The Dallas Cowboys change practice routine in preparation for the Kansas City Chiefs
Updated: Dec. 7, 2005, 8:51 PM ET
Cowboys shake up practice routine
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
TIDBIT: IRVING, Texas -- Bill Parcells said the Dallas Cowboys went through a practice Wednesday that was structured differently from all the other midweek workouts they've had this season.And, he volunteered, things are going to be different on Thursday, too.
As intriguing as it might seem to Dallas fans hoping for something elaborate to shake the club out of its two-game losing streak, Parcells said not to read too much into it."I wanted to try to do a little something that I thought would help us in dealing with Kansas City's offense and defense," he said. "That's all. No big deal. Nothing major.
"If the Cowboys need to work on one thing, it's their blocking. Parcells admitted as much, saying, "that's where our problems have been.""Now that's not just the linemen," he said. "There are tight ends involved in that, there's backs involved in that, there's receivers involved in that."From fewer holes for the running backs to less time for quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the line has been regressing over the last month at a time when it should be clicking. The loss of two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams can't be underestimated, but he's been gone for six games already.
"There's no secret potion," right guard Marco Rivera said. "We've just got to go out and do it. Today we had an excellent practice. Guys were running around and sustaining blocks. Hopefully that'll carry over to tomorrow, then to Sunday.
"While pass blocking was the most glaring weakness in a 17-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, opening running lanes might be more important this Sunday so Dallas can keep Kansas City's powerful offense on the sideline.
The Cowboys (7-5) have been pretty good about that this season, leading the NFL in time of possession behind an offense that's designed to move slowly and a defense that gets opposing offenses off the field.To keep it up, Dallas' offense can't have many "minus" plays -- yards lost to tackles behind the line or penalties. Turnovers, of course, are even worse. There were plenty of all three in the back-to-back losses to Denver and New York.
"We just have to execute a little better," Parcells said.Actually, the problems go back further than that. Dallas has gone from one of the most productive offenses to the middle of the pack. Bledsoe has fallen from one of the top-rated quarterbacks to No. 13.
"It's been more of a struggle, no question," Bledsoe said. "Part of that is because of the good defenses we've faced, but we also feel like our execution has not been the same as it was early in the season. We're working as hard as we can to execute with more precision so we can sustain these drives."
Cowboys shake up practice routine
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
TIDBIT: IRVING, Texas -- Bill Parcells said the Dallas Cowboys went through a practice Wednesday that was structured differently from all the other midweek workouts they've had this season.And, he volunteered, things are going to be different on Thursday, too.
As intriguing as it might seem to Dallas fans hoping for something elaborate to shake the club out of its two-game losing streak, Parcells said not to read too much into it."I wanted to try to do a little something that I thought would help us in dealing with Kansas City's offense and defense," he said. "That's all. No big deal. Nothing major.
"If the Cowboys need to work on one thing, it's their blocking. Parcells admitted as much, saying, "that's where our problems have been.""Now that's not just the linemen," he said. "There are tight ends involved in that, there's backs involved in that, there's receivers involved in that."From fewer holes for the running backs to less time for quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the line has been regressing over the last month at a time when it should be clicking. The loss of two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams can't be underestimated, but he's been gone for six games already.
"There's no secret potion," right guard Marco Rivera said. "We've just got to go out and do it. Today we had an excellent practice. Guys were running around and sustaining blocks. Hopefully that'll carry over to tomorrow, then to Sunday.
"While pass blocking was the most glaring weakness in a 17-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, opening running lanes might be more important this Sunday so Dallas can keep Kansas City's powerful offense on the sideline.
The Cowboys (7-5) have been pretty good about that this season, leading the NFL in time of possession behind an offense that's designed to move slowly and a defense that gets opposing offenses off the field.To keep it up, Dallas' offense can't have many "minus" plays -- yards lost to tackles behind the line or penalties. Turnovers, of course, are even worse. There were plenty of all three in the back-to-back losses to Denver and New York.
"We just have to execute a little better," Parcells said.Actually, the problems go back further than that. Dallas has gone from one of the most productive offenses to the middle of the pack. Bledsoe has fallen from one of the top-rated quarterbacks to No. 13.
"It's been more of a struggle, no question," Bledsoe said. "Part of that is because of the good defenses we've faced, but we also feel like our execution has not been the same as it was early in the season. We're working as hard as we can to execute with more precision so we can sustain these drives."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:43 PM
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