Cowboys face major problems
Injuries, Wilson's absence threaten Super Bowl plans
Jean-Jacques Taylor
You can rationalize the events of the past five weeks since the Cowboys opened training camp if you choose.
But don't ignore them.
The Cowboys have problems. And they're not going away.
Wade Wilson's five-game suspension for using a banned substance is the latest bit of bad news for a team that considers itself a Super Bowl contender.
Independently, Greg Ellis' slow recovery from a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered last November, Terence Newman's heel injury, Terry Glenn's knee surgery and Wilson's suspension wouldn't be major problems.
Ellis and Newman – who just happen to play the two most important positions in the 3-4 defense – are among the team's top-five defensive players. Glenn is one of the Cowboys' most valuable offensive weapons. And Wilson's 27 years in the NFL can't be taken for granted.
We have no idea if or when Ellis will get on the field this season. Don't forget, he was supposed to return to practice in June.
This defense doesn't work without two superior pass rushers because it becomes too easy for offensive coordinators to find ways to double-team DeMarcus Ware and limit his impact.
No one is capable – right now – of giving the Cowboys a complement to Ware.
First-round pick Anthony Spencer has improved, according to members of the organization, but he ended the preseason without a sack. Still, he's a better pass rusher than Bobby Carpenter, last year's first-round pick.
Kevin Burnett might have been the answer because he had a really nice training camp, but he's hurt – again.
All of that pales in importance when you start discussing Newman's heel injury. He has a partial tear in his plantar fascia, an injury that he said would've been better if he had torn it completely.
It will not improve this season. So says Newman.
The best the Cowboys can hope for is to manage the injury, a fancy way of saying Newman is probably going to have to take an injection before every game so he can plant, cut and run without being overwhelmed by pain. Then after every game he's going to need pain medication as the anesthetic begins to wear off.
Admire his courage, but the Newman you've grown accustomed to watching the past two seasons probably won't make an appearance this season. The injury won't let him.
He's going to be hobbled, and teams will attack.
Just so you know, this defense works even less with sub-par cornerback play than it does with no pressure on the quarterback. That's because the blitzing, attacking scheme puts so much pressure on the cornerbacks because they're often in man-to-man coverage.
At least Wade Phillips has spent his career as a defensive guru who understands how to make do with less when he must.
How he ensures his team overcomes the loss of Wilson will play a significant role in whether the Cowboys reach their goals this season.
Don't underestimate Wilson's loss.
The guy played 17 years in the NFL. He pays attention to details such as footwork, ball-handling and mechanics that every young quarterback needs to be reminded about.
Besides, as a first-year coordinator, Jason Garrett needs to spend time making sure the entire offense is in synch. Until Wilson returns, Garrett has a lot more responsibility.
Wes Phillips, who coached quarterbacks at Baylor last season and will take over some of Wilson's duties until he returns, doesn't have near the foundation Wilson does. There will be a learning curve.
When Jerry Jones hired Wade Phillips, he was considered lucky because he was one of only two coaches who took over playoff teams. Well, he's earning every nickel of his salary right now as he navigates through these murky waters.
The journey to the Super Bowl begins in six days. That's not a lot of time to find answers to several troubling questions.
Cowboys at New York Giants, 7:15 p.m. Sunday (Ch. 5; KTCK-AM 1310, KDBN-FM 93.3, KFLC-AM 1270 in Spanish)
Jean-Jacques Taylor
You can rationalize the events of the past five weeks since the Cowboys opened training camp if you choose.
But don't ignore them.
The Cowboys have problems. And they're not going away.
Wade Wilson's five-game suspension for using a banned substance is the latest bit of bad news for a team that considers itself a Super Bowl contender.
Independently, Greg Ellis' slow recovery from a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered last November, Terence Newman's heel injury, Terry Glenn's knee surgery and Wilson's suspension wouldn't be major problems.
Ellis and Newman – who just happen to play the two most important positions in the 3-4 defense – are among the team's top-five defensive players. Glenn is one of the Cowboys' most valuable offensive weapons. And Wilson's 27 years in the NFL can't be taken for granted.
We have no idea if or when Ellis will get on the field this season. Don't forget, he was supposed to return to practice in June.
This defense doesn't work without two superior pass rushers because it becomes too easy for offensive coordinators to find ways to double-team DeMarcus Ware and limit his impact.
No one is capable – right now – of giving the Cowboys a complement to Ware.
First-round pick Anthony Spencer has improved, according to members of the organization, but he ended the preseason without a sack. Still, he's a better pass rusher than Bobby Carpenter, last year's first-round pick.
Kevin Burnett might have been the answer because he had a really nice training camp, but he's hurt – again.
All of that pales in importance when you start discussing Newman's heel injury. He has a partial tear in his plantar fascia, an injury that he said would've been better if he had torn it completely.
It will not improve this season. So says Newman.
The best the Cowboys can hope for is to manage the injury, a fancy way of saying Newman is probably going to have to take an injection before every game so he can plant, cut and run without being overwhelmed by pain. Then after every game he's going to need pain medication as the anesthetic begins to wear off.
Admire his courage, but the Newman you've grown accustomed to watching the past two seasons probably won't make an appearance this season. The injury won't let him.
He's going to be hobbled, and teams will attack.
Just so you know, this defense works even less with sub-par cornerback play than it does with no pressure on the quarterback. That's because the blitzing, attacking scheme puts so much pressure on the cornerbacks because they're often in man-to-man coverage.
At least Wade Phillips has spent his career as a defensive guru who understands how to make do with less when he must.
How he ensures his team overcomes the loss of Wilson will play a significant role in whether the Cowboys reach their goals this season.
Don't underestimate Wilson's loss.
The guy played 17 years in the NFL. He pays attention to details such as footwork, ball-handling and mechanics that every young quarterback needs to be reminded about.
Besides, as a first-year coordinator, Jason Garrett needs to spend time making sure the entire offense is in synch. Until Wilson returns, Garrett has a lot more responsibility.
Wes Phillips, who coached quarterbacks at Baylor last season and will take over some of Wilson's duties until he returns, doesn't have near the foundation Wilson does. There will be a learning curve.
When Jerry Jones hired Wade Phillips, he was considered lucky because he was one of only two coaches who took over playoff teams. Well, he's earning every nickel of his salary right now as he navigates through these murky waters.
The journey to the Super Bowl begins in six days. That's not a lot of time to find answers to several troubling questions.
Cowboys at New York Giants, 7:15 p.m. Sunday (Ch. 5; KTCK-AM 1310, KDBN-FM 93.3, KFLC-AM 1270 in Spanish)
posted by The Gryphon at 12:58 PM
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