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By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Oct. 19 2008
When the Rams run the ball
Another tough challenge for Steven Jackson & Co. Dallas comes to town with the
NFL's seventh-ranked rush defense. The Cowboys have the speed at linebacker to
make it tough to get outside, and the size up front to make life difficult
between the tackles. One of the key matchups will be Rams center Nick Leckey
against Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff. This is the first 3-4 front the Rams
have faced in the regular-season, so Leckey will have the underrated Ratliff
over him all day. If Leckey can't neutralize Ratliff, who uses quickness and
leverage to his advantage, Jackson won't have much running room inside.
EDGE: Cowboys
* * * * * * *
When the Cowboys run the ball
With speedster Felix Jones out with a hamstring injury, the Rams will see a
steady dose of Marion Barber all day long. Don't be surprised to see Barber
approach his career high of 28 carries Sunday. Barber enters the game ranked
seventh in the NFL in rushing (440 yards) and third in yards from scrimmage
(674). "The guy runs to hurt people," Rams coach Jim Haslett said. "I mean, he
runs hard." A powerful, relentless runner, Barber also is a threat as a pass
catcher and a determined blocker. The danger for the Rams is getting worn down
as the game progresses, and pushed around by the Cowboys' big, physical
offensive line.
EDGE: Cowboys
* * * * * * *
When the Rams pass the ball
With Terence Newman out with an abdomen injury and Adam (Pacman) Jones serving
a league suspension, the Cowboys are paper thin at cornerback. Anthony Henry is
a solid, productive veteran at one corner. But rookies Mike Jenkins (starter)
and Orlando Scandrick (nickel) will be counted on at the other corner spots.
Safeties Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams are big hitters, but can be liabilities in
coverage. So there could be opportunities here for St. Louis, if the Rams can
protect quarterback Marc Bulger. The Cowboys are tied for sixth in the NFL with
15 sacks, and usually rely on outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis
for pressure, without much blitzing.
EVEN
* * * * * * *
When the Cowboys pass the ball
No matter who's at quarterback for Dallas, the Rams will be hard-pressed to
cover all of the Cowboys' receiving threats. Any plans to double-team Terrell
Owens were dampened by Tuesday's trade with Detroit for wide receiver Roy
Williams. He's expected to be on the field for 15 to 20 plays Sunday, giving
the Cowboys another big target and playmaking threat. Tight end Jason Witten
runs routes with the precision of a wide receiver and enters the game ranked
third in the NFL in receptions (39) and fifth in reception yards (497). And
don't forget wide receiver Patrick Crayton, who scorched the Rams for 184 yards
and two TDs last year at Texas Stadium.
EDGE: Cowboys
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Oct. 19 2008
When the Rams run the ball
Another tough challenge for Steven Jackson & Co. Dallas comes to town with the
NFL's seventh-ranked rush defense. The Cowboys have the speed at linebacker to
make it tough to get outside, and the size up front to make life difficult
between the tackles. One of the key matchups will be Rams center Nick Leckey
against Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff. This is the first 3-4 front the Rams
have faced in the regular-season, so Leckey will have the underrated Ratliff
over him all day. If Leckey can't neutralize Ratliff, who uses quickness and
leverage to his advantage, Jackson won't have much running room inside.
EDGE: Cowboys
* * * * * * *
When the Cowboys run the ball
With speedster Felix Jones out with a hamstring injury, the Rams will see a
steady dose of Marion Barber all day long. Don't be surprised to see Barber
approach his career high of 28 carries Sunday. Barber enters the game ranked
seventh in the NFL in rushing (440 yards) and third in yards from scrimmage
(674). "The guy runs to hurt people," Rams coach Jim Haslett said. "I mean, he
runs hard." A powerful, relentless runner, Barber also is a threat as a pass
catcher and a determined blocker. The danger for the Rams is getting worn down
as the game progresses, and pushed around by the Cowboys' big, physical
offensive line.
EDGE: Cowboys
* * * * * * *
When the Rams pass the ball
With Terence Newman out with an abdomen injury and Adam (Pacman) Jones serving
a league suspension, the Cowboys are paper thin at cornerback. Anthony Henry is
a solid, productive veteran at one corner. But rookies Mike Jenkins (starter)
and Orlando Scandrick (nickel) will be counted on at the other corner spots.
Safeties Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams are big hitters, but can be liabilities in
coverage. So there could be opportunities here for St. Louis, if the Rams can
protect quarterback Marc Bulger. The Cowboys are tied for sixth in the NFL with
15 sacks, and usually rely on outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis
for pressure, without much blitzing.
EVEN
* * * * * * *
When the Cowboys pass the ball
No matter who's at quarterback for Dallas, the Rams will be hard-pressed to
cover all of the Cowboys' receiving threats. Any plans to double-team Terrell
Owens were dampened by Tuesday's trade with Detroit for wide receiver Roy
Williams. He's expected to be on the field for 15 to 20 plays Sunday, giving
the Cowboys another big target and playmaking threat. Tight end Jason Witten
runs routes with the precision of a wide receiver and enters the game ranked
third in the NFL in receptions (39) and fifth in reception yards (497). And
don't forget wide receiver Patrick Crayton, who scorched the Rams for 184 yards
and two TDs last year at Texas Stadium.
EDGE: Cowboys
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