Mr Cowboy
09-10-2004, 06:16 PM
Friday Notebook: Jones Status Still Cloudy
arah Piland & Erin Bolen
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writers
Sept. 10, 2004, 5:52 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- All week Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has been saying he isn't sure about whether rookie running back Julius Jones will play Sunday in the team's regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome.
But ask Jones. He seems sure.
"I've been practicing all week, and I'm ready to go," Jones said Friday after the team's final full practice before the game. "I'm out there practicing everyday, and as far as I know, I'm (playing). I don't really know anything, so you might want to talk to (Parcells) about that, but as far as I know, I'm practicing and I'm playing. I'm ready to get out there and play my first game."
Jones suffered what has been described a rib injury when he fell on a ball during the Cowboys' third preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Texas Stadium, and was held out of the team's final preseason game against Kansas City to presumably allow the injury healing time.
But Jones wasn't placed on the team's injury list until Thursday, and where he remained on the final injury report Friday. He is listed as having a chest injury and probable for the game, meaning there's a 75 percent chance he'll be able to play Sunday.
Although Parcells has been saying he's not sure of Jones' condition, he did not hold a press conference on Friday and in turn could not clear up why it seems Jones has no idea of the possibility he may not play on Sunday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on a local Dallas radio show Friday that Julius Jones has shown a lot of toughness through this injury, but also said it's bad enough that he'll have to "shoot it up" a little bit if he is to play. Jerry Jones also confirmed Julius Jones suffered the injury when he landed on the ball during that Tennessee game.
Because it seems the team's decision-makers are, at the least, a little worried about Jones' status, it's relevant the team will only dress 46 active players at Minnesota. Parcells said this likely will be a game day decision, but if he makes it sooner, there is a possibility Julius Jones does not make the trip to the game.
Parcells may have been iffy about the issue all week, but again, if you ask Julius, he says he'll be there.
The Underdog, And Loving It
Tight end Dan Campbell was asked Friday if he enjoyed the Cowboys' status as underdog for the game against the Vikings on Sunday.
A slow smile spread across Campbell's face as he answered "love it," and with confidence said his teammates echoed that sentiment.
"Always love it. It's fine, you know," Campbell said. "I mean, I know nobody's giving us a shot to go up there and win, but that's what it's all about. This is when it gets fun. Anytime you're the underdog . . . For me, and I think for this whole team and any team that's got any real backbone to them, that's what this is about. Because the world's against you, you've got all the pressure in the world against you and the other 52 guys on the roster and your coaches. It's just you guys. Especially when you go into a place like that hostile environment (at the Metrodome), it's fun."
The Cowboys haven't beaten the Vikings since 1996, winning 40-15 in an NFL Wildcard Game at Texas Stadium. They haven't won in Minnesota since 1995 when former running back Emmitt Smith scored a touchdown on a 31-yard run in overtime, leading the Cowboys to a 23-17 victory.
The Cowboys have several uncertainties on their roster, not to mention having to deal with Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss and quarterback Dante Culpepper if they plan to snap their four-game losing streak this Sunday.
Preparing for the Din
The Metrodome is known as one of the loudest places in the NFL, and the Cowboys prepared for the anticipated raucous crowd this week by pumping fake crowd noise into their workouts. On both Thursday and Friday, the noise was blared into the team's indoor facility during practice through at least four speakers on the side of the field.
Some players, like quarterback Vinny Testaverde, think the extra preparation will be helpful for the offense, especially for players such as wide receivers who have a hard time hearing audibles and assignments over crowd noise.
Other players, like center Tyson Walter, said the added noise wasn't that big of a deal.
"It was fine," Walter said. "It was just like any other game. It should be a little louder than usual. It's a loud stadium, and it's the first game of the season, but we should be OK."
The Cowboys haven't won at Minnesota since 1995, so the extra noise is more than simple game preparation. It's a way to get the Cowboys acclimated to a place that has been historically unfriendly.
Still, nothing can quite match the hostile atmosphere that the Cowboys will face on Sunday.
"(Practice is) not even close to the Metrodome," said linebacker Kalen Thornton. "We're going to have to focus a lot. I'm going to have to pay attention to calls and help out my fellow players with it. I expect it to be three times as loud up there."
Woodson to Travel
Even though Darren Woodson was put on the physically unable to perform list last week, the veteran safety will be making the trip to Minnesota with the team. Obviously, he won't play, but he's the only player on the Cowboys secondary to have played against Randy Moss and the Vikings.
Woodson injured his back during off-season workouts and was forced to have surgery five days before training camp opened.
He was originally scheduled to return the second week of the season. However, since he was placed on PUP, Woodson has to miss at least six weeks of the regular season. Because of that, he does not take up a spot on the 53-man roster. He continues to rehab at Valley Ranch.
Potential Inactives
Don't forget: Even though the Cowboys trimmed their roster to the league-mandated 53 earlier this week, Parcells still has to decide on seven inactives for Sunday's game. He can only dress 45 players plus one inactive quarterback.
Parcells has made it reasonably clear Tony Romo will be his backup quarterback, making Drew Henson the inactive quarterback in Minnesota. No matter who the inactive quarterback is though, all three will dress for the game.
That leaves seven more players who will not dress. Friday's injury report listed wide receiver Randal Williams (fractured scapula) as "out," so he's definitely one of the seven.
Running back Julius Jones' reported rib injury has been the controversy at Valley Ranch this week, making him a possibility as well since he's listed as probable.
Other players possibly inactive include guard Ben Noll, guard Jacob Rogers, center Matt Lehr, wide receivers Patrick Crayton or Dedric Ward, and safety Keith Davis. Chances are either Jacques Reeves or Nate Jones will be inactive, and more likely Jones since Reeves says he will be part of the kick-off return unit.
Injury Report
Cowboys:
Out: Randal Williams (shoulder)
Probable: Julius Jones (chest)
Vikings:
Out: Michael Bennett (knee)
Questionable: Marcus Robinson (hamstring)
Questionable: Brian Williams (knee)
Short Shots
Parcells did not hold his usual press conference Friday because he spoke with the media Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday . . . The Cowboys have the second highest winning percentage in season openers, second only to the Houston Texans. The Texans have played just two seasons, and one of their opening wins came against the Cowboys in their first-ever regular season game. The Cowboys' second-place .698 percent record is due mostly to the 17-year winning streak in opening games that lasted from 1965 to 1981 . . . Only six of the 24 contests between the Cowboys and the Vikings have been decided by less than seven points . . . While the Cowboys will be without suspended defensive tackle Leo Carson, Minnesota will be without starting defensive end Kenny Mixon, serving a suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
arah Piland & Erin Bolen
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writers
Sept. 10, 2004, 5:52 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- All week Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has been saying he isn't sure about whether rookie running back Julius Jones will play Sunday in the team's regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome.
But ask Jones. He seems sure.
"I've been practicing all week, and I'm ready to go," Jones said Friday after the team's final full practice before the game. "I'm out there practicing everyday, and as far as I know, I'm (playing). I don't really know anything, so you might want to talk to (Parcells) about that, but as far as I know, I'm practicing and I'm playing. I'm ready to get out there and play my first game."
Jones suffered what has been described a rib injury when he fell on a ball during the Cowboys' third preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Texas Stadium, and was held out of the team's final preseason game against Kansas City to presumably allow the injury healing time.
But Jones wasn't placed on the team's injury list until Thursday, and where he remained on the final injury report Friday. He is listed as having a chest injury and probable for the game, meaning there's a 75 percent chance he'll be able to play Sunday.
Although Parcells has been saying he's not sure of Jones' condition, he did not hold a press conference on Friday and in turn could not clear up why it seems Jones has no idea of the possibility he may not play on Sunday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on a local Dallas radio show Friday that Julius Jones has shown a lot of toughness through this injury, but also said it's bad enough that he'll have to "shoot it up" a little bit if he is to play. Jerry Jones also confirmed Julius Jones suffered the injury when he landed on the ball during that Tennessee game.
Because it seems the team's decision-makers are, at the least, a little worried about Jones' status, it's relevant the team will only dress 46 active players at Minnesota. Parcells said this likely will be a game day decision, but if he makes it sooner, there is a possibility Julius Jones does not make the trip to the game.
Parcells may have been iffy about the issue all week, but again, if you ask Julius, he says he'll be there.
The Underdog, And Loving It
Tight end Dan Campbell was asked Friday if he enjoyed the Cowboys' status as underdog for the game against the Vikings on Sunday.
A slow smile spread across Campbell's face as he answered "love it," and with confidence said his teammates echoed that sentiment.
"Always love it. It's fine, you know," Campbell said. "I mean, I know nobody's giving us a shot to go up there and win, but that's what it's all about. This is when it gets fun. Anytime you're the underdog . . . For me, and I think for this whole team and any team that's got any real backbone to them, that's what this is about. Because the world's against you, you've got all the pressure in the world against you and the other 52 guys on the roster and your coaches. It's just you guys. Especially when you go into a place like that hostile environment (at the Metrodome), it's fun."
The Cowboys haven't beaten the Vikings since 1996, winning 40-15 in an NFL Wildcard Game at Texas Stadium. They haven't won in Minnesota since 1995 when former running back Emmitt Smith scored a touchdown on a 31-yard run in overtime, leading the Cowboys to a 23-17 victory.
The Cowboys have several uncertainties on their roster, not to mention having to deal with Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss and quarterback Dante Culpepper if they plan to snap their four-game losing streak this Sunday.
Preparing for the Din
The Metrodome is known as one of the loudest places in the NFL, and the Cowboys prepared for the anticipated raucous crowd this week by pumping fake crowd noise into their workouts. On both Thursday and Friday, the noise was blared into the team's indoor facility during practice through at least four speakers on the side of the field.
Some players, like quarterback Vinny Testaverde, think the extra preparation will be helpful for the offense, especially for players such as wide receivers who have a hard time hearing audibles and assignments over crowd noise.
Other players, like center Tyson Walter, said the added noise wasn't that big of a deal.
"It was fine," Walter said. "It was just like any other game. It should be a little louder than usual. It's a loud stadium, and it's the first game of the season, but we should be OK."
The Cowboys haven't won at Minnesota since 1995, so the extra noise is more than simple game preparation. It's a way to get the Cowboys acclimated to a place that has been historically unfriendly.
Still, nothing can quite match the hostile atmosphere that the Cowboys will face on Sunday.
"(Practice is) not even close to the Metrodome," said linebacker Kalen Thornton. "We're going to have to focus a lot. I'm going to have to pay attention to calls and help out my fellow players with it. I expect it to be three times as loud up there."
Woodson to Travel
Even though Darren Woodson was put on the physically unable to perform list last week, the veteran safety will be making the trip to Minnesota with the team. Obviously, he won't play, but he's the only player on the Cowboys secondary to have played against Randy Moss and the Vikings.
Woodson injured his back during off-season workouts and was forced to have surgery five days before training camp opened.
He was originally scheduled to return the second week of the season. However, since he was placed on PUP, Woodson has to miss at least six weeks of the regular season. Because of that, he does not take up a spot on the 53-man roster. He continues to rehab at Valley Ranch.
Potential Inactives
Don't forget: Even though the Cowboys trimmed their roster to the league-mandated 53 earlier this week, Parcells still has to decide on seven inactives for Sunday's game. He can only dress 45 players plus one inactive quarterback.
Parcells has made it reasonably clear Tony Romo will be his backup quarterback, making Drew Henson the inactive quarterback in Minnesota. No matter who the inactive quarterback is though, all three will dress for the game.
That leaves seven more players who will not dress. Friday's injury report listed wide receiver Randal Williams (fractured scapula) as "out," so he's definitely one of the seven.
Running back Julius Jones' reported rib injury has been the controversy at Valley Ranch this week, making him a possibility as well since he's listed as probable.
Other players possibly inactive include guard Ben Noll, guard Jacob Rogers, center Matt Lehr, wide receivers Patrick Crayton or Dedric Ward, and safety Keith Davis. Chances are either Jacques Reeves or Nate Jones will be inactive, and more likely Jones since Reeves says he will be part of the kick-off return unit.
Injury Report
Cowboys:
Out: Randal Williams (shoulder)
Probable: Julius Jones (chest)
Vikings:
Out: Michael Bennett (knee)
Questionable: Marcus Robinson (hamstring)
Questionable: Brian Williams (knee)
Short Shots
Parcells did not hold his usual press conference Friday because he spoke with the media Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday . . . The Cowboys have the second highest winning percentage in season openers, second only to the Houston Texans. The Texans have played just two seasons, and one of their opening wins came against the Cowboys in their first-ever regular season game. The Cowboys' second-place .698 percent record is due mostly to the 17-year winning streak in opening games that lasted from 1965 to 1981 . . . Only six of the 24 contests between the Cowboys and the Vikings have been decided by less than seven points . . . While the Cowboys will be without suspended defensive tackle Leo Carson, Minnesota will be without starting defensive end Kenny Mixon, serving a suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.