboys can turn in a gutless performance like they did against Philadelphia.
Q. What type of team do the Cowboys want to be offensively and defensively? The Cowboys of the 90s ran a power running game and a timing based offense. Their defense was small but fast and emphasized swarming to the ball. I simply don't know what the Cowboys of 2009 want to be on offense or defense. How do you know what to draft and whom to sign in free agency if you don't know what type of team you are building? What do you think?
Timothy L. Golden, Oklahoma
TAYLOR: That's a good question. Actually, the Cowboys know exactly what they are on defense. They an aggressive 3-4 that likes to bring pressure in hopes of getting sacks and forcing quarterbacks into mistakes. It's on offense that they lack an identity. They have talented running backs and receivers and pretty good offensive line. Jason Garrett, only in his second year as a coordinator, wants to throw the ball first and foremost. That's why he occasionally forgets about he importance of running the ball. Dallas has the personnel to run it like the Giants do. It would be nice to see them get back to more of a 52-48 run-pass ration. With Garrett, they're more like 55-45. It's a small difference, but more balance would help, especially with a quarterback who has a propensity for throwing interceptions.
Q. I know Wade Phillips has emphasized that the offense needs to cut down on turnovers, meaning Romo must stop being so careless with the ball in his hands. From what I see, with the group of running backs this team has with Barber, Choice, and Jones coming back from injury that the best way to limit the mistakes by Romo would be for this team to emphasize the run more. That means they would be taking fewer pass attempts for Romo=less opportunities for fumbles and interceptions. Your thoughts?
Jeremy Hite
TAYLOR: There' nothing wrong with that. Actually, as I just mentioned, it would be better for them to run the ball just a little bit more. But if the Cowboys are going to win a championship, then you can't hide Romo. You must hope he matures and develops into a player who harnesses his wild side and takes limited risks.
Q. In one of your latest pieces you stated some players were "pushing their own agendas". I assume one of the players you speak of is TO, but in your opinion, who else is guilty of that.
Jose A. Leal III, Harlingen, Texas
TAYLOR: The key to winning is that everybody has to get on board and focus all of their energy on winning games. Do that, combined with enough talent, and you can get to the Super Bowl. When I talk about guys pushing their own agendas, they often do it because they think it will help the team, but it usually doesn't. Whether its Greg Ellis' complaints about not starting or Bradie James' disappointment about not making the Pro Bowl or Kevin Burnett's displeasure that Keith Davis was on the Pro Ballot instead of him or Patrick Crayton, Roy Williams and T.O. complaining about Jason Witten getting too many passes or Zack Thomas talking about playing out of position at weakside inside linebacker or Tony Romo talking about how the Eagles' exposed a fundamental flaw in their pass protection, it all takes away from the singular focus of winning.
Q. It's being said that Julius Peppers wants to play on a team with a 3-4 scheme and that's he wants to play for the Cowboys, now would be worth losing Canty, Ellis, and Spenser for. Ware and Peppers. Wow. Your thoughts?
Wendell Stewart
TAYLOR: Have we not learned this season that acquiring more high-priced talent is not the answer to every problem. On a more football specific note, I don't think Peppers is big enough to play defensive end on the strong side in the 3-4 every down. I don't think he's moving to outside linebacker like Greg Ellis did because he's a better player. I don't think it's a good fit.
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1:59 PM Tue, Jan 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor E-mail News tips
Q. It is often mentioned that the Cowboys lack players willing to be leaders. Terrence Newman at times seems to be willing to do this based on comments in the media about accountability. Is there some reason that others will not follow his lead?
Loren Tien , Andover, KS
TAYLOR: Leadership is all about having charisma and the innate ability to get people to follow. You can teach people leadership skills, but the most effective efficient leaders are born. There's something in their DNA that makes people automatically follow them because of their confidence and presence. Newman has some leadership traits, but there hasn't been a throng of players lining up behind him to follow him. There's no Michael Irvin or Ray Lewis on this team. There's no charismatic presence on this team who can talk to every facet of the locker room - white and black, offensive and defensive players, rookies and veterans - and unite them as one. Until that happens, this team will struggle. That's why you can have a team with tough-minded, quality players like Newman, Jason Witten, Bradie James, Marion Barber and DeMarcus Ware and, yet, the Cowboys can turn in a gutless performance like they did against Philadelphia.
Q. What type of team do the Cowboys want to be offensively and defensively? The Cowboys of the 90s ran a power running game and a timing based offense. Their defense was small but fast and emphasized swarming to the ball. I simply don't know what the Cowboys of 2009 want to be on offense or defense. How do you know what to draft and whom to sign in free agency if you don't know what type of team you are building? What do you think?
Timothy L. Golden, Oklahoma
TAYLOR: That's a good question. Actually, the Cowboys know exactly what they are on defense. They an aggressive 3-4 that likes to bring pressure in hopes of getting sacks and forcing quarterbacks into mistakes. It's on offense that they lack an identity. They have talented running backs and receivers and pretty good offensive line. Jason Garrett, only in his second year as a coordinator, wants to throw the ball first and foremost. That's why he occasionally forgets about he importance of running the ball. Dallas has the personnel to run it like the Giants do. It would be nice to see them get back to more of a 52-48 run-pass ration. With Garrett, they're more like 55-45. It's a small difference, but more balance would help, especially with a quarterback who has a propensity for throwing interceptions.
Q. I know Wade Phillips has emphasized that the offense needs to cut down on turnovers, meaning Romo must stop being so careless with the ball in his hands. From what I see, with the group of running backs this team has with Barber, Choice, and Jones coming back from injury that the best way to limit the mistakes by Romo would be for this team to emphasize the run more. That means they would be taking fewer pass attempts for Romo=less opportunities for fumbles and interceptions. Your thoughts?
Jeremy Hite
TAYLOR: There' nothing wrong with that. Actually, as I just mentioned, it would be better for them to run the ball just a little bit more. But if the Cowboys are going to win a championship, then you can't hide Romo. You must hope he matures and develops into a player who harnesses his wild side and takes limited risks.
Q. In one of your latest pieces you stated some players were "pushing their own agendas". I assume one of the players you speak of is TO, but in your opinion, who else is guilty of that.
Jose A. Leal III, Harlingen, Texas
TAYLOR: The key to winning is that everybody has to get on board and focus all of their energy on winning games. Do that, combined with enough talent, and you can get to the Super Bowl. When I talk about guys pushing their own agendas, they often do it because they think it will help the team, but it usually doesn't. Whether its Greg Ellis' complaints about not starting or Bradie James' disappointment about not making the Pro Bowl or Kevin Burnett's displeasure that Keith Davis was on the Pro Ballot instead of him or Patrick Crayton, Roy Williams and T.O. complaining about Jason Witten getting too many passes or Zack Thomas talking about playing out of position at weakside inside linebacker or Tony Romo talking about how the Eagles' exposed a fundamental flaw in their pass protection, it all takes away from the singular focus of winning.
Q. It's being said that Julius Peppers wants to play on a team with a 3-4 scheme and that's he wants to play for the Cowboys, now would be worth losing Canty, Ellis, and Spenser for. Ware and Peppers. Wow. Your thoughts?
Wendell Stewart
TAYLOR: Have we not learned this season that acquiring more high-priced talent is not the answer to every problem. On a more football specific note, I don't think Peppers is big enough to play defensive end on the strong side in the 3-4 every down. I don't think he's moving to outside linebacker like Greg Ellis did because he's a better player. I don't think it's a good fit.
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