Cowboys' rising stars - Barber, Austin, Ayodele
San Antonio Express-News
It's easy to pinpoint who made the biggest plays for the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday's dramatic 23-20 victory over the New York Giants. DeMarcus Ware's second-quarter tackle of Brandon Jacobs for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from the Cowboys' 24-yard line just may be the defensive play of the year. And who can forget the 42-yard strike from Tony Romo to Jason Witten that set up Martin Gramatica's game-winning 46-yard field goal?
But Express-News Cowboys writer Tom Orsborn says three unheralded players also deserve praise for coming up big in what linebacker Bradie James called this team's "defining moment."
Marion Barber
Running back
What he did Sunday: Scored the Cowboys' only touchdowns on runs of 1 and 7 yards en route to a team-high 76 yards on 12 carries.
What's he's done this season: The former Minnesota standout has 11 rushing TDs, the most by a Dallas back since Emmitt Smith had 11 in 1999. Barber's 13 total TDs are the most by a Cowboy since Smith had 13 in '99.
Bill Parcells says: "He can catch it, he blocks, he runs and he's got a nose for the end zone. He's quiet, he's competitive, and I think he enjoys the game very much."
Miles Austin
Kick returner
What he did Sunday: Averaged 26.8 yards on four returns. Had returns of 28 and 19 yards in the fourth quarter, both of which led to scoring drives.
What he's done this season: Since taking over for the injured Tyson Thompson on Nov. 12, Austin has averaged 25.5 yards per return, a half-yard less than Thompson.
Bill Parcells says: "He's got good speed for a 215-pound guy. Now he's a little goofy (green). You don't know what he's going to do all the time. But he's a very intense player. The more he plays, the better he'll get."
Akin Ayodele
Linebacker
What he did Sunday: Registered a season-high 12 tackles, marking his first double-digit total of the season.
What he's done this season: Only Bradie James (73) has more tackles than Ayodele's 67. He also has two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Bill Parcells says: "Ayodele is playing very well for us. I'm extremely pleased with him. He's been one of our best guys (defensively)."
It's easy to pinpoint who made the biggest plays for the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday's dramatic 23-20 victory over the New York Giants. DeMarcus Ware's second-quarter tackle of Brandon Jacobs for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from the Cowboys' 24-yard line just may be the defensive play of the year. And who can forget the 42-yard strike from Tony Romo to Jason Witten that set up Martin Gramatica's game-winning 46-yard field goal?
But Express-News Cowboys writer Tom Orsborn says three unheralded players also deserve praise for coming up big in what linebacker Bradie James called this team's "defining moment."
Marion Barber
Running back
What he did Sunday: Scored the Cowboys' only touchdowns on runs of 1 and 7 yards en route to a team-high 76 yards on 12 carries.
What's he's done this season: The former Minnesota standout has 11 rushing TDs, the most by a Dallas back since Emmitt Smith had 11 in 1999. Barber's 13 total TDs are the most by a Cowboy since Smith had 13 in '99.
Bill Parcells says: "He can catch it, he blocks, he runs and he's got a nose for the end zone. He's quiet, he's competitive, and I think he enjoys the game very much."
Miles Austin
Kick returner
What he did Sunday: Averaged 26.8 yards on four returns. Had returns of 28 and 19 yards in the fourth quarter, both of which led to scoring drives.
What he's done this season: Since taking over for the injured Tyson Thompson on Nov. 12, Austin has averaged 25.5 yards per return, a half-yard less than Thompson.
Bill Parcells says: "He's got good speed for a 215-pound guy. Now he's a little goofy (green). You don't know what he's going to do all the time. But he's a very intense player. The more he plays, the better he'll get."
Akin Ayodele
Linebacker
What he did Sunday: Registered a season-high 12 tackles, marking his first double-digit total of the season.
What he's done this season: Only Bradie James (73) has more tackles than Ayodele's 67. He also has two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Bill Parcells says: "Ayodele is playing very well for us. I'm extremely pleased with him. He's been one of our best guys (defensively)."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:29 PM
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