Cowboys Insider: James wants to make presence felt
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Inside linebacker Bradie James says the time has come for him to make his “presence felt” in the NFL.
“This is my fifth year in the league and third as a starter,” James said. “I want to be considered one of the best defensive players not only on this team but in the league.”
He can move in that direction with huge performance Sunday night.
With injuries expected to keep strongside linebacker Greg Ellis and possibly cornerback Terence Newman on the sideline, the Cowboys need someone to step up and have a monster game.
The stage is set for that someone to be James.
Trimmed down to 240 pounds and playing in a scheme he says will once again allow him to roam “sideline to sideline,” James is poised to lead the team in tackles for a second-straight season.
“I think more and more of him every game,” Wade Phillips said at the end of the preseason. “He has really impressed me. I didn’t know him that well when I got here, but he’s got a real knack for finding the football.”
In Bill Parcell’ version of the 3-4 defense, James was asked to take on offensive linemen regularly. As a result, his coverage suffered and he wore down toward the end of each season.
But all that changed when Phillips replaced the retired Parcells in February. In Phillips’ ultra-aggressive 3-4, James is no longer employed as a battering ram.
“Last year, I was limited schematically,” James said. “I wasn’t asked to pressure the quarterback. I was asked to take on the guard and try to stop the run.
“Now I’m opened up a little bit more where I can pressure guys, make plays down field, sideline to sideline. I can be a complete linebacker.”
Phillips says one of the reasons he likes James is that he plays all out all the time.
“He’s not the greatest athlete, but he is a good athlete,” Phillips said of the former LSU standout. “There are guys that can run faster, guys that are stronger. But I’m impressed with him overall, especially with his leadership and knowledge and the way he goes about the game.”
One of the more intriguing matchups Sunday night will be James versus Brandon Jacobs, the Giants’ 264-pound running back.
If James can stuff Jacobs and help lead the Cowboys to victory, it will be a huge step toward him reaching his goal of being recognized as one of the league’s best.
Five reasons why the Cowboys beat the Giants
1. Tony Romo and the offense will be too much for the Giants defense to handle, especially with cornerback Sam Madison ailing and defensive end Michael Strahan still trying to shake off rust.
2. Terrell Owens is healthy, happy and still in love with the spotlight. This game is on national television, so Owens will shine.
3. Wade Phillips unveils a defense that will blitz Eli Manning into submission.
4. Manning still lacks consistency and accuracy.
5. The Cowboys will be pumped to hand the popular Phillips a victory in his debut.
Five reasons why the Giants beat the Cowboys
1. Injuries to Terence Newman and outside linebacker Greg Ellis and, possibly, receiver Terry Glenn are too much to overcome.
2. Strongside linebacker Anthony Spencer looks lost, allowing the Giants to neutralize Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware on the other side.
3. With Newman either out or hobbled by his foot injury, the Giants exploit safety Roy Williams’ inability to cover with deep passes.
4. Rookie kicker Nick Folk wakes up and suddenly realizes he’s in the NFL and playing in front of a national television audience.
5. The Giants take a page out of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson’s playbook and blitz Romo into a couple of interceptions.
Prediction
Both defenses struggle, but the Cowboys have enough offensive firepower to prevail 35-28.
San Antonio Express-News
Inside linebacker Bradie James says the time has come for him to make his “presence felt” in the NFL.
“This is my fifth year in the league and third as a starter,” James said. “I want to be considered one of the best defensive players not only on this team but in the league.”
He can move in that direction with huge performance Sunday night.
With injuries expected to keep strongside linebacker Greg Ellis and possibly cornerback Terence Newman on the sideline, the Cowboys need someone to step up and have a monster game.
The stage is set for that someone to be James.
Trimmed down to 240 pounds and playing in a scheme he says will once again allow him to roam “sideline to sideline,” James is poised to lead the team in tackles for a second-straight season.
“I think more and more of him every game,” Wade Phillips said at the end of the preseason. “He has really impressed me. I didn’t know him that well when I got here, but he’s got a real knack for finding the football.”
In Bill Parcell’ version of the 3-4 defense, James was asked to take on offensive linemen regularly. As a result, his coverage suffered and he wore down toward the end of each season.
But all that changed when Phillips replaced the retired Parcells in February. In Phillips’ ultra-aggressive 3-4, James is no longer employed as a battering ram.
“Last year, I was limited schematically,” James said. “I wasn’t asked to pressure the quarterback. I was asked to take on the guard and try to stop the run.
“Now I’m opened up a little bit more where I can pressure guys, make plays down field, sideline to sideline. I can be a complete linebacker.”
Phillips says one of the reasons he likes James is that he plays all out all the time.
“He’s not the greatest athlete, but he is a good athlete,” Phillips said of the former LSU standout. “There are guys that can run faster, guys that are stronger. But I’m impressed with him overall, especially with his leadership and knowledge and the way he goes about the game.”
One of the more intriguing matchups Sunday night will be James versus Brandon Jacobs, the Giants’ 264-pound running back.
If James can stuff Jacobs and help lead the Cowboys to victory, it will be a huge step toward him reaching his goal of being recognized as one of the league’s best.
Five reasons why the Cowboys beat the Giants
1. Tony Romo and the offense will be too much for the Giants defense to handle, especially with cornerback Sam Madison ailing and defensive end Michael Strahan still trying to shake off rust.
2. Terrell Owens is healthy, happy and still in love with the spotlight. This game is on national television, so Owens will shine.
3. Wade Phillips unveils a defense that will blitz Eli Manning into submission.
4. Manning still lacks consistency and accuracy.
5. The Cowboys will be pumped to hand the popular Phillips a victory in his debut.
Five reasons why the Giants beat the Cowboys
1. Injuries to Terence Newman and outside linebacker Greg Ellis and, possibly, receiver Terry Glenn are too much to overcome.
2. Strongside linebacker Anthony Spencer looks lost, allowing the Giants to neutralize Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware on the other side.
3. With Newman either out or hobbled by his foot injury, the Giants exploit safety Roy Williams’ inability to cover with deep passes.
4. Rookie kicker Nick Folk wakes up and suddenly realizes he’s in the NFL and playing in front of a national television audience.
5. The Giants take a page out of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson’s playbook and blitz Romo into a couple of interceptions.
Prediction
Both defenses struggle, but the Cowboys have enough offensive firepower to prevail 35-28.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:53 AM
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