Gryphon on the Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys haven't forgotten humiliation

2009-11-08T09:16:00.002-05:00

By GEOFF MOSHER

PHILADELPHIA -- When he jogged onto the Lincoln Financial Field turf for warm-ups on the afternoon of Dec. 28, Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson sensed despair in his surroundings.

The Eagles needed the most improbable chain of upsets around the NFL in the final week of regular-season action to make the playoffs. Heck, they needed an Oakland victory, which alone turned the normally frenetic Linc into the world's largest mortuary.

"It was kind of dead in warm-ups," he recalled.

Then, one by one, fiction turned to fact. Houston had overcome a 10-point deficit to beat Chicago. Oakland, which had won four games all year, upset Tampa Bay. All that stood between the Eagles and the postseason was the Cowboys, and vice versa.

"It was kind of like it was meant for us to get in," cornerback Sheldon Brown recalled.

That afternoon, destiny manifested in the largest victory margin ever over their hated rivals -- a 44-6 triumph over Dallas powered by a 24-point second quarter.

"I know the crowd was electric knowing that we had an opportunity," Eagles coach Andy Reid recalled last week, "and I'm sure it gave the players even a little bit more hope or energy."

But the same forces that conspired to propel the Eagles into the playoffs are the ones they'll wrestle with tonight at home on prime time television. Every action spawns a reaction, and the fallout from the 38-point blowout is gone but not forgotten.

"I think we're gong to watch it on tape, correct the things we didn't do well and come up with a way to attack these guys and go out there and be a better football team than we played that day," said Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who was picked off once, sacked four times, lost two fumbles that led to touchdowns and passed for his lowest yardage (183) of the season.

"I think there is motivation in the sense that this is an important game and it's on the road against a good opponent, but I think we're going to be playing better than we were at that time."

Last year's do-or-die finale charted divergent paths for both teams, ones that had lasting effects well in the offseason.

Romo collapsed in the postgame shower from a rib injury and later blamed the coaches' vanilla game plan for the offense's inability to counter the Eagles' array of exotic blitzes. On the flight home, two teammates got into a fight.

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart eventually got the ax and divisive receiver Terrell Owens was jettisoned for the third time in five years.

The outcome also added at least one -- and probably two -- more years to Donovan McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia.

After being benched for the first time in his career one month earlier, McNabb churned out playoff road wins over Minnesota and top-seeded New York, returning the Eagles to the conference championship for the fifth time in his 10 years.

It's not unrealistic to think Kevin Kolb would be the Eagles' starter tonight had McNabb ended up on the wrong side of that 44-6 rout.

Who knows what destiny awaited Dallas if the Cowboys had instead embarrassed the Eagles that afternoon.

"We know what happened last year," Cowboys linebacker Bradie James told the Dallas Morning News.

"This is a different team, a different season, but we haven't forgotten. The only way we can right that wrong is to go out there and win, whether it's ugly, sexy, it doesn't really matter. We've got to go out there and find a way to win."

This time, the stakes are different. It's too early in the season to pretend tonight's showdown carries any more significance than an average Eagles-Cowboys clash based on the rivalry's history alone.

After losing 32 of 42 games to Dallas from 1965 to 1985, the Eagles have had the upper hand. They're 14-6 against the Cowboys since Reid became head coach in 1999 and 4-2 in their last six.

Tonight, they've got a chance to win their first three division games for the first time since 2004 -- when they swept all six games against the NFC East and went to the Super Bowl.

But they'll have to overcome two obstacles: white-hot Dallas' suddenly explosive offense that's averaged close to 400 total yards per game during the team's three-game win streak and the oversized chip on the shoulders of Cowboys players who haven't moved beyond 44-6.

"Maybe they're not saying it," Hanson said, "but I know it's in the back of their minds. It was only 10 months ago, 11 months ago. It's still there."

First place is on the line for Dallas, too.

"I don't get caught up in all of that stuff," Reid assured. "I get caught up in this being a good football team coming here and we have to make sure we practice the right way and we prepare the right way when we're not on the practice field.

"We're spending enough time as coaches and players getting ourselves ready for a good football team. That's where my energy goes. You take care of the process here and everything else takes itself, records and standings and all of that."

Phillips, whose job security is always the headline in the Dallas-Forth Worth region, said the sour taste from the lopsided defeat affects his players differently.

"Depends on what motivates people," he said last week in a conference call with Philadelphia media.

"I think for some guys it's still lingering, and it motivates them more. Some of the guys weren't even on the team last year. It just depends on the player, I think."

PFW Edholm: Cowboys’ rookie class not getting it done

2009-11-08T09:14:00.000-05:00

By Eric Edholm

Jerry Jones surprised many when he made a series of trades down in the draft to accumulate more picks. It was clear he believed the team needed more depth at a number of positions, but so far the 12-man draft class has come up short.

Third-round LB Jason Williams, the top pick, hasn't played much since returning from injury. Fourth-round LB Victor Butler flashed with two late sacks against the Panthers but hasn't seen the field much since. Fifth-round S Mike Hamlin backs up his namesake, Ken Hamlin, but does little more than contribute on special teams. Sixth-round TE John Phillips is mostly a blocker.

The most impressive draft pick has been kickoff specialist David Buehler, who is on pace to shatter the team's season record for touchbacks and also plays on coverage teams. But other than that, the class is a bust. There is future promise with OL Robert Brewster, who is on injured reserve, and No. 3 QB Stephen McGee, but there might not be a future front-line starter among them.

Cowboys’ Special Teams Garnering All Sorts of Attention

2009-11-07T11:09:00.001-05:00

by Matt Cordon

At the conclusion of last season’s 44-6 loss at Philadelphia, the first order
of business for the Cowboys was to

fire special teams coordinator Bruce Read, who had failed miserably in his
two seasons with the club. In his place, the Cowboys hired longtime coach Joe
DeCamillis, who has done wonders for all of the special teams units.

This hasn’t been lost on the press by any means. Consider these articles from
the past few days:

Coach Transforms Underachieving Unit (ESPN Dallas)

“Special” Does Have Special Meaning for Dallas Cowboys (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Don’t Tell DeCamillis Special Teams Have Been Turned Around (Dallas Morning News)

Under The Gun: Cowboys Getting Stellar Play From Gutsy Gunner Spot (DallasCowboys.com).

The play of the coverage units has been cause for excitement, especially given
how much trouble the Cowboys have had in the recent past in terms of giving up
long kickoff and punt returns. Five players have at least four special teams
tackles during the first seven games, and these players are worth mentioning:

Alan Ball: 7 tackles, 2 assists
Sam Hurd: 5 tackles, 3 assists
Pat Watkins: 4 tackles, 2 assists
Victor Butler: 4 tackles
Bobby Carpenter: 4 tackles

Thanks to DeSean Jackson, the Eagles currently rank third in the league with a
13.6-yard average per return. On the other hand, Philadelphia only ranks 28th in
kickoff returns, averaging 20.3 yards per return.

Dallas ranks second in punt returns with a 14.3-yard average. However, the
Cowboys are also tied for the league lead in fumbles on punt returns with four.
As for kickoff returns, Dallas ranks 20th with a 22.1-yard average. The Cowboys’
longest kickoff return of the season was 38 yards.

DMN: Eagles aware of Bobby Carpenter

2009-11-07T11:06:00.001-05:00

Gerry Fraley/Reporter

The recent productive play by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter caught the attention of Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg.

``He's very good,'' Morhinweg said. ``He's made a couple of real good tackles with a blocker right there. He's playing at a high level, and they are putting him in situations that are his strength.''

Carpenter, credited with participating in eight tackles and one sack in the last two games, plays primarily in the pass-coverage sub-package. He has played a large role in limiting top-shelf tight ends in the last two games. Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez and Seattle's John Carlson combined for only seven catches.

Most improved: Wideouts Rice, Austin, Jackson top list

2009-11-06T07:15:00.000-05:00

LINK: Most improved: Wideouts Rice, Austin, Jackson top list
1 hr ago WKBT-TV La Crosse

Your last name is Rice and you are an NFL receiver. How would you like to try to live up to that combination? Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice is no relation to Jerry, arguably the greatest football player ever, but the name connection and the fact they play the same position does bond them.

Most eyes see an improved Romo

2009-11-06T07:11:00.002-05:00

Source: CourierPostOnline

PHILADELPHIA — A disgruntled Dallas receiver complains that quarterback Tony Romo does not throw the ball his way often enough, and when passes do come his way, they are difficult to catch and make him look foolish.

This isn't Terrell Owens. He's long gone from the Dallas scene. But Roy Williams seems to have taken his place, not so much in terms of production, but in terms of issuing complaints about Romo.

"(Romo's passes) make me look like crap," Williams told the Fort Worth Star Telegram. "The only thing that keeps me going is 'cause I know I'm not. I know what I am. I know what people are trying to make me be. I know I'm not that."

Williams further charged that Romo throws better passes to rookie Miles Austin, the Cowboys' receiving-yardage leader, who has caught 26 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns.

"He gets the ball thrown correctly," Williams said. "I'm stretching, falling, doing everything. My balls are everywhere."

This all becomes relevant because the Cowboys are coming to Lincoln Financial Field for a Sunday night battle for first place in the NFC East.

If the Cowboys are, indeed, sniping at each other, that may help the Eagles.

But then again, maybe it won't.

No matter what Williams thinks of his situation, the Cowboys come in as a hot team. They've won three in a row, and the sometimes-maligned Romo has sparked the surge by passing for 918 yards during that stretch.

Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott smiled when asked about Williams' remarks.

"It looks to me like (Romo) is throwing pretty good passes all over the field," he said.

In the last three games, Romo has completed 60 percent of his passes, with seven touchdowns, and he has not thrown an interception. That's a change from what was thought to be one of his major weaknesses -- that he too often is guilty of making turnovers.

McDermott thinks Romo has improved by not trying to do too much.

"It seems to me they've got a great scheme, and he looks to execute the scheme," McDermott said. "When he does that, the scheme rolls pretty smoothly. When he gets outside the scheme, that's when things begin to break down, but I haven't seen that happen much this year."

Still, the Eagles have had some success at containing Romo. He has a 2-3 record against them, and he might have hit bottom in the season finale last year.

In a game both teams needed to win to make the playoffs, Romo passed for only 183 yards while fumbling twice and allowing the Eagles to enter postseason play with a 44-6 win.

Still, Eagles' defenders are wary. They know Romo has lots of targets including tight end Jason Whitten, who leads the team with 37 catches, and a running attack that has three different backs. It is led by Marion Barber, who has 397 yards and four touchdowns on 86 carries.

"I think we've played against some underrated offenses, but this one is a lot different because they pose so many different threats," safety Quintin Mikell said.

"They have a quarterback who is playing at a high level, so everyone is in play. They've got big-time playmakers, so this is the most difficult challenge we've had this season."

Romo may make everything work, but Austin presents opposing defenses with lots of problems.

He made his first career start Oct. 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, a game Williams missed with an injury, and he made a huge impact with 10 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 60-yarder in overtime.

Austin has been in the starting lineup since then, and he hasn't slowed down much.

One of the things he does well is tack on yards after the catch. The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder has the size and strength to break tackles, and he's averaging 21.7 yards per catch.

"He might be one of the best we've seen at getting yards after the catch," Eagles cornerback Assante Samuel said. "We have to make sure that if he catches the ball, we wrap him up and get him down."

Commentary: Austin's play helps Cowboys change fortunes

2009-11-05T07:24:00.000-05:00

By Danny Udero
Sun-News Sports Editor

If you build it they will come. Jerry Jones obviously heard that when he designed the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium in Arlington, Texas. And come they did, as fans have continued to lineup at the gates trying to see America's Team in the house that Jerry built.

But, what someone didn't tell Jones, was that if they play well, people will come. Dallas' 5-2 record this year should be 7-0. The Cowboys have played shaky in a couple of games, and the key factor in every game played this year has been, when quarterback Tony Romo plays well, the Cowboys play well.

You see, in football there is no I in team. But there is two I's in MIles AustIn, and the emergence of Dallas' new number one receiver has fans coming back for more, and opposing secondary's spending countless hours trying to figure out how to stop this new wide receiver that has suddenly taken Dallas into new heights.

Roy Williams and Romo aren't hooking up like a No. 1 receiver and his quarterback should. Williams has caught only 14 of 37 passes this year for 249 yards and two touchdowns. In fact, there are three receivers ahead of Williams, and it all starts with Austin, who has emerged with the second most catches on the team — to Jason Witten. Austin has tallied 26 catches for 563 yards, averaging 21.7 yards per catch and posting six touchdowns. Witten leads the team, with 37 catches. He has amassed 348 yards and a touchdown, while Patrick Crayton has 20 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns.

This situation has led to the belief that there is a lot of team unity at The Ranch in all aspects of this football team. Take the running back situation. Marion Barber and Felix Jones were to share these duties, both great backs with different and unique styles. But, injuries has caused Tashard Choice to step in and take on a bigger role in the backfield. The numbers speak for themselves, and Dallas, at one point, did have the No. 1 running game in the league. They sit at No. 6 right now.

Barber has 86 carries for 397 yards and four touchdowns. The wealth has spread to Choice, who has 48 carries for 236 yards, and two touchdowns, while Jones has 37 rushes for 288 yards and a touchdown.

Take a look at Crayton, who lost his return duties on special teams and his No. 2 receiving spot to Austin a couple of weeks ago. Crayton wasn't happy, but he didn't take on a T.O. role in letting the media and everyone know how he felt. So in the next two games, Crayton emerges to catch a touchdown pass in the first game, and three more passes for 39 yards in the second game, including being the go-to-guy in some clutch third-down conversions. And, he also returned a punt for a touchdown in each game to total three scores in two games for the Cowboys.

I think the Shut Up and Play attitude when things don't go your way is what is happening in Big D. No one at The Ranch was pointing fingers when the Cowboys had subpar performances against the Giants and the Broncos. Even owner Jerry Jones came out and said that head coach Wade Phillips' job is safe. There were no excuses, although I would have liked to give Romo and Phillips a bit of my mind after both losses.

All Dallas did was get back on track, work on the team concept, and score 101 points over the next three games, having the defense give up an average of only 19 points during those games. Romo has also posted a 100-plus quarterback rating, and for the first time in his career, has not been intercepted in three consecutive football games.

The defense is beginning to make a name for itself, tallying 11 sacks over the last three contests. They have also tallied five takeaways, and with the special teams stepping up to help boost some punt returns for touchdowns, and getting kicker David Buehler to post a league-leading 17 touchbacks, while kicker Nick Folk has only missed on two field-goal attempts. Well, that formula spells win against any formidable opponent. Just ask the Atlanta Falcons or the Seattle Seahawks.

But, the tough schedule isn't' t far from being over yet. With two road games at Philadelphia and Green Bay coming up, the Cowboys need to keep this team concept going to be able to return home and face Washington and in a Thanksgiving special the Oakland Raiders. We could quite possibly see a 9-2 record and a lead in the division before we embark on a trip to face the Giants on the road in the beginning of December.

One thing is for certain. If Dallas can remain healthy, and if the Saints continue to roll, the matchup in the Superdome on Saturday, Dec. 19, can mean the Cowboys knocking off New Orleans and wrecking an undefeated season will be a highlight for this team en route to maybe a Super Bowl appearance.

Hold on. Now I am getting a little ahead of myself, as maybe we just need to get into the playoffs, and get Romo to help us win a couple of postseason games first. Either way, this Cowboys team is looking very healthy, and America's Team has become a beauty on the football field again. Let's hope this time it lasts until the end of the season. Any time we can get Pittsburgh fans upset at the fact that we won a game, even when they won, is a great thing.

Philly.com: T.O. calls Cowboys over Eagles

2009-11-05T07:23:00.001-05:00

By the Inquirer Staff

The Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, two of Terrell Owens' former teams, meet Sunday.

As you might have heard, Owens left Philadelphia and Dallas amid some acrimony.

Owens is now in Buffalo, where the acrimony is over why the Bills stink and when they will stop stinking.

But we care about things here, the center of the universe. When asked by a reporter for the Buffalo News which team he would root for in Sunday night's Eagles-Cowboys game, Owens said, "Obviously, the game could go either way. But I have to go with my guys down in Big D."

Owens' view will not alter the Earth's spin or even the Eagles-Cowboys game. But he was such a beacon of energy and angst during his days in Philly and Dallas that one can't resist the urge to ask, to hope for something incendiary.

Buffalo is a fine, upstanding community, and it's in New York, but it's a long way from the lights of Broadway. And Owens has, by his standards, mostly avoided starting fires.

Owens is not a recluse, though. After his first practice with the Bills in May, he served as the sportscaster on one of the evening news shows.

"The top story in sports tonight is 'I'm here,' " Owens said on the air, according to the News. He showed some videotape and then added, "Now let's hear what I had to say after practice."

Cast adrift by the Cowboys in the off-season, Owens did not get a lot of offers, as teams worried about chemistry, quarterback relations, his age (35), and how they might be portrayed in Owens' quasi-reality show. Bills owner Ralph Wilson was ready for some pizzazz after three straight 7-9 seasons and a 5-11 campaign before that. Alas, the Bills are just 3-5.

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards missed the last two games after suffering a concussion but might be back Nov. 15, when the Bills return from their bye week.

Meanwhile, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick - who managed to tie the Eagles, 13-13, while with Cincinnati last season - has struggled. He did complete five passes to Owens for 39 yards on Sunday, but they came in a 31-10 loss to Houston. The lone Buffalo TD came on a 29-yard end around by Owens.

One of the problems for Edwards and Fitzpatrick is that left tackle Jason Peters was traded to the Eagles and Demetrius Bell now has the job. Also, right tackle Jamon Meredith got hurt.

"It's hard to get into a rhythm or develop any kind of chemistry when those guys aren't the guys that started through training camp," Owens said after the game, according to the News. "Every week we've played with an injury or two on both sides of the ball. . . . We're playing musical chairs with a lot of guys in the line."

The Buehler Effect (through Week 8)

2009-11-04T19:38:00.000-05:00

Originally Posted by AdamJT13 from a sports forum:

Where our kickoff team ranks in the league through Week 8 --

TOUCHBACKS
1. Dallas 17
2. New England 13
3. Three teams tied with 12

TOUCHBACK PERCENTAGE
1. Dallas 42.5%
2. Seattle 40.0%
3. Carolina 39.3%

KICKOFFS INTO END ZONE
1. Dallas 31
2. New Orleans 28
3. Two teams tied with 24

END ZONE PERCENTAGE
1t. Seattle 75.0%
1t. Carolina 75.0%
3. Dallas 73.8%

OPPONENTS' AVERAGE STARTING LINE AFTER KICKOFFS
1. Atlanta 20.7
2. Dallas 21.6
3. Two teams tied at 22.8

Cowboys ready for Philly

2009-11-04T19:37:00.000-05:00

by Mike Barnes

Posted on November 4, 2009

Fans aren't alone in wondering whether the Dallas Cowboys are good enough and mentally tough enough to beat the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Linebacker Bradie James and receiver Roy Williams are wondering the same thing.

The Cowboys were humiliated 44-6 in Philadelphia in last season's finale, a loss that kept Dallas from making the playoffs and put the Eagles into the postseason.

Now the Cowboys are headed back, and they are rolling on offense, defense and special teams. They've won three straight and the teams are tied for first in the NFC East. The game also will be in the Sunday night, prime-time spotlight.

James says how the Cowboys perform will speak volumes about them. Dallas hasn't won a playoff game since 1996.

Cowboys curious to see if they can handle Eagles

2009-11-04T19:36:00.000-05:00

By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer
Updated: 11/04/2009 05:21:22 PM EST

IRVING, Texas—By all accounts, the Dallas Cowboys are a vastly different team than the version that left Philadelphia in shame last December.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has turned Tony Romo into a smarter, more patient quarterback who throws to anyone who is open without playing favorites. Quite often, that's become a guy named Miles Austin.

Wade Phillips has added defensive coordinator to his title, plugged a hole at strong safety and gotten a huge boost from Keith Brooking at inside linebacker. DeMarcus Ware has snapped out of an early slump to again become a ferocious quarterback stalker, despite a stress fracture in his left foot, and the cornerbacks are playing better, too.

The arrival of Joe DeCamillis as special-teams drill sergeant has paid the biggest dividends. Patrick Crayton has returned punts for touchdowns the last two weeks and rookie kickoff specialist David Buehler has a league-best 17 touchbacks—17 more than Dallas had last season.

Still, when the Cowboys return to Philadelphia on Sunday night, the main story line won't be whether they are simply good enough to match up with the Eagles. The scrutiny will be about whether they are tough enough to handle everything that is on the line: a showdown for first place in the NFC East, plus the bonus of seeking revenge against the team that so demonstratively kept them from making the playoffs last season.

Even Dallas players are eager to find out if they're up toit.
"I'm curious, a lot of guys are curious, to really know where we are," defensive co-captain Bradie James said Wednesday. "This is a chance for us to get over the hump, I would say, because it's a division game. We've got some stuff on the line—again—and I want to see how we will respond. ... It'll speak volumes for a lot of different things."

Bill Parcells used to say that coaching the Cowboys is like playing the big room in Las Vegas. Along those lines, then, this game is showtime, a performance on prime-time television with everyone across the league and the country watching. Remember, beyond the dramatic elements, this a battle between 5-2 teams.

"You don't know what's going to happen, you don't know who is going to show up," Dallas receiver Roy Williams said. "You don't know if the Eagles are going to show up, if the Cowboys are going to show up or what's going to happen. We didn't show up the last time we were out there, but ... ."

Mental toughness has been a question about the Cowboys for years; after all, they haven't won a playoff game since 1996. In just the last two seasons, Dallas has gone 13-3 in the regular season only to lose its first playoff game, then went 1-3 last December to miss the playoffs.

Because of the team's recent late-season flops, players know they're going to be reminded about it plenty come December. That's why winning a game like this could go a long way toward showing things might be different this time around.

And, of course, losing would indicate the same old, same old.

"I think everybody realizes what's at stake in this game, how crucial this one really is," Crayton said. "I'm not going to call it a 'must win' because it's not going to break the season. But I think it's a 'have-to-win.'"

Phillips hasn't brought up last year's finale. Then again, why should he? Everyone remembers.

"We want this year's team to be motivated by how we're playing and what we're doing, with a different team," Phillips said.

Still, it's important to realize those differences stemmed from the 44-6 debacle.

Team owner Jerry Jones re-evaluated his entire organization after that game. He dumped Terrell Owens and several other malcontents, fired defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and special teams coach Bruce Read, and made the offense more "Romo-friendly."

The revamped unit is averaging 411.1 yards per game, second-best in the NFL, and Romo has gone three straight games without an interception for the first time in his career. Dallas has won all three, too.

The Cowboys have been helped by a soft schedule. Only one of their victories was against a team with a winning record, and that team, Atlanta, is only 4-3.

Philadelphia has won four of five. The exception was failing to score a touchdown in a loss against Oakland. However, last Sunday, the Eagles jumped all over the New York Giants on the way to a 40-17 victory. When the Cowboys played the Giants, they blew a lead in the final minute in the opener of their $1.2 billion new stadium and lost.

Something else to consider: Dallas and Philadelphia have split the season series the last two years, with the Cowboys winning both early season games and the Eagles taking both rematches.

"If we win, it'll be, 'All hail to the Cowboys,'" Williams said. "If we lose, we can't beat the top-notch teams, yada, yada, yada. So we just want to go out there and play our game and hopefully it's a W."

Just How Good Are Tony Romo and Miles Austin?

2009-11-04T19:34:00.000-05:00

by Daniel Nations
Written on November 04, 2009

The Romo-to-Austin connection is only a few weeks old, but it is already taking its toll on the NFL. The Cowboys are 3-0 with Miles Austin as a starter and Tony Romo hasn't thrown an interception in that time. But just how good are they?

Miles Austin is 10th in the NFL in receiving yards with 563, which is amazing considering that 482 of those yards came in his only three starts. He's also in a five-way tie for second-most receiving touchdowns with 6, trailing Vernon Davis by just one touchdown. And along with Donald Driver, Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne, he has ten catches for 20+ yards, which leads the NFL.

The connection has also helped propel Tony Romo to the top of the league. Like Austin, he's tied for 10th in the NFL in passing with 1,908 yards. That's on pace for a 4,000+ yard season. His QB rating of 96.8 puts him at 9th in the league, and despite being known for turning the ball over too much, his four interceptions put him among the ranks of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers, who have also thrown four picks this year.
But the real question is whether the Cowboys can keep this connection open when it counts: in December.

Sorry, ESPN: This Cowboys Team Won't Become the Circus You Want It To Be

2009-11-04T19:32:00.001-05:00

by Chad Hensley Chad Hensley
Scribe, Featured Columnist
Written on November 04, 2009

Does ESPN report or create news when it comes to the Cowboys?

Tim McMahon of the newly formed ESPNDallas.com wrote an article today on how Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams is not on the same page as quarterback Tony Romo.

Now this is obvious to anyone with a pulse, but you can be sure ESPN will beat this dead horse into the ground.

ESPN's problem is the Cowboys are playing well, and, for the first time in a few years, there is little to no controversy within the organization. That doesn't bode well for ESPN ratings.

ESPN likes to create news instead of reporting it, especially when it comes to America's team. The difference is this year's Cowboys team is going to have nothing of it.

The Cowboys probably got rid of 75 percent of ESPN's articles written on them when they released Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones, and Tank Johnson. And even with those types of players, they still felt the need to manufacture stories .

Take, for example, the following quote in McMahon's article.

"He gets the ball thrown correctly his way," Williams said of Austin. "I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody [else] who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs [from Romo to Williams] are everywhere right now."

Now I don't know what context this was said in, but it doesn't sound like the Roy Williams that we have been hearing all year—the one who wants to win, even if he isn't getting his touches.

Unfortunately for the ESPN vultures, if that quote isn't taken out of context, it will be dealt with internally by the team.

You see the 2009 Cowboys have real leadership this year, with players like Keith Brooking. Brooking and Co. will put Williams in his place, and the team will move on, with or without Williams.

Aikman Efficiency Ratings Through Week 8, 2009

2009-11-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday 3rd November 2009, @Troy_Aikman said:

Offense

Aik NFL Team AER
1 1 Saints (n) 92.5
2 4 Colts (a) 90.3
3 7 Ravens (a) 89.5
4 3 Patriots (a) 88.9
5 10 Vikings (n) 88.0
6 2 Cowboys (n) 87.8
7 9 Packers (n) 86.5
8 13 Bengals (a) 84.2
9 6 Steelers (a) 83.3
10 23 Dolphins (a) 82.6
11 15 Eagles (n) 81.9
12 5 Giants (n) 80.8
13 14 Broncos (a) 80.5
14 17 Falcons (n) 80.3
15 16 Jets (a) 79.6
16 11 Jaguars (a) 79.0
17 12 Chargers (a) 78.5
18 8 Texans (a) 78.3
19 27 49ers (n) 75.7
20 18 Cardinals (n) 73.0
21 19 Titans (a) 72.1
22 20 Bears (n) 71.9
23 22 Seahawks (n) 71.6
24 30 Chiefs (a) 71.1
25 25 Lions (n) 69.6
26 21 Panthers (n) 68.4
27 28 Buccaneers (n) 68.0
28 24 Redskins (n) 65.7
29 29 Bills (a) 61.8
30 26 Rams (n) 56.9
31 32 Raiders (a) 56.6
32 31 Browns (a) 52.0

NFL Average 76.6

Defense

Aik NFL Team AER
1 1 Broncos (a) 86.4
2 15 Saints (n) 84.9
3 2 Jets (a) 84.0
4 10 Eagles (n) 82.5
5 6 Patriots (a) 81.1
6 4T Redskins (n) 80.7
7 8 Steelers (a) 80.0
8 9 Colts (a) 80.0
9 19 Vikings (n) 78.6
10 21 Bengals (a) 78.6
11 4T Packers (n) 78.1
12 18 Cardinals (n) 77.6
13 13 Ravens (a) 76.2
14 20 49ers (n) 76.2
15 29 Falcons (n) 75.7
16 14 Seahawks (n) 72.5
17 17 Dolphins (a) 72.5
18 7 Panthers (n) 71.7
19 25 Bills (a) 71.0
20 3 Giants (n) 70.0
21 11 Bears (n) 69.7
22 22 Cowboys (n) 69.4
23 16 Texans (a) 69.0
24 12 Chargers (a) 67.9
25 26 Raiders (a) 67.3
26 30 Chiefs (a) 66.4
27 32 Browns (a) 66.0
28 24 Jaguars (a) 65.3
29 28 Buccaneers (n) 65.2
30 23 Lions (n) 64.4
31 31 Titans (a) 62.9
32 27 Rams (n) 62.8

NFL Average 73.4

Ratings Courtesy of STATS, LLC

Romo's steady side helps Cowboys surge in NFC East

2009-11-03T17:02:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press

IRVING — Tony Romo has gone from swashbuckling to steady. Dare we say ``workman-type''?

Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips came up with that answering a question about his quarterback after Sunday's 38-17 victory against Seattle. Romo had just finished his career-best third straight game without an interception, which happens to coincide with a three-game winning streak that ties Dallas with Philadelphia atop the NFC East and sets up a first-place showdown Sunday night.

Phillips was trying to describe his whole team, but the connection was notable. And the coach continued the theme Monday, even after some time to think about it.

``We all know Tony played well and has been consistent throwing the ball for most of the games this year, but really the last three,'' Phillips said. ``He's thrown it to who he needs to throw to.''

Romo's gunslinging reputation — the bad side of it — grew in the first regular-season game at Cowboys Stadium. With a record crowd and huge television audience watching, he threw three interceptions that led to three New York touchdowns in the Giants' 33-31 win.

His fourth interception was a big one in Denver, wiping out a great scoring chance in a 17-10 loss. But that was also the last one. There have been eight touchdowns among the 106 Romo passes over the past three games.

``You're always looking to never make a mistake, everyone being on the right page, everyone doing the right things,'' said Romo, who was a steady 21 of 26 for 256 yards with three touchdowns against the Seahawks. ``You're always striving for that each week. The reality of it though is that it's not going to happen every week.''

One other major factor in Romo's favor coincides with the past three games: the emergence of receiver Miles Austin. That's all the time it took for people to start calling him the No. 1 receiver on a team with Roy Williams and his $45 million contract.

Perhaps the label came quickly because Austin has 482 receiving yards in his first three starts, the most of any player since 1970.

Austin has taken short passes a long way, which he did twice to help save the Cowboys in a 26-20 overtime victory at then-winless Kansas City. He and Romo have connected on deep routes, too, including one that put Dallas ahead for good in a crucial game against Atlanta two Sundays ago.

``I'm just getting more balls my way, so it's making me more alert and I'm ready for an opportunity any time it rears its pretty head,'' Austin said.

The nagging concern for Dallas is the inability of Romo and Williams to find each other. Drops by Williams and bad throws in his direction by Romo overshadowed his second touchdown of the season against the Seahawks.

Still, productivity elsewhere and general efficiency by the No. 2 offense in the NFL are a relief for a franchise that spent three years answering daily questions about whether Terrell Owens was getting the ball enough.

``The good thing is we're not saying, 'Well, we've got to get the ball to Roy Williams,''' Phillips said. ``You can get caught up in that.''

Romo hasn't completely thrown the flash in the trash can.

One of his best highlights during the three-game winning streak was a spin-dart-and-toss touchdown to Patrick Crayton against Atlanta. The difference, though, was that Romo slowed down when he found open space and made sure Crayton was open before delivering the 5-yard scoring pass.

Even if Romo was more careful, Crayton said, the Cowboys need those plays from their quarterback.

``He's not a game manager,'' Crayton said. ``They don't pay him to be a game manager. They pay him to make plays, and that's what he's doing.''

Cowboys will use blowout loss as motivation

2009-11-03T17:01:00.001-05:00

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

On Thursday, I'll take a look back at how the Cowboys' 44-6 loss to the Eagles last season changed the course for both teams. Now, the Cowboys are hoping to use that embarrassment as motivation as they return to the Linc on Sunday night.

The winner of Sunday's game will be in the midseason driver's seat for the NFC East crown. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips doesn't think there will be a carryover effect from last season's debacle, but he admits that players haven't forgotten what took place.

"I think it's important certainly," Phillips said. "This is this year's team. I think everybody remembers last year. Not all of our players were on this team last year and we split with them last year, but the last game really hurt us. And the guys that were there certainly remember it."

Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com has a report on what took place at Valley Ranch on Monday. Wide receiver Patrick Crayton was the only player speaking to reporters because Phillips gave the team a "Victory Monday."

"I think everybody realizes what's at stake in this game and how critical this one really is," Crayton said. "I'm not going to call it a must-win. It's not going to break the season, but I think it's a 'have-to-win.'"

I'm not totally sure of the difference between a "must-win" and "have-to-win." If you guys have some ideas, please let me know.

Cowboys lose Mike Mickens

2009-11-03T16:58:00.000-05:00

Source: Dallas Morning News

Tampa Bay has plucked cornerback Mike Mickens off the Cowboys' practice squad, bringing him up to its active roster.

Roy or Romo: Who's At Fault Here?

2009-11-03T16:54:00.000-05:00

By Richie Whitt

Roy Williams is the Dallas Cowboys' third-highest paid player. And their fourth-leading receiver.

So I ask you, what the hell is going on here?

It may sound like nitpicking on a team that's won three in a row heading into Sunday night's showdown against the Eagles, but to win in Philly and into December the Cowboys will need Williams to produce. Maybe not as a touchdown-making game-breaker (Miles Austin) or as quarterback Tony Romo's security blanky (Jason Witten), but at the very least as a big target with soft hands who can consistently catch the chain-moving 7-yard slant.

Right?

Williams has been thrown to 37 times this season. He's caught only 14 passes. That's the worst ratio (37 percent) of any NFL receiver. Included in that is an abysmal 3 of 15 on third down. Witten, on the other hand, has caught 37 of the 45 thrown his way, highlighted by 8 of 8 on third down.

Who's a fault here, Roy or Romo?

Because Romo's connecting seamlessly with every other target, I'm laying it on Williams. He's had drops. He's run half-ass routes. He just hasn't produced. Granted he's been hurt with bruised ribs, thanks to Romo hanging him out to dry in Denver. And let's be fair, Romo's thrown him some rotten passes and Williams has been a persistent, downfield blocker in the running game.

But last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks I watched Williams jog - not sprint or run, but jog - about 10 yards straight downfield. No jukes. No moves. No urgerncy. No purpose. When the ball went flying well over his head, the boos rained down upon his noggin'.

Even head coach Wade Phillips admits there's a chemistry problem. We got questions. We need answers.

1. Williams is simply overrated.

2. They need more time to get on the same page.

3. Romo doesn't like/trust Williams.

4. Jason Garrett doesn't know how to use Williams.

5. Terrell Owens.

2009 NFL Point Spreads For Week 9

2009-11-02T20:19:00.001-05:00

Week Nine NFL Football Point Spread
NFL Spreads 11/8 - 11/9, 2009

Date & Time Favorite Spread Underdog
11/8 1:00 ET At Jacksonville -6.5 Kansas City
11/8 1:00 ET Baltimore -3 At Cincinnati
11/8 1:00 ET At Indianapolis -9 Houston
11/8 1:00 ET At Atlanta -10 Washington
11/8 1:00 ET Green Bay -10 At Tampa Bay
11/8 1:00 ET At Chicago -3 Arizona
11/8 1:00 ET At New England -10.5 Miami
11/8 4:05 ET At New Orleans -14 Carolina
11/8 4:05 ET At Seattle -10 Detroit
11/8 4:15 ET At San Francisco -4 Tennessee
11/8 4:15 ET At NY Giants -4 San Diego
11/8 8:20 ET At Philadelphia -3 Dallas

Monday Night Football Point Spread

11/9 8:35 ET Pittsburgh -3 At Denver

Gholson: Minus T.O., Cowboys sing different tune

2009-11-02T19:51:00.000-05:00

By NICK GHOLSON, Scripps Howard News Service professional football

ARLINGTON, Texas - Ever since T.O. left town, I have been up and down on whether handing him his walking papers was really the right decision for the Dallas Cowboys.

Love him or hate him, the guy is one of the best wide receivers in all of pro football.
Don't believe me. Just ask him.

T.O. might lie, but the numbers don't. In his three years in Dallas he caught 235 passes for 3.587 yards and 38 touchdowns.

And the Cowboys are better without him?

Yes. No. Yes No.

Heck, I don't know.

But after watching the Cowboys' 38-17 win over Seattle here Sunday, I am back on the "good riddance" bandwagon.

Tony Romo no longer has that 6-3, 225-pound albatross hanging around his neck. He doesn't have to worry anymore about making T.O. happy or about making Jerry Jones happy by making T.O. happy.

Romo completed 21 passes against the Seahawks to 10 different guys. All five wide receivers on the roster caught a pass. Four of them counting Patrick Crayton's 82-yard punt return scored touchdowns.

Sam Hurd caught only the second touchdown pass of his four-year career, hauling in a Romo pass and taking it 36 yards to the house in the first quarter.

Miles Austin's 3-yard TD catch in the third quarter was his fifth in three weeks. He has now caught 21 passes for 482 yards in three games.

"If they take away something, we've got to be good enough to do something else. The system is in place to have those options. I think you're seeing that we have different people do different things well, and we're getting them the ball in those situations," Romo explained.
Unlike relying on the dependable Jason Witten and then having a self-centered T.O. call you down for it.

Hurd is a different cat.

When asked to talk about the contributions he and Austin made Sunday, he stood up for his other teammates.

"I wouldn't just say Miles and I. I would say Kevin Ogletree, Patrick and Roy (Williams). We all contribute," Hurd said.

Can you imagine hearing something that unselfish or that sincere come out of the big mouth of Terrell Owens?

Me neither.

"Miles has great speed and great depth. He's strong and can get in and out of routes. I run decent routes and I can get in and out of my breaks real quick," Hurd explained. "So we bring a lot of different things as well as Kevin Ogletree. He's just nice. I like to call him nice because he can do it all, he's just very young.

"And Patrick and Roy, they have great talent, but they have different people covering them because they are star receivers. We can hit them in the holes that they are weak in, and when they double up on Patrick and Roy, Miles and I can sync up."

"I don't feel like a different player. I'm getting more opportunities, and I've capitalized. Sam got a big opportunity, and he capitalized today, so I think we're all just making plays when we get the chance to," said Austin, who caught five passes for 61 yards against Seattle.

The Cowboys have had two opportunities to reincarnate T.O. the past couple of weeks and divide the locker room.
Crayton was demoted behind Austin on the depth chart. But instead of pouting or running to Jerry, this guy just went out and contributed a pair of 82-yard punt returns for touchdowns.
Roy Williams could now be a problem child, if he chooses.

Right now, although Romo won't admit it, the guy who is supposed to be the Cowboys' go-to guy is just not getting it done.

Yeah, he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass against the Seahawks, but Romo threw seven passes in Williams' direction and five of them hit the turf.

"I see Roy and Tony not on the same page," coach Wade Phillips said. "They're getting closer. They talk to each other afterwards. A couple of times Tony thought Roy was going to go here, and he went there and vice versa. We just have to keep working on that."
Stevie Wonder could see that.

"It's frustrating, but we just have to continue to work, and one of these days, it will just click," Williams said. "And when that happens, it will be dangerous. I try to catch everything thrown my way, but sometimes it's really tough, and it's my fault. I should have caught those balls."

What? A Dallas wide receiver admitting fault even though Romo deserves half the blame?
How un-T.O.-ish is that?

This is not the same team we watched and listened to a year ago.

Now T.O. can hiss and moan all he wants. We don't have to listen. He's 1,400 miles away.
Enjoy Buffalo, big guy. Winter is on the way.

Tony Romo, minus the flash, has pushed Cowboys atop of NFC East

2009-11-02T19:39:00.000-05:00

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Tony Romo (FSY) has gone from swashbuckling to steady. Dare we say "workman-type"?

Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips came up with that answering a question about his quarterback after Sunday's 38-17 victory against Seattle. Romo had just finished his career-best third straight game without an interception, which happens to coincide with a three-game winning streak that ties Dallas with Philadelphia atop the NFC East and sets up a first-place showdown Sunday night.

Phillips was trying to describe his whole team, but the connection was notable. And the coach continued the theme Monday, even after some time to think about it.

THE HUDDLE: Williams, Romo still 'not on the same page'
PHOTOS: Week 8 highlights

"We all know Tony played well and has been consistent throwing the ball for most of the games this year, but really the last three," Phillips said. "He's thrown it to who he needs to throw to."

Romo's gunslinging reputation — the bad side of it — grew in the first regular-season game at Cowboys Stadium. With a record crowd and huge television audience watching, he threw three interceptions that led to three New York touchdowns in the Giants' 33-31 win.

His fourth interception was a big one in Denver, wiping out a great scoring chance in a 17-10 loss. But that was also the last one. There have been eight touchdowns among the 106 Romo passes over the past three games.

"You're always looking to never make a mistake, everyone being on the right page, everyone doing the right things," said Romo, who was a steady 21 of 26 for 256 yards with three touchdowns against the Seahawks. "You're always striving for that each week. The reality of it though is that it's not going to happen every week."

One other major factor in Romo's favor coincides with the past three games: the emergence of receiver Miles Austin (FSY). That's all the time it took for people to start calling him the No. 1 receiver on a team with Roy Williams (FSY) and his $45 million contract.

Perhaps the label came quickly because Austin has 482 receiving yards in his first three starts, the most of any player since 1970.

Austin has taken short passes a long way, which he did twice to help save the Cowboys in a 26-20 overtime victory at then-winless Kansas City. He and Romo have connected on deep routes, too, including one that put Dallas ahead for good in a crucial game against Atlanta two Sundays ago.

"I'm just getting more balls my way, so it's making me more alert and I'm ready for an opportunity any time it rears its pretty head," Austin said.

The nagging concern for Dallas is the inability of Romo and Williams to find each other. Drops by Williams and bad throws in his direction by Romo overshadowed his second touchdown of the season against the Seahawks.

Still, productivity elsewhere and general efficiency by the No. 2 offense in the NFL are a relief for a franchise that spent three years answering daily questions about whether Terrell Owens (FSY) was getting the ball enough.

"The good thing is we're not saying, 'Well, we've got to get the ball to Roy Williams,"' Phillips said. "You can get caught up in that."

Romo hasn't completely thrown the flash in the trash can.

One of his best highlights during the three-game winning streak was a spin-dart-and-toss touchdown to Patrick Crayton (FSY) against Atlanta. The difference, though, was that Romo slowed down when he found open space and made sure Crayton was open before delivering the 5-yard scoring pass.

Even if Romo was more careful, Crayton said, the Cowboys need those plays from their quarterback.

"He's not a game manager," Crayton said. "They don't pay him to be a game manager. They pay him to make plays, and that's what he's doing."

Eagles turn to Cowboys

2009-11-02T19:38:00.000-05:00

By Bob Brookover
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Having disposed of the New York Giants in most convincing fashion, the Eagles turned their attention yesterday to the Dallas Cowboys, their other bitter NFC East rival who will be at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday night for a nationally televised game.

In the ever-changing NFL, the Cowboys appeared to be the lesser of the Eagles' two rivals a few weeks ago when they lost at Denver to fall to 2-2 while the Giants raced to a 5-0 start.

Now, it's the Giants who are reeling after three straight losses and the Cowboys who appear to present the biggest challenge to the Eagles' quest for their sixth division title in the last nine seasons. The Cowboys, 5-2, have won three straight and are tied for first place with the Eagles.

"I think they're playing aggressive," Eagles coach Andy Reid said the day after his team's 40-17 demolition of the Giants. "I think their offensive line and defensive line are playing physical football. They're giving [quarterback] Tony [Romo] time to get back there and throw and then match it with a good running game."

The last time the Cowboys came to town, they were in need of a victory for the NFC's final playoff spot and instead received a 44-6 season-ending beating that allowed the Eagles to make a postseason run to the NFC championship game.

This Dallas team isn't the same as that Dallas team and Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said that may be why it has taken the Cowboys some time to hit their stride.

"This is an outsider looking in, but it seems like the makeup of their team has changed and now they seem to be getting comfortable in terms of the different roles each player has on that team, at least offensively speaking," McDermott said. "We're in Week 8 and they seem to be rolling on all cylinders."

It's an interesting point, because the Eagles, on both offense and defense, may be experiencing that same sort of growth as the season heads toward the second half. Both teams made some major changes and in an era when the preseason has become more about protecting players from injury than getting them ready to play in the regular season, it is only natural that it takes some time for teams to get in sync.

"Each week that goes by, people kind of get a feel for where they fit into the scheme and their role on that team," McDermott said. "You see the chemistry start to develop both on the field and off the field."

The Cowboys' most publicized change, of course, was the departure of Terrell Owens, the polarizing wide receiver who shuffled off to Buffalo after three seasons without a playoff victory in Dallas.

Roy Williams, acquired in the middle of last season, was the leading candidate to become the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver, but that role has instead gone to Miles Austin, who is 10th in the NFL with 563 receiving yards, thanks in large part to a 250-yard game three weeks ago against Kansas City.

"Just facing him over the years, I always had a lot of respect for the way he played the game," McDermott said of Austin. "His skill set is number one. He's a very fast receiver and then the way he approaches the game. He always plays hard-nosed football. You would see it when he played special teams as a returner and he was a guy who when he came into the game on offense, we always had to be aware of him."

Austin, since taking advantage of a Williams injury to move into the Cowboys' starting lineup three games ago, has 21 catches for 482 yards and five touchdowns.

The Cowboys, who rank second in the NFL on offense, have a lot of their same weapons in place. Romo has overcome a slow start to throw eight touchdowns without an interception in the Cowboys' last three games.

Marion Barber remains the featured back, but Felix Jones, who is averaging 7.8 yards per carry, and Tashard Choice give the Cowboys a dangerous trio at running back. And, of course, tight end Jason Witten has always given the Eagles and a lot of other NFL teams a difficult time.

Reid said defensively the Cowboys are blitzing more with head coach Wade Phillips calling the signals.

"They're blitzing from all over the place," Reid said. "They're utilizing everybody there."

Perhaps, but the defense has definitely been the weaker link for the Cowboys through seven games. Despite having DeMarcus Ware, who led the league in sacks last season, the Cowboys have forced just nine turnovers and they've allowed 12 touchdown passes, tied for eighth most in the league.

Reid looks ahead to Cowboys

2009-11-02T19:30:00.000-05:00

Source: www.philly.com

The Giants came. They saw. And the Eagles conquered.

It is time to now gaze ahead to the Cowboys, who arrive in Philadelphia Sunday night with first place in the NFC East on the line. Eagles coach Andy Reid was asked about the 5-2 Cowboys today, who have won three straight.

“I think they’re playing aggressive," Reid said at his day-after news conference. "I think their offensive line and defensive line are playing very physical football. They’re giving [Cowboys QB] Tony [Romo] time to get back there and throw and then they match it with a good running game. Defensively, they’re flying around. [Cowboys head coach] Wade [Phillips] has taken over. They’re blitzing from all over the place. They have a whole variety of different blitzes. They’re utilizing everybody there.”

The 5-2 Eagles are fairly healthy heading into the Dallas game. Reid said that Brian Westbrook (concussion), who missed Sunday's game, should be back practicing by Wednesday. That doesn't mean the running back will be ready to go against the Cowboys, however.

"We're going to make sure that he's okay to perform," Reid said. "We're not going to do anything to put him in jeopardy."

Based off the run game's performance against New York, Reid may not need to rush Westbrook back.

Linebacker Chris Gocong has a quadriceps contusion and a hamstring strain, according to Reid, and is day-to-day. Defensive end Chris Clemons, who left the Giants game with a shoulder injury, is OK.

Defensive end Victor Abiamiri is still recovering from a knee strain and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) is most likely out for the Dallas game.

Consistent Cowboys cruise past Seahawks 38-17

2009-11-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

By JAIME ARON - AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas -- At last, the Dallas Cowboys are showing the consistency they sought.

Miles Austin caught a touchdown pass for the third straight game and Patrick Crayton returned a punt for a score for the second consecutive week, sending Dallas past the Seattle Seahawks 38-17 and into a share of first place in the NFC East on Sunday.

Tony Romo went a third game in a row without an interception. Since a herky-jerky first month, the Cowboys (5-2) have found quite a groove, winning three straight, setting up a showdown next Sunday night against the co-leading Eagles in Philadelphia.

Romo threw for 256 yards, with touchdowns to Austin, Sam Hurd and Roy Williams. Marion Barber added a TD run and Crayton broke open the game with an 82-yard punt return, one week after a game-breaking 73-yarder. DeMarcus Ware had a sack for the third straight game, this one coming a few days after cashing a $20 million signing bonus as part of a $78 million, six-year contract extension.

Seattle (2-5) was coming off its bye and had cornerback Marcus Trufant for the first time all year. The Seahawks led 3-0 and were within 14-10 late in the second quarter, but did little right after that. Trufant was flagged three times for pass interference and the injury-riddled offensive line allowed three more sacks of Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck was 22 of 39 for 249 yards, with touchdown passes to Deion Branch and Justin Griffith. Julius Jones ran 15 times for 56 yards.

Romo was 21 of 36, hitting 10 different receivers while doing his best to avoid any careless mistakes. He still made one, losing a fumble inside his 10 midway through the fourth quarter, leading to Seattle's final touchdown. But the fact he didn't throw any passes to the other team for yet another game is a milestone for him. Romo had only three interception-free games last year and has now done so that many games in a row, and five times on the season.

Austin continued his emergence with five catches for 61 yards, including a 3-yarder for a touchdown. He might've had more yards if Trufant hadn't interfered with him twice. But Austin wasn't perfect; he fumbled at the end of an end-around run (although he recovered it) and failed to get over the crossbar on a celebratory dunk after his touchdown. Teammates ribbed him for it when he reached the sideline.

When the Cowboys were alternating wins and losses over the first four games, coach Wade Phillips talked about needing to become consistently good. Since pulling out a win in overtime at Kansas City, they have.

Hurd turned a short pass into a 36-yard touchdown, his first from scrimmage since the 2007 opener. Williams got the next touchdown, his first since this year's opener. In between, linebacker Bobby Carpenter racked up his first sack since December 2006.

Seattle put left tackle Walter Jones and linebacker Lofa Tatupu, two of its mainstays, on injured reserve last week. In a play typical of their season, Seahawks backup quarterback Seneca Wallace took a snap, handed off to a running back, who then handed off to Hasselbeck for a pass to Wallace. Everything worked out perfectly, including Wallace being wide open - except that he fell while the ball was in the air.

In the third quarter, Hasselbeck was sacked on consecutive plays and appeared to aggravate a rib injury on the second one, which forced Seattle to punt. He hardly had any time to recover, though, because Crayton returned the kick for a touchdown. Hasselbeck made it back, but cornerback Ken Lucas didn't return following a third-quarter collision with Dallas' Felix Jones.

Cowboys’ Crayton has a chip on his shoulder

2009-11-01T09:16:00.000-05:00

By Schuyler Dixon
Associated Press

IRVING, Texas — Dallas Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton lost two jobs after one game, then responded by scoring two touchdowns the next.

That’s just what those around the self-described “seventh-rounder coming out of a small school” would have expected.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips even suggested that Crayton played better with the proverbial chip on his shoulder after the receiver complained mildly last week that he had to figure out his demotions on his own.

“I’ve still got it,” Crayton said Thursday, glancing at his left shoulder . “It just got a little bigger last week. It’s going to stay there. It’s a permanent fixture there.”

For his part, Phillips countered by saying coaches did talk to him. The truth hardly matters to former Cowboys quarterback Babe Laufenberg, now a member of the team’s radio crew. He offered coaches a solution on the air: Keep talking to him if you did, quit talking to him if you didn’t.

Laufenberg’s reasoning came moments after Crayton returned a punt 73 yards for the clinching score in a 37-21 victory against Atlanta. The first punt return TD of his career came two quarters after he broke off a route in the end zone when he saw Tony Romo scrambling, found an open spot and caught a 5-yard touchdown.

Crayton was returning punts again because Allen Rossum injured a hamstring the first time he touched the ball as a Cowboy, on an Atlanta kickoff. Rossum was signed exclusively as a return man three days after Crayton muffed a punt and almost botched another at Kansas City.

Now Crayton has punt return duty again, including today against Seattle, because Rossum is out 2-to-4 weeks.

Dropped passes didn’t cost Crayton his starting spot at receiver. Miles Austin simply took it away with a franchise-record 250 yards and two touchdowns when he made his first career start in place of the injured Roy Williams against the Chiefs.

Austin went off again last week, getting 171 yards and two more long touchdowns against the Falcons. But Crayton found a way to contribute, just as Romo predicted when he said he wasn’t worried about the sixth-year player from Northwestern Oklahoma State, a tiny NAIA school.

“He understands that he’s going to play a ton,” Romo said before the win over the Falcons. “To think he’s not going to be a major part of this offense is wrong.”

Crayton was hardly a whiner when assessing his situation last week. He said he would have liked to hear something from the coaching staff, but didn’t act like it was hard to figure out.

“I had a dropped pass and a muffed punt,” he said. “And the other guy had 250 yards.”

Crayton dismissed the suggestion that he should start ahead of Roy Williams, the former University of Texas star who cost Cowboys owner Jerry Jones three draft picks and a new $45 million contract last year. Compared to Williams, who has been injured, Crayton has more catches (17-12), yards (252-230) and touchdowns (2-1).

“When you give up a first, a third and a sixth and pay a guy that much, he has to play,” Crayton said.

Jason Witten liked what he saw from Crayton during a tough week, and the tight end stands by his contention that Romo is more comfortable with Crayton than any other receiver.

“It’s a long season of ups and downs, and the mental side of the game is what it’s all about,” Witten said. “I think he did a great job of understanding those challenges and really just stepping up and being the same guy every day. And it showed on Sunday.”