Starting point: Dallas Cowboys' Jones to open at corner vs. Texans
The Dallas Morning News
Aug. 21--IRVING -- As Adam Jones has grown more comfortable with the Cowboys' system, his workload has increased.
The coaching staff believes he's ready for some heavy lifting.
Coach Wade Phillips said Jones will start at left cornerback in Friday's preseason game against Houston.
Phillips stressed that he wasn't looking beyond this game, but it's another step in Jones' quest to once again become an elite corner in the NFL.
"I just think he needs to play, and he's shown he can play," Phillips said. "He had a good game last game."
Jones played coy when asked about practicing on the left side of the defense after Wednesday's open practice at Texas Stadium. He's worked exclusively on the right side during training camp.
Playing on the left side of the defense isn't dramatically different from the right. However, Phillips said Jones wouldn't flip sides until he learned everything about the right side.
"I'm happy to be over there, but I'd rather not tell y'all what's going on," Jones said with a smile. "We'll just see what happens on Friday."
Jones got on the field for only nine plays in the preseason opener against San Diego. During that brief time, he missed tackles and got flagged for pass interference.
Jones promised to play better against Denver, and he did. He made six tackles and nearly had an interception that he would have returned for a touchdown. That's in addition to a nifty 24-yard punt return.
Between the two games, Jones mailed a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asking to be fully reinstated. Goodell is expected to make a final decision before the Cowboys have to make their final roster cuts.
"Of course I'm excited," Jones said. "I just like to compete, man, and whatever happens, happens. I'm learning the defense, and I'm playing without thinking right now, so that's the best thing."
Jones' promotion means that rookie Mike Jenkins will be dropped to the second team.
Jenkins has gotten nearly every practice repetition on the left side with the first team since Terence Newman suffered a groin tear on July 29. Newman could play in the final preseason game against Minnesota on Aug. 28.
Jenkins said all that practice time has eased his transition to the NFL from South Florida.
"It's been real big for me, because I'm getting help from everybody," Jenkins said. "T.O. has helped me. The cornerbacks have helped. I even got help from Michael Irvin."
Aug. 21--IRVING -- As Adam Jones has grown more comfortable with the Cowboys' system, his workload has increased.
The coaching staff believes he's ready for some heavy lifting.
Coach Wade Phillips said Jones will start at left cornerback in Friday's preseason game against Houston.
Phillips stressed that he wasn't looking beyond this game, but it's another step in Jones' quest to once again become an elite corner in the NFL.
"I just think he needs to play, and he's shown he can play," Phillips said. "He had a good game last game."
Jones played coy when asked about practicing on the left side of the defense after Wednesday's open practice at Texas Stadium. He's worked exclusively on the right side during training camp.
Playing on the left side of the defense isn't dramatically different from the right. However, Phillips said Jones wouldn't flip sides until he learned everything about the right side.
"I'm happy to be over there, but I'd rather not tell y'all what's going on," Jones said with a smile. "We'll just see what happens on Friday."
Jones got on the field for only nine plays in the preseason opener against San Diego. During that brief time, he missed tackles and got flagged for pass interference.
Jones promised to play better against Denver, and he did. He made six tackles and nearly had an interception that he would have returned for a touchdown. That's in addition to a nifty 24-yard punt return.
Between the two games, Jones mailed a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asking to be fully reinstated. Goodell is expected to make a final decision before the Cowboys have to make their final roster cuts.
"Of course I'm excited," Jones said. "I just like to compete, man, and whatever happens, happens. I'm learning the defense, and I'm playing without thinking right now, so that's the best thing."
Jones' promotion means that rookie Mike Jenkins will be dropped to the second team.
Jenkins has gotten nearly every practice repetition on the left side with the first team since Terence Newman suffered a groin tear on July 29. Newman could play in the final preseason game against Minnesota on Aug. 28.
Jenkins said all that practice time has eased his transition to the NFL from South Florida.
"It's been real big for me, because I'm getting help from everybody," Jenkins said. "T.O. has helped me. The cornerbacks have helped. I even got help from Michael Irvin."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:46 AM
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