SPORTSDAY

Posted by chris graham @ 10:02 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

beat the redskins with starters or backups just beat dem.

Posted by Delmar @ 10:06 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Crush the Skins, PERIOD! Do not allow a 2nd team from the division to enter the playoffs...they know us better than any other teams in the league (Giants and Skins).

Posted by steve @ 10:12 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

BEAT them at all cost. They are to hot and on an emotional high. They could be dangerous in the playoffs

Posted by Jeff L. @ 10:14 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

There's plenty of time to rest with the bye. I say go full out for all 4 quarters. The offense has been sputtering lately, and I'm not sure sitting and taking the day off is going to help.

Washington has a lot at stake. Why not play the 'spoiler' role and try to eliminate them? Winning in Washington in the final week, eliminating them from the playoffs, and watching Danny Snyder squirming in his skybox is a great way to go into the post-season.

Finish the season on a strong note, with some momentum, as opposed to folding the tent early and getting your butt kicked.

Posted by JD @ 10:15 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Up here in the DC area, they are definitely gearing up like it's their Super Bowl. I know there's no real incentive for us in this game, but I really, really hope that we can crush them by playing well for 3 quarters and kill their playoff hopes (while avoiding any injuries). That would help us remain sharp during these bye weeks and again, crush their spirit for another offseason(a wonderful side benefit). Brad, remember how Snyder mistreated you? Where is that fella he dumped you for--oh, yeah--out of the league for the last 4 years.

Posted by Dan @ 10:16 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Seems to be most of our key players are nicked up and should sit. I'd rather have them healthy and risk being rusty.

Posted by Denis @ 10:17 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

PS, this security code stuff-sucks. Constantly getting submission errors...

Posted by Rod @ 10:21 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Don't lose sight of the goal which is executing a game plan, not beating the 'skins. Rest the injured and execute the plan; I'd rather take a win over the 'Pats in Feb than a win over the 'Skins in December.

Posted by Chris/Denton @ 10:22 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

I agree with sitting those "iffy" players. Newman, Colombo and really Crayton as well although that would be tough to do with Owens out.

If Colombo sits and Gurode is out I'm not sure it's a good idea for Romo to play more than a half and expose him to injury. I'd like to see Keith Davis play more even though Roy Williams will be back. That Washington TE eats Roy up in coverage.

Posted by NY Cowboy Fan @ 10:24 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

I am a bit biased being that I am making the trip from NY to DC for the game and that this will be the first time I actually watch the Cowboys in person BUT I still think we should attempt to beat the 'skins with our starters for at least 2-3 quarters. I badly want to see all the starters play but if we have a lead at the half, im willing to let Brad Johnson do the tossing. I think this is a big game for Terry Glenn, i want him to feel confident come the second round of the playoffs. I want to beat the redskins and keep them out of the playoffs - they are the hottest team in the NFC right now and to kill their hopes would be oh-so-sweet.

Posted by NY Cowboy Fan @ 10:32 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

PS: The ticket I am using belongs to a 'skins season ticket holder. He will not be in the area so he gave his ticket to his daughter and her boyfriend (my friend from college). He told my buddy that he would rather have the seat stay empty than give it to a Cowboys fan, and that there were many others in his section that feel the same way. So my friend convinced him to let me go IF i wear 'skins gear or at least 'skins colors. Since this will be the first time I see the 'boys in person, I tentatively agreed but I am thinking of wearing my Romo jersey underneath and ripping off my burgandy shirt when the moment is right and declare the Cowboys as America's Team. Should I go through with it? Should I just sit still and not cause trouble? I'm not the biggest guy around so I cant exactly challenge drunk Washingtonians to battle in the stands....Thoughts?

Posted by steve @ 10:38 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

The offense hasn't been in synch in a while now. I think they should start everyone that is fit to play and they should play to win. I think not playing players to avoid injury is a ridiculous concept. And they'll have an entire week to rest everyone. Losing TO is a large blow; better figure out how to run the offense without TO's presence now, prior to getting to a game that counts. His return isn't assured and his absence changes the way the opposition will defend against us.

The defense seems to be playing very well, give or take a few plays here and there (and the debacle first half against the Lions). Funny how things work out, but we may need to win with defense now.

Having said all of that, I really don't want to play New Orleans in the playoffs. They are the one team I think the Cowboys will have difficulty with defensively. Sure, we might score 35 or 40, but we're likely to give up the same.

Posted by terik @ 10:40 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Ny Cowboys Fan..... I'll be at the Game Also... I live here in D.C. and i would stick with the 2nd Plan and RIP it off LOL...!!!!!!!!!!! There not ready for Cowboys Fans outhere..... espcially if there losing..... !!!! Do your thing and make t hem even more Upset Homie...!!!!!

Posted by Teddy @ 10:42 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

If New Orleans lose (they play against Chicago on the road before Dallas-Washington game and I think Saints will likely to lose in the snowy Chicago), then Skins can still get if Vikings lose to Denver on the road. Denver plays pretty good at home at hign altitude. I think Vikings will lose to Denver beause Vikins are an indoor team. So there is a very good chance Skins will get in even they lose to Dallas.

I agree with the author. Cowboys should sit the injured. If any starters feel a lot of pain, sit them. However, when they play, they need to play with emotion and concentration. For instance, if the offense line does not play tough, the QB could get killed. You do not even want to get Johnson injured. Playing gingerly is easy to get injured.

Posted by Collin Mc. @ 10:42 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Play it like a 'dress rehersal' preseason game - nothing more, nothing less.

Posted by Travis @ 10:44 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

NY Cowboy fan, I say do it. I've been there a couple of times, wearing my colors proudly and talking smack. The skins fans are NOT the Eagles fans. I was one Cowboy fan in the middle of a whole section of Skins fans too. My buddy has 2 season tickets and I went with him last year.

Posted by Bill H @ 10:57 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

To let the Skins into the playoffs would be really, really stupid...

Posted by Dogma @ 10:59 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Biggest priority is to win the Super Bowl. Beating the Skins is secondary, however pleasing. Momentum helps, but its more important that we have healthy, fresh, sharp players.

Either way, we have to play the game and want to make the best of it.

In the first game the Skins figured out how to throw underneath at will, as several other teams have done. This is a chance to see if our defense can stop that.

Would be great if Romo and Glenn could get some quality work together.

Its pretty obvious that dinged up guys are going to sit out the entire game. We may protect some guys by giving them fewer plays. Most guys are probably going to play as usual. The question is, how hard? My worry is that guys may lay back, trying to rest and avoid injury. But I've heard that the best way to avoid injury is to hit before being hit -- to be aggressive. What will the energy level be like, especially if the Cowboys start to fall behind?

Phillips is talking like he wants his players to play hard. This will be a test of his ability to motivate that.

Posted by Melonhead @ 11:02 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Rest for the whole game: TO, Newman, Ware, Adams, Gurode.

3 or 4 series: Romo, Barber, Henry, Ellis, Leonard Davis, Witten

Extensive action: The young CBs, Carpenter, Spencer, Fasano, Julius, etc.

Basically, try to score some touchdowns early and then feature Julius Jones in the running game and wind the clock down.

Honestly, it doesn't matter if they win or lose.

Posted by WilliamC @ 11:09 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Cowboy Fans, Please, some perspective.

The last 3 NFC champions lost their final regular season game.

Redskins the hottest team in the league? They have won 3-games in a row. The cowboys have won 8 of their last 9. Winning 3-games does not make a team hot!

If the Redskins don't make the playoffs, the cowboys would likely face Minnesota or New Orleans if they make it past wild-card weekend. No way would either of those be tougher than playing the Redskins at home with their backup QB.

I think a lot of these fans are letting their hate for the Redskins overshadow their better judgement. The objective is to win the super bowl. To hell with the redskins. Resting the injured players, those with bumps and bruises, the older players, like Ellis and Flozell, is much more important. Forget the rust/momentum crap. If being in the playoffs doesnt provide the momentum they are not going to the super bowl anyway. Rust? As I recall the opening game of the season the offense put up 37 against the Giants and they had not played a game in 8-months.

Cowboy fans, you gotta look past the redskins at the big picture. Its called Super Bowl. If you think I am an idiot for saying rest the players even if it means a loss, watch what the coaches do Sunday for all playoff teams who cannot change their seeding.

Posted by Kevin @ 11:10 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Count it like the last preseason games. Let Romo get his record for yards, let Witten get 100 catches, get the Barbarian his 1000 yads, then get them out.

So does Wade get credit for getting the Boys past the 1st round of the playoffs?

Posted by vijay @ 11:22 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

I say play 3 quarters to get both sides of the ball back on track. But if anyone is injured, hold them back, it's just not worth losing Gurode or someone for the playoffs to win this game. I say go out and try to win the game with starters for 3 quarters, but back off after that and rest anyone nicked up.

Posted by steve @ 11:40 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Vijay means victory. I like his approach.

Posted by little johnny @ 11:45 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Wade might as well rest his players. Washington will come out and play inspired football, they want this game more than Dallas and there's no way Dallas wins this game starters or not. Not hating on the Cowboys thats just the way it is.

Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 12:03 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Hey Albert, during this "quiet time", could you see what you can dig up about who among current Cowboys players and staff Parcells is rumored to be going after?

And, Tabloid Timmy, can you find out what gifts Romo and Jessica exchanged for Christmas? FYI, I am just kidding. PLEASE do not really report this.

Posted by little ROCK @ 12:46 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Bill H - you've got it right. Let the Redskins into the playoffs, and they might come back to haunt us. Imagine, they might be in a position to come into to Texas stadium with one playoff win under their belts, and a recent victory over the Cowboys in the season finale. I say, play this game for real. Healthy players should play. The Cowboys should focus on getting four more WINS and nothing less.

Posted by BlueZone @ 12:56 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Posted by Melonhead @ 11:02 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007
… feature Julius Jones in the running game and wind the clock down.

The Redskins shut down the league's No. 1 rushing team, the Vikings and held RB Adrian Peterson to 27 yards.
Instead of looking for an opening, Julius Jones closes his eyes, runs straight into the defense and falls down.
Melonhead, how does Julius get 1st downs, much less run the clock down?????

Posted by Kai-Wei @ 12:57 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Beat 'Skins so we don't see them potentially again in the playoffs. Go for the throat and snuff the life out of each team we faces in the coming weeks!

Posted by Dalyryder @ 1:28 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Mavs were actually in a similar situation last year. Beat Golden State for pride or rest starters at the end of the regular season. They opted for rest and look where it got them.

Posted by tugturdwell @ 1:31 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Excuse me...hey everyone, lest we forget? This is the Cowboys and Redskins! Remember our history here. Garrison being tackled at the end of the game in the championship. Martin throwing the wreath in the Skins locker room. Jimmy beating them for our one win his first year. Boy...that one stuck in their craw. We are not playing some one like the Bengals or Cardinals to close out the season and rest up.

NY Cowboy fan and Terik...you are in for a treat. The Redskin fans abolutely HATE the Cowboys. Yes..and they hate Cowboy fans too...although they are just a little nicer than Iggle fans.

I went to a game at the old RFK in the Aikman years. Loudest place I have ever been. Aikman got hurt (we lost 17-10) and when he went down, you would have thought you were in the midst of lions eating Christians for snacks to the delight of the Romans in the Colosseum. Bloodlust. Grandmothers wearing F Bomb Dallas T-shirts. It was crazy. But fun for sure.

Fedex may be a bit different...but they still hate our guts. If it was the other way around, the Redskins and their fans would do anything possible to rub our nose in the dirt.

Yes, rest the injured. Yes, play the scrubs. But you can't let up, thats when injuries occur. Once the game gets going, and the juices flowing, it's going to be a game. Let's beat em'. I would not give them any more momentum than we have to for the playoffs. We could see them again.

Posted by Buddy @ 2:14 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

See, this is how we know you're not from here.

It's. The. Redskins. To translate into Bostonspeak, our version of the Yankees.

Of course you play to beat them.

Posted by colorado kool aid @ 2:44 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

December is NOT the time to "play it like a preseason game" -- teams that go far in the playoffs go into the playoffs with momentum . . . and momentum is something the Cowboys are lacking. If you sit Romo and starters not otherwise injured, you will lose this game. Lose this game and you let the Redskins into the playoffs, do not address your "December problem", and enter the playoffs "rusty" and on the downside. That is a prescription for "one and out."

Posted by davej @ 2:47 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Rest the injured, play the starters in the first half, and let some of the backups get some playing time. You never know when you'll need them.

For example, I would love to see some of the backup o-linemen and d-backs get some playing time for them to get experience as well as to see what they can do. Also, give Romo a chance to develop timing and feel with his WRs - Glenn, Austin, Hurd, and Stanback.

This would be a good week for the coordinators to try some things they might have wanted to but felt were too risky in regular season games.

Posted by Lwood @ 2:47 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Is it just me or do the abuluances flurish after week twelve? After twelve to fourteen games I cannot help but notice the injury lists grows big time in the NFL. So for Dallas the decision is at most play the starters for 1/2 the game just to stay sharp. Then play everyone else...and I mean everyone the second half so that they can get not only game time experience but game time against a team playing for a playoff spot.

Posted by WilliamC @ 4:53 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

Colorado Cool Aid,
your analysis just doesnt hold water.

The last three NFC champions lost there last regular season game.

You cant suddenly become "rusty" after playing 15-games, and being in the playoffs is all the motivation and momentum a team needs.

Lwood, you are correct. The players are all tired and beat up, and injuries are a lot more plentiful this time of year. How anyone could want to play the starters for this game after what happened to T.O. last week is beyond me. Forget this rust and momentum crap and save it for the playoffs.

Posted by JimmyS @ 8:06 PM Wed, Dec 26, 2007

It's really a no win situation for Wade. He plays the starters and someone get's hurt, then you will all be screaming asking what they were doing in a meaningless game. He doesn't play them, Washington gets in and later beats the Cowboys, then you will all want his head on a platter for not playing the starters.

Posted by ML. @ 8:42 AM Thu, Dec 27, 2007

Jones' motto "Win, Win, Win" and this should be no different. Great spot Boys are in but can't let complacency set in. Being cautious is good too but bet the team would take another win; continue the records of the year.
Go Cowboys.

Posted by Jeff S @ 10:16 AM Thu, Dec 27, 2007

NY Cowboy fan: Cowboy up and wear the blue and white. I left NY for TX 27 years ago and wore Jets green to see the Pack in playoffs against the 'Boys in maybe 83? It got a little hairy at the half for my buddy from Green Bay and me but everybody had a good time and no blows were thrown.
I quit wearing green about 15 yrs ago.

GO COWBOYS!