Dallas Cowboy QB Drew Bledsoe trying to make good decisions
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
Updated: Dec. 8, 2005, 7:39 PM ET
IRVING, Texas -- Drew Bledsoe freely admits the problem he's struggled with most of his life.It's the dilemma every quarterback faces: When to play it safe and give up on a play or when to take the risk of making something out of nothing.
"As a competitor, you want every play to be successful," he said. "But it also comes a point to where a play has reached its maximum potential and you have to throw it out of bounds. Or sometimes it's safer, if you're in the pocket, to take the sack and not risk taking your other hand off the ball and possibly turning it over."It's a constant battle. That's been the same since I was in high school, college, ... as long as I've been playing the game.
"Bledsoe has had to make a lot more of those decisions lately.The Cowboys have not led in their last two games and their running game has been poor. So Bledsoe has put it up 83 times, which is more than his previous three games combined. It's his highest total over consecutive games since December 2002.
He's also had consecutive games with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
While improved blocking would help, Bledsoe knows he needs to make better decisions, too.
"There comes a time in a ballgame, late in a game, when maybe you have to force something," he said. "For me, it's about trying to make the best possible decision each play. That's my challenge.
"One time-buying method is using the shotgun. Coach Bill Parcells said the Cowboys have considered it, but center Andre Gurode -- who played the second half of the 17-10 loss to the New York Giants last Sunday -- isn't accurate enough with it. Starter Al Johnson is better. Parcells said he again plans to use both players Sunday against Kansas City.
National Football League News Wire
Updated: Dec. 8, 2005, 7:39 PM ET
IRVING, Texas -- Drew Bledsoe freely admits the problem he's struggled with most of his life.It's the dilemma every quarterback faces: When to play it safe and give up on a play or when to take the risk of making something out of nothing.
"As a competitor, you want every play to be successful," he said. "But it also comes a point to where a play has reached its maximum potential and you have to throw it out of bounds. Or sometimes it's safer, if you're in the pocket, to take the sack and not risk taking your other hand off the ball and possibly turning it over."It's a constant battle. That's been the same since I was in high school, college, ... as long as I've been playing the game.
"Bledsoe has had to make a lot more of those decisions lately.The Cowboys have not led in their last two games and their running game has been poor. So Bledsoe has put it up 83 times, which is more than his previous three games combined. It's his highest total over consecutive games since December 2002.
He's also had consecutive games with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
While improved blocking would help, Bledsoe knows he needs to make better decisions, too.
"There comes a time in a ballgame, late in a game, when maybe you have to force something," he said. "For me, it's about trying to make the best possible decision each play. That's my challenge.
"One time-buying method is using the shotgun. Coach Bill Parcells said the Cowboys have considered it, but center Andre Gurode -- who played the second half of the 17-10 loss to the New York Giants last Sunday -- isn't accurate enough with it. Starter Al Johnson is better. Parcells said he again plans to use both players Sunday against Kansas City.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:04 PM
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