Jones has Giant concerns
Cowboys are rolling, but owner knows how fast things can change
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Generally optimistic about everything, Jerry Jones is worried about Sunday's game with the New York Giants.
The Cowboys owner and general manager has seen his team win three straight games and sit atop the NFC East with a 7-4 record, just like last year, when they visited Giants Stadium and left with a loss.
"We've got a lot going for us," Jones said, "and I know it's a little different, but at this time last year, I had just as high expectations going for us, and we know what happened. We know what the Giants are capable of doing. There are reasons to be legitimately concerned because their backs are against the wall."
Plus, Jones remembers the 36-22 beating his team took from the Giants on Oct. 23 at Texas Stadium.
"They've had some injuries, but Tiki [Barber] is not hurt and the quarterback [Eli Manning] is not hurt," Jones said. "Barber [114 yards] ran his tail off against us."
Gramatica can't miss: Martin Gramatica is making a decent first impression on his teammates. He has not missed a kick in practice since signing Monday to replace Mike Vanderjagt.
Coach Bill Parcells said Gramatica is getting more work this week to get used to working with holder Tony Romo and snapper L.P. Ladouceur.
"We've been trying to get him to miss, cheering and screaming," nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. "He makes them, and it's, 'OK, let's go.' I'm happy with whatever is the situation. It can be hard for a kicker, because if you play defense or offense, there's 10 other guys that got your back."
Jones said the decision to cut Vanderjagt was not tough, but he said the Cowboys will not make such a financial commitment to a kicker again. The Cowboys gave Vanderjagt a $2.5 million signing bonus.
"I feel like we were compromised by not being able to do some other things," said Jones, who added the Cowboys might have cut Vanderjagt in training camp had he not cost so much.
Chilly reception? Having spent 11 seasons coaching at Giants Stadium with the Giants and Jets, Parcells knows how the elements can affect games played in the Meadowlands. But the Cowboys may catch a break Sunday – the forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-40s and little wind.
"I think when you're used to it and you've been practicing in it, I think it can be a pretty good advantage for you," Parcells said.
Romo said he will wear gloves if it gets too cold. He wore them during the rain in the preseason game against New Orleans and during warmups at Washington on Nov. 5.
Briefly: Kicker Carlos Martinez was added to the practice squad Thursday. For the last three years, Martinez has kicked for the Desperados and has been successful on 24-of-55 field goal attempts with the Arena League's narrower field goal posts. He spent part of training camp with Atlanta.
"I just want to take a look at him, and if it doesn't look good, I'll probably get another one," Parcells said. "We're in the contingency business."
Parcells has blared simulated crowd noise during practice to get his team accustomed to what they will face at Giants Stadium.
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Generally optimistic about everything, Jerry Jones is worried about Sunday's game with the New York Giants.
The Cowboys owner and general manager has seen his team win three straight games and sit atop the NFC East with a 7-4 record, just like last year, when they visited Giants Stadium and left with a loss.
"We've got a lot going for us," Jones said, "and I know it's a little different, but at this time last year, I had just as high expectations going for us, and we know what happened. We know what the Giants are capable of doing. There are reasons to be legitimately concerned because their backs are against the wall."
Plus, Jones remembers the 36-22 beating his team took from the Giants on Oct. 23 at Texas Stadium.
"They've had some injuries, but Tiki [Barber] is not hurt and the quarterback [Eli Manning] is not hurt," Jones said. "Barber [114 yards] ran his tail off against us."
Gramatica can't miss: Martin Gramatica is making a decent first impression on his teammates. He has not missed a kick in practice since signing Monday to replace Mike Vanderjagt.
Coach Bill Parcells said Gramatica is getting more work this week to get used to working with holder Tony Romo and snapper L.P. Ladouceur.
"We've been trying to get him to miss, cheering and screaming," nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. "He makes them, and it's, 'OK, let's go.' I'm happy with whatever is the situation. It can be hard for a kicker, because if you play defense or offense, there's 10 other guys that got your back."
Jones said the decision to cut Vanderjagt was not tough, but he said the Cowboys will not make such a financial commitment to a kicker again. The Cowboys gave Vanderjagt a $2.5 million signing bonus.
"I feel like we were compromised by not being able to do some other things," said Jones, who added the Cowboys might have cut Vanderjagt in training camp had he not cost so much.
Chilly reception? Having spent 11 seasons coaching at Giants Stadium with the Giants and Jets, Parcells knows how the elements can affect games played in the Meadowlands. But the Cowboys may catch a break Sunday – the forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-40s and little wind.
"I think when you're used to it and you've been practicing in it, I think it can be a pretty good advantage for you," Parcells said.
Romo said he will wear gloves if it gets too cold. He wore them during the rain in the preseason game against New Orleans and during warmups at Washington on Nov. 5.
Briefly: Kicker Carlos Martinez was added to the practice squad Thursday. For the last three years, Martinez has kicked for the Desperados and has been successful on 24-of-55 field goal attempts with the Arena League's narrower field goal posts. He spent part of training camp with Atlanta.
"I just want to take a look at him, and if it doesn't look good, I'll probably get another one," Parcells said. "We're in the contingency business."
Parcells has blared simulated crowd noise during practice to get his team accustomed to what they will face at Giants Stadium.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:18 PM
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