Post by ccboy on Nov 22, 2009 1:48:31 GMT -7
Garrett told to get Felix Jones the ball
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News ARLINGTON ¡X
It was December 2008 all over again for Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett last week.
Late last season, Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and PatĬrick Crayton met with Garrett to complain that Tony Romo relied too much on Jason Witten.
A gang of three lobbied Garrett again last week, but this time there was no face-to-face meeting.
It started with Wade Phillips. Next up was Tashard Choice. Finally, Jerry Jones had his say.
Their message: Get Felix Jones more involved.
¡§We need to feature him more,¡¨ Phillips said at a news conference Monday. ¡§Running and passing.¡¨
Less than 24 hours later, Choice told reporters at a charitable event that Jones having only seven carries and 16 yards the past two games had nothing to do with the sprained knee ligament that forced him to sit out Weeks 4 and 5.
¡§They say something about Felix¡¦s (knee) brace, but he¡¦s still fast,¡¨ Choice said. ¡§It¡¦s about opportunities.¡¨
On Thursday, it was the owner¡¦s turn.
¡§I¡¦d sure like to see the ball in the hands of the players with speed and playmaking ability,¡¨ Jerry Jones said. ¡§.ƒ|.ƒ|. I¡¦d like to see him (Felix Jones) with the ball more.¡¨
This isn¡¦t the first time Garrett has been under fire for ignoring the former Arkansas star.
In a Week 4 loss to the Redskins last season, Felix Jones didn¡¦t have a single touch, a puzzling development considering the week before, he had a career-best 60-yard touchdown run in a win over Green Bay.
Garrett¡¦s inability to get Jones the ball in space this season has also prompted head scratching. In four games, including the last two, not a single pass has come Jones¡¦ way.
Phillips said last week Jones isn¡¦t adept at pass protection, a flaw that limits his involvement in the passing game.
But where is it written that Jones can only catch the ball coming out of the backfield? Why can¡¦t he line up in the slot or at receiver? Garrett can find a niche play ¡X the bubble screen ¡X for undrafted receiver Kevin Ogletree, but he can¡¦t come up with one for a player as dynamic as Jones?
The criticism leveled at Garrett hasn¡¦t been limited to his use of Jones.
Despite having two other talented tailbacks and a huge offensive line, the Cowboys have run the ball only 41.4 percent of the time (including Romo scrambles) this season to rank 21st in the NFL.
In last week¡¦s 17-7 loss at Green Bay, Jones, Choice and Marion Barber combined for a season-low 11 carries even though Dallas trailed only 3-0 entering the fourth quarter.
¡§It¡¦s important we run the ball,¡¨ Choice said. ¡§It¡¦s important for Romo. It¡¦s important for our whole offense and our defense, keeping them off the field. Romo plays better most of the time when we have a running game behind him to keep the defense honest. The more we can do that, the better off we are.¡¨
Owens may be gone, but there are still plenty of people around Valley Ranch willing to give Garrett advice.
torsborn@express-news.net
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News ARLINGTON ¡X
It was December 2008 all over again for Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett last week.
Late last season, Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and PatĬrick Crayton met with Garrett to complain that Tony Romo relied too much on Jason Witten.
A gang of three lobbied Garrett again last week, but this time there was no face-to-face meeting.
It started with Wade Phillips. Next up was Tashard Choice. Finally, Jerry Jones had his say.
Their message: Get Felix Jones more involved.
¡§We need to feature him more,¡¨ Phillips said at a news conference Monday. ¡§Running and passing.¡¨
Less than 24 hours later, Choice told reporters at a charitable event that Jones having only seven carries and 16 yards the past two games had nothing to do with the sprained knee ligament that forced him to sit out Weeks 4 and 5.
¡§They say something about Felix¡¦s (knee) brace, but he¡¦s still fast,¡¨ Choice said. ¡§It¡¦s about opportunities.¡¨
On Thursday, it was the owner¡¦s turn.
¡§I¡¦d sure like to see the ball in the hands of the players with speed and playmaking ability,¡¨ Jerry Jones said. ¡§.ƒ|.ƒ|. I¡¦d like to see him (Felix Jones) with the ball more.¡¨
This isn¡¦t the first time Garrett has been under fire for ignoring the former Arkansas star.
In a Week 4 loss to the Redskins last season, Felix Jones didn¡¦t have a single touch, a puzzling development considering the week before, he had a career-best 60-yard touchdown run in a win over Green Bay.
Garrett¡¦s inability to get Jones the ball in space this season has also prompted head scratching. In four games, including the last two, not a single pass has come Jones¡¦ way.
Phillips said last week Jones isn¡¦t adept at pass protection, a flaw that limits his involvement in the passing game.
But where is it written that Jones can only catch the ball coming out of the backfield? Why can¡¦t he line up in the slot or at receiver? Garrett can find a niche play ¡X the bubble screen ¡X for undrafted receiver Kevin Ogletree, but he can¡¦t come up with one for a player as dynamic as Jones?
The criticism leveled at Garrett hasn¡¦t been limited to his use of Jones.
Despite having two other talented tailbacks and a huge offensive line, the Cowboys have run the ball only 41.4 percent of the time (including Romo scrambles) this season to rank 21st in the NFL.
In last week¡¦s 17-7 loss at Green Bay, Jones, Choice and Marion Barber combined for a season-low 11 carries even though Dallas trailed only 3-0 entering the fourth quarter.
¡§It¡¦s important we run the ball,¡¨ Choice said. ¡§It¡¦s important for Romo. It¡¦s important for our whole offense and our defense, keeping them off the field. Romo plays better most of the time when we have a running game behind him to keep the defense honest. The more we can do that, the better off we are.¡¨
Owens may be gone, but there are still plenty of people around Valley Ranch willing to give Garrett advice.
torsborn@express-news.net