lcboysfan
08-31-2007, 07:57 PM
Cowboys not same with gimpy Newman
Adam Schein / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago
The Dallas Cowboys players believe they are locked and loaded for a legit Super Bowl run, mainly because of the immense talent and Wade Phillips' scheme on defense.
But all of a sudden there is a wrinkle in the plan.
That would be the health of cornerback Terence Newman.
Newman has plantar fasciitis. He told us on Thursday that he tore the lateral side of his heel. The injury could be problematic, according to Newman, since it is on the outside of the foot as opposed to the inside, which is the norm for plantar fasciitis.
Newman is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFC. He has never received the proper credit for his cover skills. And these abilities, in theory, give Phillips an opportunity to be even more aggressive with the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty. Newman can man up a receiver one on one.
In reality, you now pause a bit with a cornerback, who relies on his feet both for planting and his closing speed, in jeopardy of not playing.
If you go from Terrance Newman at 100 percent to Terrance Newman at 70 percent (and that might be a good guess), that's a drop off. And the drop off is even more pronounced if it equals more time for Aaron Glenn.
In a lengthy conversation with Newman on Thursday night while the rest of his teammates were in Minnesota taking on the Vikings, the cornerback admitted he is hurting both physically and mentally.
Said Newman: "It is definitely frustrating for me on different fronts. In practice, in the off-season, I really feel I have stepped my game up to another level. And for this to happen it is a setback for me. But injuries are part of the game and they happen. Rest is something that is incredibly important. You just cannot keep pounding the foot and pushing and planting and tearing. For me, it is prudent to shut it down for the last week or so, which is what I've been doing. Everyone, doctors and coaches alike, are on the same page with rest being the key. It is getting better. How far along will it be come game time? I don't know. We are trying to get this thing as close to game ready as possible and go from there."
Newman is comfortable in the system. Could he play on opening day without practicing?
The cornerback said, "I don't know what the policies are for that. But I would like to practice next week in order to play. That's what I want to do. I want to know how my body is going to withstand the pain. I will be much more prepared if I practice. You don't want to go out there blindly."
Withstanding the pain is the key here. Players can play with this injury. But it is one that is more difficult for running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs.
As a player so valuable to the Cowboys Super Bowl aspirations, is it possible Newman actually doesn't play for the foreseeable future?
"Shutting it down completely has never, ever crossed my mind," said Newman. "Once you get to this level you understand what you have to do to play and deal with pain. There are a lot of guys who are competitive and play through pain. Obviously, if it hurts to a point, you have to look at the next option. But we are going to gather as much information as we can and do what is best for both me and the team. We are going to try to do as many things as we can to eliminate the pain. I feel better now with the rest. But who knows exactly how it all will work and respond. But I plan on being out there against the Giants on opening night."
His spirits were high enough to say the Cowboys are the most talented team in the NFC and that they should make the Super Bowl.
Newman was actually agitated when I told him that I thought Dallas was in the mix with New Orleans and Chicago (which I told Newman I favor slightly), while making sure not to short change the Eagles and Seahawks.
Newman fired back, "Come on Adam, I know it is your radio show, but you can't tell me there's another team in the league more talented than us."
How about the Saints with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAlister, and the New Orleans offensive line compared specifically with what Dallas has at those respective positions?
Newman, a future broadcaster, wouldn't take the bait.
"That's a handful of guys. I am talking about a team. I am talking about a game-changing defense!"
I told him Dallas is absolutely in the mix for the Super Bowl, but I'd feel better about it if the Cowboys had a particular cornerback healthy.
He had to agree.
And that is why the next seven days are incredibly important for Newman and the immediate future of the Cowboys.
Adam Schein / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago
The Dallas Cowboys players believe they are locked and loaded for a legit Super Bowl run, mainly because of the immense talent and Wade Phillips' scheme on defense.
But all of a sudden there is a wrinkle in the plan.
That would be the health of cornerback Terence Newman.
Newman has plantar fasciitis. He told us on Thursday that he tore the lateral side of his heel. The injury could be problematic, according to Newman, since it is on the outside of the foot as opposed to the inside, which is the norm for plantar fasciitis.
Newman is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFC. He has never received the proper credit for his cover skills. And these abilities, in theory, give Phillips an opportunity to be even more aggressive with the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty. Newman can man up a receiver one on one.
In reality, you now pause a bit with a cornerback, who relies on his feet both for planting and his closing speed, in jeopardy of not playing.
If you go from Terrance Newman at 100 percent to Terrance Newman at 70 percent (and that might be a good guess), that's a drop off. And the drop off is even more pronounced if it equals more time for Aaron Glenn.
In a lengthy conversation with Newman on Thursday night while the rest of his teammates were in Minnesota taking on the Vikings, the cornerback admitted he is hurting both physically and mentally.
Said Newman: "It is definitely frustrating for me on different fronts. In practice, in the off-season, I really feel I have stepped my game up to another level. And for this to happen it is a setback for me. But injuries are part of the game and they happen. Rest is something that is incredibly important. You just cannot keep pounding the foot and pushing and planting and tearing. For me, it is prudent to shut it down for the last week or so, which is what I've been doing. Everyone, doctors and coaches alike, are on the same page with rest being the key. It is getting better. How far along will it be come game time? I don't know. We are trying to get this thing as close to game ready as possible and go from there."
Newman is comfortable in the system. Could he play on opening day without practicing?
The cornerback said, "I don't know what the policies are for that. But I would like to practice next week in order to play. That's what I want to do. I want to know how my body is going to withstand the pain. I will be much more prepared if I practice. You don't want to go out there blindly."
Withstanding the pain is the key here. Players can play with this injury. But it is one that is more difficult for running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs.
As a player so valuable to the Cowboys Super Bowl aspirations, is it possible Newman actually doesn't play for the foreseeable future?
"Shutting it down completely has never, ever crossed my mind," said Newman. "Once you get to this level you understand what you have to do to play and deal with pain. There are a lot of guys who are competitive and play through pain. Obviously, if it hurts to a point, you have to look at the next option. But we are going to gather as much information as we can and do what is best for both me and the team. We are going to try to do as many things as we can to eliminate the pain. I feel better now with the rest. But who knows exactly how it all will work and respond. But I plan on being out there against the Giants on opening night."
His spirits were high enough to say the Cowboys are the most talented team in the NFC and that they should make the Super Bowl.
Newman was actually agitated when I told him that I thought Dallas was in the mix with New Orleans and Chicago (which I told Newman I favor slightly), while making sure not to short change the Eagles and Seahawks.
Newman fired back, "Come on Adam, I know it is your radio show, but you can't tell me there's another team in the league more talented than us."
How about the Saints with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAlister, and the New Orleans offensive line compared specifically with what Dallas has at those respective positions?
Newman, a future broadcaster, wouldn't take the bait.
"That's a handful of guys. I am talking about a team. I am talking about a game-changing defense!"
I told him Dallas is absolutely in the mix for the Super Bowl, but I'd feel better about it if the Cowboys had a particular cornerback healthy.
He had to agree.
And that is why the next seven days are incredibly important for Newman and the immediate future of the Cowboys.