Dallas Cowboys chat: Road can be rough in Philly
Cowboys beat writer Todd Archer answered questions about the team on Monday, Oct. 29.
Todd Archer: Finally got some sleep after the Red Sox won the World Series. Three years is way too long to wait between championships, don't you think? Anyway, on to the Cowboys questions ...
• • •
CowFan07: There has already been some talk about the Cowboys-Giants rematch in two weeks. But I'm worried about this game at Philadelphia, especially with people sort of writing the Eagles off already. Will Dallas have trouble at the Linc?
Todd Archer: Cowfan07 kicks it off with a good one. Of course the Cowboys will have trouble at the Linc. Philly has rarely been kind to the Cowboys. They have won twice there since 1998 and the '05 win came on Roy Williams' interception return for a touchdown. You can't write off the Eagles. Too prideful of a team.
• • •
From e-mail: Considering how dominant New England has been so far this year, was it actually an accomplishment for the Cowboys to be leading the Pats in the third quarter and for the game to be very competitive until early in the fourth quarter? Does it bode well that the Cowboys at least looked like they belonged on the same field with a true juggernaut like the Pats?
Jason
Todd Archer: The best I can give you is a maybe. Each game is different, but that score wasn't indicative of how close the game really was, in my opinion. I'm sure Albert will disagree, but ... the Cowboys have come the closest to the Patriots and truly believe if they don't get called for a hold on that fourth-down play, they're in the game. But I don't think the Patriots ever felt threatened when the Cowboys took a 24-21 lead either.
• • •
Star in WV: Wondering what your thoughts are about how the Cowboys' offensive line of today stacks up against the best Dallas OL in the 1990s. If they are just as good, why aren't we seeing better production out of our running game?
Todd Archer: Star from the Mountaineer state checks in. Nice win for WVU against Rutgers over the weekend. You can't compare the lines of then and now. That line had the NFL's all-time leading rusher running the ball and a Hall of Fame quarterback getting rid of the ball. That line had Pro Bowlers at almost every spot. This line has just two right now. The running game has been good but not great this year. They haven't consistently run it from the first quarter to the last yet. Is that solely the line? Possibly. I think they would agree they need to do a better job. Not to steal from Tim Cowlishaw, but why not start Marion Barber? Keep the carries the same if you want, but give Barber the first try with the ball. Just a thought.
• • •
NoMoreTuna: The Cowboys seemed to play better in the first four weeks than they did in the last three. Do you think the bye week will help them get back to playing at a higher level?
Todd Archer: It can't hurt, but that won't be the reason the team plays at a high level again. They needed some rest and relaxation to refresh. The next three weeks will go a long way in shaping the season and they need to be at their best.
• • •
Rob1108: I watched some of the Eagles game yesterday. Their line had problems and it looks like Donovan McNabb is still having issues throwing on the run. Thoughts?
Todd Archer: McNabb threw for 333 yards, right? I don't know how much of an issue it could have been. But I will give you this: He doesn't look as smooth as he did before the knee injury. I don't think we see another 15-second run around like we did in '04 against the Cowboys. The way to beat the Eagles is to contain Brian Westbrook, in my opinion.
• • •
TonyTonyTonyRomos: Was Julius Jones' rookie year a fluke? As I recall, he was explosive when running off of draws and delays. Why have we not seen more of these types of plays run for him? We rarely run toss plays anymore. It feels like every play is up the gut with the RB having the option of cutting it outside.
Todd Archer: A fluke? I wouldn't say that. But Jones was fresher than everybody else that year having missed seven games. The Cowboys ran him out of a lot of three-wide sets, which opened the field for him. You're right, he hasn't been able to use his speed to the edge as much as you'd expect. Why? Can't say. I don't think Jones has been as bad as people think. He's had a couple of runs called back because of penalties. He's running hard. He's a threat out of the backfield.
• • •
Jason L: Do you think the Cowboys will consider letting Flozell Adams walk as a free agent at the end of this season and turn the left tackle position over to Doug Free? How risky of a move would that be?
Todd Archer: Yes and yes. I believe the Cowboys would like to keep Adams but at the right price. He is 32 and has some issues with his knees. He's played well the last two years. He will frustrate with false-start penalties, but left tackles don't grow on trees. Adams is one of the better tackles in the NFC. If he wants major, major money, I don't think he comes back. They like Free's athleticism a lot. He was doing well in the preseason before a knee injury. Sure it would be a risky move, but you can't keep everybody.
• • •
Rob1108: How's Anthony Henry looking?
Todd Archer: We don't get to see a lot of practice, but Henry's words mean more to me. He said he is playing against the Eagles. His return would put the defense back in order and it could free up Roy Williams some, too.
• • •
JerryWorld09: The Cowboys have collapsed the last couple of Decembers. Do you see anything that makes you think that won't happen this year, or is it too early to tell?
Todd Archer: Can we get through November first? It's too early to tell, but Wade Phillips' approach has been to save his players' legs during the year. Nobody will believe this, but Bill Parcells did the same thing last year and that didn't work.
• • •
sonvolt10: Do you have a reasonable guesstimate on when Terry Glenn will return?
Todd Archer: I'd put it at Thanksgiving at the earliest. Last week, Wade Phillips said Glenn would need a couple of weeks to build up strength in his quad, so that rules out the Eagles and Giants in my mind. Then he'd need to practice for at least two weeks. But if you're holding your breath on Glenn's return, you might be looking at setting a world record.
• • •
Evilinc: What's the feeling on why the Cowboys seem to struggle running the ball early in games? Much of Barber's great numbers have come in the fourth quarter, which while certainly excellent, somewhat obscures that he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with his touches in the first half. Are teams simply loading the box and backing out once Romo makes them pay?
Todd Archer: Teams are loading up early in games, but you would think after Romo has lit it up the first seven games, they'd back off some. It's a mystery as to why they are not running better early in games, but I think it speaks well of Jason Garrett that he is not beating his head against the wall in sticking with the run. Barber has picked up 48 yards on 12 first-quarter carries; Julius Jones has 76 yards on 27 carries.
• • •
lmgtrm1: Now that you are allowed to talk to the other coaches on the team, how would you rate the Cowboys' coaching staff at this point in the season?
Todd Archer: Let's clear up a myth: we could always talk to the coaches, we just couldn't quote them. The coaching staff deserves a ton of kudos and Wade Phillips deserves credit for that. Because he was hired late, not a lot of assistants were available. I'd say the holdover coaches Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles, Paul Pasqualoni and Kacy Rogers have done an excellent job of filling in with the new guys. One name we always keep out of that list is Joe Juraszek, the strength coach, and we shouldn't. He is as good as there is.
• • •
sonvolt10: Brian Westbrook has been a beast for Philly and its offense. How does Wade plan on slowing him down?
Todd Archer: Two more questons. We've got to get out to practice. We'll start with another won from Sonvolt (are we fans of the band?) Not sure if Phillips has any better plan than any other coach, but it's important to get defenders to the ball and be sound tacklers. Where he is most dangerous is in the passing game because he is a mismatch for a safety or linebacker. I wonder if the Cowboys use more nickel defense against the Eagles this week in regular situations.
• • •
Jason L: We all know Roy Williams gets scrutinized very closely by the fans and the media, but how has the other safety, Ken Hamlin, played this season? Are the Cowboys happy with Hamlin's performance so far?
Todd Archer: And here's the ender. I know Jerry Jones is happy with Hamlin. He struggled against the Giants and Patriots, like every other defender. I think Hamlin has been fine and his contributions are mostly unnoticed because he is responsible for lining everybody up. Can he be better? Sure, but I don't think the Cowboys are disappointed at all.
Todd Archer: Finally got some sleep after the Red Sox won the World Series. Three years is way too long to wait between championships, don't you think? Anyway, on to the Cowboys questions ...
• • •
CowFan07: There has already been some talk about the Cowboys-Giants rematch in two weeks. But I'm worried about this game at Philadelphia, especially with people sort of writing the Eagles off already. Will Dallas have trouble at the Linc?
Todd Archer: Cowfan07 kicks it off with a good one. Of course the Cowboys will have trouble at the Linc. Philly has rarely been kind to the Cowboys. They have won twice there since 1998 and the '05 win came on Roy Williams' interception return for a touchdown. You can't write off the Eagles. Too prideful of a team.
• • •
From e-mail: Considering how dominant New England has been so far this year, was it actually an accomplishment for the Cowboys to be leading the Pats in the third quarter and for the game to be very competitive until early in the fourth quarter? Does it bode well that the Cowboys at least looked like they belonged on the same field with a true juggernaut like the Pats?
Jason
Todd Archer: The best I can give you is a maybe. Each game is different, but that score wasn't indicative of how close the game really was, in my opinion. I'm sure Albert will disagree, but ... the Cowboys have come the closest to the Patriots and truly believe if they don't get called for a hold on that fourth-down play, they're in the game. But I don't think the Patriots ever felt threatened when the Cowboys took a 24-21 lead either.
• • •
Star in WV: Wondering what your thoughts are about how the Cowboys' offensive line of today stacks up against the best Dallas OL in the 1990s. If they are just as good, why aren't we seeing better production out of our running game?
Todd Archer: Star from the Mountaineer state checks in. Nice win for WVU against Rutgers over the weekend. You can't compare the lines of then and now. That line had the NFL's all-time leading rusher running the ball and a Hall of Fame quarterback getting rid of the ball. That line had Pro Bowlers at almost every spot. This line has just two right now. The running game has been good but not great this year. They haven't consistently run it from the first quarter to the last yet. Is that solely the line? Possibly. I think they would agree they need to do a better job. Not to steal from Tim Cowlishaw, but why not start Marion Barber? Keep the carries the same if you want, but give Barber the first try with the ball. Just a thought.
• • •
NoMoreTuna: The Cowboys seemed to play better in the first four weeks than they did in the last three. Do you think the bye week will help them get back to playing at a higher level?
Todd Archer: It can't hurt, but that won't be the reason the team plays at a high level again. They needed some rest and relaxation to refresh. The next three weeks will go a long way in shaping the season and they need to be at their best.
• • •
Rob1108: I watched some of the Eagles game yesterday. Their line had problems and it looks like Donovan McNabb is still having issues throwing on the run. Thoughts?
Todd Archer: McNabb threw for 333 yards, right? I don't know how much of an issue it could have been. But I will give you this: He doesn't look as smooth as he did before the knee injury. I don't think we see another 15-second run around like we did in '04 against the Cowboys. The way to beat the Eagles is to contain Brian Westbrook, in my opinion.
• • •
TonyTonyTonyRomos: Was Julius Jones' rookie year a fluke? As I recall, he was explosive when running off of draws and delays. Why have we not seen more of these types of plays run for him? We rarely run toss plays anymore. It feels like every play is up the gut with the RB having the option of cutting it outside.
Todd Archer: A fluke? I wouldn't say that. But Jones was fresher than everybody else that year having missed seven games. The Cowboys ran him out of a lot of three-wide sets, which opened the field for him. You're right, he hasn't been able to use his speed to the edge as much as you'd expect. Why? Can't say. I don't think Jones has been as bad as people think. He's had a couple of runs called back because of penalties. He's running hard. He's a threat out of the backfield.
• • •
Jason L: Do you think the Cowboys will consider letting Flozell Adams walk as a free agent at the end of this season and turn the left tackle position over to Doug Free? How risky of a move would that be?
Todd Archer: Yes and yes. I believe the Cowboys would like to keep Adams but at the right price. He is 32 and has some issues with his knees. He's played well the last two years. He will frustrate with false-start penalties, but left tackles don't grow on trees. Adams is one of the better tackles in the NFC. If he wants major, major money, I don't think he comes back. They like Free's athleticism a lot. He was doing well in the preseason before a knee injury. Sure it would be a risky move, but you can't keep everybody.
• • •
Rob1108: How's Anthony Henry looking?
Todd Archer: We don't get to see a lot of practice, but Henry's words mean more to me. He said he is playing against the Eagles. His return would put the defense back in order and it could free up Roy Williams some, too.
• • •
JerryWorld09: The Cowboys have collapsed the last couple of Decembers. Do you see anything that makes you think that won't happen this year, or is it too early to tell?
Todd Archer: Can we get through November first? It's too early to tell, but Wade Phillips' approach has been to save his players' legs during the year. Nobody will believe this, but Bill Parcells did the same thing last year and that didn't work.
• • •
sonvolt10: Do you have a reasonable guesstimate on when Terry Glenn will return?
Todd Archer: I'd put it at Thanksgiving at the earliest. Last week, Wade Phillips said Glenn would need a couple of weeks to build up strength in his quad, so that rules out the Eagles and Giants in my mind. Then he'd need to practice for at least two weeks. But if you're holding your breath on Glenn's return, you might be looking at setting a world record.
• • •
Evilinc: What's the feeling on why the Cowboys seem to struggle running the ball early in games? Much of Barber's great numbers have come in the fourth quarter, which while certainly excellent, somewhat obscures that he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with his touches in the first half. Are teams simply loading the box and backing out once Romo makes them pay?
Todd Archer: Teams are loading up early in games, but you would think after Romo has lit it up the first seven games, they'd back off some. It's a mystery as to why they are not running better early in games, but I think it speaks well of Jason Garrett that he is not beating his head against the wall in sticking with the run. Barber has picked up 48 yards on 12 first-quarter carries; Julius Jones has 76 yards on 27 carries.
• • •
lmgtrm1: Now that you are allowed to talk to the other coaches on the team, how would you rate the Cowboys' coaching staff at this point in the season?
Todd Archer: Let's clear up a myth: we could always talk to the coaches, we just couldn't quote them. The coaching staff deserves a ton of kudos and Wade Phillips deserves credit for that. Because he was hired late, not a lot of assistants were available. I'd say the holdover coaches Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles, Paul Pasqualoni and Kacy Rogers have done an excellent job of filling in with the new guys. One name we always keep out of that list is Joe Juraszek, the strength coach, and we shouldn't. He is as good as there is.
• • •
sonvolt10: Brian Westbrook has been a beast for Philly and its offense. How does Wade plan on slowing him down?
Todd Archer: Two more questons. We've got to get out to practice. We'll start with another won from Sonvolt (are we fans of the band?) Not sure if Phillips has any better plan than any other coach, but it's important to get defenders to the ball and be sound tacklers. Where he is most dangerous is in the passing game because he is a mismatch for a safety or linebacker. I wonder if the Cowboys use more nickel defense against the Eagles this week in regular situations.
• • •
Jason L: We all know Roy Williams gets scrutinized very closely by the fans and the media, but how has the other safety, Ken Hamlin, played this season? Are the Cowboys happy with Hamlin's performance so far?
Todd Archer: And here's the ender. I know Jerry Jones is happy with Hamlin. He struggled against the Giants and Patriots, like every other defender. I think Hamlin has been fine and his contributions are mostly unnoticed because he is responsible for lining everybody up. Can he be better? Sure, but I don't think the Cowboys are disappointed at all.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:08 PM
<< Home