Cowboys plan? Run like clockwork

C-Mac · 12-08-2005, 09:47 PM

http://www.covers.com/articles/artic...761&tid=27&t=1
Cowboys plan? Run like clockwork
By Andrew Folkes
Thu, Dec 8, 2005

Coach Bill Parcells knows that even under ideal circumstances his Dallas Cowboys would have a tough time keeping the Kansas City Chiefs off the scoreboard as 3-point favorites Sunday.

Unfortunately, these are not ideal circumstances, in particularly those surrounding the secondary. Starting cornerback Aaron Glenn missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury while position mate Anthony Henry was held out of Dallas’ last four contests with a groin strain. Both are listed as questionable.

“I think our defense will be challenged this week to a greater degree than it has all season,” he told the San Antonio Express News. “They have a pretty good array of talent to deal with, so we just have to be at our best.”

A wounded secondary doesn’t bode well against K.C.’s ninth-ranked air attack. But because the Chiefs have a rush-based offense, oddsmakers weren’t overly concerned with the Cowboys` cornerback situation when they set Sunday’s line.

“[A secondary’s effect on the pointspread] depends on if they are playing a run or pass oriented team,” explains betWWTS.com linesman Michael Pierce. “K.C. loves to run the ball, plus the secondary is one of Dallas’ strengths, so the effects are minimal.”

The Chiefs’ love of the ground game is perhaps even more troubling for Dallas backers considering how susceptible their team has become to the run lately. Although ranked No. 10 in rushing defense, the Cowboys have given up nearly 110 yards to opposing ball carriers through their past three games. They now have to deal with Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who’s averaged 156.6 yards and scored five majors in his last three outings.

“[That] is becoming an ugly trend the past couple of weeks," defensive end Chris Canty said. "We don`t like to do that.”

The Cowboys believe their best defense is a solid rush offense of their own. Parcells had his offensive backs, receivers and linemen focused primarily on their blocking in the midweek practice. Parcells hopes Dallas can rag the clock enough to keep Johnson off the field for any length of time.

“Today we had an excellent practice,” right guard Marco Rivera told reporters Wednesday. “Guys were running around and sustaining blocks. Hopefully that’ll carry over… to Sunday.”

Dallas supporters had better hope that improved blocking is enough to overcome Kansas City’s motivational edge. At 7-4 the Cowboys are just a win behind the New York Giants in the NFC East. But at 8-4 and third place in the ultra competitive AFC West, the Chiefs will likely need this win to keep their playoff hopes in good standing.

“It’s going to take a better record in the AFC to make the playoffs than in the case of the Cowboys,” explains Pierce. “Plus K.C.’s last three games (at New York Giants, and San Diego and Cincinnati at home) are against teams with a combined record of 25-11.”

Oddsmakers have Sunday’s total at 43 ½.

jspchief · 12-08-2005, 09:53 PM

I hope Parcells sticks with the run. He stuck with the run against Denver to the tune of 83 yards on 29 carries.

Any team that averages less than 3 YPC can stick to the run as much as they want.

Dayze · 12-08-2005, 10:00 PM

personally, I hope we can put up 17 to 21 points on them in the first half and make them pass the ball so our d can tee of on Bledsoe.
That guy looks like he's walking on stilts while in the pocket.

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-08-2005, 10:02 PM

When Bledsoe throws the ball, it looks like he's doing everything in his power to do so. His mechanics are F'ed up.

C-Mac · 12-08-2005, 11:06 PM

I bet they come out passing knowing that the Chiefs have steadily shut down the opponents running lanes.

Hammock Parties · 12-08-2005, 11:08 PM

One reason why I like us to win is the amount of youth on their team.

Their backs are against the wall. They're a desperate team. A veteran is going to understand that pressure and respond to it better than a young player. I feel we are much more veteran on both sides of the ball.

C-Mac · 12-08-2005, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

One reason why I like us to win is the amount of youth on their team.

Their backs are against the wall. They're a desperate team. A veteran is going to understand that pressure and respond to it better than a young player. I feel we are much more veteran on both sides of the ball.

Its do or die time for a couple of veteran lineman...that weighs heavy to me also.

Frazod · 12-08-2005, 11:38 PM

This game is crucial. If we can't beat Dallas, we won't beat the Giants, and if we lose to Dallas, we'll basically have to beat the Giants (which basically means we're screwed).

Plus, the Cowboys are clearly the weakest team remaining on our schedule. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to go the playoffs, and won't do much even if manage to back in.

It's time to find out if we've got what it takes to piss in the tall weeds with the big dogs.

kcfanXIII · 12-09-2005, 12:00 AM

lj will gash them, and we'll stop whoever they run at us. end of story

picasso · 12-09-2005, 12:52 AM

One thing to keep in mind is that LJ loves astro turf. Of course the experts are all saying that LJ wont get 100 yards against Dallas. They are all high on crack. Lj has said he loves playing on good surfaces like that of the Texans dome. I believe he ran for 211 yards then and I predict he runs for 185 in Dallas or more.

**Rausch** · 12-09-2005, 02:27 AM

We match up better with this team than the Chargers, Bengals, or Giants.

That Bengals game worries me...

Hammock Parties · 12-09-2005, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

That Bengals game worries me...

Bengals D is ranked 24th against the run, 24th against the pass.

You think they have a prayer of stopping our offense?

C-Mac · 12-09-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

We match up better with this team than the Chargers, Bengals, or Giants.

That Bengals game worries me...

I worry about the Chargers and Giants more than the Bengals. The Bengals are overrated, the Chiefs will beat them soundly.

Gaz · 12-09-2005, 08:34 AM

I do not fear the Dallas 12th Man so much as I fear the loss of the Arrowhead 12th Man.

On paper, the match-up with Dallas is in our favor. However, we are not the same team on the road. I realize that is true of most teams, but it seem more true about us. Perhaps that is simply because the Arrowhead crowd is SO into the game?

xoxo~
Gaz
Hopes the R&G shows the same ‘tude in Texas.

**Bob Dole** · 12-09-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

I do not fear the Dallas 12th Man so much as I fear the loss of the Arrowhead 12th Man.

On paper, the match-up with Dallas is in our favor. However, we are not the same team on the road. I realize that is true of most teams, but it seem more true about us. Perhaps that is simply because the Arrowhead crowd is SO into the game?

xoxo~
Gaz
Hopes the R&G shows the same ‘tude in Texas.

Bob Dole is hoping we've finally developed an attitude that will change that pattern.

12-08-2005, 09:47 PM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2163699	Cowboys plan? Run like clockwork http://www.covers.com/articles/artic...761&tid=27&t=1 Cowboys plan? Run like clockwork By Andrew Folkes Thu, Dec 8, 2005 Coach Bill Parcells knows that even under ideal circumstances his Dallas Cowboys would have a tough time keeping the Kansas City Chiefs off the scoreboard as 3-point favorites Sunday. Unfortunately, these are not ideal circumstances, in particularly those surrounding the secondary. Starting cornerback Aaron Glenn missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury while position mate Anthony Henry was held out of Dallas’ last four contests with a groin strain. Both are listed as questionable. “I think our defense will be challenged this week to a greater degree than it has all season,” he told the San Antonio Express News. “They have a pretty good array of talent to deal with, so we just have to be at our best.” A wounded secondary doesn’t bode well against K.C.’s ninth-ranked air attack. But because the Chiefs have a rush-based offense, oddsmakers weren’t overly concerned with the Cowboys` cornerback situation when they set Sunday’s line. “[A secondary’s effect on the pointspread] depends on if they are playing a run or pass oriented team,” explains betWWTS.com linesman Michael Pierce. “K.C. loves to run the ball, plus the secondary is one of Dallas’ strengths, so the effects are minimal.” The Chiefs’ love of the ground game is perhaps even more troubling for Dallas backers considering how susceptible their team has become to the run lately. Although ranked No. 10 in rushing defense, the Cowboys have given up nearly 110 yards to opposing ball carriers through their past three games. They now have to deal with Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who’s averaged 156.6 yards and scored five majors in his last three outings. “[That] is becoming an ugly trend the past couple of weeks," defensive end Chris Canty said. "We don`t like to do that.” The Cowboys believe their best defense is a solid rush offense of their own. Parcells had his offensive backs, receivers and linemen focused primarily on their blocking in the midweek practice. Parcells hopes Dallas can rag the clock enough to keep Johnson off the field for any length of time. “Today we had an excellent practice,” right guard Marco Rivera told reporters Wednesday. “Guys were running around and sustaining blocks. Hopefully that’ll carry over… to Sunday.” Dallas supporters had better hope that improved blocking is enough to overcome Kansas City’s motivational edge. At 7-4 the Cowboys are just a win behind the New York Giants in the NFC East. But at 8-4 and third place in the ultra competitive AFC West, the Chiefs will likely need this win to keep their playoff hopes in good standing. “It’s going to take a better record in the AFC to make the playoffs than in the case of the Cowboys,” explains Pierce. “Plus K.C.’s last three games (at New York Giants, and San Diego and Cincinnati at home) are against teams with a combined record of 25-11.” Oddsmakers have Sunday’s total at 43 ½.
Posts: 5,633

12-08-2005, 09:53 PM	#2
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I hope Parcells sticks with the run. He stuck with the run against Denver to the tune of 83 yards on 29 carries. Any team that averages less than 3 YPC can stick to the run as much as they want. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

12-08-2005, 10:00 PM	#3
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5009358	personally, I hope we can put up 17 to 21 points on them in the first half and make them pass the ball so our d can tee of on Bledsoe. That guy looks like he's walking on stilts while in the pocket. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
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12-08-2005, 10:02 PM	#4
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	When Bledsoe throws the ball, it looks like he's doing everything in his power to do so. His mechanics are F'ed up. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

12-08-2005, 11:06 PM	#5
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2163699	I bet they come out passing knowing that the Chiefs have steadily shut down the opponents running lanes.
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12-08-2005, 11:08 PM	#6
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4520478	One reason why I like us to win is the amount of youth on their team. Their backs are against the wall. They're a desperate team. A veteran is going to understand that pressure and respond to it better than a young player. I feel we are much more veteran on both sides of the ball. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,474

12-08-2005, 11:38 PM	#8
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2935085	This game is crucial. If we can't beat Dallas, we won't beat the Giants, and if we lose to Dallas, we'll basically have to beat the Giants (which basically means we're screwed). Plus, the Cowboys are clearly the weakest team remaining on our schedule. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to go the playoffs, and won't do much even if manage to back in. It's time to find out if we've got what it takes to piss in the tall weeds with the big dogs.
Posts: 119,519

12-09-2005, 12:00 AM	#9
kcfanXIII Ride on! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Galaxy far far away Casino cash: $10013172	lj will gash them, and we'll stop whoever they run at us. end of story __________________ Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed, overcomes the fear of death.
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12-09-2005, 12:52 AM	#10
picasso That's a GOOD boy!! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Casino cash: $10004900	One thing to keep in mind is that LJ loves astro turf. Of course the experts are all saying that LJ wont get 100 yards against Dallas. They are all high on crack. Lj has said he loves playing on good surfaces like that of the Texans dome. I believe he ran for 211 yards then and I predict he runs for 185 in Dallas or more.
Posts: 871

12-09-2005, 08:34 AM	#14
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	On the road again... I do not fear the Dallas 12th Man so much as I fear the loss of the Arrowhead 12th Man. On paper, the match-up with Dallas is in our favor. However, we are not the same team on the road. I realize that is true of most teams, but it seem more true about us. Perhaps that is simply because the Arrowhead crowd is SO into the game? xoxo~ Gaz Hopes the R&G shows the same ‘tude in Texas.
Posts: 5,911