Bledsoe states his case
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
SHREVEPORT -- The swirling, albeit largely media-driven, controversies surrounding the Cowboys were front and center on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
While receiver Terrell Owens and his infamous hamstring injury were back in Dallas, quarterback Drew Bledsoe gave an emphatic answer to any questions about his starting job.
Owner Jerry Jones said before the 30-7 preseason victory against New Orleans at the Independence Bowl that Bledsoe was not in jeopardy of losing his starting job to backup Tony Romo. He said there never was a controversy, that a veteran quarterback was key to hopes of having a "super" season.
Still, the national buzz was that Romo was the heir apparent to Bledsoe -- and the future could come sooner than later.
After Bledsoe completed 12 of 16 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a leave-no-doubt, first-half performance, consider Romo's rise effectively on hold.
"Are you ready to anoint a new king or do you want to stay with the old one?" a smiling Jones said. "He showed the benefits of having a veteran quarterback. When Drew can throw the ball, he is like a surgeon."
Although Romo was very good, completing 6 of 8 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, there should be no questioning Bledsoe's status.
Because the Cowboys wanted to get an extended look at Romo, Bledsoe sat out last week's preseason opener against Seattle and fell behind in the court of public opinion.
Romo, who has never thrown a regular-season pass in three years in the league, justified the increased faith the Cowboys have in him with a dazzling performance against Seattle in the preseason opener. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown with a quarterback rating of 117.9.
Bledsoe, a 14th-year veteran who has been to two Super Bowls, admits the Romo talk inspired him.
"I am real happy for Tony," Bledsoe said. "But you are always a competitor. It picks up a little and gets you going."
Bledsoe directed the Cowboys to scores on three of his four drives, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn and a 13-yard score to Sam Hurd.
Most telling about Bledsoe's final touchdown, the pass to Hurd, is that it came with Glenn resting on the sideline, Owens still at home and the team's best blocker, Flozell Adams, out with a calf injury.
"If [Bledsoe] can have a total year," Jones said. "We can have a lot of fun."
What hasn't been fun for Jones is the negativity surrounding Owens' injury. Although he has no idea when the receiver will return, Jones said Owens and coach Bill Parcells are not at odds.
"There are no issues here," Jones said.
Also of note, the Cowboys' defense has allowed only 10 points in two games.
Greg Ellis looked good again at linebacker, and DeMarcus Ware was unblockable off the edge.
Rookie Pat Watkins got a surprise start in place of Keith Davis at free safety and could be a fixture there.
"I know it's just preseason, but it's hard not to feel good about what we are doing," linebacker Bradie James said.
COWBOYS 30, SAINTS 7
IN THE KNOW
Breakdown
Why Dallas won
Drew Bledsoe squashed any quarterback controversy with a pair of touchdown throws. Receiver Terry Glenn played as if he were five years younger with four catches, including a one-handed TD grab. The defense didn't allow the Saints to breathe.
Why New Orleans lost
The Saints added Drew Brees and Reggie Bush in the off-season, but they still look like the same old Saints. Brees was bad, completing 7 of 12 passes. Bush was limited to one effective run. The Saints' defense got pushed around.
Notable
The Saints didn't get a first down until the 2:37 mark of the second quarter.
Cowboys back Julius Jones has 43 yards on 20 carries in the preseason.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
SHREVEPORT -- The swirling, albeit largely media-driven, controversies surrounding the Cowboys were front and center on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
While receiver Terrell Owens and his infamous hamstring injury were back in Dallas, quarterback Drew Bledsoe gave an emphatic answer to any questions about his starting job.
Owner Jerry Jones said before the 30-7 preseason victory against New Orleans at the Independence Bowl that Bledsoe was not in jeopardy of losing his starting job to backup Tony Romo. He said there never was a controversy, that a veteran quarterback was key to hopes of having a "super" season.
Still, the national buzz was that Romo was the heir apparent to Bledsoe -- and the future could come sooner than later.
After Bledsoe completed 12 of 16 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a leave-no-doubt, first-half performance, consider Romo's rise effectively on hold.
"Are you ready to anoint a new king or do you want to stay with the old one?" a smiling Jones said. "He showed the benefits of having a veteran quarterback. When Drew can throw the ball, he is like a surgeon."
Although Romo was very good, completing 6 of 8 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, there should be no questioning Bledsoe's status.
Because the Cowboys wanted to get an extended look at Romo, Bledsoe sat out last week's preseason opener against Seattle and fell behind in the court of public opinion.
Romo, who has never thrown a regular-season pass in three years in the league, justified the increased faith the Cowboys have in him with a dazzling performance against Seattle in the preseason opener. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown with a quarterback rating of 117.9.
Bledsoe, a 14th-year veteran who has been to two Super Bowls, admits the Romo talk inspired him.
"I am real happy for Tony," Bledsoe said. "But you are always a competitor. It picks up a little and gets you going."
Bledsoe directed the Cowboys to scores on three of his four drives, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn and a 13-yard score to Sam Hurd.
Most telling about Bledsoe's final touchdown, the pass to Hurd, is that it came with Glenn resting on the sideline, Owens still at home and the team's best blocker, Flozell Adams, out with a calf injury.
"If [Bledsoe] can have a total year," Jones said. "We can have a lot of fun."
What hasn't been fun for Jones is the negativity surrounding Owens' injury. Although he has no idea when the receiver will return, Jones said Owens and coach Bill Parcells are not at odds.
"There are no issues here," Jones said.
Also of note, the Cowboys' defense has allowed only 10 points in two games.
Greg Ellis looked good again at linebacker, and DeMarcus Ware was unblockable off the edge.
Rookie Pat Watkins got a surprise start in place of Keith Davis at free safety and could be a fixture there.
"I know it's just preseason, but it's hard not to feel good about what we are doing," linebacker Bradie James said.
COWBOYS 30, SAINTS 7
IN THE KNOW
Breakdown
Why Dallas won
Drew Bledsoe squashed any quarterback controversy with a pair of touchdown throws. Receiver Terry Glenn played as if he were five years younger with four catches, including a one-handed TD grab. The defense didn't allow the Saints to breathe.
Why New Orleans lost
The Saints added Drew Brees and Reggie Bush in the off-season, but they still look like the same old Saints. Brees was bad, completing 7 of 12 passes. Bush was limited to one effective run. The Saints' defense got pushed around.
Notable
The Saints didn't get a first down until the 2:37 mark of the second quarter.
Cowboys back Julius Jones has 43 yards on 20 carries in the preseason.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:52 AM
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