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Is J.J. Wilcox taking Will Allen's job? - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
J.J. Wilcox took first team snaps alongside Barry Church in Thursday's practice while veteran and incumbent starter Will Allen practiced with the second team.
C Mackenzy Bernadeau takes backup snaps - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Bernadeau took snaps at center for the first time on Thursday, which Todd Archer believes could be a sign that the Cowboys could be looking to alter the amount of offensive linemen they carry on the game-day roster. They've dressed eight offensive linemen in the first two games, but with Bernadeau taking snaps at center, Phil Costa could be the odd man out as the Cowboys move to seven linemen on game day.
Tony Romo plans to take pain shot before St. Louis game - David Moore, DMN
Moore writes that Romo sidestepped questions about his declining accuracy against the Chiefs as the game wore on and his pain-killing shot possibly wore off. Romo is feeling better now, but he'll likely get another pain-killing shot on Sunday.
"I think tentatively we are planning on it just because of the nature of it and what we thought," Romo said. "But we’ll see as we get there. It does feel better now than it did last week. It’ll just keep getting better and better this week."
Scandrick credits new Cowboys special teams coach for pushing him to block field goals - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
Looks like special teams coach Rich Bisaccia has made a good impression on Scandrick, who blocked a field goal against the Chiefs on Sunday:
"He’s been a big believer in me since he got here," Scandrick said.
"He’s been very positive since he got here. I give him the credit. The guy’s on me every day. I’ve been close for years. He’s on me every day: Go get it, go get it, visualize it."
Rams coach Jeff Fisher: Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne is going to be a very good player in this league - Jon Machota, DMN
Just as the first Cowboys fans begin to cool a little on Claiborne, along comes Jeff Fisher and with a positive outlook for Claiborne, believing Claiborne has the right mentality to bounce back from a slow start.
"He has the appropriate mentality to play the position," Fisher said Wednesday. "By that, I mean he’s got a very short-term memory. He’s not going to be having any problems with that. He understands the nature of secondary play. He’s going to be a very good player in this league."
Official Injury Report (via the NFL Media department) from Thursday's practices:
| Cowboys | |
| Full Participation |
QB Tony Romo (ribs) |
| Limited Participation |
WR Dez Bryant (back), CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder), DE Anthony Spencer (knee), DE DeMarcus Ware (neck) |
| Did not participate | LB Ernie Sims (groin) |
| Rams | |
| Full Participation |
CB Cortland Finnegan (nose, DE William Hayes (hip), DE Chris Long (hip), RB Daryl Richardson (foot), DE Eugene Sims (foot), S Darian Stewart (thigh), T Chris Williams (foot) |
| Limited Participation |
- - |
| Did not participate |
TE Mike McNeill (chest), T Roger Saffold (kne) |
St. Louis Rams searching for pass-defense solutions - ESPN
Good news for the Cowboys: The Rams pass defense may be even worse than the Cowboys pass defense:
The Rams are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 71.1 percent of their passes, 29th in the league.
Opposing quarterbacks have a 107.6 quarterback rating, which is fifth worst in the league and a total QBR of 79.2, which is the second worst rate allowed.
Can the Rams prevent another big receiving performance? - Turf Show Times
The Rams under Jeff Fisher have a 2-5 record when they allow an opposing receiver to get 100 or more receiving yards. Can they keep Dez Bryant in check this week? The Rams SB Nation site argues it's possible.
We know better of course.
Diverse Passing Attack Presenting Challenges for Opposing Defenses - Stlouisrams.com
The Rams have the league’s fourth-highest passing yard total through Week 2, and will present a challenge for the Cowboys.
Notebook 9/19: Rams Acquire OT Max Starks - Stlouisrams.com
The Rams are struggling with their depth on the offensive line, and have signed Starks to shore up that weakness.
Cowboys Crunchtime Podcast 9/18 Feat. Joe McAtee of Turf Show Times and BTB's Dave Halprin
Don't forget to check out KD's latest podcast featuring some great Rams insight thanks to '3k' of TST, Joe McAtee. Dave chimes in with his usually good insight into the state of the Cowboys. Don't forget to stay til the end to hear KD's tease for next week's big guest appearance.
More from Blogging The Boys:
- What The Football Outsider Stats Say About the 1-1 Cowboys
- Advanced Stats News And Notes: Where Are The Cowboys After Two Weeks?
- Cowboys Injury Report: Anthony Spencer Practices, Dez Bryant Dresses But Rehabs
- Who Would You Trade A First Round Pick For?
- Grading Cowboys @ Chiefs: Numbers Show Weaknesses And Strengths