PHI GAMEPLAN: With new-look defense, Eagles hope to finally slow Jason Witten
Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten No 82
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IRVING — Tight end Jason Witten said this isn’t a usual week for the Cowboys because their opponent Sunday is the Philadelphia Eagles. Certainly, it’s not a typical foe for Witten.
Some of the best games in Witten’s career have come against the Eagles. He has more receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches against the Eagles than any opponent. In 15 games against Philadelphia, Witten has 87 receptions for 1,026 yards and seven touchdowns.
But Sunday night, Witten and the Cowboys will face a much different Eagles defense under first-year coordinator Juan Castillo than they saw for years when the late Jim Johnson was in charge.
The new-look Eagles defense doesn’t bring as many blitzes as in past years under Johnson, who died from melanoma in 2009, and previous coordinator Sean McDermott. Instead, Philadelphia relies more on a talented secondary.
“Even when McDermott took over as coordinator, a lot of what they did was off of [Johnson’s] style. It’s a different style now,” Witten said. “These defensive ends are wide. It’s similar to what we saw in Detroit, with their strength in their front four, and obviously their corners play really well.”
Added Tony Romo: “Back in the day, they sent a lot of pressure. That usually means that you’re covering from depth or from a different spot against the tight end.”
Translation: Getting open in the middle of the Eagles defense will be more of a challenge for Witten.
“It’s a different approach. They created so much pressure in that old system that you had to find those soft holes and just keep drives alive,” Witten said. “You don’t see them do that as much. They still have those packages, but they’re so good on the back-end they don’t have to create that pressure because they’re such good cover guys.”
RELATED: Witten has owned the Eagles
The Eagles have made Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. In his past nine games against Philadelphia, Witten has 53 catches for 612 yards and five touchdowns.
In 16 career games against the Eagles, Witten has 91 catches for 1,053 yards and seven scores.
“Back in the day, they sent a lot of pressure,” Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said in explaining Witten’s good days against the Eagles. “That usually means you’re covering from depth or in a different spot against the tight end. Obviously, Jason is a great tight end. But they’re different now. So I don’t know exactly what we’re going to see or how they’re going to attack us on Sunday night.”
Strong side linebacker Moise Fokou likely will draw Witten most of the night, but Witten also could see cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. In Week 2, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. Defensive coodinator Juan Castillo told Philadelphia reporters after that game that he might have put Asomugha on Gonzalez if not for an injury to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
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St. Louis Cardinals win World Series, beat Texas Rangers 6-2 in Game 7
The St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in Game 7
A day after an epic Game 6 that saw them twice within one strike of elimination, the St. Louis Cardinals captured their 11th World Series crown. After a whole fall on the edge, Tony La Russa’s team didn’t dare mess with Texas, or any more drama.
Freese’s two-run double tied it in the first inning against loser Matt Harrison and Allen Craig hit a go-ahead homer in the third.
Pitching on short rest, Carpenter improved to 2-0 in the Series and 4-0 in the postseason. St. Louis Cardinals coach La Russa won his third Series title.
EARLY BIRD: All of Phillip Tanner’s early mornings are paying off
- Dallas Cowboy RB Phillip Tanner – The Boys Are Back blog
IRVING, Texas — Rookie running back Phillip Tanner has admittedly been an “early bird” ever since he began taking his sister to school and his mom to work as a high school freshman growing up in Dallas.
He’s usually among the first players in the Valley Ranch complex for morning meetings, arriving before 7 a.m. but once at 3:30 a.m.
“One time I got here at 6:45, which is still early, and Bruce (Carter) was like, ‘You’re late!” Tanner recalled.
That type of commitment got Tanner to this point — active for four of the Cowboys’ first six games and possibly the second running back on the depth chart Sunday night against Philadelphia if Tashard Choice can’t play with shoulder/hamstring injuries.
“He’s a guy who is very diligent. He works very hard,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “It’s very important to him and the stage has not been too big for him so far. That is a real positive sign for a young guy.”
Tanner got his first career carries last week against the Rams, gaining 34 yards and a touchdown on six touches. As a backup, he understands he won’t be the primary option like his days at Middle Tennessee St. But he can’t press when he’s in there.
“You can’t let that mess with your mind at practice,” Tanner said. “You have to go to practice every day as if you’re the starter. You have to take every rep as if you’re going to take every rep in the game and work hard, finish all your runs.”
And keep getting to work early.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS: Dallas Cowboy RB DeMarco Murray wins two NFL awards
IRVING, Texas — Coming off a franchise record-breaking 253-yard rushing performance last week against the Rams, Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray has been voted FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.
Murray’s 253 yards broke Emmitt Smith’s single-game Cowboys rushing record, and his 10.1-yard average was the league’s highest in Week 7 for any player with at least 10 carries.
Along with the award, FedEx is making a $2,000 donation in Murray’s name to the local Junior Achievement office in Dallas. The funding is used to help U.S. small business development by educating the next generation of entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their own businesses.
VIDEO: Jason Garrett Press Conference – Friday practice; prep for Philly
VIDEO - Jason Garrett Friday Press Conference - Philadelphia Eagles week
Garrett Press Conference: Friday
Jason Garrett spoke to the media before his team wrapped up their final preparations for the Eagles on Sunday.
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The Boys Are Back BONUS video — FILM SESSION with Judd Garrett
Video - Film Session with Judd Garrett - PHI RB LeSean McCoy
Judd Garrett takes a look at the Philadelphia Eagles running game, and what the Dallas Cowboys defense will need to do to stop LeSean McCoy.
PHILLY NEWSPAPER: Dallas Cowboys coordinator Rob Ryan weighs in again
Video - Rob Ryan press conference - Dream Team All-Hype Team - Press Play
Ryan: If They Need My Motivation…
Rob Ryan talked about his “Dream Team” comments from training camp, and went on to cover a lot of other interesting subjects.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011
In one of the more anticipated news conferences leading up to Sunday’s Eagles-Cowboys game, Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan got his chance to add some fuel to the fire.
Ryan, you’ll recall, made a not so subtle reference to the “all-hype team” back in August. The Eagles players have been asked about those comments this week, with DeSean Jackson, in particular, taking issue with them.
“If they need my motivation to get ready to play us, then we’re gonna kick their ass anyway,” Ryan told reporters today, according to ESPNDallas.com. “It ain’t going to matter.”
While at the time, Ryan did not say he was specifically making a reference to the Eagles, he acknowledged today what was apparent then — the Eagles are exactly who he was talking about.
“I’m an emotional guy. Who are we kidding?” he said. “I’m not some guy [who] just can handle coach speak and be boring. I’m going to be emotional at times, and unfortunately that was one of my times, and I found out everybody listens in this town, which is good, unlike Cleveland. So I got in a little trouble there.”
Ryan seemed to be going back and forth during his comments, according to the report. At one point, he said he agreed with Jackson that coaches should not be talking because they are not on the field. Ryan then said he has earned the right to talk because of the work puts in. He then termed his comments “unfortunate” because of his respect for Andy Reid.
“Hell, he doesn’t have to worry about tackling me,” a laughing Ryan said of Jackson. “If he does, he can tackle me. That’d be great, because I’m going to land on his shoulder and put him out. So that’ll be awesome. Hell, he can tackle me two or three times.”
Guess you can say that Rob is fired up. “I can’t wait to get after these guys. It’s going to be great. Hell, let’s go get it on.”
Philadelphia Daily News | The Boys Are Back blog | Dallas Cowboys website
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FRIDAY INJURY UPDATE: Choice-Jones | Hatcher | Kosier-Dockery | Kicker NEWS!
It wasn’t Tashard Choice’s shoulder injury but a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice Friday. He underwent an MRI and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles. That leaves the Cowboys with two healthy running backs — rookies DeMarco Murray and Phillip Tanner.
Felix Jones will miss his second consecutive game with a high left ankle sprain.
Murray, the team’s third-round draft pick, rushed for a team-record 253 yards last week against St. Louis. Tanner had the first carries of his career, picking up 34 yards and scoring a touchdown on six carries against the Rams.
Punter Mat McBriar (left foot) fully participated in practice and is listed as probable for Sunday.
Defensive end Jason Hatcher (calf), right guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and offensive guard Derrick Dockery (knee) are questionable. Hatcher and Kosier will play. Dockery, who has been out since being injured in Week 2, could be used as the backup guard.
RELATED: Buehler says he’s ready to go and will kickoff on Sunday
Kicker David Buehler will handled kickoffs against the Eagles for the first time since suffering a groin injury in week two against the 49ers. Buehler has missed past four games.
“I’m happy and excited to go,” Buehler said. “It’s tough watching from the sidelines. I am finally healthy and able to get back on the field.”
Buehler will take back the kickoff duty from kicker Dan Bailey, who has handled field goals and kickoffs in his absence.
He doesn’t deny worrying about his spot on the roster and role with Bailey doing so well on both.
But the Cowboys’ consider Buehler a weapon on kickoffs and believe they will need his stronger leg on the road and cooler temperatures like Sunday against the Eagles.
“I worried a little bit,” Buehler said. “But somebody reassured me that (Jerry Jones) said I was safe. but you want to get back on the field as soon as possible. You are no good unless you are on the field. I’m not helping the team on the sideline being a cheerleader. I want to get out there and produce.”
RELATED: Punter Added; McBriar Still Expecting To Play
Despite going ahead and signing rookie punter Chris Jones to the practice squad, it appears as if Mat McBriar will be able to play Sunday night in Philadelphia.
McBriar showed up on the injury report Thursday with a left foot injury. But the right-footed punter was able to practice Friday and even said he’s “good to go” to play against the Eagles.
While the injury is to his plant foot, it was serious enough during the week to work out Jones and then sign him to the practice squad. To make room, the Cowboys waived defensive tackle Robert Callaway.
McBriar is also the team’s holder for field goals and extra points. If he doesn’t play Sunday night, head coach Jason Garrett said the Cowboys could use Jon Kitna or even Tony Romo as options at holder.
RELATED: Cowboys kicker David Buehler on his status: ‘I’m back’
IRVING — After missing the last four games because of a groin injury, Cowboys kickoff specialist David Buehler said he will play Sunday.
“I’m back,” Buehler said. “[I’m] anxious and ready to get back on the field. It’s been long enough…I’m finally healthy.”
Buehler, who had a full week of practice, said he worried “a little bit” about his job security. But he was reassured after he was alerted that owner Jerry Jones had said Buehler’s position was safe.
Jones wants a kicker with a strong leg, and while rookie Dan Bailey has converted 16 field goals, he has only produced touchbacks on 24 percent of the kickoffs he’s handled in Buehler’s absence. This week, Buehler could be a factor as the temperature in Philadelphia is supposed to dip into the low 40s by game time.
“I wanted to get back out on the field as soon as possible,” Buehler said. “I’m not helping the team just sitting on the sidelines and being a cheerleader.”
RELATED: Jones replaces Calloway on practice squad
To get punter Chris Jones on the practice squad Friday, the Cowboys released defensive tackle Robert Calloway. Calloway had spent the season on the practice squad.
Jones, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Carson Newman, attended training camp with Dallas. He led the Cowboys with eight punts during the preseason for a 37.0 gross average and a 33.1 net average with a long punt of 49 yards.
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WEEK #8 PREVIEW: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles 2-4
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| PHI 31 @ STL 13 | STL Sam Bradford: 188 Yds | PHI LeSean McCoy: 122 Yds | PHI DeSean Jackson: 102 Yds |
| PHI 31 @ ATL 35 | PHI Michael Vick: 242 Yds | ATL Michael Turner: 114 Yds | PHI Jeremy Maclin: 171 Yds |
| NYG 29 @ PHI 16 | NYG Eli Manning: 254 Yds | PHI LeSean McCoy: 128 Yds | NYG Victor Cruz: 110 Yds |
| SF 24 @ PHI 23 | PHI Michael Vick: 416 Yds | SF Frank Gore: 127 Yds | PHI DeSean Jackson: 171 Yds |
| PHI 24 @ BUF 31 | PHI Michael Vick: 315 Yds | BUF Fred Jackson: 111 Yds | PHI Jason Avant: 139 Yds |
| PHI 20 @ WAS 13 | PHI Michael Vick: 237 Yds | PHI LeSean McCoy: 126 Yds | PHI Jeremy Maclin: 101 Yds |
| BYE | BYE | BYE | BYE |
| DAL @ PHI | PHI Michael Vick: 237 Yds | PHI LeSean McCoy: 126 Yds | PHI Jeremy Maclin: 101 Yds |
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Dallas Cowboys 3-3
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| DAL 24 @ NYJ 27 | DAL Tony Romo: 342 Yds | DAL Felix Jones: 44 Yds | DAL Jason Witten: 110 Yds |
| DAL 27 @ SF 24 | DAL Tony Romo: 345 Yds | SF Frank Gore: 47 Yds | DAL Miles Austin: 143 Yds |
| WAS 16 @ DAL 18 | DAL Tony Romo: 255 Yds | DAL Felix Jones: 115 Yds | WAS Santana Moss: 70 Yds |
| DET 34 @ DAL 30 | DAL Tony Romo: 331 Yds | DAL Felix Jones: 57 Yds | DAL Laurent Robinson: 116 Yds |
| BYE | BYE | BYE | BYE |
| DAL 16 @ NE 20 | DAL Tony Romo: 317 Yds | NE Green-Ellis: 58 Yds | DAL Dez Bryant: 78 Yds |
| STL 7 @ DAL 34 | STL A.J. Feeley: 196 Yds | DAL DeMarco Murray: 253 Yds | DAL Dez Bryant: 90 Yds |
| DAL @ PHI | STL A.J. Feeley: 196 Yds | DAL DeMarco Murray: 253 Yds | DAL Dez Bryant: 90 Yds |
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Cowboys-Eagles preview
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The Dallas Cowboys, coming off a 34-7 rout of the St. Louis Rams, now travel to Philadelphia for the first of their two NFC East matchups against the Eagles. Since Lincoln Financial Field opened in 2003, the Eagles have enjoyed a 44–28 record on their home turf — but they’re only 4-4 against the Cowboys at “The Linc.”
The Eagles are coming off a bye after holding on for a 20-13 victory against the Washington Redskins two weeks ago. They forced Redskins QB Rex Grossman into four interceptions, which led to 10 huge points. It’s also worthy noting that the Eagles are a perfect 12–0 under Andy Reid in the game after the bye.
VIDEO: All-hype team vs. America’s team – Rob Ryan confident in his ‘Boys (Poll)
DREAM TEAM: Rob Ryan’s ‘All-Hype team’ comments stir up a few emotions in Philly
Given a little bit of ammunition and some prodding, DeSean Jackson isn’t afraid to fire back at Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Ryan took a not-so-subtle shot at Jackson’s Eagles and their “Dream Team” status during training camp, calling them the “all-hype team” and saying that the Dallas Cowboys would (in more colorful terms) beat the Eagles. So it’s no surprise that quote has resurfaced as the teams prepare to meet on Sunday night, and even less of a surprise someone brought it to Jackson’s attention.
“For a coach to really say that it’s hard for me to kind of respect that because the coach isn’t really out there playing,” Jackson said, according to The News Journal of Wilmington. “He’s doing a good job of calling the plays and putting his defense in the right position to stop the offense but as far as the defensive coordinator’s comments … it’s kind of unheard of, uncalled for.”
Jackson added that he would be more understanding if such talk came from a player “so I would be able to get a chance to get a shot at that player who said something.”
Rob Ryan’s comments got a lot of attention, as well as a rise out of Michael Vick, when they initially made the rounds. Vick now is playing it more even-keeled, saying the Eagles haven’t been paying attention to anything coming out of Dallas.
“We know it’s a competitive game and sometimes people say things they regret days, weeks and months later,” Vick said, per The Dallas Morning News. “I think from a competitive standpoint, he was just talking. It was nothing that we really paid any
attention to because we know what really counts is when you step out on the football field and whoever wins and loses the game, that’s what matters.”
Clearly, the Eagles seem to be doing a better job of avoiding the bait this time around. At least, as best as they can.
NFL
RIVAL NEWSPAPER: Can this Eagles team extend Reid’s streak after byes?
- Cowboys vs Eagles
On Jan. 2, 2000, the Eagles hosted the St. Louis Rams at Veterans Stadium. The Rams were 13-2, the Greatest Show on Turf, and on their way to winning the Super Bowl under Dick Vermeil.
The Eagles were 4-11 in Andy Reid’s first season. Because of their miserable 3-13 record the year before, they had a ridiculously late bye, in Week 16. They wanted to finish strong. Rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb, who had suffered a sprained knee a couple of weeks earlier, donned a brace to make a statement that the Eagles were on the rise.
And so was born Reid’s remarkable run of victories after bye weeks. As trends go, perfection is a compelling one. In his 12 seasons, Reid is 12-0 in the first game after a bye. With a pivotal matchup against Dallas on Sunday night, the Eagles and their fans are hoping that trend holds for at least another season.
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