Cowboys feeling giddy, even if it's only preseason
A liberal dose
August 21, 2007
Original A liberal dose article: Cowboys feeling giddy, even if it's only preseason
For the record, the Cowboys know it's just the preseason.
They know these games are meaningless.
But the Cowboys are not apologizing to the Denver Broncos or anyone else about how they are playing.
And they certainly are not tempering their excitement about their potential.
Nobody is booking reservations to Glendale, Ariz., for the Super Bowl, but the Cowboys are allowing themselves to envision the possibilities.
'There is no doubt about that,' defensive tackle Jason Ferguson said. 'We have talent on this team, and that's our mind set. At the same time, you can't overwhelm yourself and pour Gatorade over my head and say 'I'm there'. Still, it's a good feeling.'
Said receiver Terrell Owens: 'It's obvious the talent we have on this team. Both units are playing well. We have guys capable of making plays. The depth and talent on this team are endless.'
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips doesn't necessarily disagree. He said it's not so much the wins but the team's performance that has been so impressive.
Quarterback Tony Romo and the first-team offense, which has played without injured receiver Terry Glenn and just briefly with Owens, have been efficient in the passing game and dominant on the ground.
The first-team defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in two preseason victories. The unit is starting to find its identity in Phillips' attacking 3-4 scheme, so much so that the Broncos complained about the overzealous blitzing following Saturday's 31-20 loss.
After making his requisite coach-speak comments about it being early in the preseason and the team still having much work to do, Phillips admitted liking what he sees.
'I don't know if you can tell for sure in preseason, except your own team, and our team looks pretty solid right now,' Phillips said. 'I think everybody can see that.'
Of course, Phillips has his concerns. But they are more about getting the team ready to play to its potential than any holes in the lineup.
Phillips has taken over teams before in which he's had to cry for help. But he said that is not the case with the Cowboys because they have no major lineup deficiencies.
He said as much in minicamp in May. After two preseason games, nothing has changed Phillips' mind.
The only real roster concerns the Cowboys have are at nickel cornerback and backup nose tackle.
'We're not weak in an area where we're, 'Gosh, our potential starter is not going to be good enough to play in the league,'' Phillips said. 'We don't have that. They could show up, certainly. I could be misjudging some of it. I don't think I am, but I could be misjudging it.
'It's based on performance, not just based on what I think of the team. It's based on what they've done so far. We don't look deficient, no.'
August 21, 2007
Original A liberal dose article: Cowboys feeling giddy, even if it's only preseason
For the record, the Cowboys know it's just the preseason.
They know these games are meaningless.
But the Cowboys are not apologizing to the Denver Broncos or anyone else about how they are playing.
And they certainly are not tempering their excitement about their potential.
Nobody is booking reservations to Glendale, Ariz., for the Super Bowl, but the Cowboys are allowing themselves to envision the possibilities.
'There is no doubt about that,' defensive tackle Jason Ferguson said. 'We have talent on this team, and that's our mind set. At the same time, you can't overwhelm yourself and pour Gatorade over my head and say 'I'm there'. Still, it's a good feeling.'
Said receiver Terrell Owens: 'It's obvious the talent we have on this team. Both units are playing well. We have guys capable of making plays. The depth and talent on this team are endless.'
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips doesn't necessarily disagree. He said it's not so much the wins but the team's performance that has been so impressive.
Quarterback Tony Romo and the first-team offense, which has played without injured receiver Terry Glenn and just briefly with Owens, have been efficient in the passing game and dominant on the ground.
The first-team defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in two preseason victories. The unit is starting to find its identity in Phillips' attacking 3-4 scheme, so much so that the Broncos complained about the overzealous blitzing following Saturday's 31-20 loss.
After making his requisite coach-speak comments about it being early in the preseason and the team still having much work to do, Phillips admitted liking what he sees.
'I don't know if you can tell for sure in preseason, except your own team, and our team looks pretty solid right now,' Phillips said. 'I think everybody can see that.'
Of course, Phillips has his concerns. But they are more about getting the team ready to play to its potential than any holes in the lineup.
Phillips has taken over teams before in which he's had to cry for help. But he said that is not the case with the Cowboys because they have no major lineup deficiencies.
He said as much in minicamp in May. After two preseason games, nothing has changed Phillips' mind.
The only real roster concerns the Cowboys have are at nickel cornerback and backup nose tackle.
'We're not weak in an area where we're, 'Gosh, our potential starter is not going to be good enough to play in the league,'' Phillips said. 'We don't have that. They could show up, certainly. I could be misjudging some of it. I don't think I am, but I could be misjudging it.
'It's based on performance, not just based on what I think of the team. It's based on what they've done so far. We don't look deficient, no.'
posted by The Gryphon at 5:28 PM
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