It Isn’t Dez Bryant vs. Calvin Johnson
By Mike Burke
Where the similarities between the teams end is on the Defensive side of the football. With Demarcus Ware banged up and his status for Sunday still in doubt the Cowboys have thrown out a patchwork Defensive Line. George Selvie and Nick Hayden are two guys whom the Cowboys have plucked right of the streets to contribute this year. Two weeks ago they added Jarius Wynn and this week Marvin Austin from the exact same streets. I’ve been calling the Defensive Line in Dallas the Tramps. It is a double meaning of guys off the streets and half of saddle tramps which was a nickname for cowboys. Only Jason Hatcher is on the line right now who was projected to be a starter for the Cowboys or even on an NFL team.
The Lions on the other hand have three recent first round picks on their Defensive Line. Willie Young is the only Lions starter who is not a first round pick. In the middle they are anchored by NFL bad boy Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Their final starter is Ezekial “Ziggy” Ansah, the 5th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. These blue chips on the D-Line will be chasing the Elusive Tony Romo all day, trying to disrupt the Cowboys passing attack. Matthew Stafford will be looking to dodge the guys who are being called the No Names around the Dallas media. I don’t like that nickname because to me it belongs to the 1970’s Dolphins.
The Cowboys advantage on Defense over the Lions is probably directly attributable to the plays of their top 3 Cornerbacks. Brandon Carr will undoubtedly draw the unenviable assignment of trying to lock down Megatron. That will leave Orlando Scandrick to continue his impressive play this year and Morris Claiborne will likely be matched up opposite of wherever Carr ends up. The Lions best pass defender so far has been the Strongside Linebacker Deandre Levy, who is tied for the NFL lead with 4 Interceptions. Look for him to draw the assignment of shadowing Jason Witten everywhere he goes.
This is undoubtedly and important game for both teams who want to elevate their fortunes and chances in 2013. If Dez Bryant and Calvin Johnson try to outdo each other it might be one hell of a pinball scoring game. Both are capable of incredible numbers. It’s going to be fun Cowboys fans.