Dallas Cowboys have an unlikely energy source
From The Sporting News:
Brian Baldinger
Posted: November 1, 2005
There's something about rookie contributions that gives a team a lift. Maybe it's their youthful exuberance, or maybe it's the unexpectedness of it all. But when a team gets good play from rookies, it develops an energy that often translates to winning.
That's what I'm seeing in Dallas. The Cowboys are getting major contributions from eight rookies, including two season-long starters, and it could carry them a long way in the second half of the season.
Marion Barber has given the team that spark the past two weeks. After rushing for 95 yards off the bench in Week 7, he started Sunday and ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the rout of Arizona. He displayed excellent vision and cutting ability, dragged defenders with him for extra yardage, did a great job in pass protection and even caught a couple of checkdown passes from Drew Bledsoe. Bill Parcells will have a tough decision to make when the injured Julius Jones returns after the team's Week 9 open date.
Rob Petitti, another rookie, has started every game at right tackle. He has played well, especially for a sixth-round pick, and any growing pains he might have can be eased considerably if the Cowboys keep running the ball the way Barber did against Arizona.
The rookie impact has been even greater on defense, where four newcomers are playing well as part of the team's line rotation. The headliner is DeMarcus Ware, an end in the 4-3 and an outside linebacker in the 3-4 who never comes off the field. He covers as well as any rookie linebacker I've ever seen, and it won't be long before he's one of the league's best pass rushers.
Chris Canty, a fourth-round pick who would have gone in the first round had he not blown out his knee as a senior at Virginia, is a perfect fit as a 3-4 end. He's 6-7 and has the wingspan of a 747. Ends Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff also have made significant contributions.
Other rookies are pitching in, too. Linebacker Kevin Burnett is a valuable guy on special teams, and Shaun Suisham was flawless in his first game as the team's kicker.Of all the teams in the strong NFC East, Dallas has been the most consistent and has the best defense. It also has the best rookie class -- and that could be what makes the difference in the division race.
Brian Baldinger
Posted: November 1, 2005
There's something about rookie contributions that gives a team a lift. Maybe it's their youthful exuberance, or maybe it's the unexpectedness of it all. But when a team gets good play from rookies, it develops an energy that often translates to winning.
That's what I'm seeing in Dallas. The Cowboys are getting major contributions from eight rookies, including two season-long starters, and it could carry them a long way in the second half of the season.
Marion Barber has given the team that spark the past two weeks. After rushing for 95 yards off the bench in Week 7, he started Sunday and ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the rout of Arizona. He displayed excellent vision and cutting ability, dragged defenders with him for extra yardage, did a great job in pass protection and even caught a couple of checkdown passes from Drew Bledsoe. Bill Parcells will have a tough decision to make when the injured Julius Jones returns after the team's Week 9 open date.
Rob Petitti, another rookie, has started every game at right tackle. He has played well, especially for a sixth-round pick, and any growing pains he might have can be eased considerably if the Cowboys keep running the ball the way Barber did against Arizona.
The rookie impact has been even greater on defense, where four newcomers are playing well as part of the team's line rotation. The headliner is DeMarcus Ware, an end in the 4-3 and an outside linebacker in the 3-4 who never comes off the field. He covers as well as any rookie linebacker I've ever seen, and it won't be long before he's one of the league's best pass rushers.
Chris Canty, a fourth-round pick who would have gone in the first round had he not blown out his knee as a senior at Virginia, is a perfect fit as a 3-4 end. He's 6-7 and has the wingspan of a 747. Ends Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff also have made significant contributions.
Other rookies are pitching in, too. Linebacker Kevin Burnett is a valuable guy on special teams, and Shaun Suisham was flawless in his first game as the team's kicker.Of all the teams in the strong NFC East, Dallas has been the most consistent and has the best defense. It also has the best rookie class -- and that could be what makes the difference in the division race.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:53 AM
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