The Cowboys fall to the Arizona Cardinals to open up the 2005 Pre Season campaign 13-11. It's only pre-season and a lot of rookies are trying t make the team, so we don't want to make too much out of this initial performance. It's a good thing too, because the Cowboys 1st string offense stunk. They went 3 and out on their 1st 3 possessions and then went 4 and out to finish the night.
The Cowboys 2nd string offense went right down the field to get a field goal. Defensively the Cowboys played well although they were not getting enough pressure on the QB. Giving 10 points in the first half and 13 total for the game is not a bad outing.
Injuries; Jacob Rogers; Knee
Player of the Game; Tyson Thompson provided the most excitement on either side of the ball for the Cowboys. His speed allowed him to rush for 64 yards on only 10 carries. Tyson was fun to watch and has a good chance to make the team as the Cowboys 3rd RB.
Other players who deserve props; Kevin Burnett and Demarcus Ware were active on Defense. Rookie Safety Justin Beirault intercepted a pass for the Cowboys only take away. Jason Witten looks like he will be All Pro again in 2005. It looks like a safe bet that Tony Romo will be the backup and if Drew Bledsoe doesn't pick it up, fans will be screaming for Romo to start.
Grades:
Offense - D; Poor, especially 1st string. The only player of note was Tyson Thompson. Tony Romo played well as did Drew Henson.
Defense - C+; only 1 take away and no pressure on the QB but were able to limit the Cards most of the night.
Special teams - B; if not for the penalty on the final field goal attempt the Cowboys would likely have won the game. The final 53 yard field goal, thanks to the penalty, was the only mishap during the game. 3 field goals made plus a blocked punt, makes the Cowboys special teams look special.
Did you notice? I don't think I have ever seen a team punt after having 1st down at 15 yard line. 4th and 55 has to be close to a record.
Next game; Monday night on August 22nd in Seatle against the Seahawks.
|
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
|
|
3 |
0 |
8 |
11 |
|
3 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
13 |
|
Scoring Summary |
1st Quarter |
|
FG |
Neil Rackers 41 Yd, 5:52. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards in 2:44. |
2nd Quarter |
|
TD |
Larry Fitzgerald, 31 Yd Pass from Kurt Warner (Neil Rackers kick is good), 10:39. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards in 3:40. |
|
FG |
Billy Cundiff 47 Yd, 1:50. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards in 4:27. |
3rd Quarter |
|
|
none |
4th Quarter |
|
FG |
Jose Cortez 33 Yd, 11:24. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards in 4:48. |
|
FG |
Matt Fordyce 33 Yd, 8:07. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards in 3:17. |
|
FG |
Billy Cundiff 34 Yd, 4:10. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards in 3:57. |
|
ST |
Punt blocked by Tom Crowder out of the end zone, 2:56. |
|
Passing |
|
CP/AT |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
T. Romo |
8/10 |
71 |
0 |
0 |
D. Henson |
6/13 |
64 |
0 |
0 |
D. Bledsoe |
4/8 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
Rushing |
|
ATT |
YDS |
TD |
LG |
T. Thompson |
10 |
64 |
0 |
18 |
J. Jones |
6 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
L. Polite |
2 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
M. Barber |
6 |
8 |
0 |
10 |
A. Thomas |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Receiving |
|
REC |
YDS |
TD |
LG |
J. Witten |
5 |
62 |
0 |
17 |
Z. Smith |
3 |
24 |
0 |
12 |
T. Copper |
2 |
22 |
0 |
12 |
P. Crayton |
1 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
T. Curtis |
1 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
Q. Morgan |
1 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
T. Glenn |
1 |
8 |
0 |
8 |
B. Pierce |
1 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
M. Barber |
1 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
A. Thomas |
1 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
J. Jones |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
-1 |
Fumbles |
|
FUM |
LOST |
REC |
YDS |
D. Bledsoe |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
J. Witten |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
R. Petti |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Kicking |
|
FG |
LG |
XP |
PTS |
J. Cortez |
1/1 |
33 |
0 |
3 |
B. Cundiff |
2/3 |
47 |
0 |
6 |
Punting |
|
NO |
AVG |
I20 |
LG |
M. McBriar |
7 |
54.0 |
3 |
67 |
Kickoff Returns |
|
NO |
AVG |
TD |
LG |
A. Merritt |
1 |
15.0 |
0 |
15 |
T. Thompson |
3 |
24.0 |
0 |
26 |
Punt Returns |
|
NO |
AVG |
TD |
LG |
M. Barber |
1 |
7.0 |
0 |
7 |
A. Merritt |
1 |
10.0 |
0 |
10 |
J. Rector |
1 |
8.0 |
0 |
8 |
Z. Smith |
1 |
5.0 |
0 |
5 |
Defense |
|
T-A |
SCK |
INT |
FF |
A. Henry |
6-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Burnett |
3-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Coleman |
3-1 |
2.0 |
0 |
1 |
R. Fowler |
3-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
S. Shanle |
3-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
A. Singleton |
3-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Davis |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
L. Frazier |
2-0 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
N. Jones |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
J. Reeves |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
R. Williams |
2-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
J. Beriault |
1-0 |
0.0 |
1 |
0 |
C. Canty |
1-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
B. James |
1-3 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
T. Johnson |
1-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
E. Ogbogu |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
I. Reese |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
L. Scott |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
B.Thornton |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
D. Ware |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
R. Love |
0-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
D. Nguyen |
0-2 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
J. Ratliff |
0-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
|
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