Burning questions for Week 1
By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
TIDBIT: Will the Dallas Cowboys take their first step toward establishing themselves as a major force in the NFC East … and the NFL?
Yes, but it won't be easy.
The Jacksonville Jaguars present a tremendous challenge. And the first thing the Cowboys must overcome is the Jaguars' superb pass rush, which is looking forward to tearing after immobile Drew Bledsoe, who continues to have a maddening tendency to hold onto the ball way too long. The Cowboys figure to be able to give Bledsoe a chance to make some plays by making short drops and quick throws to short and intermediate targets, such as tight ends Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano.
With some solid help from the running game, Dallas should be able to loosen Jacksonville's defense enough to create room for Terrell Owens to make a big play or two. In what figures to be a close, low-scoring game, one or two big plays will likely be the difference.
Of course, the Cowboys will have to do their part to make sure that the Jaguars aren't the ones delivering those plays against a secondary that is weak at safety. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry must do a good job of jamming the Jags' towering trio of receivers (Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Williams), and then a safety has to be trusted to prevent Jones from getting open deep.
National Editor, NFL.com
TIDBIT: Will the Dallas Cowboys take their first step toward establishing themselves as a major force in the NFC East … and the NFL?
Yes, but it won't be easy.
The Jacksonville Jaguars present a tremendous challenge. And the first thing the Cowboys must overcome is the Jaguars' superb pass rush, which is looking forward to tearing after immobile Drew Bledsoe, who continues to have a maddening tendency to hold onto the ball way too long. The Cowboys figure to be able to give Bledsoe a chance to make some plays by making short drops and quick throws to short and intermediate targets, such as tight ends Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano.
With some solid help from the running game, Dallas should be able to loosen Jacksonville's defense enough to create room for Terrell Owens to make a big play or two. In what figures to be a close, low-scoring game, one or two big plays will likely be the difference.
Of course, the Cowboys will have to do their part to make sure that the Jaguars aren't the ones delivering those plays against a secondary that is weak at safety. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry must do a good job of jamming the Jags' towering trio of receivers (Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Williams), and then a safety has to be trusted to prevent Jones from getting open deep.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:53 PM
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