Secondary is now primary concern
A liberal dose
December 03, 2007
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips still hasn't been able to see what his secondary looks like at full strength.
And he might not get that opportunity any time soon because cornerback Anthony Henry (ankle) remains limited. Phillips' secondary has shined and struggled at times this season, but as the coach would say -- the unit is 11-1.
The secondary has been torched by Eli Manning, but played so well against Brett Favre it wished he hadn't gotten hurt. As the Cowboys begin the final month of the regular season, Sunday's opponent will be a reminder of last season's nightmare, when Detroit's Jon Kitna threw for 306 yards and four TDs in a 39-31 upset at Texas Stadium, then bashed the defense on the radio. Will the secondary be up to the task this time? Secondary strengths and concerns, 9D
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Cowboys are 18th in the NFL against the pass this season, allowing 218.3 yards per game. But that doesn't tell the whole story. A look at where the Cowboys rank in a few key defensive categories against the pass:
58.4 Opponents' completion percentage (4th)
29 Pass plays of 20 yards or more allowed (T-8th)
18 Interceptions (2nd), with Anthony Henry and Ken Hamlin tied for the team lead with five
16 Touchdowns allowed (T-13th)
5 Pass plays of 40 yards or more allowed (T-9th)
NFL ranking in parentheses
COWBOYS AT LIONS, NOON SUNDAY, KDFW/CH. 4
December 03, 2007
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips still hasn't been able to see what his secondary looks like at full strength.
And he might not get that opportunity any time soon because cornerback Anthony Henry (ankle) remains limited. Phillips' secondary has shined and struggled at times this season, but as the coach would say -- the unit is 11-1.
The secondary has been torched by Eli Manning, but played so well against Brett Favre it wished he hadn't gotten hurt. As the Cowboys begin the final month of the regular season, Sunday's opponent will be a reminder of last season's nightmare, when Detroit's Jon Kitna threw for 306 yards and four TDs in a 39-31 upset at Texas Stadium, then bashed the defense on the radio. Will the secondary be up to the task this time? Secondary strengths and concerns, 9D
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Cowboys are 18th in the NFL against the pass this season, allowing 218.3 yards per game. But that doesn't tell the whole story. A look at where the Cowboys rank in a few key defensive categories against the pass:
58.4 Opponents' completion percentage (4th)
29 Pass plays of 20 yards or more allowed (T-8th)
18 Interceptions (2nd), with Anthony Henry and Ken Hamlin tied for the team lead with five
16 Touchdowns allowed (T-13th)
5 Pass plays of 40 yards or more allowed (T-9th)
NFL ranking in parentheses
COWBOYS AT LIONS, NOON SUNDAY, KDFW/CH. 4
posted by The Gryphon at 7:39 AM
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