Post by prossman on Dec 23, 2008 20:56:09 GMT -7
DMN: Watkins: Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware a contender for defensive MVP
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Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware a contender for defensive MVP
08:14 PM CST on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
IRVING – With one game remaining in the regular season, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has two goals.
One is to reach the playoffs, which the Cowboys can do Sunday if they beat Philadelphia. The other is to capture the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Ware has a league-leading 20 sacks, just three away from breaking the season record established by Michael Strahan with the New York Giants in 2001.
Ware, along with Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth and the New York Giants' Justin Tuck are in the running for the award.
The sack record could only help Ware.
"I hear about it, and I hope so," Ware said before Tuesday's practice at Valley Ranch. "I want my play to show I am a good player and I do deserve being a defensive MVP. So I hear talks about it. I hope it comes to me."
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb presents a tough challenge for Ware in his pursuit of the record. When the teams met Sept. 15, McNabb wiggled away from potential sacks of several Cowboys, including Ware.
"We just got to get pressure on him; he's an elusive guy," Ware said. "We just got to find some way to get him down and stop [Brian] Westbrook because he's a big part of their offense."
Injury update: The Cowboys didn't have to put out an injury report Tuesday, but Marion Barber (toe) and Jason Witten (ankle) missed practice.
Witten probably will play Sunday, but Barber is a different story. He's battling a dislocated little toe, and he's having trouble cutting on it and dealing with the pain.
Barber had only two carries in Saturday's loss to Baltimore and missed the second half.
"A dislocation can get well," coach Wade Phillips said. "Maybe we shouldn't have played him at all. Maybe he would be well by now."
In Barber's place, Tashard Choice has carried 49 times for 269 yards and two touchdowns in the three games since Barber's injury.
But everything hasn't been positive for Choice.
He botched a pitch on an option play on a key third down in the loss to the Ravens.
"If I had caught the ball clean, I would have gotten the first down," Choice said. "We've been working on that in practice, because we knew how they were going to play it. We got the look we wanted. I just didn't catch the ball cleanly. I tried to run first."
Ellis says its time to move on: Outside linebacker Greg Ellis said the team has to move forward following the loss to the Ravens. Ellis said the team is excited about the opportunity to reach the postseason with a win Sunday, yet the loss to Baltimore was painful.
"It was hard to swallow," Ellis said. "Just like that Pittsburgh loss was a hard one. But hey, you have to realize we still have things to play for, and we can't dwell on that one."
Briefly: Though the Cowboys have yet to clinch a playoff berth, Phillips said the coaching staff is studying possible postseason opponents. ... The team will practice today and late Thursday afternoon. ... Left guard Montre Holland (foot) is doubtful for Sunday's game. ... Phillips said the team had a good practice Tuesday and was headed in the right direction.
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Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware a contender for defensive MVP
08:14 PM CST on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
IRVING – With one game remaining in the regular season, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has two goals.
One is to reach the playoffs, which the Cowboys can do Sunday if they beat Philadelphia. The other is to capture the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Ware has a league-leading 20 sacks, just three away from breaking the season record established by Michael Strahan with the New York Giants in 2001.
Ware, along with Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth and the New York Giants' Justin Tuck are in the running for the award.
The sack record could only help Ware.
"I hear about it, and I hope so," Ware said before Tuesday's practice at Valley Ranch. "I want my play to show I am a good player and I do deserve being a defensive MVP. So I hear talks about it. I hope it comes to me."
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb presents a tough challenge for Ware in his pursuit of the record. When the teams met Sept. 15, McNabb wiggled away from potential sacks of several Cowboys, including Ware.
"We just got to get pressure on him; he's an elusive guy," Ware said. "We just got to find some way to get him down and stop [Brian] Westbrook because he's a big part of their offense."
Injury update: The Cowboys didn't have to put out an injury report Tuesday, but Marion Barber (toe) and Jason Witten (ankle) missed practice.
Witten probably will play Sunday, but Barber is a different story. He's battling a dislocated little toe, and he's having trouble cutting on it and dealing with the pain.
Barber had only two carries in Saturday's loss to Baltimore and missed the second half.
"A dislocation can get well," coach Wade Phillips said. "Maybe we shouldn't have played him at all. Maybe he would be well by now."
In Barber's place, Tashard Choice has carried 49 times for 269 yards and two touchdowns in the three games since Barber's injury.
But everything hasn't been positive for Choice.
He botched a pitch on an option play on a key third down in the loss to the Ravens.
"If I had caught the ball clean, I would have gotten the first down," Choice said. "We've been working on that in practice, because we knew how they were going to play it. We got the look we wanted. I just didn't catch the ball cleanly. I tried to run first."
Ellis says its time to move on: Outside linebacker Greg Ellis said the team has to move forward following the loss to the Ravens. Ellis said the team is excited about the opportunity to reach the postseason with a win Sunday, yet the loss to Baltimore was painful.
"It was hard to swallow," Ellis said. "Just like that Pittsburgh loss was a hard one. But hey, you have to realize we still have things to play for, and we can't dwell on that one."
Briefly: Though the Cowboys have yet to clinch a playoff berth, Phillips said the coaching staff is studying possible postseason opponents. ... The team will practice today and late Thursday afternoon. ... Left guard Montre Holland (foot) is doubtful for Sunday's game. ... Phillips said the team had a good practice Tuesday and was headed in the right direction.