the Top Five
A liberal dose
September 10, 2007
Romo shines
1 Despite making the Pro Bowl last season, quarterback Tony Romo came into the season as one of the team's biggest question marks, having made only 10 career starts. It's one reason why owner Jerry Jones has yet to sign him to a contract extension. Romo should have put any concerns about him being a one-hit wonder to rest Sunday night. He passed for career high 345 yards and accounted for five touchdowns. He threw four touchdown passes, including a 51-yarder to Sam Hurd to seal the victory. He also had a 9-yard touchdown run that Romo said was his most thrilling score of the night. Save for a fourth-quarter interception, Romo was flawless. He had a passer rating of 128.5.
Replacing T. Glenn
2 Receiver Terry Glenn might be back in two games or could be out for the season. He and the Cowboys are both upset about the situation. His deep speed is a big part of the Cowboys' offense. But against the Giants, they proved to be pretty explosive without him. Tight end Jason Witten picked up the slack with six catches for 116 yards. It was his first 100-yard receiving game since 2004. Patrick Crayton chipped in three catches for 51 yards, and Sam Hurd had a 51-yard TD reception to complement a big-play output from receiver Terrell Owens. Owens caught touchdown passes of 22 and 47 yards.
Replacing Newman
3 There was no way the Cowboys would be at their best in the secondary without Terence Newman, who is the team's best cover corner. Newman has been out more than three weeks with a small tear in the plantar fascia of his right heel. He was ruled out of the Giants game a few hours before kickoff. The Cowboys are hoping he will be ready next week. While Jacques Reeves recorded his first career interception in the game, there was no question the Giants targeted him, throwing two TD passes over him. It didn't help that the Cowboys didn't get strong performances from the other veterans in the secondary. Cornerback Anthony Henry and safety Roy Williams gave up plays.
Another Injury
4 The Cowboys didn't need any more critical injuries, especially on defense. But that's what they got when nose tackle Jason Ferguson suffered a torn biceps. The Cowboys are going to do more tests on Ferguson today, but the early indications are that he will be lost for the season. It would be a huge loss because Ferguson is the only true nose tackle on the team, and his size is key to the team's ability to stop the run. End Jay Ratliff has proved to be a capable backup, but he might not have the size to hold up at nose tackle for an entire game, let alone an entire season.
Giants injured too
5 There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys' injury woes. But the Giants came into the game banged-up as well and suffered more injuries in the game. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (left leg), running back Brandon Jacobs (right knee sprain) and quarterback Eli Manning (bruised shoulder) left the game after being hurt. Manning will have a magnet resonance imaging exam today. Combine that with a Philadelphia Eagles loss at Green Bay and a 16-point output by the Washington Redskins in an overtime victory against Miami and the Cowboys are looking pretty good early in the NFC East race.
September 10, 2007
Romo shines
1 Despite making the Pro Bowl last season, quarterback Tony Romo came into the season as one of the team's biggest question marks, having made only 10 career starts. It's one reason why owner Jerry Jones has yet to sign him to a contract extension. Romo should have put any concerns about him being a one-hit wonder to rest Sunday night. He passed for career high 345 yards and accounted for five touchdowns. He threw four touchdown passes, including a 51-yarder to Sam Hurd to seal the victory. He also had a 9-yard touchdown run that Romo said was his most thrilling score of the night. Save for a fourth-quarter interception, Romo was flawless. He had a passer rating of 128.5.
Replacing T. Glenn
2 Receiver Terry Glenn might be back in two games or could be out for the season. He and the Cowboys are both upset about the situation. His deep speed is a big part of the Cowboys' offense. But against the Giants, they proved to be pretty explosive without him. Tight end Jason Witten picked up the slack with six catches for 116 yards. It was his first 100-yard receiving game since 2004. Patrick Crayton chipped in three catches for 51 yards, and Sam Hurd had a 51-yard TD reception to complement a big-play output from receiver Terrell Owens. Owens caught touchdown passes of 22 and 47 yards.
Replacing Newman
3 There was no way the Cowboys would be at their best in the secondary without Terence Newman, who is the team's best cover corner. Newman has been out more than three weeks with a small tear in the plantar fascia of his right heel. He was ruled out of the Giants game a few hours before kickoff. The Cowboys are hoping he will be ready next week. While Jacques Reeves recorded his first career interception in the game, there was no question the Giants targeted him, throwing two TD passes over him. It didn't help that the Cowboys didn't get strong performances from the other veterans in the secondary. Cornerback Anthony Henry and safety Roy Williams gave up plays.
Another Injury
4 The Cowboys didn't need any more critical injuries, especially on defense. But that's what they got when nose tackle Jason Ferguson suffered a torn biceps. The Cowboys are going to do more tests on Ferguson today, but the early indications are that he will be lost for the season. It would be a huge loss because Ferguson is the only true nose tackle on the team, and his size is key to the team's ability to stop the run. End Jay Ratliff has proved to be a capable backup, but he might not have the size to hold up at nose tackle for an entire game, let alone an entire season.
Giants injured too
5 There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys' injury woes. But the Giants came into the game banged-up as well and suffered more injuries in the game. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (left leg), running back Brandon Jacobs (right knee sprain) and quarterback Eli Manning (bruised shoulder) left the game after being hurt. Manning will have a magnet resonance imaging exam today. Combine that with a Philadelphia Eagles loss at Green Bay and a 16-point output by the Washington Redskins in an overtime victory against Miami and the Cowboys are looking pretty good early in the NFC East race.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:41 AM
<< Home