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Garrett won't tamper with running back rotation
3:51 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
David Moore/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
If you're one of those who believe the Cowboys should alter their running back rotation to shake things up _ count our Gerry Fraley in that group _ you won't like what you're about to read.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett likes the rotation and the results he has gotten from the running game. He will tell you the Cowboys have three good backs and he wants to play them all. That means the pecking order will continue to be Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
"I think we re-visit the philosophy of who's getting the football all the time,'' Garrett said. "All the time.
"I think the thing you've got to be careful of is letting the numbers skew you. Marion has been a guy who has been a short-yardage runner for us, he's been a goal-line runner for us, so a lot of times you can be effective in those areas and don't have a lot of yards per attempts. He gets some of those touches that some of the other guys don't, but I think each of them have played well in all the areas throughout the year. We've just got to keep giving them chances to play.''
Garrett also responded to recent comments by owner Jerry Jones, who raised the question about using Barber in a more limited role early and having him fresh at the end of the game.
"I think you've got to be careful about saying this guy started the game so he played in the early part of the game,'' Garrett said. "If you go back and look at the play participation throughout the year when guys have been healthy, they were all playing a lot. Marion happens to be the guy starting the game. I think Felix was in there on the second play last week.
"That is how it works, that's how we've done it. We want to get those guys opportunities to do the things they do best throughout the game. Marion has been a great closer for us. The one point you could make is let's not give this guy 25 touches before the end of the game. We have the luxury of doing that because we have the other two backs.''
DeMarcus Ware's return looking better
5:14 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Linebacker DeMarcus Ware did not practice Wednesday but coach Wade Phillips said Ware would not have to practice to be able to play Saturday at New Orleans.
"I'm not going to punish him or the team if he doesn't practice," Phillips said.
Ware did not go through any more tests Wednesday because he is feeling better and his neck continued to show improved strength over the last two days. He has worked with strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek the last two days and took part in Wednesday's walkthrough. Phillips said the doctors have cleared Ware structurally and now it is a matter of strength, range of motion and pain tolerance.
Phillip said he hopes the decision to play or sit Ware can be made before the team leaves for New Orleans on Friday.
"It's day to day how it feels and whether he can participate [Thursday] I think is going to be key," Phillips said.
Ken Hamlin limited in practice but should play
5:25 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
We've told you about DeMarcus Ware's status and tight end Martellus Bennett (concussion), safety Pat Watkins (knee) and Marc Colombo (ankle) are out for Saturday's game at New Orleans.
Safety Ken Hamlin was limited in his first full practice back from his high right ankle sprain. He took part in Tuesday's walkthrough.
"He took most of the reps with the first team and moved around," coach Wade Phillips said. "His presence is felt out there pretty quickly when he starts calling out what the play is going to be and who to look for, all those things. He's a real positve guy back in the secondary that helps everybody out. It's good to have him back."
Hamlin has missed the last four games with the injury but Phillips isn't sure if Hamlin could play every snap Saturday at New Orleans. Phillips praised Alan Ball, who worked in Hamlin's absence.
3:51 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
David Moore/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
If you're one of those who believe the Cowboys should alter their running back rotation to shake things up _ count our Gerry Fraley in that group _ you won't like what you're about to read.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett likes the rotation and the results he has gotten from the running game. He will tell you the Cowboys have three good backs and he wants to play them all. That means the pecking order will continue to be Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
"I think we re-visit the philosophy of who's getting the football all the time,'' Garrett said. "All the time.
"I think the thing you've got to be careful of is letting the numbers skew you. Marion has been a guy who has been a short-yardage runner for us, he's been a goal-line runner for us, so a lot of times you can be effective in those areas and don't have a lot of yards per attempts. He gets some of those touches that some of the other guys don't, but I think each of them have played well in all the areas throughout the year. We've just got to keep giving them chances to play.''
Garrett also responded to recent comments by owner Jerry Jones, who raised the question about using Barber in a more limited role early and having him fresh at the end of the game.
"I think you've got to be careful about saying this guy started the game so he played in the early part of the game,'' Garrett said. "If you go back and look at the play participation throughout the year when guys have been healthy, they were all playing a lot. Marion happens to be the guy starting the game. I think Felix was in there on the second play last week.
"That is how it works, that's how we've done it. We want to get those guys opportunities to do the things they do best throughout the game. Marion has been a great closer for us. The one point you could make is let's not give this guy 25 touches before the end of the game. We have the luxury of doing that because we have the other two backs.''
DeMarcus Ware's return looking better
5:14 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Linebacker DeMarcus Ware did not practice Wednesday but coach Wade Phillips said Ware would not have to practice to be able to play Saturday at New Orleans.
"I'm not going to punish him or the team if he doesn't practice," Phillips said.
Ware did not go through any more tests Wednesday because he is feeling better and his neck continued to show improved strength over the last two days. He has worked with strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek the last two days and took part in Wednesday's walkthrough. Phillips said the doctors have cleared Ware structurally and now it is a matter of strength, range of motion and pain tolerance.
Phillip said he hopes the decision to play or sit Ware can be made before the team leaves for New Orleans on Friday.
"It's day to day how it feels and whether he can participate [Thursday] I think is going to be key," Phillips said.
Ken Hamlin limited in practice but should play
5:25 PM Wed, Dec 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
We've told you about DeMarcus Ware's status and tight end Martellus Bennett (concussion), safety Pat Watkins (knee) and Marc Colombo (ankle) are out for Saturday's game at New Orleans.
Safety Ken Hamlin was limited in his first full practice back from his high right ankle sprain. He took part in Tuesday's walkthrough.
"He took most of the reps with the first team and moved around," coach Wade Phillips said. "His presence is felt out there pretty quickly when he starts calling out what the play is going to be and who to look for, all those things. He's a real positve guy back in the secondary that helps everybody out. It's good to have him back."
Hamlin has missed the last four games with the injury but Phillips isn't sure if Hamlin could play every snap Saturday at New Orleans. Phillips praised Alan Ball, who worked in Hamlin's absence.
