Cowboys give hint what Phillips' 'D' will look like
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram staff writer
It's a game football, "and it says 'preseason fumble recovery,'" the Cowboys defensive end said. "You've got to get all of them you can get."
Spears made the recovery in the Cowboys' 31-20 preseason victory against the Denver Broncos on Saturday night at Texas Stadium.
Usually preseason accomplishments are stored in a garbage can, especially for anyone who's played a few regular-season games. For the Cowboys' defense, however, Saturday's game isn't to be taken out with the trash.
Saturday night was the reason the Cowboys hired Wade Phillips. With the starters against the starters, the Cowboys' defense provided the pressure fans expected when Phillips became coach.
"That's a big reason," Spears said. "You can tell from what San Diego did last year, he wants to get to the quarterback and force offenses to do what we want them to do."
Unlike the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, when the Cowboys registered minimal pressure, the defense attacked the Broncos. They were quick to the ball; safety Roy Williams played close to the line of scrimmage and the quarterbacks were forced to hurry.
In short, it was the Wade Phillips defense the Cowboys expected.
"I think we came out and gave more than a wrinkle; this is our personality," linebacker Bradie James said. "To pressure the quarterback, and we pressured more this game than we did last game. People can expect this is what we're going to do."
The Cowboys held the Broncos' first-team offense to 78 yards on 26 plays, recovered one fumble and prevented Denver from converting any of its five third-down attempts.
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was harassed, sacked once and generally made to feel the pocket wasn't a safe place to be. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson had a sack and also deflected a pass.
"Dallas put a lot of pressure on us early. They showed more blitzes than we saw during the week," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, whose team practiced against the Cowboys four times during the week.
The blitzing, stunts and pressure resulted in the Broncos having to settle for a pair of field goals as they were down 24-6 at the end of the first half. And the fumble the Cowboys recovered was at the Broncos' 7-yard line, setting up a short field and resulting in a touchdown.
"It was fun to run around and be involved and be close to the ball and make plays," Williams said. "Instead of being far back, you want to be in the action."
Of course, by the time the Cowboys open the season against the Giants on Sept. 9, Saturday night won't mean quite as much... not unless you count Marcus Spears' trophy case.
Star-Telegram staff writer
It's a game football, "and it says 'preseason fumble recovery,'" the Cowboys defensive end said. "You've got to get all of them you can get."
Spears made the recovery in the Cowboys' 31-20 preseason victory against the Denver Broncos on Saturday night at Texas Stadium.
Usually preseason accomplishments are stored in a garbage can, especially for anyone who's played a few regular-season games. For the Cowboys' defense, however, Saturday's game isn't to be taken out with the trash.
Saturday night was the reason the Cowboys hired Wade Phillips. With the starters against the starters, the Cowboys' defense provided the pressure fans expected when Phillips became coach.
"That's a big reason," Spears said. "You can tell from what San Diego did last year, he wants to get to the quarterback and force offenses to do what we want them to do."
Unlike the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, when the Cowboys registered minimal pressure, the defense attacked the Broncos. They were quick to the ball; safety Roy Williams played close to the line of scrimmage and the quarterbacks were forced to hurry.
In short, it was the Wade Phillips defense the Cowboys expected.
"I think we came out and gave more than a wrinkle; this is our personality," linebacker Bradie James said. "To pressure the quarterback, and we pressured more this game than we did last game. People can expect this is what we're going to do."
The Cowboys held the Broncos' first-team offense to 78 yards on 26 plays, recovered one fumble and prevented Denver from converting any of its five third-down attempts.
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was harassed, sacked once and generally made to feel the pocket wasn't a safe place to be. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson had a sack and also deflected a pass.
"Dallas put a lot of pressure on us early. They showed more blitzes than we saw during the week," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, whose team practiced against the Cowboys four times during the week.
The blitzing, stunts and pressure resulted in the Broncos having to settle for a pair of field goals as they were down 24-6 at the end of the first half. And the fumble the Cowboys recovered was at the Broncos' 7-yard line, setting up a short field and resulting in a touchdown.
"It was fun to run around and be involved and be close to the ball and make plays," Williams said. "Instead of being far back, you want to be in the action."
Of course, by the time the Cowboys open the season against the Giants on Sept. 9, Saturday night won't mean quite as much... not unless you count Marcus Spears' trophy case.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:27 AM
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