Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys have scored 82 points in their first two games, the third-highest total in franchise history and the most since 1971. They are doing it on the ground and through the air and have established the kind of offensive balance that makes coordinator Jason Garrett happy. The key is QB Tony Romo, who has six touchdown passes and one interception after two games. More important, he's not making the types of poor decisions that can lead to turnovers. He's also using his elusiveness and athleticism to avoid sacks and buy time to find receivers when the play breaks down. . . .
The Cowboys love what Marion Barber does for the offense but have no desire to change his role and make him a starter. Coach Wade Phillips says the Cowboys need two running backs, which is why he likes the current setup. Julius Jones is the starter and will continue to get 15-20 carries most weeks. He has more speed and big-play potential than Barber, but he isn't the slasher and tackle-breaker Barber is. Barber will continue to be the third-down back and get at least one series per half. He's also the team's runner in goal-line and short-yardage situations; that takes advantage of his powerful running style and energizes the team. SCOUTING REPORT
LG Kyle Kosier is the least-known member of the Cowboys' offensive line. He's not an excellent blocker against the run or the pass, but he's solid in both areas of the game. He must play with good leverage because when he gets too high, he loses power and defensive tackles can walk him into the backfield and disrupt the play. He has good feet and does a nice job of getting to the second level and blocking linebackers. Kosier also does a good job of working with C Andre Gurode on combination blocks.
PROBLEM SPOT
Phillips is supposed to be among the best at generating pressure on the quarterback, but the Cowboys haven't managed to do it yet. They sacked Dolphins QB Trent Green twice in Week 2, but one of the sacks came on the last play of the game. And Dallas also struggled to get consistent pressure on Giants QB Eli Manning in Week 1. The Cowboys are stunting and blitzing more than ever but still haven't had much success getting to the quarterback, which is a concern. With Phillips as their defensive coordinator last season, the Chargers led the NFL with 61 sacks. DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys' best pass-rusher, is still looking for his first sack. He had 11 1/2 last year.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys have scored 82 points in their first two games, the third-highest total in franchise history and the most since 1971. They are doing it on the ground and through the air and have established the kind of offensive balance that makes coordinator Jason Garrett happy. The key is QB Tony Romo, who has six touchdown passes and one interception after two games. More important, he's not making the types of poor decisions that can lead to turnovers. He's also using his elusiveness and athleticism to avoid sacks and buy time to find receivers when the play breaks down. . . .
The Cowboys love what Marion Barber does for the offense but have no desire to change his role and make him a starter. Coach Wade Phillips says the Cowboys need two running backs, which is why he likes the current setup. Julius Jones is the starter and will continue to get 15-20 carries most weeks. He has more speed and big-play potential than Barber, but he isn't the slasher and tackle-breaker Barber is. Barber will continue to be the third-down back and get at least one series per half. He's also the team's runner in goal-line and short-yardage situations; that takes advantage of his powerful running style and energizes the team. SCOUTING REPORT
LG Kyle Kosier is the least-known member of the Cowboys' offensive line. He's not an excellent blocker against the run or the pass, but he's solid in both areas of the game. He must play with good leverage because when he gets too high, he loses power and defensive tackles can walk him into the backfield and disrupt the play. He has good feet and does a nice job of getting to the second level and blocking linebackers. Kosier also does a good job of working with C Andre Gurode on combination blocks.
PROBLEM SPOT
Phillips is supposed to be among the best at generating pressure on the quarterback, but the Cowboys haven't managed to do it yet. They sacked Dolphins QB Trent Green twice in Week 2, but one of the sacks came on the last play of the game. And Dallas also struggled to get consistent pressure on Giants QB Eli Manning in Week 1. The Cowboys are stunting and blitzing more than ever but still haven't had much success getting to the quarterback, which is a concern. With Phillips as their defensive coordinator last season, the Chargers led the NFL with 61 sacks. DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys' best pass-rusher, is still looking for his first sack. He had 11 1/2 last year.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:26 PM
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