A few questions for Thursday’s game:
DallasCowboys.com had a story about this rivalry today:
Julius and Thomas Jones might compete in pool or video games, but not football. They talk about three times a week, Julius says. Each is the other’s biggest fan.
“He’s been through every situation there is to be in this league,” Julius said. “Anytime I have a problem or a question about anything, I know who to call.”
Thomas can relate to Julius’ current role, having shared the spotlight with [Cedric] Benson until the Bears traded him with a second-round pick to New York for another second-rounder.
Through 10 games, Thomas ranks 10th in the league with 723 yards rushing but has yet to score a rushing touchdown. His 117 yards in last Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh was the first 100-yard effort against the Steelers in 35 games.
Julius might get more chances against the Jets’ 29th-ranked run defense, which is yielding 148.2 yards per game.
“It’s extremely hard as a feature back to get in the groove when you’re kind of playing sporadically,” Thomas Jones said. “You may have a really good run and you get in a zone and then you come out of the game. I think some backs like to be in that type of situation but I know Julius and myself like to be featured guys that get the ball and are able to wear defenses down.”
While Thomas reminded reporters Thursday’s game is a “business trip,” it’s also a week-long family reunion. Some 20 Joneses are in town to join Julius and Thomas for an early Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday night.
Leon Washington has averaged 33.5 yards per return on 25 kickoff returns this season with three touchdowns. That’s not good news. The Cowboys have given up 23.2 yards per return, but they have also had some very short kickoffs. Here are the returns by the Redskins last week:
1. 6-N.Folk kicks 65 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 5. 31-R.Cartwright to WAS 41 for 36 yards (93-A.Spencer). Return right sideline.
2. 6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 8. 31-R.Cartwright to WAS 36 for 28 yards (35-J.Reeves). Return right side of the field.
3. 6-N.Folk kicks 70 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 0. 31-R.Cartwright to WAS 29 for 29 yards (31-R.Williams).
4. 6-N.Folk kicks 64 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 6. 31-R.Cartwright to WAS 33 for 27 yards (25-P.Watkins).
5. 6-N.Folk kicks 69 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 1. 31-R.Cartwright to WAS 26 for 25 yards (25-P.Watkins; 54-B.Carpenter). Return left side of the field.
Thus, three of the five Redskins returns went past the 30, and the other two went past the 25. Not the end of the world, but not good.
What in the world, you ask? Well, Blogging the Boys reached 1 million visitors today. I’ve generally stopped paying attention, but I am currently at 87,309. Good thing I don’t keep score…
I posted back during the preseason about my uncomfortableness with Bruce Read as the special teams coach. The poor kick coverage was already showing up back then, and Read had a poor record with the Giants, really being a key contributor to Jim Fassel losing his job. It’s a head scratcher to me why Wade Phillips included Read on his staff, but he’s made at least one questionable special teams hire in the past before. You have to wonder if Phillips doesn’t take special teams seriously enough. You would have to believe he does after the Music City Miracle, but who knows? Why Read and not an established veteran special teams coach with a solid record of success? Joe Avezzano anyone? Whatever the case, it sure seems that my fears about Bruce Read are coming true.
Who knows why people end up at the sites they end up at.(Not knocking Blogging the Boys at all.) Advertising, search engines. A big backer like MVN or SB Nation probably helps.
But I’m glad I found this site. I think it’s the best Cowboys site going.
Who knows why people end up at the sites they end up at.(Not knocking Blogging the Boys at all.) Advertising, search engines. A big backer like MVN or SB Nation probably helps.
But I’m glad I found this site. I think it’s the best Cowboys site going.
Trip