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8:00 AM Sat, Sep 12, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
Protect the ball:Tony Romo's top priority since last season was improving in this area after committing 21 turnovers in 13 games last season, including nine during the December fade. Taking care of the ball is especially important against the Buccaneers. Their 108 points off turnovers ranked sixth in the league, including four touchdown returns. Tampa Bay's starting cornerbacks are both ballhawks. Aqib Talib, a Richardson Berkner product, tied for the rookie lead with four interceptions. Only two players in NFL history have scored more defensive touchdowns than Ronde Barber (11). Less than two weeks after changing coordinators, Tampa Bay is likely to have trouble scoring if the Cowboys don't help the cause.
Contain Clifton Smith: The guy they call "Peanut" is such a dynamic return man that he went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie despite not making his NFL debut until Oct. 26 against the Cowboys. Smith averaged 27.6 yards on kickoff returns (fifth in the league) and 14.1 on punt returns (second in the league). Bruce Read got fired because the Cowboys' coverage units were so bad. New special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis' job is to find ways to fix that despite the departures of four of last season's top six special teams tacklers and injuries to several rookies the Cowboys were counting on to fill those voids. Kickoff specialist David Buehler and punter Mat McBriar will be key in the attempt to keep Smith from making momentum-shifting returns. "If they want a challenge, this is it," Wade Phillips said.
Make Leftwich miserable: With Jeff Garcia, the Buccaneers' passing game consisted primarily on short, quick throws. That will change with Byron Leftwich, whose best attribute is his ability to throw the ball downfield. "He's an experienced quarterback with a real strong arm," Phillips said. "He can wait until they get open to throw it to them." That puts a premium on pressuring the passer, which is Phillips' forte. Leftwich, whose pocket presence might remind Cowboys fans of Drew Bledsoe, will be a stationary target for reigning NFL sacks champion DeMarcus Ware and Co. Leftwich's long, winding delivery also makes him prone to fumbling, one reason his stint as a starter in Jacksonville didn't last long despite being an early first-round pick.
Establish the run: Here's another hot-button issue from the off-season, especially after the decision was made to part ways with a certain receiver who demanded the ball. With three talented running backs, it makes sense for Jason Garrett to shift from pass-happy to a balanced approach, particularly against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in passing defense and 19th rushing defense last season. They allowed 15 runs of at least 20 yards, putting them in the bottom fourth of the NFL in that category. Watch out if electrifying Felix Jones (three 20-plus-yard gains on only 30 carries) gets work against a worn-down Tampa Bay defense.
Tim MacMahon/Blogger http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
Protect the ball:Tony Romo's top priority since last season was improving in this area after committing 21 turnovers in 13 games last season, including nine during the December fade. Taking care of the ball is especially important against the Buccaneers. Their 108 points off turnovers ranked sixth in the league, including four touchdown returns. Tampa Bay's starting cornerbacks are both ballhawks. Aqib Talib, a Richardson Berkner product, tied for the rookie lead with four interceptions. Only two players in NFL history have scored more defensive touchdowns than Ronde Barber (11). Less than two weeks after changing coordinators, Tampa Bay is likely to have trouble scoring if the Cowboys don't help the cause.
Contain Clifton Smith: The guy they call "Peanut" is such a dynamic return man that he went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie despite not making his NFL debut until Oct. 26 against the Cowboys. Smith averaged 27.6 yards on kickoff returns (fifth in the league) and 14.1 on punt returns (second in the league). Bruce Read got fired because the Cowboys' coverage units were so bad. New special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis' job is to find ways to fix that despite the departures of four of last season's top six special teams tacklers and injuries to several rookies the Cowboys were counting on to fill those voids. Kickoff specialist David Buehler and punter Mat McBriar will be key in the attempt to keep Smith from making momentum-shifting returns. "If they want a challenge, this is it," Wade Phillips said.
Make Leftwich miserable: With Jeff Garcia, the Buccaneers' passing game consisted primarily on short, quick throws. That will change with Byron Leftwich, whose best attribute is his ability to throw the ball downfield. "He's an experienced quarterback with a real strong arm," Phillips said. "He can wait until they get open to throw it to them." That puts a premium on pressuring the passer, which is Phillips' forte. Leftwich, whose pocket presence might remind Cowboys fans of Drew Bledsoe, will be a stationary target for reigning NFL sacks champion DeMarcus Ware and Co. Leftwich's long, winding delivery also makes him prone to fumbling, one reason his stint as a starter in Jacksonville didn't last long despite being an early first-round pick.
Establish the run: Here's another hot-button issue from the off-season, especially after the decision was made to part ways with a certain receiver who demanded the ball. With three talented running backs, it makes sense for Jason Garrett to shift from pass-happy to a balanced approach, particularly against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in passing defense and 19th rushing defense last season. They allowed 15 runs of at least 20 yards, putting them in the bottom fourth of the NFL in that category. Watch out if electrifying Felix Jones (three 20-plus-yard gains on only 30 carries) gets work against a worn-down Tampa Bay defense.
