Kevin Kelley, Somerset, N.J.: Was it Tony Romo who missed that tackle when Terence Newman failed to knock down the game-winning touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall? Or did No. 9 have on an officials’ shirt when Martellus Bennett was flagged for holding on Tashard Choice’s first-down run that would have extended that drive and burned more clock? Did Tony allow himself to get sacked five times and knocked down several other times (five) during the course of the game? And finally, was it Romo’s Ivy League degree and Super Bowl backup experience that necessitated Sam Hurd being an option on two game-tying touchdown passes?
Mickey: You are very wise. It’s just so simple to blame everything on the quarterback, or give all the praise to the quarterback, one of the reasons why they make the big money. For those who want to put this loss in a little box with a cute bow on top, just go back and look at the game. Football isn’t that simple. Kevin is exactly right, especially on the first three points. The Cowboys’ protection was poor, and that was a bogus holding call on Bennett. Plus, the Cowboys defense once again, after playing so well for 58 minutes, could not sustain that level of play for the entire 60 minutes, and yes, there was Ken Hamlin missing another open-field tackle. Indeed this is what you’d call a true team loss.
Jim Ward, Midland, Texas: Why is our offense so confused? I've noticed numerous times they come out of huddle and players line up in the wrong formation delaying the game as Romo and others have to move them around into the right position. It's not like these guys are rookies. We're played four games, plus six weeks of camp and preseason, and most of these guys are two-three years into Jason Garrett's offensive schemes, surely they could do a better job of learning the play book.
Mickey: Now there is something to what you’re saying. I have noticed guys having to be shifted from side to side to get in the right formation. But also, that is part of the quarterback’s job to get everyone lined up. Plus, there are so many variables on each play, so this stuff is not as easy as you might think. They also adjust the formations somewhat to how the defense is lining up and what personnel group is in there.
Paul Letteri, Worcester, Mass.: Why are the Cowboys not putting pressure up front on the QB, and how about blitzing at least six times a game to keep them honest?
Mickey: In Paul’s defense, this email arrived just before Sunday’s game at Denver. The Cowboys ended up sacking Kyle Orton officially three times in the game, and that’s three more times than he had been sacked in the first three games. Plus, another sack was wiped out by penalty, Anthony Spencer getting nailed for a facemask when he teamed with DeMarcus Ware for a sack. Also, remember the time Jay Ratliff hit Orton just after he released the ball yet was called for helmet-to-helmet blow penalty? The Cowboys have been blitzing over the first four games, but there is this perception that just because you blitz you get pressure on the quarterback. A lot of times in the first three games the Cowboys’ blitzes just weren’t getting there, which creates an even bigger problem, or that “other side of the pancake” as Bill Parcells liked to say. They did a better job on Sunday with their blitzes, except a couple on running plays.
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