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Man-to-man defense makes Cowboys' Miles Austin smile LINK
By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ
tlopez@star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON — The grin on Miles Austin’s face stretched a good 40 yards across the Dallas Cowboys video board Thursday.
In fact, he enjoyed the post-touchdown, camera-time twice as his initial touchdown was called back. However, he earned redemption and a second close-up, an encore of sorts on the big board.
Austin, with his family in attendance, simply couldn’t help his joyous expression and raised his arms in celebration, which twice delighted the crowd of 83,489 in the Cowboys 24-7 victory against Oakland at Cowboys Stadium
"It was like two celebrations," Austin said. "It was pretty cool. I was just happy the coaches gave me the opportunity to get in again."
Austin’s 9-yard touchdown reception gave the Cowboys a 17-0 lead in the second quarter.
His seven catches and 145 receiving yards marked the third time in seven starts Austin has topped 100 yards receiving.
On Dallas’ second play from scrimmage, Austin caught a Tony Romo pass and cruised 49 yards to the Oakland 27. His early first quarter catch was significant considering he’d been held without a first-half catch in the three games prior to Thursday.
Austin appeared to score a touchdown in the second quarter on a strange play following the 2-minute warning.
Romo passed to Austin over the middle. Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson wrapped up Austin, who rolled atop Johnson, got up and then ran into the end zone.
Replay officials ruled Austin down by contact to damper the enthusiastic smile that brought a roar of applause from the Cowboys fans.
Austin enjoyed the chance to grin again two plays later when Romo threw to him again, this time for the 9-yard touchdown off a bubble screen.
Austin was quick to compliment the blistering block of tackle Doug Free, which helped him slip in for the touchdown.
By halftime, Austin had already racked up 129 yards and six receptions and finished with catches of 49, 27 and 20 yards.
"They were playing man-to-man and he beat them a lot man-to-man," coach Wade Phillips said. "He is hard to cover in bump and run. It was one of those games he was open a lot and we got him the ball."
Austin’s performance put to rest the notion that teams had figured him out.
In his first start this season Austin picked up 250 yards receiving, including the game-winning overtime touchdown in the 26-20 victory against Kansas City on Oct. 11.
After the bye week, he returned with 171 yards against Atlanta in a 37-21 win on Oct. 25.
However, in the past four games he’d been held to 61, 49, 20 and 47 yards receiving.
He admitted that the single-coverage scheme employed by the Raiders favored his playmaking ability.
Fellow receiver Roy Williams spoke highly of Austin’s effort and echoed the sentiment that single coverage by the Raiders allowed the Cowboys their success in the passing game.
"That’s Al Davis," Williams said. "That’s been the Raiders since 1943, just man-to-man."
Certainly on Thursday man-to-man favored Austin, who accounted for nearly half of the Cowboys’ 309 passing yards.
"Week in and out this man shows up," Williams said of Austin. "Every time we call his number the guy makes the best of it.
"I’m glad to have him on our football team."
Tobias Xavier Lopez, 817-390-7760
__________________
By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ
tlopez@star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON — The grin on Miles Austin’s face stretched a good 40 yards across the Dallas Cowboys video board Thursday.
In fact, he enjoyed the post-touchdown, camera-time twice as his initial touchdown was called back. However, he earned redemption and a second close-up, an encore of sorts on the big board.
Austin, with his family in attendance, simply couldn’t help his joyous expression and raised his arms in celebration, which twice delighted the crowd of 83,489 in the Cowboys 24-7 victory against Oakland at Cowboys Stadium
"It was like two celebrations," Austin said. "It was pretty cool. I was just happy the coaches gave me the opportunity to get in again."
Austin’s 9-yard touchdown reception gave the Cowboys a 17-0 lead in the second quarter.
His seven catches and 145 receiving yards marked the third time in seven starts Austin has topped 100 yards receiving.
On Dallas’ second play from scrimmage, Austin caught a Tony Romo pass and cruised 49 yards to the Oakland 27. His early first quarter catch was significant considering he’d been held without a first-half catch in the three games prior to Thursday.
Austin appeared to score a touchdown in the second quarter on a strange play following the 2-minute warning.
Romo passed to Austin over the middle. Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson wrapped up Austin, who rolled atop Johnson, got up and then ran into the end zone.
Replay officials ruled Austin down by contact to damper the enthusiastic smile that brought a roar of applause from the Cowboys fans.
Austin enjoyed the chance to grin again two plays later when Romo threw to him again, this time for the 9-yard touchdown off a bubble screen.
Austin was quick to compliment the blistering block of tackle Doug Free, which helped him slip in for the touchdown.
By halftime, Austin had already racked up 129 yards and six receptions and finished with catches of 49, 27 and 20 yards.
"They were playing man-to-man and he beat them a lot man-to-man," coach Wade Phillips said. "He is hard to cover in bump and run. It was one of those games he was open a lot and we got him the ball."
Austin’s performance put to rest the notion that teams had figured him out.
In his first start this season Austin picked up 250 yards receiving, including the game-winning overtime touchdown in the 26-20 victory against Kansas City on Oct. 11.
After the bye week, he returned with 171 yards against Atlanta in a 37-21 win on Oct. 25.
However, in the past four games he’d been held to 61, 49, 20 and 47 yards receiving.
He admitted that the single-coverage scheme employed by the Raiders favored his playmaking ability.
Fellow receiver Roy Williams spoke highly of Austin’s effort and echoed the sentiment that single coverage by the Raiders allowed the Cowboys their success in the passing game.
"That’s Al Davis," Williams said. "That’s been the Raiders since 1943, just man-to-man."
Certainly on Thursday man-to-man favored Austin, who accounted for nearly half of the Cowboys’ 309 passing yards.
"Week in and out this man shows up," Williams said of Austin. "Every time we call his number the guy makes the best of it.
"I’m glad to have him on our football team."
Tobias Xavier Lopez, 817-390-7760
__________________
