Inside Slant: Dallas Cowboys
Inside Slant - USATODAY
In a spiritual sense, the injury to Terrell Owens and the sudden return to health of Terry Glenn is like the old saying, "When God closes a door, he opens a window."
And while the door that is game-breaking receiver Owens might not be closed for good — he said he and his sprained ankle will be fine for the divisional playoff game — the return of Glenn might be some kind of miracle.
He has been out since training camp because of cartilage damage on his right knee. One doctor even suggested he undergo season- and possibly career-ending microfracture surgery.
Glenn opted for two arthroscopic surgeries in hopes of getting back on the field and joining the Cowboys for a Super Bowl run.
Now he is on the brink of making his season debut in the season finale against the Redskins.
Glenn went through a full practice for the first time all season on Wednesday. He worked with the first team and could be in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Even though it means playing more in a meaningless game against the Redskins than originally planned so the two can get in a rhythm before the playoffs, quarterback Tony Romo calls it a pleasant and welcome surprise.
"I wouldn't have believed it until I saw it," Romo said. "You're hopeful, but you kind of just don't think it's going to happen. When a guy's not there for 15 weeks, it's difficult to assume that he's coming back. But when he does, it's a huge positive, especially with a guy like Terry."
Glenn's presence has Romo and the Cowboys excited not only because of his talent but his playoff experience.
He said it was important to get him some reps against the Redskins so he can run on all cylinders in the playoffs.
"I think it's only a positive if we do," Romo said. "He's played in playoff games, a Super Bowl. I don't doubt that he can come in just about any time. If there's one guy I feel could, it's probably Terry Glenn. It'd probably be a good thing if he did play this weekend for his legs, his lungs, everything else that can't always adapt quickly. If there's a guy who can, it's him."
Romo and the Cowboys are very confident in the capabilities of younger receivers Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton, who has had a breakout season in place of Glenn in the starting lineup.
But none are Glenn.
That is none bring his combination of speed, quickness and game-breaking ability — ingredients he's had since being drafted in the first round by the Patriots in 1996 and being named Rookie of the Year with a 90-catch season.
Receivers coach Ray Sherman said Glenn's potential impact on an already-explosive Cowboys offense is tremendous.
"Awww, that's tremendous," Sherman said. "That is the thing that people don't realize, we haven't had him all year. Having a guy like that brings another dimension to your offense. That is huge. It's good to have him back on the field and getting ready (to) go this week."
Said Romo: "He's just got a burst. He's got good hips. He has a way of getting in and out of cuts. Speed, experience — he's got a lot of good things. He's just phenomenal."
In a spiritual sense, the injury to Terrell Owens and the sudden return to health of Terry Glenn is like the old saying, "When God closes a door, he opens a window."
And while the door that is game-breaking receiver Owens might not be closed for good — he said he and his sprained ankle will be fine for the divisional playoff game — the return of Glenn might be some kind of miracle.
He has been out since training camp because of cartilage damage on his right knee. One doctor even suggested he undergo season- and possibly career-ending microfracture surgery.
Glenn opted for two arthroscopic surgeries in hopes of getting back on the field and joining the Cowboys for a Super Bowl run.
Now he is on the brink of making his season debut in the season finale against the Redskins.
Glenn went through a full practice for the first time all season on Wednesday. He worked with the first team and could be in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Even though it means playing more in a meaningless game against the Redskins than originally planned so the two can get in a rhythm before the playoffs, quarterback Tony Romo calls it a pleasant and welcome surprise.
"I wouldn't have believed it until I saw it," Romo said. "You're hopeful, but you kind of just don't think it's going to happen. When a guy's not there for 15 weeks, it's difficult to assume that he's coming back. But when he does, it's a huge positive, especially with a guy like Terry."
Glenn's presence has Romo and the Cowboys excited not only because of his talent but his playoff experience.
He said it was important to get him some reps against the Redskins so he can run on all cylinders in the playoffs.
"I think it's only a positive if we do," Romo said. "He's played in playoff games, a Super Bowl. I don't doubt that he can come in just about any time. If there's one guy I feel could, it's probably Terry Glenn. It'd probably be a good thing if he did play this weekend for his legs, his lungs, everything else that can't always adapt quickly. If there's a guy who can, it's him."
Romo and the Cowboys are very confident in the capabilities of younger receivers Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton, who has had a breakout season in place of Glenn in the starting lineup.
But none are Glenn.
That is none bring his combination of speed, quickness and game-breaking ability — ingredients he's had since being drafted in the first round by the Patriots in 1996 and being named Rookie of the Year with a 90-catch season.
Receivers coach Ray Sherman said Glenn's potential impact on an already-explosive Cowboys offense is tremendous.
"Awww, that's tremendous," Sherman said. "That is the thing that people don't realize, we haven't had him all year. Having a guy like that brings another dimension to your offense. That is huge. It's good to have him back on the field and getting ready (to) go this week."
Said Romo: "He's just got a burst. He's got good hips. He has a way of getting in and out of cuts. Speed, experience — he's got a lot of good things. He's just phenomenal."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:41 AM
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