The Cowboys Central

Heavy Rain Causes Cowboys to Move Practice to TCU

Jeric Griffin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:23:00 +0000

Thankfully Hurricane Hermine did not do much damage in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, but its remnants scared some folks on Tuesday night. The heavy showers and high winds left many streets and fields flooded this morning. Among those fields was the Cowboys’ typical practice location at Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas. With the practice field too soggy for the team to be productive, today’s practice has been moved to the indoor practice facility used by the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University in nearby Fort Worth. Like most NFL teams, the Cowboys had their own indoor structure until it collapsed last spring. Since then, the Cowboys have called multiple locations home.

This preseason for example, the Cowboys have practice at Valley Ranch during nice weather, but have moved to San Antonio and Oxnard, California for their annual training camp. Since the collapse of the practice facility, the team has practiced at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on occasion, but that venue is booked this week in preparation for a Tim McGraw concert to be held in the enormous structure on Friday night. Sometimes the team will brave bad weather at Valley Ranch, but Hermine eleminated that possibility by bringing large amounts of rain that left the usual practice field in a rather wet condition. Hopefully things will dry up by Thursday and the Cowboys can return from TCU.

Maryland County Official Will Regret Friendly Wager With Mayor of Arlington on Cowboys-Redskins Game

Jeric Griffin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:46:29 +0000

Everybody likes good food from somewhere else. People from southern states like fish that’s caught in Alaska while folks from up north love Tex-Mex. Food is well associated with football and the differences in culture surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins will be on display for the season opener on Sunday. Arlington, Texas mayor Robert Cluck made a friendly bet with Maryland’s Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson over the Cowboys’ first regular season game at the Redskins’ stadium in Landover, Maryland. I must say Johnson is brave considering the outcome of the last game held at FedEx Field between these two teams. That contest was a 17-0 shutout victory by the Cowboys toward the end of last season. Unlike Cluck, I don’t think Johnson knows what he’s getting into with this wager.

If the Boys lose to their longtime division rivals on Sunday evening, Cluck has agreed to wear the Redskins’ burgundy and gold while sending Johnson some delicious food from Spring Creek Barbeque in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex. Not a huge deal considering the fair prices at the restaurant, which is one of my personal favorites. If the Redskins fall flat at home like they did last December, Johnson will have to put on some Cowboys gear and send Cluck one of Jerry’s Seafood’s famous $38 crab bombs. The specific item from Spring Creek was not disclosed, but there is nothing on the barbeque joint’s menu even close to $38. In addition to his price advantage, Cluck doesn’t seem to be concerned. “I gave him a chance to back out,” Cluck said. “We’re going to get that seafood.” The Cowboys and Redskins square off at 7:20 pm Dallas time Sunday evening on NBC. Maybe we’ll all eat seafood along with Cluck after the game.

Redskins’ New 3-4 Defense Won’t Faze Dallas Running Game

Jeric Griffin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:59:02 +0000

It’s a given fact the Cowboys struggled last season against teams that ran the 3-4 defense. The Redskins have switched to that scheme this season under new head coach Mike Shanahan. Obviously die-hard Dallas fans and analysts are wondering how the Cowboys will fair against a 3-4 defense that held them to 24 points in two games last year while running the 4-3 scheme. Although the Cowboys won a tight 7-6 contest at home in Week 11 last year, the team finished strong in Week 16 with a 17-0 shutout in our nation’s capital. Despite the criticized “low scoring” in the two games as a whole, the Cowboys running game was stellar. In the first contest, Dallas’ group of Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice combined for 150 yards on 31 carries, an average of nearly five yards per attempt. That bunch compiled 122 yards on 28 runs in the shutout, still topping the rushing milestone of four yards per carry. All the talk about the running game is irrelevant; it was the Dallas passing game that lacked in those two contests.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had a subpar performance at home against Washington in 2009, throwing for 158 yards, a pick and a score. That’s actually not a bad day against the eighth-best pass defense in the league, especially when you defense only allows two field goals all day. It definitely helps when your leading rusher compiles 100 yards on 20 carries; that sure takes a load off the quarterback. Romo threw for 286 yards in the second meeting with the same touchdown-interception tally as the first. Jones was the spark in that contest, averaging almost six yards per carry. The reason I’m throwing all these stats is to silence the critics who have been saying the Cowboys’ running game isn’t as good this year. We haven’t seen them yet! As far as we know, that trio could average six yards per carry this season during the real games.

Here’s another factor: the Redskins’ talented yet troublesome defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth only made one tackle in the only one of the two games he played. That was with three fellow defensive linemen by his side. This year, Haynesworth will be the only guy in the middle of that defensive line, granted Shanahan allows him to play after the stunts he pulled this summer. With three defensive linemen, it will be easier for the Dallas running backs to get past the line of scrimmage. Now before you go commenting about how a 3-4 defense works, don’t bother because I’m well aware. However, if either Barber, Jones, or Choice makes it past the defensive line, I’ll take either of them one-on-one against any of the Redskins’ linebackers.

Despite Hayneworth’s track record, I don’t think even the crippled Cowboys offensive line will have to double team him. He is unreasonably out of shape and lacks the brains or heart to play all out after his and Shanahan’s recent squabbles. That means center Andre Gurode will take him head on and allow the other linemen not engaged with the defensive ends to go after the linebackers. Two linemen can take out two linebackers and Witten can handle one, so that leaves the running back against one lucky defender all alone. Granted, the offensive line won’t win on every play and Witten will occasionally miss a block; that’s just the way it is. However, I don’t see Washington’s new look causing any problems for the Dallas run game. Don’t give me the garbage about the line’s struggles in the preseason; I won’t listen to it. Trust me, he preseason means nothing.

Washington’s 3-4 defense will provide Dallas with a good test in the first regular season game. Don’t think I expect the Cowboys’ offensive to dominate; I’m simply stating what I’ve analyzed. That is the 3-4 scheme shouldn’t change anything Dallas does, or the Redskins for that matter. With a new weapon in first-round draft pick Dez Bryant, Romo should play better this year against the division rivals. I’m not saying he’s going to throw for 300 yards and three scores in each contest, but he will play better than a year ago. America’s Team did not find its stride until late last year, but don’t count them down based on exhibition play. You’ll see.

Cowboys Receiver Sam Hurd Expected to be Special Teams Captain

Jeric Griffin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:46:26 +0000

Despite all the trade rumors and speculation that he might be released during the roster-trimming cuts, Dallas wide receiver Sam Hurd has the best attitude one could ask for in a player. If anyone would know, it would be his head coach, Wade Phillips. “His attitude is great,” Phillips said. “You ask him how he’s doing, and he says, ‘great’ every day. And he is doing great. He’s just a good guy to be around.” Hurd has never been a big-play threat or a starter in the Cowboys’ receiving rotation, but he is as reliable a backup as you’ll find in the league. A big reason why some backups are kept and valued while others aren’t is their special teams play. Despite only catching 31 passes over the past four season, Hurd led the Cowboys with 19 special teams tackles last season. Phillips believes he will soon be rewarded for his efforts. “We haven’t voted yet, but I bet you he is going to be the special-teams captain for sure,” Phillips said. “He’s been outstanding on special teams, and he’s a very good leader.”

Most of the sports world figured the Cowboys would only keep one of their role-player receivers, either Hurd or the recently departed Patrick Crayton. There must be a reason that Hurd got the nod. “We kept our best players that are going to help us win, and Sam is one of those guys,” Phillips said. Hurd will indeed help the Cowboys win by making tackles on kick coverage and occassionally catching a pass, but his main contribution will be just what his coached emphasized – leadership. That is a quality that is currently lacking among the Dallas receiving corps. Sure, Miles Austin was a breakout last year and Roy Williams has been in the league longer than Hurd, but neither of those guys are true leaders. Last season was Austin’s first as a primary target and Williams was less than stellar in 2009 to put it politely. Rookie Dez Bryant and second-year speedster Kevin Ogletree are both still wet behind the ears, so that only leaves Hurd to provide leadership and guidance in a season where expecations couldn’t be any higher.

Cowboys Running Game Anxious for Real Game Action

Jeric Griffin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:22:03 +0000

You might get tired of me saying it, but I hate the preseason and I don’t think you can take an iota from it in regards to the regular season. One huge factor in that aspect this season is the Cowboys’ running game. The three-headed monster that thrives in the Dallas backfield consists of Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice. That rushing unit ranked seventh in the NFL in 2009 with 131.4 yards per game. In that category through five preseason games this year, the Cowboys rank dead last in the league. Am I concerned? Absolutely not. You shouldn’t be, either. Regardless of everyone’s perception of the Cowboys’ running game, I am itching to see them in action during a contest that actually matters. I’d bet my life savings they are chomping at the bit as well.

With such a dynamic offense that is loaded with talent, the Cowboys ranked seventeenth in the league last season with 436 team carries. To illustrate the efficiency of Barber, Jones, and Choice as a combination, Dallas tied for second in the league with 5.8 yards per carry. That number is astronomical compared to the league average of 4.2 yards per carry. Jones and Choice were well above that number, with each well over 5 yards per attempt. Barber is not the same explosive-type runner as Jones and lacks the footwork of Choice, but still ran above the league average as well. That number is misleading when fans and analysts are tempted to think Barber is not as talented as the other two backs on the Dallas roster. However, the presence of three running backs with varying styles that work so well together is priceless in the NFL.

In a league that has moved toward the modern, short-pass and get-athletes-the-ball-in-space game plan, a running combination like the Cowboys’ cannot be valued. Fantasy football owners hate running back committees, but real football owners love them. As a Dallas fan, one can get giddy when examining the sea of talent that inhabits the Cowboys’ backfield. However, every member of Cowboys Nation is squirming in their recliner with anticipation to see that crew in action this season. The Cowboys have used the pass entirely too much in short-yardage situations, especially near the goal line. If you put a different running back in the game in each of those scenarios, there’s no way opposing defenses can ligitimately plan to stop them. Jones can beat anyone to the corner on a pitch, Barber can barrell over any defender to gain an extra yard, and Choice just amazes everyone with his well-timed big-play ability.

There’s no doubt team owner Jerry Jones and head coach Wade Phillips know what they have at running back. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett knows that he needs to utilize all three of those guys more this season. For example, Choice can really control the pace of the Cowboys’ offense and the game itself through the Wildcat. Dallas can run the ball like an old school team with such talent in the backfield, but the explosiveness of Jones and the improvisational play of Barber also allow America’s Team to play the modern style of football. Either way the Cowboys play, the running game is talented and deep enough to carry the team to the Super Bowl; no pun intended. Defense and a good running game can win a championship at any level of football and the Cowboys definitely have both. Now it’s up to the team to execute with that talent and get the job done.

Dallas Cowboys 2010 Season Preview

Jeric Griffin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:13:50 +0000

You can’t go by the preseason. I’ve said that since the meaningless contests started in early August. After the Cowboys “lost” to the Raiders in the second exhibition, I wrote an article telling the Dallas faithful to relax and not get flustered over those pointless games. Team owner Jerry Jones should know better than anyone and he will tell you that the exhibitions are not only pointless, but can actually be deceiving. When Jones bought the franchise in 1989, the Cowboys went 3-1 in the preseason, losing only the Broncos in a game where John Elway played the entire contest, including overtime. Everything looked peachy until the team finished the regular season 1-15. From that point, the Cowboys had a losing record in the preseason for 13 consecutive years. In case you don’t know, it turned out pretty well in the real games. Having said all of that following a preseason that created doubt in many minds of Cowboys Nation, I will now forecast the Dallas Cowboys’ season:

Week 1: Win @ Washington

Week 2: Win vs Chicago

Week 3: Win @ Houston

Week 4: Bye

Week 5: Win vs Tennessee

Week 6: Win @ Minnesota

Week 7: Loss vs New York Giants

Week 8: Win vs Jacksonville

Week 9: Loss @ Green Bay

Week 10: Win @ New York Giants

Week 11: Win vs Detroit

Week 12: Win vs New Orleans

Week 13: Loss @ Indianapolis

Week 14: Win vs Philadelphia

Week 15: Loss vs Washington

Week 16: Win @ Arizona

Week 17: Win @ Philadelphia

Despite the preseason “loss” to Houston, I believe the Cowboys will enter their bye in Week 4 with a 3-0 record. That includes wins at Washington in the opener, over the Bears at home, and a win against the Texans in Houston. Following the by week, the Cowboys will corral Chris Johnson and beat the Titans before heading to the Metrodome to avenge last season’s playoff loss to the Vikings. The Giants come to the Big Yard for a Monday Night showdown the following week and I’ll go ahead and say New York will once again claim a victory on the road against the Cowboys. Dallas will bounce back the next week when the Jaguars come to down for a Texas-sized whoopin’. I don’t think the Cowboys can beat the Packers, so add the second loss of the year in Week 10 when the Boys travel to Lambeau Field.

On the road again the following week, Dallas will return a favor to the Giants by beating them in their new stadium. The lowly Lions come to Dallas in Week 12, but they don’t stand a chance. The Saints will play the Cowboys in Arlington on Thanksgiving in what possibly could be the most-watched regular season game in NFL history. Just like last year in the Big Easy, the Cowboys will surprise everyone by taking down the defending champs. As a reward, the Cowboys will suffer the third loss of the season the next Sunday in Indianapolis. The new-look Eagles will get the same treatment in Texas when Dallas destroys new quarterback Kevin Kolb in Week 14. The Redskins will play us tough at home like they always do the next week and somehow squeak out a surprise win. The final two games are on the road in Phoenix and Philly, the eleventh and twelfth wins of the season.

With a 12-4 record, the Cowboys will claim the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs. In the Divisional Round, Dallas will win a rematch with the Saints to advance to the NFC Championship. The Cowboys will not win a rematch with the Packers in the conference title game. The NFC’s No. 1 seed will sadly beat America’s Team and go on to lose Super Bowl XLV to the Colts. That’s just my prediction. For anyone who has been a Cowboys fan for the past decade, you know that anything can happen. If Dallas advances to the conference championship, a home Super Bowl is a huge possibility. I’m not going to hound on him, but the season rides on Romo. The Cowboys will go as far as the 30-year-old quarterback will take them. Week 1 kicks off Sunday night in Washington. I hope you are as excited as I am.

Cowboys Finalize Practice Squad

Jeric Griffin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:30:34 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys have finalized their eight-man practice squad, which includes six players who have been with the team throughout training camp and the preseason. One of the other two players are Southlake, Texas native Scott Chandler, a tight end who spent time with Dallas last preseason. Rounding out the practice squad is offensive tackle Cliff Louis, who was released by Detroit on Saturday. Also, three of the twenty players cut by the Cowboys to reach the 53-man roster limit have been claimed by other franchises off the waiver wire. Sixth-round draft pick Jamar Wall has been claimed by Houston, undrafted rookie Bryan McCann is now with the Ravens, and the Jets snatched up defensive end Marcus Dixon. Below is the Cowboys’ 2010 practice squad:

Offensive tackle Travis Bright

Tight end Scott Chandler

Receiver Jesse Holley

Receiver Manny Johnson

Running back Lonyae Miller

Offensive tackle Cliff Louis

Tight end Martin Rucker

Cornerback Teddy Williams

The Cowboys only kept two tight ends on the depth chart, Pro Bowler Jason Witten and third-year pro Martellus Bennett, so Rucker’s presence on the practice squad will serve as insurance if either of the two starters go down. Dallas only has three cornerbacks listed on the depth chart, although fourth-round draft pick Akwasi Owusu-Ansah can play any position in the secondary. For precautionary reasons, the Cowboys resigned college sprinter Williams in hopes of eventually making an NFL defensive back out of him. Receivers Holley and Johnson both challenged fifth receiver Kevin Ogletree for the final spot on the depth chart, so either of them could eventually see playing time during the regular season. The Cowboys have already suffered some big injuries on the offensive line, so Bright and Louis will serve as insurance policies for those big starters up front.

Cowboys Cut 20 Players to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit

Jeric Griffin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:50:53 +0000

To trim the roster from 75 to the league-mandated 53, the Cowboys cut 20 players on Saturday, a day after trading wide receiver Patrick Crayton to the Chargers and guard Pat McQuistan to the Dolphins. The Cowboys had several young players fighting for spots on the depth chart and those decisions have now been made. The notable names that were let go by Dallas include veteran defensive tackle Junior Siavii, and sixth-round draft pick Jamar Wall, who was the only 2010 draft pick to be cut. Below are the 20 players cut by the Cowboys:

OT Will Barker
OG Travis Bright
DE Marcus Dixon
RB Herb Donaldson
TE DajLeon Farr
CB Cletis Gordon
WR Jesse Holley
WR Manny Johnson
OLB Curtis Johnson
CB Bryan McCann
RB Lonyae Miller
LB Steve Octavien
TE Jason Pociask
TE Martin Rucker
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
LB Brandon Sharpe
DE Junior Siavii
OL Mike Tepper
CB Jamar Wall
CB Teddy Williams

The Cowboys were predicted to keep four cornerbacks, as Godon, McCann, Wall, and Williams fought for that hypothetical spot throughout the preseason. However, Dallas only kept three cornerbacks in Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, and Orlando Scandrick. To compensate, the Cowboys kept six safeties, including fourth-round draft pick Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. In retrospect, the Boys really do have four corners because Owusu-Ansah has the athletic ability to play all positions in the secondary.

After third-string tight end John Phillips tore his ACL in the Hall of Fame Game, the Cowboys signed Martin Rucker, DajLeon Farr, Jason Pociask, and Scott Sicko to fight for that third spot on the depth chart. It turns out that was a hypothetical position as well since Dallas cut all tight ends on the roster except starter Jason Witten and backup Martellus Bennett. To compensate for that third spot, the Cowboys kept undrafted rookie fullback Chris Gronkowski along with veteran Deon Anderson. Gronkowski will be used as a third tight end when needed in addition to backing up Anderson in the backfield.

The Cowboys also cut three of the eight linebackers on the preseason roster, Steve Octavien, Curtis Johnson, and Brandon Sharpe. Octavien and Johnson are both veteran players, but Dallas kept second-round draft pick Sean Lee and undrafted rookie Brandon Williams over the two older players. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips obviously has confidence in his young players at every position, not just linebacker. Phillips has expressed his high expectations of his defense, and his keeping of so many young players in the secondary only further illustrates that confidence.

After Crayton was traded, the Cowboys made no surprises at the wide receiver position. The Cowboys kept second-year speedster Kevin Ogletree and fifth-year veteran Sam Hurd in addition to first-round draft pick Dez Bryant. Those three will complete the rotation at wideout along with Roy Williams and Miles Austin. Don’t count out 2009 practice squad members Holley and Johnson. Both players could easily take Ogletree’s spot if he struggles at all in 2010. The Cowboys can sign several of the previously mentioned players to their eight-man practice squad after they clear waivers.

Cowboys Trade Guard Pat McQuistan to Dolphins

Jeric Griffin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:12:53 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys have made a move with the team they defeated the night before, trading guard Pat McQuistan to the Miami Dolphins. McQuistan has been a backup for the Cowboys for his entire NFL career, but will play his fifth season down in South Beach. McQuistan will be reunited with his first offensive line coach in the NFL, Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano. After the preseason finale, Sparano spoke positively of many Cowboys players that he had coached while in Dallas. The Cowboys will receive an undisclosed draft pick from the Dolphins in exchange for McQuistan. The Cowboys must cut nearly 20 more players before the league deadline of 5:00pm on Saturday.

Cowboys Trade Patrick Crayton to Chargers

Jeric Griffin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:58:19 +0000

Less than 24 hours after his second request to be released, wide receiver Patrick Crayton has been traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the San Diego Chargers. Enterting his seventh NFL season, Crayton has only played for the Cowboys, but wanted to be let to when Dallas drafted Dez Bryant in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. In return for the veteran receiver, the Cowboys will receive a seventh-round draft pick from the Chargers which could be upgraded to a sixth-round pick catches at least 40 passes this season. Crayton seemed to be pleased with the move, saying, “It’s good. San Diego wins in this situation.” Crayton will join the fifth-ranked passing offense in the NFL from a year ago, and acknoweldged the Chargers’ stellear offense. “You know I’m licking mychops about that one,” Crayton said.