The St. Louis Rams are still in search for their first victory as they prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Who will get the victory? NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz go inside the numbers to preview this game.
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Republicans talk tough on immigration, and a record number of illegal immigrants were deported under President Obama.
Her courage opened the way for meaningful progress against sex discrimination in the workplace.View the original article here
NFL.com Staff | Tags: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley, Brandon Lloyd, St. Louis Rams, Steven Jacksonnfl.use('nfl-video', function (Y) { var video = new Y.NFL.Video.Player({ srcNode: "#video-player-09000d5d8233d93c", contentId: "09000d5d8233d93c", related: "home", adSetting: "2", dartURL: "http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/nfl.special/blog/home;s1=blog;s2=home;slot=inpage;nfl=ad;tile=3;sz=640x360;ord=?", playerName: "blog_large_embedded", render: true, size: "large", uniqid: "09000d5d8233d93c"});});After sustaining a high-ankle sprain last week, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has sat out practice the past two days and is a game-time decision for Sunday at Dallas. If he can’t go, it will be A.J. Feeley taking the snaps for St. Louis, but unless you are hurting in the worst way for a quarterback, he’s best left on the waiver wire. The bigger issue is what happens to newly-acquired receiver Brandon Lloyd.
The hope had been that Lloyd would provide a boost for Bradford and the rest of the flagging Rams offense. That hope may be on hold for another week or two as the team’s franchise quarterback recovers. Expect Dallas to load the box against Steven Jackson and force the Rams to beat them through the air. Likewise, the rest of St. Louis’ receivers are big red flags against a Dallas defense that will likely be on the attack. They were a risky play even if Bradford was healthy. If he’s hobbled or out, avoid any Rams altogether.
– Marcas Grant
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Only, in keeping with the way things have gone for Dallas this season, it's not that simple.
The Cowboys are expected to plug two new starters into their offense Sunday. Leading rusher Felix Jones has a high ankle sprain and rookie DeMarco Murray likely will take his place. Probably blocking for him at left guard will be Montrae Holland, a veteran who was unemployed the first six weeks of the season and was signed Tuesday to fill a void caused by injuries.
Even at full strength, Dallas had one of the league's worst running games, averaging only 84.8 yards per game. A per-carry average of 3.4 yards is even closer to the bottom of the rankings.
This problems has really stood out when trying to grind out yards close to the end zone.
Dallas has a single rushing touchdown through five games. Only Kansas City has less. That inability to finish drives explains why the Cowboys are tied for the most field-goal attempts in the league.
One more key stat that helps frame all this: Dallas has made five more field goals than extra points; the only other team with such an out-of-whack ratio is winless Miami. This inefficiency is especially jarring for the Cowboys seeing as their three losses are all by four points or less.
"If we want to be the team that our expectations are, we have to be able to get our running game going," tight end Jason Witten said Wednesday. "We've done it a few times, just not as consistently as we need to."
Running against St. Louis should help.
The Rams are allowing 163 yards per game, several first downs more than anyone else in the league. Break it down per carry and their average of 4.9 yards allowed is nearly the worst.
"It's not real fun when you struggle in that department defensively because we firmly believe it has to begin up front," said St. Louis coach Steve Spanuolo, whose background is rooted on defense. "The one thing you always know is that if you commit too many against the run, especially against this team we're getting ready to play, they've got guys on the outside that will kill you. So you've always got to weigh the options of what you try to take away."
If that's a hint that the Rams are more worried about keeping Tony Romo from throwing to Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Witten, then it's even more of a burden for the Cowboys to get their running game going.
Not that coach Jason Garrett needs a reminder. He got ample evidence last Sunday, when Dallas tried burning up the clock while trying to protect a three-point lead in the final minutes against New England, yet moved backward on three plays and punted, setting up Tom Brady for a winning drive.
Jones was already hurt by then, so it was Murray and third-down back Tashard Choice who couldn't move the chains.
But Garrett believes in Murray, a third-round pick out of Oklahoma.
He's relatively similar to Jones in stature and speed. The difference is experience. After the lockout, he missed most of training camp with an injury. He's played in all five games, producing 71 yards on 24 carries. His longest run is just eight yards. He's also caught four passes for 23 yards, with a best of 13 yards.
Garrett said Murray seemed to find more of a rhythm against the Patriots.
"It was the first time I think we've seen in the regular season where he started to feel like himself," Garrett said. "A lot of times runners just need to get a little sweat, they need to get a little feel for playing, they need to get knocked around a little bit and then they start getting into the mode where they feel comfortable in seeing things and making the cuts they need to make. I think we saw some of that."
Murray agreed, saying he was finally at the point where he could react rather than having to think about what to do, then do it.
"I'm going out there and trusting my ability, trusting my technique and having fun," he said.
Murray said Jones is a more patient runner than he is, meaning that he's able to wait for holes to open then dart toward them. Murray has a good excuse for his impatience, having often had enormous holes to run through with the Sooners.
That gets back to the questions about Dallas' offensive line, which could be more to blame for the woeful stats than the running backs.
Left tackle Doug Free is the only starter in the same spot as last year. The only other holdover from last season is guard Kyle Kosier, and he's switched sides, now lining up next to rookie tackle Tyron Smith. They're breaking in a first-time starter at center, Phil Costa, and then there's the revolving door at left guard, with Holland likely to be the third starter in six games.
"There's growing pains," Garrett said. "I think our team has responded well up front to the different challenges they've had up to this point. They can get better individually, they can get better collectively. But that's everybody on our football team."
Notes: A day after dropping WR Dwayne Harris, the Cowboys brought him back to the practice squad. The vacancy was created by Jacksonville signing TE Martin Rucker. ... Harris was the primary punt returner. Garrett said WR Kevin Ogletree, CB Terence Newman and WR Dez Bryant will be options to take his place.
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Top five Butkus Award Finalist.
Set the record for a North Carolina linebacker with a power clean of 374 and a vertical jump of 40.5 inches – all-world talent.
Benches 440 pounds, squats 605 pounds and was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.39 – workout warrior, immensely blessed with God-given ability.
ESPN Mel Kiper Jr’s No. 1 ranked senior outside linebacker prospect for ’11 NFL Draft – injuries were the only reason he was available for the ‘Boys on the second day of the draft.
The skills, gifts, and “look” are all present when look at Cowboys’ second-round rookie linebacker Bruce Carter.
Recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered during his senior season at Chapel Hill, Carter was finally able to practice Wednesday for the first time as a Cowboy.
“I was ready to get out there,” the UNC product said.
Placed on the non-football injury list, Carter was unable to participate in football activities the first six weeks of the regular season. But on Wednesday, he was back out on the field working with the special teams units.
Carter went on to say, “I feel 110 percent.”
In one game against Rutgers during his senior season, Carter tallied seven tackles, a 55-yard interception return and a blocked punt.
It’s clearly evident the former Tar Heel standout can play, now it’s just a matter of getting an opportunity.
“I know all the plays,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it on the field.”
Needless to say, if he was fully healthy heading into the draft, Carter would’ve been a first-round lock.
With that said, the Cowboys are fortunate he fell to them at pick No. 40 in Round two, and now they’re hoping his “110 percent” can translate to Sundays.
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Less practicing, more winning.
Gundy has instituted shorter practices for the Cowboys in recent years, coinciding with a steady rise up the rankings. Instead of taking advantage of the maximum 4 hours per day or 20 hours per week allowed by the NCAA, Oklahoma State is on the field practicing less than 4 1/2 hours per week.
That's 1 hour, 45 minutes on Tuesdays, 1 hour, 35 minutes on Wednesdays and an hour on Thursdays. That's it.
"We're nowhere near the 4-hour rule. We don't ever get near 4 hours, or 20 hours a week," Gundy said. "I mean, we have to fill out the paperwork but it's a non-factor."
The goal is to focus more on game days than practice. So far, it's an overwhelming success.
Oklahoma State (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) is experiencing some of its best times ever, winning a school-record 11 games last season and reaching the midway point of this season undefeated and sitting in fourth place in the BCS standings — the program's highest position ever — heading into Saturday's game at Missouri (3-3, 1-2).
It's not just fun because the Cowboys are winning. It's a concerted effort by Gundy and his staff.
"If you've ever had a job where when you got up, you were dreading getting to the office because of the boss or your environment or you didn't like it, it's not very fun. Your production level's going to go down, I don't care who you are," Gundy said.
"If these guys feel that way about football here, then we're wrong as coaches. We're dead wrong, because there's only just a few of them that'll do it no matter what because they're so mentally tough."
Gundy understands that college football can be a grind on players. Back when he was a quarterback for Oklahoma State in the 1980s, he got done with football in May and had all summer to get a part-time job, hang out at the pool, coach an American Legion baseball team and generally get away.
Now, the sport is a year-round pursuit without much down time beyond spring break and a week or so after a postseason bowl.
Gundy said he realized about three years ago what was happening to the players who weren't willing to keep plugging along no matter what. He recalled "seeing kids that were willing to run through a wall when they were a sophomore and then by the time they were a senior, they didn't even want to start to run toward that wall."
So, he listened up. He talked to his seniors about what changes could be made, and over time he has developed the current plan.
Like their hurry-up offense, the Cowboys make the most of their time, with focused, fast-paced practices. They're also on the field for a little over an hour on Sundays without pads, correcting mistakes from the previous day's game, and each week has about 7 hours of team meetings and film study scheduled — although players can go over the tape more on their own, too.
"We know that either way we're going to get our work in in practice. Whether we practice for an hour or practice for three hours, the same result's going to come out," said tight end/defensive end Wilson Youman. "But we're happy that we don't have to go out there as long anymore."
There's no one Gundy points to as an example for what the Cowboys are doing now. He said his staff keeps track of practice lengths and even how many plays are run in each period of practice, so the whole process can be re-evaluated later. The path to this year's practice regimen started with a change to shorter sessions for the 2009 season.
It's no exact science, but there is some practical reasoning behind what he's doing.
The team's goal is now is to run a whopping 95 offensive plays in each game, but instead of using prolonged practices to build up endurance, the Cowboys try to save energy for Saturdays — particularly as the season wears on.
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Against Tom Brady, that was a risky strategy, and it cost the Cowboys a victory.
The Cowboys went conservative on their final possession, running the ball three straight times to wind down the clock before punting the ball back to New England. Brady got the ball with 80 yards to go and 2 minutes 31 seconds left, and he swiftly moved the Patriots downfield for the winning touchdown and a 20-16 victory.
“We are up here on their field and we knew what the odds were, so we flipped a coin and it came up against us,” the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.
After Dan Bailey kicked a 26-yard field goal to break a 13-13 tie with 5:13 left, Dallas forced Brady and New England (5-1) to go three-and-out. Getting the ball back at their 28 with 3:36 left, the Cowboys (2-3) had three rushing plays and a false start before punting the ball back.
That gave Brady one more chance, and he delivered — hitting Aaron Hernandez in the middle of the end zone from 8 yards.
Dallas, coming off a bye week, made things hard on Brady, sacking him three times and intercepting two of his passes. But on the final 80-yard drive, Brady completed eight of nine passes for 78 yards.
Packers Stay Unbeaten
The Packers beat the visiting Rams, 24-3, and at 6-0 became the last remaining unbeaten team in the league. But that did not mean they were happy. “It’s a feeling of minor disappointment, I think, in that locker room,” said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who passed for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. Packers Coach Mike McCarthy had a mixed reaction to the victory. He bristled at questions about the offense being shut out in the second half — “the last time I checked, when you win by three touchdowns, that’s a pretty significant win” — but acknowledged that the team wasn’t anywhere near where it wants to be.
¶ Using four interceptions from their defense and the strong running of LeSean McCoy, the visiting Eagles beat the Redskins, 20-13, to buoy their hopes in the increasingly wide open N.F.C. East. The Eagles (2-4) raced to a 20-0 second-quarter lead and picked off Rex Grossman four times, prompting Washington Coach Mike Shanahan to answer the fans’ chants of “We want Beck!” by giving John Beck his first regular-season appearance since 2007. Beck got the Redskins (3-2) back into the game with a 2-yard quarterback draw to cap an 80-yard drive that pulled Washington to 7 points behind with 2 minutes 44 seconds remaining. But the Eagles ran out the clock with the tail end of a 28-carry, 126-yard day from McCoy.
Steelers and Ravens Win
Host Pittsburgh narrowly avoided a stunning collapse in a second straight win that hardly felt like one, but the Steelers held on to beat the Jaguars, 17-13. Pittsburgh (4-2) managed only 70 yards in the second half and let the Jaguars (1-5) hang around until the final play. Making matters worse, the Steelers removed the All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu from the game in the fourth quarter after he had what Coach Mike Tomlin called “concussionlike symptoms.”
¶ Joe Flacco passed for 305 yards and ran for a score, Billy Cundiff kicked five field goals, and the host Ravens pulled away to a 29-14 victory over the Texans. Baltimore (4-1) held Houston (3-3) scoreless over the final 21 minutes and limited running back Arian Foster to 49 yards on 15 attempts.
¶ Cornerback Nate Clements blocked a late field-goal attempt that would have tied the score, and Carlos Dunlap returned a fumble 35 yards for the clinching score with 2:22 to go, giving the Bengals a 27-17 win over the Colts and sending Indianapolis (0-6) into another week of wondering when it is going to win. The Bengals (4-2) matched their win total from last season.
Tribute to Raiders’ Davis
Jacoby Ford returned a kickoff 101 yards and Kevin Boss caught a 35-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal to lead the Raiders to a 24-17 victory over the Browns in their first home game since the death of their longtime owner Al Davis. It was an emotional day, with many old-time Raiders coming back to honor Davis, who died Oct. 8 at 82. The most poignant moment came during a halftime ceremony with dozens of former players standing in a circle around the Raiders emblem at midfield as the former coach John Madden lighted a caldron in a corner of the stadium.
In Other Games
Josh Freeman passed for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, Earnest Graham rushed for 109 yards in place of the injured starter LeGarrette Blount, and the Buccaneers outlasted the visiting Saints, 26-20. The win pulled the Bucs (4-2) into a first-place tie with the Saints in the N.F.C. South. Drew Brees became the first passer to have four consecutive 350-yard games, but he also threw three interceptions.
¶ Devin Hester had a 48-yard touchdown catch and scored on a career-best 98-yard kickoff return before leaving with a chest injury, and the Bears routed the visiting Vikings, 39-10. Minnesota (1-5) benched quarterback Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter, sending in Christian Ponder to mop up.
¶ Michael Turner ran for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns, Matt Ryan scored the tie-breaking touchdown with seven minutes remaining, and Corey Peters came up with a huge interception that helped the Falcons seal a 31-17 victory over the Panthers in Atlanta. Led by Turner, the Falcons (3-3) ran the ball 35 times — 13 more than they threw it. The Panthers rookie Cam Newton threw for 237 yards and scored on a 14-yard touchdown run that put the Panthers (1-5) ahead, 17-14, heading to the fourth quarter. But after Matt Bryant’s tying field goal and Ryan’s 1-yard sneak, Newton threw a screen pass right to Peters, a 305-pound defensive tackle who had dropped into coverage. The Falcons’ offense did the rest, driving 39 yards for the clinching touchdown.
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Published: October 1st, 2011 | Tags: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, NFL GameDay Morning, Steve Mariuccinfl.use('nfl-video', function (Y) { var video = new Y.NFL.Video.Player({ srcNode: "#video-player-09000d5d822b57a0", contentId: "09000d5d822b57a0", related: "home", adSetting: "1", dartURL: "http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/nfl.special/blog/home;s1=blog;s2=home;slot=inpage;nfl=ad;tile=3;sz=640x360;ord=?", playerName: "blog_large_embedded", render: true, size: "large", uniqid: "09000d5d822b57a0"});});Yes, Matthew Stafford is trending. And if you’re not into social media (really, where have you been?), it’s another way of saying he’s one of the hottest things going right now in Detroit.
But if there’s anywhere where Stafford is even more popular than the Motor City, it’s Dallas, where he spent his high school years as a Cowboys fan. That just happens to be where and whom the undefeated Lions will play Sunday.
So, do you think Stafford was inundated by ticket requests?
“I ended up getting a suite at Cowboys Stadium,” Stafford told NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci. ”I had too many people.”
We’re guessing a lot of people with ties to Stafford still were left off that list.
Stafford didn’t have a storybook beginning to his NFL career. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has dealt with plenty of losing and plenty of injuries, missing 19 games in his first two seasons. Mariucci, who sat down with Stafford for “NFL GameDay Morning” — the full interview airs Sunday (that’s 9 a.m. ET) — says he seems to be dealing well with his newfound success.
“He seems to be the kind of the kid who is very unflappable,” Mariucci said Saturday on “NFL Total Access”. “It doesn’t seem to phase him. … He’s a determined kid, he’s a tough kid, and you know what? He’s a very confident kid.”
Sure, but apparently not so unflappable when it comes to turning down ticket requests.
Posted in: NFL Network comments Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.Published: September 29th, 2011 | Tags: Bradie James, Dallas Cowboys, Derrick Mason, New York Jets, NFL Total AccessCowboys LB Bradie James let everyone in on a secret Thursday. It might not be the biggest secret for some.
While we know NFL teams research and chart just about anything that could factor into a win, that process doesn’t stop at the officiating crew. Like baseball teams chart opposing pitchers, James said part of the Cowboys’ weekly preparation is knowing which crew will be on the field and what calls they’re more prone to make. The team then adjusts their aggressiveness accordingly.
“On Wednesday, when we come in for the first day of preparation, one of the first things we see is (who the officials are), and we see what they like to throw as far as their flags and what their common calls are,” James told “NFL Total Access” on Thursday. “If you have a roughing-the-passer-type of guy, you don’t even come close to the quarterback unless he has the ball in his hand.”
During a week when protecting quarterbacks is the hottest of topics, it’s an interesting perspective from James in how teams leave no stone unturned while looking for any advantage to win a game.
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The Lions ride a seven game win streak into Dallas to face the walking wounded Cowboys in an early season battle for playoff positioning. I know week 4 is way to early to talk playoffs, but so far these two teams are emerging as early season contenders. Both teams had big question marks about their quarterbacks that seem to have been answered the last few weeks, both teams are fresh off a physically draining divisional battle and both teams have elite young offenses with emerging young defenses.
The biggest difference at this point is the Lions’ young weapons are relatively healthy, while the Cowboys have health issues surrounding the majority of their weapons. As of today, Jerry Jones does not expect Miles Austin to play, while Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Felix Jones are all nursing significant injuries and will be limited on Sunday.
Offense:
The Lions’ offense is clicking despite the struggling run game and a poor performance by the offensive line last week. The line will get another test when they face the Cowboys’ defense coached by Rob Ryan. Ryan uses multiple shifts and exotic blitz packages to force the offensive line to make mental mistakes and give defenders a free run at the quarterback. The scheme itself poses problems, but the Cowboys have elite talent in the front seven to complicate things further.
One of the more interesting chess matches in this game will be between Rob Ryan and Dominic Raiola. Raiola is one of the smartest centers in the league and has an excellent grasp of the blocking schemes. If he can keep the Lions in the right protection and eliminate and schematic edge the Cowboys have, it will go a long way in helping the Lions match up with the physical talent of the defense.
The best way to combat an aggressive pass rush is with screen passes, draws and quick throws that force the defense to slow their rush so they don’t run themselves out of the play. The quick strike passing game got the Lions back into the Viking game, but running out of the shotgun didn’t yield any results and the Vikings sniffed out most of the screens. The Cowboys will bring a lot of pressure because they are extremely weak in the secondary and know they can’t match up with the Lions’ receivers if Stafford has time in the pocket.
The Lions need to find a way to establish the run, which means they may have to get out of the shotgun and run some more traditional style running plays. They may start mixing Kieland Williams in more and more each week as he gets acclimated. The Lions’ inability to run helped the Vikings put the Lions in such a deep hole last week as they knew the Lions were going to pass early and often. They completely ignored any run defenses and went after Stafford with everything they had. Until the Lions establish the run, I am concerned that defenses will continue to load up against the pass and the Lions will have more three and outs and sacks since there is no running game to keep the defense honest.
Defense:
The Lions’ defense couldn’t catch the Cowboys at a better time. With every skill position player banged up except Jason Witten, and with two rookies starting on the offensive line there is definitely blood in the water. There is an intimidation factor with the Lions’ defense and as tough as Tony Romo has been, you know he is aware of the Lions’ defensive front. Romo may not have either of his receivers in this game, and if they do play, they will be at far less than 100%. Lacking weapons and knowing one of the best defensive lines in the league is across from you is one thing, but throw in an inexperienced offensive line and a broken rib and I just think Romo will have a hard time.
While that could be in the Lions’ favor, it also could work against them as the Cowboys should turn to Felix Jones, Demarco Murray and Tashard Choice more. The Lions have done a solid job against the run overall, they have given up several big plays the last two weeks and they may be without Justin Durant who is recovering from a concussion.
On paper, the Lions win the matchup at every level on defense, defensive line vs offensive line, linebackers vs running backs and secondary vs receivers.
Wild Card
Both teams had big emotional wins against division foes last week and both teams have been buried with praise the last two weeks as well. The Cowboys for their toughness and ability to win games despite the injuries and the Lions for finally starting to turn the corner. So both teams have potential for a letdown game. Generally that favors the home team, but in my opinion the wild card in this game is who makes fewer mistakes. That is a common cliche, but look at the last two games for the Cowboys. They made several mistakes, but their opponents couldn’t take advantage of them. Same for the Lions last week, they made several mistakes but instead of making them pay for them, the Vikings cancelled out the advantage by making their own (often worse) mistakes.
Each defense has the ability to rush the quarterback and force turnovers. Each offensive line has question marks. That sets the stage for sacks, fumbles and interceptions and nothing kills drives and momentum like sacks and turnovers. Whichever team limits their mistakes and capitalizes on their opponents mistakes will have the edge in this game.
Prediction:
The Cowboys are banged up and the Lions own the league’s longest winning streak leading may people to pick the Lions. I am tempted, but the Vikings really exposed the Lions’ weaknesses by going after Stafford at all costs and ignoring the running game. The Vikings pinned their ears back and dared the Lions to run and they still couldn’t. The crowd became a factor as the Lions couldn’t sustain drives and the Vikings built an early lead. It is very plausible the same situation occurs on Sunday, except the Cowboys aren’t poorly coached and mentally soft like the Vikings and won’t cough up a lead so easily.
I think the Lions will hit a minor road block and the Cowboys rally past their injuries to hand the Lions their first loss of the 2011 season.
REDSKINS
Questionable: S DeJon Gomes (hamstring), S LaRon Landry (hamstring), RB Mike Sellers (ankle), RB Darrel Young (hamstring)
Probable: WR Brandon Banks (knee), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Keyaron Fox (back), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), TE Logan Paulsen (hamstring), CB Josh Wilson (back)
COWBOYS
Out: WR Miles Austin (hamstring), G Derrick Dockery (knee), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle)
Questionable: WR Dez Bryant (thigh), K David Buehler (right groin), RB Felix Jones (shoulder), QB Tony Romo (ribs)
Probable: C Phil Costa (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), G Bill Nagy (neck), CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Anthony Spencer (shoulder)
REDSKINS
Questionable: S DeJon Gomes (hamstring), S LaRon Landry (hamstring), RB Mike Sellers (ankle), RB Darrel Young (hamstring)
Probable: WR Brandon Banks (knee), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Keyaron Fox (back), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), TE Logan Paulsen (hamstring), CB Josh Wilson (back)
COWBOYS
Out: WR Miles Austin (hamstring), G Derrick Dockery (knee), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle)
Questionable: WR Dez Bryant (thigh), K David Buehler (right groin), RB Felix Jones (shoulder), QB Tony Romo (ribs)
Probable: C Phil Costa (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), G Bill Nagy (neck), CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Anthony Spencer (shoulder)
REDSKINS
Did not participate: RB Darrel Young (hamstring)
Limited participation: S DeJon Gomes (hamstring), S LaRon Landry (hamstring), RB Mike Sellers (ankle), CB Josh Wilson (back)
Full participation: WR Brandon Banks (knee), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Keyaron Fox (back), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), TE Logan Paulsen (hamstring)
COWBOYS
Did not participate: WR Miles Austin (hamstring), WR Dez Bryant (thigh), G Derrick Dockery (knee), QB Tony Romo (ribs), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle)
Limited participation: K David Buehler (right groin), C Phil Costa (knee), RB Felix Jones (shoulder)
Full participation: CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), G Bill Nagy (neck), CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Anthony Spencer (shoulder)
Quite the scene took place in the Cowboys’ locker room Sunday following the team’s 27-24 comeback win over the 49ers. A tearful Jesse Holley, who just minutes before had caught a 77-yard pass in overtime that set up Dallas’ winning field goal, proclaimed loudly to his teammates, “I don’t even deserve it.”
Here’s the reality, Jesse: Yes, you do.
nfl.use('nfl-video', function (Y) { var video = new Y.NFL.Video.Player({ srcNode: "#video-player-09000d5d8225c591", align: "right", contentId: "09000d5d8225c591", related: "home", adSetting: "1", dartURL: "http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/nfl.special/blog/home;s1=blog;s2=home;slot=inpage;nfl=ad;tile=3;sz=640x360;ord=?", playerName: "blog_embedded", render: true, size: "inline", uniqid: "09000d5d8225c591"});});Talk about a guy who has paid his dues. Holley, who played basketball and football at North Carolina, went undrafted in 2007, was signed to the Bengals’ practice squad, but was cut midseason. From there he latched on with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, only to be released after the team’s first preseason game in 2008.
Clearly, nobody wanted this guy on their team, which is why it took winning Michael Irvin’s reality TV show, “4th and Long”, in 2009 for Holley to earn an invitation to Cowboys training camp.
Prior to Sunday, Holley didn’t have an NFL catch but came up huge for Tony Romo on Dallas’ final drive in regulation. Then came the dagger in overtime.
All this makes it easy to understand why Holley would feel the way he did in those emotional moments after the game.
“I’m still at a loss for words,” he said Monday on NFL Total Access. “I didn’t even sleep last night. I just stayed up all night in the dark in amazement of what happened. It was a joyous moment for myself and my family. I guess hard work really does pay off.”
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Published: September 19th, 2011 | Tags: Felix Jones, Dallas CowboysThe prognosis looks good for Cowboys RB Felix Jones, according to a league source.
Jones suffered a separated shoulder during Sunday’s overtime victory over the 49ers but was able to come back in the game, finishing with nine rushes for 25 yards and one reception for 5 yards. He has since been re-evaluated, and the test results came back with good news.
The team believes Jones will be fine, though he’s obviously in serious discomfort and will have to manage the pain throughout the week as the Cowboys prepare to play the Redskins.
Posted in: Jason La Canfora comments Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.Published: September 19th, 2011 | Tags: Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys, Dan BaileyWho knew the Cowboys were such gentle souls?
That was the feeling of owner Jerry Jones, who worried about his team’s mental state after rookie kicker Dan Bailey missed a chip-shot field-goal attempt early in Sunday’s 27-24 overtime victory over the 49ers.
nfl.use('nfl-video', function (Y) { var video = new Y.NFL.Video.Player({ srcNode: "#video-player-09000d5d8225f34a", align: "right", contentId: "09000d5d8225f34a", related: "home", adSetting: "1", dartURL: "http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/nfl.special/blog/home;s1=blog;s2=home;slot=inpage;nfl=ad;tile=3;sz=640x360;ord=?", playerName: "blog_embedded", render: true, size: "inline", uniqid: "09000d5d8225f34a"});});“At that juncture, we’re too fragile, and we’re still fragile,” Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Monday. “I underline the word fragile. We’re still a fragile psyche with our team. Up and down all the way through me.”
This is the Dallas Cowboys, people. “America’s Team!” A living metaphor for our country’s swaggering and indomitable spirit. Fragile? We’re underlining fragile? Say it ain’t so, Jerry!
“This is all with a backdrop with what happened to us last year and with the slow starts,” Jones said. “I heard the commentators talking that this team really needs a win bad. The Dallas Cowboys need a win, and we need it early. We didn’t need to get back in some of that we experienced last year. Because it’s almost like slipping on a rut. We’ve seen the rut.”
Kidding aside, Jones has a point. The Cowboys started 0-2 last year and was 2-7 before you could say “Jerry World.” After a brutal Week 1 loss to the Jets, the Cowboys needed a confidence lift. They got just that, and head into Week 3's Monday night showdown with the 2-0 Redskins in a much healthier place.
– Dan Hanzus
Posted in: Around The Web comments Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Week 1 injuries 2011, Dallas Cowboys, Darrelle Revis, Dez Bryant, New York Jets, Orlandoi ScandrickCowboys WR Dez Bryant went to the locker room during the third quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Jets.
Bryant, who has a touchdown catch, was suffering from cramps. He jogged with a trainer to the locker on his own power and should be back.
Jets CB Darrelle Revis was being checked out on the sidelines for cramping, as well.
Dallas DB Orlando Scandrick, who was carted off the field earlier with a right ankle injury, is back on the sidelines wearing a walking boot and street clothes.
Posted in: News comments Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Week 1 injuries 2011, Dallas Cowboys, Mike Jenkins, New York Jets, Plaxico BurressCowboys CB Mike Jenkins walked off the field and into the locker room after taking a hard hit from Jets WR Plaxico Burress in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.
The hit occurred on a running play, when Burress cracked back and delivered a hard shot to Jenkins’ upper body, resulting in an injury to his left shoulder.
Jenkins returned to action in the fourth quarter.
Posted in: News comments Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.
The New York Jets were given the special privilege of hosting the one of the most special games in NFL history. On Sunday night, in front of a city and nation who were respectfully remembering the tragic events that took place 10 years ago, the NFL wanted to give the city of New York and a nation a football game to remember.
For the New York Jets, they wanted tonight to be a chance to honor those who were so deeply affected by those events. They wanted to win this game for their city and their nation. Who better to play this tremendous game of opportunity against than, “America’s Team”, the Dallas Cowboys.
There were still many questions surrounding the Cowboys, mostly on defense, as they headed into week one. The Cowboys defense was coming off a less than stellar preseason, and, coordinator, Rob Ryan, wanted to answer some of those questions against his brother Rex. With their father, the legendary Buddy Ryan, in attendance, the stage was set for a great football game.
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This morning I had the privilege to connect with Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys running-back Tony Dorsett. Here is what Tony is up to and some of his thoughts on the 2010 Dallas Cowboys:
Cowboysgab: Can you describe the Proctor & Gamble “Take It To The House” program and your involvement with it?
Tony Dorsett: The Proctor & Gamble “Take It To The House Program” is a program I got involved with and it is a photo contest where fans can send in a photo of what the NFL is like at their house on Sundays. There are eight winners throughout the season. The winners of this campaign will get a visit by a “legendary” NFL player, they will get a $10,000.00 donation made to an organization in their community to support the NFL Play 60 program, which encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. The winner will also have a chance to win a trip to Hawaii and a chance to be at the Pro Bowl and will also get a few Proctor & Gamble products.
CG: You have done a fair amount of things in the community. How important is it for you to be out in the community working with programs that benefit others, especially kids?
TD: I love to give back to the community when it involves kids. Our youth of today are growing up in a different world. It seems like there are more things out there then when I was growing up. Those things can get kids going down the wrong track, so, anytime I can encourage a kid to do something positive I’m more than willing to loan my time, my name, and in some cases, my money to the effort.
CG: Coming into this season, the Cowboys were favorites to play in the Super Bowl they are hosting, what did you think of this team before the season started and what do you think went wrong?
TD: I was like most of the “experts” out there. I thought the Cowboys were going to be in the mix this year. I’m not sure that I thought they would be the first team to host a Super Bowl, but I did think they would be contending for it. I don’t know what went wrong or how this thing got derailed. I’m not sure if they started believing the hype or what, but these guys just weren’t playing up to their potential, they weren’t being held accountable, and this thing started slipping and then starting going down a slippery slope and they needed some stability.
Now Jason Garrett is there and he is doing one heck of a job. The players are being held accountable to the little things and they are playing with pride. It seems that some of the leaders are stepping up and bringing the leadership and it is clicking right now. It just goes to show you that you can have all the talent in the world but if you are not playing with the right effort, the right chemistry, it doesn’t mean anything.
Now, they have kind of got it back on track, but, unfortunately it is too late.
CG: You mentioned it a little already but, now that Wade Phillips is out and Jason Garrett has taken over on an interim basis, have you seen something in particular that has been impressive about Jason Garrett’s ability to come in and do the job?
TD: I’m a real stickler about the little things. The little things make big things happen, wether it is in relationships, business, and sports. You’ve got to do the little things, you’ve got to do the little things at practice. They’re practicing now. They’re putting pads on. You’ve got to practice how you play. There are some things that will never change in sports and you’re going to get out of it what you put into it. Regardless of what level it is. Regardless of who you are. If you’re not gonna use it you’ll lose it. Now they are practicing and being held accountable. They are having some pride and it all comes into play.
Before when Wade was there, he would get on and make excuses for why these guys aren’t doing their job. You need to tell them if you don’t do this I’m going to find someone who will. Guys have to have a little bit of fear in this scenario too. You can’t be running around giving excuses for why they aren’t doing their job, it doesn’t make sense to me. They get paid too much money not to do their job and they need to understand that if they don’t do their job, the coach will find someone who will.
It seems like, under Garrett, guys are being held accountable and it is running like a proffesional organization should run.
CG: With all the talk about next year’s head coach there are a lot of opinions as to who should be the next head coach of the Cowboys. Who would you like to see on the sidelines next year?
TD: You got Bill Cowher, you got “Chucky” (Jon Gruden), but right now, I think it is Jason’s job. I mean, you have to go through the process of interviewing that the NFL has laid out for hiring someone. But, these guys are responding to Jason, and he has done a great job. Jason has been there and done it. He was here with Jimmy Johnson. He’s a champion, a winner and a smart guy, he’s putting the time in and these guys are responding to him. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be Jason Garrett as the head coach. From my vantage point, I would be surprised if it is not.
CG: You played running back with the Cowboys for 11 seasons. There has been a lot said about the Cowboys situation at running back this season, particularly in the last few weeks, what do you think about the running backs the Cowboys have and how they are being utilized?
TD: I don’t like it. Never have, and never will. Because I’ve played that position, and myself personally, I want to be in the whole game. I want to see how defenses are responding to different formations. I want to get into a groove. It is hard to get into a rhythm when you’re coming in and out of the game.
The Cowboys seem to be having somewhat of a success doing it. But, I bet if you asked these guys, and they were honest, they would say that they would rather be in the game getting 20-25 touches a game, getting a good feel for the game instead of standing on the sidelines and watching the game. It is a whole different deal watching from the sidelines.
CG: What do you think about the situation with Tashard Choice getting Michael Vick’s autograph after the game against the Eagles? Do you think it is a big deal?
TD: No, I really don’t. It is after the game and he wanted to get it for a relative. There was an opportunity, the timing probably could have been a little different, but I don’t have a problem with it.
CG: The Cowboys host their hated-rival Redskins this Sunday. You are no stranger to this rivalry, do you have a most memorable moment that you experienced against Washington in your career?
TD: I tell you we played those guys quite a bit. When I came into the league everything changed during Redskins week. The concentration effort, the seriousness of the front office, coaches, and players were more intense. There was a lot of dislike for those guys. Preparation was at it’s best and everyone was on top of everything because we couldn’t wait to get to game day and beat up on them a little bit. It was really intense.
I remember one Thanksgiving against those guys and a situation with Harvey Martin. After the game, someone had sent him a funeral wreath. He took that wreath and walked down the the Redskins locker room, opened the door and just threw that wreath in and left. I can never forget the response of coach Landry. Coach Landry was so upset. It just goes to show you the intensity of the rivalry and that we just didn’t like each other.
Back then the opponents stayed the same. We didn’t have free agency and so you played together against the same guys for years and years. It made for good drama and good confrontations and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it.
CG: You played in the NFL for 12 season from 1977-1989, in your opinion what has changed about the NFL from then until now?
TD: I think attitudes have changed. I kind of experienced the evolution of football from the size standpoint. When I came into the league a big linebacker was 220-235 lbs., now they’re 250. Same with lineman, when I came in they were 275 lbs., and when I left they were over 300 lbs. The game has gotten bigger, obviously the collisions are a little more physical.
But, I really think attitudes are different. It is a privilege to play in the NFL. I think these guys take it a little differently, not everyone. But some don’t respect the game as much as we did back then. You’ve got guys now that won’t play hurt. I’m not saying that you put your career or life in jeopardy, but if I could walk, I was playing, that’s just the way it was. I’ve heard guys with my own ears say, “if I could make it another few years I’ll be set for life,” granted they could be with the money their making. They get a hangnail and they don’t want to go out there and jeopardize their situation from a financial standpoint.
But, I love the game. The game is still a great game, a wonderful game. I love watching it.
CG: Finally, do you have a prediction for who meets in the Super Bowl this year, and who comes out on top?
TD: Oh man, I don’t know who it is gonna be. I think in the AFC, probably New England. But I don’t know who will represent the NFC.
To find out more about the Proctor & Gamble “Take It To The House” Program visit their facebook website here.
Cowboysgab.com would like to thank Tony Dorsett for the opportunity to speak with him and wishes him and the “Take It To The House” Program much success.
