The Landry Hat » 2011 » September » 16

Dez Bryant Questionable for Sunday’s game; Newman, Scandrick Out

Steven Mullenax — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:03:42 +0000

Is Dez Bryant's injury worse than we thought?

Dallas Cowboys’ GM and Owner Jerry Jones is backing off statements he made yesterday that indicated wide receiver Dez Bryant would play this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Bryant is suffering from a deep thigh bruise supposedly received during a first quarter punt return in Sunday’s night loss to the New York Jets. Bryant’s status has been downgraded to questionable on Friday’s Injury Report and he will now most likely be a game-time decision.

Bryant was sensational in the first quarter of last weekend’s game. Going up against arguably the best cornerback combo in the league, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, Bryant easily made three receptions and one leaping touchdown. However in the final three quarters, Dez looked tired and less than 100%. After he suffered the injury, he also had to deal with muscle cramps. In the end, the only opposition Dez could not beat was his own body. (more…)

Five Things I’ll Be Thinking About as I Watch the Cowboys Defense vs. 49ers

C. Joseph Wright — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:00:11 +0000

1. How many sacks will DeMarcus Ware get this week?

I will probably ask this question every week, if for no other reason than to remind you that it was way back in week 1 when I wrote that Ware would have the chance to set a new personal record for sacks in a season. Against the Jets, he was used in a multitude of ways that I have never seen before. He ended up with 2 solo sacks and several pressures.

It is hard to imagine that the SF line will handle Ware much better than the Jets did. Watching what Ryan does with a Ware is going to be a delight this season. Ware made the Jets pay for failing to double-team him several times; will the 49ers dare to leave him singled up against anyone? I will also be watching how many snaps he will take on the bench. (more…)

CJ Wright’s Poll Question of the Week: The Running Game vs. Air Garrett

C. Joseph Wright — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:00:24 +0000

I am going to try to come up with an interesting and contentious issue about the Cowboys every week. There will be no gossip about fights in practice, refusals to carry equipment, celebrity girlfriends, or fantasy football predictions. I will focus on the part of football that I find the most interesting.

I see football more as a chess match using humans, than a contest of individual match-ups. I prefer to ponder the philosophy and thought process behind the coach’s decision making more than evaluating how the players execute those decisions. I will also try to come up with questions that require reasoned answers based on evidence.

I hope that you will do more than just vote in the poll; I hope that you share the reasons for your vote with the rest of the readers. Find out the question of the week, after the break: (more…)