Young players key for Cowboys
By Roy Lang III
rflang@gannett.com
IRVING, Texas — A young defense rose to the occasion in the wake of injuries Sunday while an aging offense didn't handle similar adversity quite so well.
The Dallas Cowboys won, however, holding off Tampa Bay 13-9 at Texas Stadium.
The stress won't soon end for the Cowboys (5-3) as a bye week (Nov. 2) is sandwiched by road trips to their predecessors in the NFC East — the New York Giants (6-1 on Sunday) and the Washington Redskins (6-2 on Nov, 9).
The injuries keep coming, too.
Sunday, tight end Jason Witten (ribs) and cornerback Anthony Henry (quad) left the game with injuries.
The instrumental duo is added to a laundry list of missing players, including quarterback Tony Romo, running back Felix Jones, cornerback Terence Newman, linebacker Anthony Spencer and safety Roy Williams.
Monday, head coach Wade Phillips said the availability of Witten and Henry is "unknown" for the battle against the Giants.
Defensively, the Cowboys responded against the Buccaneers. Rookies Michael Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick drew praise from Phillips and their teammates.
The duo combined for nine tackles and solid coverage in a time where Dallas' top three defensive backs were shelved.
"I grew up a lot," said Jenkins, the 25th overall selection (South Florida) in this year's NFL Draft, who made his second start at cornerback in place of Newman (abdominal) and Adam Jones (suspension). "I just went with my instincts."
Solid play may be expected out of a decorated first-rounder, but Scandrick's performance was a bit more surprising. The fifth-round selection from Boise State immediately caught the eye of Phillips.
"Orlando played really well at nickelback," Phillips said. "He's gotten better and better. Nickel may be his permanent position when Newman comes back.
"He covers well man-to-man. He was even telling other guys what adjustments to make."
Even the superstars on a struggling offense took notice of the new characters on the other side of the ball.
"We definitely appreciate the way (the defense) played," wide receiver Terrell Owens said. "We're a young squad on defense. They are getting better and better each week. That bodes well for us going into the latter part of the season."
Owner Jerry Jones praised Phillips, who took a more active role in the play calling from defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.
"Brian didn't lose his job or anything like that," Phillips said. "He does a great job. I just felt like if I got more into it, it would help. I don't know that it helped any; we conversed on a lot of things. I make the direct calls, and he backs me up."
The offense has disappeared since Tony Romo was sidelined with a broken pinkie. And the slump cannot be attributed to inexperience. In Romo's absence, 40-year-old Brad Johnson hasn't brought much of a spark to the previously potent Cowboys.
In two games, Johnson has thrown for 356 yards. He has two touchdowns and three interceptions. As expected, Johnson's lack of mobility has cost the Cowboys. He's been sacked six times in two games while Romo was brought down just seven times in six games.
Dallas has scored 27 points in the past two weeks. The Cowboys had scored at least 27 points in four of its six games under Romo.
"I'm glad the defense came to play (Sunday)," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "They saved our butts.
"We got the 'W,' so that's all that matters."
Romo is expected to miss Sunday, but could return with the help of the bye for another divisional showdown with Washington.
Despite two ugly performances, Owens is confident Johnson can get the job done against the Giants.
"I understand we have to do some things to get the chains moving," Owens said. "Brad is going to do the best job he can back there. We just have to make plays for him."
And for Phillips, who has been put on the hot seat by many.
"You guys (in the media) try to create the negativity," Owens said. "We just have to concentrate and worry about how we feel about each other in the locker room. That's all that really matters."
rflang@gannett.com
IRVING, Texas — A young defense rose to the occasion in the wake of injuries Sunday while an aging offense didn't handle similar adversity quite so well.
The Dallas Cowboys won, however, holding off Tampa Bay 13-9 at Texas Stadium.
The stress won't soon end for the Cowboys (5-3) as a bye week (Nov. 2) is sandwiched by road trips to their predecessors in the NFC East — the New York Giants (6-1 on Sunday) and the Washington Redskins (6-2 on Nov, 9).
The injuries keep coming, too.
Sunday, tight end Jason Witten (ribs) and cornerback Anthony Henry (quad) left the game with injuries.
The instrumental duo is added to a laundry list of missing players, including quarterback Tony Romo, running back Felix Jones, cornerback Terence Newman, linebacker Anthony Spencer and safety Roy Williams.
Monday, head coach Wade Phillips said the availability of Witten and Henry is "unknown" for the battle against the Giants.
Defensively, the Cowboys responded against the Buccaneers. Rookies Michael Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick drew praise from Phillips and their teammates.
The duo combined for nine tackles and solid coverage in a time where Dallas' top three defensive backs were shelved.
"I grew up a lot," said Jenkins, the 25th overall selection (South Florida) in this year's NFL Draft, who made his second start at cornerback in place of Newman (abdominal) and Adam Jones (suspension). "I just went with my instincts."
Solid play may be expected out of a decorated first-rounder, but Scandrick's performance was a bit more surprising. The fifth-round selection from Boise State immediately caught the eye of Phillips.
"Orlando played really well at nickelback," Phillips said. "He's gotten better and better. Nickel may be his permanent position when Newman comes back.
"He covers well man-to-man. He was even telling other guys what adjustments to make."
Even the superstars on a struggling offense took notice of the new characters on the other side of the ball.
"We definitely appreciate the way (the defense) played," wide receiver Terrell Owens said. "We're a young squad on defense. They are getting better and better each week. That bodes well for us going into the latter part of the season."
Owner Jerry Jones praised Phillips, who took a more active role in the play calling from defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.
"Brian didn't lose his job or anything like that," Phillips said. "He does a great job. I just felt like if I got more into it, it would help. I don't know that it helped any; we conversed on a lot of things. I make the direct calls, and he backs me up."
The offense has disappeared since Tony Romo was sidelined with a broken pinkie. And the slump cannot be attributed to inexperience. In Romo's absence, 40-year-old Brad Johnson hasn't brought much of a spark to the previously potent Cowboys.
In two games, Johnson has thrown for 356 yards. He has two touchdowns and three interceptions. As expected, Johnson's lack of mobility has cost the Cowboys. He's been sacked six times in two games while Romo was brought down just seven times in six games.
Dallas has scored 27 points in the past two weeks. The Cowboys had scored at least 27 points in four of its six games under Romo.
"I'm glad the defense came to play (Sunday)," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "They saved our butts.
"We got the 'W,' so that's all that matters."
Romo is expected to miss Sunday, but could return with the help of the bye for another divisional showdown with Washington.
Despite two ugly performances, Owens is confident Johnson can get the job done against the Giants.
"I understand we have to do some things to get the chains moving," Owens said. "Brad is going to do the best job he can back there. We just have to make plays for him."
And for Phillips, who has been put on the hot seat by many.
"You guys (in the media) try to create the negativity," Owens said. "We just have to concentrate and worry about how we feel about each other in the locker room. That's all that really matters."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:49 AM
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