Cowboys Look To Stay Undefeated Against Miami
Zach Buchanan - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 14, 2007 5:10 PM Change Font Size A A A A
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TELEVISION: Fox (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa)
BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys didn't exactly perform as expected against the Giants this past Sunday, giving up 478 total yards and four touchdowns, albeit without starters Terence Newman (plantar fascia) and Greg Ellis (bursitis) on defense. The Dolphins are less of a threat offensively, but that doesn't mean this game will be a 'gimme' for the Cowboys, especially after losing nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the remainder of the season. Miami quarterback Trent Green is a savvy veteran, and wide receiver Chris Chambers is a legitimate deep threat. Newman and Ellis practiced on a limited basis this week, and while Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips ruled Ellis out against the Dolphins, Newman will be a game-time decision. Newman's presence would be a boost for the Cowboys, even if he's only able to contribute in certain situations.
The Dolphins will have their hands full on defense as well. The Cowboys were the most prolific offensive team in Week 1, thanks mostly to the play of quarterback Tony Romo, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another. The Dolphins, however, faced the much-less potent Redskins offense, allowing 16 points, although only one touchdown. Losing safety Yeremiah Bell (ruptured Achilles against the Redskins in the opener) for the season is a huge blow for the Dolphins' ability to defend the pass, and the Cowboys' passing game should present more of a challenge than that of the Redskins.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: When it really mattered, the Cowboys offense delivered, going two-for-two on fourth down. The first time, a fourth-and-one situation, running back Marion Barber bounced outside and took the ball 18 yards for a touchdown. The second fourth-down situation was less significant, as Tony Romo gained a yard on a draw play as the Cowboys were running out the clock in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys will have more confidence now facing those fourth-and-short situations, and might be more prone to go for the first down.
The Dolphins traded for quarterback Trent Green for his experience in running an offense, not for his arm, and the numbers confirm this. Green had a high completion rate against the Redskins (63 percent), but averaged only 5.76 yards per attempt. The longest completion he recorded was 28 yards, compared to 51 yards by Romo. Green's lack of deep-ball ability means the Cowboys corners will be able to play tighter on Miami's wide receivers.
ONE-ON-ONE: Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams got off a little easy against the Giants when Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' sack leader last season, left the game with an injury. Adams, who now is more than a year removed from ACL surgery, will have a true test of his ability against Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor, who recorded 13½ sacks with the Dolphins last year. If it's any testimony to Taylor's ability, the Cowboys' best pass rusher, DeMarcus Ware, considers Taylor his idol.
Perhaps the most important match-up will not take place on the field, but on opposing sidelines. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron worked together for the past three season with the San Diego Chargers as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. Each is very familiar with the other's coaching style, so the game may come down to who knows who best. The balance might swing in the Cowboys' favor, since offensive coordinator Jason Garrett served as the Dolphins quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons and has some familiarity with Miami's personnel.
SUPPORTING ROLE: The Cowboys' defense did take a hit with the loss of starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season with a torn biceps muscle, but backup Jay Ratliff filled in quite capably, recording three tackles and a sack. Ratliff is less of a run-stopper than Ferguson, and will be saddled with the duties of clogging the middle and bottling up Miami's power running back Ronnie Brown. Ratliff will be spelled periodically by Remi Ayodele, who re-signed with the Cowboys after being released by Atlanta, which had claimed him off waivers when released by the Cowboys at the final cuts.
The Dolphins lost a key starter on defense in Bell, so Travares Tillman will be thrust back into the starting role. It shouldn't be a difficult transition for Tillman, who started at the position all of the 2005 season and part of last year. Tillman recorded two tackles when he came into the game in place of the injured Bell, and has 157 career tackles over seven years.
HEADSET GAMES: The downside of the Cowboys pressure defense is the potential of giving up big plays like they did against the Giants, but the Dolphins' offense doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of many NFL defenses. What Phillips won't allow being dinked and dunked to death on short throws by Trent Green. Cornerbacks Anthony Henry, Jacques Reeves, and, if he can play, Terence Newman, should be able to play tighter on Miami wide receivers Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and the speedy rookie Ted Ginn, Jr. since they know the ball will be coming out quickly.
Even though the Cowboys' defense failed to raise eyebrows against the Giants, the Dolphins know one thing is certain: The pass rush is coming every down. The Dolphins are likely to line up eight players inside in order to stymie outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and rookie Anthony Spencer from getting to Green. Even if the max protection breaks down, Green is the king of the three-step drop, preferring not to hold on to the football too long. It may be a long day for the Cowboys' pass rushers.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
Two Cowboys starters are listed as out for Sunday's game: Wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) and linebacker Greg Ellis (heel). Starting cornerback Terence Newman, nursing a slightly torn plantar fascia in his right heel, is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. Backup linebacker Kevin Burnett, who played sparingly against the Giants after having a bone chip removed from his ankle, is listed as probable and almost a certainty to play.
Dolphins
Backup left corner Andre' Goodman (shoulder) did not practice all week and is listed as out, as will be Bell, already placed on injured reserve. Backup running back Jesse Chatman (knee), who put significant pressure on starting back Ronnie Brown during the preseason, returned to practice Friday and is listed as probable.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 14, 2007 5:10 PM Change Font Size A A A A
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TELEVISION: Fox (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa)
BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys didn't exactly perform as expected against the Giants this past Sunday, giving up 478 total yards and four touchdowns, albeit without starters Terence Newman (plantar fascia) and Greg Ellis (bursitis) on defense. The Dolphins are less of a threat offensively, but that doesn't mean this game will be a 'gimme' for the Cowboys, especially after losing nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the remainder of the season. Miami quarterback Trent Green is a savvy veteran, and wide receiver Chris Chambers is a legitimate deep threat. Newman and Ellis practiced on a limited basis this week, and while Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips ruled Ellis out against the Dolphins, Newman will be a game-time decision. Newman's presence would be a boost for the Cowboys, even if he's only able to contribute in certain situations.
The Dolphins will have their hands full on defense as well. The Cowboys were the most prolific offensive team in Week 1, thanks mostly to the play of quarterback Tony Romo, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another. The Dolphins, however, faced the much-less potent Redskins offense, allowing 16 points, although only one touchdown. Losing safety Yeremiah Bell (ruptured Achilles against the Redskins in the opener) for the season is a huge blow for the Dolphins' ability to defend the pass, and the Cowboys' passing game should present more of a challenge than that of the Redskins.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: When it really mattered, the Cowboys offense delivered, going two-for-two on fourth down. The first time, a fourth-and-one situation, running back Marion Barber bounced outside and took the ball 18 yards for a touchdown. The second fourth-down situation was less significant, as Tony Romo gained a yard on a draw play as the Cowboys were running out the clock in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys will have more confidence now facing those fourth-and-short situations, and might be more prone to go for the first down.
The Dolphins traded for quarterback Trent Green for his experience in running an offense, not for his arm, and the numbers confirm this. Green had a high completion rate against the Redskins (63 percent), but averaged only 5.76 yards per attempt. The longest completion he recorded was 28 yards, compared to 51 yards by Romo. Green's lack of deep-ball ability means the Cowboys corners will be able to play tighter on Miami's wide receivers.
ONE-ON-ONE: Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams got off a little easy against the Giants when Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' sack leader last season, left the game with an injury. Adams, who now is more than a year removed from ACL surgery, will have a true test of his ability against Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor, who recorded 13½ sacks with the Dolphins last year. If it's any testimony to Taylor's ability, the Cowboys' best pass rusher, DeMarcus Ware, considers Taylor his idol.
Perhaps the most important match-up will not take place on the field, but on opposing sidelines. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron worked together for the past three season with the San Diego Chargers as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. Each is very familiar with the other's coaching style, so the game may come down to who knows who best. The balance might swing in the Cowboys' favor, since offensive coordinator Jason Garrett served as the Dolphins quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons and has some familiarity with Miami's personnel.
SUPPORTING ROLE: The Cowboys' defense did take a hit with the loss of starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season with a torn biceps muscle, but backup Jay Ratliff filled in quite capably, recording three tackles and a sack. Ratliff is less of a run-stopper than Ferguson, and will be saddled with the duties of clogging the middle and bottling up Miami's power running back Ronnie Brown. Ratliff will be spelled periodically by Remi Ayodele, who re-signed with the Cowboys after being released by Atlanta, which had claimed him off waivers when released by the Cowboys at the final cuts.
The Dolphins lost a key starter on defense in Bell, so Travares Tillman will be thrust back into the starting role. It shouldn't be a difficult transition for Tillman, who started at the position all of the 2005 season and part of last year. Tillman recorded two tackles when he came into the game in place of the injured Bell, and has 157 career tackles over seven years.
HEADSET GAMES: The downside of the Cowboys pressure defense is the potential of giving up big plays like they did against the Giants, but the Dolphins' offense doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of many NFL defenses. What Phillips won't allow being dinked and dunked to death on short throws by Trent Green. Cornerbacks Anthony Henry, Jacques Reeves, and, if he can play, Terence Newman, should be able to play tighter on Miami wide receivers Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and the speedy rookie Ted Ginn, Jr. since they know the ball will be coming out quickly.
Even though the Cowboys' defense failed to raise eyebrows against the Giants, the Dolphins know one thing is certain: The pass rush is coming every down. The Dolphins are likely to line up eight players inside in order to stymie outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and rookie Anthony Spencer from getting to Green. Even if the max protection breaks down, Green is the king of the three-step drop, preferring not to hold on to the football too long. It may be a long day for the Cowboys' pass rushers.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
Two Cowboys starters are listed as out for Sunday's game: Wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) and linebacker Greg Ellis (heel). Starting cornerback Terence Newman, nursing a slightly torn plantar fascia in his right heel, is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. Backup linebacker Kevin Burnett, who played sparingly against the Giants after having a bone chip removed from his ankle, is listed as probable and almost a certainty to play.
Dolphins
Backup left corner Andre' Goodman (shoulder) did not practice all week and is listed as out, as will be Bell, already placed on injured reserve. Backup running back Jesse Chatman (knee), who put significant pressure on starting back Ronnie Brown during the preseason, returned to practice Friday and is listed as probable.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:21 AM
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