Cowboys Corner

Bears preparing for T.O.

As is the case in just about every city that Terrell Owens is preparing to enter, there is the "how do you stop T.O." story.
So, if you are wondering how the Chicago Bears defense expects to stop Terrell Owens, here is a story from the Chicago Sun Times: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/568058,CST-SPT-bear21.article

Enjoy.

- Mac Engel

Ellis, Newman update

Cornerback Terence Newman did more today in practice, and it sounds as if he may be able to play on Sunday night. Coach Wade Phillips said he expects Newman to be a game-time decision again.
Newman's foot may not be completely right, but his upper body strength is fine. During pre-practice stretching drills, he did a hand stand for about 10 seconds.
As for linebacker Greg Ellis, he will probably be ruled out for Sunday's game tomorrow.

- Mac Engel

Keith Davis speaks from experience

Safety Keith Davis knows from personal experience the scrutiny recently-signed defensive end Tank Johnson is going to endure.
Davis has had a few off-the-field problems before. Last summer, he survived a gun shot wound. And he knows all eyes will be on Johnson.
"I am sure Tank knows all eyes are going to be on him from anything he does," Davis said. "Good or bad, it’s going to be magnified. Mostly the bad because people want to see if he’s going to make the same mistakes. I believe people deserve a second chance. I believe he’s going to do what’s right."
But Davis does not see any similarities between his situation and Johnson's.
"My situation was different. I never did anything wrong. I was a victim the whole time. The guy shot me. I wasn’t bothering anybody," Davis said. "I’ve never been in trouble a day in my life. Just continue to do what you’re doing. Stay out of the light and be the best you can be and I think Tank will do the same thing."

- Mac Engel

Folk ready for Soldier Field

Rookie kicker Nick Folk puts his perfect field goal streak on the line at Soldier Field against the Bears. Folk is 4-for-4 on field goals and will be tested with the tricky winds in Chicago. He talked with buddy and Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who also played at Arizona, before the season about the matchup.

   ``You can't really play the wind too much, because you can't do anything to simulate it,'' Folk said.

   Briggs told Folk he was catching a break playing in Chicago in September and dodging the cold brutal winter winds.

    Folk has the wind and return star Devin Hester to worry about Sunday. And what if Folk gets a 1-on-1 shot at Hester as the last line of defense on a kick return?

   ``I'll slide-tackle him, maybe,'' Folk said.

_ Rick Herrin

Jason Hatcher on his hometown

There are several Cowboys from Louisiana - Bradie James, Marcus Spears, etc. - but only one is from Jena. Cowboys defensive end Jason Hatcher was born and raised in Jena, a town currently in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: http://www.star-telegram.com/462/story/240477.html
Hatcher said he held a football camp in his hometown last summer. His wife is from Jena. They attended Jena High School. Some of his sisters and brothers still call Jena home.
"I do think about it. I hate it. I hate what’s going on. It will get better, though," Hatcher said. "That’s not my town. Not at all. That does not reflect my town. It’s not like people think it is. You have that everywhere, though. ..
"Of course it’s weird to see it. I’m just waiting for things to move on and the town of

Jena

can move on and people can settle back with their lives. ... I haven’t talked to anyone back there yet. I was surprised to see that. It hurt me. I’m just ready to get it behind us. I’m hurting right now for the town. They don’t need that."

- Mac Engel

Romo Home Game

Ax the idea that Tony Romo's unofficial homecoming game would be against Green Bay. Yes, Romo grew up a huge Brett Favre fan, but his hometown of Burlington, Wisc. is actually closer to Chicago than Green Bay.
Green Bay is about two hours away from Burlington, which is 30 miles south of Milwaukee, and Chicago is about 75 minutes. Give or take.
Sunday's has become the date for a lot of Romo family and friends to make the quick drive down to Chicago to see their hometown boy do well. He just hasn't been able to come up with a large number of tickets. And he doesn't expect to.
"I've turned the phone off this week. Just gonna' go play," Romo said. "Everyone wants to go to the game. I can't get that many tickets. I'm trying to get 10, but I probably won't even get that many."

- Mac Engel

Watkins Wants to Take Off Hester's Head

Cowboys defensive back/special teams gunner is usually good for a colorful quote, and he didn't disappoint when asked how to deal with Bears returner Devin Hester.
"If I get the chance I'm going to take his head off," Watkins said. "I'm not playing about that, either. I've known Devin since high school, and I love the guy. He knows. But if I get the chance, I'm going to take his head off."
Watkins and Hester played in a high school all-star game together in Florida against an all-star team from Calilfornia. Watkins also played against Hester when he was at Florida State and Hester was at Miami.
"He never returned one for a score on us then," Watkins said.
Hester has already returned one punt for a touchdown this season. He had two kickoffs for a touchdown last season, as well as three punts for scores. He returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the Colts in the Super Bowl. And, oh yeah, he returned a missed field goal for a touchdown, too.
"The key with that guy is to keep him east-and-west," Watkins said. "That guy is really talented, so you have to keep him in front of you."
Good luck.

- Mac Engel

Inside the Tank talks

Those who believe the Cowboys weren’t using the Tank Johnson interview to get inside information on Bears -- this Sunday’s opponent and Johnson’s former team -- are being naive.

This stuff goes on all across the league and has been for years. Teams would routinely bring in players for “tryouts” or “free agent visits” the week before playing said player's former team.

Now that doesn’t mean the Cowboys weren’t legitimately interested in Johnson’s services as a nose tackle because, obviously, as we've seen, they were. But the timing of this week’s visit was no coincidence.

You can argue all day about how much it might help, in light of the fact that the Cowboys already have a complete scouting report on the Bears. But if it didn’t help or teams didn’t think it would help then why would they do it?

Regarding Bears inside information, the Cowboys got a head start on that last February when they interviewed former Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera for the then-vacant head coaching position. Part of the interview was asking Rivera how he ran his defense in Chicago, what made it a success and would he do similar things in Dallas. Don’t think the Cowboys haven’t reviewed those comments.

And don’t forget that quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson came to Dallas from Chicago in the off-season. Sure, Wilson is serving a five-game suspension for using a banned substance. But his phone still works as does his computer. Also, as one coach pointed out to me, the Cowboys began picking Wilson’s brain about the Bears offense and quarterback Rex Grossman’s tendencies as soon as the schedule came out last April.

-- Clarence Hill

Romo called the glue

Foxsports.com writer Alex Marvez write this morning that he believes Cowboys QB Tony Romo is the glue.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7234552

This is worth a read for a Cowboys fan; Marvez is one of the best and make sure to read through to the end.

- Mac Engel

Green Takes the Blame

Not that he has much choice, but Fish quarterback Trent Green fell on the sword for the Dolphins loss to the Cowboys.
He threw a career-high tying four interceptions. Not exactly encouraging for a first-year quarterback the fan base didn't want.
''I'll take the blame on all of them,'' Green told the Miami Herald. ``The quarterback ultimately has that role. I've got thick enough skin and big enough shoulders. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the day didn't go my way.''