IRVING – If the Cowboys want to meet their expectations of a deep playoff run, the defense has to prevent the big plays that were pivotal in two of their three losses.
Owner/general manager Jerry Jones has drafted or signed nine defensive players in the last two years – as the team has made the transition to a 3-4 scheme. And strong safety Roy Williams and middle linebacker Bradie James, the core of the defense, have signed contract extensions totaling $45.2 million.
The Cowboys (3-3) want a return on those investments on the field and in the win column.
The fact that quarterback Tony Romo is making his first NFL start only increases the pressure on the defense in tonight's game against the Carolina Panthers (4-3)
"We have to give Romo a short field to work with," defensive end DeMarcus Ware said. "We have to pick people up and pressure them. Sacks, stopping the run, interceptions ... it's time for us to create some things."
The Cowboys kick off a four-week run in which they will face some of the top offensive players in the NFL. Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson give Carolina one of the best receiving duos in the league, and big-play threats follow in Washington's Santana Moss, Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning.
"We go on the road for three weeks, and it's time to put up or shut up," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "That's the mentality we've got to take, but there's a lot of football left. It's a somber mood right now, but we know we still have a chance."
Dallas has given up 15 plays of 20 or more yards in six games this season, after giving up 16 last season. There's never a good time to give up a big play, but the ones yielded in two of the Cowboys' losses swung momentum to their opponents.
On Oct. 8 against Philadelphia, touchdown passes of 87 and 40 yards led to a 38-24 Eagles victory.
Last Monday against the New York Giants, Eli Manning connected with Plaxico Burress for a 50-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. The Giants went on to win, 36-22.
"With the scheme we have going in, we should stop the run and make teams one-dimensional," cornerback Anthony Henry said. "We have to know what's going to happen in certain situations and formations. Sometimes, the other team is making the catch and the guys are in position."
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MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN Cowboys safety Roy Williams (31) was beaten on a 40-yard touchdown pass from the Eagles' Donovan McNabb to Reggie Brown in the fourth quarter of Philadelphia's 38-24 victory. |
Rookie free safety Patrick Watkins has been beaten on several long pass plays. Williams was to blame on a 40-yard play from Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb to Reggie Brown.
Veteran Marcus Coleman, who is better at tracking the ball, will take over for Watkins – who has said that problems judging ball flight have led to him getting beat.
The Cowboys also need to put consistent pressure on the quarterback. Of their 14 sacks, five are credited to nickel defenders Jay Ratliff and Kenyon Coleman. Starters Marcus Spears and Chris Canty have combined for two.
"I think we should be better than that," coach Bill Parcells said. "I hope we can get these guys going a little bit better."
The Cowboys are not blitzing much or using stunts, where linemen and linebackers attack the line of scrimmage from different angles to confuse the offense.
"It would be nice to blitz or stunt, but until we stop teams in our base scheme, we haven't earned the coaches' trust," nose tackle Jason Ferguson said.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
TOP PERFORMANCES AGAINST THE COWBOYS
RUSHING
Oct. 23
Tiki Barber
114 yards, no touchdowns on 27 carries
Giants 36, Cowboys 22
PASSING
Oct. 8
Donovan McNabb
18-of-33, 354 yards, 2 touchdowns
Eagles 38, Cowboys 24
RECEIVING
Oct. 8
Hank Baskett
112 yards, 1 touchdown on 3 catches
Eagles 38, Cowboys 24
