Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
An analytical look at the Cowboys after Week 6 of the NFL season.
Strategy/personnel analysis
Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has been pleased with Tank Johnson's work during his suspension, but did not give any indication whether he would reduce it to six games from eight games.
Johnson is working out at the Cowboys' facility and meeting with Calvin Hill, a team consultant who plays a large role in their player programs department.
Goodell is expected to rule on Johnson's suspension next week. If he rules in Johnson's favor, Johnson could be on the field next week against Minnesota. Otherwise, he won't be eligible to return until the Giants game on Nov. 11.
One compromise would be to let him come back after the bye week, which would constitute seven weeks, but only six games. ...
Rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer is starting become a more effective playmaker because he is thinking less on the field and using his natural ability.
Spencer has a terrific first step, and coaches are letting him use it to rush the passer. He has also made more of a presence in the rushing defense and is doing a good job of holding at the point of attack, especially when he's on the tight end side.
Coaches are pleased with his development and believe the combination of Demarcus Ware and Spencer will become an elite tandem, though that's a more likely scenario next season than this season.
Scouting report
Tight end Jason Witten is thriving in the same offense that made Jay Novacek one of the league's best when he played for the Cowboys in the 1990s.
Witten is a terrific weapon because he's too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers. He has terrific hands and is a quality threat in the red zone. But coach Wade Phillips is impressed by his blocking because the team can run behind him and be confident about his ability to open a hole.
Coaches like to put Witten in motion and let him kick out a linebacker or safety near the line of scrimmage. He is as complete a tight end as there is in the league.
Overachiever
The team likes nose tackle Jay Ratliff, a former seventh-round pick. Don't be surprised to see him playing as much defensive end as he plays nose guard once Tank Johnson returns from his suspension.
Coaches didn't know if Ratliff could hold up under the pounding that a nose tackle takes, but he has answered every question with his ability. They love him because he's a high-energy player who is always around the ball. For a guy who started the season as a backup, Ratliff has made himself a valuable defensive player.
For Sporting News
An analytical look at the Cowboys after Week 6 of the NFL season.
Strategy/personnel analysis
Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has been pleased with Tank Johnson's work during his suspension, but did not give any indication whether he would reduce it to six games from eight games.
Johnson is working out at the Cowboys' facility and meeting with Calvin Hill, a team consultant who plays a large role in their player programs department.
Goodell is expected to rule on Johnson's suspension next week. If he rules in Johnson's favor, Johnson could be on the field next week against Minnesota. Otherwise, he won't be eligible to return until the Giants game on Nov. 11.
One compromise would be to let him come back after the bye week, which would constitute seven weeks, but only six games. ...
Rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer is starting become a more effective playmaker because he is thinking less on the field and using his natural ability.
Spencer has a terrific first step, and coaches are letting him use it to rush the passer. He has also made more of a presence in the rushing defense and is doing a good job of holding at the point of attack, especially when he's on the tight end side.
Coaches are pleased with his development and believe the combination of Demarcus Ware and Spencer will become an elite tandem, though that's a more likely scenario next season than this season.
Scouting report
Tight end Jason Witten is thriving in the same offense that made Jay Novacek one of the league's best when he played for the Cowboys in the 1990s.
Witten is a terrific weapon because he's too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers. He has terrific hands and is a quality threat in the red zone. But coach Wade Phillips is impressed by his blocking because the team can run behind him and be confident about his ability to open a hole.
Coaches like to put Witten in motion and let him kick out a linebacker or safety near the line of scrimmage. He is as complete a tight end as there is in the league.
Overachiever
The team likes nose tackle Jay Ratliff, a former seventh-round pick. Don't be surprised to see him playing as much defensive end as he plays nose guard once Tank Johnson returns from his suspension.
Coaches didn't know if Ratliff could hold up under the pounding that a nose tackle takes, but he has answered every question with his ability. They love him because he's a high-energy player who is always around the ball. For a guy who started the season as a backup, Ratliff has made himself a valuable defensive player.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:52 PM
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