IRVING, Texas - The Philadelphia Eagles lost a friend and a defensive mastermind when longtime coordinator Jim Johnson died of cancer in July.
Johnson put an indelible imprint on the unit from 1999-08, known best for sending pressure and producing turnovers from a variety of places. The Eagles had 26 defensive Pro Bowl selections during his tenure.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has faced those exotic looks before, and he sees the same type of "Jim Johnson pressure mentality" from the 2009 Eagles defense under new coordinator Sean McDermott.
The numbers offer proof. Through seven games, Philadelphia's 23 sacks are tied for second. Its 21 takeaways and plus-12 turnover margin top the NFL.
"Their scheme is the same," tight end Jason Witten said. "They do that very well, as good as anybody in the league. They rally to the ball and put you in tough situations that are hard to overcome."
Following last year's 44-6 finale loss, Romo said the Eagles exposed the offense's protections in some ways. But Romo has been sacked only 13 times in seven games, including five during the Cowboys' three-game win streak.
More important, Romo has not committed a turnover in that stretch. As usual, the Eagles thrive off their pressure - seven different players have tallied their 14 total interceptions.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said Atlanta's defense had a similar scheme two weeks ago. The offensive line handled its pass rush well, and the offense scored 30 points in a 37-21 win.
Just as important Sunday will be pass protection from the running backs, particularly on third down. Marion Barber is the most experienced, but Phillips said second-year backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice - who has played some exclusively on third down - have "come a long ways" in picking up blitzes.
"He not only takes them on, he takes them out because he's the most physical, obviously," Phillips said of Barber. "You've got to be able to count on them and that's part of playing running back, which is hard in this league because guys have been basically runners (in college) and not pass protectors."
Stewart's Sight
No surprise Eagles head coach Andy Reid has consulted ex-Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart - now a defensive assistant in Philly - about the Cowboys' current defense. Fourteen players, including six starters, are back from last year.
"That's kind of an obvious that we would like to know that," Reid said. "But also Wade's a pretty creative guy. He's made some changes this year. The offense has made some changes."
Phillips said the significance of Stewart's advice probably will be determined in the first 15 plays "because I think he knows certainly what we do and what things have hurt us in the past, those kinds of things."
Simulating Vick
Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick has only attempted two passes and rushed 11 times for 25 yards this season. But the Cowboys are preparing for the versatile Vick, as well as the Eagles' occasional Wildcat formation.
Phillips said rookie quarterback Stephen McGee is the player simulating Vick in practice.
"He can run and he wears No. 7," Phillips said. "We haven't gotten him throwing left-handed yet."
Johnson Improving
Backup linebacker Curtis Johnson, an experienced pass rusher in Indianapolis, has only appeared in one game this season due to a strained hamstring. Johnson has been practicing the last couple of weeks, but Phillips said it might be difficult to fit him on the 45-man game day roster.
"But he's actually done real well in practice and his special teams work has been very good this week," Phillips said. "I'm pleased with where he is."
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Rob Phillips - 
