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By Darren Urban, Tribune
October 29, 2005
Josh McCown is going home for his latest start as Cardinals quarterback, and that will make it that much harder for the fourth-year pro Sunday in Dallas.
McCown still gets a little hyper at times on the field, anyway. Now he’ll play not only near his hometown (Jacksonville, Texas, is about 125 miles away) but also where he started his college career, at Southern Methodist University.
"You have to check your emotions, not get too excited," McCown said. "You can’t get too crazy because you are back home."
Said coach Dennis Green, "You don’t want to be overly concerned with it because that can consume you."
Dallas itself is a mixed bag for McCown. His wife hails from the city. But his time at SMU ended badly, with the coach’s choice to play "musical quarterbacks," McCown said, the main reason he transferred to Sam Houston State.
Still, McCown said, "In Texas you grow up hoping to play for the Cowboys. The next best thing is going to Texas Stadium and playing against the Cowboys."
Recently, Texas Stadium has not been friendly to Cardinals quarterbacks. In 2003, Jeff Blake completed 14-of-28 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also caught for two safeties in a 24-7 loss. In Jake Plummer’s final two Texas Stadium starts in 2000 and 2001, he had no touchdown passes and five interceptions as the Cards lost 17-3 and 48-7.
The current Cowboys defense is also playing well. In five of Dallas’ seven games, opponents have scored less than 20 points.
"The whole key in any hostile stadium is to get the fans out of it early, not let them dictate things, especially as young as we are offensively," backup quarterback Kurt Warner said. "That’s a key this week, to keep everybody calmed down."
THEY’RE NO. 2
Former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin caused a stir in Dallas earlier this year when he said the Cowboys didn’t have any true No. 1 or top receivers, only some No. 2 candidates, which veterans Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn took exception to.
Irvin may have been a little off-base. Glenn has 33 catches for 617 yards and three touchdowns, Johnson has 31 receptions for 376 yards and four scores.
"Those guys know how to get open better, they know how to play to the situation," Cardinals cornerback David Macklin said. "Anytime you are going against a tandem like that, they know how to compliment each other. If we can knock them off rhythm a little bit, we can affect some of the things they like to do on offense."
MISSIN’ WITTEN
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was a big threat last season (87 receptions), but Dallas’ weakness at offensive tackle has made things easier for opposing defenses. A season-ending injury to Pro Bowl tackle Flozell Adams means Witten now has to block more often.
"(Before), if we pass it 25 times, usually I’m going out on 22 (pass) routes," Witten said. "Now, if we’re trying 25 passes, it’s 12 or 15. It’s a different role for me, and I have to accept it."
Green said the Cowboys can always change what they are doing, and said Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson is up for covering Witten when and if he does go out for passes.
EXTRA POINTS
Cowboys running back Julius Jones will likely miss Sunday’s game with a bad ankle. Jones will have missed 11 1 /2 games out of a possible 24 in his career. It didn’t seem to hurt Dallas last week though, since they ran for 164 yards. . . . Fullback Harold Morrow (ankle) was the only Cardinal to skip Friday’s practice. . . .
Kicker Neil Rackers not only has a chance at the NFL record for field goals in a season (39; Rackers has 20) but also for touchbacks. Rackers already has 19 touchbacks. The Giants’ Brad Daluiso had 51 in 1991. . . . Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin will sign autographs Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alltel store, 4984 S. Power Road, Suite 103, in Gilbert.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=51850
October 29, 2005
Josh McCown is going home for his latest start as Cardinals quarterback, and that will make it that much harder for the fourth-year pro Sunday in Dallas.
McCown still gets a little hyper at times on the field, anyway. Now he’ll play not only near his hometown (Jacksonville, Texas, is about 125 miles away) but also where he started his college career, at Southern Methodist University.
"You have to check your emotions, not get too excited," McCown said. "You can’t get too crazy because you are back home."
Said coach Dennis Green, "You don’t want to be overly concerned with it because that can consume you."
Dallas itself is a mixed bag for McCown. His wife hails from the city. But his time at SMU ended badly, with the coach’s choice to play "musical quarterbacks," McCown said, the main reason he transferred to Sam Houston State.
Still, McCown said, "In Texas you grow up hoping to play for the Cowboys. The next best thing is going to Texas Stadium and playing against the Cowboys."
Recently, Texas Stadium has not been friendly to Cardinals quarterbacks. In 2003, Jeff Blake completed 14-of-28 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also caught for two safeties in a 24-7 loss. In Jake Plummer’s final two Texas Stadium starts in 2000 and 2001, he had no touchdown passes and five interceptions as the Cards lost 17-3 and 48-7.
The current Cowboys defense is also playing well. In five of Dallas’ seven games, opponents have scored less than 20 points.
"The whole key in any hostile stadium is to get the fans out of it early, not let them dictate things, especially as young as we are offensively," backup quarterback Kurt Warner said. "That’s a key this week, to keep everybody calmed down."
THEY’RE NO. 2
Former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin caused a stir in Dallas earlier this year when he said the Cowboys didn’t have any true No. 1 or top receivers, only some No. 2 candidates, which veterans Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn took exception to.
Irvin may have been a little off-base. Glenn has 33 catches for 617 yards and three touchdowns, Johnson has 31 receptions for 376 yards and four scores.
"Those guys know how to get open better, they know how to play to the situation," Cardinals cornerback David Macklin said. "Anytime you are going against a tandem like that, they know how to compliment each other. If we can knock them off rhythm a little bit, we can affect some of the things they like to do on offense."
MISSIN’ WITTEN
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was a big threat last season (87 receptions), but Dallas’ weakness at offensive tackle has made things easier for opposing defenses. A season-ending injury to Pro Bowl tackle Flozell Adams means Witten now has to block more often.
"(Before), if we pass it 25 times, usually I’m going out on 22 (pass) routes," Witten said. "Now, if we’re trying 25 passes, it’s 12 or 15. It’s a different role for me, and I have to accept it."
Green said the Cowboys can always change what they are doing, and said Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson is up for covering Witten when and if he does go out for passes.
EXTRA POINTS
Cowboys running back Julius Jones will likely miss Sunday’s game with a bad ankle. Jones will have missed 11 1 /2 games out of a possible 24 in his career. It didn’t seem to hurt Dallas last week though, since they ran for 164 yards. . . . Fullback Harold Morrow (ankle) was the only Cardinal to skip Friday’s practice. . . .
Kicker Neil Rackers not only has a chance at the NFL record for field goals in a season (39; Rackers has 20) but also for touchbacks. Rackers already has 19 touchbacks. The Giants’ Brad Daluiso had 51 in 1991. . . . Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin will sign autographs Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alltel store, 4984 S. Power Road, Suite 103, in Gilbert.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=51850
