Cowboys not satisfied with 3-2
Web Posted: 10/17/2006 01:36 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING — Nose tackle Jason Ferguson likens the Dallas Cowboys to a college team with a winning record but no victories over heavyweight foes.
"So far, all we've done is beat the unranked teams," Ferguson said.
The Cowboys (3-2) hope that changes in a Monday night outing against the New York Giants (3-2) at Texas Stadium.
"It's important we win our division games, and this is a good offensive football team with experienced players," coach Bill Parcells said of the Giants, who rank among the league leaders in total offense (401.8 yards per game) and scoring (25.4).
The Cowboys' victories, including Sunday's 34-6 drubbing of the Houston Texans, have come against teams with a combined 4-13 record. The Cowboys lost when they faced playoff contenders in their opener (at Jacksonville) and two weeks ago (at Philadelphia).
Still, the Cowboys weren't overwhelmed by either the Jaguars or the NFC East-leading Eagles (4-2) and were in position to force overtime against the latter until Drew Bledsoe threw an interception.
The turnover was one of five the Cowboys had in Philadelphia. Eight of the Cowboys' 10 turnovers have come in their two losses.
"We have stopped the run pretty well, and we are running the ball pretty well," Parcells said Monday. "We have played pretty well offensively on third down, and we have played pretty well defensively on first down, and all of that usually translates into winning. But there are overriding factors, and the turnovers are some of those."
Parcells stressed last week the need for the Cowboys to protect the ball, and the team responded with a turnover-less effort against the Texans. His emphasis this week will be on the team putting together solid efforts in consecutive games, especially with the Giants game marking the beginning of a tough six-game stretch that includes three-straight road games (Oct. 29 at Carolina, Nov. 5 at Washington and Nov. 12 at Arizona).
"We need to win this one at home because here in a minute, we're going to be gone forever," linebacker Bradie James said. "The stink is about to hit the fan.
"We can't be an up-and-down team. We can't win one and lose one. That would be an emotional rollercoaster ride. We've got to find some kind of way to put together a streak of wins. Why not start now?"
Linebacker Akin Ayodele agreed.
"If we are going to be able to control our own destiny and not have other people control it for us, then we have to take care of business these next few games," Ayodele said.
Notebook: The Cowboys released receiver Jamaica Rector. ... Rookie defensive end Jason Hatcher suffered a sprained ankle against the Texans and is expected to miss significant practice time this week. ... Parcells said rookie Skyler Green, who made his debut Sunday, needs to work on getting in better position to field punts. Green, who averaged 1.7 yards on three returns, was penalized for an invalid fair catch signal on his first try and running several yards to
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING — Nose tackle Jason Ferguson likens the Dallas Cowboys to a college team with a winning record but no victories over heavyweight foes.
"So far, all we've done is beat the unranked teams," Ferguson said.
The Cowboys (3-2) hope that changes in a Monday night outing against the New York Giants (3-2) at Texas Stadium.
"It's important we win our division games, and this is a good offensive football team with experienced players," coach Bill Parcells said of the Giants, who rank among the league leaders in total offense (401.8 yards per game) and scoring (25.4).
The Cowboys' victories, including Sunday's 34-6 drubbing of the Houston Texans, have come against teams with a combined 4-13 record. The Cowboys lost when they faced playoff contenders in their opener (at Jacksonville) and two weeks ago (at Philadelphia).
Still, the Cowboys weren't overwhelmed by either the Jaguars or the NFC East-leading Eagles (4-2) and were in position to force overtime against the latter until Drew Bledsoe threw an interception.
The turnover was one of five the Cowboys had in Philadelphia. Eight of the Cowboys' 10 turnovers have come in their two losses.
"We have stopped the run pretty well, and we are running the ball pretty well," Parcells said Monday. "We have played pretty well offensively on third down, and we have played pretty well defensively on first down, and all of that usually translates into winning. But there are overriding factors, and the turnovers are some of those."
Parcells stressed last week the need for the Cowboys to protect the ball, and the team responded with a turnover-less effort against the Texans. His emphasis this week will be on the team putting together solid efforts in consecutive games, especially with the Giants game marking the beginning of a tough six-game stretch that includes three-straight road games (Oct. 29 at Carolina, Nov. 5 at Washington and Nov. 12 at Arizona).
"We need to win this one at home because here in a minute, we're going to be gone forever," linebacker Bradie James said. "The stink is about to hit the fan.
"We can't be an up-and-down team. We can't win one and lose one. That would be an emotional rollercoaster ride. We've got to find some kind of way to put together a streak of wins. Why not start now?"
Linebacker Akin Ayodele agreed.
"If we are going to be able to control our own destiny and not have other people control it for us, then we have to take care of business these next few games," Ayodele said.
Notebook: The Cowboys released receiver Jamaica Rector. ... Rookie defensive end Jason Hatcher suffered a sprained ankle against the Texans and is expected to miss significant practice time this week. ... Parcells said rookie Skyler Green, who made his debut Sunday, needs to work on getting in better position to field punts. Green, who averaged 1.7 yards on three returns, was penalized for an invalid fair catch signal on his first try and running several yards to
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