Playoffs less fun without villains

by Doug Street

The world needs villains. Hey, villains can make a great story. A lot of great pieces of literature had a hated villain which needed defeated so the good guys could win.

So when both the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots failed to make this year's NFL playoffs, a little part of me was sad because, after all, if those two teams aren't in the playoffs, who is there to root against?

Of course, there is a large percentage of people around here who will be rooting for the Steelers this postseason as they have done so many other times over the past 35 years.

But when the Steelers aren't playing, and one of the other games are on, isn't it fun to root against somebody? Dallas and New England would have been the perfect teams to root against.

That's why this postseason won't be as fun as others, even if the Steelers make it to the Super Bowl.

Wasn't it great to watch New England lose the Super Bowl last year? Of course it was. You wanted them to lose just as much as I did. It wasn't that I was opposed to a team having a perfect season, just not that one, especially after Spygate.

Around here, the Patriots have been hated since the 2001 AFC Championship game when they defeated the heavily-favored Steelers. Add a coach (Bill Belichick) who thinks he invented football and looks down on everybody, and it's so easy to root against them.

The Cowboys are another animal. Hating the Cowboys has been a Western Pennsylvania tradition for more than 30 years.

From the early days of Roger Staubach and Ed "Too Tall" Jones, to Michael Irvin and the "White House" gang of the early 90's to the smug Jerry Jones and Terrell Owens of today, it's still fun to root against the Cowboys.

Alas, that won't happen this January. And if that isn't bad enough, there isn't another team worthy of good, solid fan hatred.

n Tennessee: Yeah, Albert Haynesworth stepped on a guy's face a couple of years ago but he's found redemption. And as a Penn State grad, it's hard to root against quarterback Kerry Collins.

n Miami: They're too much of that feel-good, worst-to-first story.
n San Diego: Too boring to care about.

n Indianapolis: I can see where some people root against Peyton Manning. But he's so goofy and seems like a decent guy that he's hard to hate.

n Baltimore: They make the best case, considering the rivalry with Pittsburgh. Though the Ravens had a good season, I'm not sure they'll build up much of a playoff run and could easily lose to the Dolphins.

The NFC doesn't have many characters worth hating either.

n New York Giants: This would be the perfect team - defending Super Bowl champs with Plaxico Burress shooting his mouth off. Then Burress decided to shoot himself in the leg and the Giants hatred level has diminished considerably.

n Carolina: See San Diego.

n Minnesota: Ditto.

n Arizona: That's a sad-sack team worth pulling for, especially with Larry Fitzgerald.

n Atlanta: See Miami.

n Philadelphia: Another boring team, even if they are from this state.

There may be some exciting plays, players and finishes in these NFL playoffs. But there will be something missing.

There may be some good stories to come out of these games, but without villains, these playoffs just won't be the same.

Dallas Cowboys roster analysis: Deceptive talent

The Dallas Morning News

Dec. 31--IRVING -- In terms of talent, few teams in the NFL can match the Cowboys. Even the teams that made the playoffs will admit that.

But the Cowboys will be home this weekend, having missed the postseason with a 9-7 record after an abysmal 44-6 defeat to close the season at Philadelphia.

"We've got the best talent in the NFL," cornerback Terence Newman said, "but that doesn't always get the job done."

The Cowboys have a core of young and young enough players to compete for years to come, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones. But the changes coach Wade Phillips promised Monday have to take place with personnel, too.

Here's a breakdown of the roster:

QUARTERBACKS Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Brooks Bollinger Romo's December has some people -- though not Jerry Jones or Wade Phillips -- wondering if he is the long-term answer. Romo must protect the ball better, but he represents the best chance of winning. Brad Johnson will be 41 next September, and his three-game stint in Romo's absence did not go well. He could be a salary-cap cut that saves $2 million. Bollinger was brought in after the first game of the season and could be re-signed to compete for the No. 2 job in 2009. The Cowboys ought to look into drafting a quarterback in the middle rounds of the draft.

RUNNING BACKS Marion Barber, Felix Jones (injured reserve), Tashard Choice, Deon Anderson, Alonzo Coleman, Julius Crosslin (practice squad), Marcus Thomas (practice squad)

Barber's first year as a full-time running back ended badly with a dislocated little toe. But with him, Jones (who is recovering from toe surgery) and Choice, the Cowboys could have one of the best tailback trios in the league because each brings something different to the table. Barber is the tough runner. Jones' speed makes him the biggest difference maker. Choice's vision makes him dangerous. Anderson had a solid lead-blocking season but was bothered by injuries.

WIDE RECEIVERS Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback (injured reserve), Sam Hurd (injured reserve), Danny Amendola (practice squad), Travis Wilson (practice squad), Paris Warren (practice squad)

Owens, Williams and Crayton are tied up with long-term contracts, but none were as effective in 2008 as they were in 2007. Owens had 1,000-plus yards and 10 touchdowns but was taken out of too many games by defenses. Williams' arrival from Detroit in a trade did not go as planned, but he and the coaches believe a full off-season will help him get in sync. Crayton's numbers dropped off because of less playing time and fewer looks. Austin, who will be a restricted free agent, showed signs of big-play ability but suffered two knee injuries that slowed his progress. Stanback will have shoulder surgery for the second straight off-season and has yet to make an impact. Hurd will be a restricted free agent. Amendola and Wilson showed progress on the practice squad.

TIGHT ENDS Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis, Rodney Hannah Witten led the Cowboys in catches and is going to his fifth straight Pro Bowl despite playing with shoulder, rib, ankle and knee injuries for most of the season. Rookie Bennett had moments good and bad while flashing the raw potential that makes him a big-play threat. Curtis did not progress as expected and will be a restricted free agent. Hannah was a late-season call-up from the practice squad and will be back to compete for the No. 3 job.

OFFENSIVE LINE Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier (injured reserve), Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Cory Procter, Montrae Holland, Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, Joe Berger, Ryan Gibbons (practice squad)

As a group, the line did not play as well as in 2007 even with Davis and Gurode returning to the Pro Bowl. Adams struggled with speed rushers. Kosier played in only three games, and his absence proved his value. Colombo was the Cowboys' most consistent linemen and was rewarded with a contract extension. Procter struggled in Kosier's place, and Holland took time to get accustomed to the scheme after coming from Denver in a trade. McQuistan saw little action and Free was active for only two games. The Cowboys need to look at how they evaluate linemen; they have not had success drafting them since 2002.

DEFENSIVE LINE Chris Canty, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher, Tank Johnson, Stephen Bowen, Marcus Dixon (practice squad)

Ratliff earned his first Pro Bowl with 7.5 sacks and has become a defensive anchor. Canty is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent who might command more money from another team. Spears had a career high in tackles and enjoyed his most consistent season. Hatcher needs to make a jump in the off-season, especially if Canty isn't re-signed. Bowen showed the ability to pressure the quarterback. Johnson made few plays and is likely to play elsewhere next year.

LINEBACKERS Greg Ellis, Bradie James, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Spencer, Bobby Carpenter, Justin Rogers, Carlos Polk, Steve Octavien Ware, one of the NFL's most dangerous players, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year with 20 sacks. James had career highs in tackles and sacks after attacking the quarterback more. Thomas proved he can stay healthy and is still a tackling machine, but he is a free agent. Burnett, who did well in sub packages, is also a free agent and would like to be a full-time player. Ellis' sack totals dipped, as did his playing time with Spencer playing more late in the season. He is entering the last year of his contract. Carpenter, a former first-round pick, played sparingly on defense but could see his role increase if Burnett or Thomas leaves.

SECONDARY Anthony Henry, Terence Newman, Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams (injured reserve), Keith Davis, Adam Jones, Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins, Pat Watkins (injured reserve), Tra Battle, Courtney Brown, Alan Ball Henry is entering the final year of his contract and could make the full-time move to safety in 2009. Newman's season was slowed by a groin surgery, and he needs off-season ankle surgery. When healthy, he remains one of the top corners. Hamlin was not as productive after signing a multiyear deal. Jones missed six games because of a suspension and one because of injury and never had the impact the Cowboys had hoped for. Williams' season ended when he fractured his forearm for the second time, and he might have played his last game given his $6.62 million cap figure in '09. Scandrick, a fifth-round pick, was the best find. Jenkins, a first-rounder, has to be more physical. Battle brought a spark on special teams and Ball might be a sub package corner. Watkins is coming off shoulder surgery and missed half the season. Brown fell out of favor late in the year.

SPECIALISTS Nick Folk, Sam Paulescu, L.P. Ladouceur, Mat McBriar (injured reserve)

Folk missed just two field goal attempts but needs to add distance to his kickoffs. Ladouceur remains a fixture at deep snapper. McBriar suffered a fractured foot but, thanks to Paulescu's struggles, saw his value rise in his absence.

DMN Blog: Mike Shanahan to the Cowboys? Now that's how you 'change' things up

by Brian Davis

So Calvin thinks Mike Shanahan is "old and tired." Well, he would be 57 when the season starts next year. Yeah, that 8-5 playoff record and those two Super Bowl titles make me yawn, too.

Let's see. Wade Phillips will be 62 next season. He's 0-4 in the playoffs and just guided one of the most talented teams in Cowboys history to a mediocre 9-7 finish.

Hmmm....

I know, I know. Jerry Jones has been emphatic about sticking with Phillips, who promised (but never outlined in detail) major changes. Jerry's got to be thinking about Shanahan today, doesn't he? If he's not, then he's not doing his job as an owner.

Shanahan knows how to work with young quarterbacks. Last I checked, the Cowboys have one of those. He always squeezes the most out of running backs. The Cowboys have three of those. The guy knows offense, and last I checked, the Cowboys have T.O., Jason Witten and Co. And surely he can do something with DeMarcus Ware and his band of merry men.

Old and tired, eh? Hey, Calvin: Sure.

Cowboys look for change they can believe in

By JOE TRAHAN / WFAA-TV

The Dallas Cowboys 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday was the most lop-sided loss in the Jerry Jones era.

Head coach Wade Phillips hasn't gotten over it.

"I'm still really disappointed," Phillips said. "One of the worst losses I've ever been around."

Then it was as if Phillips was stealing a page from the playbook of President-elect Barrack Obama.

"If you're not gonna change the coach and you don't get the result you want then coach needs to change some things," Phillips said.

He went on:

"If that means changing what I've done before that's what I'm going to do."

"I don't know how much change there will be."

"Sometimes it's changing personnel, too."

"If that's the case then we'll have to change."

"Things aren't gonna change unless you change something."

Phillips is promising whole-sale adjustments, but is it change we can believe in?

As the players cleaned out their lockers they we're still shocked, not knowing what to believe.

Said linebacker Zach Thomas, "Our play wasn't up to par this season. We had our shot but shot ourselves in the foot way too much this season."

The season finale' underscoring what critics have said about this team all year: Supremely talented but prone to crucial mistakes in clutch situations.

"It was a lot of personalities that was put on this team and you know we didn't gel," said linebacker Bradie James. "We didn't find a way to gel."

"You should win every game here with these guys on this football team," Williams said. "I think what we have to do it's everybody has to come together and make this thing go."

While the head coach promises change his first decision of the post-season is already coming into question. After an incredibly disappointing season and a gut-wrenching loss, Phillips decided against have a season-ending team meeting.

James says he absolutely wanted to hear from his coach.

"I mean I don't want to just end this thing and be in the dark," James said. "We're in the dark and I'm finding out information from you guys."

DMN Blog: Jerry Jones believes Wade Phillips can change and Jason Garrett doesn't need to

by Tim MacMahon

Norm Hitzges grilled Jerry Jones on the Cowboys' coaching situation during the owner/GM's appearance on The Ticket this morning.

Jerry has been firm in his support of the coaching staff all season. That didn't change despite a 44-6 loss in Philadelphia with a playoff berth at stake that Jerry acknowledged was one of the three most disappointing games in his 20 years in charge.

A lot of folks (included many on Jerry's payroll) are skeptical that admitted softie Wade Phillips can pull off his Get Tough Plan. Not Jerry.

"Let me say this: I believe Wade Phillips can change," Jerry said after emphasizing again that he thought keeping the head coach intact gave the Cowboys the best chance to be contenders next season.

Jerry isn't buying all the criticism that has been coming Jason Garrett's way recently. T.O. and Tony Romo ripped the scheme, but Jerry doesn't see a problem with his hand-picked play-caller's system.

"I like our scheme," Jerry said. "I like what we're trying to do. We know where we're going with it, and our players do, too."

As T.O. and Romo pointed out, so do the opposing defenses. And it seems obvious to everybody other than Jerry that Wade's transformation to tough guy will be about as effective as the Cowboys' offense in December.

Cowboys' locker room is a mess

By Tom Orsborn on December 30, 2008

IRVING - Both literally and figuratively.

Ever since Wade Phillips took over, it looks like a college dorm room with clothes scattered everywhere and no sense of discipline and order.

But that's not the worst thing. It's inhabited by too many bad actors, low-character guys and locker-room lawyers.

"There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn' jell," linebacker Bradie James said. "We didn't find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. I don't know if I need to go into detail. When you know you've got something on the line and you're playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself."

"Personalities," by the way, is just code for guys like Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson and Roy Williams. They're stuck with the finger-pointing, sloppy route-running Williams, but they certainly don't need to bring back the overrated, can't-be-trusted Jones and the overrated, foul-mouthed Johnson.

DMN Blog: Jerry Jones hasn't changed his mind about Wade Phillips

by Tim MacMahon

Wade Phillips isn't worried about his job security. He doesn't need to be.

Jerry Jones declared this week that Phillips wouldn't be fired no matter what happened today. Jerry stuck to his guns after the Cowboys were completely humiliated by the Eagles with a playoff berth at stake.

"This is obviously very disappointing right now," Jerry said, "but we won't have a head coaching change."

Jerry reiterated that he believe the Cowboys had a core in place -- players and coaches -- to contend for several years. He stressed that continuity would be a key to the Cowboys fulfilling their potential.

"Really, that would be the No. 1 thing that I would be looking at in retaining Wade," said Jerry, who obviously isn't looking at the results of this disastrous season.

Eagles stomp Cowboys to clinch playoff berth

Associated Press - December 28, 2008 7:35 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Donovan McNabb flexed his muscles, seemingly mocking Terrell Owens. The always stoic Andy Reid played cheerleader, encouraging the crowd to make noise.

Many fans may not want the quarterback or coach back for another season. But they'll be here for at least one more game - a playoff game.

The Philadelphia Eagles overcame improbable odds to capture an NFC wild-card spot with a dominating 44-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Eagles will play at NFC North champion Minnesota (10-6) next weekend.

So much for all that preseason Super Bowl hype - America's Team can start its vacation plans early. Surely, it'll be a drama-filled offseason, as owner Jerry Jones has to answer more questions about coach Wade Phillips' job and perhaps consider a major overhaul.

Cowboys angling for wild-card opportunity

By Lary Bump

AMERICAN-STATESMAN CORRESPONDENT

Sunday, December 28, 2008

IRVING — The 2008 Dallas Cowboys' fate will be decided today. On Friday, owner and general manager Jerry Jones came just short of saying Wade Phillips would remain head coach in 2009, win or lose.

At the Cowboys' Valley Ranch practice facility, Jones said, "Our coaching staff, as far as I'm concerned, is in place, as I stand right now."

It's possible to see that if the Eagles win and knock Dallas out of playoff contention, Jones could stand somewhere else.

The Cowboys (9-6) are guaranteed a wild-card playoff berth if they win.

It's possible, but not likely, for them to lose or tie and still reach the postseason.

Philadelphia (8-6-1) has to win and hope for additional NFC teams to lose to put the Eagles into a wild card.

Unlike last Saturday night, when he said he came away with uncertainty from the Cowboys' final loss at Texas Stadium, Jones had a confident tone. He was careful, however, not to make a prediction or definitive statement that could go on the Eagles' bulletin board.

He said, "I feel that our team is going to be able to play well. It depends on how well we can keep (the Eagles) in check. We have to weigh that we're going up against their players with them at home. We have our hands full."

Jones spoke of going into next season with a status quo that seemed rosier in his mind than in the numbers defining this season.

"I like what we've got in place, and I like what we've got in place going forward. We're going to have a lot of this team here for several years. Re-signing Marc Colombo was a big part of that.

"I used next year's No. 1 pick to get this season out of Roy Williams. We wanted to get him involved in a starting role this season as opposed to next season.

"If we can get him during the next five games to be what he's going to be that would be a big advantage over a No. 1 pick as a receiver who's going to take a year or maybe two years to develop."

For the Cowboys to have five more games this year, they would have to reach Super Bowl XLIII.

"We'd like to go into that new stadium with Super Bowl rings," Jones said.

To do that, Dallas would almost have to receive more production than Longhorns ex Williams' 17 catches in nine games.

The owner acknowledged that a win would help Phillips' position. "From the standpoint of what it could allow us to accomplish, going into the playoffs and (doing) well in the playoffs could be significant to him."

Phillips wouldn't say this game is the biggest of his career, which includes seven seasons as an NFL head coach.

"This puts you in the playoffs," he said. "The pressure isn't this game. The pressure's getting to this point. I think the players will be trying hard. We coaches will try to do our best, too. It's tangible. It's the most important game we've played. I think everybody knows that."

Owens puts counterpart Williams in spotlight

Wide receiver Terrell Owens has spent much of this season talking about having the ball thrown his way more often.

So it was a mild surprise this week when he stumped for more passes in Roy Williams' direction.

T.O. said, "Once we can figure out a way we can get him more involved and he can help this offense, the better off we'll be."

Williams continued to take a higher-ground, self-deprecating approach. He commented, "I'm not saying I want the ball every play, but just to be involved in the game. That's what I'm used to."

Money for trench coats

Just inside the south entrance to the Cowboys' locker room, a whiteboard message, "Merry Christmas Colombo," greeted new multimillionaire right tackle Marc Colombo. Included were the date (12-24-08) and amount (four years, $22 million, $11 million guaranteed) of his new contract.

Addressing the media for one of his few times this season, Colombo (no relation to the old TV detective) said, "Now I can focus on football. This is a place I love. This is where I got my second chance."

Wade Phillips explained, "He's consistent every game. He's a leader in the classroom. He's a guy that helps everybody else, I think, as far as keeping their focus and concentration."

Another top defense challenges Cowboys

During the past three weeks, Dallas has played against defenses ranked first, second and seventh in fewest yards allowed this season in the NFL.

The Cowboys won't get much of a break this week.

Philadelphia' defense ranks third in the league, and has allowed 14 or fewer points in each of its last three games.

Dallas' eighth-ranked passing offense shouldn't expect to equal the 312 yards it produced in a 41-37 victory Sept. 15.

The Eagles have shored up their defense, and they rank second in fewest passing yards allowed.

Jerry Jones: Cowboys coaches 'in place' for 2009

The Associated Press

IRVING — Wade Phillips will be back as coach of the Dallas Cowboys next season, and Jason Garrett will remain in charge of the offense, regardless of whether the team makes the playoffs, club owner Jerry Jones said Friday.

And he said it vehemently.

"The coaches are in place. I've said that. How can I be any clearer?" Jones said. "Look, I've said that our coaching staff, as far as I'm concerned, is in place. I just want to make the statement rather than answer questions, because your questions imply certain things that I don't want to imply.

"I'm saying that when I look at where we are coaching staff-wise and when I look at where we are personnelwise, I see a team that is in place to compete for several years."

Still, the questions continued because this team that went 13-3 last season and owned the No. 1 seed in the NFC is now 9-6 and trying to grab the last available wild-card into this season's playoffs. The Cowboys will get it with a win Sunday in Philadelphia. If they lose, there's been speculation that Jones would fire Phillips. There's long been speculation that Phillips might be pushed aside, and Garrett promoted from offensive coordinator, next season anyway as Dallas moves into a new $1.1 billion, 100,000-seat stadium.

"And I'd like to go in that new stadium with a Super Bowl win," Jones said.

But what if they don't make the playoffs? Could things change then?

"Look, can y'all not understand statements?" Jones said. "What the (expletive) is going on here? Really. I really don't understand what is going on. The coaching staff is in place. The coaching staff is in place. The building is here. You want to ask the question, what if it blows down?"

When it was mentioned that Jones has made a bold statement before, then changed his mind, the owner shot back, "I don't know when. Point it out."

Jones has been consistent in his staunch support of his coaches. Following a loss to Baltimore last Saturday night, he challenged reporters to see how many first-year coaches win Super Bowls and questioned the logic of spending millions on bringing in someone with a good reputation in the pros or in college.

And when Jones spoke after the Ravens loss, he already feared that the Cowboys were out of the playoffs.

"Absolutely," he said Friday. "I saw the Grim Reaper coming out the door. ... Yes, I thought when we left the stadium late at night, I was pretty down and out."

Phillips has said all week that he's concerned only about the Eagles, not what might happen to his status if Dallas loses.

Still, he's aware of the stakes.

"I told the players I don't know if it's pressure. Pressure is getting to this point," Phillips said Friday, before Jones spoke. "Now we need to let it go and play, play our best. We'll try to coach our best, too."

When Phillips was hired, he touted a winning career record as a head coach, but also acknowledged the downer of never having won a playoff game. He talked then of creating a new legacy for himself.

Last season's playoff disappointment — becoming the first No. 1 seed in the NFC to lose its first playoff game since the current format began in 1990 — isn't exactly the kind of legacy-adder he wanted. A roll this January "obviously would help," Phillips said.

"But this year isn't over," Phillips said. "So we'll see."

Cowboys need more from Roy Williams

Associated Press

IRVING — Over his nine games with the Dallas Cowboys, Roy Williams has 194 yards receiving.

The last time he played in Philadelphia, he had 204 yards receiving.

So maybe a return to Philadelphia is just what Williams needs to finally become a vital part of the Dallas offense.

Acquired at the trade deadline to draw coverage from Terrell Owens, Williams has yet to catch more than three passes in a game. He has only 14 receptions over the six games he's played with Tony Romo.

Time is running out for Williams and Romo to start clicking. If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles on Sunday, their season is over.

The flip side is that a win would send Dallas into a first-round playoff game, which means another week of practicing together. Each win after that means more practice time and, of course, a chance to win the Super Bowl — something Williams could hardly imagine while playing his first four seasons in Detroit. Those teams never had a winning record, much less made the playoffs.

"I've always wanted to be on a team that just streaks, you know, that just hits it," Williams said. "I hope that we can do that. All we need is just five wins in a row. ... One of my goals also is to be the first team in the (Obama) White House."

A lifelong Texan, getting traded to Dallas in October was a best-case scenario for Williams, made even better by also getting a $45 million, five-year contract extension. Then he ran out of good news.

Williams didn't catch a pass in his first game, then caught only three over the next two weeks. Romo missed all those games with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. Once he returned, everyone figured the tandem would get the Cowboys offense cranked up again.

Six games later, everyone is still waiting. Williams hasn't even caught a touchdown from Romo; his lone one for Dallas came from Brad Johnson.

"We're getting more comfortable every week," Romo said. "He does some things a little different than the other receivers. He does some things really well, so we're trying to get a bead on it."

Williams is doing his best to remain patient — and polite. At the start of an interview this week, he literally bit his lip to prevent from answering questions about his role in the offense. When he did talk, he kept saying, "Merry Christmas to everybody."

Asked how he's adopted that approach, Williams finally opened up.

"My mom told me God has a plan for me. The pastor told me the same thing," he said, the fact he needed such counsel indicating how left out he feels.

The more Williams talked, the more his frustration and disappointment came out, "because I know I am a player in this league." He brought up his big game against the Eagles in 2006 and noted that he led the NFC that season with 1,310 yards receiving. He also said a foot injury that's slowed him a bit has "not at all" limited him.

"My thing is, if you brought me in half the season, you obviously know what I am capable of doing," Williams said.

A lot of factors could be behind the disconnect between Romo and Williams. Still, it's obvious something is wrong.

Over the six games they've been together, Romo had thrown the ball to Williams only 29 times, according to STATS LLC. Their stats show that over the same span Owens has been the target 57 times, running backs 48 times and tight end Jason Witten 42 times.

"People can watch the film," Williams said. "I am doing what I am coached to do."

Coach Wade Phillips also seems to be wondering why offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Romo are having such trouble working in a guy who stands 6-foot-3 and has good hands.

"I think we do need to get comfortable with him, being able to throw it to him on a 5-9 cornerback," Phillips said. "That's hard to do because you look over there and see that he's covered, but he's not covered. He can go up and get it. I don't think we've come to that point. We haven't had that feel yet. ... He can make plays for us. We've just got to utilize him."

T.O. said the grace period for working Williams into the scheme has long since passed.

"If I was Roy, I'd be frustrated," Owens said. "He has a lot of talent. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. I'm not saying that in a negative way. I'm saying that because I know he can help the team. ... I'm looking forward to having him really just be a part of this offense and let us be explosive the way I know we can be."

No matter how bad things are going in Dallas, it could be a lot worse for Williams — he could still be in Detroit, where the Lions will be playing Sunday to avoid the first 0-16 season in league history.

Williams knows "there's an asterisk that goes by my name," linking him to the first five losses. His new teammates remind him of that, too. A favorite taunt is about Williams having been in Detroit when the team picture was taken.

"They say it's going to haunt me forever," he said. "I feel sorry for them. I kind of say I wish I was there to help them, but then I don't."

Cowboys can extend season, Eagles need help

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 27, 2008

PHILADELPHIA — The only scoreboard that'll matter to the Dallas Cowboys this weekend is the one they control. A season that began with so much Super Bowl hype for America's Team comes down to a do-or-die game against the Philadelphia Eagles today. If the Cowboys (9-6) win, they're in the playoffs.

A season that began with so much Super Bowl hype for America's Team comes down to a do-or-die game against the Philadelphia Eagles today. If the Cowboys (9-6) win, they're in the playoffs.

All that talk about inner turmoil and the daily drama that surrounded a midseason collapse would be erased if the Cowboys advance. Of course, it won't go away completely until they win another Super Bowl or even their first playoff game in 12 years, but that's another story.

"It's a must game for us," Terrell Owens said. "We can't really worry about how we got here. We're here and we've just got to win. There's no excuses to be made. Our season rides on this game."

The Eagles (8-6-1) also could be playing for an NFC wild-card spot. By kickoff, Philly will know it's chances. The Eagles need losses by Tampa Bay and either Chicago or Minnesota in the early games to stay alive. Otherwise, they're out.

If so, the players and their fiercely passionate fans would love to send the hated Cowboys home, too.

"No matter if we are out of the playoffs or not, I still have a strong dislike for Dallas," running back Brian Westbrook said. "I still am going to go out there and fight like we have an opportunity to get into the playoffs."

The Cowboys nearly blew a chance to control their destiny by losing to Baltimore 33-24 in the final game at Texas Stadium last Saturday night. But then everything fell in Dallas' favor the following day, including Washington's 10-3 win over Philadelphia when Reggie Brown was stopped at the 1 to end the game. Had the Eagles beaten the Redskins, they wouldn't need any outside help this week.

"There's nothing we can do at this point," quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "The only thing we can do is go out and play well against the Cowboys and see what happens after that. That's the way it's been all year; if it's an inch here or a pass here or whatever it may be, just a little short. We don't want it to end that way this year so, hopefully, it won't."

The Eagles have always played well late in the season under coach Andy Reid. They're 51-21-3 in November and December since 2000, including 10-3 in the final month over the last three seasons. Philadelphia has won five straight December games against Dallas.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have struggled in late-season games with Tony Romo as their starting QB. Romo is 5-7 in December and 22-4 in other months.

"We just haven't won as much," Romo said. "There are always little things you can pick out. Good teams you play against maybe? There's no reason. Whatever reason, we haven't won. This year I think it's pretty easy to indicate that we played against pretty good opponents. Years past, I'm not sure."

Dallas has survived a brutal December that began with a tough loss at Pittsburgh. A crucial win over the Giants was followed by the distressing loss to the Ravens.

"If we go on to win this game, and are able to beat the Giants and Philly in December, that's a pretty big step," Romo said. "All we can do is control how we prepare this week and what kind of team steps out on that field this Sunday. I have a funny feeling we're going to play good football this weekend."

These teams played one of the most entertaining games of the year back in Week 2 on a Monday night. The Cowboys outlasted the Eagles 41-37 in a good old-fashioned shootout that featured seven lead changes, 717 total yards and some wacky plays. A fumbled handoff between McNabb and Westbrook led to Dallas scoring the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

"The bad exchange has nothing to do with this game," Westbrook said. "We played a good game against those guys the first time."

So much has happened since Owens was kicked off the Eagles and landed with the Cowboys that his return to Philly isn't much of a subplot anymore. Besides, T.O. hears boos from his own fans nowadays.

"When I left there, I know there were some fans that knew what was really going on and still loved me there," he said. "And there were some that were really disappointed about the way things panned out and I'm not there. Same with me being here. I got some boos in the last game or so, so that's just part of football."

Romo healthy, should be 'ready to go' vs. Eagles

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo seems to be over the midweek illness that caused him to miss a day of practice.

"I think he's feeling all right now," coach Wade Phillips said Friday. "He was maybe a little weak yesterday, but he's doing a lot better today. I think he'll be ready to go."

Romo was sent home with medicine to treat flulike symptoms Wednesday. He returned to practice Thursday and worked out again Friday as Dallas finished preparing for a pivotal game Sunday in Philadelphia. The Cowboys (9-6) are guaranteed a playoff spot with a victory, certain to miss the playoffs with a loss.

Phillips said running back Marion Barber will remain a game-time decision because of a dislocated toe that's limited him to 2 yards on 10 carries over the last two games. He also missed the game before that. He was listed on the injury report as doubtful after being limited in practice.

Tight end Jason Witten was limited, too, because of a sprained left ankle but is among several players listed as probable.

"I think he'll play, but to what extent we'll have to see," Phillips said.

Also Friday, the Cowboys put receiver Isaiah Stanback on injured reserve because of a shoulder problem. Tight end Rodney Hannah moved up from the practice squad to take his place.

Jerry Jones: Cowboys' coaches to remain

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas -- Wade Phillips will be back as coach of the Dallas Cowboys next season, and Jason Garrett will remain in charge of the offense, regardless of whether the team makes the playoffs, club owner Jerry Jones said Friday.

And he said it vehemently.

"The coaches are in place. I've said that. How can I be any clearer?" Jones said. "Look, I've said that our coaching staff, as far as I'm concerned, is in place. I just want to make the statement rather than answer questions, because your questions imply certain things that I don't want to imply.

"I'm saying that when I look at where we are coaching staff-wise and when I look at where we are personnel-wise, I see a team that is in place to compete for several years."

Still, the questions continued because this team that went 13-3 last season and owned the No. 1 seed in the NFC is now 9-6 and trying to grab the last available wild card into this season's playoffs.

The Cowboys will get it with a win Sunday in Philadelphia. If they lose, there's been speculation that Jones would fire Phillips.

There's long been speculation that Phillips might be pushed aside and Garrett promoted from offensive coordinator next season as Dallas moves into a new $1.1 billion, 100,000-seat stadium.

"I'd like to go in that new stadium with a Super Bowl win," Jones said.

But what if they don't make the playoffs? Could things change then?

"Look, can y'all not understand statements?" Jones said. "What the [expletive] is going on here? Really. I really don't understand what is going on. The coaching staff is in place. The coaching staff is in place. The building is here. You want to ask the question, what if it blows down?"

UPI: Cowboys RB Barber may sit out Eagles game

DALLAS, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber, suffering from a toe injury, may not be on the field for the upcoming game with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Barber played in last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens, but spent much of the time on the sidelines with only two carries and one reception for 7 yards. He put in little time at practice this week.

During the season, he has played 14 games, rushing for 872 yards, the best on the team, and making seven touchdowns. In the last four games, rookie Tashard Choice has started twice for Barber and gained 326 rushing yards with two touchdowns.

Quarterback Tony Romo, who missed practice Wednesday because of flu-like symptoms, is expected to be on the field Sunday. So is tight end Jason Witten, who suffered an ankle injury.

Former Lion Williams' star still not shining

Detroit News wire services

IRVING, Texas -- In his nine games with the Cowboys, Roy Williams has 194 yards receiving.

The last time Williams played in Philadelphia, he had 204 yards receiving.

So maybe a return to Philadelphia is just what he needs to finally become a vital part of the Cowboys offense.

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Acquired at the trade deadline to draw coverage from Terrell Owens, Williams has yet to catch more than three passes in a game. He has only 14 receptions over the six games he's played with Tony Romo.

Time is running out for Williams and Romo to start clicking. If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles on Sunday, their season is over.

A win would send the Cowboys into a first-round playoff game, which means another week of practicing together. Each win after that means more practice time and, of course, a chance to win the Super Bowl -- something Williams couldn't hardly imagine while playing his first four seasons with the Lions. Those teams never had a winning record.

"I've always wanted to be on a team that just streaks, you know, that just hits it," Williams said. "I hope that we can do that. All we need is just five wins in a row. ... One of my goals also is to be the first team in the (Obama) White House."

A lifelong Texan, getting traded to the Cowboys in October was a best-case scenario for Williams, made even better by also receiving a $45 million, five-year contract extension.

Then he ran out of good news.

Williams didn't catch a pass in his first game, then caught only three over the next two weeks. Romo missed all those games with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. Once he returned, everyone figured the tandem would get the Cowboys cranked up again.

Six games later, everyone is still waiting. Williams hasn't even caught a touchdown from Romo; his lone one for the Cowboys came from Brad Johnson.

"We're getting more comfortable every week," Romo said. "He does some things a little different than the other receivers. He does some things really well, so we're trying to get a bead on it."

Williams is doing his best to remain patient -- and polite. At the start of an interview this week, he literally bit his lip to prevent from answering questions about his role in the offense. When he did talk, he kept saying, "Merry Christmas to everybody."

Asked how he's adopted that approach, Williams opened up.

"My mom told me God has a plan for me. The pastor told me the same thing," Williams said, the fact he needed such counsel indicating how left out he feels.

The more Williams talked, the more his frustration and disappointment came out, "because I know I am a player in this league." He brought up his big game against the Eagles in 2006 and noted he led the NFC that season with 1,310 yards receiving. He also said a foot injury that's slowed him a bit has "not at all" limited him.

"My thing is, if you brought me in half the season, you obviously know what I am capable of doing," Williams said.

A lot of factors could be behind the disconnect between Romo and Williams. Still, it's obvious something is wrong.

Over the six games they've been together, Romo had thrown the ball to Williams only 29 times, according to STATS LLC.

Their stats show that over the same span Owens has been the target 57 times, running backs 48 times and tight end Jason Witten 42 times.

"People can watch the film," Williams said. "I am doing what I am coached to do."

Coach Wade Phillips also seems to be wondering why offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Romo are having such trouble working in a guy who stands 6-foot-3 and has good hands.

"I think we do need to get comfortable with him, being able to throw it to him on a 5-9 cornerback," Phillips said. "That's hard to do because you look over there and see that he's covered, but he's not covered. He can go up and get it. I don't think we've come to that point. We haven't had that feel yet. ... He can make plays for us. We've just got to utilize him."

T.O. said the grace period for working Williams into the scheme has long since passed.

"If I was Roy, I'd be frustrated," Owens said. "He has a lot of talent. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. I'm not saying that in a negative way. I'm saying that because I know he can help the team."

EXCLUSIVE: Randy White Says Cowboy Critic Carter 'Is An Idiot'

by Mike Fisher

Recognizing that Cowboys ties make for strange bedfellows, guess which old-school Hall-of-Famer is coming to the defense of Terrell Owens -- and doing so while willing to joust with Cowboys critic Cris Carter?

“Cris Carter made an idiotic statement,’’ Cowboys legend Randy White tells me in an exclusive interview. “Anybody who says a team ‘doesn’t deserve to make the playoffs,’ or something like that, he’s an idiot.''

Contined White: "The whole goal of football is to get to the playoffs. Then comes the ultimate goal, winning the Super Bowl. And if you get in, you’ve earned it. You’ve then got a shot at The Big Show. To think otherwise, that’s just ignorant.’’

White was responding to my relaying to him of Carter’s comments, made on ESPN radio, in which the Pro Bowler-turned-ESPN analyst said, “If Dallas goes on a run like that, it's a discredit to team sports, it's a discredit to team unity. I mean, it's a discredit to all the things that we sacrifice when we put together a football team. … (the Cowboys) also have the dysfunction thing down pat, too."

Long-time followers of Carter’s career will note that “team unity’’ wasn’t exactly his specialty when he got dumped by the Eagles for substance-abuse problems. Also notable in the “dysfunction’’ category would be Carter’s leadership of a 1998 Minnesota Vikings team that choked away its chances at a title.

Maybe the point is, most football teams are remarkable similar. Ups, downs, function, dysfunction.

“There’s nothing new under the sun in the NFL, and unless you are living in that locker room, you cannot know for sure what’s going on,’’ White said. “But I’ll tell you what I see, out of T.O. in particular: He’s the first guy out to practice. He blocks downfield. He wants the ball. Maybe he expresses that differently than I would, but I respect that he wants to win.

“Is he purposely trying to tear his locker room apart? Of course not. He just wants to win.’’

Randy White, who played for Dallas from 1975-to-1988, was inducted into Canton in 1994 and is the epitome of “old-school NFL,’’ taking up for Terrell Owens, to many the poster child for the spoiled new-schoolers?

“Owens brings a lot of this attention on himself, but being controversial doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win,’’ said White, who participated in the “Farewell to Texas Stadium’’ ceremonies on Saturday night and was in the odd position of taking the field and going down the tunnel with 100 old Cowboys legends while, coming up the tunnel, were Owens and the present-day Cowboys who’d just lost to the Ravens. “As a player, when you lose, a little piece of you should die. I looked in their eyes in that tunnel. They felt that way. Each in their own way, I believe a little piece of them had died.

“Cris Carter or anybody else who says otherwise either doesn’t understand, is trying to be controversial or is an idiot.’’

Romo Returns To Cowboys' Practice

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to work Thursday, going through practice a day after being sent home with flu-like symptoms.

Romo shuffled through the hallway on his way to a quarterbacks meeting before the workout.

The Cowboys close the regular season Sunday in Philadelphia. Dallas gets a wild card spot with a win, but will miss the playoffs with a loss.

Tight end Jason Witten also returned to practice after missing Wednesday's workouts with a sprained left ankle. He and safety Ken Hamlin, who has an injured foot, are both expected to play against the Eagles. Running back Marion Barber has a dislocated right pinkie toe and is likely to be a game-time decision.

Star power the best, worst thing about '08 Cowboys

By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer
Friday, December 26, 2008
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Stars, stars, stars. Everywhere you look, the Dallas Cowboys are all about the stars.

There’s the logo on their helmets and the giant one in the middle of their home turf. Another made of diamonds that can always be found on the lapel of team owner Jerry Jones.

And, of course, they are all over the roster.

There’s Tony Romo, the quarterback with the aw-shucks demeanor and starlet girlfriend.

There’s Terrell Owens playing the star-crossed role of “T.O.” — sometimes the hero, sometimes the villain, always the center of attention.

There’s the player who answers to “Pacman,” making more headlines for a bathroom brawl and a neck injury than for anything he’s done at cornerback.

But the stars haven’t exactly aligned for the Cowboys this season.

Despite returning 13 Pro Bowlers from last year’s 13-win club, Dallas has reached the finale of an up-and-down season needing to win Sunday in Philadelphia just to make the playoffs.

Lose and they will have gone as far as Detroit. That might sound like a cheap shot, except it comes from receiver Roy Williams, the latest star added to the Cowboys’ galaxy. He arrived in October from the woeful, winless Lions and was counting on making the playoffs for the first time in his career, but now he’s bracing for his usual long offseason.

“(Teammates) joke about me with the 0-16 Detroit thing and I just told them, ‘If we don’t win this game, we’re all in the same boat. We both are going to be watching the same playoff game next week,”’ Williams said. “They all understood that. That put it in perspective.”

So does this: The Cowboys need four straight wins to make the Super Bowl, five in a row to win it all. Their longest winning streak so far is three games.

That’s not to say it can’t be done. Just look at the surge the New York Giants had last postseason.

Dallas certainly has the talent to pull it off, or else it wouldn’t even be this close to the postseason after all the injuries and infighting. In fact, the Cowboys have played their best in games they absolutely had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

They knocked off Tampa Bay without Romo, and that would be the difference in a tiebreaker with the Buccaneers. They won at Washington in Romo’s return, avoiding a dip to 5-5. They bounced back from a blown late lead in Pittsburgh and a week of tabloidesque drama to beat the Giants.

A loss to Baltimore last Saturday night was supposed to hurt the Cowboys’ chances, but the right combination of results Sunday kept a playoff seat warm for them. Win and they’re in, no scoreboard-watching necessary.

Still, the question remains: Even if they get it together against the Eagles, can they keep it together through February?

“It’ll be fun to see how this thing shapes out,” Romo said.

If the Cowboys don’t reach the NFC championship, they’ll be branded underachievers.

If they get that far, or all the way to Tampa, the struggles of the last few months will go down as character-building; the adversity that could’ve torn them apart instead made them stronger.

“Here’s an easy analogy: Joe Montana wasn’t Joe Montana before he won a Super Bowl,” Romo said. “Everybody probably questioned them at that time, ‘Do they have the quarterback to go win a Super Bowl?’ I mean, the Giants, their coach was fired at this point last year, maybe. Eli (Manning) wasn’t a great leader, I heard. It is what it is until you win.

“So, this team, we don’t have anything that you need to win the Super Bowl — until you win. Then you have everything. The only thing that can solve that is to go off and win. To win this week and to get in this thing and go do it. It’s a cliche thing, but it just comes down to doing it. Just win the game and that will answer all these questions.”

With time running out, all is still not right.

Owens stood at his locker Wednesday wearing a T-shirt that read “iBelieve” on front and “Destination Tampa 2009” on the back, then talked about the team’s passing woes. That could be interpreted as code for his numbers being way down.

“We just go out there and just play,” Owens said. “At this point, late in the season — I mean, this is Week 17 — you would think at some point we would have an identity. But we’re still at Week 17 trying to find that.”

Owens started to make a point about different people taking a starring role each week, then stopped, laughed sarcastically and said, “Well, I haven’t had any games where I’ve had a bunch of catches.”

Reminded about his 213-yard performance against San Francisco, Owens shot back that he had only seven catches that day, practically spitting out the number with disgust.

But when a question seemed to infer that the Cowboys are done, Owens really got fired up.

“That’s not our mind-set right now,” he said. “Our mind-set is going to Philly and winning the game. ... We’re not going up there focusing on what if. We’re going up there to win.”

Williams frustrated in return to Texas

ESPN.com news services

A Dallas Cowboys wide receiver says he's frustrated by his involvement in the offense -- and it's not Terrell Owens.

Nearly a month ago, Owens and fellow receivers Patrick Crayton and Roy E. Williams met separately with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to express their concerns about the team's offense.

Since then, Crayton and Owens have said they've seen some positive results in the way the offense is running. Williams, however, has been frustrated as the Cowboys have struggled, and admitted as much as Dallas readied for its win-or-go-home game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Williams, who has been dealing with a foot injury, has 17 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown since the Cowboys dealt their first-round, third-round and sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions to acquire him. And after trying to dismiss questions about his limited production since coming to Dallas, in a trade that was seen as a way for the Cowboys to open up the offense and give quarterback Tony Romo a deep-ball threat, Williams opened up.

"I know I am a player in this league," Williams said, according to Dallas-Fort Worth area media reports. "My thing is, if you brought me in half the season, you obviously know what I am capable of doing. You wouldn't have spent what you did to get a person. You know what I can do. I know what I can do. I can tell you what I can't do. I'm just waiting."

Owens stuck up for Williams, saying his teammate has legitimate reasons to be frustrated.

"If you bring a guy over here and you pay him that much money, you want [him] to be involved," Owens said, according to The (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. "He has a lot of talent. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. I'm not saying that in a negative way. I'm saying that because I know he can help the team. Once we figure out a way we can get him more involved and he can help this offense, the better off we'll be."


The trade rescued Williams from the hapless Lions and brought him back home, where he starred at Texas and at Odessa Permian High School (of "Friday Night Lights" fame). It also resulted in a five-year, $45 million contract with the Cowboys.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said a number of factors have played a role in Williams' lack of production with the Cowboys. He came to the team at midseason and didn't play with Romo, who was out with a finger injury, for three weeks, Phillips explained. And Williams' foot injury has also affected him, Phillips said.

"I think we do need to get comfortable with him," Phillips said, according to the Star-Telegram. "I don't think we've come to that point. We haven't had that feel yet. But I think we will as we go along or certainly next year."

Williams said he has not been hindered by the injury -- and that he is getting open on the field.

"People can watch the film," Williams said, according to the Star-Telegram. "I'm doing what I am coached to do."

But Williams said the most important thing is for the Cowboys to win on Sunday and earn an NFC wild card playoff berth. He said he made that point earlier this week to teammates who have been ribbing him about having played for the winless Lions, who could become the NFL's first 0-16 team on Sunday.

"That's what I told guys," Williams said, according to the Star-Telegram. "They joke about me with the 0-16 Detroit thing and I just told them, 'If we don't win this game, we're all in the same boat. We both are going to be watching the same playoff game next week.' They all understood that. That put it in perspective."

Owens, for his part, said the Cowboys' offense will click "if we do the necessary things," according to the Dallas Morning News. "If Tony has the time and we get holes for guys who run the ball effectively and Tony can pass effectively, we can't be stopped."

Did NFL give Cowboys unfair advantage this Sunday?

Posted by Anthony Stalter (12/26/2008 @ 10:07 am)

Thanks to flex scheduling, the Dallas-Philadelphia game this Sunday was moved to 4:15PM ET, which means the Eagles may already be eliminated from playoff contention by the time they teams are set for kickoff.

Nobody can deny the decision gives Dallas a potential competitive advantage, with Chicago, Minnesota and Tampa Bay playing at 1 o’clock. If the Bucs defeat the lowly Raiders — or if the Bears and Vikings both win — the Eagles would take the field knowing they’ve been eliminated.

“To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating,” writes Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw, in his item on the controversial switch.
Venerable Philadelphia Daily News scribe Bill Conlin says the decision may spoil a dramatic fight to the finish in the wild-card chase — to the advantage of Dallas.

It would have been dramatically correct for the Bucs, Bears, Vikings, Birds and Cowboys all simultaneously slugging away for that second NFC wild-card berth. Bucs win, it’s over for Andy and the South Philly Air Force. Vikes and Bears both win, it’s over. That’s a lot of possible overs to overcome. And if the Bucs, Vikes and Bears all lose, the Eagles still have to beat the Cowboys.

It appears the NFL liked the long odds against the Vikings and Bears both losing and went all-in on a dispirited Eagles team playing a so-what game at 4:15[.]

Psychologically, yes, this could be an advantage for the Cowboys. But this isn’t an attempt by the NFL to give Dallas an advantage – this is about national coverage. This is a huge game and the purpose of flex scheduling is to give fans the best matchup possibly during primetime.

But considering the NFL Network is dedicated to giving fans as much Dallas Cowboys coverage as possible, I could see why some would be up in arms about this.

Romo returns, targets Eagles

Source: North Jersey Media Group
FROM NEWS SERVICE REPORTS

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to work Thursday, going through practice a day after being sent home with flu-like symptoms.

Romo shuffled through the hallway on his way to a quarterbacks meeting before the workout. Asked if he felt better, Romo said, "Oh, yeah. I feel like a hundred dollars."

The Cowboys (9-6) close the regular season Sunday in Philadelphia. Dallas gets a wild card with a win, misses the playoffs with a loss.

Tight end Jason Witten (sprained left ankle) also returned to practice. Running back Marion Barber (dislocated right pinkie toe) and safety Ken Hamlin (foot) were out there, too.

Witten and Hamlin are expected to play against the Eagles. Barber likely will be a game-time decision.

The team also said right tackle Marc Colombo was given a four-year extension.


Bills on the mend

Running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) and linebacker Kawika Mitchell (knee) returned to practice as the Buffalo Bills prepared to close their season hosting the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (knee) and No. 3 receiver Roscoe Parrish (knee) missed practice for a second straight day.


Briefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary coach Raheem Morris will take over as defensive coordinator for Monte Kiffin next season, ESPN reported. Kiffin is leaving to join his son in the college ranks. … Phase 1 of the St. Louis Rams' front office restructuring became complete when John Shaw relinquished his role as team president and executive vice president for player personnel Billy Devaney was promoted to general manager.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to work Thursday, going through practice a day after being sent home with flu-like symptoms.

Romo shuffled through the hallway on his way to a quarterbacks meeting before the workout. Asked if he felt better, Romo said, "Oh, yeah. I feel like a hundred dollars."

The Cowboys (9-6) close the regular season Sunday in Philadelphia. Dallas gets a wild card with a win, misses the playoffs with a loss.

Tight end Jason Witten (sprained left ankle) also returned to practice. Running back Marion Barber (dislocated right pinkie toe) and safety Ken Hamlin (foot) were out there, too.

Witten and Hamlin are expected to play against the Eagles. Barber likely will be a game-time decision.

The team also said right tackle Marc Colombo was given a four-year extension.

Cowboys sign Colombo through 2012

by Chicago Tribune

The Cowboys have finalized a four-year extension through 2012 for right tackle Marc Colombo.

The deal for the former first-round pick of the Bears was agreed to weeks ago but wasn't finalized because of some technicalities. It's worth $22 million, $11.5 million guaranteed.
"We had a couple of road bumps with some of the new rules," Colombo said Thursday. "We worked through it. It is a relief to have this finished. Now I can focus completely on Football."

Also, QB Tony Romo returned to practice a day after being sent home with flulike symptoms. He will be ready for Dallas' must-win game at Philadelphia.

*The Buccaneers said secondary coach Raheem Morris would take over as defensive coordinator in 2009 when Monte Kiffin leaves the NFL to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee. ... The Sacramento Bee reported the 49ers would offer a multiyear contract to interim coach Mike Singletary after Sunday's finale against the Redskins. ... Running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) and linebacker Kawika Mitchell (knee) returned to Bills practice and will face the Patriots. ... Titans Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae (elbow) will not play Sunday. ... Linebacker James Harrison was named the Steelers' MVP.

Dallas Cowboys look to receive more production from wideouts

The Dallas Morning News

Dec. 26--IRVING -- In the last three weeks, the Cowboys faced some of the top defenses in the NFL.

Pittsburgh, the New York Giants and Baltimore limited the Cowboys to 19 points 312 yards per game. Cowboys entered that stretch averaging 24.9 points and 356 yards.

In the regular-season finale Sunday, the Cowboys face Philadelphia, the third-ranked defense in the league.

If the Cowboys are to win and reach the postseason, their three primary wide receivers must be more of a factor.

Yet, there is still some uncertainty among the wide receivers regarding whether or not the offense is headed in the right direction.

"If we do the necessary things," Terrell Owens said. "If Tony [Romo] has the time and we get holes for guys who run the ball effectively and Tony can pass effectively, we can't be stopped."

Poor route running, bad throws, inadequate protection and even the weather can slow an offense.

In last week's loss to Baltimore, Romo overthrew a wide-open Miles Austin on a route that could have led to a touchdown. In the Pittsburgh game, Romo missed several open receivers, including Patrick Crayton on fourth down of the Cowboys' last possession.

Owens cut short a route in the Ravens loss, and Roy Williams has virtually disappeared in the last three games. A foot injury that limits how much he can practice could explain his issues.

Romo said Pittsburgh and Baltimore showed coverages he's never seen before, causing him to hold the ball too long or hurry throws while he tried to read the defense.

"I think every year that goes on, [defenses] come up with new little things that just attack," Romo said. "That's why you try to run the football. ... If you can run the ball, usually it can get you out of that junk a little bit, so we'll try to run the ball this week and get after Philadelphia a little bit."

Following the loss in Pittsburgh, Crayton, Williams and Owens met separately with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to express concern about the offense.

Since then, Crayton and Owens said they have seen some positive results.

Williams, meanwhile, is not so happy.

"For me, I'm still doing the same stuff," Williams said. "I'm not saying I want the ball every play, but just to be involved in the game, that's what I'm used to. As long as we win I don't care; when we lose, that's when I get frustrated."

When the Cowboys gave up a package including their 2009 first- and third-round draft picks to get Williams from Detroit at the trade deadline, he was expected to be a big-play threat down the field and take pressure off Owens and tight end Jason Witten.

But Williams has just 17 catches for 194 yards with one touchdown in nine games.

"You obviously know what I am capable of doing," Williams said. "You wouldn't have spent what you spent to get a person -- not just me, but any person. You know what I can do."

Crayton said the positive results from the meetings with Garrett came in a victory over the New York Giants on Dec. 14. In that game, Romo completed passes to a season-high nine different players. The Cowboys had 321 yards of offense against the league's sixth-ranked defense.

"When the ball is distributed like that, we get Ws," Crayton said. "Against Philly, we all have to be contributors. It has to be spread out. It they are doubling somebody, it's got to go somewhere else. If they want to play some zone, hit the hole in the zone -- don't matter who it is -- and keep it going from there."

Now comes Philadelphia, ranked second against the pass and sixth against the run. If the Cowboys can't find ways to score, the season will be lost.

"As an offense, we haven't played as well as we should have," Owens said. "There's room for improvement. Now is the time to clean it up. We're going into this game where we have to win, there is no more excuses, no more about pointing fingers and this and that. We just have to go out and play football."

YARD MARKER

The Cowboys' offensive production the last three weeks:

WR PRODUCTION How the Cowboys' top three wide receivers have fared the last three weeks (receptions-yards-touchdowns):

Witten trying to leave fuss behind for Cowboys

By Bob Grotz, bgrotz@comcast.net

PHILADELPHIA — Terrell Owens won’t be happy when he finds out Jason Witten did the Dallas Cowboys conference call with media covering the Eagles this week instead of buddy Tony Romo, who was ill with the flu.

Surely it’s another example of the tight Witten-Romo relationship that sent Owens into a jealous rage a couple of weeks ago, the diva wide receiver accusing Romo of favoring Witten in the passing game and the duo of drawing up secret plays.

Like a lot of teams, the Eagles (8-6-1) followed the drama for they endured a jealous Owens fit that divided their team and blew up their 2005 season. Witten, on the conference call, sounded a little like Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb back in the day.

“I really wasn’t sure how I got in the middle of all that mess,” Witten said. “I guess as a quarterback you probably expect it a little bit and it comes with the job. It kind of got blown all out of proportion there with fights and arguments and different things. That happens sometimes. You’ve got a lot of high-profile players and you’ve just got to do the best you can and try to move forward.”

Their playoff chances going down to the wire, the Eagles and the Cowboys will attempt to move forward this weekend.

For the Eagles to reach the playoffs, they must defeat the Cowboys (9-6) and hope at least two other teams win.

The Eagles absolutely need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) to beat the Oakland Raiders (4-11) Sunday. From the Eagles perspective the bad news is the Bucs are 13-point favorites. The good news is the line was 13½ points a few days ago.

To beat the Cowboys, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said the Eagles have to do a better job of defending Owens and Witten.

Owens had all three of his catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of the Cowboys’ 41-37 win over the Birds in the second week of the season.

Witten, who leads the Cowboys in receptions, had a game-high seven catches for 110 yards against the Eagles, the second straight game he’d hit the century mark.

Johnson’s shift in defensive tactics shut Owens down but enabled Romo to find a rhythm with his 6-5, 262-pound bud, one of five Cowboys to make the Pro Bowl.

“He has good size,” Johnson said. “Even though you have people around, he always seems like he comes up with the ball. He knows how to work his body to screen the linebacker or safety off. He and Romo have good timing on that. That’s the biggest thing. You can have good coverage on him and he’ll come up with the catch, just because he’s so big and kind of shields people off.”

The Eagles aren’t proud of the way they’ve given away catches and yardage to the tight ends they’ve played this season.

At the same time, they proudly claim they haven’t been beaten by the tight end, which, judging by the way guys like Witten have hurt them, isn’t entirely true.

“He’s a good player,” Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said. “I mean, he’s going to get his catches and that’s that. The main thing is we can’t let them dink and dink and dink and then hit us with a big play.”

The Eagles got good news Thursday when wide receiver Hank Baskett (sprained MCL), guard Todd Herremans (shoulder, ankle) and running back Brian Westbrook participated in practice, albeit an abbreviated session due to the holiday.

Held out of work were linebacker Stewart Bradley (rib, groin), safety Brian Dawkins (illness), offensive tackle Jon Runyan (knee, ankle) and tight end L.J. Smith (shoulder).

Guard Shawn Andrews (back) and defensive end Victor Abiamiri (foot) are out this week.

NOTES: Digging into their pockets to donate $1,000 to the ALS Foundation was a touching act of selflessness by members of the Eagles’ media relations department, which also this season has helped meet the needs of one courageous sports writer, Larry O’Rourke of the Allentown Morning Call. Happy Holidays to all … The Cowboys won’t have Felix Jones to return a kickoff 98 yards for a score this time around, the running back out for the season with a toe injury. Speaking of toes, running back Marion “The Barbarian” Barber has been a shell of himself since suffering tendon damage to a toe. On the flip side, the Cowboys didn’t have Pro Bowl shutdown cornerback Terence Newman the first time they met.

USA Today: Dallas Cowboys Team Report

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has virtually guaranteed that Wade Phillips will be back as coach next year.

Win, lose or draw.

Playoffs or not.

Jones said Phillips will be back.

Of course, Jones says that now. What else is he going to say with one game to go and the Cowboys still in the thick of the playoff chase. All they need to do is beat the Eagles next Sunday to qualify for the playoffs.

We all know that things could change if the Cowboys don't make the playoffs and a season that began with Super Bowl-or-bust proclamations ends as the most underachieving in franchise history.

Phillips said he's not concerned. His only focus is on Sunday's game against the Eagles.

"I don't even think about that," Phillips said. "I don't even want to discuss that. That's the furthest thing from my mind.

"I don't think about wholesale changes. I think about winning this game, and that's what we're going to do."

NOTES, QUOTES

—Wide receiver Roy Williams has one TD catch in nine games since joining the Cowboys. But it's more the Cowboys not using him than him under-performing.

"I think we do need to get comfortable with him, being able to throw it to him on a 5-9 cornerback," coach Wade Phillips said. "I mean, that's hard to do because you look over there and see that he's covered, but he's not covered. He can go up and get it. I don't think we've come to that point. We haven't had that feel yet. But I think we will as we go along or certainly next year."

—The Cowboys will make the playoffs if they beat Philadelphia on the road in their season finale.

That's easier said than done for the Cowboys.

They haven't won a season finale since 1999. They are 0-8 since. They haven't won a road season finale since 1995.

—The Cowboys' game against the Eagles has been moved from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. It might be a rough atmosphere, but it won't be frigid, which is good news for the Cowboys. The weather forecast for Sunday calls for a high of 53 degrees and a low of 31 with scattered showers.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

PLAYER NOTES

—RB Tashard Choice has been the Cowboys' offense the past three games. He had 23 carries for 88 yards and five catches for 78 yards against the Steelers. Against the Giants, he carried nine times for 91 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 52 yards. Then against the Ravens, he carried 17 times for 90 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 25 yards.

—QB Tony Romo is now 5-7 as a starter in December games, going 1-2 this season. He has six turnovers in those three games.

—RB Marion Barber remains hobbled by a dislocated toe and is questionable for the Eagles game.

—TE Jason Witten is expected to play in the season finale despite suffering a sprained left knee against the Ravens. "There is some concern with Witten," coach Wade Phillips said. "He's obviously a trooper . . . He's hobbled a little bit. I think he will be ready for the game but how effective he can be, I don't know . . . We'll see where Marion is. He's been better and better every week, but he still hasn't been 100 percent."



REPORT CARD VS. RAVENS

PASSING OFFENSE: C — Sure Tony Romo threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to bring the Cowboys back. But the pass offense was awful until midway through the final quarter. Romo also threw two first-half interceptions that helped put the Cowboys in a hole.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C — Tashard Choice has been an early Christmas gift for the Cowboys. The rookie has played much better than expected in injured Marion Barber's stead. Choice has a knack for finding holes and running inside. The problem is the Cowboys probably didn't run Choice enough against the Ravens.

PASS DEFENSE: C — The Cowboys registered six sacks. But five came in the first half. The Cowboys couldn't get to the quarterback late and they gave up a touchdown pass in the third quarter to a receiver who had an injured arm.

RUSH DEFENSE: F — For well over three quarters, the run defense was great. But the game is 60 minutes long and to give up runs of 77 and 82 yards in the final three minutes of the game is criminal.

SPECIAL TEAMS: F — The Cowboys gave up a big punt return in the third quarter and a fake field goal to keep a drive alive and set up a Ravens touchdown.

COACHING: D — It was the last game at Texas Stadium and a chance for the Cowboys to clinch a playoff spot. But they came up small in a big game.

DMN Blog: Donovan McNabb will make DeMarcus Ware's record pursuit really difficult

by Tim MacMahon

If Donovan McNabb weren't so darn tough to tackle, DeMarcus Ware would need only half a sack to tie Michael Strahan's NFL record.

Ware remembered two shoulda-been sacks from the Cowboys' September win over the Eagles. McNabb jumped out of the diving Ware's grasp on one play and juked him while scrambling on another.

Neither plays were flukes. The 6-2, 240-pound McNabb has a blend of strength and athleticism that makes him tough to sack even if his protection breaks down.

"The thing is you can get there, but that doesn't mean anything," said Ware, who did sack McNabb late in the game to help seal the victory. "You've got to get him down. It does frustrate you having a guy back there, when you beat one guy, you've got to beat another guy too to get him down, which is him."

Ware, who has eight of his league-leading 20 sacks in the last four games, says he won't alter his approach because of McNabb's elusiveness. There's just a greater emphasis on finishing the play when the prey is the Philly quarterback.

"You do the same thing," Ware said. "You can't really change much, because once you start changing things, that's when you're start changing your rush and you're not as comfortable out there doing what you do. So I think you do the same things, but you've just got to be careful. When you get there to him, you've got to break down and make sure you make the tackle."

NFL Preview - Dallas (9-6) at Philadelphia (8-6-1)

By Scott Garbarini, Sports Network ; The Sports Network Published: December 24th, 2008 09:56 AM

With their playoff hopes now hanging by a thread due to a costly defeat a week ago, all that may be left for the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's regular-season finale is a chance to shatter the postseason dreams of their hated rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas opened the door for the Eagles to control their own destiny in the NFC playoff race when the Cowboys were dealt a stinging 33-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last weekend in what was likely the final game at storied Texas Stadium. Philadelphia couldn't take advantage of the holiday gift provided by their fellow NFC East member, however, as a surprisingly sluggish performance last Sunday resulted in a 10-3 setback to a reeling Washington squad that entered the contest mired in a three-game losing streak.

The Eagles' slip-up has put Dallas (9-6) back in the driver's seat in regards to the NFC's sixth and final playoff seed, and the Cowboys can secure their third consecutive postseason appearance with a victory at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. However, a loss in Philadelphia would eliminate the preseason Super Bowl favorites from extending what has been a roller-coaster season.

Philadelphia's (8-6-1) fate may or may not be sealed prior to kickoff of Sunday's showdown. For the Eagles to remain alive for the playoffs, they need Tampa Bay to be upset at home by a four-win Oakland team and either Minnesota or Chicago to lose their Week 17 games. The Buccaneers, Vikings and Bears all play at 1 p.m. (et) on Sunday.

If that scenario unfolds, then the winner of Sunday's showdown would clinch one of the NFC's two Wild Card spots.

Both teams had been surging down the stretch before stumbling last weekend. Philadelphia put itself back into the discussion by ripping off three straight impressive wins, including consecutive triumphs over division winners Arizona and the New York Giants. The Cowboys entered the Baltimore game with victories in four of their previous five tilts and were fresh off a 20-8 ousting of the NFC East champion Giants in Week 15.

The Eagles' late-season rise had been fueled by an offense that averaged nearly 400 yards and over 30 points during the recent three-game tear, but the unit managed only 275 total yards and failed to reach the end zone against the Redskins.

Dallas had built its push on the strength of a dominating defense that was yielding a scant 68.5 rushing yards over a four-game stretch prior to last week's loss, in which the Ravens churned out a devastating 265 yards on the ground and had two touchdown runs of 77 yards or more in the final four minutes.

These two divisional foes haven't met since the Cowboys posted a wild 41-37 win at Texas Stadium back in Week 2, with Dallas erasing a six-point fourth- quarter deficit with a pair of late scoring drives.

SERIES HISTORY

The Cowboys hold a 53-42 advantage in their all-time regular season series with the Eagles, including the above-mentioned 41-37 home win when the teams met in Week 2. The clubs embarked on an unconventional home-and-home split last season, with Dallas coming up a 38-17 winner in Philadelphia in Week 9, and dropping a 10-6 decision at Texas Stadium in Week 15. The Eagles' last home win in the series occurred in 2006.

In addition to their regular season advantage, the Cowboys have a 2-1 edge in the postseason series. The Eagles were 20-7 winners in the 1980 NFC Championship, while Dallas won NFC Divisional Playoff games over Philadelphia following the 1992 and 1995 seasons.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid has a career record of 13-6 against the Cowboys. Dallas' Wade Phillips is 3-1 all-time against both Philadelphia and Reid all- time, with the first of those wins coming in the form of a 26-0 rout for Phillips' Bills over the Eagles in 1999.

WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL

Perhaps no player will have a bigger impact on the outcome of this game than Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (3265 passing yards, 26 TD, 13 INT), who's been wildly inconsistent during this December stretch run. The star signal-caller began the month by throwing three picks in a heartbreaking loss at Pittsburgh, then turned in a mistake-free outing against the Giants before putting forth an uneven 252-yard, two-touchdown, two-interception effort last week. He'll undoubtedly be looking often in the direction of Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten (74 receptions, 4 TD), who had 110 yards on seven catches versus Philadelphia in September, and public enemy Terrell Owens (63 receptions, 949 yards, 10 TD), the one-time Eagle who burned his ex-mates for two touchdowns in that Week 2 encounter. The offense may have to make do without top running back Marion Barber (872 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 9 total TD), however, as the powerful fourth-year pro is still bothered by a dislocated toe that reduced him to just two carries in the last game. Rookie Tashard Choice (416 rushing yards, 2 TD, 20 receptions) has proven to be a capable fill-in, though, with the Georgia Tech product amassing 90 yards and a score on 17 attempts against a stout Baltimore defense.

While Philadelphia's offense sputtered in last week's loss, the defense resumed its high level of play by holding the Redskins to 249 total yards and a mere 127 through the air. The Eagles have surrendered the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL (180.1 ypg) and rank third in the league with 44 sacks, while sporting a quality secondary featuring two Pro Bowl selections in ball-hawking cornerback Asante Samuel (34 tackles, 4 INT, 22 PD) and 35-year- old free safety Brian Dawkins (70 tackles, 1 INT, 2 sacks). Linemen Trent Cole (77 tackles, 9 sacks) and Darren Howard (23 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 INT) will be in charge of pressuring Romo, who wasn't sacked at all in the Week 2 meeting but has been brought down nine times over the past three weeks. Middle linebacker and leading tackler Stewart Bradley (106 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack), one of the keys to a run defense that is allowing just 92.6 yards per game (6th overall), fractured a rib against Washington but is expected to play on Sunday.

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

Philadelphia's recent three-game win streak had coincided with a renewed commitment to running the ball, but the team strayed from that train of thought in last Sunday's setback. The Eagles attempted 48 passes and only 16 running plays against the Redskins, a game plan that garnered Reid a heap of criticism from the local media afterward. That philosophy has worked for the most part, however, as quarterback Donovan McNabb (3741 passing yards, 21 TD, 11 INT) has put together a strong season while spreading passes around to a stable of wide receivers led by flashy rookie DeSean Jackson (60 receptions, 2 TD), whose debut campaign was highlighted by a career-best 110 yards on six catches in Philly's Week 2 loss to Dallas. McNabb was without two of his main targets for the Washington game in wide receivers Kevin Curtis (32 receptions, 2 TD) and Hank Baskett (33 receptions, 3 TD), but both players appear ready to return from injuries that kept them out of the Week 16 contest. The Eagles are just 22nd in the league in rushing offense (104.0 ypg) and playmaking running back Brian Westbrook (886 rushing yards, 52 receptions, 14 total TD) is averaging a career-low four yards per carry, partly due to an assortment of health issues throughout the year and the fact that the club has been without its best run blocker, guard Shawn Andrews, for most of the season.

The Cowboys did a good job keeping Westbrook under wraps back in September and had been smothering enemy ground games until being outmuscled by the physical Ravens last week, with Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee both rushing for over 100 yards for Baltimore. A formidable interior core containing inside linebackers Bradie James (109 tackles, 7 sacks) and Zach Thomas (92 tackles, 1 sack) and Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff (49 tackles, 7.5 sacks) will be out to prove that subpar showing was an aberration. James has recorded double- digit tackles in five of Dallas' last seven games and had 10 stops and a sack versus the Ravens.

As good as Dallas has been defending the run over the majority of the season's second half, the unit's biggest strength is harassing the quarterback. The Cowboys compiled five sacks in Week 16 to extend their league-best total to 58 on the season, and All-Pro outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (80 tackles, 6 forced fumbles) tops all individuals with 20 takedowns for the year. Eleventh- year veteran Greg Ellis (33 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT) is also a dangerous pass rusher on the opposite side, while Ratliff has excelled at collapsing the pocket from the inside. A secondary led by well-respected coverman Terence Newman (34 tackles, 4 INT, 9 PD) has endured its share of injuries throughout the year, yet Dallas still has given up the fourth-fewest passing yards in the league (189.1 ypg).

FANTASY FOCUS

This game probably won't be the shootout that it was when these two teams squared off earlier in the campaign, but there's still plenty of appetizing options available for those whose fantasy seasons are still going on. McNabb has been terrific at home this year and will get plenty of opportunities in Philadelphia's pass-happy offense, while Romo is always a threat for 300 yards any time he steps out on the field. Witten and Owens are every-week starts on the Dallas side, but the Eagles' depth at receiver makes Jackson the only reliable source of points for the home team. It's a no-brainer to start Westbrook, who scored three of his 14 touchdowns in 2008 against Dallas in Week 2, but Barber owners should keep the hobbled back on the bench. Choice has plenty of value as the Cowboys' main threat out of the backfield, however, and is certainly worth using. Considering that 78 points were scored in the Week 2 meeting, it's a tough call as to whether to start two defenses that can rack up sacks.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The pressure is going to be on the Cowboys in this one, and how the embattled team is able to handle a must-win game in a hostile environment will go a long way in deciding the final outcome. Dallas has often crumbled in such late- season situations in the past, and last weekend's sloppy performance didn't offer any evidence that the Cowboys have changed their stripes. Although there's a good chance the Eagles will be out of the playoff picture by kickoff, the opportunity to end the season of a bitter rival should be more than enough motivation to keep them a hungry bunch. Look for Philadelphia to neutralize the Cowboys' pass-rushing prowess with an effective short-range passing game, and for an aggressive Eagles defense to capitalize on a fragile Dallas squad that has a dubious history of playing tight in December.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eagles 30, Cowboys 24

Nice Choice: Cowboys thrilled with rookie RB

By JAIME ARON
Associated Press
Wednesday, December 24, 2008

IRVING — Not as barbaric as Marion Barber, not the breakaway threat of Felix Jones, Tashard Choice was merely the "other" running back for the Dallas Cowboys this season.

Then Jones went on injured reserve and Barber hurt his foot.

So the other guy got a chance.

Three dazzling games later, Choice is no longer defined by what he isn't.

The new description of Tashard Choice: a nice blend of Barber's smashmouth style and Jones' elusiveness.

Heck, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has even compared him to Emmitt Smith.

"It's pretty amazing what he has done in a short time," coach Wade Phillips said.

Over his three breakout games, Choice has 49 carries for 269 yards (5.5 average) with two touchdowns, plus 16 catches for 155 yards (9.7 average). If the numbers seem more solid than spectacular, suspend judgment until you realize who they came against.

Choice had 88 yards rushing and 78 yards receiving against Pittsburgh, which hadn't given up that many yards in either category to any player all season. Pretty good for a first career start.

The next week, Choice ran for 91 yards against the New York Giants, the second most they had allowed at that time, and now the third best. He might've gained more, but he had only nine carries because Barber tried playing through his injury. Coaches went back to the rookie in the fourth quarter and he responded with a victory-clinching 38-yard touchdown run.

Choice started again Saturday night against Baltimore. His 90 yards were the second most allowed by the Ravens, who couldn't say they were surprised by him. On top of two game films, they'd studied him coming out of college and considered drafting him even after taking Ray Rice in the second round.

"He's a guy that we felt like was underrated," coach John Harbaugh said even before playing Dallas. "I like the fact that he ran the ball north and south hard. He was efficient in gaining yards, a high-stepping running back, a real aggressive style."

Different Season, Same Story: Cowboys Fail Again in December

by Shawn Makhani

"......"

"Wade Phillips just lost his job."

"Wow."

"I am no longer a Cowboys fan."

"Utter embarrassment for a city that is used to failure."

"(expletive deleted) you and your (expletive deleted) Cowboys. They lost me money tonight!"

These were just six of the thirty-five or so text messages I received after the Cowboys "game" on Saturday night.

Once again, my beloved Cowboys faltered in December, in a game in which winning was entirely possible. The defense played great up until the 2 minute warning, essentially negating any mistakes—and there were a lot—that Tony Romo was making.

Yet another December, and yet another putrid performance by the Cowboys.

Willis McGahee breaking off the 77-yard run in the 4th quarter wasn't the heart breaker. What killed all Cowboys fans was Le'Ron McClain's 82-yard touchdown right after the Cowboys had pulled within 2!

Tony Romo had actually showed signs of life in the final 4 minutes, and when that happened, the defense collapsed.

Of course, all this had to happen on a night which brought back so many memories, so many great players into one stadium. How embarrassed do you think Jerry Jones feels? Wait, sorry—I'm talking about the only owner other than Al Davis who has no soul.

Those last few minutes were not the only reason the Cowboys lost the game though.

Tony Romo threw two unjustifiable interceptions to Ed Reed. Romo also failed to realize that he has another excellent receiver playing opposite Terrell Owens in Roy Williams. Romo also overthrew an easy touchdown to Miles Austin, something that could only happen in December.

I've sat by my Cowboys year-in and year-out. Don't get me wrong, that will never change. But when Romo was elected to lead this team, I—like many other Cowboys fans—suddenly had a light in my eye.

Oh, how you toy with us, Tony. We've sat through treacherous quarterbacks, from Quincy Carter to Drew Henson to Chad Hutchinson. Hell, we put up with Drew Bledsoe.

You gave us hope, Tony. And now you're tearing us down. You're like Britney Spears a year ago. Hey, at least she's back.

Romo, you're proving to all Cowboys fans that you may not be the quarterback we thought you were.

Now, the Cowboys are one win away from the postseason. Even I don't think they deserve it.

Can they get there? Perhaps. It'll take a win in Philadelphia, against a team that always kills the Cowboys in December, and a fan base that yells and curses more than Samuel L. Jackson.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say: even if the Cowboys do win in Philly, there is no possible way they exit the first round of the playoffs. I don't care who they play.

Beware, fellow Cowboys fans. We're six months away from Jerry Jones signing Plaxico Burress to "help the team".

Six months away from Wade Phillips still having a job.

And 12 months away from another Cowboys collapse.

Cowboys-Eagles Preview

Source: Fox Sports

When the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles waged a wild Monday night shootout in Week 2, both teams looked like they could be serious Super Bowl contenders.

On Sunday, at least one of the clubs - and perhaps both - will officially shed that label.
Though both teams are coming off disheartening losses that damaged their playoff hopes, Dallas can still reach the playoffs with a victory in Philadelphia, while the Eagles need a win and help earlier in the day to avoid being home for January for the third time in four years.

Both NFC East rivals opened their seasons with blowout victories and were clicking on offense when they collided at Texas Stadium on Sept. 15. The lead changed hands seven times in the entertaining affair, which Dallas won 41-37 behind 312 yards passing and three touchdowns from Tony Romo.

But the inconsistent Cowboys (9-6) have had trouble recapturing that form lately. After a midseason stumble that came with Romo injured, his return sparked a three-game win streak to close November but they have lost two of three games this month, falling victim to some of the best defenses in football.

Dallas turned the ball over five times in a 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh on Dec. 7, then after a 20-8 win over the New York Giants the following week, the team lost 33-24 to Baltimore last Saturday night in the final game at Texas Stadium. Romo totaled five interceptions in the two losses - he had none against the Giants - and he's been sacked nine times in the last three games after being sacked eight times through his first nine starts.

"It's all just part of a full season," Romo said. "We've got to find a way to grind it out and get into the tournament. If you get in, you have a chance. It's a matter of doing the things it takes to get you in position."

With Tampa Bay and Philadelphia losing last Sunday, it turned out the Cowboys could have all but clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Ravens, but their long stretch of problems in December continued. They're already assured of a 12th straight season without a winning record in the 12th month, and they've lost five straight December games against Philadelphia - including a 10-6 home loss last year.

Now, they need a win over the Eagles to claim the NFC's final wild card spot, while a loss will leave them out. They haven't won in the postseason since 1996.

In order to get there, Dallas' offense may need to improve. The unit had only five first downs through three quarters against the Ravens, and even a late rally wasn't enough as Baltimore broke off a pair of touchdown runs longer than 75 yards in the final four minutes.

The Steelers and Ravens are the top two defenses in the NFL in yards allowed. The Eagles rank third, giving up 292.1 per game, meaning the Cowboys will have a tough task to turn it around offensively.

"I wish I could put a finger on what it is that's causing us to let it slip like we have. But I can't," tight end Jason Witten said. "Obviously you get excited if (playoffs hopes remain alive), but it's bigger than that. We've got to figure out a way to play better football because this isn't going to cut it."

One bright spot for Dallas has been the running of rookie Tashard Choice. With Marion Barber ailing and rookie Felix Jones out for the season, Choice has racked up 424 yards from scrimmage in the last three games.

Aside from the late meltdown against Baltimore, the Cowboys defense has also tightened in recent weeks, with the unit allowing one touchdown in the previous three games. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware has tormented quarterbacks all season, and his NFL-leading 20 sacks are three shy of breaking Michael Strahan's NFL record.

He could create problems on Sunday for the Philadelphia offense, which has been hot and cold this season but struggled mightily in a 10-3 loss at Washington on Sunday. The Eagles had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Reggie Brown caught Donovan McNabb's pass just inches shy of the end zone as time ran out.

"The implications of this game were enormous for this team," Brown said. "And unfortunately we didn't get it done in the end. It's something that's heavy on your chest."

The Eagles (8-6-1) would have controlled their own destiny for a playoff berth with a victory, but now they need a win over Dallas, a Tampa Bay loss (against Oakland) and a loss by either Chicago or Minnesota to make the postseason.

All of the other relevant games take place at 1 p.m. EST, while Philadelphia's game was pushed to 4:15, so coach Andy Reid's club will know by the time it takes the field whether it has a chance.

"You can't worry about all the different things that you can't control," Reid said. "You just have to go play, that's the important thing."

The Eagles will almost certainly have to play better. Before last week, they had won three straight games, averaging 32.7 points and 153.0 rushing yards, but last Sunday they looked more like the team that went 0-2-1 from Nov. 9-23.

Several dropped passes plagued Philadelphia's receivers against the Redskins, and the Eagles ran the ball just three times on their final six possessions.

"We probably could have run it a few more times," Reid said.

The Eagles have been much better at home this season, going 5-2 and averaging nearly 30 points, but Dallas got 174 receiving yards and a touchdown from Terrell Owens in a 38-17 win at Lincoln Financial Field last season.

Owens had 89 yards receiving and two touchdowns in Week 2, the fifth time he had faced his former team since his ugly split with Philadelphia in 2006. He needs 51 yards for his ninth 1,000-yard season.