NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
LONDON — Riding a two-game losing streak with an ailing quarterback and injuries to other key players, the last thing the Dallas Cowboys (6-3) wanted to do was board a nine-hour flight to London for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8).
Of course, that doesn't include all the other logistical issues such as navigating the relentless traffic nightmare in London. It took them more than two hours to bus from the airport to their hotel on Tuesday.
And they are being kicked out of their hotel on Friday, two nights before the game, because the Jacksonville Jaguars want to stay at the hotel near Wembley Stadium.
And as the designated home team, the Jaguars get first dibs. They chose the hotel closest to the practice field during the week.
The Cowboys will be bused to practices at a rugby field during the week before having to switch hotels on Friday.
Coach Jason Garrett preaches to his team a lot about the honor and privilege of playing for the Cowboys. He told them to appreciate the opportunity of playing in this game without forgetting that this is a business trip first and foremost. And that they came here to win.
"It's such a privilege to be part of the NFL, to be part of the Cowboys to be part of this football team and have the opportunity to come over here and play at Wembley stadium, one of the great stadiums in the world," Garrett said.
"So it's a unique opportunity for us. Sometimes people get caught up in the logistics. You just got to get your mind right and focus on how great an opportunity this is to be part of something like this and put our best foot forward."
That's certainly how quarterback Tony Romo sees it.
The flight was arguably rougher on him than anyone. He missed the 28-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals because of two fractured transverse processes in his back.
He back remains sore, stiff and painful.
If the Cowboys hope to win this week, they need Romo back on the field.
The plane trip didn't help the healing process. But Romo, who sat in first class so he could stretch out, said he had a good flight and hopes to give it a go on Sunday and help the Cowboys get back on track.
Romo said he is also a history buff, as well as a soccer fan, and is excited about the opportunity to play at Wembley.
"Obviously this is an important game for us," Romo said. "I think it will be great. I'm excited to play at Wembley, home of football over here. It's a once in a lifetime kind of thing. The fans are passionate and supportive over here. We are excited to show a good game."
It's not just about showing a good game; it's also about spreading the gospel of NFL abroad. The Cowboys did their part when they participated in an NFL Play 60 event for local kids upon arrival.
"Obviously everybody is tired right now, but from the perspective of we get an opportunity to play in Wembley Stadium on Sunday, in London, just a great opportunity for us," tight end Jason Witten said. I think it puts things in perspective for us as we get this thing started."
Of course, for a Cowboys team that has followed a six-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, the only thing that really matters is getting a win against the Jaguars Sunday and keeping pace with the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles (6-2). They have a bye next week before the final push to the playoffs Nov. 23 against the New York Giants.
"At some point you have to get back to football and be at your best to win," Witten said. "We have to get a win going into the bye. We got to get to 7-3."
Receiver Dez Bryant is all about the kids and took particular enjoyment when they serenaded him for his 26th birthday on Tuesday. He planned to have dinner with some teammates later that evening before going into the city later in the week.
But Bryant said he and the Cowboys came to London on a business trip first and foremost.
"We’re going to come here, have fun but at the same time we’re going to handle our business," Bryant said. "Coach Garrett made that very clear to us after the game. We are here for business. Having this little time to enjoy with the kids, that’s also special. I don’t think it’ll be a distraction. I don’t think that that’s going to take away any of our focus. We know what we’re here for."
Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...
Of course, that doesn't include all the other logistical issues such as navigating the relentless traffic nightmare in London. It took them more than two hours to bus from the airport to their hotel on Tuesday.
And they are being kicked out of their hotel on Friday, two nights before the game, because the Jacksonville Jaguars want to stay at the hotel near Wembley Stadium.
And as the designated home team, the Jaguars get first dibs. They chose the hotel closest to the practice field during the week.
The Cowboys will be bused to practices at a rugby field during the week before having to switch hotels on Friday.
Coach Jason Garrett preaches to his team a lot about the honor and privilege of playing for the Cowboys. He told them to appreciate the opportunity of playing in this game without forgetting that this is a business trip first and foremost. And that they came here to win.
"It's such a privilege to be part of the NFL, to be part of the Cowboys to be part of this football team and have the opportunity to come over here and play at Wembley stadium, one of the great stadiums in the world," Garrett said.
"So it's a unique opportunity for us. Sometimes people get caught up in the logistics. You just got to get your mind right and focus on how great an opportunity this is to be part of something like this and put our best foot forward."
That's certainly how quarterback Tony Romo sees it.
The flight was arguably rougher on him than anyone. He missed the 28-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals because of two fractured transverse processes in his back.
He back remains sore, stiff and painful.
If the Cowboys hope to win this week, they need Romo back on the field.
The plane trip didn't help the healing process. But Romo, who sat in first class so he could stretch out, said he had a good flight and hopes to give it a go on Sunday and help the Cowboys get back on track.
Romo said he is also a history buff, as well as a soccer fan, and is excited about the opportunity to play at Wembley.
"Obviously this is an important game for us," Romo said. "I think it will be great. I'm excited to play at Wembley, home of football over here. It's a once in a lifetime kind of thing. The fans are passionate and supportive over here. We are excited to show a good game."
It's not just about showing a good game; it's also about spreading the gospel of NFL abroad. The Cowboys did their part when they participated in an NFL Play 60 event for local kids upon arrival.
"Obviously everybody is tired right now, but from the perspective of we get an opportunity to play in Wembley Stadium on Sunday, in London, just a great opportunity for us," tight end Jason Witten said. I think it puts things in perspective for us as we get this thing started."
Of course, for a Cowboys team that has followed a six-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, the only thing that really matters is getting a win against the Jaguars Sunday and keeping pace with the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles (6-2). They have a bye next week before the final push to the playoffs Nov. 23 against the New York Giants.
"At some point you have to get back to football and be at your best to win," Witten said. "We have to get a win going into the bye. We got to get to 7-3."
Receiver Dez Bryant is all about the kids and took particular enjoyment when they serenaded him for his 26th birthday on Tuesday. He planned to have dinner with some teammates later that evening before going into the city later in the week.
But Bryant said he and the Cowboys came to London on a business trip first and foremost.
"We’re going to come here, have fun but at the same time we’re going to handle our business," Bryant said. "Coach Garrett made that very clear to us after the game. We are here for business. Having this little time to enjoy with the kids, that’s also special. I don’t think it’ll be a distraction. I don’t think that that’s going to take away any of our focus. We know what we’re here for."
Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...