Cowboys report: Strategy and personnel
Source: The Sports Xchange
PLAYER NOTES
--RB Felix Jones practiced Wednesday and will have no limitations despite a thigh bruise that sidelined him in the second half last week.
--QB Tony Romo has been nominated for the Fed Ex Offensive Player of the Week following his career high 353 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers. He also had no problems with his sprained right ankle in practice on Wednesday and will be good to go for Sunday's showdown against the Giants.
--LB Curtis Johnson has returned to practice and could play Sunday after missing the opener with a hamstring pull. He needs to work on his conditioning.
--SS Gerald Sensabaugh was fined $5,000 for a horse-collar tackle Sunday at Tampa Bay when he dragged down running back Carnell Williams from behind in the first half of the 34-21 win. It was an up and down day for Sensabaugh, who blocked a field goal, nullified an interception with a penalty and suffered bruised ribs.
--WR Roy Williams said the difference with the Cowboys offense from this year to last year is that he is no longer in left field.
"It's the same offense, moving guys around," Williams said. "Except for myself. I stayed in left field. But, now, I'm a part of that. I get to play shortstop."
GAME PLAN
The Cowboys must stop the run first and foremost and force Eli Manning and his inexperienced receiver corps into long passing situations. Offensively, they must protect quarterback Tony Romo against the best defensive line in the game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Cowboys run defense. The Cowboys gave up 174 yards rushing last week and must bone up against the run if they are to contain Jacobs and the Giants. Jacobs is a powerful downhill runner. To have a chance against him, defenses have to string him out and get him running sideways. That will be the charge of ILBs Bradie James and Keith Brooking, who combined for 23 tackles last week.
Cowboys OT Flozell Adams vs. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora. Adams will have his hands full on Sunday. Don't let the Pro Bowls fool you. He is a declining player and really struggled last season. Umenyiora showed on Sunday that he is back from the injury that sidelined him last season and ready to reclaim his place among the league's best defenders. He had a sack and forced fumble that he returned for a touchdown against the Giants. Adams will have to keep him off of quarterback Tony Romo if the Cowboys are to have any success.
INJURY IMPACT
LB Jason Williams is out of his walking boot but is still out another two to three weeks with a sprained ankle. SS Mike Hamlin is out another four weeks with a fractured wrist
PLAYER NOTES
--RB Felix Jones practiced Wednesday and will have no limitations despite a thigh bruise that sidelined him in the second half last week.
--QB Tony Romo has been nominated for the Fed Ex Offensive Player of the Week following his career high 353 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers. He also had no problems with his sprained right ankle in practice on Wednesday and will be good to go for Sunday's showdown against the Giants.
--LB Curtis Johnson has returned to practice and could play Sunday after missing the opener with a hamstring pull. He needs to work on his conditioning.
--SS Gerald Sensabaugh was fined $5,000 for a horse-collar tackle Sunday at Tampa Bay when he dragged down running back Carnell Williams from behind in the first half of the 34-21 win. It was an up and down day for Sensabaugh, who blocked a field goal, nullified an interception with a penalty and suffered bruised ribs.
--WR Roy Williams said the difference with the Cowboys offense from this year to last year is that he is no longer in left field.
"It's the same offense, moving guys around," Williams said. "Except for myself. I stayed in left field. But, now, I'm a part of that. I get to play shortstop."
GAME PLAN
The Cowboys must stop the run first and foremost and force Eli Manning and his inexperienced receiver corps into long passing situations. Offensively, they must protect quarterback Tony Romo against the best defensive line in the game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Cowboys run defense. The Cowboys gave up 174 yards rushing last week and must bone up against the run if they are to contain Jacobs and the Giants. Jacobs is a powerful downhill runner. To have a chance against him, defenses have to string him out and get him running sideways. That will be the charge of ILBs Bradie James and Keith Brooking, who combined for 23 tackles last week.
Cowboys OT Flozell Adams vs. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora. Adams will have his hands full on Sunday. Don't let the Pro Bowls fool you. He is a declining player and really struggled last season. Umenyiora showed on Sunday that he is back from the injury that sidelined him last season and ready to reclaim his place among the league's best defenders. He had a sack and forced fumble that he returned for a touchdown against the Giants. Adams will have to keep him off of quarterback Tony Romo if the Cowboys are to have any success.
INJURY IMPACT
LB Jason Williams is out of his walking boot but is still out another two to three weeks with a sprained ankle. SS Mike Hamlin is out another four weeks with a fractured wrist
posted by The Gryphon at 3:02 PM
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