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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 |
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.
An Instant Classic
That game was crazy! That game had more plot twists than a
primetime thriller. I will say that I'm not discouraged by the way we
performed. The team gained learned more from winning a tough
game like that than they would have from another blowout.
Blowouts don't make you a tough football team. Play-off games are
tough and close, and we showed last night we can win one of those
games.
I'm not going to beat on the dead horse that is Tony Romo's
performance. He played horribly for most of the game. He misread
coverage and forced passes he shouldn't have. I will be concerned
if he struggles again next week, but I don't expect him to. He made
the plays when he had to and that is what matters.
Nobody is talking about how well the defense played. Romo
wouldn't have thrown five interceptions if the defense wouldn't have
forced so many three and outs. We just kept giving Romo the ball
right back. This isn't the same unit that played opening night. I
know we will face a stiff test next week, but I suspect we will hold our
own against the Pats' offense.
DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer had great games. Spencer
made a great play when he jumped the snap count. He went
around the edge so quick the tackle couldn't even touch him. He
isn't as athletic as Ware, but he is still a very gifted athlete. Ware
was a beast. I saw him close on Trent Edwards so fast on a play I
couldn't even believe it. Neither could Edwards. Edwards got rid of
the ball, but he just sat there in disbelief for a few seconds
wondering how a guy that big could be so athletic. Another
example of his athleticism was his three foot vertical leap on the
pass he tipped that Newman intercepted.
This defense only forced one turnover, but that turnover came
when they absolutely needed one. Last night might be the only
time you ever see Newman caught from behind. Lee Evans is a
speedster and Newman has a bum foot and knee. The real hero on
this play was Jay Ratliff. If he wouldn't have been hustling down
field the Bills would have recovered Newman's fumble.
Bradie James had a beastly game. He kept stuffing Marshawn
Lynch. He stuffed him on a 3rd and short and then on the 4th down
play right after. Our run defense is really stout again this season.
We aren't missing Ferguson at all right now.
I was impressed with our interior lineman last night. Stephen Bowen
and Jason Hatcher got consistent pressure in nickel situations. I
didn't really notice Greg Ellis much. He only played 13 plays.
Nick Folk is the man. He drilled every field goal right down the
middle. I really like his demeanor. I could see him being our kicker
for the next ten years.
Our kick-off coverage teams were horrible. I know we miss Keith
Davis, but that isn't an excuse. If we don't get that cleaned up we
are in trouble.
Terrell Owens struggled last night. I would have liked for him to
catch the 2 point conversion and the first pass after the onside kick,
but those were really tough catches. A great receiver should make
them, but they weren't blatant drops. The 2 point conversion
should have been pass interference. You can't make contact with
the receiver and not even play the ball.
Jason Witten is a beast. He is easily the best tight end in the NFC.
There is nothing he can't do on the football field. He was
underutilized last year, but we are seeing what he is capable of this
season as we have been forced to lean on him.
Overall, I was happy we won. You can't play great every week. We
played poorly and still won. That is a sign of a good team. We
didn't want to lose this game and risk being 4-2 after the Pats
game. The Redskins are 3-1, so if they win they would have been
the division leader. We better play better this week, and I think we
will. Who knows, maybe the Pats will have a poor game.
That game was crazy! That game had more plot twists than a
primetime thriller. I will say that I'm not discouraged by the way we
performed. The team gained learned more from winning a tough
game like that than they would have from another blowout.
Blowouts don't make you a tough football team. Play-off games are
tough and close, and we showed last night we can win one of those
games.
I'm not going to beat on the dead horse that is Tony Romo's
performance. He played horribly for most of the game. He misread
coverage and forced passes he shouldn't have. I will be concerned
if he struggles again next week, but I don't expect him to. He made
the plays when he had to and that is what matters.
Nobody is talking about how well the defense played. Romo
wouldn't have thrown five interceptions if the defense wouldn't have
forced so many three and outs. We just kept giving Romo the ball
right back. This isn't the same unit that played opening night. I
know we will face a stiff test next week, but I suspect we will hold our
own against the Pats' offense.
DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer had great games. Spencer
made a great play when he jumped the snap count. He went
around the edge so quick the tackle couldn't even touch him. He
isn't as athletic as Ware, but he is still a very gifted athlete. Ware
was a beast. I saw him close on Trent Edwards so fast on a play I
couldn't even believe it. Neither could Edwards. Edwards got rid of
the ball, but he just sat there in disbelief for a few seconds
wondering how a guy that big could be so athletic. Another
example of his athleticism was his three foot vertical leap on the
pass he tipped that Newman intercepted.
This defense only forced one turnover, but that turnover came
when they absolutely needed one. Last night might be the only
time you ever see Newman caught from behind. Lee Evans is a
speedster and Newman has a bum foot and knee. The real hero on
this play was Jay Ratliff. If he wouldn't have been hustling down
field the Bills would have recovered Newman's fumble.
Bradie James had a beastly game. He kept stuffing Marshawn
Lynch. He stuffed him on a 3rd and short and then on the 4th down
play right after. Our run defense is really stout again this season.
We aren't missing Ferguson at all right now.
I was impressed with our interior lineman last night. Stephen Bowen
and Jason Hatcher got consistent pressure in nickel situations. I
didn't really notice Greg Ellis much. He only played 13 plays.
Nick Folk is the man. He drilled every field goal right down the
middle. I really like his demeanor. I could see him being our kicker
for the next ten years.
Our kick-off coverage teams were horrible. I know we miss Keith
Davis, but that isn't an excuse. If we don't get that cleaned up we
are in trouble.
Terrell Owens struggled last night. I would have liked for him to
catch the 2 point conversion and the first pass after the onside kick,
but those were really tough catches. A great receiver should make
them, but they weren't blatant drops. The 2 point conversion
should have been pass interference. You can't make contact with
the receiver and not even play the ball.
Jason Witten is a beast. He is easily the best tight end in the NFC.
There is nothing he can't do on the football field. He was
underutilized last year, but we are seeing what he is capable of this
season as we have been forced to lean on him.
Overall, I was happy we won. You can't play great every week. We
played poorly and still won. That is a sign of a good team. We
didn't want to lose this game and risk being 4-2 after the Pats
game. The Redskins are 3-1, so if they win they would have been
the division leader. We better play better this week, and I think we
will. Who knows, maybe the Pats will have a poor game.