BIG D OWNER: BACKUP BRAD MUST BE 'PERFECT'
By BRIAN COSTELLO
Source: www.nypost.com
Jerry Jones doesn't want Brad Johnson to perform like Tony Romo tomorrow against the GiantsNew York Giants - more like Don Larsen.
"I think we'll have to play the equivalent of a perfect ballgame to stay on the field," the Cowboys owner said in an exclusive interview with The Post this week.
Jones has watched his Cowboys stutter and stumble this season, besieged by injuries and underwhelming play. Between the sagas of Adam "Pacman" Jones, Terrell Owens and Tony Romo, Dallas has put the big "D" back in Drama.
PHOTOS: Giants Matchups
MORE: Complete Giants Coverage
"We've certainly had our ups and downs," Jones said. "We didn't expect to, record-wise, be where we were at this time last year, so the wins and losses aren't as significant as how we've got them. It's important that our team improve. We haven't played as well as I would have expected us to play. In that sense it's been disappointing.
"On the other hand, we can see where, if we basically improve in the areas that we can and improve in the health areas that we can, we can be a team that would hopefully compete as we get in to the last half of a season."
That begins tomorrow for the 5-3 Cowboys in East Rutherford against a 6-1 Giants team that has its giddy fans already booking rooms for Tampa in late January.
The last time these two teams met, R.W. McQuartersR.W. McQuarters picked off Romo in the end zone in an NFC playoff game and ended Dallas' season. Three weeks later the Giants grabbed the Lombardi Trophy in the desert. Jones expressed his respect for what the Giants have done in the last 12 months.
"I think they're a team that's a role model for how to compete and deal with the game," Jones said. "Injures are a part of the game, not playing well at times is a part of the game, and to Tom Coughlin's credit and the organization's credit, they've really been able to deal with it.
"We all want success they had last year."
Many people predicted that kind of success for the Cowboys this season. When they began the season 4-1, it appeared they were on their way. But consecutive losses to Arizona and St. Louis and a broken pinkie on Romo's throwing hand have led to doubts.
Johnson has been unimpressive filling in for Romo, who is expected back in two weeks. In a victory over Tampa Bay last week, Johnson threw mostly short passes, and his slow feet could make him a stationary target for the Giants' pass rush. There were reports this week Brooks Bollinger might replace Johnson if he's ineffective.
"With Brad Johnson and all our backup quarterbacks, we need to play at a higher level," Jones said. "That was a big game for us last week, but we need to do better than that as far as moving the ball. If we are going to be the team we want to be and I expect us to be, we need good backup quarterbacking."
Source: www.nypost.com
Jerry Jones doesn't want Brad Johnson to perform like Tony Romo tomorrow against the GiantsNew York Giants - more like Don Larsen.
"I think we'll have to play the equivalent of a perfect ballgame to stay on the field," the Cowboys owner said in an exclusive interview with The Post this week.
Jones has watched his Cowboys stutter and stumble this season, besieged by injuries and underwhelming play. Between the sagas of Adam "Pacman" Jones, Terrell Owens and Tony Romo, Dallas has put the big "D" back in Drama.
PHOTOS: Giants Matchups
MORE: Complete Giants Coverage
"We've certainly had our ups and downs," Jones said. "We didn't expect to, record-wise, be where we were at this time last year, so the wins and losses aren't as significant as how we've got them. It's important that our team improve. We haven't played as well as I would have expected us to play. In that sense it's been disappointing.
"On the other hand, we can see where, if we basically improve in the areas that we can and improve in the health areas that we can, we can be a team that would hopefully compete as we get in to the last half of a season."
That begins tomorrow for the 5-3 Cowboys in East Rutherford against a 6-1 Giants team that has its giddy fans already booking rooms for Tampa in late January.
The last time these two teams met, R.W. McQuartersR.W. McQuarters picked off Romo in the end zone in an NFC playoff game and ended Dallas' season. Three weeks later the Giants grabbed the Lombardi Trophy in the desert. Jones expressed his respect for what the Giants have done in the last 12 months.
"I think they're a team that's a role model for how to compete and deal with the game," Jones said. "Injures are a part of the game, not playing well at times is a part of the game, and to Tom Coughlin's credit and the organization's credit, they've really been able to deal with it.
"We all want success they had last year."
Many people predicted that kind of success for the Cowboys this season. When they began the season 4-1, it appeared they were on their way. But consecutive losses to Arizona and St. Louis and a broken pinkie on Romo's throwing hand have led to doubts.
Johnson has been unimpressive filling in for Romo, who is expected back in two weeks. In a victory over Tampa Bay last week, Johnson threw mostly short passes, and his slow feet could make him a stationary target for the Giants' pass rush. There were reports this week Brooks Bollinger might replace Johnson if he's ineffective.
"With Brad Johnson and all our backup quarterbacks, we need to play at a higher level," Jones said. "That was a big game for us last week, but we need to do better than that as far as moving the ball. If we are going to be the team we want to be and I expect us to be, we need good backup quarterbacking."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:05 AM
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