By: Jay Betsill
The Dallas Cowboys opened the season with an impressive 24-17 win on the road at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on the first Wednesday night NFL game since 1948. The Cowboys made their share of sloppy mistakes, but the play of new cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne giving the pass rush time to get serious pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning helped set the tone for the game on defense. Meanwhile, Tony Romo had running back DeMarco Murray (20 carries, 131 yards) back in his arsenal after last season’s season-ending ankle injury and took advantage of the Giants depleted secondary by finding Kevin Ogletree eight times for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
“This was a very significant win for our franchise,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “We made a lot of mistakes against a good team that might, should have beaten us. But they didn’t, because this bunch persevered and stayed the course.”
Up next for the Cowboys is a trip to CenturyLink Field inSeattleto battle the Seahawks. This game was originally circled by many fans because it was to be the Cowboys first meeting with Terrell Owens since his departure fromDallas(Seattlereleased Owens during training camp on August 26). However, followingDallas’ win over the Giants and the ensuing victories by the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles, the game has added importance.
The Seahawks are coming off a 20-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals which, due to a refereeing snafu, saw them get an extra timeout inside the red zone during crunch time only to watch rookie quarterback Russell Wilson’s touchdown pass attempt to wide receiver Braylon Edwards come up incomplete.Wilsonwas 18-for-34 passing for 153 yards and one touchdown in the Seahawks sixth consecutive road loss opener. Ironically, it was Edwards who the Seahawks chose to keep on its roster when they cut Owens.
Seattle knocked the Cardinals starting quarterback out of the game as he was carted off the field with an injured ankle only to watch back-up QB Kevin Kolb come off the bench and lead Arizona on its winning touchdown drive, throwing six yards to Andre Roberts for the score with 4:59 remaining in the contest.
Look for DeMarcus Ware, who crossed the 100-sack milestone against the Giants, to cause havoc for the Seahawks’ rookie quarterback if the corners continue their stellar play from opening week. However, the key will likely be shutting down running back Marshawn Lynch as the Seahawks are built around its running game and defense. The offensive line will feature Ryan Cook starting at center in place of the injured Phil Costa as it looks to contain pass rusher Chris Clemons while Romo deals with two of the league’s tallest cornerbacks, 6-foot-4 Brandon Browner and 6-3 Richard Sherman.
Former Cowboys Wide Receiver Roy Williams Retires
“My time in the NFL is over, had a great time, ups and downs, met soooo many ppl, fans, and friends,” Williams wrote on his Facebook page. “… But now it’s time for me to have my family time that I’ve missed for the last 9yrs, spending it with (children) Jordan and Dallas and the ppl who love me, so I will never strap it up again (even tho i can still play), but at the same time I’m ready to give that dream up.”
Many Cowboys fans will chalk the deal that saw Dallas give Detroit first and third-round picks to acquire Roy Williams, the former Texas Longhorn star receiver at the 2008 trade deadline and immediately sign him to a six-year, $54 million contract extension as the worst trade in the history of the franchise. Others can make a legitimate case for the trade withSeattlethat brought Joey Galloway to town being the all-time dog. The Cowboys gave up first-round picks in 2000 and 2001 to obtainGalloway’s services.Dallasalso gaveGallowaya $12 million signing bonus, which was significant given that the team was in salary cap hell at the time. As long as there are Dallas Cowboys fans, this debate will continue to linger.
“Came into the league healthy, and im walking away healthy, with my head held high,” Williams wrote on Facebook. “Thank you all who’ve cheered for me, booed me, and loved me, y’all are still fans to me!”