thevalleyranchreport
09-04-2007, 12:27 PM
COWBOYS NOTES
Injuries force team to adjust By Mac Engel and Rick Herrin
Star-Telegram staff writer
IRVING -- What was once expected then became a fading hope has apparently become reality: linebacker Greg Ellis won't be starting against the New York Giants.
And there is a possibility, too, that receiver Terry Glenn (knee) won't play either.
"I'm not 100 percent. It's moving slowly," Glenn said. "Being out here with the team each day helps my progress."
Glenn said he didn't know if he'd play against the Giants.
He participated in some practice Monday, but no team drills. He is expected to participate in all of practice Wednesday. The players are off today.
Linebacker Kevin Burnett did not practice Monday with the team, either. He said he had one bone chip removed from his right foot Monday, and plans to have another removed today. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said there is still a chance Burnett could play Sunday.
As a result of Ellis not being able to start because of an Achilles'/heel injury, rookie first-round pick Anthony Spencer will start. But unlike the preseason where nothing officially counted, the burden of expectation increases greatly. He expects the Giants to attack him.
"I don't see why not," Spencer said. "My first game? I definitely believe that they will."
Linebacker depth
The Cowboys have invested millions of dollars and first-round picks on the linebacker position in the past three drafts, but there is a concern about depth at the position. That is partly why the Cowboys signed Justin Rogers on Sunday after he was released by New England.
The Cowboys have eight linebackers, but Greg Ellis and Kevin Burnett are hurt.
"I'm not trying to push any buttons -- this is a 3-4," linebacker Bradie James said. "In a 3-4, you have 11, at least. So we're just trying to figure out where they are trying to go as far as depth."
Folk ready for role
Rookie kicker Nick Folk, a sixth-round draft pick, is coming off a perfect preseason and will get his first NFL start on national television Sunday night against the New York Giants.
Folk was three-for-three on field-goal attempts in the preseason with a 52-yarder. Dallas has used seven kickers since 2000.
"It's an exciting time," Folk said. "I just have to keep going out and kicking well."
The last time the Cowboys started a rookie kicker in the opener was 2002 with Billy Cundiff, who made 12 of 19 field-goal attempts that season.
Interim coach hired
Wade Phillips hired long-time NFL associate Harold Richardson on an interim coaching basis while quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson serves five-game suspension.
Richardson and Phillips have worked together four times, including Atlanta and Denver. He was a former general manager in Atlanta.
"He's not a quarterback coach, but he will help, an extra sets of eyes in the press box," Phillips said. "He's an experienced guy."
Richardson, who made coaching stops at TCU, North Texas and SMU, was previously working in business in Atlanta.
Number switch
Three players have switched numbers. Free safety Ken Hamlin will wear No. 26, formerly Aaron Glenn's number. Tackle James Marten is No. 78 and safety Courtney Brown is No. 27.
Injuries force team to adjust By Mac Engel and Rick Herrin
Star-Telegram staff writer
IRVING -- What was once expected then became a fading hope has apparently become reality: linebacker Greg Ellis won't be starting against the New York Giants.
And there is a possibility, too, that receiver Terry Glenn (knee) won't play either.
"I'm not 100 percent. It's moving slowly," Glenn said. "Being out here with the team each day helps my progress."
Glenn said he didn't know if he'd play against the Giants.
He participated in some practice Monday, but no team drills. He is expected to participate in all of practice Wednesday. The players are off today.
Linebacker Kevin Burnett did not practice Monday with the team, either. He said he had one bone chip removed from his right foot Monday, and plans to have another removed today. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said there is still a chance Burnett could play Sunday.
As a result of Ellis not being able to start because of an Achilles'/heel injury, rookie first-round pick Anthony Spencer will start. But unlike the preseason where nothing officially counted, the burden of expectation increases greatly. He expects the Giants to attack him.
"I don't see why not," Spencer said. "My first game? I definitely believe that they will."
Linebacker depth
The Cowboys have invested millions of dollars and first-round picks on the linebacker position in the past three drafts, but there is a concern about depth at the position. That is partly why the Cowboys signed Justin Rogers on Sunday after he was released by New England.
The Cowboys have eight linebackers, but Greg Ellis and Kevin Burnett are hurt.
"I'm not trying to push any buttons -- this is a 3-4," linebacker Bradie James said. "In a 3-4, you have 11, at least. So we're just trying to figure out where they are trying to go as far as depth."
Folk ready for role
Rookie kicker Nick Folk, a sixth-round draft pick, is coming off a perfect preseason and will get his first NFL start on national television Sunday night against the New York Giants.
Folk was three-for-three on field-goal attempts in the preseason with a 52-yarder. Dallas has used seven kickers since 2000.
"It's an exciting time," Folk said. "I just have to keep going out and kicking well."
The last time the Cowboys started a rookie kicker in the opener was 2002 with Billy Cundiff, who made 12 of 19 field-goal attempts that season.
Interim coach hired
Wade Phillips hired long-time NFL associate Harold Richardson on an interim coaching basis while quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson serves five-game suspension.
Richardson and Phillips have worked together four times, including Atlanta and Denver. He was a former general manager in Atlanta.
"He's not a quarterback coach, but he will help, an extra sets of eyes in the press box," Phillips said. "He's an experienced guy."
Richardson, who made coaching stops at TCU, North Texas and SMU, was previously working in business in Atlanta.
Number switch
Three players have switched numbers. Free safety Ken Hamlin will wear No. 26, formerly Aaron Glenn's number. Tackle James Marten is No. 78 and safety Courtney Brown is No. 27.