March 2011 - Dallas Cowboys Wiretap
Lawrence Taylor Will Be 'Shocked' If Giants Don't Beat Cowboys
Lawrence Taylor fully expects his Giants to defeat the Cowboys on Sunday night with the NFC East title and a playoff berth on the line.
"If the Giants lose this game I would be shocked," Taylor said. "I don't think it's even a question that the Giants are a better team than Dallas.
"I know you think I'm biased, but the Giants have by far the better athletes, they are tougher mentally, and they have by far the better coaching. I guarantee you that Dallas ain't taking s--- away from the Giants. If the Giants lose this game, they'll lose it themselves. Dallas won't take it away from them."
Cowboys Expect To Have Romo At 'Full Strength'
Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones fully expects Tony Romo to play against the Giants on Sunday night.
Romo was limited in practice on Friday for the third straight day, but he is officially listed as probable on the injury report.
"He's going to be playing at full strength," Jones said on KRLD-FM Friday morning.
"It's just a very big-time feel-good to know that we're going to be going in with this kind of quarterbacking. He's had an outstanding year. He's a top, top quarterback and he's got a good team around him. In my belief, a very good team around him, so the stage is set for us to play well in a big game."
Emmitt Smith Wonders If Cowboys Are Mentally Tough
Emmitt Smith is not sure the Cowboys are mentally tough enough to go to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to beat the Giants in a game to decide the NFC East champion.
"Talent-wise, I think they have it," Smith said. "Leadership-wise, they have some good leaders on the ballclub. Do they have enough? Probably not. Can they go up to New York and be mentally tough in this situation? I think Jason (Garrett) has done a very good job of preparing the guys to be physically and hopefully mentally tough, but I think mental toughness is the thing needed in games like this.
"Mental toughness for four quarters or five quarters, if you have to go that far. But that's something our Cowboys have not been able to do in close games. And that's where mental toughness comes into play.
"Unfortunately for us we've lost four games this year in the fourth quarter -- four points or less. And so that in itself is something we definitely need to get corrected in the short period of time to make that happen up in New York."
Dallas has blown four fourth quarter leads this season.
Romo Practices With Wrap On Hand
Tony Romo was able to do a little more in Thursday's practice than he was the previous day, but the Cowboys quarterback has yet to take a snap from center since suffering a bruised hand on Christmas Eve.
"We're still in the process of doing some things like that," said Romo, who was listed as limited on the injury report, "and I think each day that stuff gets a little bit better."
He wore a wrap on his hand in Thursday's practice after not using one on Wednesday.
Romo, however, reiterated that he would play Sunday against the Giants, with the winner claiming the NFC East title and a playoff spot.
"I think you have to go out there and practice all week and get yourself ready to go to the game on Sunday," Romo said. "I'm excited that we're in this position and we have an opportunity to go and play in a big game like this. This is when it gets fun. No matter what, you're not going to sit one of these out."
Cowboys Don't Feel They Need To Add Quarterback
The Cowboys have decided not to pursue signing a veteran quarterback at this time, according to a team source.
The decision is a strong indication that Dallas believes Tony Romo should be capable of both starting and throwing effectively against the Giants on Sunday night in a game that will determine which team wins the NFC East and advances to the playoffs.
"He will be fine," another source said.
Romo suffered a bruised hand when he struck it on Jason Babin's helmet on the fourth offensive play of the team's 20-7 loss to the Eagles on Saturday.
Justin Tuck Still Hates Cowboys
Less than a week before the two teams battle it out for the NFC East title and a playoff berth, Giants defender Justin Tuck made it clear that he despises the Cowboys.
"I've been quoted many times saying I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and I still do," Tuck said.
"A lot of it's out of respect," Tuck added on Monday. "I think when you look at all of the history, all of the great players, the championships won, I think the two teams are probably more similar than a lot of people like to admit."
Cowboys-Giants Moved To Prime Time
The NFC East title will be decided in prime time on New Year's Day.
The Cowboys have announced that their winner-take-all regular-season finale against the Giants has been flexed to the Sunday night game on NBC.
The game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET, with the teams both at 8-7. The winner goes to the playoffs and the loser goes home.
Romo Suffers Bruised Right Hand
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said a bruised right hand will not keep him from playing in next week's winner-take-all finale at the Giants.
"I'll be fine," Romo said after Saturday's 20-7 loss to Philadelphia. "I think I just took a hit from the helmet. We're going to be all right though."
Romo was hurt with 9:52 left in the first quarter when Eagles defensive end Jason Babin drove him to the ground on an incomplete pass.
He was slow to get up and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
X-rays were negative and Romo wanted to return, but he couldn't grip the ball or take a snap, so he got his hand and wrist wrapped.
Sources: Cowboys Could Rest Players
The Cowboys could rest some of their players in Saturday afternoon's game against the Eagles if the Giants beat the Jets earlier in the day, according to sources.
Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware, running back Felix Jones and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff could all be sidelined.
If the Giants lose to the Jets, the Cowboys can win the division with a victory over the Eagles. But if the Giants win, the Cowboys can accomplish almost nothing Saturday.
Jerry Jones Clarifies Comments
Jerry Jones does not regret using the word "scared" on his radio show when describing his feelings about Saturday's opponent, the Eagles.
He does not believe what he said was interpreted correctly, however.
"Afraid of messing up has caused me to be more conscientious, has caused me to be more prepared," Jones said outside the team's weight room following a late-morning workout Thursday. " I've said that all my life. Fear is a great motivator. Great. And especially in this sport."
Jones was not attempting to send a message to his players. He was just remembering how poorly things went in the loss to the Eagles on Oct. 30.
Jerry Jones: 'I'm Scared' Of Eagles
Philadelphia racked up 495 total yards during a 34-7 rout of Dallas on Oct. 30.
Ratliff Restrained In Near Dust-Up With Reporter
Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff had to be restrained by two teammates in the team's locker room during media access time on Thursday.
Hurd's Lawyer: No List Of Clients Exists
A report suggested that authorities have a list of NFL players that purchased drugs from Sam Hurd.
Report: Hurd Dealt Drugs To 'Double Digit' List Of Players
Sam Hurd was arrested this week on felony drug charges.
Cowboys Sign Sammy Morris
The Cowboys have signed veteran running back Sammy Morris in the wake of DeMarco Murray's season-ending ankle injury.
Jones: Garrett's Job Is Safe
The Cowboys have blown five fourth-quarter leads, but coach Jason Garrett's job status isn't a concern.
Pierre-Paul: Timeout Helped Me Block Kick
Tom Coughlin's timeout allowed Jason Pierre-Paul to devise a strategy to make a game-saving block of a Dallas kick.
DeMarco Murray Fractures Right Ankle
Cowboys rookie running back DeMarco Murray suffered a fracture and a high sprain on his right ankle on Sunday night.
Jones: Cowboys Have 'Our Work Cut Out For Us'
New York put together two touchdown drives in the final 3:41 and Jason Pierre-Paul preserved it with a blocked field goal for a 37-34 victory over Dallas.
Cowboys DC Ryan Isn't Worried About Defense
The Cowboys rank 10th in total defense and have allowed an opponent to top 20 points just once in the past five weeks.
Cowboys, Sensabaugh Agree To Five-Year Extension
The Cowboys and safety Gerald Sensabaugh have finalized a five-year contract extension worth approximately $22.5 million.
Jerry Jones: Cowboys Poised For Run
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sees a blueprint for his team in last year's Green Bay squad.
Rob Ryan: Eli Is An 'Elite' Quarterback
Heading into a huge game against the rival Giants on Sunday, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan praised New York quarterback Eli Manning.
Tuck, Jacobs Sound Off On Cowboys
A day after two Cowboys had things to say about Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs, the pair responded in typical fashion for Dallas week.
Garrett Stands Behind Decision In Loss
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says he wouldn't change anything about how the end of regulation played out on Sunday against the Cardinals.
Dallas Will Not Claim McNabb
The Cowboys will not put in a waiver claim for veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was released by the Vikings on Thursday.
Cowboys May Be Suitor For McNabb
The Cowboys could be a possible suitor for Donovan McNabb, who was waived by the Vikings on Thursday.
Kolb Expects To Start Against Cowboys
Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb was able to practice again on Thursday and expects to start on Sunday.
Dez Bryant Settles Over Jewelry, Tickets
The civil lawsuit between Dez Bryant and a jeweler and tickets broker has been settled and the case dismissed.