Cowboys chat: Tough road ahead
Cowboys beat writer Calvin Watkins answered questions about the team on Monday, Sept. 17.
BigD07: Should we temper our enthusiasm despite the 2-0 start? After all, it's only September. Will the Cowboys be this good in December?
Calvin Watkins: Yeah, relax. It's only September. The Cowboys are 2-0, but a big test for the offense is this weekend in Chicago. And remember, the Cowboys still must play New England, Philadelphia (twice) and, of course, Green Bay.
• • •
Jason L: How much money is Marion Barber making himself as he continues to pile up impressive performances? I know he is only a restricted free agent after the season, but has there been any talk about the Cowboys trying to lock him up long term now?
Calvin Watkins: Drew Rosenhaus is his agent and I think Mr. Barber is about to get paid. As a restricted free agent, Barber most likley will receive a first-round tender from the Cowboys. But the Cowboys would be smart to sign him long term.
• • •
drsteve: Can we expect to see Terence Newman on the field this week in Chicago? If so, how healthy can we hope for him to be, and how much of an impact will he have on the game?
Calvin Watkins: I was surprised that Newman couldn't play this week. It tells me the foot injury is very serious. When he does return, and the Cowboys believe he will, it's not known just how effective he'll be on the field. Newman wants to play the bulk of the games healthy instead of playing two games and then getting hurt again.
• • •
brian: What is going on with DeMarcus Ware? They maybe sliding protection his way, but he certainly is not facing double teams each play. Is he truly an elite pass-rusher?
Calvin Watkins: Yes, DeMarcus Ware doesn't have any sacks, but he is getting pressures on the quarterbacks. I don't see a lot of double-teams his way either. But Ware is learning a new system and he doesn't have Greg Ellis on the other side helping him rush the passer. Instead, Ware has rookie Anthony Spencer over there, so team's are not afraid of Spencer like they were of Ellis. So Ware is going to get blocked more.
• • •
Monarchski: What's up with Marcus Spears? All mouth in the off-season, but he has done nothing on the field. Is he a first-round bust?
Calvin Watkins: We have to wait and see on first-round bust. This is an important season for Spears because in your third year as a pro, it would be nice to show the team what kind of player you're going to be.
• • •
normhitzges: What do you think of the matchup between the best punt returner (Devin Hester) in the NFL and the best punter (Mat McBriar)? How much of an impact can that have on the Cowboys-Bears game?
Calvin Watkins: I saw where Devin Hester took one back 73 yards yesterday. It's not so much what McBriar does with the kicks, it's the coverage team. McBriar isn't afraid to send kicks toward dangerous returners, but the higher the kick, the better the return team has the ability to get down field. It's an interesting matchup on both sides.
• • •
NoMoreTuna: We heard a lot about "Camp Cupcake" when the Cowboys were in San Antonio. But it looked like the Dolphins were the team that wilted in the South Florida humidity. Is this Cowboys team more fit and tougher than in previous years?
Calvin Watkins: Jason Witten needed a IV and Terrell Owens took some time off during a series. The Cowboys' training camp was probably no different than some training camps. It was strange to see the team start training camp in shells instead of pads. But I think the team is fit.
• • •
TO81: It looks like Terrell Owens could be on his way to a monster season. Your thoughts?
Calvin Watkins: It looks that way. But he did have three drops in the win over Miami, two of those were because of the sun, according to T.O. But he is off to a fast start. He's third in the NFC in receiving yards behind Steve Smith and Joey Galloway.
• • •
RomoFan: It's only two games, but can we stop wondering if Tony Romo is the right quarterback for the Cowboys? All the guy does is make plays. I can't imagine him not running this team.
Calvin Watkins: Tony Romo is the right man for the job. He did a great job in moving around the pocket to find open receivers and scramble for yards. Jason Garrett said Romo is doing a much better job at managing the game. That was something Bill Parcells wanted Romo to do better.
• • •
cowfan: How much of an impact does Patrick Crayton's injured pinky have on the wide recievers? Does this mean that Isaiah Stanback will need to be ready?
Calvin Watkins: Patrick Crayton isn't going to miss any games because of the pinky. Isaiah Stanback is not ready to play right now. It did concern me a little bit when I saw Terrell Owens, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin on a few offensive sets. With Terry Glenn out, the team can't afford to lose Crayton right now. He has the best hands on the team.
• • •
mcloving: What grade did you give the pass defense and why?
Calvin Watkins: It was much better than last week. I'd give the pass defense a B. Anthony Henry with two interceptions, Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin with one each ... that's a pretty good day to me. Cornerbacks get beat all the time. It's part of the job.
• • •
J.R. Williams: Jay Ratliff showed some decent rush up the middle and he had good awareness on that fumble. But it also seemed the running lane up the middle was fairly open during the game. How do you think he will hold up against the run this year?
Calvin Watkins: Can you say Tank Johnson? No, just kidding. I think to help Ratliff out, Remi Ayodele will have to come in a few times to slow up the run game. Also, expect Bradie James and Akin Ayodele, Remi's brother, to help out against the run up the middle. Jay Ratliff is getting better each week.
• • •
From e-mail: How do you see the Cowboys' offense matching up against Chicago's defense?
Calvin Watkins: I don't see a lot of points from the Cowboys' offense this week. I thought they would score 28 against the Dolphins and they scored 37. Chicago is the best defense the Cowboys will face in September. I expect a low-scoring game. The running game will play a big role this week.
• • •
TMAN: If Newman is out for a long stretch, can Jacques Reeves be the guy or will they look for a trade?
Calvin Watkins: Jacques Reeves has to be the guy. I do believe Newman will return at some point, and Reeves didn't play that badly against Miami. Reeves just needs the experience and he's getting it right now.
• • •
DSWeil: I believe Chicago provides another half test. Great defense, not much offense. How much of Chicago's offensive struggles are Rex Grossman? Will we finally see the defense really put pressure on a QB?
Calvin Watkins: Rex Grossman is bad. He had two interceptions yesterday and he has a quarterback rating of 55.1. You know who's lower than Rex in the NFC? Jason Campbell of Washington and Tarvaris Jackson of Minnesota. Dallas should get more pressure on Grossman because he's scary in the pocket.
• • •
TMAN: What's up with Bobby Carpenter? Not much playing time and no impact on the defense.
Calvin Watkins: Bobby Carpenter is not playing well in practice or during the games. Next year is an important year for the former first-round pick. Carpenter has to be more aggressive against the run. Sometimes he appears to back off when opposing teams run toward him.
• • •
cowfan: Where, oh where, are the sacks? The interceptions were great, but the Phillips 3-4 pressure D is designed to get sacks, right?
Calvin Watkins: The Cowboys have three sacks in two games, so you need to relax a little bit. The pressure is there. A few times DeMarcus Ware got to the quarterback and Bradie James blitzed up the middle and wasn't even touched to get the first one. The sacks will come. I think there are some communication issues on defense right now that need clearing up.
• • •
Jason L: When do you think Greg Ellis will be back on the field? When he returns, will he just be a part-time player playing only on the nickel defense?
Calvin Watkins: I think Ellis will play this week. But I thought he might come back in October. So to quote Wade Phillips, he's day-to-day. With a injury like Ellis', you never know when you can return. When Ellis does return, the Cowboys most likely will move him to a third-down rusher. Anthony Spencer, in only two games, is not where he needs to be right now.
• • •
Hendershot: Do you think that Julius Jones is being utilized incorrectly? His strengths are draws, screens, etc. The Cowboys seem to be determined to run him between the tackles.
Calvin Watkins: Julius Jones is being used correctly. He's not Marion Barber, and I think that's the problem. The two backs are two different types of runners. Barber likes to run people over and Jones will try to put a move on you and go about it a little slowly. The Cowboys have a good thing going with their 1-2 punch, so there's no need to change it.
• • •
TMAN: Everbody is starting to notice all the false starts by Flozell Adams. Is his blocking good enough so we do not worry about the false starts?
Calvin Watkins: He did a good job on Jason Taylor yesterday. No sacks and two tackles. Offensive linemen false start, much like cornerbacks get beat on pass plays. It's part of the game. I'm sure you don't want a false start, or a hold, but it's part of the deal. Adams had good game yesterday.
• • •
Shuffle: Which team do the Cowboys want to lose tonight? I would think Philly.
Calvin Watkins: If Philadelphia goes 0-2, that means major problems up there. But I think the Eagles are going to win. If I'm the Cowboys, the more division teams that are winless (the Giants are 0-2), the better. But it's never easy to beat Philadelphia or Washington.
• • •
PaulC: Do you think Emmitt Smith's career rushing total is safe now that Norv Turner is coaching LaDainian Tomlinson?
Calvin Watkins: I'm sure somebody will get the record. Norv respects LT's game and he has the best chance of the active backs to get it.
• • •
PJ: Is Julius Jones gone after this year, and then does Marion Barber become the horse or do we acquire another back through the draft or free agency? Can MB handle 20 carries a game with all the contact he takes?
Calvin Watkins: Julius Jones is gone after this season. That's just how it is. Barber will be the No. 1 back. But the Cowboys, with two No. 1 picks in 2008, will draft a running back. There's some guy in Arkansas that Jerry Jones likes, I think.
• • •
LH: Can you give us a grade on Bigg Leonard Davis in his first two games?
Calvin Watkins: I think he's done OK. Marion Barber is fifth in the NFC in rushing yards and Julius Jones is tied for 13th. The Cowboys have the fifth-best rushing offense in the NFL. Leonard Davis is doing pretty good. I would give him a B.
• • •
From e-mail: Wade Phillips came to Dallas with the reputation of being a very aggressive and blitz heavy coach, but how much has Terence Newman's absence prevented the Cowboys from unleashing their full blitz package? It seems like the Cowboys have been pretty conservative on defense so far with little pressure to show for it, but will that change once Newman comes back?
Jason
Calvin Watkins: In the first game, Nate Jones blitzed quite a bit out of the nickel. DeMarcus Ware is rushing on almost every play. Bradie James recorded his first sack since 2005 on Sunday against Miami. The Cowboys are aggressive in their blitz packages. Not having Newman forces the team to keep Roy Williams back a little bit in pass coverage and it didn't hurt them yesterday. When Newman returns, who knows how good he'll be with that bad foot?
• • •
DSWeil: The Cowboys seem to be inconsistent in the red zone. Too many field goals, not enough touchdowns. What can they do to improve?
Calvin Watkins: The Cowboys have converted 55.5 percent of their plays in the red zone, good for sixth in the NFC. Of nine possessions inside the 20, the Cowboys have scored 47 points, better than anyteam in the NFL. Pittsburgh is second with 46. Jason Garrett was saying yesterday that he'll take a field goal to salvage a drive, which is what they did on Nick Folk's 47-yarder.
• • •
Henry: Do the Cowboys have a burner who can stretch the field? Is it reasonable to expect Glenn to fill that role upon his return, or is his injury likely to compromise his speed?
Calvin Watkins: The team doesn't have a burner to stretch the defense, and that's a problem. So, what happens is the team uses Terrell Owens in the slot more and hopes he beats defenders over the middle and outraces people to the end zone, which is what he did against the Giants. When Terry Glenn returns, and I think it won't be until late October, he might regain some of his speed, but he's had two knee surgeries since training camp so I don't believe he'll continue to be that fast.
• • •
Calvin Watkins: Well, I guess that's it. I'm happy you joined me for the chat. Let's talk again soon.
BigD07: Should we temper our enthusiasm despite the 2-0 start? After all, it's only September. Will the Cowboys be this good in December?
Calvin Watkins: Yeah, relax. It's only September. The Cowboys are 2-0, but a big test for the offense is this weekend in Chicago. And remember, the Cowboys still must play New England, Philadelphia (twice) and, of course, Green Bay.
• • •
Jason L: How much money is Marion Barber making himself as he continues to pile up impressive performances? I know he is only a restricted free agent after the season, but has there been any talk about the Cowboys trying to lock him up long term now?
Calvin Watkins: Drew Rosenhaus is his agent and I think Mr. Barber is about to get paid. As a restricted free agent, Barber most likley will receive a first-round tender from the Cowboys. But the Cowboys would be smart to sign him long term.
• • •
drsteve: Can we expect to see Terence Newman on the field this week in Chicago? If so, how healthy can we hope for him to be, and how much of an impact will he have on the game?
Calvin Watkins: I was surprised that Newman couldn't play this week. It tells me the foot injury is very serious. When he does return, and the Cowboys believe he will, it's not known just how effective he'll be on the field. Newman wants to play the bulk of the games healthy instead of playing two games and then getting hurt again.
• • •
brian: What is going on with DeMarcus Ware? They maybe sliding protection his way, but he certainly is not facing double teams each play. Is he truly an elite pass-rusher?
Calvin Watkins: Yes, DeMarcus Ware doesn't have any sacks, but he is getting pressures on the quarterbacks. I don't see a lot of double-teams his way either. But Ware is learning a new system and he doesn't have Greg Ellis on the other side helping him rush the passer. Instead, Ware has rookie Anthony Spencer over there, so team's are not afraid of Spencer like they were of Ellis. So Ware is going to get blocked more.
• • •
Monarchski: What's up with Marcus Spears? All mouth in the off-season, but he has done nothing on the field. Is he a first-round bust?
Calvin Watkins: We have to wait and see on first-round bust. This is an important season for Spears because in your third year as a pro, it would be nice to show the team what kind of player you're going to be.
• • •
normhitzges: What do you think of the matchup between the best punt returner (Devin Hester) in the NFL and the best punter (Mat McBriar)? How much of an impact can that have on the Cowboys-Bears game?
Calvin Watkins: I saw where Devin Hester took one back 73 yards yesterday. It's not so much what McBriar does with the kicks, it's the coverage team. McBriar isn't afraid to send kicks toward dangerous returners, but the higher the kick, the better the return team has the ability to get down field. It's an interesting matchup on both sides.
• • •
NoMoreTuna: We heard a lot about "Camp Cupcake" when the Cowboys were in San Antonio. But it looked like the Dolphins were the team that wilted in the South Florida humidity. Is this Cowboys team more fit and tougher than in previous years?
Calvin Watkins: Jason Witten needed a IV and Terrell Owens took some time off during a series. The Cowboys' training camp was probably no different than some training camps. It was strange to see the team start training camp in shells instead of pads. But I think the team is fit.
• • •
TO81: It looks like Terrell Owens could be on his way to a monster season. Your thoughts?
Calvin Watkins: It looks that way. But he did have three drops in the win over Miami, two of those were because of the sun, according to T.O. But he is off to a fast start. He's third in the NFC in receiving yards behind Steve Smith and Joey Galloway.
• • •
RomoFan: It's only two games, but can we stop wondering if Tony Romo is the right quarterback for the Cowboys? All the guy does is make plays. I can't imagine him not running this team.
Calvin Watkins: Tony Romo is the right man for the job. He did a great job in moving around the pocket to find open receivers and scramble for yards. Jason Garrett said Romo is doing a much better job at managing the game. That was something Bill Parcells wanted Romo to do better.
• • •
cowfan: How much of an impact does Patrick Crayton's injured pinky have on the wide recievers? Does this mean that Isaiah Stanback will need to be ready?
Calvin Watkins: Patrick Crayton isn't going to miss any games because of the pinky. Isaiah Stanback is not ready to play right now. It did concern me a little bit when I saw Terrell Owens, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin on a few offensive sets. With Terry Glenn out, the team can't afford to lose Crayton right now. He has the best hands on the team.
• • •
mcloving: What grade did you give the pass defense and why?
Calvin Watkins: It was much better than last week. I'd give the pass defense a B. Anthony Henry with two interceptions, Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin with one each ... that's a pretty good day to me. Cornerbacks get beat all the time. It's part of the job.
• • •
J.R. Williams: Jay Ratliff showed some decent rush up the middle and he had good awareness on that fumble. But it also seemed the running lane up the middle was fairly open during the game. How do you think he will hold up against the run this year?
Calvin Watkins: Can you say Tank Johnson? No, just kidding. I think to help Ratliff out, Remi Ayodele will have to come in a few times to slow up the run game. Also, expect Bradie James and Akin Ayodele, Remi's brother, to help out against the run up the middle. Jay Ratliff is getting better each week.
• • •
From e-mail: How do you see the Cowboys' offense matching up against Chicago's defense?
Calvin Watkins: I don't see a lot of points from the Cowboys' offense this week. I thought they would score 28 against the Dolphins and they scored 37. Chicago is the best defense the Cowboys will face in September. I expect a low-scoring game. The running game will play a big role this week.
• • •
TMAN: If Newman is out for a long stretch, can Jacques Reeves be the guy or will they look for a trade?
Calvin Watkins: Jacques Reeves has to be the guy. I do believe Newman will return at some point, and Reeves didn't play that badly against Miami. Reeves just needs the experience and he's getting it right now.
• • •
DSWeil: I believe Chicago provides another half test. Great defense, not much offense. How much of Chicago's offensive struggles are Rex Grossman? Will we finally see the defense really put pressure on a QB?
Calvin Watkins: Rex Grossman is bad. He had two interceptions yesterday and he has a quarterback rating of 55.1. You know who's lower than Rex in the NFC? Jason Campbell of Washington and Tarvaris Jackson of Minnesota. Dallas should get more pressure on Grossman because he's scary in the pocket.
• • •
TMAN: What's up with Bobby Carpenter? Not much playing time and no impact on the defense.
Calvin Watkins: Bobby Carpenter is not playing well in practice or during the games. Next year is an important year for the former first-round pick. Carpenter has to be more aggressive against the run. Sometimes he appears to back off when opposing teams run toward him.
• • •
cowfan: Where, oh where, are the sacks? The interceptions were great, but the Phillips 3-4 pressure D is designed to get sacks, right?
Calvin Watkins: The Cowboys have three sacks in two games, so you need to relax a little bit. The pressure is there. A few times DeMarcus Ware got to the quarterback and Bradie James blitzed up the middle and wasn't even touched to get the first one. The sacks will come. I think there are some communication issues on defense right now that need clearing up.
• • •
Jason L: When do you think Greg Ellis will be back on the field? When he returns, will he just be a part-time player playing only on the nickel defense?
Calvin Watkins: I think Ellis will play this week. But I thought he might come back in October. So to quote Wade Phillips, he's day-to-day. With a injury like Ellis', you never know when you can return. When Ellis does return, the Cowboys most likely will move him to a third-down rusher. Anthony Spencer, in only two games, is not where he needs to be right now.
• • •
Hendershot: Do you think that Julius Jones is being utilized incorrectly? His strengths are draws, screens, etc. The Cowboys seem to be determined to run him between the tackles.
Calvin Watkins: Julius Jones is being used correctly. He's not Marion Barber, and I think that's the problem. The two backs are two different types of runners. Barber likes to run people over and Jones will try to put a move on you and go about it a little slowly. The Cowboys have a good thing going with their 1-2 punch, so there's no need to change it.
• • •
TMAN: Everbody is starting to notice all the false starts by Flozell Adams. Is his blocking good enough so we do not worry about the false starts?
Calvin Watkins: He did a good job on Jason Taylor yesterday. No sacks and two tackles. Offensive linemen false start, much like cornerbacks get beat on pass plays. It's part of the game. I'm sure you don't want a false start, or a hold, but it's part of the deal. Adams had good game yesterday.
• • •
Shuffle: Which team do the Cowboys want to lose tonight? I would think Philly.
Calvin Watkins: If Philadelphia goes 0-2, that means major problems up there. But I think the Eagles are going to win. If I'm the Cowboys, the more division teams that are winless (the Giants are 0-2), the better. But it's never easy to beat Philadelphia or Washington.
• • •
PaulC: Do you think Emmitt Smith's career rushing total is safe now that Norv Turner is coaching LaDainian Tomlinson?
Calvin Watkins: I'm sure somebody will get the record. Norv respects LT's game and he has the best chance of the active backs to get it.
• • •
PJ: Is Julius Jones gone after this year, and then does Marion Barber become the horse or do we acquire another back through the draft or free agency? Can MB handle 20 carries a game with all the contact he takes?
Calvin Watkins: Julius Jones is gone after this season. That's just how it is. Barber will be the No. 1 back. But the Cowboys, with two No. 1 picks in 2008, will draft a running back. There's some guy in Arkansas that Jerry Jones likes, I think.
• • •
LH: Can you give us a grade on Bigg Leonard Davis in his first two games?
Calvin Watkins: I think he's done OK. Marion Barber is fifth in the NFC in rushing yards and Julius Jones is tied for 13th. The Cowboys have the fifth-best rushing offense in the NFL. Leonard Davis is doing pretty good. I would give him a B.
• • •
From e-mail: Wade Phillips came to Dallas with the reputation of being a very aggressive and blitz heavy coach, but how much has Terence Newman's absence prevented the Cowboys from unleashing their full blitz package? It seems like the Cowboys have been pretty conservative on defense so far with little pressure to show for it, but will that change once Newman comes back?
Jason
Calvin Watkins: In the first game, Nate Jones blitzed quite a bit out of the nickel. DeMarcus Ware is rushing on almost every play. Bradie James recorded his first sack since 2005 on Sunday against Miami. The Cowboys are aggressive in their blitz packages. Not having Newman forces the team to keep Roy Williams back a little bit in pass coverage and it didn't hurt them yesterday. When Newman returns, who knows how good he'll be with that bad foot?
• • •
DSWeil: The Cowboys seem to be inconsistent in the red zone. Too many field goals, not enough touchdowns. What can they do to improve?
Calvin Watkins: The Cowboys have converted 55.5 percent of their plays in the red zone, good for sixth in the NFC. Of nine possessions inside the 20, the Cowboys have scored 47 points, better than anyteam in the NFL. Pittsburgh is second with 46. Jason Garrett was saying yesterday that he'll take a field goal to salvage a drive, which is what they did on Nick Folk's 47-yarder.
• • •
Henry: Do the Cowboys have a burner who can stretch the field? Is it reasonable to expect Glenn to fill that role upon his return, or is his injury likely to compromise his speed?
Calvin Watkins: The team doesn't have a burner to stretch the defense, and that's a problem. So, what happens is the team uses Terrell Owens in the slot more and hopes he beats defenders over the middle and outraces people to the end zone, which is what he did against the Giants. When Terry Glenn returns, and I think it won't be until late October, he might regain some of his speed, but he's had two knee surgeries since training camp so I don't believe he'll continue to be that fast.
• • •
Calvin Watkins: Well, I guess that's it. I'm happy you joined me for the chat. Let's talk again soon.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:35 PM
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