|
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
DAVID VALIANTE - WILMINGTON, DE: Eagles corner Asante Samuel will jump routes when his team has a lead, which is why he has had so many picks the last few years. Do you see Tony Romo avoiding him or being more cautious with the ball? Romo has had some interception problems against Philadelphia, and I think protecting the ball is the most important thing this week.
Nick: Yes, protecting the ball would rank up there on the priority list. Agreed. I think it'll be in Tony's mind to be a little more cautious but like we've said over and over, you can't be overly cautious. You have to stay aggressive and confident that you can make plays. I don't think Drew Brees was cautious when he went up to Philly and nearly scored 50 points on the Eagles. At some point, you have to believe that your team is just better and if you execute, good things will happen.
Rob: Protecting the ball, protecting Romo, preventing big plays defensively, pressuring Donovan McNabb, you name it. The Cowboys must do it all because they're playing a very good team on the road. I don't think Romo will avoid Samuel. He can't be too careful. He has to try to make plays. But you're right, Samuel will gamble and try to get picks.
Josh: I don't think Romo will be afraid to throw on Samuel, since he's never avoided any cornerback. But you're right, whether it means he's more careful with his throws or whatever, the offense can't afford to turn the ball over. The biggest thing will probably be protecting Romo so he doesn't have to make dangerous throws.
MARK GAJDA - BRIDGEPORT, CT: With Patrick Crayton playing so well on punt returns and Allen Rossum hurt, is there any need to keep him on the team? I think it's hard to justify keeping someone for the sole purpose of returning kickoffs.
Nick: Yeah, I'm with you there. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys wait for him to get healthy and then release him. I still think Rossum is probably a better fit at both spots, but with Crayton scoring twice now, it's hard to replace him. But considering Crayton is no longer starting and Felix Jones, Kevin Ogletree and even Orlando Scandrick are now non-starters, too, it just makes sense to use those guys in the return game.
Rob: Yeah, that's tough when deciding the 45-man game-day roster. The Cowboys had justified it before by intending to try Rossum on kickoff and punt returns. Maybe they let him get healthy and see where Felix Jones is physically at that point before deciding what to do. Right now, Jones appears recovered from the knee issue, though he's still been wearing the brace.
Josh: Tough to imagine Allen Rossum having much of a role whenever he's back from the pulled hamstring. You can't bench Crayton right now, obviously, and to me it's not worth it to have a guy on the 45 just for kickoff returns. I mean Rossum would be the fifth specialist they're taking to the game. That's getting a little extravagant.
| Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS |
|