Cowboys' Andre Gurode Deserved Better | Clarence Hill Ft. Worth Star Telegram | August 29th, 2011
Clarence makes the excellent point that while the move makes sense 'on the field' for the Cowboys to move on from Gurode, the team might have been able to handle the process with a little more compassion for the player. Hill also cites the contrast of a player like Jay Ratliff, who is probably seeing the prime years of his career be played while being under paid.
Consider that Ratliff is due to make $3.75 million and $4.8 million in base salaries in 2011 and 2012. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick who has yet to crack the starting lineup let alone be named to the Pro Bowl team will get $10 million in guaranteed money during that time.
The man that will replace Andre Gurode as the Dallas Cowboys starting center, took every advantage of the opportunity presented him as an injury fill-in. The team seems to believe that his PCL sprain will not keep him out of the September 11th opener.
Houck had more changeover in 2004 | Todd Archer - ESPN | August 29th, 2011
For all of those that are concerned about the amount of changeover on the offensive line in such a short period of time, here's a nugget that might help you relax a little.
Go back to 2004 with San Diego.
In 2003 Houck started (from left to right) Damion McIntosh, Kelvin Garmon, Jason Ball/Cory Raymer, Phil Bogle/Solomon Page and Courtney Van Buren. The Chargers went 4-12.
In 2004 he broke in five new guys, including two rookies and two veteran free agent signings. From left to right the Chargers started Roman Oben, Toniu Fonoti, Nick Hardwick, Mike Goff and Shane Olivea and San Diego went 12-4. Hardwick and Olivea were rookies that year.
Take that, JimmyK. :)
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Rob Ryan not worried about Defense | Todd Archer ESPN | August 29th, 2011
"We may not be the '85 Bears or Baltimore Ravens, or last year's preseason defense, all the great ones, but we're perfect," the Cowboys’ coordinator said. "We're where we want to be, we're doing fine, we're improving every week, communication's coming along, the players are getting healthy and we're going to be great."
We love this guy at the moment, but without results like what his brother Rob has done in New York, these fits of bravado will wear thin rather quickly.
Ware: Defensive Communication Was Better Saturday Night | Scott Crisp - NBC DFW | August 29th, 2011
"It wasn't as loud because the coach and team were a little bit quieter for the offense, but it was a lot better communication," Ware said, per the Dallas Morning News. "The guys were getting all of their reps in and played a little bit better."
The Cowboys’ defense remains a work in progress--we know that, because we’ve heard it throughout the preseason, from Rob Ryan, Jason Garrett, et al. On Saturday, this was reflected as the team allowed 442 total yards, 175 of which came on the ground. Ware remains confident, though, that the unit will be ready for the regular season opener, in New York on September 11.
Cowboys See Bryant As Star In The Making | Michael Silver Yahoo! Sports | August 29th, 2011
In advance of what many see as a breakout season for the Cowboys wideout, one of my favorite scribes recounts the build up to opening day for the star receiver in a lengthy write-up.
The Cowboys continue their search for an opening day kicker, bringing in Rayner who was recently cut loose by the Detroit Lions. This will be realistic candidate #5 if you are keeping score. Rookie kicker Dan Bailey went 2 for 2 against Minnesota, Shayne Graham had one FG and one XP. Kai Forbath have yet to attempt field goals for the club as Buehler has missed the last two games with a hip pointer.
Well, duh.
While I pseudo understand the position of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson in his stance against piercings and tattoos for the face of his franchise, I'm glad Jerry Jones doesn't suffer from such prejudgement phobias. The Panthers have to worry about every aspect of marketing, while the Cowboys brand seems to market itself, so the two worlds are different. I'm still happy Jones has better things to worry about.
-- ESPN's Bryan Broaddus Cowboys @ Vikings Game Review
-- Punter Mat McBriar (groin), inside linebacker Bradie James and OG Kyle Kosier all missed this morning's practice with injuries | ESPN
-- Martellus Bennett has a high ankle sprain and will be out for 2-4 weeks | National Football Post
-- Former wideout Terry Glenn runs afoul of the law again | CBSSports.com
-- Miami Dolphins - Dallas Cowboys game blacked out live (in South Florida) | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
-- Be prepared to face the Michael Vick experience twice a year for the majority of the decade. That is if he ever plays all 16 games in a single season. | San Antonio Express
-- Gurode wasn't the only player in camp that was shown the door on Monday. WR Curtis Clay from TCU was also released. | DMN
-- Undrafted rookie Kevin Kowalski, the new number 2 on the center depth chart, acquitted himself rather well in the eyes of Jerry Jones and Tony Romo. | NBCDFW