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Ponder the 46: A change at running back
September, 28, 2013
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys made two roster moves during the week, so when we Ponder the 46 for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers, two of the inactives seem to be pretty easy: defensive tackle Drake Nevis and cornerback Chris Greenwood.
They just have not had enough time in the system to allow them to be successful in a game.
Miles Austin will miss the game with a hamstring strain, so the Cowboys will go with four wide receivers for the third time in four games this season.
Here’s where things could change: Ernie Sims is healthy, which could put Phillip Tanner on the bench, and Mackenzy Bernadeau has had a second week of work as a backup center, which could put Phil Costa on the bench.
The Cowboys have dressed eight offensive linemen in every game this season, but Costa has seen only one offensive snap, and that was as a fullback. To me it makes more sense to add tight end Andre Smith into the mix because of his ability to block.
Sims can take Tanner’s special teams snaps, which would mean rookie running back Joseph Randle would be the third tailback. Randle is a better runner, but Tanner is more skilled in pass protection. With the limited availability of snaps, having Randle on hand as a runner is a better option.
So the guess at the inactives this week is: Austin, Nevis, Greenwood, Tanner, Costa, David Arkin and Darrion Weems.
September, 28, 2013
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys made two roster moves during the week, so when we Ponder the 46 for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers, two of the inactives seem to be pretty easy: defensive tackle Drake Nevis and cornerback Chris Greenwood.
They just have not had enough time in the system to allow them to be successful in a game.
Miles Austin will miss the game with a hamstring strain, so the Cowboys will go with four wide receivers for the third time in four games this season.
Here’s where things could change: Ernie Sims is healthy, which could put Phillip Tanner on the bench, and Mackenzy Bernadeau has had a second week of work as a backup center, which could put Phil Costa on the bench.
The Cowboys have dressed eight offensive linemen in every game this season, but Costa has seen only one offensive snap, and that was as a fullback. To me it makes more sense to add tight end Andre Smith into the mix because of his ability to block.
Sims can take Tanner’s special teams snaps, which would mean rookie running back Joseph Randle would be the third tailback. Randle is a better runner, but Tanner is more skilled in pass protection. With the limited availability of snaps, having Randle on hand as a runner is a better option.
So the guess at the inactives this week is: Austin, Nevis, Greenwood, Tanner, Costa, David Arkin and Darrion Weems.
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Key Matchup: Dallas Cowboys S Barry Church vs. San Diego TE Antonio Gates
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
12:00 pm on September 28, 2013 | Permalink
Barry Church is still kicking heading into Week 4. Last season, he wasn’t so lucky, suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the third game.
Church has come back strong, becoming one of the key pieces in Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 defense. ProFootballFocus.com rates Church as the best safety in the NFL this season. According to the club’s stats, Church has batted away three passes, the most on the team. He’s also third in tackles with 14.
Church will be challenged this Sunday by one of the best tight ends in the NFL, Antonio Gates. At 33, Gates is off to a fast start this season, making 15 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown – numbers that compare favorably to Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, who has collected 17 catches for 201 yards and scored twice.
Throughout his 11-year career, Gates has created matchup problems. But Church, a physical presence, appears ready to rise to the challenge and defend him.
Edge: Church
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
12:00 pm on September 28, 2013 | Permalink
Barry Church is still kicking heading into Week 4. Last season, he wasn’t so lucky, suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the third game.
Church has come back strong, becoming one of the key pieces in Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 defense. ProFootballFocus.com rates Church as the best safety in the NFL this season. According to the club’s stats, Church has batted away three passes, the most on the team. He’s also third in tackles with 14.
Church will be challenged this Sunday by one of the best tight ends in the NFL, Antonio Gates. At 33, Gates is off to a fast start this season, making 15 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown – numbers that compare favorably to Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, who has collected 17 catches for 201 yards and scored twice.
Throughout his 11-year career, Gates has created matchup problems. But Church, a physical presence, appears ready to rise to the challenge and defend him.
Edge: Church
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A look at how the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers match up
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
1:02 pm on September 28, 2013 | Permalink
After a convincing victory over St. Louis at home, the Cowboys head to San Diego to face the Chargers with designs on improving their record to 3-1 for the first time since 2008. Dallas will hope to take advantage of the Chargers’ weak pass defense and beat-up offensive line. Here is a look at how both teams match up:
When the Cowboys run
Before DeMarco Murray rushed for 175 yards – the second-highest total of his career – the Cowboys spent the previous week fending off criticism of their woeful ground attack. Now that it appears their running game has been resuscitated, the Cowboys have to prove their performance in their 31-7 victory over St. Louis wasn’t a fluke. They’ll have a good chance to do that against the Chargers, who are yielding 130 rushing yards per game – the fifth-highest average in the NFL.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
It seems to have gone largely unnoticed, but Tony Romo is off to a nice start in 2013. Only Peyton Manning has completed a higher percentage of his pass attempts than Romo, who also has thrown one interception. Romo was particularly effective in a 31-7 victory over St. Louis last Sunday, contributing three touchdown passes. The Chargers have conceded 340.7 passing yards per game – the highest average in the league. They have also allowed 16 completions of 20 yards or more.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Chargers run
San Diego’s rushing attack hasn’t been great. The Chargers have gained 102.7 yards per game on the ground – an average that is 18th-best in the NFL. But they have had only four negative running plays – the lowest total in the league. That bodes well for the Chargers against a Dallas defense that has yielded 199 rushing yards – the second-fewest in the NFL this season. Whether San Diego can get any big gains out of its running game remains in doubt. So far, they’ve produced only one carry of 20 yards or more.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Chargers pass
Philip Rivers has looked great the first three weeks of the season. He has avoided the costly mistakes that bit him in years past, throwing eight touchdown passes and only one interception. He’s also completed 70 percent of his passes. Rivers is only as good as his protection is. And the Chargers’ line will have its work cut out against a Cowboys defense that has produced 13 sacks – the second-highest total in the NFL this season.
Edge: Chargers
Special teams
The Cowboys’ special teams reverted to the poor form they showed in the preseason last Sunday in their victory over St. Louis. Dwayne Harris fumbled away a punt and Dan Bailey missed a 35-yard field goal. The coach who presides over these players, Rich Bisaccia, returns to San Diego, where he worked the previous two seasons. He’ll want the Cowboys to have a better showing than the one they had against the Rams. They may be able to take advantage of the Chargers’ Nick Novak, who has produced only one touchback in 17 kickoffs.
Edge: Chargers
Intangibles
The Cowboys seems to like Southern California. It’s a place where they have trained in the preseason. And it’s also one where they’ve won. In San Diego, Dallas is 4-1. In fact the Cowboys haven’t lost there since November 1983. It’s a surprising fact considering the Chargers have the 11th-highest home winning percentage since 2000. But the Cowboys appear to be comfortable in San Diego.
Edge: Cowboys
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
1:02 pm on September 28, 2013 | Permalink
After a convincing victory over St. Louis at home, the Cowboys head to San Diego to face the Chargers with designs on improving their record to 3-1 for the first time since 2008. Dallas will hope to take advantage of the Chargers’ weak pass defense and beat-up offensive line. Here is a look at how both teams match up:
When the Cowboys run
Before DeMarco Murray rushed for 175 yards – the second-highest total of his career – the Cowboys spent the previous week fending off criticism of their woeful ground attack. Now that it appears their running game has been resuscitated, the Cowboys have to prove their performance in their 31-7 victory over St. Louis wasn’t a fluke. They’ll have a good chance to do that against the Chargers, who are yielding 130 rushing yards per game – the fifth-highest average in the NFL.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
It seems to have gone largely unnoticed, but Tony Romo is off to a nice start in 2013. Only Peyton Manning has completed a higher percentage of his pass attempts than Romo, who also has thrown one interception. Romo was particularly effective in a 31-7 victory over St. Louis last Sunday, contributing three touchdown passes. The Chargers have conceded 340.7 passing yards per game – the highest average in the league. They have also allowed 16 completions of 20 yards or more.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Chargers run
San Diego’s rushing attack hasn’t been great. The Chargers have gained 102.7 yards per game on the ground – an average that is 18th-best in the NFL. But they have had only four negative running plays – the lowest total in the league. That bodes well for the Chargers against a Dallas defense that has yielded 199 rushing yards – the second-fewest in the NFL this season. Whether San Diego can get any big gains out of its running game remains in doubt. So far, they’ve produced only one carry of 20 yards or more.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Chargers pass
Philip Rivers has looked great the first three weeks of the season. He has avoided the costly mistakes that bit him in years past, throwing eight touchdown passes and only one interception. He’s also completed 70 percent of his passes. Rivers is only as good as his protection is. And the Chargers’ line will have its work cut out against a Cowboys defense that has produced 13 sacks – the second-highest total in the NFL this season.
Edge: Chargers
Special teams
The Cowboys’ special teams reverted to the poor form they showed in the preseason last Sunday in their victory over St. Louis. Dwayne Harris fumbled away a punt and Dan Bailey missed a 35-yard field goal. The coach who presides over these players, Rich Bisaccia, returns to San Diego, where he worked the previous two seasons. He’ll want the Cowboys to have a better showing than the one they had against the Rams. They may be able to take advantage of the Chargers’ Nick Novak, who has produced only one touchback in 17 kickoffs.
Edge: Chargers
Intangibles
The Cowboys seems to like Southern California. It’s a place where they have trained in the preseason. And it’s also one where they’ve won. In San Diego, Dallas is 4-1. In fact the Cowboys haven’t lost there since November 1983. It’s a surprising fact considering the Chargers have the 11th-highest home winning percentage since 2000. But the Cowboys appear to be comfortable in San Diego.
Edge: Cowboys
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DallasCowboys.com Writers Share Their Game 4 Gut Feeling
Posted 1 hour ago
IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are coming off a Week 3 win over the Rams and now look to finish the September schedule with a 3-1 record.
To do that, they’ll have to get past the Chargers, who sit at 1-2 but have been competitive in the first three games.
Here are the gut feelings for staff writers Nick Eatman, Bryan Broaddus, David Helman and Rowan Kavner.
David Helman:
Take one look at the Chargers’ injury report, and you feel like the Cowboys should win this game comfortably. San Diego won’t have receiver Malcolm Floyd, and starting guards Jeromey Clary and Chad Rhinehart are listed as doubtful. Rookie tackle D.J. Fluker is probable, but he’s attempting to bounce back from a concussion. The Cowboys won’t have Miles Austin, but the rest of their key players are ready to go. All of that said, Phillip Rivers is playing incredibly well these days. I think he’ll carry the Chargers long enough to give the Cowboys a scare, but Dallas wins a close one in the end.
Rowan Kavner:
A lot’s been made of the Chargers sitting in last in passing defense, and rightfully so. The Cowboys have managed to get a different offensive player as the focal point every week, with Jason Witten getting two touchdowns in the opener, Dez Bryant going off a week later and DeMarco Murray the next. I expect it to be Bryant this week. There’s not a corner on the Chargers that can match him single-handedly, and the minute they bring the safety over to help the short game with Witten will get going. Phillip Rivers has been fantastic this season, particularly with ball control, but I think that changes this week with the Cowboys’ pressure. It will be a bit of a shootout, and one the Cowboys need to and will take as they ditch the .500 funk.
Nick Eatman:
The Cowboys could dominate this game in similar fashion as last week – but they won’t. Yes, San Diego is beat up on the line and you look at their offensive weapons around Philip Rivers and no one really scares you. You can look at their 31st ranked defense and think the Cowboys will exploit that all day. But something tells me it won’t be that easy – or easy at all. I see the Chargers grabbing an early 10-point lead in the first half, probably some long touchdown by someone we’ve barely heard of. But I do think the Cowboys will rise up and rally. It’ll be a close finish but Romo and the guys pull through in the clutch.
Bryan Broaddus:
As much as I want to believe that these Cowboys receivers are due for a big day against this Chargers secondary, I feel it the tight ends that will cause the majority of the damage. I have said this all week, that John Pagano is not going to allow Tony Romo sit in the pocket and put his secondary under attack. They have struggled for the first three games of the season giving up yards and Pagano knows he has to bring pressure in order to help his coverage. This is where Jason Witten, James Hanna and Gavin Escobar step up to handle the one-on-one match ups that keep the chains moving when the Chargers bring the blitz. When the final whistle sounds, it will be the Cowboys tight ends that will be talked about in their victory on the road.
Posted 1 hour ago
IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are coming off a Week 3 win over the Rams and now look to finish the September schedule with a 3-1 record.
To do that, they’ll have to get past the Chargers, who sit at 1-2 but have been competitive in the first three games.
Here are the gut feelings for staff writers Nick Eatman, Bryan Broaddus, David Helman and Rowan Kavner.
David Helman:
Take one look at the Chargers’ injury report, and you feel like the Cowboys should win this game comfortably. San Diego won’t have receiver Malcolm Floyd, and starting guards Jeromey Clary and Chad Rhinehart are listed as doubtful. Rookie tackle D.J. Fluker is probable, but he’s attempting to bounce back from a concussion. The Cowboys won’t have Miles Austin, but the rest of their key players are ready to go. All of that said, Phillip Rivers is playing incredibly well these days. I think he’ll carry the Chargers long enough to give the Cowboys a scare, but Dallas wins a close one in the end.
Rowan Kavner:
A lot’s been made of the Chargers sitting in last in passing defense, and rightfully so. The Cowboys have managed to get a different offensive player as the focal point every week, with Jason Witten getting two touchdowns in the opener, Dez Bryant going off a week later and DeMarco Murray the next. I expect it to be Bryant this week. There’s not a corner on the Chargers that can match him single-handedly, and the minute they bring the safety over to help the short game with Witten will get going. Phillip Rivers has been fantastic this season, particularly with ball control, but I think that changes this week with the Cowboys’ pressure. It will be a bit of a shootout, and one the Cowboys need to and will take as they ditch the .500 funk.
Nick Eatman:
The Cowboys could dominate this game in similar fashion as last week – but they won’t. Yes, San Diego is beat up on the line and you look at their offensive weapons around Philip Rivers and no one really scares you. You can look at their 31st ranked defense and think the Cowboys will exploit that all day. But something tells me it won’t be that easy – or easy at all. I see the Chargers grabbing an early 10-point lead in the first half, probably some long touchdown by someone we’ve barely heard of. But I do think the Cowboys will rise up and rally. It’ll be a close finish but Romo and the guys pull through in the clutch.
Bryan Broaddus:
As much as I want to believe that these Cowboys receivers are due for a big day against this Chargers secondary, I feel it the tight ends that will cause the majority of the damage. I have said this all week, that John Pagano is not going to allow Tony Romo sit in the pocket and put his secondary under attack. They have struggled for the first three games of the season giving up yards and Pagano knows he has to bring pressure in order to help his coverage. This is where Jason Witten, James Hanna and Gavin Escobar step up to handle the one-on-one match ups that keep the chains moving when the Chargers bring the blitz. When the final whistle sounds, it will be the Cowboys tight ends that will be talked about in their victory on the road.