Cowboys boot Giants in rematch
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is human after all.
But he is still living right and the Cowboys are still winning.
After being intercepted twice in the first half and nearly having a third potential game-killing pick midway through the fourth quarter, Romo drove the Cowboys 40 yards in the final minute to victory.
Newly signed kicker Martin Gramatica took his turn under the spell of Bill Parcells’ magic touch.
Gramatica, who had made only one field goal since 2004 before replacing the erratic Mike Vanderjagt, made a 46-yard field goal with one second to go to give the Cowboys a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants.
"We were fortunate," Parcells said. "(Gramatica) made me look good. He’s on the team now."
Gramatica’s dramatic kick not only put a smile Parcells’ face, but it touched off a wild celebration on the Cowboys sideline and sent the largely partisan crowd of 78,666 at Giants Stadium to the exits - probably for the season.
“I am just thankful the Cowboys gave me a second chance,” said Gramatica, who played three games with the Indianapolis Colts early this year, but hadn’t kicked regularly since being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
It was the fourth consecutive win for the Cowboys (8-4), who have a stranglehold on the NFC East title race.
They hold a two-game lead on the Giants (6-6), losers of four straight, and have three of their final four games at home.
Considering he won two Super Bowl titles with the Giants in 1986 and 1990, Giants Stadium is home to some of Parcells’ fondest memories.
The 19-year veteran coach, who may or may not be in his final season, said Sunday’s win is one he will always remember.
Not just because it might have been his final visit to Giants Stadium, but because it may be another step in what could be another Super season for Parcells.
Making it even more special was that the Cowboys gutted out a victory against a desperate team looking to save its season. And they did it with Romo, who had been superb in his first four starts, but played less than his best.
In the end, however, Romo and the Cowboys were good enough to win their fifth game in six outings since Parcells made the bold decision to insert Romo as the starter in place of veteran Drew Bledsoe.
“Any time you come to this place, you have to know it’s not going to be real smooth throughout it,” Romo said. “Sometimes you have to battle through tough times. We made some mistakes today. I know I did. You just have to have a chance to do something at the end of the game to help win the game.”
Romo completed 20 of 34 passes for 257 yards and was intercepted twice.
Romo moved his team in position to win twice in the fourth quarter.
On one drive, he was fortunate. On the other, it was classic fourth-quarter magic from Romo.
At the 6:01 mark, a Romo pass went through the hands of Giants safety Gibril Wilson, who had a clear path to the end zone in front of him, into the waiting arms of receiver Patrick Crayton for an 11-yard reception.
Five plays later, running back Marion Barber scored on a 7-yard run to give the Cowboys a 20-13 lead.
But the Giants marched right back down the field to tie the score, courtesy of a 5-yard pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress.
Parcells was not happy with the defense on that drive, but he said he was pleased that the Giants scored so quickly.
The winning kick was set up by a 42-yard pass by Romo to Jason Witten.
A few plays later, Gramatica delivered his own magic.
After missing a 44-yarder in the first quarter, Gramatic made three field goals in the game. But none bigger than the last one.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is human after all.
But he is still living right and the Cowboys are still winning.
After being intercepted twice in the first half and nearly having a third potential game-killing pick midway through the fourth quarter, Romo drove the Cowboys 40 yards in the final minute to victory.
Newly signed kicker Martin Gramatica took his turn under the spell of Bill Parcells’ magic touch.
Gramatica, who had made only one field goal since 2004 before replacing the erratic Mike Vanderjagt, made a 46-yard field goal with one second to go to give the Cowboys a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants.
"We were fortunate," Parcells said. "(Gramatica) made me look good. He’s on the team now."
Gramatica’s dramatic kick not only put a smile Parcells’ face, but it touched off a wild celebration on the Cowboys sideline and sent the largely partisan crowd of 78,666 at Giants Stadium to the exits - probably for the season.
“I am just thankful the Cowboys gave me a second chance,” said Gramatica, who played three games with the Indianapolis Colts early this year, but hadn’t kicked regularly since being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.
It was the fourth consecutive win for the Cowboys (8-4), who have a stranglehold on the NFC East title race.
They hold a two-game lead on the Giants (6-6), losers of four straight, and have three of their final four games at home.
Considering he won two Super Bowl titles with the Giants in 1986 and 1990, Giants Stadium is home to some of Parcells’ fondest memories.
The 19-year veteran coach, who may or may not be in his final season, said Sunday’s win is one he will always remember.
Not just because it might have been his final visit to Giants Stadium, but because it may be another step in what could be another Super season for Parcells.
Making it even more special was that the Cowboys gutted out a victory against a desperate team looking to save its season. And they did it with Romo, who had been superb in his first four starts, but played less than his best.
In the end, however, Romo and the Cowboys were good enough to win their fifth game in six outings since Parcells made the bold decision to insert Romo as the starter in place of veteran Drew Bledsoe.
“Any time you come to this place, you have to know it’s not going to be real smooth throughout it,” Romo said. “Sometimes you have to battle through tough times. We made some mistakes today. I know I did. You just have to have a chance to do something at the end of the game to help win the game.”
Romo completed 20 of 34 passes for 257 yards and was intercepted twice.
Romo moved his team in position to win twice in the fourth quarter.
On one drive, he was fortunate. On the other, it was classic fourth-quarter magic from Romo.
At the 6:01 mark, a Romo pass went through the hands of Giants safety Gibril Wilson, who had a clear path to the end zone in front of him, into the waiting arms of receiver Patrick Crayton for an 11-yard reception.
Five plays later, running back Marion Barber scored on a 7-yard run to give the Cowboys a 20-13 lead.
But the Giants marched right back down the field to tie the score, courtesy of a 5-yard pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress.
Parcells was not happy with the defense on that drive, but he said he was pleased that the Giants scored so quickly.
The winning kick was set up by a 42-yard pass by Romo to Jason Witten.
A few plays later, Gramatica delivered his own magic.
After missing a 44-yarder in the first quarter, Gramatic made three field goals in the game. But none bigger than the last one.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:38 PM
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