Grant runs through Cowboys' minds
By GARY D'AMATO
gdamato@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 25, 2007
The Dallas Cowboys' starting linebacker was not prepared to see Ryan Grant chewing up considerable chunks of real estate.
"He's good, man," James said Sunday. "I just didn't know. I had no idea how well he was running the ball. When I watched film today, I was like, 'Wow, this guy is actually a good running back.' He's one of the better running backs that we face."
It's no knock on Grant that James didn't know much about him. Over the first six games, Grant carried the ball only six times for 27 yards. In the five games since, however, he's rushed for 467 yards in 101 carries.
"He's good in their philosophy of what they're trying to do," said James, who leads the Cowboys with 69 tackles. "He can run inside and outside. With that offense, they try to spread everyone out, so no (defender) is really coming downhill. The next thing you know, Grant is right there on you."
It's not as though Grant has changed the Packers' identity on offense. Green Bay still employs multiple-receiver sets in almost any down-and-distance situation and Favre is averaging more passing yards over the last five games (328.1) than he did over the first six (285.6).
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips scoffed at the notion that the Packers were not a "complete team" before Grant took over as the No. 1 back.
"They were pretty complete before that," he said. "Sure, it gives you more options and opportunities. Now that they're starting to run the ball better I'm sure they feel like it helps them. But they were winning a lot of games without doing that. It's just another addition to their arsenal."
Protecting their turf: The game Thursday could go a long way toward determining home-field advantage for the playoffs. And the last place the Cowboys want to be in January is Lambeau Field.
"I've played up there when it's really cold," said wide receiver Terrell Owens, "and it's not a place you really want to play."
Nate Newton, a guard for the Cowboys from 1986 to '98, shared his Lambeau Field horror stories with some of the current players.
"Nate was talking about it the other day," James said. "He said they turn off all the heat (on the sideline). Nobody has no fire, no nothing. The field is frozen. They turn the air conditioning on up there.
"He said, 'You don't really want to go up there.' "
Protecting their QB: The Cowboys' offensive line has done a good job protecting quarterback Tony Romo, having allowed only 16 sacks (1.45 per game).
Phillips said he was confident tackles Marc Colombo and Flozell Adams would hold their own against Packers defensive ends Aaron Kampman (11 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9.5).
"I think our offensive line has done pretty well against everybody and I think both tackles have had some really good rushers against them and have met the challenge," Phillips said. "But it is a challenge this week. They've got two great outside rushers and they can give a push in the middle, too.
" 'KGB' and Kampman are really good. They make big plays. It will be a challenge, but we feel like we can hold up."
Tabloid fodder? Romo met with reporters for 15 minutes at his locker Sunday and 90% of the questions were Favre-related.
How well does Romo know Favre? Did he idolize Favre while growing up in Burlington, Wis.?
Does he try to emulate Favre? Has he spent much time with Favre?
Romo finally tired of the subject and playfully said, "Yeah, we dine together every week."
One of the reporters shot back, "Oh, so that's who you're dating now?"
That got a huge laugh, even from Romo, who has dated Carrie Underwood and whose social calendar is a hot topic in Dallas.
gdamato@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 25, 2007
The Dallas Cowboys' starting linebacker was not prepared to see Ryan Grant chewing up considerable chunks of real estate.
"He's good, man," James said Sunday. "I just didn't know. I had no idea how well he was running the ball. When I watched film today, I was like, 'Wow, this guy is actually a good running back.' He's one of the better running backs that we face."
It's no knock on Grant that James didn't know much about him. Over the first six games, Grant carried the ball only six times for 27 yards. In the five games since, however, he's rushed for 467 yards in 101 carries.
"He's good in their philosophy of what they're trying to do," said James, who leads the Cowboys with 69 tackles. "He can run inside and outside. With that offense, they try to spread everyone out, so no (defender) is really coming downhill. The next thing you know, Grant is right there on you."
It's not as though Grant has changed the Packers' identity on offense. Green Bay still employs multiple-receiver sets in almost any down-and-distance situation and Favre is averaging more passing yards over the last five games (328.1) than he did over the first six (285.6).
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips scoffed at the notion that the Packers were not a "complete team" before Grant took over as the No. 1 back.
"They were pretty complete before that," he said. "Sure, it gives you more options and opportunities. Now that they're starting to run the ball better I'm sure they feel like it helps them. But they were winning a lot of games without doing that. It's just another addition to their arsenal."
Protecting their turf: The game Thursday could go a long way toward determining home-field advantage for the playoffs. And the last place the Cowboys want to be in January is Lambeau Field.
"I've played up there when it's really cold," said wide receiver Terrell Owens, "and it's not a place you really want to play."
Nate Newton, a guard for the Cowboys from 1986 to '98, shared his Lambeau Field horror stories with some of the current players.
"Nate was talking about it the other day," James said. "He said they turn off all the heat (on the sideline). Nobody has no fire, no nothing. The field is frozen. They turn the air conditioning on up there.
"He said, 'You don't really want to go up there.' "
Protecting their QB: The Cowboys' offensive line has done a good job protecting quarterback Tony Romo, having allowed only 16 sacks (1.45 per game).
Phillips said he was confident tackles Marc Colombo and Flozell Adams would hold their own against Packers defensive ends Aaron Kampman (11 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9.5).
"I think our offensive line has done pretty well against everybody and I think both tackles have had some really good rushers against them and have met the challenge," Phillips said. "But it is a challenge this week. They've got two great outside rushers and they can give a push in the middle, too.
" 'KGB' and Kampman are really good. They make big plays. It will be a challenge, but we feel like we can hold up."
Tabloid fodder? Romo met with reporters for 15 minutes at his locker Sunday and 90% of the questions were Favre-related.
How well does Romo know Favre? Did he idolize Favre while growing up in Burlington, Wis.?
Does he try to emulate Favre? Has he spent much time with Favre?
Romo finally tired of the subject and playfully said, "Yeah, we dine together every week."
One of the reporters shot back, "Oh, so that's who you're dating now?"
That got a huge laugh, even from Romo, who has dated Carrie Underwood and whose social calendar is a hot topic in Dallas.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:38 PM
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