DLK150
11-13-2004, 05:52 PM
The revolving door at CB goes round and round.
Saturday Notebook: Tyrone Williams Waived Injured
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Nov. 13, 2004, 4:27 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- When the Cowboys signed veteran Tyrone Williams on Sept. 30, they hoped it would help a cornerback position depleted by injuries.
Instead, Williams has only added to the problem.
The Cowboys placed Williams on a waived/injured list Saturday, and will put the ninth-year pro on injured reserve if he clears waivers.
With the extra roster spot, the Cowboys could call up one of their two cornerbacks from the practice squad in Lenny Williams or Jeff Sanchez, but if neither would be active against the Eagles Monday night, the club might wait to fill the 53rd roster spot.
Williams was not expected to play Monday night against Philadelphia, after missing all week with a strained hamstring. In fact, since signing with the club more than six weeks ago, Williams had played only two full games, and just one series of a third game.
Against the Lions on Oct. 31, Williams suffered the hamstring injury on the first possession of the game and never returned. He missed all three practices last week and did not make the trip to Cincinnati. Williams had missed the team portions of all three practices this week and head coach Bill Parcells said Friday he didn't expect the cornerback to play against the Eagles.
If Williams returns to injured reserve, it would be the third cornerback on IR, along with Pete Hunter and rookie Bruce Thornton, both of whom suffered torn ACL injuries and underwent reconstructive surgery.
So as the Cowboys get ready for Eagles superstar wide receiver Terrell Owens, they'll do so with an inexperienced secondary. Rookie cornerback Lance Frazier made his first start last week against the Bengals and will likely get the nod again Monday night.
The Cowboys also have a pair of seventh-round draft picks as reserve corners in Nate Jones, the team's nickel back in the slot, and Jacques Reeves, who does have one start this season. The inexperience at right cornerback will likely put more pressure on starting left cornerback Terence Newman, who has had his share of problems this year, but had played considerably better the last two games.
What's Happening At Safety
Safety Lynn Scott has started the past two games in place of Tony Dixon, but Parcells refuses to name one the sure-fire starter. He says he'll continue to play them both.
"You know, you guys are unbelievable," Parcells said in response to rapid-fire questions about why Dixon isn't starting. "I'm trying to get a little guy more experience, and try to get more guys involved in the game. You know, you're asking me what I can do. And now you're trying to make a deal about Dixon isn't the starter. I told you I'm gonna play both of the guys. Simple as that.
"I plan to play both of them - to keep them both active in the game. And I think that's a good thing."
Dixon strained his hamstring late in the week leading up to the game against the Detroit Lions. That coupled with a few disappointing performances from the injured Darren Woodson's replacement led the Cowboys coaching staff to give Scott a chance.
"I just think Tony was kind of, not, a little less than 100 percent," Parcells said. "And I thought a couple weeks ago that it would be better to play Lynn.
Although Dixon would like to start, he seems to be accepting the idea of shared playing time with Scott. He's concentrating on making the best of the playing time he does receive.
"I'm ready to go. I'm full speed, full blow, and I'm ready to go out there," Dixon said. "Starting is just you're out there for the first play. In the last couple of weeks, even not starting, I've had some time playing. I would love to be starting, love to have my name called out as a starter, but even if I'm not starting, I'll be ready."
Also regarding safeties, Parcells is not sure if Keith Davis will play Sunday (strained hip-flexor). Davis did not participate in individual drills or team practice on Friday. He did practice on Thursday, however. Parcells said he'd wait until Sunday to make a decision, and he did not want to set Davis' progress back another week by playing him too soon.
What Witten Thinks
Everyone has a theory of what exactly is wrong with the Cowboys this season.
Tight end Jason Witten chimed in with his opinion Friday afternoon, saying the Cowboys put themselves in too many no-win situations.
"We don't have the chance to control the game," Witten said. "We're always thinking that we have to score right now instead of just moving the football like we'd like to. That's been one of our problems this year. We beat Cleveland all over the field, and we win 19-12 which doesn't make sense. And it's totally our fault."
In six of their first eight games, the Cowboys have been in the lead or tied after the first quarter. They are 3-3 in those games.
"We've got to make it a real point to try and put somebody away," Witten said, "where we're the one making them throw on third downs instead of us always having to do that. I think that's where we've gotten beat this year. We put ourselves in so many situations where we have to make plays. We're not going to make them all the time and too often we haven't."
The problem, he continued, is not their intensity but their ability to sustain momentum throughout a game.
"We really do come out strong and try to deflate them early," Witten said. "We've just got to be a little bit better the rest of the game too."
A Way To Get More Kalen
Perceptive fans may have noticed the Cowboys running their defense out of a 3-4 alignment against the Bengals last Sunday about a half-dozen times or so. Parcells said it's something he hopes his team can do more of this second half of the season.
One of the biggest factors the Cowboys continue to dabble in this alignment is trying to get rookie linebacker Kalen Thornton onto the field for more plays. Thornton was the only undrafted rookie free agent to make the Cowboys roster out of training camp.
Thornton was an under-sized defensive end at the University of Texas the Cowboys switched to linebacker. But Parcells sees his future as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and has tried to capitalize on his pass-rush skills as a defensive end on the nickel defense.
And Again, Don't Be Late
The Cowboys are encouraging Cowboys fans attending Monday night's game against Philadelphia to arrive early. In fact, Texas Stadium will open the stadium gates an hour earlier than normal, set to allow fans in at 5 p.m., three hours before kickoff. The parking lots will open at 4 p.m.
The combination of the rush-hour traffic and security screening will likely cause delays for fans entering the stadium for the 8 p.m. kickoff.
This will be the first Monday night home game at Texas Stadium since Oct. 15, 2001 when the Cowboys beat the Redskins 9-7.
Injury Report
Cowboys
Out
RB Julius Jones (shoulder)
Questionable
S Keith Davis
WR Quincy Morgan
CB Tyrone Williams
(Note: Jones and Williams missed portions of the team practice)
Eagles
Doubtful
S J.R. Reed (hamstring)
Questionable
TE L.J. Smith (hamstring)
Probable
G Jermane Mayberry (calf)
DT Sam Rayburn (elbow/concussion)
K David Akers (hip)
S Brian Dawkins (forearm)
LB Dhani Jones (ankle)
WR Todd Pinkston (knee)
OT Jon Runyan (Groin)
DT Corey Simon (calf)
RB Brian Westbrook (rib)
CB Dexter Wynn (hamstring)
(Note: Reed and Akers missed portions of team practice.)
Short Shots Parcells said there are no plans for Woodson to begin working in contact drills any time soon, and the veteran safety continues to work with the trainers rehabilitating from his back surgery . . . The Eagles will arrive at Texas Stadium looking to avenge their first loss of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 7. The Eagles, since Sept. 24, 2000, are 15-1 in games immediately following a loss . . . The Cowboys are second only to the Miami Dolphins in Monday Night Football appearances as well as MNF wins. The Dolphins have 69 appearances and 38 wins. The Cowboys have 63 appearances and 37 wins.
Saturday Notebook: Tyrone Williams Waived Injured
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Nov. 13, 2004, 4:27 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- When the Cowboys signed veteran Tyrone Williams on Sept. 30, they hoped it would help a cornerback position depleted by injuries.
Instead, Williams has only added to the problem.
The Cowboys placed Williams on a waived/injured list Saturday, and will put the ninth-year pro on injured reserve if he clears waivers.
With the extra roster spot, the Cowboys could call up one of their two cornerbacks from the practice squad in Lenny Williams or Jeff Sanchez, but if neither would be active against the Eagles Monday night, the club might wait to fill the 53rd roster spot.
Williams was not expected to play Monday night against Philadelphia, after missing all week with a strained hamstring. In fact, since signing with the club more than six weeks ago, Williams had played only two full games, and just one series of a third game.
Against the Lions on Oct. 31, Williams suffered the hamstring injury on the first possession of the game and never returned. He missed all three practices last week and did not make the trip to Cincinnati. Williams had missed the team portions of all three practices this week and head coach Bill Parcells said Friday he didn't expect the cornerback to play against the Eagles.
If Williams returns to injured reserve, it would be the third cornerback on IR, along with Pete Hunter and rookie Bruce Thornton, both of whom suffered torn ACL injuries and underwent reconstructive surgery.
So as the Cowboys get ready for Eagles superstar wide receiver Terrell Owens, they'll do so with an inexperienced secondary. Rookie cornerback Lance Frazier made his first start last week against the Bengals and will likely get the nod again Monday night.
The Cowboys also have a pair of seventh-round draft picks as reserve corners in Nate Jones, the team's nickel back in the slot, and Jacques Reeves, who does have one start this season. The inexperience at right cornerback will likely put more pressure on starting left cornerback Terence Newman, who has had his share of problems this year, but had played considerably better the last two games.
What's Happening At Safety
Safety Lynn Scott has started the past two games in place of Tony Dixon, but Parcells refuses to name one the sure-fire starter. He says he'll continue to play them both.
"You know, you guys are unbelievable," Parcells said in response to rapid-fire questions about why Dixon isn't starting. "I'm trying to get a little guy more experience, and try to get more guys involved in the game. You know, you're asking me what I can do. And now you're trying to make a deal about Dixon isn't the starter. I told you I'm gonna play both of the guys. Simple as that.
"I plan to play both of them - to keep them both active in the game. And I think that's a good thing."
Dixon strained his hamstring late in the week leading up to the game against the Detroit Lions. That coupled with a few disappointing performances from the injured Darren Woodson's replacement led the Cowboys coaching staff to give Scott a chance.
"I just think Tony was kind of, not, a little less than 100 percent," Parcells said. "And I thought a couple weeks ago that it would be better to play Lynn.
Although Dixon would like to start, he seems to be accepting the idea of shared playing time with Scott. He's concentrating on making the best of the playing time he does receive.
"I'm ready to go. I'm full speed, full blow, and I'm ready to go out there," Dixon said. "Starting is just you're out there for the first play. In the last couple of weeks, even not starting, I've had some time playing. I would love to be starting, love to have my name called out as a starter, but even if I'm not starting, I'll be ready."
Also regarding safeties, Parcells is not sure if Keith Davis will play Sunday (strained hip-flexor). Davis did not participate in individual drills or team practice on Friday. He did practice on Thursday, however. Parcells said he'd wait until Sunday to make a decision, and he did not want to set Davis' progress back another week by playing him too soon.
What Witten Thinks
Everyone has a theory of what exactly is wrong with the Cowboys this season.
Tight end Jason Witten chimed in with his opinion Friday afternoon, saying the Cowboys put themselves in too many no-win situations.
"We don't have the chance to control the game," Witten said. "We're always thinking that we have to score right now instead of just moving the football like we'd like to. That's been one of our problems this year. We beat Cleveland all over the field, and we win 19-12 which doesn't make sense. And it's totally our fault."
In six of their first eight games, the Cowboys have been in the lead or tied after the first quarter. They are 3-3 in those games.
"We've got to make it a real point to try and put somebody away," Witten said, "where we're the one making them throw on third downs instead of us always having to do that. I think that's where we've gotten beat this year. We put ourselves in so many situations where we have to make plays. We're not going to make them all the time and too often we haven't."
The problem, he continued, is not their intensity but their ability to sustain momentum throughout a game.
"We really do come out strong and try to deflate them early," Witten said. "We've just got to be a little bit better the rest of the game too."
A Way To Get More Kalen
Perceptive fans may have noticed the Cowboys running their defense out of a 3-4 alignment against the Bengals last Sunday about a half-dozen times or so. Parcells said it's something he hopes his team can do more of this second half of the season.
One of the biggest factors the Cowboys continue to dabble in this alignment is trying to get rookie linebacker Kalen Thornton onto the field for more plays. Thornton was the only undrafted rookie free agent to make the Cowboys roster out of training camp.
Thornton was an under-sized defensive end at the University of Texas the Cowboys switched to linebacker. But Parcells sees his future as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and has tried to capitalize on his pass-rush skills as a defensive end on the nickel defense.
And Again, Don't Be Late
The Cowboys are encouraging Cowboys fans attending Monday night's game against Philadelphia to arrive early. In fact, Texas Stadium will open the stadium gates an hour earlier than normal, set to allow fans in at 5 p.m., three hours before kickoff. The parking lots will open at 4 p.m.
The combination of the rush-hour traffic and security screening will likely cause delays for fans entering the stadium for the 8 p.m. kickoff.
This will be the first Monday night home game at Texas Stadium since Oct. 15, 2001 when the Cowboys beat the Redskins 9-7.
Injury Report
Cowboys
Out
RB Julius Jones (shoulder)
Questionable
S Keith Davis
WR Quincy Morgan
CB Tyrone Williams
(Note: Jones and Williams missed portions of the team practice)
Eagles
Doubtful
S J.R. Reed (hamstring)
Questionable
TE L.J. Smith (hamstring)
Probable
G Jermane Mayberry (calf)
DT Sam Rayburn (elbow/concussion)
K David Akers (hip)
S Brian Dawkins (forearm)
LB Dhani Jones (ankle)
WR Todd Pinkston (knee)
OT Jon Runyan (Groin)
DT Corey Simon (calf)
RB Brian Westbrook (rib)
CB Dexter Wynn (hamstring)
(Note: Reed and Akers missed portions of team practice.)
Short Shots Parcells said there are no plans for Woodson to begin working in contact drills any time soon, and the veteran safety continues to work with the trainers rehabilitating from his back surgery . . . The Eagles will arrive at Texas Stadium looking to avenge their first loss of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 7. The Eagles, since Sept. 24, 2000, are 15-1 in games immediately following a loss . . . The Cowboys are second only to the Miami Dolphins in Monday Night Football appearances as well as MNF wins. The Dolphins have 69 appearances and 38 wins. The Cowboys have 63 appearances and 37 wins.