Terence Newman- Undercover
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Terence Newman sits in his hotel room the night before games and talks about wanting to become great.
He talks about shutting down his half of the field. He talks about being in the class of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey.
Newman bounces his ambitions off roommate and linebacker Bradie James. Together, they talk about what it would take to be recognized as one of the league's best at their positions.
Newman will have his chance Sunday.
He faces the biggest challenge of his career against the prolific Indianapolis Colts and Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison. Newman wants to be a Pro Bowler. There is no better way to take that step than to slow a future Hall of Famer who is starring for an undefeated Super Bowl contender.
"These are the games he [Newman] lives for, and I know he will rise to the occasion," James said. "We need him to make some big plays. He has to play at his best."
Newman has been at his best this season against some of the league's finest receivers. He's helped limit Washington's Santana Moss, Carolina's Steve Smith and Arizona's tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
Now it's Harrison, who might have more receiver tricks than Newman has ever seen. Harrison, in his 11th year, is seeking his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season and is one of the premier route runners in the league.
"He hasn't had a challenge like this one," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "This guy is crafty. He knows what he's doing and has good communication without saying anything to his quarterback. They are on the same page."
Newman has elevated himself to near Pro Bowl status. He didn't allow a touchdown pass last season and hasn't given up one in nine games this season. The fourth-year player has become worthy of being selected fifth overall by the Cowboys in the 2003 NFL Draft and developed into a threat other teams try to avoid.
"Anytime you're playing against a guy with that kind of athletic ability, it's a real challenge to run really good routes and to try and be on time," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said. "If you throw an inaccurate ball or you're late for the throw, a guy like Newman is going to make you pay for it."
But Newman's résumé doesn't include a Pro Bowl. While he was shutting down receivers and getting personally praised by Bailey last season, he managed only three interceptions. His interception totals may be the only thing keeping him from trips to Hawaii. Newman had four interceptions in each of his first two seasons.
"Right now what he is missing is interceptions," James said. "Once he starts getting that, everybody will see how good he is."
Newman, who has 12 career interceptions, has one interception this season and five passes defended. He expects plenty of action Sunday trying to contain Harrison, who has been to seven consecutive Pro Bowls.
Newman agrees Sunday could be the biggest game of his career and a chance to make a name for himself. It's speed and quickness against speed and quickness.
"You've got to love that," Newman said. "Those are the games you look forward to as a corner, to see where you are and see how good you are."
Newman held Smith to six catches for 55 yards. He held Moss to four catches for 69 yards in the Cowboys' first game against the Redskins this season. Boldin had two catches for 53 yards, and Fitzgerald six for 80 yards.
Harrison, who was held to 38 yards receiving earlier this season by Bailey, averages 79.9 receiving yards per game and has five TDs. Newman is wary of Harrison's uncanny ability to work in sync with Manning. The two have connected for 99 touchdowns, most in NFL history. They share a sixth sense in the passing game Newman will try to counter.
"He's [Harrison] a lot more crafty and knows a lot more things about defense and how to get open," Newman said. "Playing zone and man, he has all different kind of tricks and techniques to get open. I think that's going to be a little different."
In some ways, Newman is different than other high-profile corners coming into the league. He has studied and learned how to become one of the best.
"The way this league is, a lot of young guys come in and think they know it all," said 13-year veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn, who faced Harrison while with the Jets. "[Newman] goes about it the right way, and that's the good thing about him. He wants to learn a lot, and he asks a lot of questions."
If he slows Harrison, his next question might be about when will he get that first trip to Hawaii.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Terence Newman sits in his hotel room the night before games and talks about wanting to become great.
He talks about shutting down his half of the field. He talks about being in the class of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey.
Newman bounces his ambitions off roommate and linebacker Bradie James. Together, they talk about what it would take to be recognized as one of the league's best at their positions.
Newman will have his chance Sunday.
He faces the biggest challenge of his career against the prolific Indianapolis Colts and Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison. Newman wants to be a Pro Bowler. There is no better way to take that step than to slow a future Hall of Famer who is starring for an undefeated Super Bowl contender.
"These are the games he [Newman] lives for, and I know he will rise to the occasion," James said. "We need him to make some big plays. He has to play at his best."
Newman has been at his best this season against some of the league's finest receivers. He's helped limit Washington's Santana Moss, Carolina's Steve Smith and Arizona's tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
Now it's Harrison, who might have more receiver tricks than Newman has ever seen. Harrison, in his 11th year, is seeking his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season and is one of the premier route runners in the league.
"He hasn't had a challenge like this one," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "This guy is crafty. He knows what he's doing and has good communication without saying anything to his quarterback. They are on the same page."
Newman has elevated himself to near Pro Bowl status. He didn't allow a touchdown pass last season and hasn't given up one in nine games this season. The fourth-year player has become worthy of being selected fifth overall by the Cowboys in the 2003 NFL Draft and developed into a threat other teams try to avoid.
"Anytime you're playing against a guy with that kind of athletic ability, it's a real challenge to run really good routes and to try and be on time," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said. "If you throw an inaccurate ball or you're late for the throw, a guy like Newman is going to make you pay for it."
But Newman's résumé doesn't include a Pro Bowl. While he was shutting down receivers and getting personally praised by Bailey last season, he managed only three interceptions. His interception totals may be the only thing keeping him from trips to Hawaii. Newman had four interceptions in each of his first two seasons.
"Right now what he is missing is interceptions," James said. "Once he starts getting that, everybody will see how good he is."
Newman, who has 12 career interceptions, has one interception this season and five passes defended. He expects plenty of action Sunday trying to contain Harrison, who has been to seven consecutive Pro Bowls.
Newman agrees Sunday could be the biggest game of his career and a chance to make a name for himself. It's speed and quickness against speed and quickness.
"You've got to love that," Newman said. "Those are the games you look forward to as a corner, to see where you are and see how good you are."
Newman held Smith to six catches for 55 yards. He held Moss to four catches for 69 yards in the Cowboys' first game against the Redskins this season. Boldin had two catches for 53 yards, and Fitzgerald six for 80 yards.
Harrison, who was held to 38 yards receiving earlier this season by Bailey, averages 79.9 receiving yards per game and has five TDs. Newman is wary of Harrison's uncanny ability to work in sync with Manning. The two have connected for 99 touchdowns, most in NFL history. They share a sixth sense in the passing game Newman will try to counter.
"He's [Harrison] a lot more crafty and knows a lot more things about defense and how to get open," Newman said. "Playing zone and man, he has all different kind of tricks and techniques to get open. I think that's going to be a little different."
In some ways, Newman is different than other high-profile corners coming into the league. He has studied and learned how to become one of the best.
"The way this league is, a lot of young guys come in and think they know it all," said 13-year veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn, who faced Harrison while with the Jets. "[Newman] goes about it the right way, and that's the good thing about him. He wants to learn a lot, and he asks a lot of questions."
If he slows Harrison, his next question might be about when will he get that first trip to Hawaii.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:51 AM
<< Home