Post by prossman on Dec 22, 2008 23:54:38 GMT -7
DC.COM: Josh Ellis: Get Well Soon; Notes: Cowboys Injury Concerns Still Present
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Get Well Soon
Notes: Cowboys Injury Concerns Still Present
Josh Ellis
December 22, 2008 5:21 PM
IRVING, Texas - Six days from the biggest game of their season, the Dallas Cowboys are as beat-up as ever. Facing an early playoff game, the Cowboys will need to get the most out of their injured players this week.
For some, that may mean continued rest during practice. Coach Wade Phillips said he wouldn't rethink holding certain banged-up players, like Ken Hamlin (foot) or Marion Barber (toe), out of practice simply because of the increased stakes. Barber didn't participate in any practices last week, and Hamlin was only listed as limited on Friday. The Cowboys entered Saturday's game against Baltimore with 13 players on the injury report, and none experienced any miraculous recovery over the weekend.
"I hold them out if they can't practice," Phillips said. "Certain guys get rest if they need rest to get their legs back, but we've had guys who can't practice."
While the Cowboys came out of the game with no new players hurt, some of the existing injuries may have gotten worse. Jason Witten hurt his ankle again on his touchdown catch near the end of the game, and the beating quarterback Tony Romo took throughout the contest couldn't have been good for his back. Barber came in for a series during the first half, but never returned.
"There is some concern with Witten," Phillips said. "He's obviously a trooper . . . He's hobbled a little bit. I think he will be ready for the game but how effective he can be, I don't know . . . We'll see where Marion is. He's been better and better every week, but he still hasn't been 100 percent."
The Cowboys held linebacker Bobby Carpenter (calf) and cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) out Saturday. Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones returned after missing a game due to a herniated disk in his neck. Phillips said starting left guard Montrae Holland (ankle) was a little better, but it will be a close call whether he can return against the Eagles.
Game Moved To Sunday Afternoon
Sunday's game at Philadelphia has been moved from a noon kickoff to a 3:15 p.m. (CST) start under the league's flexible scheduling plan. Moving the game to the afternoon slot will allow it to be broadcast nationally on FOX.
The NFL utilizes "flexible scheduling" on Sundays in Weeks 11-17. Flexible scheduling ensures quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and gives teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon time slot on CBS and FOX.
Three other games were flexed as well. Miami will play at the New York Jets at 3:15 p.m. (CST) on CBS. Jacksonville at Baltimore will be played at 3:15 p.m. (CST) on CBS as well. Denver will play at San Diego at 7:15 p.m. (CST) Sunday on NBC.
Entering Week 17, Philadelphia still has a shot at the playoffs, but only if Tampa Bay loses to Oakland in the noon (CST) kickoff. They may also need losses from either Chicago or Minnesota, both of which play at noon (CST) as well. Therefore, it's possible Philadelphia's game against the Cowboys could start with the Eagles already eliminated from playoff contention, with nothing material for which to play.
Just Tie, Maybe
The least complicated path to the playoffs for the Cowboys would be to beat Philadelphia Sunday - do that, and nothing else matters.
But there are a few other scenarios that would get the Cowboys into the postseason even if they can't pull off a win, all of them involving Cowboys ties. If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, they are eliminated.
If Chicago beats Green Bay on Monday night the Cowboys can get in with a tie against Philadelphia under one of the following scenarios in Week 17.
A Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.
A Minnesota loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.
A Chicago loss and a Tampa Bay tie.
A Minnesota loss and a Tampa Bay tie.
If Green Bay beats Chicago on Monday night, a tie will get the Cowboys in the playoffs if Tampa Bay loses or ties against Oakland in Week 17.
Cowboys Get Extra Day To Practice
With Sunday's game a must-win for the Cowboys, the team should benefit from playing on Saturday night instead of Sunday because they now have an extra day to practice.
Typically after a Sunday game, the Cowboys give their players Tuesday off, and study film on Monday. This week the players had Sunday and Monday to rest, and will practice each day for the rest of the week.
"We're going to work on some specific things (Tuesday) that we think will make a difference for us, and then practice regularly the rest of the week," Phillips said Monday. "Normal progression the rest of the week, but just things we feel like will really help us against Philadelphia, we're going to hone in on tomorrow."
Short Shots
Phillips said the Cowboys need to better utilize Roy Williams, including throwing the 6-3, 211-pound receiver the ball when he's covered, occasionally . . . When asked whether he thought a loss to the Eagles might endanger his job security, Phillips said, "I don't even think about that. I don't even want to discuss that. That's the furthest thing from my mind." . . . Receiver Miles Austin kept his job returning kickoffs for most of the game Saturday, but Phillips said Adam "Pacman" Jones might have another shot Sunday or in the playoffs.
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Get Well Soon
Notes: Cowboys Injury Concerns Still Present
Josh Ellis
December 22, 2008 5:21 PM
IRVING, Texas - Six days from the biggest game of their season, the Dallas Cowboys are as beat-up as ever. Facing an early playoff game, the Cowboys will need to get the most out of their injured players this week.
For some, that may mean continued rest during practice. Coach Wade Phillips said he wouldn't rethink holding certain banged-up players, like Ken Hamlin (foot) or Marion Barber (toe), out of practice simply because of the increased stakes. Barber didn't participate in any practices last week, and Hamlin was only listed as limited on Friday. The Cowboys entered Saturday's game against Baltimore with 13 players on the injury report, and none experienced any miraculous recovery over the weekend.
"I hold them out if they can't practice," Phillips said. "Certain guys get rest if they need rest to get their legs back, but we've had guys who can't practice."
While the Cowboys came out of the game with no new players hurt, some of the existing injuries may have gotten worse. Jason Witten hurt his ankle again on his touchdown catch near the end of the game, and the beating quarterback Tony Romo took throughout the contest couldn't have been good for his back. Barber came in for a series during the first half, but never returned.
"There is some concern with Witten," Phillips said. "He's obviously a trooper . . . He's hobbled a little bit. I think he will be ready for the game but how effective he can be, I don't know . . . We'll see where Marion is. He's been better and better every week, but he still hasn't been 100 percent."
The Cowboys held linebacker Bobby Carpenter (calf) and cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) out Saturday. Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones returned after missing a game due to a herniated disk in his neck. Phillips said starting left guard Montrae Holland (ankle) was a little better, but it will be a close call whether he can return against the Eagles.
Game Moved To Sunday Afternoon
Sunday's game at Philadelphia has been moved from a noon kickoff to a 3:15 p.m. (CST) start under the league's flexible scheduling plan. Moving the game to the afternoon slot will allow it to be broadcast nationally on FOX.
The NFL utilizes "flexible scheduling" on Sundays in Weeks 11-17. Flexible scheduling ensures quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and gives teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon time slot on CBS and FOX.
Three other games were flexed as well. Miami will play at the New York Jets at 3:15 p.m. (CST) on CBS. Jacksonville at Baltimore will be played at 3:15 p.m. (CST) on CBS as well. Denver will play at San Diego at 7:15 p.m. (CST) Sunday on NBC.
Entering Week 17, Philadelphia still has a shot at the playoffs, but only if Tampa Bay loses to Oakland in the noon (CST) kickoff. They may also need losses from either Chicago or Minnesota, both of which play at noon (CST) as well. Therefore, it's possible Philadelphia's game against the Cowboys could start with the Eagles already eliminated from playoff contention, with nothing material for which to play.
Just Tie, Maybe
The least complicated path to the playoffs for the Cowboys would be to beat Philadelphia Sunday - do that, and nothing else matters.
But there are a few other scenarios that would get the Cowboys into the postseason even if they can't pull off a win, all of them involving Cowboys ties. If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, they are eliminated.
If Chicago beats Green Bay on Monday night the Cowboys can get in with a tie against Philadelphia under one of the following scenarios in Week 17.
A Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.
A Minnesota loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.
A Chicago loss and a Tampa Bay tie.
A Minnesota loss and a Tampa Bay tie.
If Green Bay beats Chicago on Monday night, a tie will get the Cowboys in the playoffs if Tampa Bay loses or ties against Oakland in Week 17.
Cowboys Get Extra Day To Practice
With Sunday's game a must-win for the Cowboys, the team should benefit from playing on Saturday night instead of Sunday because they now have an extra day to practice.
Typically after a Sunday game, the Cowboys give their players Tuesday off, and study film on Monday. This week the players had Sunday and Monday to rest, and will practice each day for the rest of the week.
"We're going to work on some specific things (Tuesday) that we think will make a difference for us, and then practice regularly the rest of the week," Phillips said Monday. "Normal progression the rest of the week, but just things we feel like will really help us against Philadelphia, we're going to hone in on tomorrow."
Short Shots
Phillips said the Cowboys need to better utilize Roy Williams, including throwing the 6-3, 211-pound receiver the ball when he's covered, occasionally . . . When asked whether he thought a loss to the Eagles might endanger his job security, Phillips said, "I don't even think about that. I don't even want to discuss that. That's the furthest thing from my mind." . . . Receiver Miles Austin kept his job returning kickoffs for most of the game Saturday, but Phillips said Adam "Pacman" Jones might have another shot Sunday or in the playoffs.
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