DALLAS COWBOYS

Get dad a Christmas present and wish Mr. Cowboy a Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T17:49:45Z

From 7 to 9 tonight, Cowboys legend Bob Lilly will sign copies of his book, "A Cowboy's Life," at the Borders Bookstore at Preston and Royal.

Lilly originally scheduled the appearance for Oct. 21, but his younger brother Larry died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 20. Two weeks ago, Lilly's 92-year-old mother, Margaret, fell and broke her back.

"It's been one thing after another," sighs Bob, 69. "I live in Sun City, where I see things happening a lot, but nothing ever prepares you for seeing it happen to your loved ones."

]]> Other recent events have caused Lilly to do more reflecting than usual. One is the impending closure of Texas Stadium _ we'll share Lilly's thoughts on that next month. The book-writing process and reconnecting with fans at signing appearances also have brought back memories.

"The fans are pretty astute all over, but especially here in Texas," he says. "They ask a lot of interesting questions and remind me of a lot of interesting plays and things that happened during my career that I haven't thought about for years.

"It's a lot of fun, actually."

He says he wrote the book at the request of wife Ann, who pointed out that their 12 grandkids and future great-grandchildren would want to know more about Bob's life and Hall of Fame career.

"Then I started going through my life and tried to figure out why I played football and who was responsible," he says. "It really turns out that my dad (John) was instrumental, my mom and dad both."

As Lilly details in his book, John as a boy was maimed in a car accident involving a drunk driver. But he loved football and took young Bob to Throckmorton High (for whom John worked as an advance scout) and TCU (John idolized Sammy Baugh) games.

"I always wanted to be a drum major until I was about 8," Bob laughs. "That's the only thing I understood."

He describes getting to play at TCU, then becoming the first player ever drafted by the Cowboys (in 1961) as "sort of like a fairy tale."

Bob and Ann live near Georgetown, but are making a week of it in Dallas. They will spend Thanksgiving at Bob Lilly Jr.'s Highland Park home. Although it will be Bob Sr.'s first holiday without Larry, he looks forward to the gathering of about 30 family members and watching the Cowboys-Seattle game.

"We will have a good Thanksgiving," he says. "We have enough grandkids to make us happy."

Now some good news

2008-11-03T17:20:08Z

All is not bad.

The Cowboys can still reach the playoffs right?

Right?
Tony Romo returns and that should help the passing game. Felix Jones is also coming back and that should help the run game.

Terence Newman is returning and that takes some pressure off the defensive front knowing they have to make a impact play every down.

The Cowboys, under Romo, are 0-2. But in 2006 they were kicking the go-ahead field goal when it was blocked and last year they didn't care about the game because they had clinched a playoff berth. So, Dallas can win in Landover.

]]> The Cowboys have at least two assured victories, San Francisco and Seattle and maybe Baltimore. That's eight wins, now can the team beat Pittsburgh, Giants, Eagles and the Redskins. Just get two more wins and that's 10. Postseason here they come.

Adam Jones is coming back. He should be humbled by his recent outburst. Maybe Jones is reformed and he can help the defense. Before he was suspended, yet again, he was the best corner on the field. He's an upgrade. If he does comeback, starting Jones and Terence Newman at corner should help.

Anthony Spencer looked pretty good on Sunday. Spencer said he's fresh and that should help down the stretch.

Changes that need to be made

2008-11-03T17:04:37Z

The Cowboys have a week off. Thank goodness.

Let's look at a few things that need to change in order for this team to get going.

1. Start Roy Williams. He started against Tampa Bay then sat for the Giants. Either he starts or not. Williams has to get involved. Start him.

2. Play Greg Ellis, Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware at the same time. Forget about this rotation stuff with Ellis and Spencer. Play all three backers. Wade Phillips said he wants to put the best players on the field. Well do it.

3. Challenge the defense. Jason Garrett's play calling is terrible. His quarterbacks are not throwing balls into tight coverage so guys like Patrick Crayton and Williams will make catches to get up the field. Time for Tony Romo to go deep more.

]]> 4. If the offense struggles against against Washington, take the play calling duties away from Jason Garrett and give them to someone else. Ray Sherman, Skip Peete, Hud Houck maybe Wade himself needs to take over.

5. Make Dave Campo the defensive play caller. He seems to have a better relationship with the players and has the experience to call plays. Nothing against Phillips' play calls, but since he's taken over the bulk of the play calling, the defense has been OK. And Phillips was hired to have a great defense not an OK one.

6. Terrell Owens has to get in motion. Owens said he was in motion a little bit on Sunday. I counted three times. the Cowboys put him in motion, make him run shorter routes, get some pick plays for him to get him into the flow of the offense.

7. Felix Jones and Tashard Choice need more carries. If Jones comes back against the Redskins, that's great. He provides speed. Choice is a short scat back who can do some things too. Nothing against Marion Barber, but he's not making any impact plays right now.

8. Make a dramatic move on defense. Bench someone. Anyone. If Adam Jones comes back, start him. Maybe put Stephen Bowen into the lineup. Move Jay Ratliff to end. Make Ken Hamlin play on passing downs. Put Hamlin in the box. Make Keith Davis the free safety. Try something.

9. Time to get tough. Wade Phillips admits he's a softy. That's nice. But where are the tough guys on this coaching staff?

10. If we all thought the Cowboys were so good, I picked them to reach the Super Bowl, why are they in last place? If the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs, is it time to blow the thing up? Do you want to resign Chris Canty and Marc Colombo? How about cutting Roy Williams, the safety version, now? Do you let Anthony Henry go? Move Henry to safety? Bring Pacman back?

Stock Report

2008-11-03T03:24:46Z

A ugly loss in the Swamp. We let you know who played well and who didn't.

Stock up

1. Jason Witten. He played with a broken rib when he probably should have sat.

2. DeMarcus Ware. Had one sack and one quarterback hurry.

3. Bradie James. Had a strong game with 12 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.

4. Mike Jenkins. Had the cornerbacks first pick of the season.

5. Anthony Spencer. Played in his first game in a while and was effective.

]]> Stock Down

1. Jason Garrett. Yes, we know the quarterbacks were pretty bad. But the play calling is not very good.

2. Quarterbacks. Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger had a bad day.

3. Wade Phillips. Team didn't perform at a high level.

4. Brian Stewart. Whether he's calling the plays or not. This defense is not making enough plays.

5. Offensive line. Has to make running lanes for Marion Barber and protect the quarterback better.

Blog address moving - temporarily

2008-10-28T20:52:07Z

Today and Wednesday, Oct. 29, we are moving this blog and all Dallas Morning News blogs to a new set of servers, which will increase our stability and speed.

However, during the transition, you have to click to a special URL to see new posts.

Click here to be redirected to our new servers, which is where new posts can be found. But don't save or bookmark that new link! It's only temporary. By Wednesday noon, our regular blog address should be pointing to the proper servers, so please don't change your bookmarks.

Oh and don't comment on the posts here any more. First click to our new servers, above.

Thank you for your patience.

Quincy Butler coming back to Cowboys

2008-10-28T19:50:05Z

With Anthony Henry slowed by a bruised thigh and possibly unavailable for Sunday's game at New York, the Cowboys will turn to a familiar face by bringing in Quincy Butler off of New Orleans' practice squad.

Butler was with the Cowboys in 2006-07 and was cut by the club on Aug. 25. He was hobbled for much of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Under league rules, Butler, who played at TCU, needs to be on the roster for the next three weeks because he came from the Saints' practice squad.

If Henry cannot play, then Orlando Scandrick would start opposite fellow rookie Mike Jenkins, and Alan Ball would work in the nickel package. Butler's familiarity with the defense should help him get up to speed quickly and possibly play against the Giants.

Jason Witten takes toughness to extremes

2008-10-28T18:41:26Z

Jason Witten wants to strap on some extra padding and try to give it a go Sunday against the Giants, broken rib and all. The Cowboys are currently playing without several Pro Bowlers and a very talented rookie running back. Are the Cowboys in such sad shape offensively that Witten must play against New York?

The coaching staff has two different questions on their hands here, it seems. Tony Romo, Terence Newman and Felix Jones are all believed to be returning after the bye week. Well, at least Romo and Jones are expected back. Newman? Who knows when he'll actually return.

Is playing Witten now worth risking his health for the rest of the season? That depends on if you think Martellus Bennett is ready for some prime-time exposure. He's gaining more confidence each week and rotating in with the first team at practice.

Or, considering the offense is so hamstrung as it is with the relatively immobile Brad Johnson, does the offense need as many weapons as possible on the field? Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Marion Barber are some good weapons.

Witten would be a nice addition, but it just doesn't seem like it's worth risking it. I'd rather have him skip one game to have him for the last seven.

JJT: Shameless Plug

2008-10-28T18:19:59Z

Jerry has really screwed up this backup quarterback situation. You want to read my take, go here.

Is Bill Cowher angling for Wade Phillips' job?

2008-10-28T17:40:31Z

Sports media blogger Barry Horn has done a fine job chronicling CBS studio analyst Bill Cowher's pointed criticism of the Cowboys, much of which could be considered shots at the coaching.

ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio is also fanning the Cowher-might-wanna-coach-the-Cowboys flames. Florio sees Cowher's revelation that he talked to the Redskins last off-season as a reminder that his name remains in circulation for head coaching vacancies.

And, of course, if the Cowboys happen to have a head coaching vacancy, Cowher might be very interested in cashing Jerry Jones' checks and coaching a team with Super Bowl-caliber talent.

Brooks Bollinger at Giants Stadium

2008-10-28T16:00:20Z

Wade Phillips said Brad Johnson will start Sunday against the Giants, but it sure sounded like Brooks Bollinger better be ready to play in the NFC East showdown.

At least it would be familiar territory for Bollinger. He was a sixth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2003 and has played in five games at the Meadowlands, with four starts, all of which came in 2005.

Bollinger was 2-2 in four starts at Giants Stadium and has five touchdowns and one interception in his work there. He beat Oakland and Buffalo and loist to New Orleans and New England. The fewest points the Jets scored with him at home was 19 (to the Saints).

It has to be noted, however, that Bollinger has not taken any work in practice with the first team since coming to the Cowboys. What he would give the Cowboys is more mobility against the Giants' pass rush but in those four starts he threw for more than 150 yards only once.

If Bollinger plays, the game plan would be one that relied heavily on Marion Barber, just like last week's vs. Tampa Bay.

Here's what he said last week about his fluency in the Cowboys offense: "It's one thing to look at it and prepare and say, 'I got it, I got it, I got it,'" Bollinger said. "And it's easy to look at it on tape and say, 'I got it, I got it, I got it. The next thing is getting your hands under center and everything is moving and do you have it there?"

Jason Witten has broken rib

2008-10-28T15:46:29Z

According to multiple sources, Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten has a broken rib but he hopes to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

The Cowboys are off today and resume practice Wednesday.

Coach Wade Phillips said on Monday he did not know the full extent of WItten's injury but he was told there is a chance Witten - and Anthony Henry (quadriceps) - could play against the Giants.

Witten suffered the injury Sunday against Tampa Bay and attempted to return to the game in the second half but played only one series. If Witten cannot play, it would be just the second game he has missed because of injury in his career. He missed one game as a rookie because of a broken jaw.

It would also severely hurt an offense that has struggled the last two weeks. Without Witten, rookie Martellus Bennett and Tony Curtis would have to fill in.

If Witten, who has also been troubled by a right shoulder injury, can play he would likely have to wear added protection to cover his ribs.

Emmitt Smith breaks the NFL all-time rushing record

2008-10-28T15:37:22Z

Editor's note: Each week, we'll take a look at classic moments in Texas Stadium history.

Oct. 27, 2002

Seattle 17, Cowboys 14

With Walter Payton's brother watching from the stands, Emmitt Smith finally reached football immortality with an 11-yard run straight up the middle against the Seahawks to become the NFL's new all-time leading rusher.

The NFL arranged the schedule so Smith would have the best shot at breaking the record at home. The Cowboys' marketing staff designed an entire campaign around Smith's record-chasing efforts. For the fans that stayed for a post-game ceremony, it was worth it.

Smith finished the season with the Cowboys and played two more years in Arizona. He finished his career with 18,355 yards. Payton held the previous record with 16,726 yards from 1975 to 1987.

Did you know?: Every item Smith wore on the field that day, except his socks, underwear and T-shirt, was uniquely marked for the occasion. WeTrak, a memorabilia and autograph security company, heat-sealed a microchip into Smith's gloves, helmet, jerseys, pants, shoes, shoulder pads and even the football right after Smith broke the record, so each item was authenticated.

]]> A look back at each week in Texas Stadium history.

Sept. 4, 1978: Cowboys rack up 583 total yards, the second-most in club history, against Baltimore on Monday Night Football.

Sept. 13, 1982: The Steelers rolled into Irving and ended the Cowboys' 18-game winning streak at Texas Stadium.

Sept. 19, 2005: Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin are all inducted into the Ring of Honor.

Sept. 24, 2000: San Francisco 49ers receiver Terrell Owens stood on the Cowboys' star at midfield, which didn't sit well with Emmitt Smith and George Teague.

Oct. 5, 1980: Cowboys win their fifth straight over the New York Giants with a host of wacky plays.

Oct. 12, 2003: Randal Williams scooped up an onside kick and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown as the Cowboys beat Philadelphia and took a 1 1/2-game lead in the NFC East.

Oct. 15, 2001: Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins for the eighth straight time and snap an 0-4 start to the season.

Oct. 24, 1971: The Cowboys opened their new home in Irving with a victory over New England.

Dallas D wasn't more aggressive, just more effective

2008-10-28T15:19:46Z

Several key members of the Dallas defense attributed their unit's outstanding performance against Tampa Bay to better energy and execution. Wade Phillips agreed.

They insisted that there was a good game plan, but they didn't do anything against the Bucs that was a drastic departure from what they'd been doing all season from a scheme standpoint.

"It's not any different than what we've been playing," Phillips said Monday. "We've been playing aggressive. That's our style."

In fact, a review of the tape reveals that the Cowboys were actually less aggressive against the Bucs than they were against the Cardinals in terms of bringing extra pass rushers. (Follow the jump for evidence.)

]]> I counted the Cowboys bringing five or more rushers 13 times in each game. But the Bucs dropped back to pass 50 times (seven more than the Cardinals), so the Cowboys came with an extra rusher or two or three a higher percentage of the time in Arizona.

The breakdowns:

ARIZONA

3-man rush (2) - 2-of-2, 9 yards

4-man rush (18) - 13-of-16, 148 yards, 1 INT, 1 sack, 1 penalty

5-man rush (8) - 4-of-7, 52 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumbled snap

6-man rush (4) - 2-of-4, 27 yards, 1 TD

7-man rush (1) - 1-of-1, 2 yards, 1 TD

TAMPA BAY

4-man rush (37) - 22-of-33, 140 yards, 3 penalties, 1 6-yard scramble

5-man rush (12) - 6-of-10, 88 yards, 2 sacks

6-man rush (1) - 0-of-1

A huge difference, obviously, was that the Cowboys were much stingier when coming with a four-man rush against the Bucs than the Cardinals. Tampa Bay had twice as many passing attempts than Arizona against the four-man rush but gained eight fewer yards.

Arizona's Kurt Warner also did an outstanding job of getting rid of the ball quickly and giving his receivers a chance to make plays when the Cowboys brought extra pressure. Of course, it helps when you have a guy like Larry Fitzgerald who can turn an underthrown pass into a 39-yard gain by outjumping the cornerback. The Cowboys brought five on that play, with Jay Ratliff unloading on Warner as he threw the ball.

While the Cowboys didn't blitz much against the Bucs, blitzes did pay off in key situations. FS Ken Hamlin blitzed only twice - coming free and hitting Garcia to force third-down incompletions both times.

The first Hamlin blitz came on third-and-3 from the Dallas 42 in the first quarter. With the Cowboys in the nickel, LB Kevin Burnett shot the gap between the left guard and tackle, forcing the RB to pick him up and allowing Hamlin to go untouched on a delayed blitz off the edge. Just before Hamlin hammered his blindside, Garcia threw up a prayer down the sideline to Antonio Bryant, who was blanketed in press coverage by Anthony Henry and had no chance to make a catch.

The second Hamlin blitz came on third-and-3 from the Tampa Bay 49 with about 10 minutes to go in the game. Dallas was lined up in its Cowboy package, a 3-3 look that frees up DeMarcus Ware to roam around before picking an attack point just before the snap. The Bucs were so worried about Ware coming off the right edge that they couldn't pick up Hamlin coming from the other side. He hit Garcia again, causing a low pass to WR Michael Clayton on a slant and protecting the Cowboys' four-point lead.

The Cowboys didn't blitz more against the Bucs. You could argue that they blitzed smarter. They definitely blitzed better.

Tough times after playing the Steelers

2008-10-28T14:28:53Z

If you haven't checked out Mike Lombardi's blog over at the National Football Post, you should. The former NFL executuve has a theory when it comes to playing Pittsburgh: you're not the same team the next week.

The Steelers have been and are one of the most physical teams in the NFL. You may beat them, but you pay a price physically and it costs you in the following game. The Giants beat the Steelers last week in what was a typical, hard-fought, big-hitting game.

This week the Giants play the Cowboys.

So if you're looking for any bit of good news as a Cowboys' fan, you can look at Lombardi's theory as a sign of hope with Tony Romo, Terence Newman, Felix Jones, Anthony Spencer and maybe Jason Witten and Anthony Henry not playing Sunday.

Over the last two years, teams are just 7-14 in games after they play the Steelers, including a 1-5 record this year.

Giants DE Justin Tuck wishes Cowboys were better

2008-10-28T14:05:54Z

DE Justin Tuck, who has emerged as the best player on the Giants' defense, made a big deal this summer about the defending Super Bowl champs' supposed underdog role. He loved the fact that the Cowboys were considered the NFC favorite and getting all kinds of attention.

So Tuck is a bit disappointed that Dallas will limp into New Jersey with a 5-3 record and several Pro Bowlers on the injured list.

"When you are a competitor like everybody on this football team, you want to play the best," Tuck said, per New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers. "I can honestly say I wish they were coming here undefeated."

Oh, and the Giants don't want to hear any whining about all the Cowboys' injuries after Sunday's butt kicking.

"Everybody wants to beat everybody at their best. We don't want to have excuses like 'Romo is not playing, we didn't have this guy, we didn't have that guy,'" Tuck said. "We don't want excuses like that. But it won't change our approach. We are still going to go in there and try to sack whoever is back there."

If you click the link to read Myers' column, you'll see that he suggests Jerry Jones play quarterback. That's ridiculous. Everybody knows that Jerry's a receiver these days.