Romo, Owens might have some surprises for Redskins
By Todd Archer
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
11/16/2008
IRVING, Texas — Terrell Owens said the Dallas Cowboys "tweaked" some of what they do offensively during the bye week. Tony Romo coyly talked about some "different things" that have him excited about what is ahead for the offense.
Neither player would go into specifics, of course, but would any of those things involve freeing up Owens?
"You could possibly say that," Romo said with a smile.
At 5-4, the Cowboys are entering their most crucial part of the season Sunday at Washington and need Romo, who has missed the last three games with a fractured right pinkie, to play like the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback he is. And for Owens to be Owens.
"We're looking forward to it," Owens said. "He's a lot healthier than he was last week. He's throwing the ball better. He's taking snaps. Obviously he's feeling better. We need to win, so we have to make sure these practices count."
In many ways, how Owens and Romo go, the Cowboys go, even if Romo disagrees.
"There's too many guys on the field that you can't put too much stock in one or two people winning or losing football games," Romo said. "There's so many guys that have to do a lot of different things well and if one guy does something wrong it really affects somebody else."
Since 2006 no other quarterback-wide receiver combination in the league has connected for more touchdowns than Romo and Owens. In 31 games with Romo, Owens has 30 touchdown catches, and the Cowboys are 16-9 when he scores.
"The quarterback and top receiver certainly make a difference for you," coach Wade Phillips said. "We're trying to get the ball to your best player, and the quarterback is the guy who distributes it."
Wednesday was Romo's fourth full practice in the past month. Phillips said Romo has thrown short and deep, inside and outside with plenty of zip. Romo said some pain remains but does not feel it will limit him Sunday.
"No different than having a little bruise or something," Romo said. "You play through it."
Before Romo's three-game absence, the Romo-to-Owens connection was not hitting at its normal high rate. Owens had 23 catches for 367 yards and five touchdowns.
In three games with Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger, Owens had 12 catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.
"If you're really, really committed to taking away one guy, a defense can do it," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "The biggest thing we can do is take advantage of the opportunities the other positions will get."
In the September game with Washington, Owens caught a season-high seven passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, but the Redskins made him work. Shawn Springs was physical with him at the line of scrimmage and safeties gave over-the-top help.
Owens expects the same treatment Sunday.
"I'm just going to go out there and do what I do," Romo said. "Just throw the ball, hopefully find the right guy that's open and get him the ball. And push the tempo. We're going to do a couple of different things this week that will help us offensively, and I'm excited about the second half of the year."
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
11/16/2008
IRVING, Texas — Terrell Owens said the Dallas Cowboys "tweaked" some of what they do offensively during the bye week. Tony Romo coyly talked about some "different things" that have him excited about what is ahead for the offense.
Neither player would go into specifics, of course, but would any of those things involve freeing up Owens?
"You could possibly say that," Romo said with a smile.
At 5-4, the Cowboys are entering their most crucial part of the season Sunday at Washington and need Romo, who has missed the last three games with a fractured right pinkie, to play like the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback he is. And for Owens to be Owens.
"We're looking forward to it," Owens said. "He's a lot healthier than he was last week. He's throwing the ball better. He's taking snaps. Obviously he's feeling better. We need to win, so we have to make sure these practices count."
In many ways, how Owens and Romo go, the Cowboys go, even if Romo disagrees.
"There's too many guys on the field that you can't put too much stock in one or two people winning or losing football games," Romo said. "There's so many guys that have to do a lot of different things well and if one guy does something wrong it really affects somebody else."
Since 2006 no other quarterback-wide receiver combination in the league has connected for more touchdowns than Romo and Owens. In 31 games with Romo, Owens has 30 touchdown catches, and the Cowboys are 16-9 when he scores.
"The quarterback and top receiver certainly make a difference for you," coach Wade Phillips said. "We're trying to get the ball to your best player, and the quarterback is the guy who distributes it."
Wednesday was Romo's fourth full practice in the past month. Phillips said Romo has thrown short and deep, inside and outside with plenty of zip. Romo said some pain remains but does not feel it will limit him Sunday.
"No different than having a little bruise or something," Romo said. "You play through it."
Before Romo's three-game absence, the Romo-to-Owens connection was not hitting at its normal high rate. Owens had 23 catches for 367 yards and five touchdowns.
In three games with Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger, Owens had 12 catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.
"If you're really, really committed to taking away one guy, a defense can do it," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "The biggest thing we can do is take advantage of the opportunities the other positions will get."
In the September game with Washington, Owens caught a season-high seven passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, but the Redskins made him work. Shawn Springs was physical with him at the line of scrimmage and safeties gave over-the-top help.
Owens expects the same treatment Sunday.
"I'm just going to go out there and do what I do," Romo said. "Just throw the ball, hopefully find the right guy that's open and get him the ball. And push the tempo. We're going to do a couple of different things this week that will help us offensively, and I'm excited about the second half of the year."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:22 AM
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