IRVING, Texas - Here are some thoughts from the practice fields at Valley Ranch as the Cowboys prepare for Sunday's game in Philly.
Rookie Reps
As much as DeMarco Murray is holding out hope that he could somehow get himself healthy enough to playing this Sunday against the Eagles, I just don't believe that is possible. Murray will most likely miss this game and try to get himself ready to go next week in Detroit.
In his place, will be a combination of Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner to carry the load. Randle got the majority of the snaps with the first offense and should continue to get that work Thursday and Friday. Going to be some important work in preparing for the Eagles, who like to move their front and bring pressure from their linebackers for blitz pickup.
Davin Meggett was signed for the practice squad on Tuesday, but look for the Cowboys to just roll with Randle and Tanner this week.
Finding a Role
Coming out of Oxnard, I really believed that Bill Callahan was going to take full advantage of Lance Dunbar and his skill set, but injuries have once again put those plans on hold. Where Callahan might turn to for some of those special packages or wrinkles that coaches like to use in the game, could come from the dynamic, Dwayne Harris.
This Cowboys offense has so many possible weapons and options with guys like Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley, that Harris presents some interesting options. When you watch Harris in the open field with the ball in his hands, you see a player that really understands how to make defenders miss and is outstanding in setting up blocks.
More and more when we watch these games, including the college ones, it's about getting the ball to your play makers as quickly as possible. Garrett and Callahan have could up with some creative ways to move the ball with these skill guys but I would not be one bit surprised with what we have seen from Dwayne Harris the last several weeks, that this staff works with Harris like they would have Dunbar. It would be the smart thing to attempt.
Turning The Corner
There have been times this season where Kyle Wilber has looked spectacular and others times where you would have never know he was on the field. His play last week against Trent Williams, who is one of the better left tackles in the league, was solid.
We all saw his sack-fumble in the 4th quarter which gave his team a little breathing room. Even before that play, Wilber was holding his own against the nasty, powerful Williams which was an outstanding sign because there have been times where he has not played well against power. In studying Wilber's game, he looked more comfortable in the way he was handling the extended playing time.
This week, against the Eagles, he will most likely be making his first NFL start in a divisional game on the road. Wilber will be matched up against Jason Peters who in my book is not as talented as Trent Williams but does have similar type of power. Where Wilber can take advantage of Peters, is with his own foot quickness. Peters can get out of his stance slow on his pass set and Wilber needs to be ready for those times.
Wilber will need to attack Peters on the edge and not try to battle him toe-to-toe. Wilber needs to make this an all-day battle with Peters attacking him like he did Williams and get that one clinching play on him like he did last week.
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New Man For Job
Jerry Jones and Will McClay continue to work with this roster each and every day, McClay and his pro staff went out and signed Jarius Wynn, who played the first five games of the 2013 season with the San Diego Chargers, on the defensive line.
McClay did not like the work of what he had seen from David Carter and instead of sitting on his hands with an unproductive player which this team might have done in the past, they made the switch to Wynn who can play either tackle or end.
Where Wynn is working right now is at tackle with Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden and Drake Nevis. Wynn should be better than Carter against the run and give them a little more inside on the rush. Wynn did have a sack earlier in the season in a game against the Eagles. Look for him in the rotation on Sunday.
