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Latest News
2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster? Last Week's Answer: Danny White |
Tim's Talk: Week 5
1. I thought it was a trap game. I felt the Rams were going to be
tough to beat becomes a team that is 0-3 will play tougher and
harder than a team that is 3-0 and for a while I thought that was the
case. Until the botched snap. Then all hell broke loose. That is a
play that will be remembered for a long time. I don't care what
anyone says. The way they play Donovan McNabbs run against the
Cowboys in 2004 they will play the longest 4 yard run by Tony
Romo. What a statement. I mean with the Rams and that fresh
momentum from the return for a touchdown, it seemed the Rams
would go into the locker room with a fire in them. But Romo quickly
put it out. After connecting on passes for two first downs
afterwards, he finishes with a scramble on his own. No trap, but a
complete dominance.
2. I don't think the Cowboy fans need to worry about a contract with
Tony Romo. The Cowboys can franchise him for the next two years
so I am not worried about him going anywhere. That said, I think the
Cowboys should sign him before they can put the franchise tag on
him. The franchise tag was originally designed so a team can still
own the rights to a player without having to lose him in free agency,
costing first round picks for any team that wanted to sign a
franchise player. In return, the player would be guaranteed to have
a minimum salary of the top 5 players in his position combined. Now
it is used as an advantage to keep players from leaving and from
paying them what they are worth in the open market, keeping them
from the big contracts. Jerry Jones has yet to use the franchise tag
on any player. The closest I recall was after the 1995 season with
Darren Woodson, but they were able to ink out a deal. I know Jones
wants to be careful with his money, especially on a QB considering
the roller coaster of QBS that have come in since Troy Aikman
retired. I feel a deal will be done around Thanksgiving week or
shortly thereafter. They won't let this linger.
3. I told you we did not have to worry about Terry Glenn's injury.
Patrick Crayton is showing what most Cowboys already knew. He
has good hands and yesterday showed he had deceptive speed.
So as long as defenses keep sending a safety over the top to
cover Owens and Witten, Crayton will be on single coverage and
usually with the teams second corner or the nickel back covering
him. This will burn defenses. My only concern is defenses will be
wise to this and send their best corner to cover Crayton and have
the double teams on Ownes and Witten. And if Glenn comes back
this year, what then? Crayton is another Cowboy I feel needs to be
resigned long term, because I don't feel he will be a number 1
receiver, I think he would make a solid Number 2 receiver.
4. 2 penalties for 10 yards. After a week when they had 10+
penalties for nearly 100 yards. Will the real Cowboys show up!
5. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were commenting on how great this
offensive line was playing. Excuse me, I already said this but other
than Leonard Davis, is this the same line last year that could not
block anybody? What a difference the quarterback makes.
6. I did not think Greg Ellis was going to play this year. But he
played and had a good game. Also read this morning how Jones
worked out a contract situation with him at his home the previous
day. Gee, what a difference a contract makes as far as playing
status goes.
7. Well the defense essentially pitched a shutout considering the
lone TD was a special team one. Where are all the naysayers
about the bad D from week 1. I said the defense would not give up
35 points a game and I was right.
8. Terence Newman stepped up when CB Anthony Henry went out.
Hopefully Henry's injury is not serious. The last thing this defense
needed is two hobbling defensive backs.
9. The Buffalo Bills are another trap potential game. The Bills now
have a QB controversy brewing as their new QB, Trent Edwards
showed more poise in the game than their highly touted QB JP
Losman. Remember they gave up on Drew Bledsoe for Losman. So
I would not get to complacent especially with another big game
coming up in two weeks. Can't look ahead now.
1. I thought it was a trap game. I felt the Rams were going to be
tough to beat becomes a team that is 0-3 will play tougher and
harder than a team that is 3-0 and for a while I thought that was the
case. Until the botched snap. Then all hell broke loose. That is a
play that will be remembered for a long time. I don't care what
anyone says. The way they play Donovan McNabbs run against the
Cowboys in 2004 they will play the longest 4 yard run by Tony
Romo. What a statement. I mean with the Rams and that fresh
momentum from the return for a touchdown, it seemed the Rams
would go into the locker room with a fire in them. But Romo quickly
put it out. After connecting on passes for two first downs
afterwards, he finishes with a scramble on his own. No trap, but a
complete dominance.
2. I don't think the Cowboy fans need to worry about a contract with
Tony Romo. The Cowboys can franchise him for the next two years
so I am not worried about him going anywhere. That said, I think the
Cowboys should sign him before they can put the franchise tag on
him. The franchise tag was originally designed so a team can still
own the rights to a player without having to lose him in free agency,
costing first round picks for any team that wanted to sign a
franchise player. In return, the player would be guaranteed to have
a minimum salary of the top 5 players in his position combined. Now
it is used as an advantage to keep players from leaving and from
paying them what they are worth in the open market, keeping them
from the big contracts. Jerry Jones has yet to use the franchise tag
on any player. The closest I recall was after the 1995 season with
Darren Woodson, but they were able to ink out a deal. I know Jones
wants to be careful with his money, especially on a QB considering
the roller coaster of QBS that have come in since Troy Aikman
retired. I feel a deal will be done around Thanksgiving week or
shortly thereafter. They won't let this linger.
3. I told you we did not have to worry about Terry Glenn's injury.
Patrick Crayton is showing what most Cowboys already knew. He
has good hands and yesterday showed he had deceptive speed.
So as long as defenses keep sending a safety over the top to
cover Owens and Witten, Crayton will be on single coverage and
usually with the teams second corner or the nickel back covering
him. This will burn defenses. My only concern is defenses will be
wise to this and send their best corner to cover Crayton and have
the double teams on Ownes and Witten. And if Glenn comes back
this year, what then? Crayton is another Cowboy I feel needs to be
resigned long term, because I don't feel he will be a number 1
receiver, I think he would make a solid Number 2 receiver.
4. 2 penalties for 10 yards. After a week when they had 10+
penalties for nearly 100 yards. Will the real Cowboys show up!
5. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were commenting on how great this
offensive line was playing. Excuse me, I already said this but other
than Leonard Davis, is this the same line last year that could not
block anybody? What a difference the quarterback makes.
6. I did not think Greg Ellis was going to play this year. But he
played and had a good game. Also read this morning how Jones
worked out a contract situation with him at his home the previous
day. Gee, what a difference a contract makes as far as playing
status goes.
7. Well the defense essentially pitched a shutout considering the
lone TD was a special team one. Where are all the naysayers
about the bad D from week 1. I said the defense would not give up
35 points a game and I was right.
8. Terence Newman stepped up when CB Anthony Henry went out.
Hopefully Henry's injury is not serious. The last thing this defense
needed is two hobbling defensive backs.
9. The Buffalo Bills are another trap potential game. The Bills now
have a QB controversy brewing as their new QB, Trent Edwards
showed more poise in the game than their highly touted QB JP
Losman. Remember they gave up on Drew Bledsoe for Losman. So
I would not get to complacent especially with another big game
coming up in two weeks. Can't look ahead now.
Defense Playing With Confidence
One of the most overlooked aspects of how well any football unit
plays is confidence. This is perhaps the most true with defenses. A
lot of times you wonder how a defense loaded with talent can
struggle so while another defense with seemingly no playmakers
can shut down a high powered offense. Confidence is the key.
The Dallas defense is playing with confidence. They are
aggressive and sure of themselves. Doubt out on the field causes
hesitation. I'm not seeing any hesitation from any of our guys. We
are playing really hard and fast as a group.
Now all of this isn't to say we lack talent on defense and this is all
Wade Phillips. This is a pretty talented group, but we learned late
last year that doesn't mean squat. You are only as good as your
last performances and this defense stunk. It is good to see us
turning the corner this season.
The last two weeks we have been great. I know the quarterbacks
were shaky for Chicago and St. Louis, but they rarely had guys
open. The corners are doing a great job of getting there hands on
the ball. Ken Hamlin is doing a tremendous job of giving the
corners help on deep passes. He has better range than I thought.
Teams haven't completed a single deep pass the last three weeks.
Perhaps the greatest complement the secondary has received is
the lack of blitzes dialed up by Wade Phillips. He seems to prefer
rushing four and dropping seven into coverage because you can't
argue with the nine interceptions in four games.
I'm anxious to see how this defense will be viewed over a larger
portion of the season. After three stellar weeks, we are only
allowing 18 points a game for the season. Add to that the fact that
we have forced 11 turnovers and you have a top five defense. Now
I know that we haven't played a good offense since Week 1, but the
confidence we gained against those opponents should carry over
into tougher games. Our defense may be a little over-matched
against the Patriots, but our defenders aren't looking at it like that.
They are going out and expecting to dominate. While that probably
won't happen, we should be able to slow down Tom Brady & Co.
The most impressing thing I've seen from our defense so far this
season is its pass coverage improvements and its ability to plug
guys in and not miss a beat. We struggled some in Week 1 & 2, but
that is because we were playing a new scheme. There is bound to
be an adjustment period for all the players including veterans who
are used to playing a different style. You can practice it all you
want, but real action is a whole different ball game.
Being able to plug guys in and not lose much is the sign of a good
football team. Last season the Patriots were decimated by injuries.
It didn't matter. They were still a dropped pass away from winning a
4th Super Bowl. I see that quality with Dallas. No Terry Glenn, No
Problem, No Jason Ferguson, No Problem, No Terrence Newman,
No Problem. The whole units for this team appears to be better
than the sum of its parts and that is what great teams are. They
aren't a bunch of talented individuals, they are a group.
Hopefully this team can keep rolling against Buffalo. Then it will be
a short week at home in Dallas as we prepare for the New England
Patriots. This game will be touted as a possible Super Bowl preview
so we will see what happens. I can't wait for that game, but first we
have to take care of business in primetime against the Bills.
One of the most overlooked aspects of how well any football unit
plays is confidence. This is perhaps the most true with defenses. A
lot of times you wonder how a defense loaded with talent can
struggle so while another defense with seemingly no playmakers
can shut down a high powered offense. Confidence is the key.
The Dallas defense is playing with confidence. They are
aggressive and sure of themselves. Doubt out on the field causes
hesitation. I'm not seeing any hesitation from any of our guys. We
are playing really hard and fast as a group.
Now all of this isn't to say we lack talent on defense and this is all
Wade Phillips. This is a pretty talented group, but we learned late
last year that doesn't mean squat. You are only as good as your
last performances and this defense stunk. It is good to see us
turning the corner this season.
The last two weeks we have been great. I know the quarterbacks
were shaky for Chicago and St. Louis, but they rarely had guys
open. The corners are doing a great job of getting there hands on
the ball. Ken Hamlin is doing a tremendous job of giving the
corners help on deep passes. He has better range than I thought.
Teams haven't completed a single deep pass the last three weeks.
Perhaps the greatest complement the secondary has received is
the lack of blitzes dialed up by Wade Phillips. He seems to prefer
rushing four and dropping seven into coverage because you can't
argue with the nine interceptions in four games.
I'm anxious to see how this defense will be viewed over a larger
portion of the season. After three stellar weeks, we are only
allowing 18 points a game for the season. Add to that the fact that
we have forced 11 turnovers and you have a top five defense. Now
I know that we haven't played a good offense since Week 1, but the
confidence we gained against those opponents should carry over
into tougher games. Our defense may be a little over-matched
against the Patriots, but our defenders aren't looking at it like that.
They are going out and expecting to dominate. While that probably
won't happen, we should be able to slow down Tom Brady & Co.
The most impressing thing I've seen from our defense so far this
season is its pass coverage improvements and its ability to plug
guys in and not miss a beat. We struggled some in Week 1 & 2, but
that is because we were playing a new scheme. There is bound to
be an adjustment period for all the players including veterans who
are used to playing a different style. You can practice it all you
want, but real action is a whole different ball game.
Being able to plug guys in and not lose much is the sign of a good
football team. Last season the Patriots were decimated by injuries.
It didn't matter. They were still a dropped pass away from winning a
4th Super Bowl. I see that quality with Dallas. No Terry Glenn, No
Problem, No Jason Ferguson, No Problem, No Terrence Newman,
No Problem. The whole units for this team appears to be better
than the sum of its parts and that is what great teams are. They
aren't a bunch of talented individuals, they are a group.
Hopefully this team can keep rolling against Buffalo. Then it will be
a short week at home in Dallas as we prepare for the New England
Patriots. This game will be touted as a possible Super Bowl preview
so we will see what happens. I can't wait for that game, but first we
have to take care of business in primetime against the Bills.