Browns vs. Cowboys: Breaking it down
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
Marquee matchup
Brandon McDonald vs. Terrell Owens
Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald has been watching film of Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens for months. It’s part horror flick, part psychological thriller.
McDonald, who went from special teamer to key backup last year, is a starter now and will spend much of the day trying to keep track of Owens. McDonald
(5-foot-10, 185 pounds) gives up
5 inches and 33 pounds to Owens, but is talking a good game.
“I face it as a challenge,” McDonald said. “I’m not going to back down to the guy just because he’s done a lot in his years.
“I am sure I will do well against the guy even though he is a bigger, physical guy. I feel like I am a great technician.”
Owens caught 81 passes for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He’s likely headed to the Hall of Fame after making six Pro Bowls and totaling 882 catches.
McDonald, who will share coverage responsibilities with Eric Wright, said he’s never been matched up with anyone like Owens.
“Robert Meachem in college (was the closest),” McDonald said of the Saints receiver. “But he’s a long way from Terrell Owens.”
Owens is as gifted as it gets. He’s big, strong, fast and runs good routes. In his last trip to Cleveland with the Eagles in 2004, he caught four passes for 109 yards and two TDs.
“He’s still at the top of his game, so I know we feel like he can get open against anybody he plays,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said.
McDonald has been watching film of Owens for months, looking for any advantage. He even watched HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which featured a lot of Owens, including a slow-motion scene of him running on the beach, muscles rippling.
“No. I’m not scared,” McDonald said.
NICKEL COVERAGE
(Five points of interest in today’s game)
1. D.A. Da man
Browns QB Derek Anderson won 10 games and went to the Pro Bowl last season, but he still has plenty of doubters — especially after a rocky finish to 2007. His next challenge begins today, as Anderson makes his first opening-day start under the burden of lofty expectations and on national television.
2. 2 of the best
The battle at tight end shouldn’t get lost in the shadow of Terrell Owens-Braylon Edwards at receiver. Dallas’ Jason Witten and Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow are among the top three tight ends in the league (San Diego’s Antonio Gates) and have similar games. Both make the most of their athleticism and are often split wide and used as third receivers.
3. Mr. Jones
Adam “Pacman” Jones will be an X-factor after being reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell after a series of off-field incidents. Browns coach Romeo Crennel referred to him as Mr. Jones during the week, but Mr. Everything might’ve been more appropriate. He will play cornerback and return punts and could line up at receiver, where the Cowboys have been hit hard by injuries.
4. Is Joe ready to go?
Left tackle Joe Thomas was a Pro Bowler as a rookie and promised there’d be no sophomore slump. He’ll get a stern opening test versus linebacker Demarcus Ware, who had 14 sacks in 2007. “He’s a great power pass rusher with a bull rush, then works other moves off that,” Thomas said. “He’ll probably be the best I’ve seen.”
5. Familiar faces
Mel Tucker will make his debut as Browns defensive coordinator in front of his two predecessors. Dave Campo, coordinator in 2003-04 under Butch Davis, is secondary coach for Dallas, where he was head coach from 2000-02. Todd Grantham was fired following 2007 after three seasons working for Romeo Crennel. Grantham’s in charge of the Cowboys defensive line.
GAME INFO
WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium TIME: 4:15 p.m.
WHAT: Season opener
SERIES: Browns lead 15-10 in regular season, 2-1 in playoffs
SERIES AT CLEVELAND: Browns lead 9-3
LAST MEETING: Cowboys won 19-12 on Sept. 19, 2004, in Texas Stadium
COACHES: Romeo Crennel is 20-28 with Browns and overall; Wade Phillips is 13-3 with Cowboys and 61-42 overall
TV/RADIO: Channel 8, with broadcasters Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver; WMMS
100.7-FM
2007 NFL RANKINGS (OUT OF 32 TEAMS): Browns — offense 8th (10th rushing, 12th passing), defense 30th (27th rushing, 24th passing); Cowboys — offense 3rd (17th rushing, 4th passing), defense 9th (6th rushing, 13th passing)
BROWNS UPDATE: Went 0-4 in the exhibition season, the team’s first winless preseason since 1972.
• OLB Antwan Peek is out for the season after tearing a patellar tendon. Rookie Alex Hall will be used as a pass rusher in his place.
• QB Derek Anderson missed two preseason games with a concussion, but will start.
• WR Donte Stallworth, NT Shaun Rogers and DE Corey Williams will make their Cleveland debuts.
• Mel Tucker will call his first game as defensive coordinator.
COWBOYS UPDATE: Took Arkansas RB Felix Jones with 22nd pick in the draft. The pick was acquired from Browns for the 22nd pick in 2007, which Browns used to take QB Brady Quinn.
• QB Tony Romo set club records with 335 completions, 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns last year.
• TE Jason Witten made his fourth Pro Bowl after catching 96 passes for 1,145 yards.
• CB Anthony Henry, a former Brown, led Dallas with six interceptions.
• The starting offensive line averages 6-foot-6, 327 pounds per man.
BROWNS INJURY REPORT: Out: TE Martin Rucker (knee), LB Kris Griffin (elbow); Questionable: G Rex Hadnot (knee), S Brodney Pool (concussion), OL Ryan Tucker (hip), RB Jamal Lewis (hamstring), WR Joshua Cribbs (ankle), LB Beau Bell (knee); Probable: S Sean Jones (knee), K Phil Dawson (back).
COWBOYS INJURY REPORT: Out: WR Miles Austin (knee), WR Sam Hurd (ankle), G Kyle Kosier (foot), LB Anthony Spencer (knee); Questionable: CB Terence Newman (groin), WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder).
THE PICK: The Cowboys and Browns are even on offense, but Dallas’ defense has the edge, especially in the pass rush. A rowdy crowd can’t make up the difference.
Cowboys 30-24.
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Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram September 7th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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