Romo To Get Second Look At Philadelphia Defense
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had studied the Philadelphia Eagles defense seven times as a backup, but got his first chance to face the noted unit Christmas Day with last year's NFC East title at stake.
All didn't go as planned.
The Eagles held Romo to a season-low 142 passing yards and forced two interceptions in a 23-7 loss that ultimately cost the Cowboys their first division title since 1998. Romo threw for at least 200 yards in his other nine starts last year after taking over for Drew Bledsoe.
Ten months later, Romo appears more comfortable as the Cowboys' starter. He's more experienced, having led the Cowboys to an NFC-best 6-1 record matched only by the Green Bay Packers. He's certainly wealthier after inking a six-year, $67.5 million extension that includes $30 million in guarantees.
Like last December, the first-place Cowboys hold a division lead over Philly (3-4) heading into Sunday night's nationally-televised game at Lincoln Financial Field (7:15 p.m. CST). But the Cowboys need Romo to be more effective against this year's Eagles, whose losing record belies the defense's sustained stinginess under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
"Year in, year out," Romo said, "I think they're the best over the last five years that we've gone against. For sure."
Only five teams have allowed fewer points than Philly's 117 through seven games, and the Eagles rank third with 24 sacks, led by Trent Cole's league-leading nine.
"Sound" and "structured" have been staples of Johnson's unit over the last several years. Since 2000, Philly owns the league's highest sack total (324) and has allowed the fourth-fewest points (17.4 per game).
"They're very sound - they're the one team I would describe as very structured chaos," Romo said of the Eagles' blitzing reputation. "When they bring some exotic stuff they're very structured in their principles. They don't really leave stuff wide open when they do this. They do it for a rhyme and a reason instead of just trying to get exotic just to be exotic."
The Eagles have yet to face an offense like the Cowboys' second-ranked scoring unit (32.4). But they've allowed just eight touchdowns in seven games, which ties Pittsburgh for the league low.
No matter his opponent's record, Romo knows he'll be tested Sunday in front of 67,000 rabid Eagles fans.
Philly's defense starts with its perennially effective pass rush, but Johnson doesn't sacrifice his secondary for a chance to sack the quarterback. The Eagles are more judicious with their blitz packages than some think.
"It's not really that they're blitz happy," Cowboys assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tony Sparano said. "Sometimes we've played these guys where they have pressured very little. It just depends on how you handle it early in the game. If you let it bother you early in the game then it'll keep coming just like any other defense.
"Now, they have some exotics and they come with some different pressure. They like secondary pressure and some of those types of things. That being said, everybody on the field has to see it. It's not just the offensive line's responsibility."
That secondary pressure should be boosted by Brian Dawkins' expected return. The Eagles' Pro Bowl safety has practiced in full all week and is listed as probable for Sunday after missing the last five games with a neck stinger.
Romo said he saw some similarities between the Eagles and Giants in the regular-season opener when he faced New York's defense directed by former Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo. That might provide a small sample of what he'll see Sunday, but Philly mostly has maintained the same scheme over the years.
"I think it'll be a lot better (this time) because they still give us some of the same looks that we've seen on film that they did last year," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "A few other different wrinkles, but nothing major."
The Cowboys also have a different offensive system under Jason Garrett and an improved offensive line with right guard Leonard Davis. Sparano said the line will need protection help from the Cowboys running backs, tight ends and receivers.
"My guys just have to understand our protection rules and know not to do too much," Sparano said. "Sometimes in their pressure package you can see some players kind of crowding the box and maybe aren't their responsibility. So don't do too much, do your job and trust the back is going to do his job and the tight end is going to do his job and the quarterback is going to do his job."
Romo's hoping for a better result the second time around.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had studied the Philadelphia Eagles defense seven times as a backup, but got his first chance to face the noted unit Christmas Day with last year's NFC East title at stake.
All didn't go as planned.
The Eagles held Romo to a season-low 142 passing yards and forced two interceptions in a 23-7 loss that ultimately cost the Cowboys their first division title since 1998. Romo threw for at least 200 yards in his other nine starts last year after taking over for Drew Bledsoe.
Ten months later, Romo appears more comfortable as the Cowboys' starter. He's more experienced, having led the Cowboys to an NFC-best 6-1 record matched only by the Green Bay Packers. He's certainly wealthier after inking a six-year, $67.5 million extension that includes $30 million in guarantees.
Like last December, the first-place Cowboys hold a division lead over Philly (3-4) heading into Sunday night's nationally-televised game at Lincoln Financial Field (7:15 p.m. CST). But the Cowboys need Romo to be more effective against this year's Eagles, whose losing record belies the defense's sustained stinginess under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
"Year in, year out," Romo said, "I think they're the best over the last five years that we've gone against. For sure."
Only five teams have allowed fewer points than Philly's 117 through seven games, and the Eagles rank third with 24 sacks, led by Trent Cole's league-leading nine.
"Sound" and "structured" have been staples of Johnson's unit over the last several years. Since 2000, Philly owns the league's highest sack total (324) and has allowed the fourth-fewest points (17.4 per game).
"They're very sound - they're the one team I would describe as very structured chaos," Romo said of the Eagles' blitzing reputation. "When they bring some exotic stuff they're very structured in their principles. They don't really leave stuff wide open when they do this. They do it for a rhyme and a reason instead of just trying to get exotic just to be exotic."
The Eagles have yet to face an offense like the Cowboys' second-ranked scoring unit (32.4). But they've allowed just eight touchdowns in seven games, which ties Pittsburgh for the league low.
No matter his opponent's record, Romo knows he'll be tested Sunday in front of 67,000 rabid Eagles fans.
Philly's defense starts with its perennially effective pass rush, but Johnson doesn't sacrifice his secondary for a chance to sack the quarterback. The Eagles are more judicious with their blitz packages than some think.
"It's not really that they're blitz happy," Cowboys assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tony Sparano said. "Sometimes we've played these guys where they have pressured very little. It just depends on how you handle it early in the game. If you let it bother you early in the game then it'll keep coming just like any other defense.
"Now, they have some exotics and they come with some different pressure. They like secondary pressure and some of those types of things. That being said, everybody on the field has to see it. It's not just the offensive line's responsibility."
That secondary pressure should be boosted by Brian Dawkins' expected return. The Eagles' Pro Bowl safety has practiced in full all week and is listed as probable for Sunday after missing the last five games with a neck stinger.
Romo said he saw some similarities between the Eagles and Giants in the regular-season opener when he faced New York's defense directed by former Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo. That might provide a small sample of what he'll see Sunday, but Philly mostly has maintained the same scheme over the years.
"I think it'll be a lot better (this time) because they still give us some of the same looks that we've seen on film that they did last year," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "A few other different wrinkles, but nothing major."
The Cowboys also have a different offensive system under Jason Garrett and an improved offensive line with right guard Leonard Davis. Sparano said the line will need protection help from the Cowboys running backs, tight ends and receivers.
"My guys just have to understand our protection rules and know not to do too much," Sparano said. "Sometimes in their pressure package you can see some players kind of crowding the box and maybe aren't their responsibility. So don't do too much, do your job and trust the back is going to do his job and the tight end is going to do his job and the quarterback is going to do his job."
Romo's hoping for a better result the second time around.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:55 PM
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