Field Pass: Cowboys Vs. Giants
Darren Woodson is Unfortunately Not Likely to be a Hall-of-Famer
Darren Woodson
Rick Gosselin wrote an article yesterday noting that few safeties have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I made the same argument a month ago here (sixth post from the top).
Gosselin notes:
The committee has an obvious distaste for safeties. Paul Krause set a record that likely will never be broken with his 81 career interceptions, yet the committee made him wait 14 years before voting him in. And he was one of the lucky ones.
This was my take:
If you look at the list of Hall of Famers, corners are more likely to make it than safeties. Twelve of the nineteen defensive backs currently in the Hall were primarily corners during their careers. And consider these safeties who were members of various All-Decade teams but who are not members of the Hall of Fame:
Eddie Meador (Rams): 1960s- 6 Pro Bowls
Dick Anderson (Dolphins): 1970s- 3 Pro Bowls
Cliff Harris (Cowboys): 1970s- 6 Pro Bowls
Kenny Easley (Seahawks): 1980s- 5 Pro Bowls
Deron Cherry (Chiefs): 1980s- 6 Pro Bowls
Joey Browner (Vikings) 1980s- 6 Pro Bowls
Nolan Cromwell (Rams): 1980s- 4 Pro Bowls
LeRoy Butler (Packers): 1990s- 4 Pro Bowls
Steve Atwater (Broncos): 1990s- 8 Pro Bowls
Carnell Lake (Steelers): 1990s- 5 Pro Bowls
Woodson made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, so he deserves to be mentioned along with all of these players. But I think a few of these players have better arguments than Woodson, and none of them are likely to get in. Of the players most comparable to Woodson, I think of Atwater, who had more accolades and who was also an important part of Super Bowl teams, just like Woodson.
The problem with the safeties, I think, is that they are probably grouped stat-wise with the corners, and the corners are more likely to have much greater numbers of interceptions. Just an educated guess, really. What Woodson would have going for him is that he was the prototype for the converted linebacker playing safety in the NFL, and several have followed in his path. Then again, being a game changer certainly hasn’t helped Bob Hayes…
Mind you, this is not a matter of my not wanting Woodson to make the Hall of Fame, but I do not think he will get in there. I would even go so far as to say that Woodson is a bit less deserving than Steve Atwater. Atwater had more accolades than Woodson, and the Broncos accomplished quite a bit with him leading the defense, yet Atwater isn’t and won’t be in the Hall of Fame. As much as I admired him on the Cowboys, I can’t honestly say that Woodson deserves the honor as much as Atwater does, and so I have a hard time believing that Woodson will get in.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
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- AP Preview: Cowboys vs. Giants
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- Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #97
- Remember When the Cowboys Could Do This…?
- Cowboys Move Back Up in Power Rankings
- Today’s Research: When the Cowboys Gain Fewer Than 200 Total Yards
- Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9: Not a Work of Art, but It Works
- Cowboys-Buccaneers Prediction in 100 Words
- A Look Back: Timmy Newsome’s Sideline Scamper (1983)
- Obscure Fact: Cowboys Briefly Had the All-Time Best Winning Percentage
AP Preview: Cowboys vs. Giants
Here is a preview of the Cowboys-Giants game from the Associated Press.
If you like this post, try…
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- Video: ESPN Preview of Cowboys-Giants
- Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #97
- Cowboys Move Back Up in Power Rankings
- Today’s Research: When the Cowboys Gain Fewer Than 200 Total Yards
- Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9: Not a Work of Art, but It Works
- Cowboys-Buccaneers Prediction in 100 Words
- A Look Back: Timmy Newsome’s Sideline Scamper (1983)
- Obscure Fact: Cowboys Briefly Had the All-Time Best Winning Percentage
- Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #96
Video: ESPN Preview of Cowboys-Giants
This clip features former third-string great Tim Hasselbeck (husband with a much more famous wife from Survivor, etc.) discussing Brad Johnson.
Cowboys Vs. Giants Preview - Coverage and Analysis Video - FanDome
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- Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #97
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Enter the Direct Engery Cowboys Sweepstakes Featuring Terrence Newman
Direct Energy just launched an online sweepstakes for one lucky DFW resident to win an Ultimate Cowboys FAN-tasy Experience with Terence Newman. This ultimate prize package includes getting a peak inside the new Cowboys stadium, watching a private practice at Valley Ranch, and passes to hang out at the sidelines before the December 14th game against the Giants. To top it off, the winner and 15 friends will gather for a private party in the Direct Energy suite at Texas Stadium, tour the stadium, then toss a football and run some routes with NFL’s leading cornerback, Terence Newman.
There is no purchase required and you do not have to be a customer of Direct Energy to enter. For entry form, contest rules and details,visit directenergy.com/cowboys.
Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #97
Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series
Jersey #97
Seven Cowboys have worn #97. Each of these players was a defensive lineman.
Aaron Fields, DE, Troy State, 2000
Statistics: n/a
Accolades: None.
Longevity: Fields was active for three games in 2000.
Intangibles: He was a free agent pickup who saw a little bit of action on special teams.
La’Roi Glover, DT, San Diego State, 2002-05
Statistics: Glover recorded 21.5 sacks and 126 tackles with the Cowboys.
Accolades: He was named to four Pro Bowls with Dallas.
Longevity: He played four seasons before moving on to St. Louis.
Intangibles: Glover was one of the best free-agent signings in team history. He stepped in during a bad period in team history and gave the Cowboys a strong presence in the middle.
Jason Hatcher, DE, Grambling, 2006-
Statistics: Hatcher has recorded 4.5 sacks with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He is in his third season with Dallas.
Intangibles: A third-round pick in 2006, Hatcher has been a backup since his arrival. He has not been as disappointing as Bobby Carpenter, but he has not shown much progress.
Jimmie Jones, DL, Miami, Fla., 1990-93
Statistics: Jones recorded 19 sacks with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played four seasons in Dallas.
Intangibles: Jones was one of Jimmy Johnson’s Miami players who had an impact with the team. He is best remembered for scoring a touchdown when Charles Haley caused Jim Kelly to fumble near the goalline in Super Bowl XXVII.
Kevin Lilly, DT, Tulsa, 1989
Statistics: n/a
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He was active for one game with the Cowboys.
Intangibles: This Lilly should not be confused with Bob. Kevin Lilly played very briefly for San Francisco before playing very briefly with Dallas.
Kavika Pittman, DE, McNeese St., 1996-99
Statistics: Pittman recorded 10 sacks with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played four seasons in Dallas.
Intangibles: Pittman was the highest pick for Dallas in the 1996 draft (37th overall). He was brought in as a pass rusher, and though he developed into a starter, never matured into a good player.
David Ponder, DT, Florida State, 1985
Statistics: Ponder had a half-sack in 1985.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He was active for four games in 1985.
Intangibles: He was cut at the end of training camp in 1984 but made the team briefly in 1985.
Poll
Here is your chance to vote for the greatest player to wear #97.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.My Vote: Glover
La'Roi Glover
Unlike several other draft picks and free agent pickups, Glover did not disappoint in his four years in Dallas. He gave Dallas a strong force in the middle, which was something the team missed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had enough in the tank after the 2005 season, but he was not well-suited for the 3-4 defense that Dallas installed. He has remained a quality player in St. Louis.
Jones and Pittman were both starters, but neitehr performed at a level close to Glover. Hatcher is a decent part of the team’s rotation, but that is about it.
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Remember When the Cowboys Could Do This…?
This was from the Cowboys’ last visit to the Meadowlands. Seems like a very long time ago.
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- Today’s Research: When the Cowboys Gain Fewer Than 200 Total Yards
- Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9: Not a Work of Art, but It Works
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- A Look Back: Timmy Newsome’s Sideline Scamper (1983)
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Giants Game Tough Enough Without Continuing Injuries
Although Justin Tuck said this week he would prefer the Cowboys come to town without all of the current injury problems so they could beat Dallas with “no excuses”, the game was going to be tough anyway. With the Giants sitting on top of the NFC East and coming off a big win over the Steelers, whether Romo or Witten is playing or not, the game has huge consenquences for the division title picture.
At 5-3, the Cowboys can ill afford to get three games back of the Giants at 6-1 and hope to have any chance of repeating as division champs. The surprising Redskins already have a game and a half lead on the Boys as well with the Eagles close behind at 4-3. One way of looking at this situation is it might be possible that the Giants will underestimate a wounded Cowboys team and not play up to their potential either.
The Dallas defense stepped up big last week against Tampa Bay and will need an even stronger performance this week to stop a strong Giants rushing attack. If they can follow the Steelers’ game plan in stopping Brandon Jacobs and company in the red zone, they just might have a chance of pulling off the upset. And believe me, it is an upset situation for the Cowboys at this mid-season point with the likes of Romo, Felix Jones, Terrence Newman, Kyle Kosier, and now possibly Witten and Anthony Henry not able to play on Sunday.
Don’t misunderstand me, I know that Jason Witten will do everything in his power to play this week, and will most likely start the game. But if he proves to be not his usual Pro Bowl self, he will not play the entire game and rookie Martellus Bennett will have to step up and play his best game of the year. After last week’s performance, the youngsters in the secondary can overcome a missing Henry for this one as the Giants’ passing game has lost some of it’s effectiveness recently. Plaxico Burress has had his share of troubles and Amani Toomer’s numbers are below-average as well. Steve Smith seems to be Manning’s main go-to-guy these days and either Jenkins or Scandrick should be capable of keeping him somewhat in check.
The biggest question and key to either team’s victory in this game will be the play of the offensive and defensive lines. For Johnson to be effective and hence, stay in the game, the O-line must do a better job of protection than they have in the past four weeks. The defensive line must stop the Giants’ run and put enough pressure on Manning to force some mistakes.
I wouldn’t put either of these factors as out-of-reach for the Cowboys but injury problems or not, this will be a match-up that both teams will look back on later in the year as the most important point of their season.
Cowboys Move Back Up in Power Rankings
In the six power rankings polls listed below, the Cowboys’ average ranking is 9. This represents quite an improvement for a team that was lucky to survive the Tampa Bay game with a win.
1. Jeremy Green, ESPN Podcast: Cowboys are #11
Jeremy Green isn’t very happy to move Dallas from #16 to #11. The basic ranking makes since generally, except for two problems: (1) Dallas is 5-3, not 4-3; and (2) he left Tampa Bay three spots ahead of Dallas.
2. ESPN NFL Writers: Cowboys are #8
According to ESPN, the Cowboys moved eight spots up, moving ahead of a bunch of 4-3 teams.
At least for one week, the Cowboys saved their season. Now, they’ll have to face the Giants with Brad Johnson at quarterback. Good luck. (MM)
3. Fox Sports: Cowboys are #10
Adrian Hasenmayer of Fox Sports also kept Dallas behind Tampa Bay, ranking the Cowboys at #10.
Wade Phillips saved his job, but Brad Johnson may have lost his as backup quarterback. Can you imagine if Jeff Garcia would have dropped the ‘Boys to 4-4 in Texas Stadium? Jerry Jones’ face may have melted
4. NBC Sports: Cowboys are #12
The Cowboys are still behind Tampa Bay and Green Bay at #12 in NBCSports.com’s ranking. This site allows fans to vote as well, and the fans also have the Cowboys ranked at number 12.
5. Pro Football Weekly: Cowboys are #6
The editors of Pro Football Weekly have the Cowboys at number 6, ahead of Buffalo and New England. I wouldn’t go that far.
6. CBS Sportsline: Cowboys are #6
Pete Prisco at CBS also has Dallas all the way up at #6. His comment: “Did the victory over Tampa Bay cure their ills? Hardly. They need Tony Romo back in the worst way. Too bad he won’t be there against the Giants.”
A bit disconcerting was the poll featured on the site. According to 41,411 visitors, Dallas is least likely to win the NFC East this year:
| 15% | Eagles | |||
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| 56% | Giants | |||
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| 11% | Cowboys | |||
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| 18% | Redskins | |||
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- Cowboys Take a Power Rankings Dive
- Today’s Research: When the Cowboys Gain Fewer Than 200 Total Yards
- Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9: Not a Work of Art, but It Works
- Cowboys-Buccaneers Prediction in 100 Words
- A Look Back: Timmy Newsome’s Sideline Scamper (1983)
- Obscure Fact: Cowboys Briefly Had the All-Time Best Winning Percentage
- Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #96
- Looking for Some Hope from the 1970 Season
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Witten Has a Fractured Rib; May Try to Play Sunday
At the very least, there is a slight chance that despite suffering from a broken rib, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten could play Sunday against the New York Giants; Witten attempted to return to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but sat out the second half. Assuming that Witten does not play this weekend, either Martellus Bennett or Tony Curtis would start in his place.