Dallas Cowboys news & notes
by Dave Halprin on Dec 10, 2008 1:00 AM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintI guess we'll find out a lot more about our injury situation today when the MRI's are done and everybody is checked out at the Ranch. Montrae Holland has the bad ankle and his absence would definitely have me worried. As Tuna Helper noted in this story, Ken Hamlin was getting treatment and using a walking boot on Monday for his ankle. Wade Phillips says he'll miss some practice time this week. The way things have been going this season that could mean anything for his status Sunday. Not only that but Keith Davis has a bad knee, so we are getting desperately thin at the safety position.
During the Steelers game we played Anthony Henry as a cover safety in the sub-packages but he could be called upon for more if Hamlin or Davis can't go this week. And to think, Tra Battle, a guy who's been here just a few weeks and was on the Chargers practice squad, was actually getting meaningful snaps in the Steelers game.
According to this article we had injuries in the Steelers game to Holland, Hamlin, K. Davis, Adam Jones, Bradie James, Zach Thomas, Jay Ratliff, Jason Witten and Terence Newman. Luckily, most of those came back and played in the game. Like Terence Newman, whose injury is listed in the article as blurred vision. Ha! I guess that accounts for the Santonio Holmes play
We signed a guy to the practice squad after Quincy Butler was signed by the Rams. His name is Vickiel Vaughn, a safety who was with the Broncos in training camp after spending a few years with the 49ers.
Turns out that Jerry Jones wasn't questioning MB3's toughness, according to Jerry Jones.
"We all know how tough Marion Barber is," Jerry said. "When he had his injury, I felt, 'Look, you'll have to shoot him to keep him off the football field.' I was surprised that we didn't have him. That was not meant to be critical of his toughness. It did come out that way, but fundamentally, it was because he is so tough that you would have thought that he could play."
The secret to the Eagles controlling the Giants defense last week? According to the New York press, using max-protect blocking schemes. Also, while injured CB Aaron Ross is expected to play Sunday, this is what was said about Brandon Jacobs.
But the person cautioned Jacobs' status won't truly be known until Saturday night or even shortly before game time on Sunday.
For more on the Giants, visit SB Nation's blog Big Blue View.
OK, we're not even playing the Redskins this week but I had to post this on Clinton Portis absolutely ripping his head coach. I thought the Cowboys were the dysfunctional team?
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Whats up with Portis
and where’s the reaction from the press? I expected BSPN.com to have this story as a banner with photos of Portis and Zorn, not to mention 3 blogs with “expert observations” on the story behind the story. I just don’t get it. If TO had said 1/4 th of this it would be headlines on CNN.
Zorn has a history ofdoing things like this.
He seems to think that if his offense isnt scoring points it must be the player’s fault because he thinks his system is perfect.
Portis
is a great player and I am a fan of his but how can he justify public comments like these? No good can come from that. problems like these (whoever is at fault) need to be solved out of the limelight.
As for Zorn, I think he has done a great job in a short amount of time and has rejuninated the team. I’m sure he is not perfect nor is his game plan, but he is still the coach and players who have issues should take them up in private.
by giant fan since 57 on Dec 10, 2008 3:44 AM CST reply actions
Zorn is the polar opposite of Gibbs
Last season, Gibbs never criticized obvious player mistakes from games and always said it was his fault.
Zorn has been the complete opposite all season long. He’s been throwing his players under the bus since Week 1.
Just ask Chris Cooley and Pete Kendall, who have had their moments.
I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, and one of our local sports radio stations is an affiliate of Redskins Radio. In fact, da Skins are the local team here. The DC reporters brought out the info regarding Cooley and Kendall.
So it’s not like Portis was the only one. However, CP was the first player to speak out and talk back… and do it in front of the media.
If this were in Big D, it’d be BIGGER NEWS.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
If I played for a guy like Gibbs that would drive me crazy...
Maybe it’s just me but I wold like to know the real score with my coach every moment. For him to take the blame when it was obviously a screw up by players is worse to me than answering questions honestly by the media about players performances. It is the coach’s job to answer to the media.
I do agree though that there is a fine line between the coach admitting that a player dlidn’t make the right play or wasn’t up to speed and throwing him under the bus. A lot of it has to do with the image a coach develops over his tenure. A guy like Tuna used to walk that line pretty successfuly, but even he screwed up occasionally. Zorn just needs more time to work crap like this out.
Bottom line (in my opinion) is that Portis’ comments were out of line.
by giant fan since 57 on Dec 10, 2008 7:12 AM CST reply actions
I thought Zorn
… just explained why he benched Portis. Agree or disagree with his logic, at least the guy was straight with why he made the decision. Guy didn’t practice, so I thought the other guy would be sharper.
Coaches make decisions, right or wrong. Some explain their process, some don’t.
As for keeping it inside, looks like Portis is the one who aired more of the coach-to-player give and take in the media. He is a good player, but also a prima donna.
Glad to see the Skins coming apart like this though.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
An observtion from a BSPN guy named Horton
said that manning was getting a new look from the def in the last game. It talked about how the iggles could play a balanced coverage instead of rolled coverage because plaxico was out and that manning had to make his reads after the snap and that is more difficult than making presnap reads.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=horton_gary&id=3754887
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
good info thanks.
Newman on Hixon, Pac-man on Toomer, Henry on Boss, and Scandrick on S. Smith.. Done and dialed..
If Brandon Jacobs can’t go that is huge, he is a freak of nature..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
Attn: Griz and other leaders
Can someone please post an analysis of Eagles Giants game. I want to know what we can (need to is a tough word coz I am not sure if Donut Wade is awake or alseep ;-) do to beat the Giants just the was Eagles did. I am trying to look for some article that describes Eagles game plan and what they did different to beat Giants. I do not believe Giants lost because Burress was out.
And on a different note, and this one for the media bi***, when Giants lost it is because they had too many distractions this week. When Antonio (I hate him) Pierce was owned by Westbrooke, it is because he was not playing 100% due to the incidence with Plaxico the week before. What BS? What BS? WTF….
Distractions? You gotta be kidding me ESPN, FOX, CBS whoever………what world are you guys dwelling in for god’s sake.
by letsgogetonefellas on Dec 10, 2008 9:30 AM CST reply actions
I know one thing for sure
Westbrook got busy on the ground and the air. T Choice or M. Barber will have some good opportunities in the passing game.
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
I was thinking swings (Choice) and short slants and timing routes (WR’s) in the Pittsburgh game, I don’t see anything wrong with trying more of that in this game either.
And yes, all he— would break loose if that crap happened in Dallas. There’s your media bias there…
shorter routes
Probably would have helped, Romo struggled throwing down field.
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
From the video
Kornholer and whatever his name is just had to get an “overrated Cowboys” clause in there….Richard Crainiums the both of them.
HA-HA...
loved the “Richard Craniums” reference. great way to circumvent the “no obscene profanity” rule here.
BSPN sucks.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Dec 10, 2008 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
Reports out that Pacman is out for the year with a neck injury
I was listening to Nick on DC.com and they were getting e-mails saying Pacman is out for the year. They couldn’t confirm or deny the report, but he said Pacman had a MRI yesterday. I guess we will find out soon enough. This is the last thing we need.
Other news is Austin should be back next week against Baltimore.
RW is questionable against the Giants….
2009 Draft here we come........
you act like Pacrat played as an elite CB
I got news for you, he was an above average CB and thats it, just like Jenkins.
In Romo we Trust
yeah I don't think 5 ypa and 13 pass deflecitions in 7 games is average
but you will get your wish it looks like he could be out for the year
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/
Pac-rat is over-rated
and when the MRI results come back, he’ll probaby will be gone for the season anyway..IR
He’s been average since he got here, when he can stay on the field
Loved those brilliants plays Sunday,
Muffed a punt, fielded a punt inside the ten yard line, a NO NO in football.
caused a timeout because he was lined up on the wrong side
From the way Wade was looking and jawing at him after the too many men on the field call, I assume he wasn’t suppose to be on the field at the time
Hopefully he’ll be part of my big three that wont be brought back next year
Roy “the Thong” Williams ( Loved that moniker who ever gave him that)
Pac-rat ( a suspension waiting to happen)
Terrell (I’m all about Me) Owens, I never seen a route I didn’t give up on, but as he say, I was open on the play—haha, sure you were T.O
Roy does suck
but the other two are good. 5 ypa is no pop warner s—t. Pac Man is good whether you like him personally or not.
I dont think the players wanted him back
and from The wade Philips press conference when he was suspended again, i dont think wade wanted him back either, that was a jerry Jones decision forced onto wade.
I believe he’s a negative influence on the younger corners in the secondary.
I would of never given T.O an extension, he’s 35 and isn’t the same player from last year. His skills are slipping. I would of let T.O go after this year and signed T.J houshmandzaedeh in the offseason
Signing
I wouldn’t mind signing Sharper or Dawkins for 2 years and developing a safety via the draft..
How much would it cost to cut Roy? I like Roy, but the team has played so well on D without him the last couple of weeks, I am not sure the team see’s value in him. There will be at leat 6 teams who take a look at Roy if we cut him..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
I dont think we need to sign a safety
and I wouldn’t sign Dawkins, he’s clearly lost a step and again something I would never do is sign a over thirty year old players.
I’d be more than happy with going into next season starting with Hamlin at strong safety and Henry at free safety, with a draft pick, watkins as a backup and with what he have on the roster to step up to take one of the last spot.
I strongly believe Roy is gone after june 1st and would be around 4.4 million cap hit spread out over two years.
then you have to beef up CB
We would have Newman, Scandrick,and Jenkins..
Not ready to trust Ball..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
TO is T-2nd in TDs for WR in the league, he is a TD catching machine among
younger more able bodied rec. TO has as many TD as Larry Fitzgerald with 25 less receptions, TJ has 31 more receptions and only 4 tds this year. The most important funciton of any player is to score TDs and TO does. I bring up rec because he is a threat with limited opportunities, that is why def pay him extra attention.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
let me ask you a couple of questions
Who would you consider the go to guy on this offense for Romo, T.O or Witten?
Who would you go to when you need to convert for a first down on third down to keep a drive going, T.O or Witten?
Who do you think would hear footsteps and develop alligator arms while running across the middle, T.O or Witten?
Who is the Diva, I guy and attention getter on this team an not a team player, T.O or Witten?
Who has better hands, T.O or Witten?
If you were starting a team, who would you want if you had a choice between the two, T.O or Witten?
Who do you think would do whatever it takes to make the play on the ball, T.O or Witten
first off, we are a pass heavy offense first, run second, something I dont agree with.
My contention has been that the cowboys try too much to force the ball into T.O, to the detriment to this offense. The first option for this offense in the passing game should be Witten, not T.O. I think the cowboys try to appease T.O to keep him happy and from getting fustrated and distant on the sideline.
In Cinncinati, TJ houshmandzadeh is a go to guy, he’s the guy Palmer looks for to make the first down on third down situations, to move the chains, keeo drives going and make the tough catches, and lets be fair, Palmer has been out most of the year there, so it’s not fair to compare him to T.O stats. . T.O has better stats because he’s thrown too more than any other player in the league, again too one sided in this offense.
Chad Johnson is like, T.O, threy’re diva’s and all mouth, they’re all about themselves and are outside the lines receivers for the most part, both T.O and johnson are alligator arm receivers that dont like to make plays over the middle, especially tough plays when the safety in over the top waiting for a hit..
In Arizona, it’s all about spreading the ball around, that’s why their offense is so effective, they dont force the ball to one receiver. I’d take either of Arizona’s receivers and TJ houshmandzadeh over T.O anyday. End stats don’t tell the whole story, Last year onThird down conversions to first downs, TJ blew T.O away. I’d take that stat since thats moving the chains. Remember T.O is thrown too more than any other player in the league. I think the cowboys need to strive for more balance on offense and spread the wealth around to the talent they have.
In the first game against washington this year, one third of the offensive plays were directed towards T.O, while Felix Jones on the other hand got zero touches, that right there is part of the problem
Another reciever in this league that doesn’t gets any noticed, and that’is Andre Johnson in Houston, he’s a bigtime receiver and I’d take him anyday over T.O
I just listened to this off of DCfanatic’s website, and I think cowboy fans need to listen to what they’re saying about Romo and T.O, and the offensive identity or idea of what they should be trying to do. Sham and Brown are absolutely dead on and exaclty what I’ve been seeing,
http://dcfanatic.com/files/1/3/2/0/2/128698-120231/shambrown_candid_dec82008.mp3
Where do you have any stats that show he is thrown to more than any WR in the league?
I admit that he is thrown to the most on the team but the league? Hey you do not care for TO I get that, but he still produces and is producing despite less rec. Attempts between TO and JW are not an ocean apart. JW has 64 rec and 3 TD this year, he is their chain mover for the off, but TO is one of their homerun hitters, no one is worried about giving up 1st downs to JW as they are being beat 40+ yds with TO, he can still play and has a higher impact. JW is more consistent, a steady player, a great teammate. But your earlier comment was on TO extension not whether or not anyone though TO was more important or better than JW. The earlier comment was more about you feeling that TJ was better than TO, so do not bring JW into a discussion that did not involve him. I responded to your issue with TO and wanting to replace him with TJ; and brought up some stats to show that the idea is a wash in terms of production. Do I feel that TJ would be a better teammate, yes, but he is only 3 years younger than TO so he would begin to drop off in the 09 season. Andre J has a history of not being able to play a complete season, but I will agree that he is a very good WR, but how is he going to get to Dallas? TJ is realistic because he might be able to get out of cinci, but AJ is not leaving h-town to go to dallas, the tixans would franchise him before they would let that happen.
It was a good repsonse but a bit off topic.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Deke couldn't wait to be Negative.
Standard Deke!!
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
why dont you make a list of all his positives on special teams this year since his primary role was to punt and kickoff returns, that’s worked well
Apparently from the reports here, he might be gone for the year, one week for sure. Is that negative or fact.
If anything he is good to have on the secondary at the very least on
sub packages to help out with depth issues, esp considering the team’s rotten luck this year with injuries.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Doesn't matter
We need 4 good CB’s if we want to go anywhere in the playoffs. We need Newman, Scandrick, Pacman, and Jenkins. Losing any one of them is going to hurt.
by Philosopher on Dec 10, 2008 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
JJ may be your answer at CB
Some of the finest back-peddling I’ve seen in years…
“We all know how tough Marion Barber is,” Jerry said. “When he had his injury, I felt, ‘Look, you’ll have to shoot him to keep him off the football field.’ I was surprised that we didn’t have him. That was not meant to be critical of his toughness. It did come out that way, but fundamentally, it was because he is so tough that you would have thought that he could play.”
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
ANKLES
What’s up with all these ankles? All happening in this particular game? I mean, sounds to me like maybe some training deficiences in our camp or is it just coincidental. Maybe they should have worn boots if this is normal injuries for those conditions.
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 10, 2008 12:42 PM CST reply actions
Yeah I agree with Terry
If you’re having a lot of the same injury in the same game, its more likely the field than the training staff.
"When it's third and ten, you can take the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time." -Max McGee
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