Notebook: Cowboys may bolster running game
49ers backup Barlow one of Dallas' targets as trade deadline nears
10:12 PM CDT on Monday, October 13, 2003
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The trading deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, and it's possible the Cowboys could make a move or two.
With concerns about the running game, the Cowboys have inquired about the services of a few tailbacks. They have talked with San Francisco about running back Kevan Barlow, according to two sources, including one close to Barlow. The Cowboys called on Miami's Leonard Henry, but the Dolphins were not willing to trade their second-year running back.
"If something comes up and we think it'll help us, we might do it," coach Bill Parcells said. "That's the way Jerry [Jones] is. Certainly if something comes up, he'd call it to my attention and we'd talk about it philosophically and whether we think it would be a good move."
Troy Hambrick is on pace for 1,104 yards after rushing for 345 yards on 102 carries in five games, but he is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. Parcells views Aveion Cason as a change of pace, but rookie Erik Bickerstaff is the only grind-it-out runner besides Hambrick.
As much as it appears the running game is struggling, the Cowboys are averaging 134.8 yards per game on the ground, a 25-yard improvement over last season.
"I'm not interested in what's wrong with the running game, only with respect to we can run and control the game, which is what we've been able to do a little bit," Parcells said.
Barlow, a third-round pick in 2001 and Garrison Hearst's backup, does not appear to be the Niners' tailback of the future. He has carried the ball 60 times for 257 yards this season. He has also caught eight passes for 74 yards. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after the season.
According to a New York Jets source, they have an interest in cornerback Andrew Davison, who has yet to play for the Cowboys this season, for a late-round pick. Davison played six games for the Jets last season.
Witten has desire to play against Lions
Rookie tight end Jason Witten will meet with an oral surgeon Wednesday to see if he can have the braces removed from his broken jaw in order to practice.
Witten, whose jaw broke in three places from a hit in the Arizona game, is hoping to play at Detroit on Sunday, but he has not been able to eat solid food and has lost 11 pounds.
"If it's just a pain issue, I can try and tough it out," Witten said. "But I can't imagine taking a blow from someone like Roy Williams."
Witten will be fitted with a new helmet that protects his jaw better, and he will have a different chinstrap and mouthpiece when he does return.
Ross may earn more playing time
Derek Ross' inclusion in the nickel defense may not just be a one-time thing. Coach Bill Parcells expressed disappointment with the play of Pete Hunter, who was flagged twice for holding Sunday and beaten on a pass for 27 yards.
Ross, playing in his first game since knee surgery Aug. 28, took over that spot on the game's final series.
"You can't be doing that," Parcells said of Hunter's penalties.
"He's had four holding penalties in the last couple of weeks. You can't be doing that. It's got to change, but we'll see. He's done some good things."
Briefly ...
Coach Bill Parcells is concerned about the kickoff-coverage unit, and said he will make some changes. The Cowboys are allowing 25.7 yards per kick return and had returns of 63, 30 and 41 yards against them the last two games. Parcells said he also wants to be more aggressive on punt returns with Zuriel Smith's ability.
49ers backup Barlow one of Dallas' targets as trade deadline nears
10:12 PM CDT on Monday, October 13, 2003
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The trading deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, and it's possible the Cowboys could make a move or two.
With concerns about the running game, the Cowboys have inquired about the services of a few tailbacks. They have talked with San Francisco about running back Kevan Barlow, according to two sources, including one close to Barlow. The Cowboys called on Miami's Leonard Henry, but the Dolphins were not willing to trade their second-year running back.
"If something comes up and we think it'll help us, we might do it," coach Bill Parcells said. "That's the way Jerry [Jones] is. Certainly if something comes up, he'd call it to my attention and we'd talk about it philosophically and whether we think it would be a good move."
Troy Hambrick is on pace for 1,104 yards after rushing for 345 yards on 102 carries in five games, but he is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. Parcells views Aveion Cason as a change of pace, but rookie Erik Bickerstaff is the only grind-it-out runner besides Hambrick.
As much as it appears the running game is struggling, the Cowboys are averaging 134.8 yards per game on the ground, a 25-yard improvement over last season.
"I'm not interested in what's wrong with the running game, only with respect to we can run and control the game, which is what we've been able to do a little bit," Parcells said.
Barlow, a third-round pick in 2001 and Garrison Hearst's backup, does not appear to be the Niners' tailback of the future. He has carried the ball 60 times for 257 yards this season. He has also caught eight passes for 74 yards. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after the season.
According to a New York Jets source, they have an interest in cornerback Andrew Davison, who has yet to play for the Cowboys this season, for a late-round pick. Davison played six games for the Jets last season.
Witten has desire to play against Lions
Rookie tight end Jason Witten will meet with an oral surgeon Wednesday to see if he can have the braces removed from his broken jaw in order to practice.
Witten, whose jaw broke in three places from a hit in the Arizona game, is hoping to play at Detroit on Sunday, but he has not been able to eat solid food and has lost 11 pounds.
"If it's just a pain issue, I can try and tough it out," Witten said. "But I can't imagine taking a blow from someone like Roy Williams."
Witten will be fitted with a new helmet that protects his jaw better, and he will have a different chinstrap and mouthpiece when he does return.
Ross may earn more playing time
Derek Ross' inclusion in the nickel defense may not just be a one-time thing. Coach Bill Parcells expressed disappointment with the play of Pete Hunter, who was flagged twice for holding Sunday and beaten on a pass for 27 yards.
Ross, playing in his first game since knee surgery Aug. 28, took over that spot on the game's final series.
"You can't be doing that," Parcells said of Hunter's penalties.
"He's had four holding penalties in the last couple of weeks. You can't be doing that. It's got to change, but we'll see. He's done some good things."
Briefly ...
Coach Bill Parcells is concerned about the kickoff-coverage unit, and said he will make some changes. The Cowboys are allowing 25.7 yards per kick return and had returns of 63, 30 and 41 yards against them the last two games. Parcells said he also wants to be more aggressive on punt returns with Zuriel Smith's ability.
