Exhibition critical for three Cowboys
By Todd Archer
The Dallas Morning News
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and Marion Barber played only one possession in the Dallas Cowboys' first preseason game.
DeMarcus Ware, Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams and Greg Ellis played two series.
The plan figures to change for tonight's second preseason game at Denver, but not much.
"Team-wise, I think we'll play with our guys we think can be contributors," coach Wade Phillips said. "We'd like them to play well again and maybe for a longer amount of time, but we're still evaluating players and want to see if they can fit in and help us."
For backup quarterback Brad Johnson, tonight's game is a chance to work with the first-team offense. For cornerback Adam Jones, it's a chance to continue to knock off the rust from a year's absence. For rookie wide receiver and Texas Tech product Danny Amendola, it may be a final chance to make a favorable impression on the coaches.
Johnson: Johnson completed 8-of-15 passes for 89 yards against the Chargers last week, but he was intercepted once and was sacked twice. The Cowboys want him to play with the first-team offensive line to give him a better chance to succeed.
Playing mostly behind the second-team line last week, Johnson did not have much time to throw, and a mixup by two running backs led to an aborted play near the Cowboys' goal line.
"I've always wanted to work," Johnson said. "No matter how many times you see it, there's always a new experience, different coverages, different players, different ways of calling a play. I've been in six different systems. This is my second year in this one, and I feel comfortable."
Jones: He flailed away at two tackles and was called for pass interference, hardly the return he was looking for after missing last season because of a suspension.
He also struggled in the four practices against the Broncos this week and had several sparring sessions with receiver Brandon Marshall. He promises to play better his second game.
"The first preseason game, I always play (poorly)," Jones said this week. "We'll just see how I play this weekend. If I do that same (expletive) I did last weekend this weekend, y'all just throw me up under the bus. But I doubt that's going to happen again."
Jones might get a chance to return punts against the Broncos, but Phillips wants to see Jones play better on defense first.
"I just want him to get comfortable with the defense and get used to playing," Phillips said. "We have two more preseason games that I'd like for him to return some, especially at home."
Amendola: He had a forgettable debut, fumbling his second punt return, which led to a San Diego touchdown. He also did not catch a pass.
Amendola's not sure whether he will get another chance to return punts tonight, but he's trying to stay positive.
"You've got to stay consistent in your abilities," Amendola said. "If you have a bad day, you wash it up, or if you have a good day, wash it up. You've got to keep playing the next play.
"It's not really in my hands. It's in the coaches' hands, and I'm going to do my best to help them make the best choice."
The Dallas Morning News
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and Marion Barber played only one possession in the Dallas Cowboys' first preseason game.
DeMarcus Ware, Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams and Greg Ellis played two series.
The plan figures to change for tonight's second preseason game at Denver, but not much.
"Team-wise, I think we'll play with our guys we think can be contributors," coach Wade Phillips said. "We'd like them to play well again and maybe for a longer amount of time, but we're still evaluating players and want to see if they can fit in and help us."
For backup quarterback Brad Johnson, tonight's game is a chance to work with the first-team offense. For cornerback Adam Jones, it's a chance to continue to knock off the rust from a year's absence. For rookie wide receiver and Texas Tech product Danny Amendola, it may be a final chance to make a favorable impression on the coaches.
Johnson: Johnson completed 8-of-15 passes for 89 yards against the Chargers last week, but he was intercepted once and was sacked twice. The Cowboys want him to play with the first-team offensive line to give him a better chance to succeed.
Playing mostly behind the second-team line last week, Johnson did not have much time to throw, and a mixup by two running backs led to an aborted play near the Cowboys' goal line.
"I've always wanted to work," Johnson said. "No matter how many times you see it, there's always a new experience, different coverages, different players, different ways of calling a play. I've been in six different systems. This is my second year in this one, and I feel comfortable."
Jones: He flailed away at two tackles and was called for pass interference, hardly the return he was looking for after missing last season because of a suspension.
He also struggled in the four practices against the Broncos this week and had several sparring sessions with receiver Brandon Marshall. He promises to play better his second game.
"The first preseason game, I always play (poorly)," Jones said this week. "We'll just see how I play this weekend. If I do that same (expletive) I did last weekend this weekend, y'all just throw me up under the bus. But I doubt that's going to happen again."
Jones might get a chance to return punts against the Broncos, but Phillips wants to see Jones play better on defense first.
"I just want him to get comfortable with the defense and get used to playing," Phillips said. "We have two more preseason games that I'd like for him to return some, especially at home."
Amendola: He had a forgettable debut, fumbling his second punt return, which led to a San Diego touchdown. He also did not catch a pass.
Amendola's not sure whether he will get another chance to return punts tonight, but he's trying to stay positive.
"You've got to stay consistent in your abilities," Amendola said. "If you have a bad day, you wash it up, or if you have a good day, wash it up. You've got to keep playing the next play.
"It's not really in my hands. It's in the coaches' hands, and I'm going to do my best to help them make the best choice."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:24 AM
<< Home