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2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week!
Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster?
Last Week's Answer:
Danny White
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Tim's Talk: Week 3
1. Well so much for the bad defense huh? I told you it was only 1
game. Of course, the Dolphins offense is so bad that it is hard to
judge how good the defense really was. But a solid effort is a solid
effort, 5 turnovers including 4 interceptions. And without Terence
Newman and Jason Ferguson. Again it is only 2 games and the
Dolphins are not exactly an elite offense. But a good defense is
supposed to tear up a bad or mediocre offense.
2. Newman's injury is either really worse than what people are
letting on or he really does not want to risk hurting it anymore. Don't
be surprise if he undergoes offseason surgery to help the process.
This will be a season long issue.
3. You can just tell by watching, unless you are a complete idiot that
Marion Barber is a better running back than Julius Jones. I mean
when the short yardage came up, I wanted Barber in there. I feel
the Cowboys should increase his carries this season but still should
go with the 1-2 punch they have with the two players, just put
Barber in the upper part of the duo. Jones is as good as gone this
offseason and I am sure Barber, a Drew Rosenhaus client and
restricted free agent will be seeing a huge contract from the
Cowboys.
4. Tony Romo showed he could manage a game correctly. I mean
how can you explain it any other way. Most people compare him to
his idol Brett Favre and in many ways he is like Favre. He has that
gunslinger mentality and cockiness that we as Cowboys fans grew
to respect and admire. But Favre was no game clock manager. I
mean did you ever hear the sentecne with game management and
Brett Favre in the same sentence? No. So imagine if Favre was
able to do that. That is what we have in Romo. That is both scary
and great if you are an imposing QB. I mean he eluded the pass
rush of Jason Taylor for crying out loud.
5. Jason Garrett continues to call a great game. He has shown
boldness, the pass play on fourth down that led to the TO
touchdown, and has done a good job of opening up receivers
despite the defense making adjustments.
6. It puzzles me how a guy like Flozell Adams can be in the league
10 years, dominate Jason Taylor throughout most of the game, still
have problems with the false starts. Well, I guess underachieving
talent is better than no talent.
7. The big test will be the Chicago Bears. This game will be low
scoring and will be a fight to the end. The best way for the Cowboys
to win is to rattle Rex Grossman. Lets face it. He is no good, so I
would make him uncomfortable in the pocket, force him to rush
throws because when Grossman is bad, he is really bad. I do not
respect Cedric Benson as a complete running back in the league
so I feel the running game is not much of a factor. This will also be
Jason Garrett and Tony Romo's first real test against a formidable
defense. Brian Urlacher is a linebacker I feel can cover Jason
Witten one on one so Garrettt needs to move Witten and the
receiving corps all over the field and try to get a matchup against
some of their banged up secondary. Also the matchup of the best
punter in the league Matt McBriar and the best return man in the
league Devin Hester. I would not challenge Hester too much and
kick away from him most of the day.
8. Rumor is that the Cowboys have brought in Tank Johnson for a
physcial. My answer to this is don't do it. If Johnson so much as
screws up again, it could be costly for the Cowboys. NFL commish
Roger Goodell has shown he means business if a team tries to sign
or draft a player with a histroy of legal problems. The team could
face fines and draft pick losses. Johsnon is a multiple repeat
offesder for gun possession charges (twice) and a suspicion of DUI.
I mean the guy has not learned his lesson and we do not need a
person like that on the team. I am not saying people do not deserve
second chances, but his would be his fourth chance and Jay Ratliff,
although not great has been pretty decent at watching the spot.
9. TO nees to stop the celebrating. I know he was probably mocking
the Patriots camera controversy but that cost us 15 yards on the
kickoff and the Dolphins were able to march down and score right
after that.
10. Other than Leonard Davis, is this the same offensive line that
protected Drew Bledsoe last year? The one that could not do
squat. What a difference it makes to have a QB that will move out of
the pocket and make adjustements.
11. I do not know why the other teams in the NFL do not use what
the Cowboys are using to make sure the players stay cool on the
sideline. I am talking about that pumping cool air into their bodies.
Other than Jason Witten being late from the locker room at halftime
for needing an IV, you really did not see a lot of fatigue, cramping,
or dehydration from the Cowboys but you sure saw it in the faces of
the Dolphins. Would Jason Taylor had gotten to Romo on that pass
rush if he had been cooler?
Cowboys vs. Bears Preview
I have a feeling this is going to be one of the first great games of
the young season. This is the first big test for the Cowboys and I'm
anxious to see how they respond. Neither of the Cowboys first two
games has come down to the wire, but I expect this one to.
Chicago Pass Offense vs. Dallas Pass Defense
Advantage: Even
This is the match up that will determine who wins this football game.
This is a very intriguing match up because of the inconsistency of
Rex Grossman and the Cowboys' secondary. Overall, Grossman
will throw for a lot of yards against a soft zone coverage, but he will
balance that by throwing at least one interception while trying to
force balls down the field. Dallas's defense matches up well
against Grossman for two reasons. One, is the fact that he is
impatient and will try to force throws deep that likely won't be open.
Secondly, he struggles with his accuracy. You have to be accurate
against a zone defense because everyone has their eyes on the
ball. If you sail the ball over a receiver across the middle it is going
to get intercepted. You saw both of these things happen with Trent
Green last week and they will happen again this week.
Chicago Run Offense vs. Dallas Run Defense
Advantage: Cowboys
The Cowboys shouldn't have any trouble stopping Cedric Benson
and the Chicago running attack. Benson hasn't been particularly
impressive and Dallas sports a stout run defense. It could be a
long day for the Cowboys if the don't stop the running game though.
Dallas Pass Offense vs. Chicago Pass Defense
Advantage: Even
This is the clash of the Titans so to speak in this game. The
Cowboys have a high powered passing attack while the Bears have
a great pass defense. The key will be Tony Romo. He should get
good protection behind an offensive line that has been nothing
short of amazing. He needs to balance out taking gambles down
the field and taking what the defense gives him. If he can be
patient and not turn the ball over there will be plays to be made
against any secondary including Chicago's in this game. This
game could go along way towards defining Romo's career. I know
that sounds ridiculous but think about it. Romo is on the verge of
superstardom. If he goes out there and carves up the Bear's
defense you are looking at the best young quarterback in the
game. Overall, I expect him to put up similar numbers to last week.
I will say he will need to repeat his two touchdown performance with
a maximum of one turnover if the Cowboys want to win.
Dallas Run Offense vs. Bears Run Defense
Edge: Chicago
Chicago sports the best run defense in the game. They have
stonewalled Larry Johnson and LaDainian Tomlinson. They should
have no trouble with Barber and Jones right? Not so fast. The
Cowboys have a really good offensive line. They may not have a
better unit that the Chargers but it is close. Chicago's run defense
wasn't that amazing last year. I'm waiting for a slip up. This team
will be stout against the run all year, but some team is going to
eventually have a productive day running the ball and why not
Dallas? That is obviously not based by any factual material
whatsoever so I still have to say the Bears have the edge.
Special Teams
Edge: Chicago
This wasn't too difficult. Devin Hester is probably the best return
guy to ever play the game judging by his first 1+ seasons. In
addition to him the Bears sport a great kicker, Robbie Gould, and
outstanding coverage units. Dallas will need to play up to their
level for four quarters or the special teams battle could tip the
scales towards Chicago.
Prediction
I'm really excited about this game. It is always fun to see your team
get tested. Dallas is 2-0, but that is what I expected going into the
season. Dallas hasn't played anyone yet. That will change come
Sunday Night. I think Dallas will pass the test. They may not be
able to win on the road at Soldier Field missing three key starters,
but they will make it darn close. I could see this game going either
way, but I have to go Bears 24, Cowboys 23. I hope these guys
prove me wrong though and I have all the confidence in the world
that they can.