Cowboys beat writer Brandon George answered questions in a live chat on Thursday. Here are some highlights.
Comment From Andrew ... Please tell me that Jerry will realize he is going to have to pay up to get some REAL players for our Defense? Anyone out there next year free agent wise? Thanks!
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Stephen Jones talked today about how the Cowboys will look to address the defense in the off-season. He said it's obvious there are some areas that can be improved in the defense. Of course, the secondary is near the top of the list, but the Cowboys will also need linebacker help next season with Bradie James and Keith Brooking perhaps gone after this year and another solid pass-rusher would sure help DeMarcus Ware.
Comment From Dawson ... Terence Newman - Most overated player in NFL and over paid player in the NFL. How does upper management and coaches overlook his lack of effort on defense?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Newman has certainly struggled over the last month and a half. He continues to play six to eight yards off the ball and has shied away from press coverage. He's not the same athlete he once was and it has really shown as this year has progressed. You might not see him back next year. That certainly wouldn't be a surprise.
Comment From FireJerrah.com ... Please tell me how we justify giving these contracts to players like sensabaugh, scandrick, newman and get nowhere near the return?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys rewarded Sensabaugh, who is having a solid year, with an extension. The Cowboys gave Scandrick an extension in training camp, and I thought that was too soon. But the Cowboys are high on his future and believe he could step in and replace Newman if he doesn't return.
Comment From D or die ... why not sit Spencer and play more butler? Has to help pass rush, right?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Cowboys coach Jason Garrett pointed out today that Spencer has put more pressure on the QB than people recognize and just because his sack numbers aren't high doesn't mean he's not effective. Some of that is true, but Spencer needs to be more consistent. Spencer said today that he wants to be back for the Cowboys next year but there have been no talks about an extension. He's a free agent after this year.
Comment From Guest ...why does the DMN continue to hype jj and this team when both seem so totally dysfunctional? Tell it like it is.
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): I don't think anyone is spinning anything for Jerry Jones. I know I'm certainly not. We report what Jerry Jones says because he's the owner and general manager of the Cowboys. Everyone reports what Jerry Jones says.
Comment From ajg ... Without pressure on Eli, he will light up this defense for 400+....why should we think it will be different this time & how do you think they will accomplish this?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Eli has dropped back almost 100 times in a row against the Cowboys without Dallas getting a sack against him. The Cowboys can't afford to blitz too much considering how bad the secondary has played. It will be a challenge to get pressure and still try to cover those Giants' receivers.
Brandon, will Demarco ever be the same after his type of injury?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Yes, he should be able to make a full recovery. Murray has dealt with several injuries in his career. He knows how to push himself in rehab. He should be fine.
Comment From Aaron ... Nothing to do with Sunday's game, but with the recent allegations against former Cowboy Sam Hurd - should Cowboy fans be nervous that other members of the Cowboys current team could have been involved with same either on the distribution or using side of his drug charges?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys say they're not concerned with that, and Hurd's agent said that's not an issue. That said, the Cowboys are certainly aware of the possibility and had talks with their security people about it.
Comment From AO ... I feel similarly about the Cowboys - Giants game as I did for the game at Philly three years ago. I was nervous about that game and my fears were realized with a 44-6 drubbing. Especially if the Cowboys get down early, I think NY runs away with this thing.
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): For sure the Cowboys needs to get off to a fast start on the road or it could get ugly and out of hand. The Cowboys probably like their chances better these days of playing from behind the way they've blown leads this year.
Comment From markm ... I wonder about our conditioning of players, we constantly have the same players over and over on the injury list, felix, romo, austin, lee. What is the deal? Is it just poor conditioning, poor talent, or are we just an average mediocre team?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Certainly some players for the Cowboys do get hurt more, but they hired strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik to help with this and get players in better shape. No off-season certainly hurt.
Comment From markm ... If we couldnt beat them here 2 weeks ago with a 12 point lead late in the 4th qtr, and now romo will not be a 100% with an injured throwing hand, what is to make anyone believe that this game will even be close?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): It's hard to argue with you. But the Giants have been inconsistent, too. Which Giants' team shows up? It's one game. Anything can happen. But Romo will have to have a monster game to get the Cowboys in the playoffs.
Comment From Andrew ... Please tell me that Jerry will realize he is going to have to pay up to get some REAL players for our Defense? Anyone out there next year free agent wise? Thanks!
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Stephen Jones talked today about how the Cowboys will look to address the defense in the off-season. He said it's obvious there are some areas that can be improved in the defense. Of course, the secondary is near the top of the list, but the Cowboys will also need linebacker help next season with Bradie James and Keith Brooking perhaps gone after this year and another solid pass-rusher would sure help DeMarcus Ware.
Comment From Dawson ... Terence Newman - Most overated player in NFL and over paid player in the NFL. How does upper management and coaches overlook his lack of effort on defense?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Newman has certainly struggled over the last month and a half. He continues to play six to eight yards off the ball and has shied away from press coverage. He's not the same athlete he once was and it has really shown as this year has progressed. You might not see him back next year. That certainly wouldn't be a surprise.
Comment From FireJerrah.com ... Please tell me how we justify giving these contracts to players like sensabaugh, scandrick, newman and get nowhere near the return?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys rewarded Sensabaugh, who is having a solid year, with an extension. The Cowboys gave Scandrick an extension in training camp, and I thought that was too soon. But the Cowboys are high on his future and believe he could step in and replace Newman if he doesn't return.
Comment From D or die ... why not sit Spencer and play more butler? Has to help pass rush, right?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Cowboys coach Jason Garrett pointed out today that Spencer has put more pressure on the QB than people recognize and just because his sack numbers aren't high doesn't mean he's not effective. Some of that is true, but Spencer needs to be more consistent. Spencer said today that he wants to be back for the Cowboys next year but there have been no talks about an extension. He's a free agent after this year.
Comment From Guest ...why does the DMN continue to hype jj and this team when both seem so totally dysfunctional? Tell it like it is.
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): I don't think anyone is spinning anything for Jerry Jones. I know I'm certainly not. We report what Jerry Jones says because he's the owner and general manager of the Cowboys. Everyone reports what Jerry Jones says.
Comment From ajg ... Without pressure on Eli, he will light up this defense for 400+....why should we think it will be different this time & how do you think they will accomplish this?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Eli has dropped back almost 100 times in a row against the Cowboys without Dallas getting a sack against him. The Cowboys can't afford to blitz too much considering how bad the secondary has played. It will be a challenge to get pressure and still try to cover those Giants' receivers.
Brandon, will Demarco ever be the same after his type of injury?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Yes, he should be able to make a full recovery. Murray has dealt with several injuries in his career. He knows how to push himself in rehab. He should be fine.
Comment From Aaron ... Nothing to do with Sunday's game, but with the recent allegations against former Cowboy Sam Hurd - should Cowboy fans be nervous that other members of the Cowboys current team could have been involved with same either on the distribution or using side of his drug charges?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys say they're not concerned with that, and Hurd's agent said that's not an issue. That said, the Cowboys are certainly aware of the possibility and had talks with their security people about it.
Comment From AO ... I feel similarly about the Cowboys - Giants game as I did for the game at Philly three years ago. I was nervous about that game and my fears were realized with a 44-6 drubbing. Especially if the Cowboys get down early, I think NY runs away with this thing.
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): For sure the Cowboys needs to get off to a fast start on the road or it could get ugly and out of hand. The Cowboys probably like their chances better these days of playing from behind the way they've blown leads this year.
Comment From markm ... I wonder about our conditioning of players, we constantly have the same players over and over on the injury list, felix, romo, austin, lee. What is the deal? Is it just poor conditioning, poor talent, or are we just an average mediocre team?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Certainly some players for the Cowboys do get hurt more, but they hired strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik to help with this and get players in better shape. No off-season certainly hurt.
Comment From markm ... If we couldnt beat them here 2 weeks ago with a 12 point lead late in the 4th qtr, and now romo will not be a 100% with an injured throwing hand, what is to make anyone believe that this game will even be close?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): It's hard to argue with you. But the Giants have been inconsistent, too. Which Giants' team shows up? It's one game. Anything can happen. But Romo will have to have a monster game to get the Cowboys in the playoffs.