2012 Season Game Threads Mega-Merge
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Cowboys @ Giants: Monday Injury Report
A total of 24 players are named on the Cowboys @ Giants injury report for Monday, 14 Cowboys and 10 Giants. From a Cowboys point of view, there is some good news in that Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, DeMarcus Ware and Phil Costa all participated fully in yesterday's practice, as did linebacker Dan Connor, who had been limited on Sunday.
Jason Witten, Mike Jenkins, Andre Holmes and Kyle Wilber were all limited yesterday. Witten will be undergoing a CAT scan today to have his lacerated spleen checked out, and if the spleen look okay, Witten is determined to play:
"If I get cleared, I’m playing," Witten said. "It’s the only way, I believe, you can approach the game. I think people know that’s the only way I’m playing. This is what you play for."
Jay Ratliff, Danny McCray and Matt Johnson did not practice. With the two safeties likely out for the game, it looks like the first game of the season will already see Mana Silva, the fifth safety on the depth chart, get some action in Rob Ryan's dollar package. Ratliff also looks very doubtful for Wednesday's game, and Rob Ryan acknowledged as much yesterday:
"Jay Ratliff is the best nose tackle in football so obviously you want him in there," Ryan said Monday. "Does he make a big difference not being in there? Sure he does. We have good players behind him. Sean Lissemore and Josh Brent are two really good football players, so there’s a big opportunity for them to step up and play. You can’t take a person like Jay out of your lineup and expect it not to affect you some because it definitely will."
Official Injury Report (via the NFL Media department) from Monday's practice:
Cowboys
Full Participation
WR Miles Austin (hamstring), WR Dez Bryant (knee), LB Dan Connor (hip), C Phil Costa (back), RB DeMarco Murray (wrist), RB Phillip Tanner (hand), LB DeMarcus Ware (hamstring)
Limited Participation
WR Andre Holmes (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), LB Kyle Wilber (thumb), TE Jason Witten (abdomen)
No participation
S Matt Johnson (hamstring), S Danny McCray (neck), DT Jay Ratliff (ankle)
Giants
Full Participation
LB Michael Boley (hamstring), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (hand), CB Jayron Hosley (toe)
Limited Participation
T Will Beatty (back), LB Mathias Kiwanuka (groin), LB Adrian Tracy (hamstring)
No Participation
CB Prince Amukamara (ankle), DT Marvin Austin (back), T James Brewer (back), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot)
A total of 24 players are named on the Cowboys @ Giants injury report for Monday, 14 Cowboys and 10 Giants. From a Cowboys point of view, there is some good news in that Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, DeMarcus Ware and Phil Costa all participated fully in yesterday's practice, as did linebacker Dan Connor, who had been limited on Sunday.
Jason Witten, Mike Jenkins, Andre Holmes and Kyle Wilber were all limited yesterday. Witten will be undergoing a CAT scan today to have his lacerated spleen checked out, and if the spleen look okay, Witten is determined to play:
"If I get cleared, I’m playing," Witten said. "It’s the only way, I believe, you can approach the game. I think people know that’s the only way I’m playing. This is what you play for."
Jay Ratliff, Danny McCray and Matt Johnson did not practice. With the two safeties likely out for the game, it looks like the first game of the season will already see Mana Silva, the fifth safety on the depth chart, get some action in Rob Ryan's dollar package. Ratliff also looks very doubtful for Wednesday's game, and Rob Ryan acknowledged as much yesterday:
"Jay Ratliff is the best nose tackle in football so obviously you want him in there," Ryan said Monday. "Does he make a big difference not being in there? Sure he does. We have good players behind him. Sean Lissemore and Josh Brent are two really good football players, so there’s a big opportunity for them to step up and play. You can’t take a person like Jay out of your lineup and expect it not to affect you some because it definitely will."
Official Injury Report (via the NFL Media department) from Monday's practice:
Cowboys
Full Participation
WR Miles Austin (hamstring), WR Dez Bryant (knee), LB Dan Connor (hip), C Phil Costa (back), RB DeMarco Murray (wrist), RB Phillip Tanner (hand), LB DeMarcus Ware (hamstring)
Limited Participation
WR Andre Holmes (knee), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), LB Kyle Wilber (thumb), TE Jason Witten (abdomen)
No participation
S Matt Johnson (hamstring), S Danny McCray (neck), DT Jay Ratliff (ankle)
Giants
Full Participation
LB Michael Boley (hamstring), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (hand), CB Jayron Hosley (toe)
Limited Participation
T Will Beatty (back), LB Mathias Kiwanuka (groin), LB Adrian Tracy (hamstring)
No Participation
CB Prince Amukamara (ankle), DT Marvin Austin (back), T James Brewer (back), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot)
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lol
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A look at the keys to victory for the Cowboys in their matchup against the Giants
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
8:00 pm on September 4, 2012
Less than nine months after the New York Giants defeated the Cowboys in a winner-take-all game to determine the NFC East title, the two division rivals meet again at the same place. A lot has changed since the previous encounter.
The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl while the Cowboys entered the off-season with a plan to revamp the secondary that was bombarded by Eli Manning. Here is a look at the keys to victory for the Cowboys.
Protect Romo
The Giants’ pass rush is fierce. In the final eight games they played, including four postseason contests, they accumulated 26 sacks. Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck can make any offensive line look weak. The Cowboys’ front must stand strong for Romo to do his job. If it does, then Romo may flourish. In his career, Romo has produced a better quarterback rating – 97.9 – against the Giants than any other NFC East opponent he has faced.
Stop Eli
Eli Manning has been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for years. In his career against Dallas, Manning has amassed 33 touchdown passes and thrown only 18 interceptions. Last season, he picked apart the Cowboys’ secondary – producing a combined quarterback rating of 109.7 in two games against Dallas. He did so while avoiding pressure. In 120 minutes of football, the Cowboys managed to sack Manning only twice. Dallas has to increase that total if it wants to keep Manning and the Giants’ offense at bay.
Establish running game
Jason Garrett preaches balance. But his offense has rarely shown it. Against the Giants last season, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo dropped back 78 times, attempting 68 passes. The running backs, meanwhile, had only 37 carries. Dallas needs to make a concerted effort to give DeMarco Murray the ball. Last season, the Cowboys prevailed in each game he rushed 20 or more times.
Force turnovers
Rob Ryan wants a defense that not only snuffs out plays but also makes them. Yet the Cowboys struggled to do all of the above last season. That was especially true against the Giants, when Dallas’ defense was skewered. The Cowboys struggled to stop the Giants, in part because they only forced one turnover against them in 120 minutes of football. They need to do better Wednesday.
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
8:00 pm on September 4, 2012
Less than nine months after the New York Giants defeated the Cowboys in a winner-take-all game to determine the NFC East title, the two division rivals meet again at the same place. A lot has changed since the previous encounter.
The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl while the Cowboys entered the off-season with a plan to revamp the secondary that was bombarded by Eli Manning. Here is a look at the keys to victory for the Cowboys.
Protect Romo
The Giants’ pass rush is fierce. In the final eight games they played, including four postseason contests, they accumulated 26 sacks. Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck can make any offensive line look weak. The Cowboys’ front must stand strong for Romo to do his job. If it does, then Romo may flourish. In his career, Romo has produced a better quarterback rating – 97.9 – against the Giants than any other NFC East opponent he has faced.
Stop Eli
Eli Manning has been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for years. In his career against Dallas, Manning has amassed 33 touchdown passes and thrown only 18 interceptions. Last season, he picked apart the Cowboys’ secondary – producing a combined quarterback rating of 109.7 in two games against Dallas. He did so while avoiding pressure. In 120 minutes of football, the Cowboys managed to sack Manning only twice. Dallas has to increase that total if it wants to keep Manning and the Giants’ offense at bay.
Establish running game
Jason Garrett preaches balance. But his offense has rarely shown it. Against the Giants last season, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo dropped back 78 times, attempting 68 passes. The running backs, meanwhile, had only 37 carries. Dallas needs to make a concerted effort to give DeMarco Murray the ball. Last season, the Cowboys prevailed in each game he rushed 20 or more times.
Force turnovers
Rob Ryan wants a defense that not only snuffs out plays but also makes them. Yet the Cowboys struggled to do all of the above last season. That was especially true against the Giants, when Dallas’ defense was skewered. The Cowboys struggled to stop the Giants, in part because they only forced one turnover against them in 120 minutes of football. They need to do better Wednesday.
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A look at how the Cowboys and Giants match up
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
7:00 pm on September 4, 2012
Less than nine months after the New York Giants defeated the Cowboys in a winner-take-all game to determine the NFC East title, the two division rivals meet again at the same place. A lot has changed since the previous encounter.
The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl while the Cowboys entered the off-season with a plan to revamp the secondary that was bombarded by Eli Manning. Here is a look at how both teams match up:
When the Cowboys run
What would have happened if DeMarco Murray hadn’t fractured his right ankle against the Giants on Dec. 11? Would the story of the 2011 season have had a different ending? It might have. Murray gained 25 yards on five carries in his only game against the Cowboys’ NFC East rival. Before then, he proved to be a difference-maker. This year, Murray will be running behind a reworked offensive line a new fullback, Lawrence Vickers. The Giants, who gave up 121.3 rushing yards per game last season, will try to corral him.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
In 2011 Tony Romo may have had his best season yet. He amassed 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions while posting a quarterback rating of 102.5. He did so while being sacked 36 times – the most in his career. At times, Romo turned bad situations into good ones. He may have to so against Wednesday. Miles Austin (hamstring) and Dez Bryant (knee) are returning from injuries. And tight end Jason Witten, his favorite target, is doubtful as he recovers from a lacerated spleen. The Giants’ suspect secondary, which contributed to the fourth-worst pass defense in 2011 and lost cornerback Aaron Ross to Jacksonville in the off-season, may get a break.
Edge: Giants
When the Giants run
The Cowboys no longer have to worry about Brandon Jacobs. He and his 264-pound frame are gone, off to San Francisco. That leaves Ahmad Bradshaw as the leading man for a rushing offense that finished dead last in the NFL last season but improved in the playoffs during the Giants’ march to the Super Bowl. Bradshaw will try to build on that momentum with rookie David Wilson, who is smaller and quicker than Jacobs. The Cowboys defense, which was seventh against the run in 2011 and gave up only 99.1 yards per game on the ground, will have to adjust. That shouldn’t be a problem for a unit that has improved.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Giants pass
Eli Manning torched the Cowboys last season. In two games against Dallas, he threw for 746 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys have invested plenty of time and money into developing a defense that can stop Manning and his two most fearsome targets – receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Rookie Morris Claiborne and $50 million free-agent acquisition Brandon Carr are expected to plug the holes in the secondary and give Manning fits.
Edge: Giants
Special teams
Dan Bailey will try to build on his impressive rookie season, during which he made 32 of 37 field-goal attempts, including four game-winners. Bailey’s strong campaign overshadowed the fact that the Cowboys’ other special teams units underperformed. But there is hope Felix Jones will spark improvement as he will be designated as the main kick returner for the first time since 2009. On the other side, the Giants will rely on kicker Lawrence Tynes and punter Steve Weatherford, who finished 13th in the NFL last season with a net average of 39.2 yards.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
It’s the season opener in primetime. It’s a date with the defending Super Bowl champion. And it’s a rematch of in the Jan. 1 winner-take-all showdown that the Cowboys lost to end their 2011 campaign. Will Dallas be motivated?
The answer to that question is obvious. The Cowboys want to win this game. But recent history is not on their side. The Giants have won five of the last six encounters with the Cowboys. They know what it takes to beat Dallas because they have done it again and again.
Edge: Giants
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
7:00 pm on September 4, 2012
Less than nine months after the New York Giants defeated the Cowboys in a winner-take-all game to determine the NFC East title, the two division rivals meet again at the same place. A lot has changed since the previous encounter.
The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl while the Cowboys entered the off-season with a plan to revamp the secondary that was bombarded by Eli Manning. Here is a look at how both teams match up:
When the Cowboys run
What would have happened if DeMarco Murray hadn’t fractured his right ankle against the Giants on Dec. 11? Would the story of the 2011 season have had a different ending? It might have. Murray gained 25 yards on five carries in his only game against the Cowboys’ NFC East rival. Before then, he proved to be a difference-maker. This year, Murray will be running behind a reworked offensive line a new fullback, Lawrence Vickers. The Giants, who gave up 121.3 rushing yards per game last season, will try to corral him.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
In 2011 Tony Romo may have had his best season yet. He amassed 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions while posting a quarterback rating of 102.5. He did so while being sacked 36 times – the most in his career. At times, Romo turned bad situations into good ones. He may have to so against Wednesday. Miles Austin (hamstring) and Dez Bryant (knee) are returning from injuries. And tight end Jason Witten, his favorite target, is doubtful as he recovers from a lacerated spleen. The Giants’ suspect secondary, which contributed to the fourth-worst pass defense in 2011 and lost cornerback Aaron Ross to Jacksonville in the off-season, may get a break.
Edge: Giants
When the Giants run
The Cowboys no longer have to worry about Brandon Jacobs. He and his 264-pound frame are gone, off to San Francisco. That leaves Ahmad Bradshaw as the leading man for a rushing offense that finished dead last in the NFL last season but improved in the playoffs during the Giants’ march to the Super Bowl. Bradshaw will try to build on that momentum with rookie David Wilson, who is smaller and quicker than Jacobs. The Cowboys defense, which was seventh against the run in 2011 and gave up only 99.1 yards per game on the ground, will have to adjust. That shouldn’t be a problem for a unit that has improved.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Giants pass
Eli Manning torched the Cowboys last season. In two games against Dallas, he threw for 746 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys have invested plenty of time and money into developing a defense that can stop Manning and his two most fearsome targets – receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Rookie Morris Claiborne and $50 million free-agent acquisition Brandon Carr are expected to plug the holes in the secondary and give Manning fits.
Edge: Giants
Special teams
Dan Bailey will try to build on his impressive rookie season, during which he made 32 of 37 field-goal attempts, including four game-winners. Bailey’s strong campaign overshadowed the fact that the Cowboys’ other special teams units underperformed. But there is hope Felix Jones will spark improvement as he will be designated as the main kick returner for the first time since 2009. On the other side, the Giants will rely on kicker Lawrence Tynes and punter Steve Weatherford, who finished 13th in the NFL last season with a net average of 39.2 yards.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
It’s the season opener in primetime. It’s a date with the defending Super Bowl champion. And it’s a rematch of in the Jan. 1 winner-take-all showdown that the Cowboys lost to end their 2011 campaign. Will Dallas be motivated?
The answer to that question is obvious. The Cowboys want to win this game. But recent history is not on their side. The Giants have won five of the last six encounters with the Cowboys. They know what it takes to beat Dallas because they have done it again and again.
Edge: Giants
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Cowboys could be down to two TEs against Giants, Colin Cochart ruled out
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
12:54 pm on September 4, 2012
The Cowboys announced Tuesday that tight end Colin Cochart has been ruled out for Wednesday night’s season opener against the New York Giants.
The move leaves the Cowboys with Jason Witten, John Phillips and James Hanna as the only tight ends on the active roster.
With Witten being ruled doubtful because of a lacerated spleen, the Cowboys could be forced to go with only Phillips, who has 22 career receptions, and Hanna, a rookie.
During his weekly radio show, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the offense would find other ways to be effective in the passing game if they’re limited at tight end.
“There’s a lot of ways to that in this offense,” Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan’s New School show. “You can do it with multiple receiver sets, you can put more emphasis on your backs coming out of the backfield in your passing game there. There are a lot of ways and this offense does have the capability and the balance to emphasize and still put pressure on the defense and really get the passing game in.”
Cochart’s replacement on the roster could be rookie running back Lance Dunbar. The former North Texas standout was seen on the team plane on Tuesday, according to Josh Ellis of DallasCowboys.com.
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
12:54 pm on September 4, 2012
The Cowboys announced Tuesday that tight end Colin Cochart has been ruled out for Wednesday night’s season opener against the New York Giants.
The move leaves the Cowboys with Jason Witten, John Phillips and James Hanna as the only tight ends on the active roster.
With Witten being ruled doubtful because of a lacerated spleen, the Cowboys could be forced to go with only Phillips, who has 22 career receptions, and Hanna, a rookie.
During his weekly radio show, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the offense would find other ways to be effective in the passing game if they’re limited at tight end.
“There’s a lot of ways to that in this offense,” Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan’s New School show. “You can do it with multiple receiver sets, you can put more emphasis on your backs coming out of the backfield in your passing game there. There are a lot of ways and this offense does have the capability and the balance to emphasize and still put pressure on the defense and really get the passing game in.”
Cochart’s replacement on the roster could be rookie running back Lance Dunbar. The former North Texas standout was seen on the team plane on Tuesday, according to Josh Ellis of DallasCowboys.com.
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Jerry Jones: Dez Bryant, Miles Austin are 100 percent; situation will dictate when Bryant returns punts
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
8:55 am on September 4, 2012
Dez Bryant might be listed as the punt returner on the Cowboys’ depth chart but that doesn’t mean Bryant will necessarily return every punt Wednesday night against the New York Giants.
Bryant will be the team’s punt returner when the field position presents an opportunity for him to make a play.
“We’ll let that [depend] on the situation in the game,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 [KRLD-FM] The Fan’s New School show. “That’s usually the way we’ve done it with him. You want to give him an opportunity to have one in the situation that will allow him for a return, not just downing the ball. So, we’ll look at the times in the game and see when that happens.”
When asked in June about the possibility of returning punts during the 2012 season, Bryant was open to the opportunity.
“I love to compete,” Bryant said. “Wherever coach needs me, I’m going to be there. I feel like that’s my job to do the best that I can and do as much as possible. I just love making plays when I’m given the chance.”
Bryant, who suffered a thigh bruise during a punt return in last season’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets, returned to practice Saturday after being sidelined 11 days with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
But when Jones was asked if Bryant and teammate Miles Austin, who has missed most of the preseason with a strained hamstring, are 100 percent, he replied, “Yes, they are.”
Bryant scored two touchdowns and made no fair catches during 15 punt returns in 2010. He had 15 opportunities last season, scoring no touchdowns and calling five fair catches. His average also declined from 14.3 yards his rookie season to 6.9 in 2011.
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
8:55 am on September 4, 2012
Dez Bryant might be listed as the punt returner on the Cowboys’ depth chart but that doesn’t mean Bryant will necessarily return every punt Wednesday night against the New York Giants.
Bryant will be the team’s punt returner when the field position presents an opportunity for him to make a play.
“We’ll let that [depend] on the situation in the game,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 [KRLD-FM] The Fan’s New School show. “That’s usually the way we’ve done it with him. You want to give him an opportunity to have one in the situation that will allow him for a return, not just downing the ball. So, we’ll look at the times in the game and see when that happens.”
When asked in June about the possibility of returning punts during the 2012 season, Bryant was open to the opportunity.
“I love to compete,” Bryant said. “Wherever coach needs me, I’m going to be there. I feel like that’s my job to do the best that I can and do as much as possible. I just love making plays when I’m given the chance.”
Bryant, who suffered a thigh bruise during a punt return in last season’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets, returned to practice Saturday after being sidelined 11 days with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
But when Jones was asked if Bryant and teammate Miles Austin, who has missed most of the preseason with a strained hamstring, are 100 percent, he replied, “Yes, they are.”
Bryant scored two touchdowns and made no fair catches during 15 punt returns in 2010. He had 15 opportunities last season, scoring no touchdowns and calling five fair catches. His average also declined from 14.3 yards his rookie season to 6.9 in 2011.
LAZARUS_LOGAN
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I'd call this a push at worse. I'd give the Cowboys the edge. The Giants' pass rush wasn't an issue last time, and now the Giants have a depleted secondary.
ZeroClub
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Full of anticipation, but not much optimism.
dbair1967
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Not really sure how anyone can really say this. On paper the team is definitely improved, and we were very close to getting in the postseason last year.
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Some people can think with their own mind and are not pathetic enough to believe everything Jerry touches turns to gold.
You're like cowboyjoe in the sense that you feel like Jerry might read all your kool-aid drinking posts, but at least joe doesn't want Jerry to give it to him ass to mouth. Pervert.
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Sources: @JasonWitten (lacerated spleen) informs @dallascowboys he's willing to sign medical waiver to play tonight » http://t.co/cQeygol0
I'm wet
I'm wet
Your post doesn't really make sense. It's just a bash jerry/bash dbair attempt.
Now, I'm all for bashing Jerry.
And, dbair - stop reading this, I'm all for bashing dbair. :akward
But there's plenty to be optomistic about heading into this year.
Improved secondary. An off season implementing Ryans schemes. A better attitude from the players. Emergence of leaders like Lee and Murray, etc.
I mean... to each their own, but I don't see how a fan can root for a team to the point where they spent copious amounts of time on a fan forum if they aren't excited/optomistic about the coming season.
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