Cowboys play it safe, show mostly nothing
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram staff writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Before the final preseason game began Thursday night, owner Jerry Jones held court on the field at the Metrodome.
He downplayed the much-talked-about injury concerns with wide receiver Terry Glenn, cornerback Terence Newman and linebacker Greg Ellis.
And as long as the Cowboys didn't suffer any more injuries, he declared them ready to go for the Sept. 9 season opener against the New York Giants.
For that reason, quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Terrell Owens were among 17 starters not playing in the 23-14 loss at Minnesota.
Cowboys highlights included a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown by receiver Jerheme Urban and a good outing from third-team quarterback Matt Moore. The undrafted rookie completed 14 of 19 passes for 94 yards, including a 5-yard TD pass to tight end Tony Curtis. However, four lost fumbles by the Cowboys proved costly against the Vikings.
Still, it wasn't about Thursday night, but the season. The Cowboys say they are ready.
And while Jones refuses to call the Cowboys a Super Bowl team, he doesn't deny that the Super Bowl is the team's goal. And he saw nothing in the preseason to cause him to step back.
Although the Cowboys do have some important decisions ahead -- the team must cut 22 players by Saturday -- they have far fewer to make than in past seasons.
Not only has the starting lineup been set since before training camp, the Cowboys have already decided on most of the roster spots.
Jones said the team must decide on about two or three spots to complete its final 53 spots-- though he remains concerned about the depth at cornerback.
Newman's foot injury -- an acute tear of the plantar fascia -- has made the situation most acute. But according to Jones, it won't be a problem against the Giants.
"I wish he didn't have that to deal with it," Jones said. "But if we were playing tomorrow, he would be out here and he would play well for us."
He also expects Glenn, who missed the preseason following arthroscopic knee surgery, to be healthy and ready to go for the Giants.
Jones said he's excited about the preseason Romo has had and his long-term future with the Cowboys.
"I feel good about him," Jones said.
Jones said Romo will be aided by a much-improved offensive line, which he has called the team's best in more than a decade, and Owens.
Owens caught 85 passes for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He also had 18 dropped passes. He readily acknowledges he could have been better in 2006 and came into training motivated to do so in 2007.
Breakdown
Why the Vikings won:
They were able to move the ball; their quarterbacks passed for 184 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced five turnovers.
Why the Cowboys lost:
Two of their defensive starters played, and three of their offensive starters played in a backup night. The Cowboys lost four fumbles and were penalized seven times. The team averaged 1.9 yards per rush.
Notable
Receiver Jerheme Urban returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return for a touchdown of his football career.
The Cowboys finished the preseason 2-2.
VIKINGS 23, COWBOYS 14
Star-Telegram staff writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Before the final preseason game began Thursday night, owner Jerry Jones held court on the field at the Metrodome.
He downplayed the much-talked-about injury concerns with wide receiver Terry Glenn, cornerback Terence Newman and linebacker Greg Ellis.
And as long as the Cowboys didn't suffer any more injuries, he declared them ready to go for the Sept. 9 season opener against the New York Giants.
For that reason, quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Terrell Owens were among 17 starters not playing in the 23-14 loss at Minnesota.
Cowboys highlights included a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown by receiver Jerheme Urban and a good outing from third-team quarterback Matt Moore. The undrafted rookie completed 14 of 19 passes for 94 yards, including a 5-yard TD pass to tight end Tony Curtis. However, four lost fumbles by the Cowboys proved costly against the Vikings.
Still, it wasn't about Thursday night, but the season. The Cowboys say they are ready.
And while Jones refuses to call the Cowboys a Super Bowl team, he doesn't deny that the Super Bowl is the team's goal. And he saw nothing in the preseason to cause him to step back.
Although the Cowboys do have some important decisions ahead -- the team must cut 22 players by Saturday -- they have far fewer to make than in past seasons.
Not only has the starting lineup been set since before training camp, the Cowboys have already decided on most of the roster spots.
Jones said the team must decide on about two or three spots to complete its final 53 spots-- though he remains concerned about the depth at cornerback.
Newman's foot injury -- an acute tear of the plantar fascia -- has made the situation most acute. But according to Jones, it won't be a problem against the Giants.
"I wish he didn't have that to deal with it," Jones said. "But if we were playing tomorrow, he would be out here and he would play well for us."
He also expects Glenn, who missed the preseason following arthroscopic knee surgery, to be healthy and ready to go for the Giants.
Jones said he's excited about the preseason Romo has had and his long-term future with the Cowboys.
"I feel good about him," Jones said.
Jones said Romo will be aided by a much-improved offensive line, which he has called the team's best in more than a decade, and Owens.
Owens caught 85 passes for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He also had 18 dropped passes. He readily acknowledges he could have been better in 2006 and came into training motivated to do so in 2007.
Breakdown
Why the Vikings won:
They were able to move the ball; their quarterbacks passed for 184 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced five turnovers.
Why the Cowboys lost:
Two of their defensive starters played, and three of their offensive starters played in a backup night. The Cowboys lost four fumbles and were penalized seven times. The team averaged 1.9 yards per rush.
Notable
Receiver Jerheme Urban returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return for a touchdown of his football career.
The Cowboys finished the preseason 2-2.
VIKINGS 23, COWBOYS 14
posted by The Gryphon at 10:38 AM
<< Home