Cowboys at Jaguars Primer
by SportingNews
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET (FOX), Alltel Stadium
Why To Watch
For the past six months, no two names have been mentioned more often in NFL circles than Bill Parcells and Terrell Owens. The friction between the two headstrong individuals escalated during training camp, and the acclaimed saga now reaches regular-season levels of hype.
Will Owens, the volatile wide receiver, get any snaps after missing the entire preseason with a mysterious hamstring injury? Will Parcells be able to control T.O. the same way he took command of Hall of Fame linebacker/partier Lawrence Taylor back in his days with the Giants? Or will Owens prove to be cancerous to the Cowboys' chemistry and Super Bowl dreams?
Dallas has the firepower on offense, a relentless defense and a coach who knows what it takes to win a championship. Only time will tell if they can put it all together. ...
Dallas' first test comes against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL. Jack Del Rio's Jaguars are ready to prove that last year's 12-4 record was no fluke and that they are a championship-caliber team.
Both teams field strong defenses that could carry them to the playoffs, but the difference in this game will be offense.
For the Jaguars, has Byron Leftwich built enough chemistry with his young receivers to replace what he had in the retired Jimmy Smith? At the age of 30, can running back Fred Taylor stay healthy and carry the load or are his best days behind him?
For the Cowboys, can Julius Jones stay healthy and avoid the fumbles that continually place him in Parcells' doghouse? If Owens doesn't play, will the young receivers be good enough to compensate? Will the new two-tight end offense of Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano bring back memories of Mark Bavaro and Zeke Mowatt?
Expectations are high for the Cowboys and Jaguars. The team that can put together enough offense to win the season opener will relieve some pressure and set itself on a strong heading toward postseason.
Key Individual Matchups
Terry Glenn vs. Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis
Glenn was outstanding in preseason and solidified himself at the top of the depth chart. He is extremely quick off the snap, reaches top speed in a flash and uses his quickness to create separation. Glenn (5-11, 193) has excellent hands and body control to make spectacular catches.
Mathis (6-1, 200) has experience against top-tier receivers, is fluid in coverage and is aggressive to the ball. He has a significant size advantage in this matchup, so look for him to jam Glenn, who can be knocked off his routes by more physical defenders.
Mathis, however, must get his hands on Glenn to slow him down. Glenn can be slippery at the line, and if he gets a clean release, Mathis can be burned for big plays. Advantage: Glenn.
Glenn Scouting Report
Strengths: Reaches top speed quickly and uses superb body control to make spectacular catches. Can run crisp short-to-intermediate routes and generally creates separation vs. man coverage. Rarely drops passes.
Weaknesses: Is undersized and can be muscled out of routes by physical corners. Has had injury issues. Takes plays off and doesn’t appear comfortable going over the middle. Bottom line: Glenn has thrived under coach Bill Parcells, developing into a great deep-ball option and legitimate scoring threat.
Mathis Scouting Report
Strengths: Plays with poise and confidence, even when teams came after him. Has very good foot quickness; is smooth in his pedal and can break out of it quickly. Has soft, solid hands to play the ball in the air. Is an excellent leaper who is aggressive playing the ball. Shows the quickness to mirror receivers.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve his route awareness; will get caught peeking in the backfield and losing sight of the receiver. Occasionally will blow coverages. Is an inconsistent tackler. Bottom line: Mathis still has excellent upside because of his versatility, and his physical tools make him a frontline starter.
Julius Jones vs. Jaguars SS Donovin Darius
This will be Darius' first regular-season game since he tore his ACL last Sept. 21. All health reports are good, though. In preseason, no player received more praise from Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio.
Darius (6-1, 225) has good size and strength, an excellent feel for the running game and a penchant for delivering big hits. He rarely takes bad angles to the ball, has outstanding speed for a safety and does not miss tackles. Although he struggles at times in coverage, Darius has emerged as one of the league's best and most intimidating safeties.
Jones (5-10, 205) runs hard and is dangerous in the open field, but he must improve his awareness and ball-protection skills. When healthy, he is decisive, explodes through holes and moves the chains. He is effective on screen passes and catching passes out of the backfield, but frequent mental lapses have proven costly.
Jones is trying to bounce back from a sophomore slump filled with injuries and fumbles. He will have trouble getting loose against Darius and the Jags' defense. Advantage: Darius.
Jones Scouting Report
Strengths: Is decisive and attacks the line when he locates a seam. Has good balance and can cut back when defenders overpursue. Can make spectacular catches and is a willing blocker.
Weaknesses: Lacks size and lower-body strength, making durability a concern. Must improve ball security and pass-blocking technique. Bottom line: Jones had an up-and-down 2005 and will have to get tougher if he wants to play for Bill Parcells.
Darius Scouting Report
Strengths: Has good size and strength and a penchant for delivering the big hit. Has an excellent feel for the running game. Takes great angles to the ball, has outstanding speed for a safety and rarely misses a tackle.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t make a lot of plays in the passing game, where he appears stiff and too straight-line. Is slow to react to balls in the air and sometimes is caught out of position. Bottom line: Darius has emerged as one of the league’s best and most intimidating strong safeties but must show he can stay healthy.
DeMarcus Ware vs. Jaguars LT Khalif Barnes
Barnes was outstanding as a rookie and should be the Jaguars' left tackle for a decade or more. He shows nice athleticism and gets set quickly in pass protection, but he struggles against speed rushers. His technique is raw, health is a concern and he would benefit from a more consistent effort.
Ware is a prototypical end/linebacker hybrid for the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. He will be involved heavily in the pass rush because of his explosive first step and an improving array of moves. Ware can line up all over the field and is difficult to block one-on-one.
If Barnes does not get double-team help from a running back or tight end in passing situations, he will be abused by Ware. Advantage: Ware.
Ware Scouting Report
Strengths: Has good speed and is a good pass rusher. Uses his hands well off the snap to gain leverage. Plays with good quickness and sets up the offensive tackle well with head/shoulder fakes. Once he gets the corner, he wins. Will hold his ground when teams run at him and is not afraid to engage the tight end.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve reactions and play recognition. Gets caught peeking at the quarterback and loses coverage responsibility. Bottom line: Ware is a player on the rise. His best football is in front of him and should have a legitimate chance to be a Pro Bowler for years to come.
Barnes Scouting Report
Strengths: Shows nice athleticism and a quick set in pass protection. Mirrors quick edge rushers and slides with them. Works well when going forward, regularly finding the moving target in space and overpowering linebackers. Weaknesses: Lacks technique and does not work to finish all his blocks. Does not always bring his feet with him on blocks. Gets lazy at times. Bottom line: Barnes solidified the left tackle position for the Jaguars in 2005 and is a player on the rise. He will be the best player on the team’s offensive line after this season.
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET (FOX), Alltel Stadium
Why To Watch
For the past six months, no two names have been mentioned more often in NFL circles than Bill Parcells and Terrell Owens. The friction between the two headstrong individuals escalated during training camp, and the acclaimed saga now reaches regular-season levels of hype.
Will Owens, the volatile wide receiver, get any snaps after missing the entire preseason with a mysterious hamstring injury? Will Parcells be able to control T.O. the same way he took command of Hall of Fame linebacker/partier Lawrence Taylor back in his days with the Giants? Or will Owens prove to be cancerous to the Cowboys' chemistry and Super Bowl dreams?
Dallas has the firepower on offense, a relentless defense and a coach who knows what it takes to win a championship. Only time will tell if they can put it all together. ...
Dallas' first test comes against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL. Jack Del Rio's Jaguars are ready to prove that last year's 12-4 record was no fluke and that they are a championship-caliber team.
Both teams field strong defenses that could carry them to the playoffs, but the difference in this game will be offense.
For the Jaguars, has Byron Leftwich built enough chemistry with his young receivers to replace what he had in the retired Jimmy Smith? At the age of 30, can running back Fred Taylor stay healthy and carry the load or are his best days behind him?
For the Cowboys, can Julius Jones stay healthy and avoid the fumbles that continually place him in Parcells' doghouse? If Owens doesn't play, will the young receivers be good enough to compensate? Will the new two-tight end offense of Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano bring back memories of Mark Bavaro and Zeke Mowatt?
Expectations are high for the Cowboys and Jaguars. The team that can put together enough offense to win the season opener will relieve some pressure and set itself on a strong heading toward postseason.
Key Individual Matchups
Terry Glenn vs. Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis
Glenn was outstanding in preseason and solidified himself at the top of the depth chart. He is extremely quick off the snap, reaches top speed in a flash and uses his quickness to create separation. Glenn (5-11, 193) has excellent hands and body control to make spectacular catches.
Mathis (6-1, 200) has experience against top-tier receivers, is fluid in coverage and is aggressive to the ball. He has a significant size advantage in this matchup, so look for him to jam Glenn, who can be knocked off his routes by more physical defenders.
Mathis, however, must get his hands on Glenn to slow him down. Glenn can be slippery at the line, and if he gets a clean release, Mathis can be burned for big plays. Advantage: Glenn.
Glenn Scouting Report
Strengths: Reaches top speed quickly and uses superb body control to make spectacular catches. Can run crisp short-to-intermediate routes and generally creates separation vs. man coverage. Rarely drops passes.
Weaknesses: Is undersized and can be muscled out of routes by physical corners. Has had injury issues. Takes plays off and doesn’t appear comfortable going over the middle. Bottom line: Glenn has thrived under coach Bill Parcells, developing into a great deep-ball option and legitimate scoring threat.
Mathis Scouting Report
Strengths: Plays with poise and confidence, even when teams came after him. Has very good foot quickness; is smooth in his pedal and can break out of it quickly. Has soft, solid hands to play the ball in the air. Is an excellent leaper who is aggressive playing the ball. Shows the quickness to mirror receivers.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve his route awareness; will get caught peeking in the backfield and losing sight of the receiver. Occasionally will blow coverages. Is an inconsistent tackler. Bottom line: Mathis still has excellent upside because of his versatility, and his physical tools make him a frontline starter.
Julius Jones vs. Jaguars SS Donovin Darius
This will be Darius' first regular-season game since he tore his ACL last Sept. 21. All health reports are good, though. In preseason, no player received more praise from Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio.
Darius (6-1, 225) has good size and strength, an excellent feel for the running game and a penchant for delivering big hits. He rarely takes bad angles to the ball, has outstanding speed for a safety and does not miss tackles. Although he struggles at times in coverage, Darius has emerged as one of the league's best and most intimidating safeties.
Jones (5-10, 205) runs hard and is dangerous in the open field, but he must improve his awareness and ball-protection skills. When healthy, he is decisive, explodes through holes and moves the chains. He is effective on screen passes and catching passes out of the backfield, but frequent mental lapses have proven costly.
Jones is trying to bounce back from a sophomore slump filled with injuries and fumbles. He will have trouble getting loose against Darius and the Jags' defense. Advantage: Darius.
Jones Scouting Report
Strengths: Is decisive and attacks the line when he locates a seam. Has good balance and can cut back when defenders overpursue. Can make spectacular catches and is a willing blocker.
Weaknesses: Lacks size and lower-body strength, making durability a concern. Must improve ball security and pass-blocking technique. Bottom line: Jones had an up-and-down 2005 and will have to get tougher if he wants to play for Bill Parcells.
Darius Scouting Report
Strengths: Has good size and strength and a penchant for delivering the big hit. Has an excellent feel for the running game. Takes great angles to the ball, has outstanding speed for a safety and rarely misses a tackle.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t make a lot of plays in the passing game, where he appears stiff and too straight-line. Is slow to react to balls in the air and sometimes is caught out of position. Bottom line: Darius has emerged as one of the league’s best and most intimidating strong safeties but must show he can stay healthy.
DeMarcus Ware vs. Jaguars LT Khalif Barnes
Barnes was outstanding as a rookie and should be the Jaguars' left tackle for a decade or more. He shows nice athleticism and gets set quickly in pass protection, but he struggles against speed rushers. His technique is raw, health is a concern and he would benefit from a more consistent effort.
Ware is a prototypical end/linebacker hybrid for the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. He will be involved heavily in the pass rush because of his explosive first step and an improving array of moves. Ware can line up all over the field and is difficult to block one-on-one.
If Barnes does not get double-team help from a running back or tight end in passing situations, he will be abused by Ware. Advantage: Ware.
Ware Scouting Report
Strengths: Has good speed and is a good pass rusher. Uses his hands well off the snap to gain leverage. Plays with good quickness and sets up the offensive tackle well with head/shoulder fakes. Once he gets the corner, he wins. Will hold his ground when teams run at him and is not afraid to engage the tight end.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve reactions and play recognition. Gets caught peeking at the quarterback and loses coverage responsibility. Bottom line: Ware is a player on the rise. His best football is in front of him and should have a legitimate chance to be a Pro Bowler for years to come.
Barnes Scouting Report
Strengths: Shows nice athleticism and a quick set in pass protection. Mirrors quick edge rushers and slides with them. Works well when going forward, regularly finding the moving target in space and overpowering linebackers. Weaknesses: Lacks technique and does not work to finish all his blocks. Does not always bring his feet with him on blocks. Gets lazy at times. Bottom line: Barnes solidified the left tackle position for the Jaguars in 2005 and is a player on the rise. He will be the best player on the team’s offensive line after this season.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:37 PM
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