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http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/cowboys-107303-irving-blueprint.html
January 11, 2010 7:01 PM
By JAIME ARON, The Associated Press
IRVING — The last time the Dallas Cowboys had a playoff winner, their offense was built around Troy Aikman either handing off to Emmitt Smith or throwing to Michael Irvin.
These days, Tony Romo has a lot more options.
Handoffs might go to Marion Barber, Felix Jones or Tashard Choice. Sometimes, Choice will take a snap himself.
When Romo drops back, he's probably looking for Miles Austin or Jason Witten. But he also might throw to Patrick Crayton or Roy Williams. Or to one of those running backs.
Or maybe he'll really mix things up and throw to third-string tight end John Phillips, like he did for the Cowboys' first touchdown in their playoff-skid-busting victory over Philadelphia on Saturday night.
"When you get guys involved like that, anything can happen," receivers coach Ray Sherman said Monday.
The Cowboys are rolling into the second round of the playoffs for a variety of reasons. The versatility of their offense is among the biggest.
The last four weeks, Romo has put together an early go-ahead touchdown drive, then built on it pretty quickly. It's a combination of having a lot of capable players and understanding how to use them.
Want proof?
During their winning streak, the Cowboys have scored 12 touchdowns — six running, six receiving. They've been scored by all three running backs (Barber 3, Jones 2, Choice 1; a breakdown that also reflects how the carries have been distributed) and from five pass catchers (Austin 2 and 1 each from Witten, Crayton, Williams and Phillips).
"A lot of guys can participate and a lot of guys can play their role and a lot of guys can come through for you," coach Wade Phillips said. "That makes a difference."
Dallas came into this season determined to have an offense able to excel on the ground or in the air. Sure enough, both units ranked among the top 10 in the NFL — sixth in yards passing and seventh in yards rushing.
The Cowboys' overall total of 399.4 yards per game was second to New Orleans, which also happened to be the only other team among the top 10 in both passing and rushing.
The Saints were so good at their one-two punch that they won their first 13 games and grabbed the NFC's No. 1 seed. Clearly, coach Sean Payton had things figured out from the start.
That wasn't the case in Dallas.
The Cowboys threw it great in the opener, then became a running team, putting up consecutive games with more than 200 yards for the first time since 1979. Alas, Jones got hurt and the running game wasn't the same. But then Austin filled in for an injured Williams and in his first career start had a team-record 250 yards receiving, then 171 the next week.
Slowly but surely, Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett were figuring things out.
After all, the key contributors were here all along. It just took most of the season to figure out who can do what, and when to ask them to do it.
Finally, the riddle has been solved. Just in time, too.
Actually, considering how other teams with great offenses started strong and fizzled late (like New Orleans and Minnesota), it could be argued that another layer to Dallas' recent success is that defenses haven't caught up to their new formula. The Vikings will get their chance on Sunday, in the Metrodome.
"It's problematic when all of the sudden you see Patrick Crayton catching balls on third down, then you see Tashard Choice getting a first down, then you see Roy," Romo said. "It's tough, and that's part of what you try to do as an offense.
"If people want to double Jason or Miles, we just kind of read the defense. We don't say 'I'm throwing it to Miles on this play.' It's allowed us to execute week in and week out."
Romo's willingness to trust a variety of players helps, too.
He threw to nine guys in the first half against the Eagles on Saturday night. For the season, the Cowboys had 12 players catch passes, with eight catching at least 15 (which is nearly one per game).
Keeping everyone involved isn't only a great way to confuse a defense. It's also a great way to build harmony on offense.
"When you have everybody involved, you see the difference," Sherman said. "It's not just about one guy. It's everybody. Team effort."
Cowboys playing it safe with RB Barber, Choice OK
IRVING — Cowboys running back Marion Barber is headed home to Minnesota for a playoff game on Sunday. Whether he gets to play — or how much he plays — depends on how his left knee heals this week.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that Barber won't practice Wednesday as a precaution. He missed some practice time last week, tried to play Saturday night then was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
"He's already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game," Phillips said. "So we think he's going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we'll monitor it."
Barber grew up in Wayzata, Minn., and played college football at Minnesota. If he can't start or is limited, that would mean more carries for Felix Jones, who had a career-high 146 yards against Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Third-stringer Tashard Choice appeared woozy leaving the field after a hard hit in the fourth quarter against the Eagles. Because he was coming off a mild concussion the previous week, doctors immediately tested for another concussion. They said he was fine, and he's been cleared to practice.
"I just got my bell rung, man," Choice said. "Nothing like the week before when I felt like I was a little dazed. It was the end of the game and just wanted to make sure everything was cool. But I could have went back in. I was going to go back into the game. I wanted to. It ain't no big thing. Everything is cool."
While Barber has a homecoming to look forward to, Choice will get to catch up with former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who's been sharing the spotlight in Minnesota with Brett Favre.
Choice went to Oklahoma in 2003, took a redshirt, then in '04 found himself playing behind Peterson, a true freshman. Peterson ran for 1,925 yards and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, so Choice transferred to Georgia Tech. Choice holds no animosity, just respect.
"We pushed each other every day," Choice said. "He pushed himself to be great. That's why I like him. Not because of the talent, but because of how he works. ... When he runs the football, he doesn't want nobody tackling him. Like he's angry. I love the way he runs the football, man. Great running back."
-- Jaime Aron
Cowboys have momentum, but Vikings are confident
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Suggesting Brett Favre's team is a bit under the radar might never be accurate, but the Minnesota Vikings aren't exactly hogging the headlines as they begin the playoffs.
They had a bye in the first round, for one. The chatter about Favre's offensive authority and coexistence with coach Brad Childress has quieted, for now.
And with three flaw-exposing losses in their last five games, Minnesota lost some luster as a fashionable Super Bowl pick while some of the other NFC qualifiers finished strong.
Here comes their first opponent, Dallas, now as trendy a choice to win the championship as any team still alive after consecutive blowouts of rival Philadelphia.
"That's fine. I don't think anybody in this locker room is concerned about if we are the underdog or we're the favorites," Vikings linebacker Ben Leber said. "We're concerned about getting a good week of preparation in."
When the Vikings reconvened for practice on Sunday and started taking questions from the media about the matchup, some of their more colorful characters were a little snarky when asked about the attention surrounding the Cowboys.
Dallas ended a 13-year run without a playoff victory by drubbing the Eagles on Saturday night. Quarterback Tony Romo, a bruising running game and a tough defense have helped the Cowboys win four straight games.
"I'll be honest: I'm probably one of the few people in the world who don't watch Romo every day. I know it's sad. Sorry, Tony," defensive end Jared Allen said, smiling into a television camera.
Allen even joked that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should give the Vikings some extra money to build a new stadium, which they're trying to do. Dallas, of course, opened perhaps the most extravagant venue in sports this season, a billion-dollar showplace complete with an spaceship-sized scoreboard.
"I know the media loves the Dallas Cowboys and it's America's team, but we've got a pretty good team over here," Allen said. "That's all I'm concerned about."
Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and defensive tackle Pat Williams had some fun with the stadium comparison, too. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, now officially prefaced by Mall of America Field, is 28 years old and free of frills.
"That's the suburbs down there. This is the 'hood," Shiancoe said. "We're old school. Everything is manual around here. Even when we put down our windows, we've got to crank them by hand."
Williams even threw in a plug for Vikings owner Zygi Wilf.
"They have to come to Zygi Hood. You've got Jerry World down there," he said.
Williams was raised in Louisiana and played in college at Texas A&M, but unlike Texas native and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson he wasn't a Cowboys fan as a youth.
"I didn't grow up a nobody fan," Williams said. "I'm a momma's fan. That's it. That was my hero growing up."
As he does each week, regardless of the stakes or the opponent, Williams touted Minnesota's staunch run defense and dared Dallas to send Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice into the teeth of the line.
"They have to come here and do it. They ran on Philly, but that's Philly," Williams said. "We're the Vikings."
His fellow linemate, Kevin Williams, was a little more diplomatic.
"They have a solid defense. They're doing great things on offense," he said. "We're ready to play already. I mean, I don't know how much more we can pump 'em up. They're a good team. It's going to be a good game. Hopefully they bring their 'A' game, we'll bring ours and have a good game."
-- Dave Campbell
January 11, 2010 7:01 PM
By JAIME ARON, The Associated Press
IRVING — The last time the Dallas Cowboys had a playoff winner, their offense was built around Troy Aikman either handing off to Emmitt Smith or throwing to Michael Irvin.
These days, Tony Romo has a lot more options.
Handoffs might go to Marion Barber, Felix Jones or Tashard Choice. Sometimes, Choice will take a snap himself.
When Romo drops back, he's probably looking for Miles Austin or Jason Witten. But he also might throw to Patrick Crayton or Roy Williams. Or to one of those running backs.
Or maybe he'll really mix things up and throw to third-string tight end John Phillips, like he did for the Cowboys' first touchdown in their playoff-skid-busting victory over Philadelphia on Saturday night.
"When you get guys involved like that, anything can happen," receivers coach Ray Sherman said Monday.
The Cowboys are rolling into the second round of the playoffs for a variety of reasons. The versatility of their offense is among the biggest.
The last four weeks, Romo has put together an early go-ahead touchdown drive, then built on it pretty quickly. It's a combination of having a lot of capable players and understanding how to use them.
Want proof?
During their winning streak, the Cowboys have scored 12 touchdowns — six running, six receiving. They've been scored by all three running backs (Barber 3, Jones 2, Choice 1; a breakdown that also reflects how the carries have been distributed) and from five pass catchers (Austin 2 and 1 each from Witten, Crayton, Williams and Phillips).
"A lot of guys can participate and a lot of guys can play their role and a lot of guys can come through for you," coach Wade Phillips said. "That makes a difference."
Dallas came into this season determined to have an offense able to excel on the ground or in the air. Sure enough, both units ranked among the top 10 in the NFL — sixth in yards passing and seventh in yards rushing.
The Cowboys' overall total of 399.4 yards per game was second to New Orleans, which also happened to be the only other team among the top 10 in both passing and rushing.
The Saints were so good at their one-two punch that they won their first 13 games and grabbed the NFC's No. 1 seed. Clearly, coach Sean Payton had things figured out from the start.
That wasn't the case in Dallas.
The Cowboys threw it great in the opener, then became a running team, putting up consecutive games with more than 200 yards for the first time since 1979. Alas, Jones got hurt and the running game wasn't the same. But then Austin filled in for an injured Williams and in his first career start had a team-record 250 yards receiving, then 171 the next week.
Slowly but surely, Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett were figuring things out.
After all, the key contributors were here all along. It just took most of the season to figure out who can do what, and when to ask them to do it.
Finally, the riddle has been solved. Just in time, too.
Actually, considering how other teams with great offenses started strong and fizzled late (like New Orleans and Minnesota), it could be argued that another layer to Dallas' recent success is that defenses haven't caught up to their new formula. The Vikings will get their chance on Sunday, in the Metrodome.
"It's problematic when all of the sudden you see Patrick Crayton catching balls on third down, then you see Tashard Choice getting a first down, then you see Roy," Romo said. "It's tough, and that's part of what you try to do as an offense.
"If people want to double Jason or Miles, we just kind of read the defense. We don't say 'I'm throwing it to Miles on this play.' It's allowed us to execute week in and week out."
Romo's willingness to trust a variety of players helps, too.
He threw to nine guys in the first half against the Eagles on Saturday night. For the season, the Cowboys had 12 players catch passes, with eight catching at least 15 (which is nearly one per game).
Keeping everyone involved isn't only a great way to confuse a defense. It's also a great way to build harmony on offense.
"When you have everybody involved, you see the difference," Sherman said. "It's not just about one guy. It's everybody. Team effort."
Cowboys playing it safe with RB Barber, Choice OK
IRVING — Cowboys running back Marion Barber is headed home to Minnesota for a playoff game on Sunday. Whether he gets to play — or how much he plays — depends on how his left knee heals this week.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that Barber won't practice Wednesday as a precaution. He missed some practice time last week, tried to play Saturday night then was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
"He's already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game," Phillips said. "So we think he's going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we'll monitor it."
Barber grew up in Wayzata, Minn., and played college football at Minnesota. If he can't start or is limited, that would mean more carries for Felix Jones, who had a career-high 146 yards against Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Third-stringer Tashard Choice appeared woozy leaving the field after a hard hit in the fourth quarter against the Eagles. Because he was coming off a mild concussion the previous week, doctors immediately tested for another concussion. They said he was fine, and he's been cleared to practice.
"I just got my bell rung, man," Choice said. "Nothing like the week before when I felt like I was a little dazed. It was the end of the game and just wanted to make sure everything was cool. But I could have went back in. I was going to go back into the game. I wanted to. It ain't no big thing. Everything is cool."
While Barber has a homecoming to look forward to, Choice will get to catch up with former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who's been sharing the spotlight in Minnesota with Brett Favre.
Choice went to Oklahoma in 2003, took a redshirt, then in '04 found himself playing behind Peterson, a true freshman. Peterson ran for 1,925 yards and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, so Choice transferred to Georgia Tech. Choice holds no animosity, just respect.
"We pushed each other every day," Choice said. "He pushed himself to be great. That's why I like him. Not because of the talent, but because of how he works. ... When he runs the football, he doesn't want nobody tackling him. Like he's angry. I love the way he runs the football, man. Great running back."
-- Jaime Aron
Cowboys have momentum, but Vikings are confident
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Suggesting Brett Favre's team is a bit under the radar might never be accurate, but the Minnesota Vikings aren't exactly hogging the headlines as they begin the playoffs.
They had a bye in the first round, for one. The chatter about Favre's offensive authority and coexistence with coach Brad Childress has quieted, for now.
And with three flaw-exposing losses in their last five games, Minnesota lost some luster as a fashionable Super Bowl pick while some of the other NFC qualifiers finished strong.
Here comes their first opponent, Dallas, now as trendy a choice to win the championship as any team still alive after consecutive blowouts of rival Philadelphia.
"That's fine. I don't think anybody in this locker room is concerned about if we are the underdog or we're the favorites," Vikings linebacker Ben Leber said. "We're concerned about getting a good week of preparation in."
When the Vikings reconvened for practice on Sunday and started taking questions from the media about the matchup, some of their more colorful characters were a little snarky when asked about the attention surrounding the Cowboys.
Dallas ended a 13-year run without a playoff victory by drubbing the Eagles on Saturday night. Quarterback Tony Romo, a bruising running game and a tough defense have helped the Cowboys win four straight games.
"I'll be honest: I'm probably one of the few people in the world who don't watch Romo every day. I know it's sad. Sorry, Tony," defensive end Jared Allen said, smiling into a television camera.
Allen even joked that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should give the Vikings some extra money to build a new stadium, which they're trying to do. Dallas, of course, opened perhaps the most extravagant venue in sports this season, a billion-dollar showplace complete with an spaceship-sized scoreboard.
"I know the media loves the Dallas Cowboys and it's America's team, but we've got a pretty good team over here," Allen said. "That's all I'm concerned about."
Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and defensive tackle Pat Williams had some fun with the stadium comparison, too. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, now officially prefaced by Mall of America Field, is 28 years old and free of frills.
"That's the suburbs down there. This is the 'hood," Shiancoe said. "We're old school. Everything is manual around here. Even when we put down our windows, we've got to crank them by hand."
Williams even threw in a plug for Vikings owner Zygi Wilf.
"They have to come to Zygi Hood. You've got Jerry World down there," he said.
Williams was raised in Louisiana and played in college at Texas A&M, but unlike Texas native and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson he wasn't a Cowboys fan as a youth.
"I didn't grow up a nobody fan," Williams said. "I'm a momma's fan. That's it. That was my hero growing up."
As he does each week, regardless of the stakes or the opponent, Williams touted Minnesota's staunch run defense and dared Dallas to send Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice into the teeth of the line.
"They have to come here and do it. They ran on Philly, but that's Philly," Williams said. "We're the Vikings."
His fellow linemate, Kevin Williams, was a little more diplomatic.
"They have a solid defense. They're doing great things on offense," he said. "We're ready to play already. I mean, I don't know how much more we can pump 'em up. They're a good team. It's going to be a good game. Hopefully they bring their 'A' game, we'll bring ours and have a good game."
-- Dave Campbell
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