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Backups will get spotlight in Dallas Cowboys’ preseason finale
Posted Tuesday, Sep. 01, 2009 Comments (0) Recommend (2)Print Share Buzz up!ArticlePhotos (1)Videos (1)CommentsA
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By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has seen enough.
He has declared the front-line Cowboys ready for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although he would have liked to have seen more points from the first-team offense, he said the starters have pretty much dominated play when they have been on the field in the first three preseason games.
Thus, many of the team’s stars, such as quarterback Tony Romo and linebacker DeMarcus Ware, will likely sit out the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday to avoid injuries and so the Cowboys can look at the backup players.
Phillips held a longer practice than normal on Tuesday to give the backups extra work.
"We want to see about the substitutes," Phillips said. "We want to see who can help that first group. I want them to be ready to play. That’s the challenge this week for guys, if they can show they’re good enough to help that first group.
"We’re not there yet, but I feel good about the first group."
In roughly five quarters of play in three games against Oakland, Tennessee and San Francisco, the Cowboys’ first-teamers outscored their opponents 31-16 and had a yardage advantage of 519 to 214.
"Basically, the guys have kind of played the way we’d like them to play," Phillips said. "There are certainly things we can clean up offensively and defensively."
Williams returns
Wide receiver Roy Williams practiced Tuesday for the first time since injuring his left shoulder in practice on Thursday.
He wore padding on his left shoulder that was bruised when he collided with cornerback Orlando Scandrick.
Williams didn’t play in Saturday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers and won’t play against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.
Williams didn’t talk to the media Tuesday but he told Wade Phillips he was ready to play. His presence on the practice field is the best indication yet that Williams will be available for the season opener against Tampa Bay.
"He looked good," Phillips said. "He comes back real quick. That is a good thing."
Receiver Sam Hurd (bruised quad) was held out of practice again Tuesday, but said he is healthy and ready to go. Hurd has missed the past two preseason games.
Safety Alan Ball (concussion) also was held out of practice.
Roster moves
The Cowboys made several roster moves Tuesday to reach the NFL mandated roster limit of 75.
To address their thin linebacker corps, the Cowboys signed Curtis Johnson, who was waived by Indianapolis because of a hamstring strain. To make room for Johnson, Dallas waived undrafted rookie free agent Greg Isdaner.
The Cowboys also released wide receiver Julian Hawkins, placed linebacker Brandon Williams (knee) on injured reserve and moved tackle Robert Brewster to the physically unable to perform list.
Final cuts will be Saturday, when the team must get to 53.
The Cowboys assumedBrewster was out for the season after he tore his right shoulder pectoral muscle before training camp. But he is now eligible to return in six weeks.
Wade Phillips said it’s still a long shot that Brewster will play this year, but he said the Cowboys are taking the chance that he might be ready if they needed help late in the season.
"At least we’d have a guy who has ability and who knows what to do," Phillips said.
Staff writer Jeff Caplan contributed to this report.
Posted Tuesday, Sep. 01, 2009 Comments (0) Recommend (2)Print Share Buzz up!ArticlePhotos (1)Videos (1)CommentsA
View photos
Watch video
Injury hurting Stephen Hodge’s chances with Dallas Cowboys
Ride the bus from Fort Worth to Dallas Cowboys games for only $5
Have more to add? News tip? E-mail us.
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has seen enough.
He has declared the front-line Cowboys ready for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although he would have liked to have seen more points from the first-team offense, he said the starters have pretty much dominated play when they have been on the field in the first three preseason games.
Thus, many of the team’s stars, such as quarterback Tony Romo and linebacker DeMarcus Ware, will likely sit out the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday to avoid injuries and so the Cowboys can look at the backup players.
Phillips held a longer practice than normal on Tuesday to give the backups extra work.
"We want to see about the substitutes," Phillips said. "We want to see who can help that first group. I want them to be ready to play. That’s the challenge this week for guys, if they can show they’re good enough to help that first group.
"We’re not there yet, but I feel good about the first group."
In roughly five quarters of play in three games against Oakland, Tennessee and San Francisco, the Cowboys’ first-teamers outscored their opponents 31-16 and had a yardage advantage of 519 to 214.
"Basically, the guys have kind of played the way we’d like them to play," Phillips said. "There are certainly things we can clean up offensively and defensively."
Williams returns
Wide receiver Roy Williams practiced Tuesday for the first time since injuring his left shoulder in practice on Thursday.
He wore padding on his left shoulder that was bruised when he collided with cornerback Orlando Scandrick.
Williams didn’t play in Saturday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers and won’t play against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.
Williams didn’t talk to the media Tuesday but he told Wade Phillips he was ready to play. His presence on the practice field is the best indication yet that Williams will be available for the season opener against Tampa Bay.
"He looked good," Phillips said. "He comes back real quick. That is a good thing."
Receiver Sam Hurd (bruised quad) was held out of practice again Tuesday, but said he is healthy and ready to go. Hurd has missed the past two preseason games.
Safety Alan Ball (concussion) also was held out of practice.
Roster moves
The Cowboys made several roster moves Tuesday to reach the NFL mandated roster limit of 75.
To address their thin linebacker corps, the Cowboys signed Curtis Johnson, who was waived by Indianapolis because of a hamstring strain. To make room for Johnson, Dallas waived undrafted rookie free agent Greg Isdaner.
The Cowboys also released wide receiver Julian Hawkins, placed linebacker Brandon Williams (knee) on injured reserve and moved tackle Robert Brewster to the physically unable to perform list.
Final cuts will be Saturday, when the team must get to 53.
The Cowboys assumedBrewster was out for the season after he tore his right shoulder pectoral muscle before training camp. But he is now eligible to return in six weeks.
Wade Phillips said it’s still a long shot that Brewster will play this year, but he said the Cowboys are taking the chance that he might be ready if they needed help late in the season.
"At least we’d have a guy who has ability and who knows what to do," Phillips said.
Staff writer Jeff Caplan contributed to this report.
