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Simple formula don't kick it to Hester, let Rex be the Cowboys MVP.
Bears wonder if numbers lie with Romo
BY GENE CHAMERLAIN
Chicago Sun Times Staff writer
The numbers say Tony Romo is the second-best quarterback in the NFL.
The Bears aren't so sure about the undrafted former Eastern Illinois star.
"I don't know," defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "I just know that he's the guy we're facing this week. I think we're going to try to do what we do best. He is a good quarterback, he does things well, but he has some weapons that make him look really, really good with T.O. (Terrell Owens) and those running backs and the tight end and, too, when they get Terry Glenn back. He has some weapons with him that make him look really good."
Romo's passer rating of 119.3 this season is second only to New England's Tom Brady (134.2) among quarterbacks with at least 25 pass attempts. Romo is tops in the NFC.
"I'm not trying to take anything away from him, but if you say (the Colts') Peyton Manning's a star and you say Romo's a star, I don't agree with you on that," Bears defensive end Alex Brown said. "I don't think they're in the same class. But no doubt he's good."
It's Romo's mobility and ability to make plays throwing outside the pocket that separate him from other quarterbacks.
"He kind of reminds me of a young Brett Favre, just in the way he creates plays and he makes things happen," Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "And he definitely can sling it in the hole. He makes some incredible throws that most quarterbacks probably wouldn't do. He's done it. He's a daredevil. So far, he's been good at it, so you definitely have to respect what he can do and what kind of throws he can make."
The Bears point out they match up well with mobile quarterbacks, and have had success in recent years against Favre, Michael Vick, Alex Smith and Daunte Culpepper (prior to Culpepper's knee injury).
"We've got 11 guys on defense who can pretty much run with anyone in this league, I think, especially a quarterback," middle linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "We've got a lot of guys who are pretty athletic, take good angles and get to the football. We swarm; we get so many guys to the football."
The idea would be to keep Romo from feeling comfortable with a heavy pass rush. Romo has played extensively in just 14 NFL games.
"Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer -I think they're viewed as the best in the league and they can get rattled from time to time," Brown said. "Anybody can be rattled."
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports...earsnb.article
Simple formula don't kick it to Hester, let Rex be the Cowboys MVP.
Wow, talk about a lack of respect for romo. Excellent material to motivate Romo and the team. Ogunleye and Brown. I can't wait for this game.
100% Agree!!!
Running back Jackson latest Rams starter to miss time with injury
Associated Press
Updated: September 24, 2007, 7:07 PM ET
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will miss at least one week with a partial tear of his left groin, an injury sustained in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 24-3 loss at Tampa Bay.
Rookie Brian Leonard, a second-round pick from Rutgers, will get his first start Sunday at Dallas. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson was hopeful Jackson would be out only one game.
"He's one of our best players, if not the best player," Olson said. "As we tell our players, anytime someone gets injured the rest of us have to pick up the slack.
"We'll find a way to spread the ball around."
The 0-3 Rams learned they lost Jackson a day after guard Mark Setterstrom was lost for the season with a torn left knee ligament and cartilage damage. Setterstrom is the second lineman the Rams have lost this season, after seven-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in the opener.
The Rams were in conservative mode against the Buccaneers, intent on protecting quarterback Marc Bulger. Olson disclosed Monday that Bulger was playing with two broken ribs, an injury likely sustained in the opener when he was sacked six times.
Bulger also played Sunday wearing a sleeve to protect a bruised knee.
"We wanted to keep Marc clean and keep him healthy and limit the shots he was taking," Olson said. "Your margin for error is small when you play it that way."
Coach Scott Linehan said Jackson, who had 115 yards on 30 carries, was hurt making a cut. He said Jackson stayed in the game for a while after being hurt but said it was "noticeable" that Jackson was injured.
Last year, Jackson led the NFL with 2,334 yards rushing and receiving. He had been held to 118 yards rushing and four catches for 39 yards the first two weeks, enjoying his first productive day of the year before being hurt.
Leonard made his first four carries of the season on Sunday, gaining 21 yards, and had one reception for 6 yards. He has six catches for 41 yards on the year.
The Rams gave Leonard a lot of playing time in the preseason while conserving Jackson for the regular season. Leonard expanded his duties to fullback after the Rams released Madison Hedge before the opener.
"We think he'll be capable of taking over that role in Steven's absence, hopefully for just a game," Olson said.
Setterstrom is the latest loss to a banged-up offensive line. Along with Pace, guard Richie Incognito is still out with a high ankle sprain sustained in the preseason.
Linehan said he thought Incognito would be questionable again this week.
Setterstrom rose through the ranks after being taken in the seventh-round of the 2006 draft, the 242nd overall selection. He was inactive the first nine games before cracking the lineup due to injuries, starting the final six weeks.
Setterstrom was carted off after he was hurt blocking on Jeff Wilkins' 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Linehan said an MRI exam revealed torn cartilage along with the torn ligament.
"He's a young guy and should be able to bounce back from this next season," Linehan said. "We'll be looking at some replacement possibilities in the next 24 to 48 hours."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3034672
Just made this next game all the more easier. Oh and get well Steve
Wish the Rams were'nt so banged up. Its going to make for a VERY lopsided game. Looks like we won't have another compe ive game till the Pats come to town.
Bears-Cowboys Game Highest Rated TV Program Since 'Idol' Finale
26th September, 2007 - 11:26 am
Chicago Tribune -
High marks
"NBC Sunday Night Football," featuring the Bears-Cowboys matchup, was the top prime-time program for the third consecutive week.
That's the first time in Nielsen People Meter history, since September 1987, that the NFL's premier prime-time game has been the top show for three straight weeks.
The game was also the top-rated television broadcast since May's "American Idol" finale.
http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_wi...e_idol_finale/
Take Your Pick
Henry Leading Charge In Interception Outbreak
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 26, 2007 5:58 PM
IRVING, Texas - Three games, eight interceptions.
That's quite a feat for any team, considering no other defensive unit in the NFL has more than six so far this season.
But it's even more surprising from the Cowboys, who were sitting with eight picks last year through the first eight games and needed seven games in 2005 before grabbing that eighth interception.
Half of them this year have gone to one player - cornerback Anthony Henry, who leads the NFL with four interceptions, including two more last Sunday against the Bears, one of which was returned for a touchdown. And all of it earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
And to think, the Cowboys are doing all of this without their best cornerback in the starting lineup.
Or is "best" even accurate anymore? Even Terence Newman, who missed the first two games with a partially torn plantar fascia and returned last week in limited action on the dime package, made a bold statement while he playfully interrupted an interview Henry was doing this week.
"Anthony Henry - best cornerback in the league," Newman said. "The best cornerback in the league. Not (just) on the team, but in the league."
Statistically speaking, that is accurate. No other player has more interceptions than Henry, who also has eight pass deflections this year, including four against Chicago.
Through three games, the veteran cornerback has already doubled his interception total from last season. Henry had a team-high 23 pass deflections last year but is already on a pace to exceed that.
So what's the difference?
"I don't really know if it's one thing specifically," Henry said. "I think I've come in more focused this year on some of the little things like technique and footwork. But I'm feeling much better this year. I think I'm really healthy right now. Just playing with a lot of confidence. But that's something, as a cornerback, you've always got to have that."
But not too much confidence.
While it's been said all the good cornerbacks have a bad memory, able to block out bad plays and focus on making the next great play, Henry said the same thing applies when things are looking good.
"It works both ways - you have to forget about those good plays, too," Henry said. "Because if you start thinking you're playing well, then you start relaxing. And when you do that, you'll get beat. So you have to just play hard on every play and not get overconfident."
Henry can't help but overflow with confidence these days. And that should only increase once Newman finally returns to the starting lineup. However, Newman practiced with the second-team defense on Wednesday and head coach Wade Phillips said he's not sure Newman will be ready to start against the Rams and their usually potent offense Sunday at Texas Stadium (noon, CDT).
If Newman is again relegated to just the slot corner in the dime package, Henry said it won't change his approach to the game. But he did say having to play the first three games without Newman on the other side has helped him refocus in his preparation.
"I'm always going to step up to the challenge," Henry said. "I think for the most part, all of us looked at that and wanted to step up. We knew one of our top guys was out. Jacques (Reeves) had done a great job and for the most part, we haven't missed a beat. But to get Terence back is going to set us higher and put us in a better situation to succeed."
Not that Henry has been hurting for success. But he just might be the one who benefits the most when Newman comes back at full speed.
The Cowboys have often used Newman to not only follow the opponent's top receiver, but at times, play in single coverage while Henry and the rest of the secondary has been in more of a zone look.
"When (Newman) he comes back, we'll be able to do a few more things with our coverages," Henry said. "We won't do that many things different. But it'll be some new stuff, just because Terence is one of the best cornerbacks in the league."
But remember, that's what Newman is saying about Henry.
Either way, the Cowboys will probably need two, if not three good cornerbacks for Sunday's game against the Rams. While St. Louis enters the game with an 0-3 mark, that's about the only blemish Henry said he sees from the offense on film.
"They've got a really good offense over there and really strong passing game," Henry said of the Rams. "You've got guys like (Marc) Bulger and Torry Holt and (Isaac) Bruce. They've got some good weapons. I know they haven't won a game yet, but they've got some players."
And more than that, Henry said they've got "smart players," which can make for even longer preparation during the week.
"You've got to be ready for these guys," Henry said. "I would say, aside from the Colts, this team is up there, in terms of their route-running and their precision on offense. Their receivers run really good routes and their quarterback does a good job of getting the ball out on time. They have a lot of timing routes. So you have to be on your game with them."
But that won't be anything different for Henry, who became just the second player in Cowboys history to record consecutive multiple-interception games, and the first since Everson Walls in 1981.
"He's just taking advantage of his opportunities," said Phillips, who added that Henry's instincts and preparation in the film room is also helping him succeed. "He's a real smart player, too. I think he does a real good job of knowing where the help is and knowing when he can go. He learns well from experience in the game. And if they run the same routes over and over he's going to get one."
Or in Henry's case based on the last two weeks, he just might get two.
http://dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id...33B27AE3555A14
And two of those games involved America's Team.that the NFL's premier prime-time game has been the top show for three straight weeks.
America's Team, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Newman Now Dealing With Knee Tendinitis
Mark Norris - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 27, 2007 6:55 PM
IRVING, Texas - Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman practiced again Thursday on a limited basis, and appears poised once again to contribute at least in the nickel package as the slot corner in Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.
But interestingly enough, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Newman's problematic plantar fascia, the one with the slight tear in the right heel he's been nursing for more than a month, seems less of a problem these days than the patella tendinitis he has in developed in one of his knees.
"He does have some tendinitis, and that's what is holding him back more than anything," Phillips said. "I think we've gotten pretty close to getting the foot OK and then he's come up with his knee bothering him a little bit."
Phillips still didn't seem keen on starting Newman against the Rams, still wanting to ease him back onto the field. Newman held down the slot on the team's nickel defense Sunday at Chicago, getting in about 20 plays without any noticeable problems in his first appearance of the season. While Newman did say he could feel a little pain in his foot, there he was late in the game asking the head coach if he could return a punt.
That means Jacques Reeves should start his fourth game at left corner, a position he will eventually assume on the nickel defense once Newman moves back into the starting lineup. Reeves was projected to take over those responsibilities when the Cowboys decided to release veteran Aaron Glenn, who was the team's nickel back the past two seasons.
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cf...5902795748A2C7
Isaac "The" Bruce guaranteed a Rams victory this weekend. If people were wondering about us not being motivated, no need to worry now.
http://rams.scout.com/2/684069.html
So Isaac Bruce = Fillmoe??
Damn, who would've known.
Nah, he's gotta be Maurice clarett. Dumb as .
Why not rest Newman during these two weeks of scrub teams.
After hearing that he has knee tendinitis, that would be a good ideal. We can win by outscoring these next 2 opponents, but on the other hand I'd like to see Newman take shot to numb the pain and get in game shape for when the pats come to town.
God damn, we're going to need him for that Pats game.
I think easing him into game shape is not a bad idea. Phillips has it planned out well.
Phillips says Ellis' chance to play Sunday is 50-50
Phillips rates chance to play 50-50, but linebacker isn't so sure
By ALBERT BREER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Before Thursday's practice, Cowboys outside linebacker Greg Ellis sounded less than optimistic on the condition of aching left heel saying, "I've still got problems with it. I'm not there yet."
Less than four hours later, coach Wade Phillips issued a revision to that statement.
"I think you need to talk to him again," said Phillips when apprised of Ellis' comments. "He practiced, and he seemed to be confident after practice. We'll see how he does tomorrow. It's 50-50, but I feel better about it."
Ellis went through full team drills and played in the dime defense for the first time, a day after going through his first full-contact work since the start of training camp. The coach emphasized several times, by flipping an imaginary coin, that Ellis' status is very much up in the air.
If Ellis returns Sunday against the Rams, he'll probably be worked back into the lineup the way cornerback Terence Newman was in Chicago, with playing time coming on passing downs.
"It's made a lot of progress," Ellis said of his heel. "It's a year deal. From when I first started having the problems in training camp to now, it's a huge difference on the positive side. But still, it's not all the way there."
http://cowboys.beloblog.com/
Last edited by TLWisfoine; 09-28-2007 at 04:51 PM.
Quick Hits: Ellis, Newman Game-time Decisions
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 28, 2007 7:03 PM
IRVING, Texas - While the Cowboys will have a pair of game-time decisions to make Sunday morning on the injury front with Greg Ellis and Terence Newman, they already know a few players who will be out of the lineup against the Rams (noon, CDT) at Texas Stadium.
Backup safety Keith Davis, arguably the team's most valuable special teams player, has been ruled out of the game with the sprained shoulder he suffered last week in Chicago. And his safety backup, rookie Courtney Brown, will now miss what would have been his NFL debut with a biceps injury he suffered in practice this week.
The Cowboys will have to rely on starters Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin, along with Pat Watkins at safety in this game. Cornerback Nate Jones has taken some reps at safety, and could be used in an emergency situation.
The Cowboys don't seem to be counting on fullback Oliver Hoyte, who has been limited in practice this week with a neck injury and is listed as doubtful on the injury report. Also, wide receiver Terry Glenn will miss his fourth straight game, still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery on Sept. 13.
But the real question marks for Sunday's game involve Ellis and Newman.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said both players will be "game-time decisions" after being limited in practice this week and listed as questionable on the official injury report.
Ellis, who suffered the torn Achilles injury last November, participated in more practice this week than he has since the week leading up to last year's Nov. 12 game against Arizona when he suffered his injury. The veteran outside linebacker is considered 50-50 to play, and if he does, Phillips said he likely would be in the nickel defense as a spot pass-rusher.
And even though Newman eased back onto the field last Sunday after missing the first two games with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot, he also is being listed as questionable for Sunday. Phillips said the fifth-year corner now has developed some knee tendinitis which has become more bothersome than his foot.
Newman played for the first time this season against the Bears, working only in the nickel as the slot cornerback. Newman has continued to practice with the second-team defense this week, and according to Phillips, likely will have the same role against the Rams.
Phillips said Newman asked to return a punt in the fourth quarter against the Bears. While he was denied then, the head coach expects Newman to return punts in the near future.
But punt returns won't be the only part of special teams affected by injuries.
Without Davis, Phillips said he'll likely need "three or four" players to replace him.
Davis is the up-back on the punt team and is expected to be replaced there by wide receiver Patrick Crayton, who also will still be returning punts. Phillips said cornerback Evan Oglesby, inactive last Sunday, would help on the kickoff coverage team.
"Different guys will have to move around," Phillips said. "I don't know if it's one specific guy because we have about three different guys that play his position."
Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter, another valuable special teams member, is listed as probable with a partially torn quad tendon. He missed practice on Wednesday and has been limited the past two days in practice but is expected to play against the Rams.
With Carpenter hobbled and Ellis a game-time decision, the Cowboys will likely have rookie Justin Rogers ready to play outside linebacker, backing up starters DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.
Terence Newman: Game-time decision
Greg Ellis: Game-time decision
Keith Davis: out
Terry Glenn: out
Courtney Brown(Davis backup): out
Oliver Hoyte: doubtful
Bobby Carpenter: probable
Locking Up Romo Long Term No Issue To Jones
Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
September 30, 2007 7:19 PM
IRVING, Texas - On a Sunday he became the bottom line in the Dallas Cowboys' 35-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams, here is the absolute bottom line on the future of Tony Romo:
He's going to be the Cowboys' quarterback for the rest of this year. He's going to be the Cowboys' quarterback next year. And if he keeps up what he has done for the first four games of the team's so-far undefeated 2007 season (4-0), he will be a Cowboys quarterback until the day he retires.
Do not worry about any hysterical dot-com reports, or the fact Romo is in the final year of his two-year extension or that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not knocked out a long-term extension during this season.
Romo is not going anywhere.
"I'm not trying to be impolite about it and trite, and I don't want to be insensitive to anybody, but we certainly all need to be possibly thinking about this after the season is over," Jones said after Romo put up his third, 300-yard passing performance in the first four games of this season. "It's not an issue of whether he's going to be our quarterback of the future.
"Again, the detail of whether we're moving or not moving on all of that, that would distort what's happening. What's happening is we're just sitting here playing football, not doing a thing and we've got each other for a long time.
"We're just fine the way we're operating. I know he is and we are, too."
To his credit, Romo has said little about signing an extension or possibly a long-term deal after the season has been completed. He seems more preoccupied with winning than with guaranteed millions. And he's certainly not playing as if there is this intense pressure to perform in a contract-drive season.
It's almost as if Romo has this sixth sense, just as he does when he's avoiding oncoming pass rushers in the pocket, that this contract thing will take care of itself in due time.
So after the game when asked about the contract, about guaranteed money - there was an Internet report claiming his agent Tom Condon is asking for $30 million in guaranteed money - Romo seemed embarrassed and deftly deflected any such conversation.
"That is so out of the realm of realism," Romo said. "I don't know what you'd do with more than $3- or $4-million."
Romo understands Jones has never shortchanged a franchise quarterback, and he can hold up Troy Aikman's bank account as Exhibit A, B and C. He also understands that if for some reason the two sides can't come to terms on a long-term deal, the Cowboys can franchise him, which would mean he would be guaranteed in the vicinity of $13 million.
Even though that does not include a signing bonus, just think what that must mean to a kid who entered the league on a $10,000 signing bonus and who had never taken an NFL snap of consequence until 53 weeks ago.
As Jones likes to say, there just isn't an issue here.
"There's no tension anywhere and wasn't going to be and isn't going to be," Jones said. "The facts are we'll get something done.
"There's no doubt in my mind that ultimately we'll get something done long term, but I don't think anyone should worry about whether or not he's going to be the quarterback of the future here."
Of course, though, everyone wants to be the first one on the block to know when the deal gets done. But neither side seems to be giving any hints, Jones normally refusing to talk about this issue and Romo also smiling through the uncomfortable questions.
Jones obviously doesn't want to make a public display of negotiations, whether they might be going on behind closed doors now or don't heat up until after this season. Because in Jones' mind, he's not looking for a good deal - he's just looking for a smart one, wanting all the information he can get before locking up Romo for like seven to 10 years.
"There's just nothing to report one way or the other," Jones said. "That's not to say you're not talking every day. That's not to say you've visited since training camp.
"It wouldn't be cast right if you said, 'Oh they're supposed to meet here.' It's just not an issue."
Bottom line.
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cf...90BC2AE31519C4
We need to do something about keeping Garrett also...
I'm not worried. Jerry is not afraid to open up his wallet to keep talent. Romo will get taken care of.
Agreed.We need to do something about keeping Garrett also...
Garrett makes me forget all about Sean Payton.
If there's one thing Jerry knows how to do right it's opening his wallet for a sure fire talent.
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