Giants Stuff...

[BipolarFuk]

He has sucked ever since [MENTION=8]BipolarFan[/MENTION] said he would have a better career than Ware. Now he's on pace for a whopping 4 sacks.

Kiss of Death.

 

[Hawkeye19]

This has all the makings of a trap game. Huge road win against the Super Bowl champs, Giants come to town after getting blown out and losing their star receiver. The team will be snorting cheese all week.

Add in the hiccups with Parnell needing to start and now the distraction of Randle and all that will entail.

I would not be surprised at all to see Eli have one of his "do no wrong" games against us.

I don't think Division games ever fall into the "trap" category. We went 5-1 in the division last year, and Garrett regularly preaches the importance of winning division games as winning the division is the quickest way to the playoffs.

We might lose-- but it won't be because they came out flat and unprepared. IMO-- With NY's beat up WR corps, backfield, and shoddy OL-- it would take a complete and utter FAIL from our D to lose on Sunday. I just don't see it after they handled Seattle with fundamentally sound football last week.

Marinelli has his unit playing fast, loose and hungry right now. They look like they love playing football again and are having a great time. On offense-- I think we can run and throw on NY. We just need to stay mistake free and limit the turnovers and we can choke NY out.

 

[ravidubey]

Marinelli has his unit playing fast, loose and hungry right now.

I agree they played out of their skulls last week though I think it's not realistic to expect them to maintain that pace every game. The Seahawks also had maybe the worst offensive gameplan this team will face all year outside of London. I mean WTF was that?

The key for Dallas will be to find a way to run the offense while cutting DeMarco Murray's carries by at least 30%. Outside of Arizona, the defensive competition is nowhere near as tough as in Seattle the rest of the way forward, so they shouldn't need Murray as much.

 

[ravidubey]

He has sucked ever since [MENTION=8]BipolarFan[/MENTION] said he would have a better career than Ware. Now he's on pace for a whopping 4 sacks.

I told everyone he was overrated and made his reputation thanks to playing Doug Free at LT in 2011 but no one listened. People thought he'd be getting 15 sacks a year minimum.

NFL's a whole lot tougher than that.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The way Dallas gets beat by the Giants is turnovers and special teams. Of course we did those things against the Seahawks and still won. In general though that's how you avoid being beat by a lesser team.

 

[Carp]

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are off to a surprising 5-1 start but they have yet to play an NFC East game.

That changes this week when the New York Giants visit AT&T Stadium. Last year the Cowboys went 5-1 in the division and swept the Giants. Despite their strong start, the Cowboys have to keep pace with the similarly 5-1 Philadelphia Eagles, so they can't afford a letdown.

The Giants (3-3) are coming off a disheartening loss to the Eagles but AT&T Stadium has been something of a safe haven for New York. The Giants are 4-1 in Arlington, Texas.

NFL Nation reporters Dan Graziano and Todd Archer offer up this week's game preview:

Todd Archer: To me, Tom Coughlin is one of the five best coaches in the NFL. It looked like he had things turned around after the 0-2 start. But after last week's loss to Philadelphia, was that three-game winning streak fool's gold?

Dan Graziano: You can argue that the three-game streak was against lesser competition (Houston, Washington, Atlanta), but the Eagles aren't far enough superior to those teams to explain a 27-0 thrashing. I agree with you about Coughlin as a coach, and I think that, in the big picture, the Giants' 3-3 record reflects a team that's doing better at this point in its rebuilding process than could reasonably have been expected. With a new offensive coordinator and system, and a slew of new players, the Giants should have struggled out of the gate. But that three-game winning streak showed that the new scheme can be effective and that they're further along in it than anyone realized they were. They're still going to have rough patches, because progress is never completely smooth and because they still have personnel deficiencies to overcome when they play the league's better teams. But they're going to have some good games too. I think they're just kind of a middle-of-the-road team that's hoping the good outweighs the bad enough to get them in contention while they make progress toward better things next year.

Archer: They are definitely playing better, but I think the biggest reason why they are playing better is that they are playing less. The offense is doing a great job of keeping them on the sideline. Maybe I will be the last to the party, but I'm not 100 percent convinced this defense is this good. Over the long haul I wonder if giving up 6 yards per play and 5 yards per rush and not showing consistent ability to get to the quarterback will be part of their demise. There will be games when the offense does not convert as well on third down and the defense will be exposed. But to get off the cynical soapbox here, I think the success starts with coordinator Rod Marinelli. He has made changes to the scheme and allowed the corners to play more man-to-man coverage (a little bit anyway). Linebacker Rolando McClain has been a revelation and is the presence of the defense in the middle. Mostly, however, they are playing hard and that is what Marinelli wants most.

There has been a lot of talk about the Giants' change in offensive philosophy with Ben McAdoo. How big of a loss is Victor Cruz for that offense and for Eli Manning?

Graziano: It's huge, because they were already thin at wide receiver due to the season-ending injuries to Cruz, backup Jerrel Jernigan and camp star Marcus Harris, either of whom could have filled in for Cruz in the slot. With Cruz down, there's no natural slot receiver for a team that's in three-wide receiver sets more than 80 percent of the time. So they'll have to mix and match to find imperfect solutions. It's not as simple as moving rookie first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. in there. They like Beckham on the outside as a deep speed threat and worry about capping his value if they stick him inside. But they may not have a choice. The other options on the roster right now are Preston Parker and undrafted Corey Washington, and their practice squad guys are Julian Talley, Juron Criner and Travis Harvey. Unless they want to give the Buffalo Bills something for disgruntled Mike Williams, they're not going to have enough quality options to run the three-wide sets they love. And with starting running back Rashad Jennings down for a little while, they can't lean as hard on the run game as they'd like to either. Cruz is the playmaker into whose hands the McAdoo offense wants to deliver the ball in close range, and they won't be able to replace him.

Speaking of playmakers, Tony Romo looks to have a winner in Terrance Williams on the other side of the field from Dez Bryant. Does Romo have more trusted options in the passing game than he's had in years past?

Archer: I don't know about that. Actually, I think Romo had more trust in Miles Austin than he does in Williams. Some of that is just time on task. He made more work with Austin over the years, but Williams has a good feel for when plays break down to find open spots. He did it two weeks ago against the Houston Texans for a 43-yard touchdown. He did it last week on a 23-yard catch to produce first down on third and 20. He did it last year against the Washington Redskins on their winning drive. Ultimately, the success of the passing game is on Bryant, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray. I don't want to sound like Romo doesn't trust Williams or the others, but he has more trust in the other guys.

The Cowboys will be without right tackle Doug Free. Jason Pierre-Paul has had unreal moments against the Cowboys but he doesn't appear to be the same player. What has happened to him?

Graziano: Pierre-Paul had a tough time Sunday night with Jason Peters, as most do. Prior to that, I'd have said he was playing quite well, especially against the run. But he still isn't racking up the sacks. He says that's not a source of frustration to him, and that they'll come if he keeps up the pressure. But he's a free agent at the end of this year, and I know he's thinking about trying to cash in with a big contract. Without big sack numbers (and due to injury he hasn't had those since 2011), he's going to have a tough time selling himself as a premier pass rusher. Watching him every week, you see a guy who makes plays and attracts extra attention. But he's not finishing the way he did in 2011. As you said, he always gets up to play the Cowboys. Perhaps this is the game that gets him back on track.

However, Pierre-Paul would be the first to tell you the priority is stopping the run. And no one's running it better than DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys. How much do you think the Doug Free injury will affect Murray, the run game and the performance of that suddenly strong offensive line there in Dallas?

Archer: I think it will affect them to a degree, but I don't think it will kill them. Jermey Parnell will replace Free and on his first snap against the Seahawks, Murray scored a 15-yard touchdown. The Cowboys like Parnell and he competed with Free for the starting spot last year in camp but couldn't take it away. The Cowboys run their best when they go to the left behind Tyron Smith and Ron Leary, but Free and Zack Martin had their moments too. Parnell has the physical ability but he has to be as strong mentally too. When he has had snaps as an extra blocker in short yardage and goal-line situations, he has had some whiffs. I think the Cowboys will help him, but I don't think they will change their offense much at all.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I am concerned about this game. Coughlin always game plans hard for Dallas and they seem to find ways to exploit the weaknesses. Eli is a monster for this rivalry.

 

[ravidubey]

The Giants defeated a Texans team missing Arian Foster, a Washington team with basically a rookie QB, and a very average Falcons team at home. Detroit and Philadelphia plain abused them while the Cards beat them soundly. Without Cruz, New York's staring at 7-9 and they know it.

We should win, but any team can beat us if we fumble, ST, or pick-6 away easy TDs to them.

Dallas takes this 30-14.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Giants' Justin Pugh lost sleep over performance against the Eagles
(Ed Murray/The Star Ledger)
Print Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 15, 2014 at 4:30 PM, updated October 16, 2014 at 8:51 AM



0


EAST RUTHERFORD -- Giants right tackle Justin Pugh returned home after the team's 27-0 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, and laid in bed restless, visions of Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin treating him like a human turnstile in his head.

"I wasn't sure if I was having a nightmare. I'm like, 'Did that really just happen?'" Pugh said. "It's something where I let it snowball, it was more mental than anything. I let it get to me and you can't do that, you can't let it snowball, and that's something that I've been [focusing on] this week."

To be fair, the entire offensive line did not play well on Sunday night, but Pugh was the main culprit, allowed six sacks, including three to Barwin, who is not known for his pass-rushing ability.

Perhaps contributing to his nightmare-filled sleep on Sunday night, Pugh took a look at the tape of his performance on his iPad when he got home, noticing that his aforementioned mental breakdowns led to poor technique. He found himself off-balance way too often.

Pugh also spoke to some of his former college teammates, who helped remind him of the player that he is capable of being.

"They were like, 'Look, man, you're where you are for a reason, you've played 18 games, you've played well, you know what you were doing,'" Pugh said.

Pugh was reminded that he has had tough games before, in particular a game against the Carolina Panthers in which their star defensive end, Charles Johnson, got the best of him. So why was he giving himself such a hard time about the Eagles game?

"Because it was more sacks that was let up. I just didn't play well overall," he said. "Carolina, I did some good things with technique and Charles Johnson just kicked my [butt], but this one hurts because I had played against him before, played well against the Eagles before. I thought I had the ability to do it again."

A Philadelphia product, Pugh was asked whether having so many close friends and family talking to him about the game all week and bugging him for tickets might have affected him mentally.

"That whole week, dealing with me being from Philadelphia, me having to get tickets for everybody, everyone's calling me, texting me. I told my parents, 'The next time we play Philly, I'm turning my phone off for the week, I'm not talking to anybody about it. You guys deal with getting tickets on your own, I'll talk to you guys next week.' And that's just the way I've gotta approach it. I can't let outside distractions get in the way of getting my job done."

He added that his confidence is "sky-high right now," in part owing to the support he's received from his coaches and teammates this week.

"I had 18 games before this where I played some quality football," Pugh said. "Obviously, I've had my ups and downs. It's just one of those things where you learn from it and get better, and that's the mark of a true professional."

 

[Cotton]

Prediction: Cowboys make it six in a row
October, 17, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

Much of the credit for the Cowboys' start deservedly has gone to DeMarco Murray and the running game, but Tony Romo has had a lot of success throwing the ball against the New York Giants with 29 touchdown passes in 13 games to go along with five 300-yard games, one 400-yard game and three four-touchdown games.

With right tackle Doug Free out with a small fracture in his right foot, the Cowboys might not be able to run it as well, which would put more of a burden on Romo.

So far this year Romo has picked his spots, saving his best plays for the biggest moments. The last five games of this series played at AT&T Stadium have been decided by 21 points total. This game will be closer than many believe because they are always close. These Cowboys are riding a wave they haven’t been on since 2007 when they finished 13-3 and had the best record in the NFC. For at least another week, the Cowboys will continue the ride.

My prediction: Cowboys 28, Giants 24

 

[Jiggyfly]

For Cowboys, Giants defense will get back to what's worked (and other weekly observations)

Print Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Nick Powell | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 17, 2014 at 10:25 AM, updated October 17, 2014 at 12:49 PM




EAST RUTHERFORD -- Another week, another rivalry game on the road for the Giants as they prepare to square off on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys and their fourth-ranked offense, including the best rushing attack in the league at 160 rushing yards per game, led by running back DeMarco Murray.

However, it's the road-graders on the Dallas offensive line that are opening the holes for Murray, and consistently winning the battles up front that concern Giants' defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. He praised the Dallas offensive line on Friday. That and the lineman that really caught his eye kicks off our weekly defensive observations.

1.Defensive line needs to play better and will get a linebacker boost
The Giants have their work cut out for them, especially after getting shredded by LeSean McCoy and the Eagles. Fewell knows they must play better against a Dallas line that is really, really good.

"Obviously, the offensive line is a good offensive line -- three No. 1 [draft picks] on the offensive line, and the way they're complementing each other is going to be a tough challenge for us," Fewell said. "The way we've approached it, and the way we've practiced the last day or two days, I feel like we can bounce back."

After playing with a nickel defense (two linebackers, three cornerbacks) the entire game against the Eagles, expect the Giants to go back to their base formation in Dallas. With linebackers Jon Beason, Jameel McClain and Jacquian Williams on the field together, it should help.

Fewell declined to provide an explanation as to why he went with a nickel defense for the entire game in Philadelphia.

"I won’t discuss that," he said. "I have to play the team again. I am not going to discuss that."

2. JPP has a tough matchup ... again
Things don't get easier for Giants defense end Jason Pierre-Paul after facing Jason Peters last week. Fewell singled out Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith as a player who's playing at an elite level this season, and said to expect Pierre-Paul to be matched up against Smith for most of the game.

"The confidence that [Smith] is playing with, because he's been in their system, they do what they do because of him," Fewell said. "He's able to move out first-level guys, be it a defensive lineman, [and] he's able to seal off the second-level guys, be it a linebacker or safety, and he's just playing at such a high level right now that [Jason Pierre-Paul] and our defensive linemen have to play at their best to have a good shot to neutralize this guy."

It's going to present quite a challenge for Pierre-Paul. The Giants hope he has more success than he did against Peters.

3. Feeling fine about CBs
Despite the Giants' shallow cornerback depth, Fewell was encouraged by the way the defensive backs practiced this week, and is confident they can hold up against Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and a good Dallas receiving corps.

The Giants could be without starter Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in Dallas. Trumaine McBride and Walter Thurmond are already on injured reserve.

That could leave Zack Bowman and Jayron Hosley in significant roles. Fewell feels better about that now than he did earlier in the week.

"We have some guys that haven't played a whole lot that will have to come up and play," Fewell said. "Is it a concern? The way that they've practiced the last couple of days, I feel better about it. When game time comes you never know how you feel, but I feel very confident in how we've prepared, I don't think we're giving them too much to do, I think we're doing the right things with our guys."

4. Coaches thought linebacker Jon Beason was 'rusty'
Beason clearly was not playing at the high level the Giants are accustomed to seeing when he returned against the Eagles — and Fewell attributed that to shaking off the rust of missing three straight games with a toe injury. The Giants expect significant improvement this week. It likely means more playing time, too.

"He was rusty, and he did some good things, not saying he didn't do it, but we have such a high level of expectation out of Jon, there were some plays out there that when you go back and look at the tape, you say, 'Man, Jon would have made that play,'" Fewell said. "So with more practice, more reps, more looks, he's going to make those plays for you. I look for him to be even better this week."

5. Turn the negative into a positive
Despite the overall poor performance in Philadelphia, Fewell believes the defense getting dominated isn't the worst thing in the world. It can be turned into a positive, by motivating the unit to prepare and play with greater intensity the following week.

"In the sense that you've got to dust your pads off, you've got to find that fire and energy, some of that cockiness and bravado that you may have had," Fewell said. "You got to step back and say, 'OK, I've got to step back and work, I've got to work even harder, I've got to focus even more, because it's not just natural [talent], it's hard work that got us here.' Not that our guys haven't been working hard ... but as a defense, you go back and say, 'There's more I can do, more I can give, more I can study, I can prepare a lot more and a lot better.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Giants CB Zack Bowman ready for expanded role against Cowboys WR Dez Bryant

Print Matt Lombardo | For NJ Advance Media By Matt Lombardo | For NJ Advance Media
Follow on Twitter
on October 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM, updated October 17, 2014 at 11:03 AM


EAST RUTHERFORD--With the chance of Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie playing Sunday seemingly diminishing with each missed practice this week, the onus will be on Zack Bowman to take on a bigger role. That role may involve trying to cover Cowboyd wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Bryant is off to a fast start, hauling in 36 catches for 439 yards and four touchdowns through the first six games. As always, the 6-foot-2, 220 pound receiver is using his size to his advantage, and is one of many weapons Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has at his disposal in a suddenly dynamic, well-rounded offense.

"He has a phenomenal mindset when it comes to the ball," Bowman said after Thursday's practice. "Obviously it's going to be about just going out there to compete, to try and out-compete him. We have a nice game plan for the Cowboys."

Bowman, used primarily on special teams this season could draw the unenviable task of slowing Bryant. That's not something the 6-foot-1, 196 pound cornerback is all that worried about.

Bowman, a veteran who spent six seasons in Chicago, does have the size and strength that would give him a chance against Bryant.

"It won't be tough," Bowman said when asked about taking a larger role on defense this week. "Obviously we have a mentality for the next guy up. It's not my first rodeo. I've played in games before. Like I said, it's about being confident and knowing what I'm doing out there and obviously about going out there to have fun.

"Just going out and executing my assignment and doing my job is going to be the biggest thing. It's just football for me.

"It's more of a mental challenge. You have to figure out what they like to do. After that it's just football. You just have to line up and play."

Rodgers-Cromartie missed practice for the second day in a row Thursday after Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday he expected him to be ready to go this week. Coughlin added Thursday he still has a ways to go before being ready for Sunday.

Keeping the Cowboys receiving corps and tight end Jason Witten under wraps is a challenge. Bowman says it is magnified by Romo's escape-ability from the pocket.

"Tony's a great quarterback," Bowman said. "With Tony Romo, the game's never over. Last year when we played him, the game was never over. The big thing about him is he will always extend the play. So us on the backend always have to stay with our guy every time he does that."

 

[ravidubey]

These are different teams. The 2007 team, closest to what we've got now, beat NY twice by double digits and lost once by 4 points. In the loss, the interior OL and WR's had significant injuries.

Maybe New York bottles up DeMarco Murray or maybe they clamp down on Dez and Williams. But they aren't going to do both, at least not for long.

30-14 Cowboys.

 

[dallen]

This is the game we always lose. They got me back on the hope bandwagon with the win in Seattle. If we can avoid the followup trap game I may be as disgusting of a homer as [MENTION=3]boozeman[/MENTION].

 

[L.T. Fan]

The Giants defeated a Texans team missing Arian Foster, a Washington team with basically a rookie QB, and a very average Falcons team at home. Detroit and Philadelphia plain abused them while the Cards beat them soundly. Without Cruz, New York's staring at 7-9 and they know it.

We should win, but any team can beat us if we fumble, ST, or pick-6 away easy TDs to them.

Dallas takes this 30-14.

I think you are way too optimistic but I hope you are right. I look for a 27 - 21 game.

 

[ravidubey]

This is the game we always lose. They got me back on the hope bandwagon with the win in Seattle. If we can avoid the followup trap game I may be as disgusting of a homer as [MENTION=3]boozeman[/MENTION].

You were ready to pick the Cowboys over Seattle before last Sunday, so it sounds like you were hopeful before the win.

Dallas can lose of course, but they shouldn't. Hell the best the 90's teams went was 13-3 precisely because the damned division always handed them losses.

Dallas went 5-1 in the division last year and has become a better team this year.

Dallas is 5-1 outside the division whereas last year's team might have been 1-5 at this point.

Offensively this team is as good or better than those 90's teams. Defensively they have less talent though they play just as hard, and New York isn't in a position to exploit that lack of talent.

 

[p1_]

Offensively this team is as good or better than those 90's teams.

Doobie, man. Im ready to go Homerific, but WTF? Tap them brakes just a little. It's been 6 games...

In other news, one of my all time favorite 90s team games period was the one Emmitt played balls out
with a busted shoulder and carried the team to victory over the Giants for the division crown.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


In most courageous game, Smith overcame injury to carry Cowboys





By DAVID MOORE

Staff Writer

dmoore@dallasnews.com

Published: 06 August 2010 01:02 AM

Updated: 05 September 2011 05:23 AM

"You can't play the game if you can't play with pain."

People still ask about that day.

They shake their heads in disbelief and grimace when he goes into detail.

If one game can symbolize a Hall of Fame career, that game came more than 16 years ago for Emmitt Smith. The qualities that set the Cowboys running back apart - durability, toughness, an unwavering commitment to his teammates - were all on display the afternoon of Jan. 2, 1994, in the Meadowlands.

New York's Greg Jackson was the unlikely spark. A jarring hit by the Giants safety sent Smith to the locker room with a first-degree separation of his right shoulder late in the first half.

He missed only two plays.

Eddie Murray won the game with a 41-yard field goal in overtime. But Smith, literally and figuratively, carried the Cowboys to a 16-13 victory that winter afternoon. He rushed for 168 yards to win his third consecutive rushing championship and clinched another NFC East title for the team.

To this day, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and others will tell you the Cowboys would not have been able to defend their championship without the home-field advantage and bye week that resulted from that victory.

"What helped me get through that game was the fact my teammates were counting on me," Smith said. "When I came to the huddle and looked the guys in the face, I could see their concern for me, but I also knew how important the game was. There was a lot at stake.

"I went back to my youth. When I was 6 or 7 and would get knocked down and cry, my cousin would say, 'You can't play the game if you can't play with pain.'

"I kept saying that in my mind the whole time I was playing that game."

"I can do this"

Daryl Johnston wasn't sure what happened at the end of Smith's 46-yard run. All he knew was that his friend and teammate didn't pop up the way he usually did after a tackle.

Once Johnston saw the way Smith held his shoulder as he walked off the field, he knew something was wrong.

The doctors and training staff took over at halftime. Johnston didn't see Smith again until the two were on the Cowboys sideline before the start of the third quarter. Johnston was the first to talk.

"I wanted to let him know if he couldn't go, it was OK," Johnston said. "I told him not to risk a more severe injury."

Smith gave Johnston the same response he did the rest of his teammates when he went out to the huddle.

"I can do this," Smith told them.

Smith's right arm hung limp. Aikman lowered where he handed off the ball so the running back wouldn't have to raise his arm.

Smith was in obvious pain every time he came to the sideline. But he kept running and kept assuring his teammates he wasn't going to quit.

"He was in such pain, taking those deep breaths you do when you have that pain in your shoulder," Johnston said. "We told him we had everything handled. We told him it doesn't do any good to go back on the field if you have to play the next week.

"We told him he had to be smart and play the game a different way. We told him to be smart, get out of bounds, stay out of the middle, don't get held up.

"He wouldn't have anything to do with that. He kept saying, 'I know. I know. I'm fine.' "

Johnston doesn't remember what was said after the game. But he does remember former Oakland Raiders coach and TV analyst John Madden walked into the locker room to shake Smith's hand and compliment him on the performance.

"I think it showed a part of him that people didn't know," Johnston said. "The knock on him coming out of college was he was not big enough, fast enough, he wasn't durable even though there was no proof of any of those statements.

"His teammates already knew. But people learned a lot about Emmitt that day."

"Don't use me as a decoy"

Nate Newton looked down the sideline early in the third quarter and saw Smith in Jimmy Johnson's grille. It was the first time the guard had ever seen Smith confront the Cowboys coach.

"What the hell was that about?" Newton asked when he walked over to Smith a few seconds later.

"If you're going to put me in the game, run me," Smith told Newton as he recounted the conversation. "I don't want to just [go] in the game and you play-action pass me to death. If you're going to give me the ball, give me the ball."

Johnson told Lincoln Coleman to go into the game for Smith at one point in the second half. Smith told the backup running back to return to the sideline.

Smith also asked his teammates for a favor.

"He asked the offensive linemen to run down the field and pick him up after every play," Newton said. "He said, 'My shoulder is killing me.'

"The thing about it is, the Giants knew Emmitt was hurt and they were trying to get to him, but they couldn't."

On Smith's final carry of the game, the one that set up the game-winning field goal, he extended his right arm to fend off linebacker Lawrence Taylor for a few extra yards.

"I don't remember him ever consider not playing"

Smith's teammates stayed on the field to finish the first half as the running back was taken to the locker room.

Dr. Robert Vandermeer and trainer Kevin O'Neill gave Smith a pill and an injection for the pain. Jim Maurer, now the Cowboys' head trainer, was there as an assistant.

"I don't remember him ever consider not playing," Maurer said. "It was a matter of how comfortable can we help you be for the rest of the game and how can we help you be as efficient as possible for the rest of the game."

Buck Buchanan was the team's equipment manager at the time. He worked with Mike McCord, the Cowboys' equipment manager today, to fashion what they call a SIP - shoulder injury pad.

The crew took a thigh pad made out of foam, cut the middle out of it to form a doughnut and taped it directly onto Smith's injured shoulder. The shoulder pads were placed on top of the pad.

"You have to create it pretty quickly," McCord said. "It doesn't take a long time. You're probably talking a maximum of seven or eight minutes."

The pad helped hold the shoulder in place and dispersed the pressure when Smith was hit head on. It did little to help when he was hit from the side or rolled over on the shoulder after being tackled.

"You're hoping he doesn't just get waylaid," Maurer said. "Even though he never did fall right on it, other contact was made. You could see him get up and wince."

Maurer knew Smith would be unable to play the next week if the Cowboys lost the game. He knew if the team won and got the bye, Smith and several other players who were beat up would have time to heal.

"I remember being extremely relieved we didn't have to play the next week," Maurer said.

After the game, the relieved members of the medical staff had to assist Smith as he put on his sweat jacket.

"He's got to get back in there"

Jason Garrett was the backup quarterback for the Cowboys that day.

"One of the interesting things if you look at the scheme of that game, the Giants traditionally played a Cover 2 look that was taking away the outside receivers," said Garrett, who is now the Cowboys' offensive coordinator. "You were going to run the ball against them and throw it to the inside guys a lot. Throw the ball to the tight ends, throw the ball to the backs.

"So Emmitt comes off and is banged up, and we say to ourselves, 'He's got to get back in there, and he's going to get the ball.' It's not like Emmitt is going to go into the ballgame and we're going to be able to not get him the ball. He was going to touch it in that game."

What else does Garrett remember about that game?

"It was cold," he said. "It was an ugly day.

"My memory of him from that game is what it is for his entire career. Emmitt was a guy you could count on at any time, but particularly in the clutch situations. Always so durable. Always so tough. Always so dependable.

"It was a special performance, no question about it."

 

[boozeman]

Emmitt only toughed it out to win the rushing crown.

 

[DontCryWolfe]

Emmitt only toughed it out to win the rushing crown.

With the vibe I got from Boys will be Boys, and all the other stories I've read here and there, I almost wouldn't be surprised.

 

[p1_]

Emmitt only toughed it out to win the rushing crown.