A chat with Blogging the Boys

by Ed Valentine on Dec 3, 2009 11:00 AM EST in News Comment 37 comments

Man, I hate looking up at the Dallas Cowboys. For a lot of reasons. That, however, doesn't mean I will hide from my responsibility of bringing you perspective from the opposition. So, here is this week's chat with the esteemed leader of the Cowboys site, Blogging the Boys, Dave Halprin.

Me: A little bit of role reversal after the past couple of seasons. How important is this Sunday's game for the Cowboys, with you guys out front and seeming pretty assured of a playoff spot?

David Halprin: It's very important, we have a stretch of tough games ahead, and with the way things have gone wrong before, we're not taking a playoff spot for granted. We want to win the East, and losing on Sunday could tie us with Philly and leave you guys just one out, with our tough schedule, we need wins, so trying to get one on Sunday is hugely important

Me: Are you surprised to see the Giants at 6-5, and reeling as badly as they have been?

David Halprin: I'm surprised, especially after the way you guys started the year, you were on a roll then...but, for full disclosure Aaron at BTB predicted a tough season for the Giants in our NFC East Pre-season roundtable, so he's so he's looking like the clairvoyant one, although he was way off about the Skins.

Me: I remember that, and we killed him for it. So, if you can put your finger on anything in particular what is different about the Cowboys this season?

David Halprin: The defense has become a solid contributor, in past years they were up and down, and didn't play well when we needed them to, this year, with better and more experienced CBs, and the addition of Keith Brooking, it's the second-ranked scoring defense in the league, that has really helped this year's team.

Me: It is interesting to me that as well as the Cowboys are doing I am still reading speculation about Wade Phillips'' future in Dallas. Is he entrenched for a while, or is that still very much up in the air?

David Halprin: it's up in the air because he doesn't have a contract beyond this year. His original deal runs out after the season and Jerry hasn't made an offer for an extension or new contract. That leads everyone to believe that Wade needs to guide this team into the playoffs and win some games, or he could be replaced.

Me: What is the deal with the Cowboy offense? Some weeks great, other weeks pitiful. Which is the real offense, and why has it been so up and down?

David Halprin: In truth, it was only down for the two-week stretch against the Packers and Redskins, other than that we've been scoring points and moving the ball. In that two-week nadir, we did just about everything wrong. Romo wasn't as accurate as usual, the o-line gave up sacks and pressure, the WRs weren't getting separation, and we committed stupid penalties wiping out good plays. It was an abysmal two-week stretch, other than that, our offense has played well, except for some Romo turnovers early in the year.

David Halprin: As an outsider, here's what I've seen as problems with the Giants. Let me know if you agree/disagree and why. First, the defensive line is no longer the feared line that the Giants used to dominate opponents in the past.

Me: I agree wholeheartedly on that. I can give you chapter and verse on this one. Osi Umenyiora is no longer a great player. He is an abysmal run defender, and an occasional force as a pass rusher. He ought be a situational pass rusher at this point. Justin Tuck has been playing with one arm all season (thanks a lot, Flozell, you blankety blank dirty blankety blank). The defensive tackles have not been good. Fred Robbins and Rocky Bernard are getting old, Barry Cofield isn't that good and your old friend Chris Canty has had zero impact since he missed most of the season with leg injuries.

David Halprin: Also, it looks like you guys have the problem the Cowboys had in the past few seasons, safeties who can't cover? True?

Me: Yep. The loss of Kenny Phillips (an arthritic knee which may end his career) has been devastating. C.C. Brown has been terrible, we call him either 'Bad, Bad' or 'Can't Cover.' Michael Johnson has been adequate at best, and he never was a cover guy. Aaron Rouse is a guy who was cut by the Packers, and he might actually be the best of the bunch. And Aaron Ross, transitioning from corner, just got back after missing the first nine games with a hamstring. So, no, the safeties can't cover. Other than Michael Boley, neither can the linebackers. You could probably complete 50 passes Sunday even if all you do is send Jason Witten out and leave everyone else in to block.

David Halprin: Believe me, I know that feeling from seasons past. OK, Brandon Jacobs just doesn't look like the same back. Is it the o-line, lingering injury, or is he just having a bad year? And what's the status on Ahmad Bradshaw?

Me: Ahh, that is the other question. Most of the Giants problems are on defense -- they are still generally scoring enough points. But, where has the vaunted Giants running game gone? It is a combination of things, I think. I did a post on it the other day -- http://www.bigblueview.com/2009/11/29/1175876/run-giants-run-or-why-cant-the -- and your folks should read it if they really want to know. But, it's like this. The offensive line has definitely not played up to its usual standards. Jacobs appears not be running with quite the same abandon -- and it is my belief that the struggles of the line simply have him in a state of mind where he doesn't trust that the hole will be there. Thirdly, the Giants have been giving up on the run too quickly. The percentage of passes they throw is much higher than last season, particularly in the last six games.

David Halprin: What's the Eli update? Where do things stand with his foot? Has it affected his performance?

Me: Another great question. He says he's fine, it doesn't affect him, he can practice, he can make all the throws, yadda, yadda. Bunk! There was a three-game stretch after he initially got hurt where he wasn't good, and he can say what he wants, the foot had to be a problem. The last couple of weeks he has thrown the ball well. As for how it will affect him going forward, who knows? Right now, though, Eli is not a problem. If the other areas of the Giants were playing as well as he has most of the time, the Giants would not be in this predicament.

David Halprin: OK, final query - how confident are you that the Giants can turn the season around, starting with a win on Sunday? Is there hope, or only despair?

Me: Well, there is hope. Because the math says there is hope, not because the Giants have shown anything on the field that would give hope. Geez, they would have lost six straight if they had not won the overtime coin flip against Atlanta. I know darn well the Falcons would have scored if they got the ball first. So, hope yes. Confidence? Zero. As I have been saying to the folks at BBV, good teams and good organizations -- which the Giants are -- occasionally have down years. We might just have to accept that this will end up as one of them.

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Good honest answers Ed

Especially to the last question.

That said there are some positives coming out of this season (Manningham, Nicks, Boley) and we may see some more from Goff, Beatty and who knows even Barden make get a catch.

by G Fan in England on Dec 3, 2009 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Great Post!

I guess water and oil can mix sometimes.

by CowboyCurtis on Dec 3, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

F the Cowboys.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 11:31 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: not 11-5 :(
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25

by Grady90 on Dec 3, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

That was SB Nation failing at a smiley…looking forward to a good game Sunday!

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: not 11-5 :(
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25

by Grady90 on Dec 3, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I hope it is too.

tho if its not a good game..and the Giants are doing the ass beating….that qualifies as a good game as far as I’m concerned.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Confidence = zero

That sums up any reasonable fans take on the current state of the NYG. We still cheer for our team, but you have to take it as it is… an underachieving debacle of a season.

by brisulph on Dec 3, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions

+1 Put up or Shut up Time

We keep hearing how the players think they are a good team well now is the time to prove to the naysayers and fans that the season is not lost.

by Late for Dinner on Dec 3, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

We've had some bad defenses...

but Ed the thing is I can’t remember one that has let us down as much and as consistently as this one.

it’s like the players themselves don’t have confidence. when that happens it’s very tough to turn it around when you are playing hesitant on both sides of the ball.

as a side note our linebackers have been bad for almost a decade now after several failed prospects. the good line play has masked this for a while, until now!

by nyGTrenches on Dec 3, 2009 12:18 PM EST reply actions

Kind of makes you miss ole Tim Lewis at least his defense came through every now and again.

by Late for Dinner on Dec 3, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Not to correct Grizz, but on the WP contract question JJ has stated that there is an option in the current contract

that would add another year to the current deal; so he would not need to do a new contract to keep WP just pick up the option.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Dec 3, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions

That's indeed refreshing...

Nothing like reading 2 posters that respect each other… This kind of posts over at BGN and HH are a joke that reflects their fanbases…

Good for you, Ed. And you have a good base of bloggers, too.

Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Dec 3, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions

+1

by Impatient on Dec 4, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

Thank you

We try to treat everyone with respect. Don’t always succeed, but we try.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 4, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

Where do things stand

I like David’s question,

“Where do things stand with his foot?”

That may be the most entertaining comment about this whole weekend, although I do hope we hear a comment such as “What a fantastic Giants win!”

Good and honest answers Ed, nicely sums up the state of our season. I note you did ask your usual question about which player from the Giants roster the opposition would most like to have (lol).

He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.

by Johannus on Dec 3, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions

Usual question

I talk to Dave at BTB so often and we have done so many of these types of posts I figured I would let that one go. It’s a better question when we play teams outside the division, I think.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 3, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Yeh, and he would probably say "No one"

He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.

by Johannus on Dec 3, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

wouldn't be surprised if he said Hakeem Nicks

Miles Austin is good, Jason WItten is great, but who else? Roy Williams shows signs of life every now and then, but a WR with potential like Nicks would help.

I know from the Cowboys, I’d want Jay Ratliff on the Giants in a second. Demarcus Ware would be good, but who really knows how he’d do in the 4-3( probably good…at least eventually, may take a while to play with his hand in the dirt).

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely Ratliff

In a 4-3? He’d be beast. He’s on Haynseworth’s level in the few times I’ve seen him.

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

by Willgfass on Dec 3, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

lets hope he's on Rocky Bernard level this Sunday....

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

We can only hope

The play I remember the most is that Ratlif broke up a screen to Bradshaw. A freaking DT broke up a screen play. Just ran and caught him from the behind.

Someone throw a Flozell and make him hurt his shoulder

(/jk)

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

by Willgfass on Dec 3, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

That's the play that sticks

out in my mind. I’m watching that play and thinking “a guy that big is not suppose to be that fast”. Remember how the lure of Osi was created with that 6 sack game against Philly, this play does the same for me when it comes to Ratlif. If you could describe this guy with one play, just show this clip.

by njgiant on Dec 4, 2009 7:48 AM EST up reply actions

Only guy on Rocky Benards level is Barry Cofield

by Late for Dinner on Dec 4, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

I would take..

Ratliff, Ware…and Austin (although I don’t know what I’d do with him since we are in pretty good shape at that position).

by Bobbiblue on Dec 4, 2009 3:57 AM EST up reply actions

ware played in a 4-3 in college

and he plays with his hand in the dirt more than a few times per game… he’d do fine in the 4-3… although, ratliff is a unique player, and i respect the pick

by CowboysFan4Life on Dec 4, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

Ware and Osi played D End together in college

Ware would be fine, but to tell you the truth I would not want any of those guys on my team, they are cowboys and love to root against them. Ratliff is a beast though he is gonna be a handful Sunday

by Late for Dinner on Dec 4, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

the Rat has been our real star this year

He has been making plays since week 1. Unbelievable motor. I have seen him make tackles 30 yards downfield. And for a supposedly undersized NT he blows a lot of C + G into the backfield.

With Phillips out I think you could also use Sensabaugh. He seems to have finally fixed our perenial problems at S.

And Brooking has been our Pierce – aging maybe but he has been the heart of this D.

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on Dec 5, 2009 7:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Remember

just two years ago the Cowboys were clearly a better regular season team than us. I don’t mind looking up at them right now, so long as they’re looking up at us come February.

"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09

by cjmulrain on Dec 3, 2009 2:43 PM EST reply actions

Hope and the GMen

Hopefully they can turn things around, but oh the horror of the last few weeks. The Giants had some rough games during the regular season of their lastest SB year, but nothing as consisetently dreadful as this stretch. I know that the players haven’t been great, but I still can’t shake the feeling that Spags would have made adjustments to plug at least some of the leaks…

by Aceholioo on Dec 3, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions

Excellent exchange Ed

You summed up our situation perfectly and honestly..and Dave was equally responsive and honest..He mentioned Wade Phillip’s status..but he does have an option year. He has come out publicly and vented his frustration to the point one could percieve he is a coach who feels like he is walking on egg-shells..That kind of pressure and stress is not a good thing when you look at their remaining schedule.He already has enough on his shoulders going into the home stretch of the season. The best thing Jones could do to help is give him a vote of confidence and pick up his option..Instead he seems to have placed a dark cloud over Phillips head..Maybe I’m nuts, but does that make any sense???

by Bobbiblue on Dec 4, 2009 3:45 AM EST reply actions

I kindly disagree

Look at the giants superbowl year. Tom was on the hotseat all year and folks were calling for his head. If my memory serves, his team rallied around him and it paid dividends in the post season. Much to Cowboys fans dismay.

by Impatient on Dec 4, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

Its good when they rally around the coach.

The Cowboys are in position to do so too.

Yet, if they don’t….like if Coughlin didn’t…Wade is gone.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 4, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

by Impatient on Dec 4, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Oh by the way Ed..

Thanks for posting the picture of their starting line-up..

by Bobbiblue on Dec 4, 2009 3:53 AM EST reply actions

rofl

That was funny

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

by Willgfass on Dec 4, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Flozell..that cheap-shot bum..

If Parcells and LT were still with us you know damn well LT would be instructed to inflict a heavy dose of clean pain on his ass..Better yet let’s have a seance and ressurrect “Big Daddy Libscin”..He hit Jerry Kramer so hard that Jerry was picking pieces of his facemask out of his head..after he woke up..and needed serious re-constructive dental work..Kramer said when he lined up, ‘Daddy’ was just smiling with no teeth letting out gutteral growls at him..that was all he remembered.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 4, 2009 4:11 AM EST reply actions