Week 6: Big Week in Big D

It has been quite a week for the Dallas Cowboys.  This past weekend they faced the Arizona Cardinals, and were beaten in the first few minutes of overtime.  Special teams looked terrible, allowing the Cardinals to take the ball to the house on the opening kickoff.  The defense started strong but fizzled out towards the end, having a second half breakdown that led to Arizona scores on back to back drives.  And once again, the offense looked stagnant at times.  Tony Romo had absolutely no time.  He was constantly rushed, hit, sacked, and forced to fumble.  Most of this can be attributed to the offensive line.  The Cardinal defenders were able to push and slip past them.  As a result, Romo broke his pinkie finger, and Mat McBriar's punt was blocked in OT and taken in for the winning score.

As if all that wasn't bad enough, Romo 's broken finger seemed that it would hamper his throwing motion and as a result the coaching staff thought he should sit out 4 weeks and let it heal.  McBriar's foot was fractured and he will not be able to play for several weeks.  In the first quarter of the game Felix Jones went down with an injured hamstring and will be out about 2 weeks.  And to top it all off, Adam "You Can Call Me Pacman Again" Jones was suspended indefinitely for having a fight with one of his body guards.  This is probably a lucky break though, if Roger Goodell had really wanted to show Pacman he had screwed up he probably would have banned him from the league.  The question now is whether he will be able to play after the suspension is lifted (and he successfully completes an alcohol program).

Despite all of this, I'm not worried.  I can safely assume that the O-line was severely chewed out by their coaches, and are working on handling less physical and much quicker players.  Romo himself has said that he wants to play and was at practice today.  Wade Philips said his passing looked good.  Even if he is unable to play, or he is forced to sit after a drive or two, we do have a safe backup in Brad Johnson.  

Johnson is a two time Pro Bowler, is ranked 26th in all-time career passer ratings, and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002.  And a really interesting stat about him?  He's the only quarterback to have ever caught his own pass for a touchdown.  He is a safe and reliable QB.  He has a quick release, great vision, and is good with plays (especially slants and shorter yardage plays).  Though he does not have the same ability as Romo to make huge plays down field, he does know when to dump off the ball to a running back and  take a sack while protecting the ball if need be. 

The other good news involves an offensive and defensive player, and they're both named Roy Williams.  Roy Williams the safety will be starting his first game this week after breaking his right forearm in the Philadelphia game in Week 2.  Roy Williams the wide receiver was acquired 2 minutes before the trade deadline on Tuesday.  Jerry Jones was very excited with such a threat opposite Terrell Owens.  As a matter of fact, T.O. was as well!  When Jones told him, the first thing he did was call Williams and talk about winning.  A defense can't double team both of these players, and they are both great play makers.  I could also see Williams learning a lot from Owens during his time in Dallas.  He could be groomed to take over there once T.O. retires (which I don't foresee anytime soon).

This upcoming weekend the Cowboys take on the St. Louis Rams, a team that is 1-4 after beating the Washington Redskins last week.  Can the Cowboys band together and beat this team?  With all the injuries and suspensions, I could see this as a true test for Dallas to get their act together and start playing like the Super Bowl bound team that they are.  A big week deserves a big win.