Football: Cardinals' receivers present big concerns for Cowboys
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Big receivers usually mean big problems for the Dallas Cowboys.
On Sunday, the Cowboys will face two of the best in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm impressed with both of them," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Thursday. "They are high-quality receivers."
From Reggie Williams and Matt Jones in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars to Plaxico Burress in Week 7 against the New York Giants, the Cowboys have struggled to contain tall, strong receivers.
Boldin stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 223 pounds. Fitzgerald is 6-3, 226 pounds.
"Boldin is a big run-after catch guy who is very aggressive to the ball," Parcells said. "He's not a prototypical guy physically for a receiver. He's got very thick quads and is a powerful runner."
Then there's Fitzgerald, who hasn't played since injuring his right hamstring Oct. 8, but says he's ready for the Cowboys.
"He's a big, heavy guy who is also very aggressive to the ball and has good hands," Parcells said.
Boldin leads the Cardinals in receptions (48), receiving yards (608) and receiving touchdowns (three). Through four games, Fitzgerald had 25 receptions for 336 yards and two TDs.
In last season's 34-13 victory over the Cardinals, the Cowboys held Fitzgerald to four receptions for 36 yards. Boldin caught three for 69, including a 44-yard touchdown.
"We've got a good challenge this week," said Cowboys strong safety Roy Williams, who has a team-high three interceptions.
Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart is well aware of the Cowboys' struggles against big wideouts and plans to make the most of the opportunity.
"They are so physically gifted and big," Leinart said of Boldin and Fitzgerald. "Anquan is the best I've seen after the catch, just breaking tackles, getting those extra yards, just unbelievable. And when the ball is in the air, Larry is going to go up and make the play every time."
As if Boldin and Fitzgerald weren't enough, Leinart also has another big target in 6-3, 216-pound Bryant Johnson, who has 16 catches for 340 yards.
The Cowboys also need to keep an eye on running back Edgerrin James, who has 27 receptions for 162 yards.
"(Leinart) will take the outlet pass very quickly," Parcells said. "We have to be careful of that because if Edgerrin catches the ball and you are too deep."
Notebook: Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn sat out practice for a second-straight day with a swollen right knee. Parcells said Glenn won't play Sunday if he doesn't practice today. ... Parcells said undrafted rookie Miles Austin is a candidate to return kickoffs Sunday. "He's a big (6-2, 215), fast guy and he's pretty tough," Parcells said. "He has tremendous potential." ... Parcells said Patrick Crayton and Terence Newman are candidates to return punts Sunday because Skyler Green didn't show him enough.
Express-News Staff Writer
Big receivers usually mean big problems for the Dallas Cowboys.
On Sunday, the Cowboys will face two of the best in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm impressed with both of them," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Thursday. "They are high-quality receivers."
From Reggie Williams and Matt Jones in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars to Plaxico Burress in Week 7 against the New York Giants, the Cowboys have struggled to contain tall, strong receivers.
Boldin stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 223 pounds. Fitzgerald is 6-3, 226 pounds.
"Boldin is a big run-after catch guy who is very aggressive to the ball," Parcells said. "He's not a prototypical guy physically for a receiver. He's got very thick quads and is a powerful runner."
Then there's Fitzgerald, who hasn't played since injuring his right hamstring Oct. 8, but says he's ready for the Cowboys.
"He's a big, heavy guy who is also very aggressive to the ball and has good hands," Parcells said.
Boldin leads the Cardinals in receptions (48), receiving yards (608) and receiving touchdowns (three). Through four games, Fitzgerald had 25 receptions for 336 yards and two TDs.
In last season's 34-13 victory over the Cardinals, the Cowboys held Fitzgerald to four receptions for 36 yards. Boldin caught three for 69, including a 44-yard touchdown.
"We've got a good challenge this week," said Cowboys strong safety Roy Williams, who has a team-high three interceptions.
Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart is well aware of the Cowboys' struggles against big wideouts and plans to make the most of the opportunity.
"They are so physically gifted and big," Leinart said of Boldin and Fitzgerald. "Anquan is the best I've seen after the catch, just breaking tackles, getting those extra yards, just unbelievable. And when the ball is in the air, Larry is going to go up and make the play every time."
As if Boldin and Fitzgerald weren't enough, Leinart also has another big target in 6-3, 216-pound Bryant Johnson, who has 16 catches for 340 yards.
The Cowboys also need to keep an eye on running back Edgerrin James, who has 27 receptions for 162 yards.
"(Leinart) will take the outlet pass very quickly," Parcells said. "We have to be careful of that because if Edgerrin catches the ball and you are too deep."
Notebook: Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn sat out practice for a second-straight day with a swollen right knee. Parcells said Glenn won't play Sunday if he doesn't practice today. ... Parcells said undrafted rookie Miles Austin is a candidate to return kickoffs Sunday. "He's a big (6-2, 215), fast guy and he's pretty tough," Parcells said. "He has tremendous potential." ... Parcells said Patrick Crayton and Terence Newman are candidates to return punts Sunday because Skyler Green didn't show him enough.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:05 AM
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