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Pondering the 46: Calling all D-linemen - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Archer lists Dunbar, Holloman, and Murray, along with offensive linemen Weems and Arkin, as the likely inactives for the afternoon. More notable though: Archer believes that even though Ware is doubtful, he'll play, even if he is limited to a third-down role.
Jerry Jones: Nothing surprises me about Dallas Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware; ‘He’s Superman’ - Jon Machota, DMN
Jerry Jones said that Ware would certainly play if the stakes were higher. As it is, Ware’s availability against the Eagles will depend on "how he’s feeling, how it’s responding."
"Nothing about him physically would surprise me," the Cowboys owner and general manager said on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM]. "He’d be the first to tell you, if this was the Super Bowl, he’d be playing in it, unquestionably, or if this were, frankly, a key game at the end of the year."
"But he and we want to look at the bigger picture, which is the season and so we probably are being, and will be, conservative there. But nothing surprises me. He’s Superman."
Is DeMarcus Ware starting to break down? - Calvin Watkins, ESPN Dallas
Watkins thinks it's fair to ask whether Ware is starting to "break down" physically, and also legitimate to ask how much Ware is risking injuring his leg even more if he plays against the Eagles.
"I think you have to think about both of them," Ware said, "and do you want to get out there and play one game, play it out and maybe not hurt yourself worse or working through some things and say, 'I have had enough rehab this week, and my leg is strong enough to get out there and go.'"
Cowboys spent week trying to simulate Eagles' pace, might use play wristbands on defensive players - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
Some of the defensive players may wear wristbands with the defensive calls on them to help get the defense organized against Philadelphia’s tempo offense.
Cowboys starting fast on offense - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
The Cowboys' inability to start fast in games seems to be a thing of the past, Archer writes and points out that the Cowboys have scored points on their first possession in five of their six games, and added scores on three of their six drives to open the third quarter.
"If you can score on those first drives of each half, they're meaningful," offensive coordinator Bill Callahan said. "It kind of sets the tone, sets the table for a lot of things.
Brian Waters performing like six-time Pro Bowler - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
MacMahon thinks Waters looks like the same Pro Bowl player "who started every game for a Super Bowl team in 2011." Waters himself thinks he can still play better.
"I’m playing at a decent level," Waters said, "and I hope to play better as the season goes on."
Depleted Cowboys put ‘next man up’ philosophy to ultimate test - Clarence Hill, Star-Telegram
For the Cowboys defensive line especially, it’s all about "next man up" this season. Of the nine linemen the Cowboys have on the active roster, only four - Ware, Hatcher, Hayden, and Wilber - were on the team at the start of training camp.
"I look at the yellow school bus that comes in here and brings the defensive line in here, then I smile about the little bus that goes out and takes them to the Gaylord [Texan resort]," Ware said. "Every week, there is a new defensive lineman who comes here. "But they come here, they’re effective, they pick them the right way and they get the job done. If we can stay effective and be consistent, that’s what we ask for."
If the Cowboys have any type of success this year, the Cowboys should seriously consider giving the MVP to Will McClay and the pro scouting department - if McClay isn't hired away by another team.
Hey Dallas Cowboys, want to beat the Philadelphia Eagles? Follow this bit of advice... - Tim Cowlishaw, DMN
Cowlishaw argues that for the Cowboys to win against the Eagles, they'll have to drastically improve their run defense, because the guy most responsible for the Eagles' success this season "is clearly LeSean McCoy," and "no team in the NFL runs the ball better than the Eagles."
Cowboys release two players from practice squad - Rainer Sabin, DMN
The Cowboys released guard Ray Dominguez and receiver Jamar Newsome from their practice squad Saturday. But they are expected to return as soon as next week.
