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12:09 AM CDT on Monday, August 16, 2010
Column by DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News | dmoore@dallasnews.com
David Moore
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OXNARD, Calif. – The starting right tackle was taken off the field on a cart and will probably need arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
If the starting quarterback wasn't already sick to his stomach with the flu, he was once he sat in the meeting room to review how his group imploded.
It was another majestic afternoon here in Southern California unless you happen to play for the Cowboys offense. A group that has yet to score a touchdown in two preseason games was down mentally and physically by the time Sunday's second practice was over.
Come to think of it, the offense couldn't even execute the end of practice. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett forced the group to assemble on the second practice field to address their mistakes as the defensive players were allowed to leave.
Garrett was in no mood to talk to reporters once the 10-minute timeout for the players was complete. It's probably just as well. He might have gone Mel Gibson over what he witnessed.
"It wasn't a good practice for us," receiver Roy Williams said. "It wasn't us.
"It wasn't the Cowboys."
The poor passes, bad routes, interceptions and pre-snap penalties were bad enough. But the worst news to come out of the afternoon session was Marc Colombo's injury.
The right tackle hurt his right knee and missed the final four series of team drills. He will return to Dallas for an MRI. But owner Jerry Jones said it appears Colombo will need a scope, which could keep him out two to four weeks.
Tony Romo fought the flu and the Cowboys defense this day. There's no question who won the second fight.
Romo completed eight of 18 passes with two interceptions in the team portion of the afternoon session. Backup Jon Kitna was 6-of-12 with one interception. Linebacker Keith Brooking and cornerback Mike Jenkins would have inflated the total to five interceptions if they hadn't dropped their opportunities.
Receiver Miles Austin dropped one pass in the afternoon to give him four for the day. There were four false-start penalties for the offensive line Sunday and a dreadful debut for the Razorback formation.
"We just have to get better," Romo said. "We didn't do some things right. We had a lot of new stuff in, too, but you've got to refine them."
Linebacker Bradie James arguably sparked a feeding frenzy when he brought the morning session to a close with a nuclear hit on running back Herb Donaldson. By the end of the afternoon, defenders such as rookie free agent cornerback Bryan McCann looked like they could go to the Pro Bowl.
"It was just a bad day," receiver Patrick Crayton echoed. "But the thing is, if our defense is getting after it like that, you've got to respond. If they're chattering and talking, feed off their energy and fire back at them.
"We're just flat right now. Just not a good vibe."
Garrett spoke to the players about that vibe with his impromptu clean-up session.
"Well, when we don't execute, we need to do it again," Romo said.
As bad as Sunday was, Williams pointed out this team still has plenty of Pro Bowl players on offense. He predicts big things for the offense in this afternoon's practice.
"It'll get fixed," Crayton said.
It's hard to imagine it could get any worse.
Staff Writers Todd Archer and Gerry Fraley contributed to this report.
• • •
Column by DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News | dmoore@dallasnews.com
David Moore
Archive | E-mail
OXNARD, Calif. – The starting right tackle was taken off the field on a cart and will probably need arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
If the starting quarterback wasn't already sick to his stomach with the flu, he was once he sat in the meeting room to review how his group imploded.
It was another majestic afternoon here in Southern California unless you happen to play for the Cowboys offense. A group that has yet to score a touchdown in two preseason games was down mentally and physically by the time Sunday's second practice was over.
Come to think of it, the offense couldn't even execute the end of practice. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett forced the group to assemble on the second practice field to address their mistakes as the defensive players were allowed to leave.
Garrett was in no mood to talk to reporters once the 10-minute timeout for the players was complete. It's probably just as well. He might have gone Mel Gibson over what he witnessed.
"It wasn't a good practice for us," receiver Roy Williams said. "It wasn't us.
"It wasn't the Cowboys."
The poor passes, bad routes, interceptions and pre-snap penalties were bad enough. But the worst news to come out of the afternoon session was Marc Colombo's injury.
The right tackle hurt his right knee and missed the final four series of team drills. He will return to Dallas for an MRI. But owner Jerry Jones said it appears Colombo will need a scope, which could keep him out two to four weeks.
Tony Romo fought the flu and the Cowboys defense this day. There's no question who won the second fight.
Romo completed eight of 18 passes with two interceptions in the team portion of the afternoon session. Backup Jon Kitna was 6-of-12 with one interception. Linebacker Keith Brooking and cornerback Mike Jenkins would have inflated the total to five interceptions if they hadn't dropped their opportunities.
Receiver Miles Austin dropped one pass in the afternoon to give him four for the day. There were four false-start penalties for the offensive line Sunday and a dreadful debut for the Razorback formation.
"We just have to get better," Romo said. "We didn't do some things right. We had a lot of new stuff in, too, but you've got to refine them."
Linebacker Bradie James arguably sparked a feeding frenzy when he brought the morning session to a close with a nuclear hit on running back Herb Donaldson. By the end of the afternoon, defenders such as rookie free agent cornerback Bryan McCann looked like they could go to the Pro Bowl.
"It was just a bad day," receiver Patrick Crayton echoed. "But the thing is, if our defense is getting after it like that, you've got to respond. If they're chattering and talking, feed off their energy and fire back at them.
"We're just flat right now. Just not a good vibe."
Garrett spoke to the players about that vibe with his impromptu clean-up session.
"Well, when we don't execute, we need to do it again," Romo said.
As bad as Sunday was, Williams pointed out this team still has plenty of Pro Bowl players on offense. He predicts big things for the offense in this afternoon's practice.
"It'll get fixed," Crayton said.
It's hard to imagine it could get any worse.
Staff Writers Todd Archer and Gerry Fraley contributed to this report.
• • •