Tag: special teams

Quick hits, key stats and instant analysis of Cowboys 13-9 loss to NE

The Cowboys had another chance to prove themselves this season, but failed to score a touchdown in a 13-9 loss to New England.

It could’ve been a statement game, but it was more than the New England rain that ruined the Cowboys’ chances against the Patriots Sunday afternoon. The conditions were indeed miserable but it wasn’t hard to see which side was more prepared to succeed in them.

Dallas entered the game with hope but left with question marks and a 13-9 defeat on their ledger. Time is running out for the Cowboys in 2019 as they currently sit just a single game above .500 with five games left to play.

It was over when . . .

. . . Amari Cooper’s 20-yard reception on 4th-and-11 was reversed, turning the ball over to the Patriots and effectively ending the game. It briefly looked like Dak Prescott would have a shot to steal one in Foxborough, but the would-be game winning drive ended after just five plays.

Game balls

RB Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott accounted for 126 of Dallas’s 308 total yards. He took 21 carries for 86 rushing yards, slugging out tough runs in the wet conditions, especially in the first half. The team leaned heavily on Elliott and he delivered in moving them down the field.

WR Randall Cobb

Cobb’s recent surge continued, as he led the team in both targets (seven) and receiving yards (86). His 59-yard pickup and averted disaster in the fourth quarter was the Cowboys’ longest play of the game, and set up their best shot to reach the end zone.

Hot Boyz defensive line

The Dallas pass rush kept the Patriots offense in check, harassing Tom Brady for most of the game (two sacks, one fumble). DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Bennett, and Maliek Collins combined for six tackles for loss and two QB hits, and Robert Quinn also recorded an early strip sack. They really forced the issue, and kept the Dallas offense in the game.

Key stat: 15%

The Cowboys were just two of 13 on third-down attempts in the game. On the season, they’ve been able to convert third downs 52% of the time, but New England’s league-leading defense was able to end drives and get off the field.

The Patriots themselves were only slightly better on third downs, going three of 14, highlighting just how close this game was.

Quick Hits:

  • The difference in the game however, was special teams. The Dallas special teams ranked just 25th by DVOA, and committed multiple gaffes against the Patriots that cost them both points and valuable field position. It was an embarrassing and eye-opening effort for the Dallas coaching staff, especially compared to the opposite sideline.The Patriots blocked a punt which led to the only touchdown of the game, and utterly confused the Dallas punt team late in the third quarter, causing them to take two penalties and resulting in just a 32-yard kick. Brett Maher also missed his seventh field goal of the season.
  • Dak Prescott went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady, nearly matching him across the board. It wasn’t the best game for the the MVP candidate however, who to put on gloves after starting without them. Prescott finished 19 of 33 for 212 yards, an interception, and no touchdowns.
  • Tyron Smith was flagged three times, and committed one of the two tripping penalties called against the Cowboys offensive line. Travis Frederick committed the other, setting them up for failure during their comeback attempt.
  • WR Amari Cooper was held without a catch for just the third time in his career. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet for the past two weeks, ceding big plays to Cobb and Michael Gallup.
  • The Dallas run defense had another poor game, allowing 101 yards on the ground to the Patriots. Sony Michel’s 85 rushing yards were the most he’s recorded in a game since Week 6 against the Jets. New England only averaged 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, but still seemed to spring costly runs with ease. The Cowboys also had issues bringing down players, especially evident during WR Jakobi Meyers’ 32-yard catch and run in the second quarter.
  • Jeff Heath’s valiant pass break up was the defensive play of the game, providing yet another highlight for the polarizing DB. He laid a legal hit with his shoulder to force out the ball, but paid the price in obviously aggravating his injured shoulder.
  • This game represented yet another opportunity for this Cowboys team to establish itself amongst the league’s best, and yet again they fell just short. Perhaps the sea really has parted between them and the true title contenders this season, or eventually these close games will start to end in their favor. However, it still pains to think about this team’s true potential, and what they’re capable of.
  • At 6-5, Dallas next faces the Bills on Thanksgiving Day. It’ll be a quick turnaround, and no easy task entering a crucial part of the season.

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Saints shuffle roster posts, lose Austin Carr to injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints sent WR Austin Carr to injured reserve and called up practice squad TE Jason Vander Laan, adding RB Ricky Ortiz.

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The New Orleans Saints shuffled the bottom of their depth chart on Friday in a series of roster moves. Third-year wide receiver Austin Carr was sent to the injured reserve list after missing practice with an ankle injury; in his place, the Saints called up practice squad tight end Jason Vander Laan. The open spot on the practice squad was filled by Ricky Ortiz, who the official NFL transactions wire listed as a running back.

Ortiz’s (6-foot-0, 233 pounds) exact position is a little unclear, though it doesn’t mean much in the bigger picture (teammate Taquan Mizzell, also on the practice squad, is listed as a wide receiver but wears No. 44, a number restricted to running backs and fullbacks). Oritz’s previous NFL experience came as a fullback with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was listed as a fullback and appeared in a dozen games last season, totaling 139 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams.

Vander Laan (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) has been on the Saints practice squad since Oct. 23. His NFL experience has been limited to appearances with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots practice squads. Before that, he played quarterback at Ferris State, where he set the NCAA all-division record for rushing yards (5,953).

With starting fullback Zach Line sidelined by a knee injury and backup tight end Josh Hill returning from a mild concussion, opportunities are there for fresh faces like Vander Laan and Ortiz to make an impression right away. Carr’s loss on offense is minimal; he’s proven to be a capable blocker out of the slot, but struggles to get open or catch the ball when it’s thrown to him. The Saints are working with second-year wideout Keith Kirkwood in his return from injured reserve in the next few weeks. Hopefully he’ll be able to create a spark where Carr couldn’t once he’s back.

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Is it time for Seahawks rookie Ugo Amadi to get more opportunities?

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed rookie defensive back Ugo Amadi will get more opportunity on defense this season.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll likes to have his rookies develop on the special teams early in their first season before he gradually works them in on either offense or defense as they get more accustomed to the speed of the NFL game.

DK Metcalf emerged right away as an impact piece on Seattle’s offense, and safety Marquise Blair was starting at free safety for a few weeks, but most of the rest of the rookie class has settled into roles on special teams – with an eye on making that jump in the coming weeks.

Next on the list appears to be defensive back Ugo Amadi, a 2019 fourth round pick who has excelled on the special teams this season after impressing throughout training camp and the preseason.

“He’s doing really well,” coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. “He has been a playmaker on special teams throughout. His opportunities will continue to come about because he has been so consistent in everything he is doing. He hasn’t done anything that isn’t good. His effort is great. His playmaking, his decision making, the savvy, the situations that he’s been in; he’s just been really good. So, I’m anxious for him to contribute more. He’s one of those guys that have been with us long enough, it’s time for him to get some more opportunities so we’re looking for that.”

Carroll also confirmed that Amadi is working primarily at the nickel cornerback position, although he’s still an option at safety as well.

Veteran Jamar Taylor has been the team’s starting nickel all season, but he’s had a rough year and that was never more apparent than last Monday against the 49ers, when he was burned repeatedly early in the game.

“He’s been up and down, and he had a couple plays last week that got away,” Carroll said. “He’s in a competitive situation, and he’s got to keep doing well to hold his spot just like everybody else.”

It sounds like Amadi is right on Taylor’s tail for playing time at the nickel spot, and Sunday’s game against the Eagles could be a chance for Amadi to take the job going forward.

“Coming off the break we have a chance to revisit some of that stuff,” Carroll continued. “If it fits with different positions, and guys, and individuals, we’re looking to take advantage of that.”

The 8-2 Seahawks will take on Philadelphia on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT.

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How Seahawks’ trade for Jadeveon Clowney has panned out so far

The Seattle Seahawks sent a pair of players to Houston in exchange for Jadeveon Clowney and neither one is making huge waves for the Texans.

Much to the excitement of Seattle Seahawks fans and players, star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney finally broke out in Week 10.

He was named the Defensive Player of the Week thanks to his five tackles, five hits on the quarterback, one sack, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown against the 49ers.

His outing was the first of, hopefully, many great performances for the Seahawks’ big offseason trade acquisition. While Clowney hasn’t been bad, it seemed everyone was waiting for the breakout to happen.

Clowney’s big game begs the question, how are things going for the members of the trade package who went to Houston?

Barkevious Mingo

The Browns selected Mingo sixth overall in 2013. He spent three years in Cleveland before two, year-long stints with the Patriots and Colts. He finally seemed to put things together in 2018 with the Seahawks, starting 14 games with 48 tackles – both career highs.

Since being dealt to the Texans, Mingo has not been a part of their defense. He’s only been on the field for eight defensive snaps through Houston’s first nine games. He didn’t factor into Sunday’s game against the Ravens either, leaving his 2019 tackle total at one.

The story for Mingo in a Texans uniform is as a member of special teams. He’s been on the field for more than 50 percent of special teams snaps each week.

Jacob Martin

Martin was taken by the Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He showed some worth as rookie, recording nine tackles, three sacks, and even caused a pair of fumbles.

During his first year with the Texans, Martin is having a fairly similar year. He has six tackles and forced a fumble so far in 2019, but no sacks. That includes his two-tackle day against the Ravens in Week 11.

Like Mingo, Martin also sees special teams snaps. Where Martin’s snap counts differ is that there has yet to be a game where he hasn’t seen some time on defense. He’s seen as many as 19 defensive snaps in a game.

Conclusion

The only remaining unknown of the Clowney trade deal at this point is the 2020 third-round draft selection Seattle sent to Houston. For now, the Seahawks seem to have done very well for themselves in this trade.

Clowney will look to build on his Defensive Player of the Week performance in Seattle’s Week 12 matchup against the Eagles following their bye week.

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Badgers in the NFL: Andrew Van Ginkel returns to practice

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has been designated to return to practice by the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins designated former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to return to practice following a 10-week stint on the injured reserve.

Van Ginkel was placed on the injured reserve on September 6, and will be eligible to make his NFL debut on December 1 when the Dolphins take on the Eagles.

Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2019 after two successful seasons at Wisconsin. The Iowa Western CC transfer was a third-team All-BIG 10 selection in his senior year with the Badgers, recording 59 combined tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Van Ginkel’s designation to return to practice is a good sign that he will be a factor for Miami down the stretch, as the team had multiple players eligible to return this season, but they made him one of just two chosen to return.

However, while he is expected to compete for a role as a core special teamer for the Dolphins, he is unlikely to carve out a role on the defense until 2020 at the earliest.

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