Here’s how DC.com described Ellis and Newman’s participation in practice today.
Newman was a little more active than Ellis, as the 10th-year linebacker only participated in individual drills but at least had his pads on this second day of practice this week. Newman, who missed the first game of his career against the Giants this past Sunday, took part in some team drills and practiced with the first-team nickel defense.
As a result, Newman is more likely to participate in Sunday's game at Miami than Ellis, and is being classified as a game-time decision by Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips. Phillips said he would like to see Ellis participate in team drills before considering playing him.
I’m guessing Newman is going to play in some capacity. If he wasn’t going to, he wouldn’t need to practice a second day. If he had any inkling that he wouldn't play, they would just shut him down for another 4-5 days rest. But if he practiced yesterday and felt OK, and he practiced today with the nickel defense, unless he comes out tomorrow and says it really hurts or something similar, I’m guessing he’s going play in some capacity come Sunday.
Ellis, on the other hand, is probably still a no-go. That’s just a guess based on nothing more than he still doesn’t sound ready when he talks.
This was funny, its part of the same DC.com article where they talk about adjustments that were made for Jacques Reeves playing last week.
One such modification was in Sunday's game against New York. The Cowboys had 5-11, 188-pound cornerback Jacques Reeves getting matched up on Giants 6-5, 230-pound wide receiver Plaxico Burrress. So the Cowboys had Reeves playing off in zone coverage mostly because of the size mismatch. The idea was to keep Burress in check by preventing big pass plays and keeping the yards gained to a minimum. (emphasis added)
Ha! Placixo Burress – 8 catches, 144 yards and three TD’s.
And for the record, I think Roger Goodell blew it by not suspending Bill Belichick for a minimum of two games in addition to the lost 1st-round pick. The lost pick hurts them more as a football team, but suspending Belichick would have sent the symbolic message that cheating won’t be tolerated in any form, by any one. I’ve liked most of what Goodell has done in trying to clamp down on bad behavior in the NFL, but he missed the boat on this one.