http://www.sportsnipe.com Dallas Cowboys, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048176/redskins-recon-week-11-dallas-cowboys-csnwashingtoncom.html Washington PostRedskins Recon: Week 11, Dallas CowboysCSNwashington.comDefensively, the Cowboys rank 16th in the NFL, but that may be a bit misleading as Dallas actually gives up fewer points on-average than the Redskins, ...Gray: Pro Bowler OK to playESPNHaynesworth a game-time decision for SundayWashington PostWeek 11: Washington Redskins vs. Dallas CowboysBleacher ReportWashington Informer -TMZ.com (blog) -Dallas Morning Newsall 197 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048175/pressure-to-win-doesnt-rattle-cowboys-coach-wade-phillips.html CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is in the final year of his contract. Owner Jerry Jones has an option for next year, but has chosen to let the season play out before addressing Phillips' future.How the Cowboys finish will determine whether Phillips will be back for a fourth season. Phillips knows as much, but chooses not worry about it.“That's the way I've always coached,” Phillips said. “Way back [in Denver], when we were 10-6, 10-6, 11-5 and went to two AFC Championship games and we got fired, I realized that ‘Hey, you can do a great job and for whatever reason, you can be gone.' So I stopped worrying about all that and worry about coaching, trying to do the best I can do to help the team win. That's all I really think about.”The Cowboys are 6-3 and sitting alone atop the NFC East. Phillips has an overall record of 28-14 in Dallas. But, he is 16-13 since opening the 2007 season with a 12-1 mark and the Cowboys still haven't won a playoff game since 1996.No matter what happens, Phillips said his spirit and confidence won't be broken because he knows he is a good coach and that he does a good job.“I have confidence in myself as a coach,” Phillips said. “I think I can do a good job and I think I can help the team do better. Whatever it is, my record shows that. Everywhere I've been we've won.”Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760 Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047298/dallas-cowboys-need-tony-romo-to-finish-season-strong.html With December just around the corner the Cowboys need Tony Romo to step up.  He has been awful in games in December and January since becoming the starting QB of the Cowboys and they can’t afford to have that continue.  Romo has completed 183 of 303 passes (60.4%) for 2,466 yards with 14 TD passes and [...] Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047297/roy-williams-stepping-up-for-dallas-cowboys.html It’s amazing to see how some players repsond to pressure when another player at his position starts to excel.  Roy Williams has played his best football since coming to Dallas the last two weeks as he has caught 10 passes for 180 yards (18.0 avg) with a TD.  His recent performance shouldn’t surprise anyone because [...] Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047296/defense-prepares-for-cowboys-attack-washington-post.html Defense prepares for Cowboys' attackWashington PostObviously, the defense must do a better job Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at the new Cowboys Stadium. "Well the big plays come from [Dallas quarterback] ...Cowboys: Viva La VidaWashington PostCowboys fans suckWashington PostKeep Dallas in DallasWashington PostWashington Postall 7 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047295/gray-pro-bowler-ok-to-play-espn.html Sportsnet.caGray: Pro Bowler OK to playESPNDALLAS -- Washington nose tackle Albert Haynesworth will play against the Dallas Cowboys, Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray said Friday on ...Conflicting reports on Albert HaynesworthProFootballTalkCowboys center Gurode refuses to play victimFort Worth Star TelegramCowboys' Gurode not focused on Haynesworth's cleat to his face in last meetingThe Canadian PressCBS 11 -Dallas Morning Newsall 61 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047294/dmn-staff-picks-1120.html Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047293/start-em-sit-your-week-11-fantasy-football-guide.html Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047292/vrr-redskins-36-cowboys-63.html More photos » by Gerald Herbert - AP Dallas defenders must try to limit Ladell Betts and the Washington offense. Browse more photos » The Cowboys can accomplish quite alot in beating the Redskins. Most importantly, they can regain the momentum they lost up in Lambeau. They can also increase their division record to 2-1 and their conference record to 6-2, which could come in handly for tie-breaking purposes down the road. And, by handing the Redskins their seventh loss on the season, they could pretty much force them to begin waving bye-bye to their playoff chances. Much of the talk this week at Valley Ranch has centered on Big D's offensive lack of production last week. On the flip side, Washington's offense seemed to show some signs of life for one of the first times this season. At home against Denver,  RB Ladell Betts and QB Jason Campbell each scored, WR Devin Thomas showed some play-making potential, and the special teams found success on a fake field goal. More VRR after the jump. Perhaps it's the Cowboys' defenders that need to come up big. Beating the Broncos 27-17 last week boosted the Redskins' confidence. Deflating it early could be key. "Coming off last week's victory, we've definitely got confidence. It was a big confidence-builder for us," Rock Cartwright said. "You've got to keep it rolling. That's the whole objective," receiver Devin Thomas said. "You can never give up on a season just because things have gone bad. We knew we were just one click away from hitting on all cylinders." With a win in Dallas, the Redskins would be only two games out of the NFC East lead with six games to play, three against the other division teams - including the Cowboys at home two nights after Christmas. Dallas, whose 57 wins against Washington are more than against any other team, doesn't want things to get that close. The dismal day in Green Bay likely got the Cowboys' attention. The Cowboys should expect to see a heavy dose of RB Ladell Betts with Clinton Portis (concussion) out. Betts rushed for a season-high 114 yards on 26 carries in last Sunday’s 27-17 win over the Denver Broncos. Asked how Portis's status impacts him, Betts replied: "You get to be the man on first, second and third down, because before that, it was pretty much only on third down. Now I know that I get to play a full game, so it’s a little bit different mindset." And it won't change the offensive game plan vs. Dallas, Zorn added. "We didn't change the run game necessarily to accommodate Ladell," Zorn said. "We ran our stuff, and what he did was push up into the hole and fight for yardage." The Dallas secondary may be a bit banged up, but Mike Jenkins and Alan Ball sound ready to go. Ball should also receive help from Gerald Sensabaugh. Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins injured his bicep in the Packers contest. Coach Wade Phillips said Jenkins has looked well and even had a couple of interceptions off QB Jon Kitna in scout team practice. With S Ken Hamlin (ankle) out of the lineup for the Cowboys the next several weeks, look for safeties Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh to split the duties of lining up the defense. Coach Wade Phillips had high praise for the smarts of Sensabaugh and his ability to handle the job. Ball talks about the difference between playing free safety and cornerback. Also, it looks as if rookie SS Mike Hamlin will see his first action this week since the preseason. "At cornerback, you don’t have to talk a lot," Ball said. "At safety, you have to know a lot. You have to make a lot of adjustments, a lot of checks. So you have to know a lot more going in. That’s about what it is." Ball has five tackles and a pass breakup on defense this season. He has 12 special teams tackles, but is expected to have his special-teams workload lightened this week. Phillips said rookie safety Mike Hamlin and cornerback Orlando Scandrick will fill in on special teams. Mike Hamlin has not been active this season. Ball and Doug Free will be replaced on special teams. With Alan Ball starting at free safety, reserve cornerback Orlando Scandrick will likely become the ``gunner,'' with outside coverage on punt-coverage teams. In addition, offensive tackle Pat McQuistan is scheduled to be active for the first time this season and replace Doug Free as a wall blocker on kickoff returns. DeMarcus Ware talks about how Washington's blocking schemes and Jason Campbell's mobility in the pocket make it difficult to get to him. "To be honest, it’s really hard to get to him because they keep in extra guys," Ware said. "They might have some guys on the front line so they do a lot of split backs and a lot of protection schemes to keep the guys off Campbell to make sure he’s effective in the pass." [snip] "He’s a great pocket passer," said Ware, who has seven sacks, tied for 10th in the NFL. "He makes sure he has confidence in his line and the guys around him so he can step up in the pocket to make plays." Jim Zorn has similar worries about Romo. "When he extends, when he moves around, when he flinches the ball, it causes the secondary, the linebackers, to hesitate, to go, to move," Zorn said. "And then if he can pull it down and have time to hit somebody else, it is very hard. It is the most difficult thing in football because you got the coverage, and if you throw on rhythm, you think you can handle it. When that rhythm's broke and you have to cover long through the coverage that you had, it's hard. It's what makes those quarterbacks very difficult to defend and he's been good at it for a few years." Brian Orakpo thinks the Packers mapped out a way to get to Romo. "Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah," Orakpo told ESPN 103.3’s Galloway and Co. "They gave us a lot of good tips the way Green Bay was able to get after it with a lot of different looks. Best believe we’re going to go out there and try to perform some of those things and try to change it up a little bit and give Dallas a little different look." [snip] "It seemed like they didn’t know who to block," Orakpo said. "You see guys flying out of nowhere and hitting Romo from behind and forcing fumbles. I mean, they were all over the place. I guess what we’ve got to do is switch it up ourselves. We’ll see how the game plan is and what the calls will be called, but obviously, we got a lot of tips from that game." Yes, they have Albert Haynesworth and London Fletcher, but the Redskins' run defense isn't all that. The Redskins continue to struggle in run defense this season. The unit has yielded 100+ rushing yards in eight of nine games this season, including 120 yards in last Sunday’s win over Denver. Overall, the Redskins have allowed an average of 125.7 rushing yards per game, ranked 24th in the league. They have allowed 4.3 yards per carry, which is ranked 17th in the league. Felix Jones pre-strained knee ligament, and Felix Jones post-strained knee ligament. Before the injury, Jones had 21 carries for 212 yards (10.1 yards a carry). Since coming back after the bye week and wearing a knee brace, he has 23 carries for 92 yards. The DallasNews guys talk to Bradie James and Roy Williams about the game. The Redskins are looking forward to playing in Cowboys Stadium for the first time. "That’s the first thing I thought about going to Dallas, ‘Man, I get a chance to play in the new stadium,’ Santana Moss said. "Just to see it--I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s all about. It looks nice on TV. You get mesmerized. "I remember seeing the first game there [on TV]--you had cheerleaders dancing on platforms. I was like, ‘Wow.’" Rock Cartwright admits he plans to check out the video screen, hopefully after he makes a big play. "I’m really looking forward to seeing that screen," Rock Cartwright said. "I guess every seat in the house is a good seat. I’m sure I’ll take a look at it after I make a nice run, or so. But I won’t be focused on it too much. I’ll be focused on what’s happening on the field." The series history between the two teams: The Cowboys lead the all-time regular season series with Washington, 57-37-2, including an unconventional split of last year's home-and-home. The Redskins were 26-24 winners in their trip to Texas Stadium in Week 4, but dropped a 14-10 decision when the clubs met at FedEx Field in Week 11. The teams engaged in conventional home-and-home splits in both 2006 and 2007. Washington is 2-0 against Dallas in the postseason, winning in the 1972 and 1982 NFC Championship games. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 3-2 all-time against Washington, with one of those wins coming for his Bills team in 1999 at FedEx Field. The Redskins' Jim Zorn is 1-1 against both Phillips and the Cowboys as a head man. Here is the NFL Game Center for the Redskins at Cowboys. DeMarcus Ware had the privelege of meeting President Obama as they worked together on a PSA to promote the NFL's Play 60 campaign. "I was like ‘Ohhhh my God,"’ when Obama came out in a Bears pullover, Ware said in a telephone interview. "It was me, Polamalu and Drew Brees there, so you know how we feel about the Chicago Bears. But he’s a big Chicago Bears fan. He greeted each one of us, and he knew everything about our teams." Ware is Dallas’ representative for the Play 60 program, which began in 2007. The NFL estimates it has committed $200 million worth of programming, grants, and time for PSAs to the initiative. "I think it’s really important," Ware said. "If the players are getting involved in it, Obama, a lot of important people getting involved in it, sometimes it encourages kids to get out and do those type of activities and show them just how important it is." Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046562/americas-team-arrogance-washington-post.html America's Team... of arroganceWashington PostRemember, earlier in the season he asked Tony Romo: "Hey if you're a young, single guy, and the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys - if you're not going to ...Cowboys fans suckWashington PostKeep Dallas in DallasWashington Postall 4 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045395/this-year-romo-will-see-new-pass-rush-washington-post.html Washington PostThis year, Romo will see a new pass rushWashington PostDallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has taken a lot of heat for his poor performance late in the season and during the playoffs. But Romo sure knows how to ...Still Gonna Bet the Cowboys This Weekend...?TMZ.com (blog)Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys OddsGambling911.comBest In East? Redskins Not Cowboys By Simple FactCSNwashington.comMiamiHerald.com -Bucknuts.com (subscription) -KTVU.comall 123 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045394/exclusive-newlook-skins-still-bad.html IRVING, Tex. - There are no teams more familiar with each other than the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043899/pacquiaomayweather-mega-fight-could-land-in-dallas-cowboys-stadium-now-boxing-blog.html Pacquiao-Mayweather Mega fight could land in Dallas Cowboy's stadiumNow Boxing (blog)The event is so hot even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has shown major interest in landing the opportunity to host this historical match up at his brand ...and more » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043898/cowboys-fans-suck-washington-post.html Cowboys fans suckWashington PostWhy do fans outside of Texas hate the Dallas Cowboys so much? There are a million reasons, including that whole "America's Team" nonsense. ...Keep Dallas in DallasWashington Postall 2 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043897/still-gonna-bet-cowboys-this-weekend-tmzcom-blog.html Washington PostStill Gonna Bet the Cowboys This Weekend...?TMZ.com (blog)The Dallas Cowboys are 6-3, leading their division, and are favored to beat the Washington Redskins by 11 points this weekend ... but after seeing this pic, ...Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys OddsGambling911.comBest In East? Redskins Not Cowboys By Simple FactCSNwashington.comPortis ruled out; Haynesworth a gameday decisionWashington PostMiamiHerald.com -KTVU.com -OnlineSportsHandicapping.comall 340 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042954/using-pass-to-set-up-run.html I'm a big fan of Football Outsiders and one of things they have talked about in their annual Pro Football Prospectus is that 'establishing the run' is a foolish, unimportant notion in football. And I agree, to a certain point.After the Packers game where Dallas didn't run the ball a lot there was a lot of issues with Garrett's playcalling in that game, particularly since Dom Capers noted that he only kept blitzing because he knew Dallas wasn't going to run the ball. Now, part of me doesn't blame Jason Garrett too much in that game. The offense just kept shooting themselves in the foot causing too many negative plays that forced him into situations where they needed to throw the ball or they basically couldn't run the ball. A missed assignment by Flozell, Gurode getting beat, a dropped pass, a penalty or a Roy Williams fumbling the ball...all helped put Garrett in the situation where he either had to throw the ball or he couldn't start running the ball because they were either punting the ball away or turned it over.But the Garrett apologists like to point out to Football Outsiders that you 'set the run up with the pass' and that's the smart play in football.Well, yes you're right. And no, you're wrong.You're right in the sense that teams tend to guard against the run early on anyway and this is a game where the team that passes the ball most effectively wins about 80% of the time. So, you have to start off passing effectively and if you do pass effectively, then you can start running effectively and hopefully close out the game. However, you still have to run the ball.If anything, and probably most importantly, is that it keeps the opposing team off balance. Balance is key in the NFL and is in my mind why Andy Reid has never won the Super Bowl and most likely will never win one now that the late, great Jim Johnson is no longer with us.There's other factors as well. It helps set up play action, which is in big play football terms as essential as the pick and roll in basketball. Good play action teams (and good screen play teams) usually seem to have good offenses. Capers made a great point about him being afraid to blitz against a team that is willing to run because if they call the right running play and execute well enough, it likely leads to a big play. That's why coaches and players often talk about stopping the run. It's not always because it's their overall theme, but often because if they want to make big plays on defense from the blitz, they have to be able to stop the run on the blitz so the coach will have confidence in those blitz packages. Looking back though, there should be some blame on Garrett for not running the ball, particularly since the Packers covered Witten with Charles Woodson. And I don't care what CB it is in this league, I'll take Witten run blocking on a CB every single time. Yet we avoided running the ball.Whether Garrett likes it or not, he needs to realize that opposing defenses are going to beg the Cowboys to run right at them and actually consider of setting up the PASS with the RUN. YAKUZA Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042953/cowboys-ground-game-hasnt-been-up-to-speed-fort-worth-star-telegram.html Cowboys' ground game hasn't been up to speedFort Worth Star TelegramIRVING ? Prior to the loss to Green Bay, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips expressed his desire to rekindle fading memories of Felix Jones ...and more » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042952/portis-out-big-plays-carlos-rogers-examinercom.html Washington TimesPortis out, big plays, and Carlos RogersExaminer.comBig plays nearly cost the Redskins their first win since October, and the Dallas Cowboys and their fourth ranked offense have penchant for making big plays. ...Portis ruled out; Haynesworth a gameday decisionWashington PostPortis ruled outWashington TimesZorn says Portis will miss Dallas gameRichmond Times DispatchDallas Morning News -Washington Post -Washington Postall 83 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042951/pain-management-injuries-testing-dallas-cowboys-morning-news.html DallasCowboys.comPain management: Injuries testing Dallas CowboysDallas Morning NewsIRVING ? The Cowboys were probably the deepest team in the NFL last week. They were missing only one player. This week they are deep in scramble mode ...With Cowboys' Ken Hamlin out Sunday, Alan Ball makes starting debutFort Worth Star Telegramall 7 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042950/cowboysamprsquo-ground-game-hasnamprsquot-been-up-to-speed.html By JEFF CAPLAN IRVING — Prior to the loss to Green Bay, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips expressed his desire to rekindle fading memories of Felix Jones dashing downfield with the ball.Jones got three carries and gained 6 yards against the Packers.Facing Sunday’s bounce-back game against Washington, owner-general manager Jerry Jones, fresh from watching Thursday’s practice, weighed in with his own request to get the ball in the hands of his disappearing playmaker."I’d sure like to see the ball in the hands of the players with speed and playmaking ability," he said. "All of those are almost clichés when you say them, but I’d like to see him [Felix Jones] with the ball more."Jones is the most dynamic of the Cowboys’ three running backs and, along with receiver Miles Austin, is the rare player on the roster who can go the distance on any given play.Yet, he had only seven carries and 16 yards in the past two games."You don’t have to really be a sophisticated football man to step out here and watch practice and watch what Felix Jones does and understand that he needs the ball," Jerry Jones said.That’s not a potshot at the Cowboys’ Princeton-educated offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the man Jones is paying $3 million this season to effectively utilize his top weapons.Much has been made recently of the Cowboys’ dwindling running game, an attack that came out of the gates with ferocity and ranked No. 1 in the league.In the past two games, Dallas ran 37 times and threw 73 times. It failed to reach 100 yards rushing in both games, just the third time that’s happened this season and the first since the Week 4 loss at Denver. Dallas’ ground game ranks eighth, averaging 130.0 yards a game, but still ranks second in yards per carry at 5.1, suggesting that when the Cowboys do commit to the run, they are usually successful.Their season-low 14 carries at Green Bay, coaches say, was more a matter of circumstance than strategy. The Cowboys had trouble converting third downs all game, limiting their number of snaps, and then passed on their final 27 snaps, trailing 17-0.Even so, the Cowboys spent the majority of the Green Bay game in shotgun formation, with only 13 of 58 plays coming with quarterback Tony Romo under center."Our goals are always to be balanced. That’s what we’re trying to do," Garrett said. "I think we were 10 [pass] and eight [run] at halftime. We always want to do that. That’s something that I think we’ve done a good job of this year. You always want to attack the defense with as many things as you can. It starts with the run and pass. It starts with running it inside, running it outside, throwing it long, throwing it short, and using different personnel groups and different players."The Cowboys’ running game starts with Marion Barber, who hands the baton to Jones, recently with far less frequency. So why is that?Phillips acknowledged earlier in the week that Jones is not adept at pass protection and some other assignments, which removes him at times that he otherwise might be in the game.Then there’s Jones’ injury history. He strained a ligament in his left knee in Week 3, missed two games and hasn’t been the same since.Before the injury, Jones had 21 carries for 212 yards (10.1 yards a carry). Since coming back after the bye week and wearing a knee brace, he has 23 carries for 92 yards.His eye-popping explosiveness has been curiously missing."I’m feeling good. The knee’s been doing good," Jones said. "We’ve just been put into situations where we’ve had to do different things. That’s just about it." Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042949/cowboysamprsquo-ken-hamlin-out-sunday-alan-ball-makes-starting-debut.html By CHAREAN WILLIAMS IRVING — Alan Ball will make h is first NFL start at free safety Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys in place of the injured Ken Hamlin.Hamlin is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain. "This is real big for me," Ball said Thursday. "I’m just looking for the opportunity to help out the team any way I can. Special teams, I look at the same way. Any way I can come in and help."Ball, a seventh-round pick in 2007, was moved from cornerback to safety this season. He has seen spot duty at both cornerback and safety."It’s [safety] a position we’ve worked him on all along," coach Wade Phillips said. "He’s obviously very versatile. ... He’s ready to go in, and he did go in the last game and play at safety."Ball, as the quarterback on defense, will make the calls, but he will get help from strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh."At cornerback, you don’t have to talk a lot," Ball said. "At safety, you have to know a lot. You have to make a lot of adjustments, a lot of checks. So you have to know a lot more going in. That’s about what it is."Ball has five tackles and a pass breakup on defense this season. He has 12 special teams tackles, but is expected to have his special-teams workload lightened this week.Phillips said rookie safety Mike Hamlin and cornerback Orlando Scandrick will fill in on special teams. Mike Hamlin has not been active this season.This little piggy ...Rookie David Buehler said he doesn’t expect his toe injury to keep him from kicking off Sunday. Buehler broke the little toe on his right foot last week while playing on punt coverage."It’s a little sore right now, but I’ve been getting treatment on it, so I’ll be good to go come Sunday," Buehler said. "... I’ve just got to tape it together and grit down and bite my lip and give it hell, pretty much."Buehler, who is tied for third in the NFL with 17 touchbacks, kicked well in practice Thursday, Wade Phillips said. "He bombed it like he normally does," Phillips said.Ball securityRoy Williams said penalties and turnovers are holding back a potent Cowboys’ offense. "This is a good football team. We’re too good to lose a ball game, and that’s turnovers and penalties," said Williams, who fumbled after a 42-yard gain into Packers territory last week. "Every time we lose, that’s the problem."Penalties are high win or lose, but the turnover ratio reveals a significant discrepancy in victories and defeats.In the Cowboys’ six wins, they have just five turnovers and are a plus-5. In three losses, the turnovers skyrocket to nine and minus-8. Dallas turned it over three times in the 17-7 loss at Green Bay."This is a fun offense to be in," Williams said. "Just penalties and turnovers, that’s it." Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042948/ricky-williams-leads-dolphins-over-panthers-2417.html Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042947/cowboys-vs-redskins-chat-hogs-haven.html More photos » by Nick Wass - AP Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn try to get on the same page. Browse more photos » This week, I got together for a little instant message chat with KevinE over at Hogs Haven to discuss the upcoming game against the Redskins. Since it was an IM conversation, I left the spellings and errors in the text so you can read it just how how it went down. Blogging The Boys:  So what's the story with Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato? Do you guys think Zorn will survive past this year? Hogs Haven:  if you had asked me last week I'd say Zorn had 0% chance, but there aren't any big names out there. And the way they stripped the play-calling from Zorn...it was a real turn-off for coaches (Holmgren publically stated his displeasure of the move) As for Cerrato...no one knows. It certainly would win some popularity points for Snyder if he canned him. I think it depends on Cerrato's 3 2nd round picks from last year (THomas, Kelly, Davis)...if they show a lot of production the rest of the year, it'll prob be enough to save his job. Shanahan rejected Snyder's offer to come here as well...as did Cowher. So...its anyone's guess. More after the jump... BTB:  What's the main problem on offense. Jason Campbell? The running game, the o-line? Why are they having so many problems scoring? HH:  Oline is a huge problem. They drafted ZERO this year after losing Chris Samuels & Randy Thomas to season-ending injuries last year. There's no depth there. Portis certainly doesn't have that boost like he used to, which is why people are happy Betts is getting the starts. Play-calling was poor at times the first half the season too...the Skins have no problem moving the ball, and then Zorn would call some obscure plays on 3rd and goal...like a Portis half-back pass. Execution has also been another back-breaker...lots of dropped balls and missed blocks...but I'd say the lion's share w/o doubt is the Oline...Skins (before bringing in Levi Jones) had THREE undrafted free agents starting BTB: What happened last week? Why did things get better? HH:  they ran the ball very effectively...Skins have never been able to do that all year Joe Bugel tore the Oline a new ass at halftime vs the Falcons and ever since then they've been performing...creating holes and doing decent pass block BTB:  Is Betts a better fit for the offense right now, or would Portis have probably done just as well with the o-line playing better? HH:  That's been the debate all week...this was Levi Jones' 1st game at LT and he did well. But I really think Betts is a better fit. He runs hard and hits the hole. CP hit that 2000 rushing attempts plateau and it's showing. He's still a great RB tho and is invaluable in pass blocking BTB:  Things have been better on defense, you guys do pretty well in keeping the scoring down. What's been the successful components of the defense? HH:  Haynesworth. His force upfront has allowed Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo to have 1-1 coverage and they are reeking havoc in backfields. It also frees up London Fletcher on rushing plays. skins are on pace to have two 10-sack players...first time in 9 years and its been sorely missed in DC (they're gonna blow way past 10...each already have 7) (carter 8.0, Orakpo 7.0 to be exact) BTB:  So the pass rush has fueled the defensive success? How has the secondary played? HH:  depends...they're tackling has been atrocious. Big talk this week is Carlos Rogers getting benched last week after letting BMarshall blow by him on a double move same move he got burned on by DeSean Jackson. they haven't announced if he's startnig or not, but they think he well. We lost our SS, Chris Horton, for the year which really hurts us. Reed Doughty is playing OK but has made some mistakes as well. It's upsetting Laron Landry, our FS, has 0 INTs. BTB:  Sounds like the big battle will be between the Redskins pass rush vs. the Cowboys pass protection. Do you expect them to target new RT Marc Colombo? HH:  definitely. there's not much targeting to do tho...Hayensworth demands all the attention. I hope Blache brings the corner blitzes which Romo seemed to have trouble with last week vs GB BTB:  what are your expectations for the game? Prediction? HH:  Skins seem to disappoint at all the wrong times, so call me delusional but I think the Skins can win this. The vets made it known to the young guys what this game means. WAS 26 DAL 24. If it wasn't for the loss of Hamlin and Columbo, I'd have picked DAL BTB:  Forgot to ask, where are you on the Jason Campbell issue? HH:  It's so tough given how bad this Oline is...he is getting sacked on 3-foot drops at some points. INEXCUSABLE. However, he's on pace to have back-to-back 3,000 yard seasons, which only 3 other legendary Redskins QBs have done in our franchise Sentiment here is build up the Oline via the draft the next 2 years...keeping Campbell, then draft a stud QB once we get a line in here to protect him Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042184/phillips-worried-about-contract-status-espn.html DallasCowboys.comPhillips' not worried about contract statusESPNIRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said he doesn't worry about his job security with the team because it's something ...Cowboys have hangover cureDallas Morning NewsGarrett: Cowboys needed to throwSan Antonio ExpressOffensive coordinator Garrett needs to boost Witten's role in Cowboys' offenseSacramento Beeall 11 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042183/best-in-east-redskins-cowboys-by-simple-fact-csnwashingtoncom.html Examiner.comBest In East? Redskins Not Cowboys By Simple FactCSNwashington.comBetter even than the division-leading Dallas Cowboys, who they play Sunday in the 99th game of their ever-bitter rivalry. Simply put, the last-place ...Portis ruled out; Haynesworth a gameday decisionWashington PostPortis out, big plays, and Carlos RogersExaminer.comPortis ruled outWashington TimesDallas Morning News -ProFootballTalk -The Free Lance-Starall 78 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041376/dallas-cowboys-cb-mike-jenkins-learns-art-game-film-morning-news.html Dallas Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins learns the art of game filmDallas Morning NewsJenkins has started eight games this season and leads the Cowboys with three interceptions. The coaches have credited him with 38 tackles and he has a ...and more » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041375/new-route-open-to-cowboys-stadium-dallas-morning-news.html New route open to Cowboys StadiumDallas Morning NewsMany Dallas Cowboys fans - and Arlington commuters - are getting good news courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation. The Collins Street bridge at ...Highway bridge to reopen near new Cowboys StadiumSan Francisco ChronicleJones said boxing mega fight might land in Cowboys StadiumFort Worth Star TelegramPacquiao-Mayweather Mega fight could land in Dallas Cowboy's stadiumNow Boxing (blog)NBC Dallas-Fort Worth -WFAAall 31 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040835/portis-ruled-out-haynesworth-gameday-decision-washington-post.html The Free Lance-StarPortis ruled out; Haynesworth a gameday decisionWashington PostRunning back Clinton Portis (concussion) was officially ruled out of Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, but he might accompany the team on the trip, ...Portis ruled outWashington TimesClinton Portis "very doubtful" for SundayFantasy Football ToolboxBetts Thrives on Heavy WorkloadCSNwashington.comKansas City Star -Dallas Morning News -Fox 31 KDVR.comall 288 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040834/jones-said-boxing-mega-fight-might-land-in-cowboys-stadium-fort-worth-star-telegram.html Jones said boxing mega fight might land in Cowboys StadiumFort Worth Star TelegramARLINGTON ? Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to be an international destination for big-time sporting events. ...Highway bridge to reopen near new Cowboys StadiumSan Francisco ChronicleCollins Street Bridge to Reopen MondayNBC Dallas-Fort Worthall 27 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040833/obama-dallas-cowboy-demarcus-ware-pitch-volunteerism-fitness-morning-news.html USA TodayObama and Dallas Cowboy demarcus Ware pitch volunteerism and fitnessDallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboy demarcus Ware is one of three NFL stars appearing with President Barack Obama in a public service announcement that will air during ...President tackling kids' obesity, public service on White House lawnUSA TodayDeMarcus Ware And President Obama Don't Want You To Be FatNBC Dallas-Fort WorthNew Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees joins President Barack Obama, other ...NOLA.comThe Associated Press -CNN Political Ticker -New York Timesall 193 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040832/jones-said-boxing-mega-fight-might-land-in-cowboys-stadium.html CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to be an international destination for big-time sporting events. He already as the NBA All-Star game and the Super Bowl on tap. Ditto for the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, the Cotton Bowl and the Big 12 Championship Football game.Now he has the proposed fight of the decade in his crosshairs. Jones wouldn't go into specifics but he indicated that Cowboys Stadium was going to be a player for the much-anticipated boxing showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr."We're in a sensitive time there and don't want to comment on that right now," Jones said. "But that's going to be - if it happens - that's going to be a great fight and we really want the visibility of our stadium and location. We really have our eye on the ball here is the best way to put it."A deal has not been struck between the two fighters, but the promoters are hoping to schedule the fight for March 2010. Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760 Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040831/jones-said-boxing-mega-fight-might-land-in-cowboys-stadium.html CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to be an international destination for big-time sporting events. He already as the NBA All-Star game and the Super Bowl on tap. Ditto for the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, the Cotton Bowl and the Big 12 Championship Football game.Now he has the proposed fight of the decade in his crosshairs. Jones wouldn't go into specifics but he indicated that Cowboys Stadium was going to be a player for the much-anticipated boxing showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr."We're in a sensitive time there and don't want to comment on that right now," Jones said. "But that's going to be - if it happens - that's going to be a great fight and we really want the visibility of our stadium and location. We really have our eye on the ball here is the best way to put it."A deal has not been struck between the two fighters, but the promoters are hoping to schedule the fight for March 2010. Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760 Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040158/btb-talks-to-daryl-johnston-he-likes-cowboys-but-dislikes-shotgun.html Daryl Johnston is a former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl fullback and is a present Fox analyst. His Cowboys relationships run deep. ... but so does his talent and commitment to broadcasting. So he wears multiple hats here ... and acknowledges that it is a juggling act as he goes one-on-one with Blogging The Boys to evaluate: *A Cowboys team that he says "should've beaten Green Bay.'' *Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, a close pal of Johnston's who D.J. nevertheless says ought to dump the over-reliance on the Shotgun. *The Cowboys' chance of success in the NFC East and in the NFC overall: "They're going to be fine,'' he says. "If you are 6-4 or better, you are going to be fine. You are solid. If you are 5-5, it's going to be tough to catch up.'' Read on for BTB's visit with Daryl "Moose'' Johnston: On Jason Garrett and the Cowboys offense: "The problem with using the Shotgun is that it voluntarily makes your offense more one-dimensional,'' Johnston says. "I'm hearing criticism of what (Garrett) did in Green Bay because of how frequently the Cowboys were in the Shotgun and generally speaking, I think the criticism is fair. "One of the number-one goals of a defense is to force an offensive into being one-dimensional. When the Cowboys go into the Shotgun, they are volunteering to be one-dimensional. Obviously, you can run out of it. But it takes a lot of extra practice, a lot of extra time and a lot of extra timing to do it. Plus, it's a personnel thing. I think Felix Jones has the skills to be effective in it. I don't know that Barber and Choice are good fits for it. "When we played (Johnston at fullback, Garrett as a backup QB to Troy Aikman), we didn't use the Shotgun. Having Troy under center gave us the run/pass option to make the call at the line of scrimmage. That's harder to do in the Shotgun. You have limited yourself just by the virtue of your formation. "The Shotgun simply makes the defense's job that much easier,'' Johnston says, "and in my opinion, they'd be better and Tony Romo would be better if he was under center more.'' On the loss at Green Bay: "They should've beaten Green Bay,'' Johnston says. "It's fine for the media and for fans to say, ‘Oh, now they're awful.' But the team cannot do that. Players and staff can't do that. They've got to see it as a learning experience and I'll give you an example: Charles Woodson and Al Harris combine to play a different style of cornerback than most everybody else. Their technique is different, their pressure is different. So Miles Austin got to play against that. He'll be a better player for having done that.'' And, D.J. says, a little credit ought to go to the Packers for that 17-7 result. "That was a desperate team at home,'' he says. "Plus, they had a players-only meeting before the game. It's the only time in the recorded history of professional football that a players-only meeting worked!'' On the NFC playoff picture: Johnston worked the Fox broadcast last week when the Falcons lost at Carolina. This week he gets Atlanta at the New York Giants in the Meadowlands. He views the Falcons as a contender for a playoff spot (he believes Arizona will win the West and that that New Orleans and Minnesota will win their divisions) but I was mostly interested in his view of the slumping Giants. "They've gone from 5-0 to 5-4 with that loss to New Orleans that started their slide,'' Johnston says. "Some people think New Orleans created a map to beat them. I don't know if that's the case. I know they keep missing opportunities. I know they built that 5-0 on the strength of beating Washington, Kansas City,Tampa Bay and Oakland - not a contender among them. And I know they now have a reputation on offense as a team where Eli Manning just kind of throws it up. In those first five games, Steve Smith was the leading receiver in the NFL because he went up and got everything. Now? We don't know about the Giants' quality.'' On where the Cowboys fit into that race and the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry: "Again, beating Green Bay could've really put Dallas in a position where they would feel they have answers about themselves, and now we don't have all those answers,'' he says. "But that can change in a week. You get wins in the NFC East, you've accomplished something. This has almost never been a division where a team - even so many of the great ones that have come out of the NFC East - is going to go 16-0 or 14-2. They beat each other up. It's a game of attrition. Our (Cowboys) rivalry with Philly was huge. The Giants, they don't like anybody. And Cowboys-Redskins? We're talking about playoff games and championship games. Johnston believes the attention on the Washington-Dallas game typifies what the NFC East is all about ... even though the Redskins are not a contender. (Indeed, the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry fueled the sponsorship of Johnston's media availability here; he's working to promote Bank of America Cowboys Banking, personalized debit MasterCard with the Cowboys logo (or the Redskins, we suppose!) and participation in Bank of America's Keep the Change savings program and the 20-percent discount given to cardholders at NFL Shop.com.    "I don't think there is another rivalry in the NFL that would be a better (promotion),'' Johnston says. "It's got to be the NFC East. There's a reason that when they did realignment, they kept Dallas in the East even though it doesn't make geographic sense. It makes football sense. ... and because of all that, I don't think there is another division that can match the NFC East. If you win it, if you come out of the East, that's an accomplishment.'' Johnston, by the way, has a very personal reason for acknowledging the significance of Cowboys-Redskins Week. In 1989, he was part of his first NFL victory (and the first victory of the Jones/Johnson Era, and of course, the team's only win that season) in a game in Washington. And in 1999, he played his final professional snap in Week 1 when he broke his neck ... in Washington. "It's meaningful to me, for a lot of reasons,'' Johnston said of the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry. "But it's also traditionally a game that has importance to the whole league.'' Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039227/president-tackling-kids-obesity-on-white-house-lawn-usa-today.html USA TodayPresident tackling kids' obesity on White House lawnUSA TodayShot recently by NFL Films with high-definition, super-slow motion cameras, viewers will see the president, Polamalu and Dallas Cowboys defensive end ...Obama to appear in PSA with 3 NFL playersSunHerald.com (registration)New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees joins President Barack Obama, other ...NOLA.comObama to appear in PSA with 3 NFL playersThe Associated Pressall 176 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039226/yesterday-was-reported-that-k-david-buehler-has-pinkie-toe-injury-its-now-confirmed-as.html Yesterday, it was reported that K David Buehler has a pinkie toe injury. It's now confirmed as a fracture. He still expects to kick Sunday, though. Kicker David Buehler has a fracture of the pinkie toe of his right foot. But the Cowboys kicker said he plans to kick in practice today. "Just test it out and see who much I can do," Buehler said before Thursday's practice. "If I can do the whole practice effectively that's what I plan on doing. If I can kick today, I can kick Sunday." ESPN Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038407/cowboys-have-hangover-cure-dallas-morning-news.html Cowboys have hangover cureDallas Morning NewsIn two-plus seasons with Wade Phillips as coach, the Dallas Cowboys have bounced back well from losses. The Cowboys are 8-2 for regular-season games ...and more » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038406/highway-bridge-to-reopen-near-new-cowboys-stadium-san-francisco-chronicle.html Highway bridge to reopen near new Cowboys StadiumSan Francisco ChronicleThe opening comes in time for the Dallas Cowboys to host their Thanksgiving matchup with Oakland. The rebuilt Collins Street bridge over Interstate 30 has ...Collins Street Bridge to Reopen MondayNBC Dallas-Fort Worthall 18 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037550/for-betts-what-happens-after-contact-key-washington-post.html Washington TimesFor Betts, what happens after contact is keyWashington Post"We have the Dallas Cowboys, one of our big rivals. A lot of fans out there want to see us get this one, so it will be good to go out there and get another ...Clinton Portis "very doubtful" for SundayFantasy Football ToolboxCampbell: A big game in Big DWashington Postall 250 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037549/sport-cowboys-fans-win-fox-poll-texarkana-gazette.html DallasCowboys.comSport: Cowboys fans win FOX pollTexarkana GazetteAssociated Press Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. ...Dallas Cowboys' Garrett says focus is still on balanceDallas Morning NewsDid QB come of age in drive against Dallas?Milwaukee Journal SentinelGarrett: Cowboys needed to throwSan Antonio ExpressSan Jose Mercury News -Sacramento Bee -Bleacher Reportall 125 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036136/relative-value-rankings-after-week-10-its-bear-market.html Although the team as a whole looked poor against the Packers, there were a few performances worth noting. Anthony Spencer had a strong game, but he continues to miss making a big play by justthismuch. Steven Bowen and Bobby Carpenter also made some good plays. Otherwise, few players had performances that ... Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035969/ledesma-11-noluck-number-right-now-for-cowboys-times-record-news.html USA Online Gambling NewsLedesma: 11 a no-luck number right now for CowboysTimes Record NewsBut that number just doesn't cut it when it totals the amount of carries the Dallas Cowboys give their three-headed rushing attack in a game ...Terry Bradshaw rips Roy WilliamsDallas Morning NewsDallas Cowboys BlogESPNRush to Judgment: Do your Dallas Cowboys Pass Too Much?Dallas ObserverNBC Dallas-Fort Worth -Sports-Odds.com -Sports Networkall 222 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034958/clinton-portis-quotvery-doubtfulquot-for-sunday-fantasy-football-toolbox.html Washington TimesClinton Portis "very doubtful" for SundayFantasy Football Toolbox... while he is expected to return before 2010, head coach Jim Zorn said Wednesday that it's "very doubtful" he will play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. ...Haynesworth misses practiceESPNall 245 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034957/free-easy-choice-to-solve-oline-questions.html By CHAREAN WILLIAMS IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys have enough confidence in Doug Free to start him at right tackle in place of the injured Marc Colombo on Sunday against the Washington Redskins. "I think you always look at two or three options and then pick the best one, and the best one is exactly what we’re doing," Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck said. The Cowboys could have moved right guard Leonard Davis to right tackle. Davis played both tackle spots during his six seasons in Arizona. The Cowboys decided their best option was one move, Free at right tackle."He might be a little nervous," Davis said of Free. "Deep down, he might be a little nervous because he hasn’t been out there. I think the jitters, butterflies, whatever you want to call it, that won’t be long. After a couple of plays, settle down, relax and just play."Colombo has started 57 consecutive games, but he injured his left leg against the Green Bay Packers. Colombo is expected to miss at least six weeks after having surgery on his left ankle Monday. He also broke his left fibula. NFL speaksMike Pereira, the NFL’s vice president of officiating, said Wednesday the Cowboys would have lost a challenge on Tony Romo’s fumble if the play could have been challenged. In the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, Romo had the ball knocked out of his hands by Packers cornerback Charles Woodson. Felix Jones covered, and, while he was lying on the ground, Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly pulled the ball free from Jones’ hands. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews eventually recovered at the Dallas 3.Cowboys coach Wade Phillips challenged the play, but, by rule, fumble recoveries in the field of play are not reviewable.On his weekly review on the NFL Network, Pereira said Jones had to maintain control of the ball for it to be deemed a recovery."If you’re going to the ground, it’s a process, and you’ve got to hold onto it throughout the whole process," Pereira said. "… If it comes out at all during that process, it’s ruled still a fumble if you’re trying to recovery a fumble. "If this was actually reviewable, still in my mind, [it] would not have changed."Pereira verified that the Packers should have been penalized 15 yards for attempting a third challenge they didn’t have. Pereira said officials now will inform a coach face-to-face when a team is out of challenges."These types of administrative things should never happen," Pereira said.BrieflyConverted safety Alan Ball will start at free safety in place of the injured Ken Hamlin on Sunday. It will be Ball’s first career start. The 2007 seventh-round pick moved from cornerback to safety this season.Rookie David Buehler is tied for third in the NFL with 17 touchbacks, but he injured the little toe on his right foot Sunday while playing on punt coverage and did not practice Wednesday. Coach Wade Phillips said he believes Buehler will be ready to kick against the Redskins. If not, Nick Folk will handle kickoffs.Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins, who bruised his left arm Sunday and missed most of the fourth quarter, practiced Wednesday and expects to play Sunday.Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle sprain) did not practice on Wednesday but hopes to play.Staff writer Jeff Caplan contributed to this report. Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034956/cowboys-center-gurode-refuses-to-play-victim.html BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR. IRVING — It was a play Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode wishes had never happened and one he had hoped to forget.Plastic surgery removed the scars. The years had put the memory in the recesses of his mind.But as soon as defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth left the Tennessee Titans to sign a record seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins last spring, Gurode knew he wouldn’t be able to avoid the topic.Talk would return to what might be the dirtiest play of the past 20 years in the NFL if not longer. "I expected that when he signed with the Redskins and we played them that it was going to be brought up," Gurode said.The play was early in the third quarter, a 5-yard touchdown run by Dallas’ Julius Jones in the Cowboys’ 45-15 victory on Oct. 1, 2006. Gurode’s helmet came off and he was on his back. Haynesworth, standing over him, first kicked Gurode in the head and then scraped his cleats across Gurode’s face and forehead.Haynesworth was suspended five games and fined $190,000 by the NFL. It was the longest suspension ever for on-field actions.Former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, who was calling the game for Fox that day, still shudders when recalling the play.."I have never seen anything like it," Johnston said. "I have seen violent collisions. I’ve never seen anything in that element — anger, frustration and intent to hurt. I was taken aback."Gurode was never bitter, never complained. He didn’t miss a game and hasn’t missed a beat, using it as a stepping stone to a Pro Bowl career.Gurode has made three Pro Bowls since the incident. Twice he has lined up against Haynesworth in those games. But Sunday’s game against the Redskins will be the first time since the incident he has played Haynesworth in a game that means something."I think that situation is behind us," Gurode said. "It’s something that happened years ago. He doesn’t focus on it. I don’t focus on it. We just moved forward and continue to play football. You can’t let what happened in the past define who you are."Gurode’s teammates have been impressed by his response to the incident. "Anytime something like that happens, I think just how he handled himself in the whole situation. I think you have respect for him," said tight end Jason Witten, who saw the blood coming out of Gurode’s forehead that day. "He’s a mauler inside, and he’s been that way for a long time. He just played better and better and that could have set him back, but he didn’t allow that to be an excuse for him."Linebacker Bradie James also respects Gurode for the way he has handled himself."He might not say anything about it, but he’s probably looking forward to playing Haynesworth after that," James said.Haynesworth, who is questionable for Sunday’s game with a sprained left ankle, said he regrets his actions and "if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t do it again."He says he made peace with Gurode since then and the two have even hung out together at the Pro Bowl the past two years."We have been talking and everything," Haynesworth said. "We even went out together. So, yeah, we are cool." Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034955/garrett-needs-to-boost-wittenamprsquos-role-in-cowboysamprsquo-offense.html JENNIFER FLOYD ENGEL IRVING — Thank goodness for Redskins week at Valley Ranch.Little Danny Snyder’s operation provides a stark reminder of what happens when arrogance and incompetence collide. NFL hell. And Washington has football problems that make your Dallas Cowboys look like a Super Bowl contender operated by football geniuses, so much so that Little Danny had banned negative signs until recently and Redskins fans had to travel to poke his touchy, little self.Be thankful you live in an NFL area where criticizing your football team is not only a right but a duty, and many have answered this duty call in wake of that ugly in Green Bay. Most anger and angst has been lobbed at The Redheaded Genius for "abandoning the run."The idiocy of this whole argument is confounding to me, like lack of Marion Barber touches is why the Cowboys lost to Green Bay, or failing to mix in running plays while down three scores in the fourth quarter provides proof that Jason Garrett is no longer The RHG but an idiot, or that play-calling even ranks in the Top 10 of Cowboys problems.Is it technically abandonment to go away from what is clearly not working? Abandoning the run has become an easy rallying cry for the uninformed, though, in spite of facts. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers further incited this dog pile with his intimation that Green Bay was able to pressure Cowboys QB Tony Romo because, all together now, The RHG abandoned the run. "The game became one- dimensional," Capers told Green Bay reporters afterward. "You can just go out and blitz, but if people are going to run the ball for big yardage on you, you’re foolish."And we’re going to trust a guy who less than 10 days ago was getting his you-know-what handed to him by Tampa Bay? You coach your team, Dom. We’ll coach ours.The Cowboys lost to Green Bay because they had double-digit penalties for a second consecutive week, gave up five sacks (including two against a run blitz) and have a coach seemingly incapable of rallying them during a game. And a frowny-face, befuddled shrug does not in fact send a message to your underachievers about just how miserable you will make their lives if they indeed go non-competitive in Green Bay. All you have to do is listen to all of this "we’re 6-3" and "we’re leading the NFC East" and "if somebody had said we’d split with Philly and Green Bay way back when …" to see "Wade think" has begun to infect everybody at Valley Ranch. Nobody is too angry about losing. They still have a chance for a really good November. But I digress. This is not about jumping Coach Wade again. History says there will be plenty of time for that in December. It is time to take aim at The RHG. Assuming he still wants to be a head coach in this league, he needs to get his mojo working again and repair his rep as the little genius Owner Jones brought in from Miami and lavishly paid after the 2007 season. And the guy to put the "G" back in RHG is Jason Witten.Lost in all of this Miles Austin love and Roy Williams frustration and abandoning-the-running-game nonsense is No. 82. He has become a nonfactor.Witten has 49 receptions this season, and I can remember only one of them, the one to seal the Philly victory. His first and only touchdown reception this season came in that Week 2 embarrassment to open JerryWorld.This is not simply about stats. Witten is on pace for a very respectable 82 catches. This is about impact, and he’s also on pace for a career-worst 8.9 yards per catch. You want to question play calling? Question why they are not going to him more at the goal line?Witten has become a household name being Romo’s security blanket, so much so that T.O. became insanely jealous. Maybe the Cowboys do miss T.O. after all. When he was here, Romo and Witten and The RHG were having their "secret meetings" where they drew up secret plays for the Pro Bowl tight end and he impacted almost every single game.What The RHG needs to do is go back to what worked so well for them, featuring Witten until the tight end’s lungs burst."No, I would not say I’m having my normal year," Witten said Wednesday. "I’m not saying this as a negative. I have a lot of respect for [Garrett] and, obviously, I have a great relationship with Tony. We have a lot of weapons and you try to get the ball to everybody."As he started to walk away, he asked: "Do you agree?" Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034954/ground-down-its-time-for-offense-to-embrace-threeheaded-rb-monster-again.html IRVING - Count to three. Now stop. Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034953/packers-17-cowboys-7-dallas-dog-days-december-come-early-loss-looks-much-like-many-in-recent-years.html GREEN BAY, Wis. - The unseasonably mild weather was the lone exception. 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The Cowboys were out of whack with their run-pass distribution in ...and more » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034137/two-backups-will-get-their-shot-for-dallas-cowboys-morning-news.html SportsBlogs Nation (blog)Two backups will get their shot for Dallas CowboysDallas Morning NewsThe Cowboys' veteran line prides itself on continuity and communication, but depth has been a concern. Colombo has started all 57 games since he signed with ...Players fill in for injury-riddled CowboysESPNSmashburger > Whataburger?Dallas ObserverCowboys' Hamlin out 2-4 weeks, Colombo to miss at least six weeksSeattle Post IntelligencerFort Worth Star Telegram -San Antonio Express -WBAYall 137 news articles » Dallas Cowboys - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates