Adams improves from first game
By CARLOS MENDEZ
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING - Flozell Adams will probably care what people have to say this week. He ought to.
The Cowboys' left tackle came back with a strong game Sunday night against the Redskins, one week after receiving criticism for his play against Jacksonville.
He allowed no sacks against Redskins defensive end Andre Carter and committed no penalties. Last week, Adams was called for holding and a false start, allowed a sack and generally looked overmatched.
"I don't care what people have to say," he told reporters midweek in reaction to the poor reviews.
Kicking off
Shaun Suisham made coach Bill Parcells' decision to dress two kickers look good.
Kicking off exclusively, the second-year player hit the end zone twice for touchbacks, the goal line, the 1-, the 4- and the 8-yard lines. His biggest sin appeared to be a missed tackle on Rock Cartwright's 100-yard return for a touchdown.
The Redskins' average field position after kickoffs, not counting the return for a touchdown, was the 24.
Carpenter active
First-round draft pick Bobby Carpenter was on the active list for the first time and played on the punt coverage, kickoff return and kickoff coverage teams. He also played in the nickel defense, replacing Akin Ayodele, but was not credited with any tackles.
Fasano in use
Second-round pick Anthony Fasano caught his first passes of the season, two for first downs. He finished with three catches for 39 yards.
But the tight end also had a holding penalty in the fourth quarter that wiped out a 14-yard gain by Julius Jones.
Sacked
Converted linebacker Greg Ellis led the Cowboys' sack attack with 1.5.
DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Kenyon Coleman and Jay Ratliff had full sacks, and Jason Hatcher shared one with Ellis.
"It's not always just about sacks, although everybody likes to get those," Ellis said. "It's about batting the ball down, trying to flush the quarterback out of the pocket, getting in his face and making him move around some."
Ratliff's sack was impressive. He leaped up off a block and made a lunge at the legs of Mark Brunell, who was running left. Ware also made a powerful play for his, running through the block of 254-pound T.J. Duckett.
Personally
The Cowboys were called for three personal-foul penalties in the first quarter, two on defense that cost them 30 yards of field position on the Redskins' field-goal drive.
DeMarcus Ware was called for roughing the passer, and Akin Ayodele was called for unnecessary roughness. Terrell Owens was called for an illegal crackback block on the Cowboys' first offensive play.
The Redskins also committed a personal-foul facemask penalty in the third quarter that helped the Cowboys move out from inside their 20.
Dropsies
Unofficially, the Cowboys dropped eight passes. Terrell Owens had four, Jason Witten two, Lousaka Polite one and Marion Barber one. Terry Glenn could have ended up on this list, too, but his was wiped out by a penalty.
Inactives
Wide receiver Jamaica Rector, slowed by an ankle injury last week, was among the Cowboys' inactives. The others were Miles Austin, Nathan Jones, Oliver Hoyte, J'Vonne Parker, Cory Procter, Pat McQuistan and Ryan Hannam.
The Redskins' inactives were Shawn Springs, Clinton Portis, Curry Burns, Jim Molinaro, Ryan Boschetti, Todd Wade and Anthony Montgomery.
Third-down defense
The Cowboys ranked 10th in the NFL on third-down defense last season, and they are off to another strong start. The Redskins were 2-for-14. Last week, Jacksonville was 5-for-13.
Last season, Dallas allowed 73-for-211 (34.6 percent).
Briefly
Pat Watkins, who tied Roy Williams as the Cowboys' leading tackler with six solo stops, left the game in the fourth quarter.
Keith Davis was taken to the locker room in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury.
Drew Bledsoe tied Boomer Esiason for 13th place on the NFL touchdown pass list with 247.
The Cowboys have scored on both of their opening drives this season.
The Cowboys lead the series 55-36-2. They are 15-14 against Joe Gibbs-coached Redskins teams.
The Cowboys are 32-14-1 in home openers, 25-10 at Texas Stadium.
The Cowboys went almost 13 years between allowing kickoff returns for a touchdown. Robert Brooks of Green Bay returned a kick 95 yards on Oct. 3, 1993.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING - Flozell Adams will probably care what people have to say this week. He ought to.
The Cowboys' left tackle came back with a strong game Sunday night against the Redskins, one week after receiving criticism for his play against Jacksonville.
He allowed no sacks against Redskins defensive end Andre Carter and committed no penalties. Last week, Adams was called for holding and a false start, allowed a sack and generally looked overmatched.
"I don't care what people have to say," he told reporters midweek in reaction to the poor reviews.
Kicking off
Shaun Suisham made coach Bill Parcells' decision to dress two kickers look good.
Kicking off exclusively, the second-year player hit the end zone twice for touchbacks, the goal line, the 1-, the 4- and the 8-yard lines. His biggest sin appeared to be a missed tackle on Rock Cartwright's 100-yard return for a touchdown.
The Redskins' average field position after kickoffs, not counting the return for a touchdown, was the 24.
Carpenter active
First-round draft pick Bobby Carpenter was on the active list for the first time and played on the punt coverage, kickoff return and kickoff coverage teams. He also played in the nickel defense, replacing Akin Ayodele, but was not credited with any tackles.
Fasano in use
Second-round pick Anthony Fasano caught his first passes of the season, two for first downs. He finished with three catches for 39 yards.
But the tight end also had a holding penalty in the fourth quarter that wiped out a 14-yard gain by Julius Jones.
Sacked
Converted linebacker Greg Ellis led the Cowboys' sack attack with 1.5.
DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Kenyon Coleman and Jay Ratliff had full sacks, and Jason Hatcher shared one with Ellis.
"It's not always just about sacks, although everybody likes to get those," Ellis said. "It's about batting the ball down, trying to flush the quarterback out of the pocket, getting in his face and making him move around some."
Ratliff's sack was impressive. He leaped up off a block and made a lunge at the legs of Mark Brunell, who was running left. Ware also made a powerful play for his, running through the block of 254-pound T.J. Duckett.
Personally
The Cowboys were called for three personal-foul penalties in the first quarter, two on defense that cost them 30 yards of field position on the Redskins' field-goal drive.
DeMarcus Ware was called for roughing the passer, and Akin Ayodele was called for unnecessary roughness. Terrell Owens was called for an illegal crackback block on the Cowboys' first offensive play.
The Redskins also committed a personal-foul facemask penalty in the third quarter that helped the Cowboys move out from inside their 20.
Dropsies
Unofficially, the Cowboys dropped eight passes. Terrell Owens had four, Jason Witten two, Lousaka Polite one and Marion Barber one. Terry Glenn could have ended up on this list, too, but his was wiped out by a penalty.
Inactives
Wide receiver Jamaica Rector, slowed by an ankle injury last week, was among the Cowboys' inactives. The others were Miles Austin, Nathan Jones, Oliver Hoyte, J'Vonne Parker, Cory Procter, Pat McQuistan and Ryan Hannam.
The Redskins' inactives were Shawn Springs, Clinton Portis, Curry Burns, Jim Molinaro, Ryan Boschetti, Todd Wade and Anthony Montgomery.
Third-down defense
The Cowboys ranked 10th in the NFL on third-down defense last season, and they are off to another strong start. The Redskins were 2-for-14. Last week, Jacksonville was 5-for-13.
Last season, Dallas allowed 73-for-211 (34.6 percent).
Briefly
Pat Watkins, who tied Roy Williams as the Cowboys' leading tackler with six solo stops, left the game in the fourth quarter.
Keith Davis was taken to the locker room in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury.
Drew Bledsoe tied Boomer Esiason for 13th place on the NFL touchdown pass list with 247.
The Cowboys have scored on both of their opening drives this season.
The Cowboys lead the series 55-36-2. They are 15-14 against Joe Gibbs-coached Redskins teams.
The Cowboys are 32-14-1 in home openers, 25-10 at Texas Stadium.
The Cowboys went almost 13 years between allowing kickoff returns for a touchdown. Robert Brooks of Green Bay returned a kick 95 yards on Oct. 3, 1993.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:00 AM
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