One of the Cowboys' bigger questions coming into the season was whether the passing offense would take a hit minus Terrell Owens. For at least one Sunday, Tony Romo and the 'Boys appeared to silence critics with an impressive display through the air.Romo totaled 353 yards passing and three TDs, including deep strikes to three different receivers -- Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and even Miles Austin, who gave Dallas a 13-7 edge right before the half on an impressive 42-yard catch-and-run. But overall, this game said more about Tampa Bay's poor pass coverage than the Cowboys receivers tearing it up.
Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 21: Read Recap | Check Box Score
On Austin's TD, he juked his away out of a couple of tackles after beating Elbert Mack in man coverage. Williams, who caught a 66-yard bomb in the third quarter, had a clear shot after an apparent miscue by Bucs safety Sabby Piscitelli. And there were other examples of serious coverage breakdowns in Tampa Bay.
Crayton -- "look ma! no more dropsies!" -- got into the mix in a big way. Crayton had six catches for 135 yards, highlighted by the longest completion of Romo's career, an 80-yard dagger that sealed the victory for Dallas. On that play, Romo picked up a blitz and found Crayton wide open as Piscitelli and Jermaine Phillips were toasted.
It was a rousing offensive start for the Cowboys, but one that should be taken with a grain of salt considering Tampa's major defensive issues in Raheem Morris' head-coaching debut. There's still plenty of work to be done on Dallas' defensive end as well -- the Bucs were quite successful on the ground, totaling 174 yards and two TD plunges.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-13-2009 @ 6:04PM
jessemolson48 said...
dont worry tony homo, will choke like he always does, watch and see, i guess dallas will win 5 more games
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9-13-2009 @ 11:49PM
T Moore said...
Well, I new it would happen..the Cowboys win their 1st season game over the win less Tampa Bay Buck and everyone thinking about how great they are.
Tampa did look pretty good, to supposedly be the worst team in the league, they have lost their last 8 games if I am not mistaken.
My prediction is that they will do better than expected and Dallas will lose 4 out of the next 6 games. I did climb way out on a limb, but hey
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9-14-2009 @ 10:21AM
Robin said...
Jessee and T - What's wrong boys....did your team lose? Go play in your own teams blog! This is a Cowboy blog and your jealousy is showing. Give Dallas their due - they played a great game! Go Cowboys!!!
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9-14-2009 @ 10:30AM
Dwayne said...
TOM HERRERA, please! Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa was saying the whole game that the placement of Marcellus Bennett in different spots on offense, specifically when he lined up as a receiver, is what led to the mix up in the Bucs defensive backfield. It otherwords Mr. Herrera, IT WAS INTENDED TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. Give credit to the Dallas offense for doing what they INTENDED to do.
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9-14-2009 @ 3:05PM
michelleguzman69 said...
I love the hate, it really does fuel our desire for our boys to have an exceptional year. We shut the Raymond James Stadium Down! whoot whoot! cowboysbaby813
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9-15-2009 @ 8:03PM
samm said...
idiot it duznt matter how much the fans want the boys 2 do well it depends on the and lets luk at recent history....LAST YR...the boys start 3-0 every1 thinx theyr gona go undefeated and win the superbowl then what happened?they got whipped by ther rival skis at home and ended the season 9-7 highlighted by a 44-6 choke against the eagles with a chance to win and get into the playoffs(where they wud have lost the first round game anyways) but still...they cudnt even come close to winning a clutch game cuz tony homo is a CHOKE ARTSIT...even if the cowboys do go 13-3 this yr theyll still lose the first riund playoff game just like the last 12 yrs...what makes u idiot cowboy fans think that this year is any different than the last 12 yrs...reallly its still tony homo, wade phillips and jerry jones at the helm and as long as u have that your not gong ANYWHERE this yr will b no different than the last 12 yrs
9-19-2009 @ 3:23AM
brownpride57 said...
the g-men are going to shove that football down the cowturds throats and not think twice about it,the cowturds arent going anywhere,same old,sameold cowturds,the cowturds are just like the owner,nothing but a bunch of goobers
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