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.
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.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:46 PM
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