Dallas Cowboys

5:55:52 PM EDT

Hello all of my faithful Cowboys fans...Long time no see! It looks like we are back in business with sports blogging the Cowboys again! Man, it's good to be back. Thanks to George Costanza for getting us old Pigskin Bloggers back together...

Come join us here in 2007 as the Cowboys adjust to Wade Phillips after the Big Bill Parcells show. It's going to be an interesting year. Can the Cowboys finally win a playoff game? Will the new altered 3-4 defense do it's job this year? Can Tony Romo get someone else to hold on extra points?

Stay turned ladies and gentlemen..it's football time!

 

 

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6:37:47 PM EST

Keith Davis has started 15 games at free safety but hasn't been full-time because of special teams

The Cowboys entered training camp looking for a free safety.

Sure enough, while someone has lined up at the position for every practice and every play of every game, sure sounds as if the Cowboys enter Sunday night's season finale with the St. Louis Rams still looking for some help back there.

Keith Davis has started all but one game this year at free safety, but he continues to prove himself too valuable on special teams to be an every-down player on defense. The Cowboys have also used Willie Pile, who was cut by the Chiefs before the season, and even re-signed Lynn Scott and Tony Dixon, a couple of castoffs from last year's team.

In fact, the Cowboys just re-signed Dixon for the second time this season, just in case Roy Williams' ankle injury keeps him out of Sunday's game. Williams is listed as probable on the injury report and did practice Wednesday at Valley Ranch.

But the Cowboys can't afford any type of injuries at safety, especially considering the problems at that position in recent weeks. Carolina beat the Cowboys on three long passes in Saturday's game, including two for touchdowns. The safeties basically were at fault on all three occasions. And in the two previous games to that, the Redskins and Chiefs exposed the team's apparent problems at safety with long completions.

Needless to say, the safety position is somewhat beleaguered heading into the season finale against a Rams team which might have lost four straight games but is no stranger to putting up some points.

In fact, Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells was quick to point out the Rams the have scored 24 points or more in nine games this season, and do feature wide receiver standouts Torry Holt, who is headed to his fifth Pro Bowl in the last six years, and Isaac Bruce.

"Oh yeah, they will throw the ball downfield," Parcells said of the Rams. "We have to be at our best. Roy (Williams) is limping around a little bit. I think he will play. Still, I would like to have him at his best."

Because Parcells saw firsthand last week what can happen when Williams is not in the game. Just a few moments after the Pro Bowl safety picked off Jake Delhomme and suffered the ankle sprain, the Cowboys were forced to play the final defensive series without Williams.

The Panthers, even without wide receiver Steve Smith, who was ejected in the third quarter for touching an official, took the lead on Delhomme's 35-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl, who had beaten nickel safety Pile, covering in the slot on the line of scrimmage.

While that touchdown didn't cost the Cowboys the game, and only because the Cowboys were able to regain the lead on Drew Bledsoe's 2-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn with just 24 seconds remaining, it was yet another example of safeties unable to make a play.

And it wasn't even the first time in that game.

Proehl burned Davis for a 69-yard gain early in the first quarter to set Carolina up for a field goal when he didn't rotate over quickly enough in zone coverage. But after recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers quickly scored again when Delhomme was able to pump fake a short throw to Smith, which froze Williams in coverage, allowing wide receiver Drew Carter to get deep on cornerback Aaron Glenn for a 32-yard touchdown.

"We have been a little inconsistent, "Parcells said of the safeties. "Keith had a mental lapse on the second series in case you didn't notice. And Pile had one right there at the end of the game when they hit that wheel route (to Proehl).

"That position is concerning to me. Not just now. We have to do something and create a little more depth."

Obviously, the Cowboys are just trying to patch some holes by signing players such as Dixon and Scott during the season. Both players, who joined the Cowboys in 2001, are familiar with the scheme and defensive calls for the secondary.

But both players were unrestricted free agents after last season and the Cowboys weren't too interested in re-signing either player until injuries created needs in mid-season.

The Cowboys signed Dixon and Scott when Pilesuffered a groin injury against the Cardinals on Oct. 30. With the bye week providing cushion for the next game, a Monday night affair with the Eagles, the Cowboys covered themselves with some safety help.

But once Pile returned to practice and showed he was ready to play against Philadelphia, the Cowboys released Dixon before the next game ever was played. While the club has kept Scott on the roster, the fifth-year veteran has been inactive for two games and relegated to mostly special teams when he's been active.

Overall, while Parcells said he is pleased with the play of Davis and Williams, he knows safety will be one position needing attention in the off-season.

"Keith, overall, has played pretty well," Parcells said. "And Roy has played better than last year. But I don't think we have a lot of depth there at all. We've got to think about that."

And don't forget about rookie safety Justin Beriault, who turned some heads with his aggressive play and nose for the ball during training camp. But a knee injury that required micro-fracture surgery in August forced him to miss the entire season.

"It looked like he might help us a little bit," Parcells said of Beriault, a sixth-round pick from Ball State. "I don't know that I can say I was counting on a rookie for sure. But it looked like he might be able to do something. I thought at least he might be a good special teams player, maybe a backup and play on the nickel or something. That would have been helpful."

So while the Cowboys will hope for something out of Beriault next year and continued improvement from Davis, Pile and Williams, look for this position to be atop the team's priorities once again.

But until then, the Cowboys must go on at least another game with the current group. And regardless what kind of record the Rams bring to town with them, the safeties know they'll be tested.

"But that comes with the territory as a safety," Pile said. "You always expect that. But the Rams are tough. They can make a lot of big plays. All of their receivers are quick and can get down the field. It's going to be a tough challenge."

And for the safeties this season, what's new?

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5:06:29 PM EST
In Requiem

John Morris


John R. Morris, 53, a retired U.S. Army drill sergeant, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, at a Fort Worth hospital.
John was born May 19, 1952, in Vallejo, California, and was an area resident since 2000. He was an Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill A. Morris, and two brothers, Bobby and Shannon Morris.
Survivors include his wife, Myong Morris of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; daughter, Jennifer Morris, and son, Ricky Bonilla, of Syracuse, Indiana; mother, Edith Morris of Rancho Cucumonga, California; sisters, Wathena Morrison and husband Richard of El Monte, California, Joyce Corneau and husband Paul of Azle, Wynaith Pizzuto and husband John of Sun City, Arizona, and Shawn Cran and husband Ron of Pearblossom, California; brother, Billy Morris and wife, Gayle, of Chino Valley, California; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, other family and friends.

Editor Note: John was a good friend of mine. Prayers are with his family. I can verify he will truly be missed.

To John: "Piece of cake man, see ya on the other side."

http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/tothecolor.asptp://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/retreat.asp


Lew

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11:22:11 AM EST

And just in time for the DEADSKINS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

More Later!

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5:58:56 PM EST

Every once in a while, I like to sift thru my blog listings and get everyone who reads my blog [which, essentially, are the people who I read] a glimpse into these other great blogs.

Of course, a hot topic is the recent advertisments on all our blogs.  It sucked to be shut down for a day....and we all feel a tad dirty because of it.  For a scathing commentary...check out George Cozatanza at Coztanza's Commentary: Brought To You By....  Pretty heavy take on his dislike of the ads atop the blogs. 

" I have no clue where this ad came from. I have not agreed to endorse these companies. AOL just unilaterally imposed it earlier today on this as well as every other AOL blog. I guess now I'm somehow responsible to them, a deal I never agreed to. I encourage everybody to avoid clicking on the ads above and to spend your money on companies like Jet Blue, Bank One, and any other rivals of the companies listed above.  In reality, this is not a huge deal. However, the principle of the matter is troubling on many levels. For one, they are taking my writing and gaining profit off of it without compensating my fellow bloggers or me. If it's my writing, shouldn't I see some of the profits? Cash, a discount on my AOL bill, just offer something since you are making a profit off of my work.  There is a chance that the GeorgeCoztanza blog franchise may join many others and find a new home. I hope it doesn't come to that, but at this point it is a viable option. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that executives will go into panic mode reading that a small sports blogger might be leaving AOL. However, I take a lot of pride in my blogging and think that I put out a pretty good product. If AOL wants to use me for monetary gain without proper compensation, as small as that might be, I will be forced to consider leaving the blogosphere here. "

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11:16:29 PM EST

Detroit Lions (4-5) at Dallas Cowboys (6-3).

TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST.

The Dallas Cowboys continue to play close games, and contend for the division title in a tight NFC East.

The Cowboys hope to take sole possession of first place as they go for a season-high third straight win in a matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Dallas is tied with the New York Giants atop the division after a win in its sixth game of the season decided by three points or less.

Dallas scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes to stun the Philadelphia Eagles 21-20 on Monday night.

Drew Bledsoe hit Terry Glenn, held without a catch until then, on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 3:04 left to get Dallas to within 20-14. On the second play after the ensuing kickoff, Roy Williams intercepted Donovan McNabb and returned it 46 yards for the winning score.

"It's an exciting brand of football, but I'd like for them to be a little less stressful," Bledsoe said. "I'd like for us to play better earlier in the game."

The game was the first of three in an 11-day stretch for the Cowboys. Their next two games are at home, against Detroit on Sunday and Denver on Thanksgiving Day.

Powered by: StatShark.com

The teams left on Dallas' schedule have a combined record of 38-25, with only Detroit and St. Louis under .500, both at 4-5.

Cowboys running back Julius Jones returned Monday after missing three games with a sprained ankle, but was held to 16 yards on eight carries. Rookie Marion Barber, who played well while Jones was out, had 46 yards rushing and a touchdown on 13 carries. Barber rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns in his previous game, a 34-13 win over Arizona on Oct. 30.

Banged-up Jeff Garcia is still the starting quarterback of the Lions, but that doesn't mean he will play Sunday. Coach Steve Mariucci said Garcia will remain the starter even after Joey Harrington's three-touchdown performance in last week's 29-21 victory over Arizona, but Garcia could miss a third straight game this week due to injury.

"We named Jeff our starter a few weeks ago, and since then, I haven't changed my mind," Mariucci said. "Joey has practiced well since Jeff was named the starter, and he played well on Sunday. But we need to see if Jeff freshens up this week or not."

Garcia missed the first five games after breaking his leg in the final exhibition game. He started twice - winning in Cleveland and losing to Chicago - but has missed the last two with soreness in the leg.

He didn't seem optimistic Monday about playing this week.

"I don't feel any different," he said. "I haven't really seen myself make the kind of progress that I want. It has been discouraging."

Mariucci, though, hopes to have Garcia on the field against the Cowboys.

"He's getting close," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Harrington insists that he's not frustrated that his strong showing didn't regain him the starting spot.

"My situation hasn't changed," he said. "If the coach tells me that Jeff is starting, I'll be ready to him back him up, and if not, I'll be ready to start. That's my job right now, because Jeff is our starting quarterback."

Playing an entire game for the first time since Oct. 2, Roy Williams had seven receptions for 117 yards and caught all three of Harrington's scoring passes for 7, 21 and 29 yards. The last Lion to catch three touchdowns in a game was Herman Moore in 1995.

Mariucci gave leading rusher Kevin Jones only 14 carries against the Cardinals because he wants to rotate all three of his tailbacks.

"Kevin is a terrific back, but for me to get him more carries, I have to take time away from one of our other backs," he said. "I don't feel compelled to get Toose (Artose Pinner) off the field, and Shawn Bryson has been terrific."

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12:31:55 AM EST
Hearing Looking for the broom...SWEEP!!!!

Cowboys 21, Philly 20

Cowboys shock Eagles

Cowboys running back Marion Barber scores a touchdown as Eagles safety Brian Dawkins defends in the first quarter Monday in Philadelphia. Roy Williams intercepted a Donavan McNabb pass and ran it back for a touchdown to tie it with 2:43 left. The point after won it for the Cowboys.

Cowboys Come Back in Thriller

The Cowboys are dominated for much of the game, but they stun the Eagles with a late rally. Dallas strikes for touchdowns on both offense and defense in 21 seconds to steal a 21-20 road victory. Details

 

Miles Kennedy, AP

Bill Parcells was with the Cowboys despite attending his brother's funeral in New Jersey hours earlier. Details

 

Rusty Kennedy, AP

After a Terry Glenn TD catch, Roy Williams picked off Donovan McNabb and waltzed in for the winning score.

 

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10:14:53 AM EST

 

And this from Cowboys Blog:

"The midseason break is over, as the Cowboys enter a brutal second half stretch run in Philadelphia, hoping to cement their status as the owners of the Eagles. Dallas thrashed Philly 33-10 in Texas Stadium a month ago, a loss that has sent the four time defending division champs into a tailspin. They have won just one of their last three games and have looked worn out in all of them.

The stakes for both teams are high. Dallas sits at 5-3 and needs a strong start to a third quarter that will see them play the Eagles, Lions, Broncos and Giants by December 1st. Philadelphia is 4-4 and 0-2 in the division. Another loss would drop them deep in the division basement with New York next on the schedule.

When Philadelphia Has the Ball

It’s the most mystifying trend of the year. Andy Reid has a beaten up QB who is suffering with a sports hernia, bruised ribs and other bumps and bruises. And yet, week after week, he insists on throwing the football close to 80% of the time. He has always favored the pass and threw the ball over 60% of the time last season. But why would he put more pressure on Donovan’ McNabb when he returns almost all of last year’s offensive lineup?

The answer will be Reid’s alone. So far it’s not working. Yes, he had some explosiveness early in the season, when his skill position players were healthy. But now, he’s playing with a much shorter deck. TE L.J. Smith suffered a concussion against Washington last week and might not play Monday. And then there is that Terrell Owens fellow, who so stupidly pouted and punched himself off the team. "

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9:58:33 AM EST

From the Dallas Morning News:

Gameday: Cowboys (5-3) at Eagles (4-4)

8 p.m. today, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

 

Line: Eagles by 3

The Cowboys will win if ...

They follow the same formula they did in the last meeting: take an early lead and force the one-dimensional Eagles to abandon their running game even earlier than usual, because Donovan McNabb is not good enough this year to put a team on his back and win.

The Cowboys will lose if ...

 

They fail to handle the emotion from a raucous Monday Night Football crowd and allow the Eagles to seize control of the game early. Or if the Cowboys give up big plays that allow the Eagles to have short scoring drives, because Philadelphia isn't good enough to consistently drive the ball the length of the field.

The Eagles will win if ...

Rookie Reggie Brown, suspended receiver Terrell Owens' replacement, can provide the same imitation he did last week, when he caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Brown, a second-round pick, has the speed, size and athleticism to be a difference-maker.

The Eagles will lose if ...

Coach Andy Reid doesn't try to run the ball. The Eagles have to have the threat of the run to slow the Cowboys' pass rush and to make their linebackers hold for an instant on play-action. With no running threat, the Cowboys' defense will suffocate the Eagles' offense.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH Drew Bledsoe's snap count

The last time these teams played, Drew Bledsoe threw 35 passes without being sacked. Bledsoe had been sacked 140 times over the previous three seasons and has been sacked at least three times on five occasions this season. The Eagles like to blitz, but the Cowboys kept them from getting a rhythm by varying Bledsoe's snap count. Several times, Bledsoe held the snap count for several seconds while he was under center to disrupt the Eagles' timing. Instead of running up to the line of scrimmage at the last second and blitzing from a running start, the Eagles were standing still at the snap, giving Bledsoe the extra time he needed.

Philadelphia's Reggie Brown

Reggie Brown has one of the toughest jobs in the NFL: He must replace Terrell Owens, one of the NFL's best players. Owens has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. Brown did an admirable job last week with 96 yards receiving and a touchdown. He has excellent speed and outstanding jumping ability, which is why the Eagles took him in the second round. He's the most talented receiver on the roster, and if he can give the Eagles a little of the explosiveness they miss without Owens, they might be able to make the playoffs. If not, they have no chance because the offense isn't going to produce enough.

Yards after contact

Rookie running back Marion Barber scored two touchdowns on leg-churning, tackle-breaking runs in the Cowboys' 34-13 win over Arizona two weeks ago. Keyshawn Johnson is a physical runner after he catches the ball, and receiver Terry Glenn is an elusive ball-carrier. In their last game, safety Brian Dawkins said the Eagles didn't tackle well because they weren't physical enough. He said that's a trend that must stop this week because the Cowboys' runners and receivers do a good job of gaining yards after contact. Barber, who has 222 yards in the last two games, has done a good job of finishing his runs and punishing defenders who tackle him.

Donovan McNabb's completion percentage

In the West Coast offense, the quarterback is supposed to complete about 65 percent of his passes, because many of the throws are short passes on three- and five-step drops designed to set up manageable third-down situations. This year, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is completing only 59.4 percent of his passes. The Cowboys have been excellent in pass defense this season, in part because cornerbacks Anthony Henry, Terence Newman and Aaron Glenn allow them to easily match up against three-receiver formations. Opposing quarterbacks have completed only 54 percent of their passes – the best in the league. If McNabb doesn't hit 60 percent of his passes, the Eagles won't be able to sustain their offense.

Julius Jones

Last year, Julius Jones came off a broken shoulder to average 114.7 yards per game and score seven touchdowns. In the process, he invigorated the Cowboys' offense and was anointed one of the league's young stars. Coach Bill Parcells is hoping he can have a similar impact on the Cowboys' offense this year. Parcells has declined to say whether he'll start, but Jones will get at least 15 carries, and the Cowboys hope he can team with Marion Barber to give Dallas a dominant running game. The Cowboys need Jones because he gives the offense big-play ability; he can score from anywhere on the field.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WHEN THE COWBOYS RUN

Dallas is averaging 35.1 carries per game. If the Cowboys hit that figure tonight, they will win. Dallas ranks 13th in the NFL in rushing (122.4) but leads the league in time of possession (34:03). Philadelphia allows 4.0 yards per carry.

WHEN THE COWBOYS PASS

In their last meeting, Drew Bledsoe passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns. As long as Dallas protects Bledsoe, the Eagles are going to have trouble covering Dallas' receivers. Philadelphia allows 229.9 passing yards per game (24th in the NFL).

WHEN THE EAGLES RUN

Brian Westbrook had 24 yards on 17 carries last week, one reason coach Andy Reid doesn't call many running plays. Dallas has contained better runners – LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber – than Westbrook.

WHEN THE EAGLES PASS

Donovan McNabb directs the NFL's most potent passing attack, but without suspended receiver Terrell Owens, McNabb has to rely more on rookie Reggie Brown. The Cowboys have allowed less than 200 yards passing in three of their last four games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kick returner Tyson Thompson has been a valuable weapon, and the coverage units are getting better each week. Shaun Suisham will kick off grass and in a pressure-filled environment for the first time as a pro. Philadelphia's David Akers is one of the NFL's best kickers, but punter Reggie Hodges has been average at best.

INTANGIBLES

Dallas is trying to deliver a knockout blow to a proud franchise that has been to four consecutive NFC title games. The fans know how important a victory is, because a three-game losing streak at this point of the season could spell doom, so they will be excited. Philadelphia is 3-0 at home.

KEY MATCHUP Cowboys C Al Johnson vs. Philadelphia MLB Jeremiah Trotter

Philadelphia middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is the key to the Eagles' run defense.

The Eagles align him in a two-point stance over the center with a pair of beefy defensive tackles on each side. At the snap, he tries to run through the centerand disrupt the play.

It's an effective strategy, especially with an undersized center like Al Johnson (310 pounds). But it didn't help the Eagles in the last meeting between the teams.

Dallas ran for a season-high 167 yards on 46 carries while keeping the ball for 40:43. Coach Bill Parcells said he doesn't expect to have the same success in this game.

"He's a physical player, and he runs their defense," Parcells said of Trotter. "I don't think we'll be able to do exactly what we did the last time, because we loosened them up early by throwing the ball."

For Dallas to have any success on the ground, Johnson must control Trotter with help from guards Larry Allen and Marco Rivera.

EDGE: Johnson

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7:42:43 PM EST

From the DallasCowboys.com:

- Donovan McNabb said it. Andy Reid said it. Brian Dawkins said it. Sheldon Brown blogged it.

"We have to move on."

Sure the Eagles have suspended not only the team's leading receiver, Terrell Owens, but maybe one of the best receivers going in the NFL. But injuries also are plaguing the Eagles, and on top of that, their rushing game has been anything but effective.

And now, humbled with a 4-4 record and residing in last place of the NFC East, two games out of the division lead, the once big, bad Philadelphia Eagles must face the 5-3 Cowboys Monday night on national TV at Lincoln Financial Field for a national television audience to see.

"We have to worry about the Cowboys on Monday night right now," Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid said when asked how his team is handling the Terrell Owens situation.

The Eagles are counting on Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid to keep the team focused this week.

 Any good coach would say the same thing. Reid is a good coach. He has taken the Eagles to four straight NFC Championship games and last season's Super Bowl. He understands what his team must do to start winning games.

There is little time in the NFL to feel sorry for yourself, especially since the Eagles have lost three of the past four games and two straight. Philadelphia has not lost three consecutive games since Reid's first season as head coach in 1999.

"At any given time, anything can happen and you have to be ready," Dawkins said of backup players having to be ready to step up in the face of all this adversity. "As far as the young guys understanding that (they must).

"The game has a way of humbling you sometimes and you have to be ready to come back, and pursue what you started off pursuing."

 

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