ESPN Watkins: News, notes from Valley Ranch

[WoodysGirl]

October 14, 2009, 5:03 PM

By: Calvin Watkins


News and notes from Wade Phillips news conference and other things at Valley Ranch on Wednesday.


Running back Felix Jones (knee) did some running in practice on Wednesday and hopes to play next week against Atlanta.


Here's what Phillips said regarding wide receiver Miles Austin starting over either Patrick Crayton or Roy Williams (ribs): "Roy isn't well yet. We're still where we are last week, that's where we are."

It appears if Williams can play next week, Crayton would sit for Austin.


Cowboys had a longer practice on Wednesday to work on some technique things. Phillips mentioned how the pass rushers needed to improve their balance before going after the quarterback.


Safety Mike Hamlin (broken wrist) practiced with a cast and caught some passes, which was an encouraging sign towards him playing next week.


On the numerous offsides penalties called against the Cowboys vs. the Chiefs, Phillips said it was hard to determine on film if the calls were totally accurate.


Tiger Woods attended Tuesday night's U2 concert at Cowboys Stadium. Woods also worked out at the Valley Ranch facility with Tony Romo.

"He's the top player in the world," Phillips said of Woods. "Probably the greatest player ever, and he's a football fan. He and Romo text quite a bit. I think they dog each other a little bit when they don't have their best games. I think they're good friends. It was interesting that he was interested in what we were doing. I'm interested in what he's doing because he talked about being a leader. 'I'm in an individual sport and I'm my own leader.' ''


Cornerback Alan Ball was fined $5,000 by the league for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Chiefs receiver Bobby Wade in Sunday's game. Ball plans an appeal.


The Cowboys will practice on Thursday and then have the rest of the week off.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

On the numerous offsides penalties called against the Cowboys vs. the Chiefs, Phillips said it was hard to determine on film if the calls were totally accurate.

of course it was...............(hand slaps forehead...)

 

[wileedog]

On the numerous offsides penalties called against the Cowboys vs. the Chiefs, Phillips said it was hard to determine on film if the calls were totally accurate.

Is he giving them a pass?

 

[Coakleys Dad]

god forbid he ever calls somebody out....

 

[Jon88]

That was a total BS call that almost cost us the game and the same thing happened to Romo and they looked the other way.

 

[Doomsday101]

Is he giving them a pass?

He does not want them jumping offside but he also does not want them the be hesitant. Wade said they put in the time working on this so I don't think he giving free passes if he was why work on it?

 

[Smith22]

god forbid he ever calls somebody out....

Keep that stuff inhouse. Why would you want to appease the media? We have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

Keep that stuff inhouse. Why would you want to appease the media? We have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.

but by now, we know better...

 

[Skin]

He does not want them jumping offside but he also does not want them the be hesitant. Wade said they put in the time working on this so I don't think he giving free passes if he was why work on it?

That, and we know from experience, that many of these offsides calls are BS. How many times have they blown those calls with Demarcus Ware? Several that I can recall. Also, my memory is fuzzy, did Fox show a replay of any of those plays that involved offsides call. I seem to recall being frustrated at the lack of replays, particularly involving penalties, during the broadcast.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That, and we know from experience, that many of these offsides calls are BS. How many times have they blown those calls with Demarcus Ware? Several that I can recall. Also, my memory is fuzzy, did Fox show a replay of any of those plays that involved offsides call. I seem to recall being frustrated at the lack of replays, particularly involving penalties, during the broadcast.

Exactly.

I think Wade's point was that when you haven't been called for lining up offsides even a single time all year (and he said he never remembered Igor being called for it going back years), and suddenly the exact same players get called for it several times in one game, you have to wonder if something was funny.

I mean, this isn't like Flozell getting called for a couple false starts.

 

[dbair1967]

On the numerous offsides penalties called against the Cowboys vs. the Chiefs, Phillips said it was hard to determine on film if the calls were totally accurate.

of course it was...............(hand slaps forehead...)

I didnt think they were offsides on all of them either though.

 

[DasTex]

Exactly.

I think Wade's point was that when you haven't been called for lining up offsides even a single time all year (and he said he never remembered Igor being called for it going back years), and suddenly the exact same players get called for it several times in one game, you have to wonder if something was funny.

I mean, this isn't like Flozell getting called for a couple false starts.

Yup, I have no problem with what Wade said here. I think only once I saw Spencer line up offsides - and I was expecting a call for it but it never came. The other times, not sure what the refs were looking at??