Cowboys Notes
A liberal dose
December 11, 2007
IRVING -- Who are you going to believe, me or your eyes?
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips didn't exactly use those words, but he might as well have in explaining the play of his team's defense in Sunday's 28-27 victory against Detroit.
The Cowboys gave up 390 yards, including 152 rushing, and 25 first downs.
The rushing yards are the most they have given this season -- and Detroit entered the game with the league's worst rushing attack.
Yet, Phillips said, 'It only looked like the running game was running all over us.'
His point was that the Lions rushed for 63 yards on four carries on the first series of the game, which was capped by a 32-yard touchdown run by T.J. Duckett. The rest of the way, the Lions rushed for only 89 yards on 28 carries.
Phillips said the Lions went against their tendencies and ran early, catching the Cowboys by surprise. Once the Cowboys adjusted, they got things under control.
Never mind that the Lions' early success on the ground would have decided the game if not for a few bounces that went the Cowboys' way late. And never mind that the Lions' performance might offer a blueprint on how to attack the Cowboys.
Phillips said he has no lingering concerns about the defense's performance Sunday. He said the Cowboys had players in position to make plays, but didn't, an issue that is correctable.
'If you look at the tape... we had guys free, completely free, and we went to the blocker and the guy went right by us,' he said. 'It wasn't like it was missed tackles and they were running over us. We hit the wrong areas. On the first drive, we had somebody free who could've made the tackle, but didn't see it. We adjusted as the game went on. They didn't make much rushing yardage, comparatively speaking.'
Witten's record day
Tight end Jason Witten's 15 catches not only set a team record for a game, but he tied the NFL record for catches by a tight end in a game.
Hall of Famers Kellen Winslow and Mike Ditka also had 15-catch games.
'It's crazy because you're caught up in the game, so much adrenaline, you're not even thinking about it,' Witten said. 'That's special for me. I think the biggest thing is to be able to help your team, catch that ball and win the game.'
Witten's final catch was a 16-yarder for the winning touchdown.
'There's a lot of playmakers in this room on offense, but I want that ball in my hands just like [receiver] Terrell [Owens] wants it in his,' Witten said. 'You want to be able to make those plays, or be in position to make those plays.'
December 11, 2007
IRVING -- Who are you going to believe, me or your eyes?
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips didn't exactly use those words, but he might as well have in explaining the play of his team's defense in Sunday's 28-27 victory against Detroit.
The Cowboys gave up 390 yards, including 152 rushing, and 25 first downs.
The rushing yards are the most they have given this season -- and Detroit entered the game with the league's worst rushing attack.
Yet, Phillips said, 'It only looked like the running game was running all over us.'
His point was that the Lions rushed for 63 yards on four carries on the first series of the game, which was capped by a 32-yard touchdown run by T.J. Duckett. The rest of the way, the Lions rushed for only 89 yards on 28 carries.
Phillips said the Lions went against their tendencies and ran early, catching the Cowboys by surprise. Once the Cowboys adjusted, they got things under control.
Never mind that the Lions' early success on the ground would have decided the game if not for a few bounces that went the Cowboys' way late. And never mind that the Lions' performance might offer a blueprint on how to attack the Cowboys.
Phillips said he has no lingering concerns about the defense's performance Sunday. He said the Cowboys had players in position to make plays, but didn't, an issue that is correctable.
'If you look at the tape... we had guys free, completely free, and we went to the blocker and the guy went right by us,' he said. 'It wasn't like it was missed tackles and they were running over us. We hit the wrong areas. On the first drive, we had somebody free who could've made the tackle, but didn't see it. We adjusted as the game went on. They didn't make much rushing yardage, comparatively speaking.'
Witten's record day
Tight end Jason Witten's 15 catches not only set a team record for a game, but he tied the NFL record for catches by a tight end in a game.
Hall of Famers Kellen Winslow and Mike Ditka also had 15-catch games.
'It's crazy because you're caught up in the game, so much adrenaline, you're not even thinking about it,' Witten said. 'That's special for me. I think the biggest thing is to be able to help your team, catch that ball and win the game.'
Witten's final catch was a 16-yarder for the winning touchdown.
'There's a lot of playmakers in this room on offense, but I want that ball in my hands just like [receiver] Terrell [Owens] wants it in his,' Witten said. 'You want to be able to make those plays, or be in position to make those plays.'
posted by The Gryphon at 7:46 AM
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