Redskins-Cowboys Preview
By CHRIS ALTRUDA
STATS Editor
Controversy has been nothing new to the Dallas Cowboys since they opened training camp. The fact it does not involve wide receiver Terrell Owens is.
Drew Bledsoe hopes to defuse a burgeoning quarterback controversy with better play and regroup the Cowboys as they enter an NFC East clash Sunday with the Washington Redskins.
For all the talk throughout the preseason regarding Owens and what kind of potential disruptive force he could be, the brash wideout proved to be an ideal teammate in Dallas' season-opening 24-17 defeat at Jacksonville. Owens caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, though he was held to only two second-half catches.
``I thought he got us started pretty well early,'' Parcells said. ``Made a big catch there at the end and gave us another chance. That's about it. It's disappointing. It really is.''
Parcells caused a stir heading into this game by giving Bledsoe, who was intercepted three times, only lukewarm support as the team's starting quarterback, repeatedly labeling him as the starter ``right now.''
Those statements led to speculation whether Parcells may give playing time to backup Tony Romo, who has yet to attempt an NFL pass despite being with the Cowboys for 23 games over the last two-plus seasons. Plus, on Aug. 31, Dallas gave Romo a $3.9 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus and locked him up through next season.
Parcells, though, all but quashed the idea Romo would see the field in this game.
``Well, I tell you what let's do - you write what you want, I'm going to explain it the best way I can,'' said Parcells, who became agitated when Romo's status became the subject of repeated questions. ``I think you're trying to get me to say at some point in time I'm going to get Romo in. That time is not now, OK? Is that clear enough? Do you want me to repeat it?''
Bledsoe has 13 interceptions in his last seven games, a stretch in which the Cowboys are 2-5.
He threw for 246 yards against Jacksonville but completed only 16 of 33 passes, though the 14-year veteran already has put the loss behind him in hopes of getting Dallas to .500.
``In this league and, really, probably just in life, how you respond to things defines who you are,'' Bledsoe said. ``I'm looking forward. I'm preparing to play the next game. I've got plenty on my plate in terms of going out and competing with the Redskins and hoping to lead this team and get us where we want to go.''
Bledsoe's interceptions were only part of the problem last week for the Cowboys. Tight end Jason Witten was flagged for offensive pass interference, negating his third-quarter touchdown reception.
Backup kicker Shaun Suisham, playing for the injured Mike Vanderjagt, missed a 36-yard field goal at the end of that drive, keeping the game tied at 10. Parcells said he likely will use Suisham again this week since Vanderjagt, trying to overcome a hamstring injury, has not kicked enough in practice.
The Redskins (0-1) also are trying to bounce back after a 19-16 defeat Monday to the Minnesota Vikings. While they did not make the same glaring mistakes as the Cowboys, the Redskins are looking for bigger things offensively after being limited to 266 total yards.
``We looked way better offensively than in the preseason,'' said Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss, whose 97 all-purpose yards included three runs on laterals. ``People expected us to come out here and stink up the joint, but at the same time we won't take away any moral victories.''
Having running back Clinton Portis closer to full health may help the offense. Portis, still recovering from a partially dislocated shoulder suffered in the preseason, had 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown as a backup.
Portis, who originally proclaimed he would not be fit enough to play Monday, appears to be in a better frame of mind this week after absorbing some hits.
``I was curious because I hadn't had any impact,'' Portis said. ``Running into the bag (at practice), that's not force. ... To get that first play out of the way, I was like, 'OK, I'm straight.'''
The absence of injured safety Shawn Springs caused problems throughout the secondary, whose depth will be further tested with nickel back Pierson Prioleau out for the season after tearing his ACL on the opening kickoff.
Springs is considered day-to-day, but Gibbs is optimistic the 10-year veteran will be able to play.
``He worked out hard on Saturday, but we'll just have to see how the week goes,'' Gibbs said. ``I'm hoping that he's going to get a chance to get back on the field.''
Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta are expected to be the starters at safety, but their backups are rookie Reed Doughty and Vernon Fox, who has been with the team less than two weeks.
Washington swept the season series last year for the first time since 1995 and ended a nine-game losing streak at Dallas with a 14-13 victory on Sept. 19, when Mark Brunell threw touchdown passes of 39 and 70 yards to Moss in the final 2:12.
The Redskins have not won consecutive games at Dallas since a three-game winning streak from 1987-89.
STATS Editor
Controversy has been nothing new to the Dallas Cowboys since they opened training camp. The fact it does not involve wide receiver Terrell Owens is.
Drew Bledsoe hopes to defuse a burgeoning quarterback controversy with better play and regroup the Cowboys as they enter an NFC East clash Sunday with the Washington Redskins.
For all the talk throughout the preseason regarding Owens and what kind of potential disruptive force he could be, the brash wideout proved to be an ideal teammate in Dallas' season-opening 24-17 defeat at Jacksonville. Owens caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, though he was held to only two second-half catches.
``I thought he got us started pretty well early,'' Parcells said. ``Made a big catch there at the end and gave us another chance. That's about it. It's disappointing. It really is.''
Parcells caused a stir heading into this game by giving Bledsoe, who was intercepted three times, only lukewarm support as the team's starting quarterback, repeatedly labeling him as the starter ``right now.''
Those statements led to speculation whether Parcells may give playing time to backup Tony Romo, who has yet to attempt an NFL pass despite being with the Cowboys for 23 games over the last two-plus seasons. Plus, on Aug. 31, Dallas gave Romo a $3.9 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus and locked him up through next season.
Parcells, though, all but quashed the idea Romo would see the field in this game.
``Well, I tell you what let's do - you write what you want, I'm going to explain it the best way I can,'' said Parcells, who became agitated when Romo's status became the subject of repeated questions. ``I think you're trying to get me to say at some point in time I'm going to get Romo in. That time is not now, OK? Is that clear enough? Do you want me to repeat it?''
Bledsoe has 13 interceptions in his last seven games, a stretch in which the Cowboys are 2-5.
He threw for 246 yards against Jacksonville but completed only 16 of 33 passes, though the 14-year veteran already has put the loss behind him in hopes of getting Dallas to .500.
``In this league and, really, probably just in life, how you respond to things defines who you are,'' Bledsoe said. ``I'm looking forward. I'm preparing to play the next game. I've got plenty on my plate in terms of going out and competing with the Redskins and hoping to lead this team and get us where we want to go.''
Bledsoe's interceptions were only part of the problem last week for the Cowboys. Tight end Jason Witten was flagged for offensive pass interference, negating his third-quarter touchdown reception.
Backup kicker Shaun Suisham, playing for the injured Mike Vanderjagt, missed a 36-yard field goal at the end of that drive, keeping the game tied at 10. Parcells said he likely will use Suisham again this week since Vanderjagt, trying to overcome a hamstring injury, has not kicked enough in practice.
The Redskins (0-1) also are trying to bounce back after a 19-16 defeat Monday to the Minnesota Vikings. While they did not make the same glaring mistakes as the Cowboys, the Redskins are looking for bigger things offensively after being limited to 266 total yards.
``We looked way better offensively than in the preseason,'' said Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss, whose 97 all-purpose yards included three runs on laterals. ``People expected us to come out here and stink up the joint, but at the same time we won't take away any moral victories.''
Having running back Clinton Portis closer to full health may help the offense. Portis, still recovering from a partially dislocated shoulder suffered in the preseason, had 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown as a backup.
Portis, who originally proclaimed he would not be fit enough to play Monday, appears to be in a better frame of mind this week after absorbing some hits.
``I was curious because I hadn't had any impact,'' Portis said. ``Running into the bag (at practice), that's not force. ... To get that first play out of the way, I was like, 'OK, I'm straight.'''
The absence of injured safety Shawn Springs caused problems throughout the secondary, whose depth will be further tested with nickel back Pierson Prioleau out for the season after tearing his ACL on the opening kickoff.
Springs is considered day-to-day, but Gibbs is optimistic the 10-year veteran will be able to play.
``He worked out hard on Saturday, but we'll just have to see how the week goes,'' Gibbs said. ``I'm hoping that he's going to get a chance to get back on the field.''
Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta are expected to be the starters at safety, but their backups are rookie Reed Doughty and Vernon Fox, who has been with the team less than two weeks.
Washington swept the season series last year for the first time since 1995 and ended a nine-game losing streak at Dallas with a 14-13 victory on Sept. 19, when Mark Brunell threw touchdown passes of 39 and 70 yards to Moss in the final 2:12.
The Redskins have not won consecutive games at Dallas since a three-game winning streak from 1987-89.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:38 AM
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