NFC East News: Training Camp Report on the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins
GFB’S DAILY LOOK INSIDE THE NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS: In preseason action, the Raiders scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat Dallas, 17-9, Thursday night at Cowboys Stadium. From ESPN Dallas:
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense hasn’t scored any touchdowns in the preseason.
It’s not the end of the world or anything, but still you have to be concerned about what you see.
“I don’t like to use the word ‘concerned,’” offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said after the Cowboys’ 17-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night. “But we’re going to go back, trust me. We evaluate the tapes and how guys are doing in the scheme of things. You always step back.”
The Cowboys have had 28 offensive possessions so far. They’ve reached the red zone four times, twice with the first-team offense, but failed to get into the end zone. Six made field goals, two interceptions, one fumble and 15 punts are some of the notable ways drives have ended.
Sure, it’s only two preseason games.
But for an offense that has Tony Romo, Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Jason Witten and an offensive line featuring two Pro Bowlers up the middle, more is expected.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: All eyes will be on Kevin Kolb tonight as the Eagles open their preseason schedule against the Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. From the Press of Atlantic City:
The Philadelphia Eagles’ new starting quarterback showed drastic improvement this week when pitted against the Eagles’ defense in training camp.
Now he faces the challenge of playing against another team when the Eagles face Jacksonville in tonight’s preseason opener at Lincoln Financial Field.
“I think there’s going to be a little bit more excitement (than a normal preseason game),” Kolb said earlier this week. “We’ve taken some huge steps in the last four or five days and want to stay sharp. We want to make sure we just keep taking those steps forward.”
Kolb won’t get a lot of opportunities to show his prowess, however. Eagles coach Andy Reid announced Thursday that the starting offense and defense will play the first quarter against the Jaguars. As a result, Kolb likely will be pulled after two or three series.
Since Kolb is entering his first season as the Eagles’ full-time starter in place of Donovan McNabb, it was thought that Reid may give him more playing time in an effort to develop some offensive consistency. Instead, Kolb will see the least amount of action of the three quarterbacks. Backups Michael Vick and rookie Mike Kafka will each play a quarter and a half.
“I think what you look for a quarterback to do is to execute the offense and to lead the offense and to make sure that he manages the game the proper way,” Reid said Thursday in quotes provided by the team. “So that’s how I approach it with Kevin. We already have full confidence in him.”
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb are getting along just fine in Washington. It’s a fresh start for them both, and for the organization. From USA TODAY:
Mike Shanahan is not really known for lavishing praise upon players, so the glowing assessment he offered of quarterback Donovan McNabb after a recent practice turned some heads.
The first-year Washington Redskins coach detailed the six-time Pro Bowler’s skills — many of which were on display during the practice — and seemed eager to see what would follow. McNabb, also in his first year with the team, later chalked it up to his growing comfort zone with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s system, if not his budding relationship with his celebrated head coach.
“I think everybody who watched Donovan through the years knows he’s an athlete,” Mike Shanahan says. “What separates the really good quarterbacks and the great quarterbacks are people that can make plays off-rhythm. He’s been able to do that. He’s got the legs to run, he can throw on the run, he can throw deep, he can throw short. At the same time, you’ve still got to feel comfortable with your system.”
