Let's get to the news first.Dez Bryant is a game-time decision. He told me he's feeling fine, but wouldn't say if he's going to play. Dwayne Harris did say he's on alert if Bryant doesn't play. Harris will return punts. Also, Bill Nagy wasn't expected to practice and Derrick Dockery will start at left guard if necessary.
Now to the chat.
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PL (SC)
Calvin, why are you so negative on the boyz??They lost one gameand you and the rest of the media want to bash them....I just don't understand with a somewhat easy road ahead they can go 12-4/11-5......
Calvin Watkins (3:03 PM)
PL, The loss to the New York Jets was a game the Cowboys were supposed to finish and they didn't. Tony Romo committed two fourth quarter turnovers that cost the team the game. Don't know how I'm supposed to be positive with that.
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Clayton from san antonio ,texas [via mobile]
I am a huge Cowboy fan, and support everything about them. My question iz who is our QB in say 3 yrs.?
Calvin Watkins (3:04 PM)
Tony Romo, unless the Cowboys draft someone in 2012 and groom them to replace Romo when his contract ends in 2013.
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Stephen (albany New York)
I was wondering why didnt the cowboys try to use Murray more? like the goal line or short yardage i mean we drafted him for that reason am i right
Calvin Watkins (3:05 PM)
I would say Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are better options down there until Murray gets up to speed. When Murray got some carries, he didn't do much with them.
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Rich (Stratton Mountain)
What do the Cowboys need to do against the 49ers so they don't have a repeat perfermance from the Jets game?
Calvin Watkins (3:07 PM)
Finish. That's the bottom line. I thought the Cowboys outplayed the Jets for 55 minutes until things went haywire on them. Cowboys should be 1-0.
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Tyler (Athens, GA)
Calvin Do you think cutting Marion Barber hurt or helped the Cowboys?
Calvin Watkins (3:08 PM)
Helped. It allowed the team to move Felix Jones into the starting lineup and by drafting DeMarco Murray to challenge Tashard Choice for playing time. If you keep Marion you're unable to do that. If you notice, Barber is hurt in Chicago.
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Chris (Syracuse NY)
Why does Jason Garret get away with calling shotgun plays on the goal line? Felix Jones was running harder this preseason. Tashard Choice has something to prove. The offensive line looked better. Why not use a goal line package? And if you don't score, your easily up 10, late in the fourth. I like Jason Garret, but he is to blame, for that game. Horrible play calling.
Calvin Watkins (3:12 PM)
Chris, In the first quarter, the Cowboys got to the Jets 6 and were in a basic set and gained three yards. Cowboys threw the next two plays and got a touchdown on the third one. The second down play should have been a touchdown but Miles Austin falls down coming out of his break.In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys got within the Jets five, twice. It used nose tackle Josh-Prince Brent as a fullback in a tight formation and passed. The second play, regular formation and Felix Jones score.On the Romo fumble, the first play was out of the basic set, no shotgun. I had no problems with the shotgun formations.
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Midswat (Under your bed)
What's the dynamic between Dez Bryant & Miles Austin? How do the two receivers with clear #1 ability get along in practice and on the field? Any bickering about looks?
Calvin Watkins (3:13 PM)
No. The two players like each other and Bryant talks with Austin about how to run routes, the types of plays etc. No T.O.s here.
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Josh (Knoxville, TN)
Where was Jay Ratliff on Sunday night? Seems like he was kind of a no-show.
Calvin Watkins (3:14 PM)
Rat was double-teammed most of the evening and when he did get some one-on-one situations, he put some pressure on the pocket. The problem is, Ratliff, because he's so good, is going to be taken out of plays. When that happens, other players, the inside linebackers for instance, have to step up, which is what Sean Lee did on Sunday night.
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James taylor (Orange, ca)
Is this a must win game for the Cowboys?
Calvin Watkins (3:15 PM)
Not really. If the Cowboys lose, then you might see some panic. But I don't think that's going to happen. Expect the Cowboys to win on Sunday.
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Wayne (Oklahoma)
Rob Ryan didnt look very happy after the game Sunday night. Does he have the personnel to run his style of defense or are we still building that direction
Calvin Watkins (3:15 PM)
I talked to Rob about this today and he said he was mad about one of the offensive players getting pushed and no penalty was called. Ryan hates to watch the tape of the games because he wants to move on quickly. But he's fine.
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shawn (Ashe Co, NC)
Hey, Calvin! What are your thoughts on the new CB that Dallas added this week?
Calvin Watkins (3:17 PM)
Frank Walker has some ability and he knows the scheme. Walker just needs to get down the terminology of the defense. Not sure how much he'll play but if so, expect him on some dime packages.
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Joe M (Hazleton, Pa)
Without Dez. do we have enough weapons to win? Seems like the 49ers can play 8 in the box to stop the run and double team Austin (who is also banged up)
Calvin Watkins (3:19 PM)
Austin isn't as nicked as one might think, but I hear you Joe. With no Dez Bryant, it will be a difficult game for the Cowboys. But you forget Jason Witten and Felix Jones are two other playmakers in the offense. The defense didn't play bad vs. the Jets, so things will get better this week for your team.
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Kyle Work (Maryland)
I feel the Boys should have cut Newman this offseason and gone after Joseph or another 2nd tier corner in the. Newman is great but injured all the time. Thought?
Calvin Watkins (3:21 PM)
Not a big Joseph guy, but the Cowboys tried to sign Asomugha but it didn't happen. Nothing wrong with Newman, he's just older and needs to stay healthy. But I would think 2012 would have Jenkins and Scandrick as the starting cornerbacks.
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Now to the chat.
-----------------------
PL (SC)
Calvin, why are you so negative on the boyz??They lost one gameand you and the rest of the media want to bash them....I just don't understand with a somewhat easy road ahead they can go 12-4/11-5......
Calvin Watkins (3:03 PM)
PL, The loss to the New York Jets was a game the Cowboys were supposed to finish and they didn't. Tony Romo committed two fourth quarter turnovers that cost the team the game. Don't know how I'm supposed to be positive with that.
--------------
Clayton from san antonio ,texas [via mobile]
I am a huge Cowboy fan, and support everything about them. My question iz who is our QB in say 3 yrs.?
Calvin Watkins (3:04 PM)
Tony Romo, unless the Cowboys draft someone in 2012 and groom them to replace Romo when his contract ends in 2013.
---------------
Stephen (albany New York)
I was wondering why didnt the cowboys try to use Murray more? like the goal line or short yardage i mean we drafted him for that reason am i right
Calvin Watkins (3:05 PM)
I would say Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are better options down there until Murray gets up to speed. When Murray got some carries, he didn't do much with them.
---------------
Rich (Stratton Mountain)
What do the Cowboys need to do against the 49ers so they don't have a repeat perfermance from the Jets game?
Calvin Watkins (3:07 PM)
Finish. That's the bottom line. I thought the Cowboys outplayed the Jets for 55 minutes until things went haywire on them. Cowboys should be 1-0.
----------------
Tyler (Athens, GA)
Calvin Do you think cutting Marion Barber hurt or helped the Cowboys?
Calvin Watkins (3:08 PM)
Helped. It allowed the team to move Felix Jones into the starting lineup and by drafting DeMarco Murray to challenge Tashard Choice for playing time. If you keep Marion you're unable to do that. If you notice, Barber is hurt in Chicago.
--------------------
Chris (Syracuse NY)
Why does Jason Garret get away with calling shotgun plays on the goal line? Felix Jones was running harder this preseason. Tashard Choice has something to prove. The offensive line looked better. Why not use a goal line package? And if you don't score, your easily up 10, late in the fourth. I like Jason Garret, but he is to blame, for that game. Horrible play calling.
Calvin Watkins (3:12 PM)
Chris, In the first quarter, the Cowboys got to the Jets 6 and were in a basic set and gained three yards. Cowboys threw the next two plays and got a touchdown on the third one. The second down play should have been a touchdown but Miles Austin falls down coming out of his break.In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys got within the Jets five, twice. It used nose tackle Josh-Prince Brent as a fullback in a tight formation and passed. The second play, regular formation and Felix Jones score.On the Romo fumble, the first play was out of the basic set, no shotgun. I had no problems with the shotgun formations.
----------------------
Midswat (Under your bed)
What's the dynamic between Dez Bryant & Miles Austin? How do the two receivers with clear #1 ability get along in practice and on the field? Any bickering about looks?
Calvin Watkins (3:13 PM)
No. The two players like each other and Bryant talks with Austin about how to run routes, the types of plays etc. No T.O.s here.
-----------------------
Josh (Knoxville, TN)
Where was Jay Ratliff on Sunday night? Seems like he was kind of a no-show.
Calvin Watkins (3:14 PM)
Rat was double-teammed most of the evening and when he did get some one-on-one situations, he put some pressure on the pocket. The problem is, Ratliff, because he's so good, is going to be taken out of plays. When that happens, other players, the inside linebackers for instance, have to step up, which is what Sean Lee did on Sunday night.
----------------------
James taylor (Orange, ca)
Is this a must win game for the Cowboys?
Calvin Watkins (3:15 PM)
Not really. If the Cowboys lose, then you might see some panic. But I don't think that's going to happen. Expect the Cowboys to win on Sunday.
----------------------
Wayne (Oklahoma)
Rob Ryan didnt look very happy after the game Sunday night. Does he have the personnel to run his style of defense or are we still building that direction
Calvin Watkins (3:15 PM)
I talked to Rob about this today and he said he was mad about one of the offensive players getting pushed and no penalty was called. Ryan hates to watch the tape of the games because he wants to move on quickly. But he's fine.
-------------------
shawn (Ashe Co, NC)
Hey, Calvin! What are your thoughts on the new CB that Dallas added this week?
Calvin Watkins (3:17 PM)
Frank Walker has some ability and he knows the scheme. Walker just needs to get down the terminology of the defense. Not sure how much he'll play but if so, expect him on some dime packages.
---------------------
Joe M (Hazleton, Pa)
Without Dez. do we have enough weapons to win? Seems like the 49ers can play 8 in the box to stop the run and double team Austin (who is also banged up)
Calvin Watkins (3:19 PM)
Austin isn't as nicked as one might think, but I hear you Joe. With no Dez Bryant, it will be a difficult game for the Cowboys. But you forget Jason Witten and Felix Jones are two other playmakers in the offense. The defense didn't play bad vs. the Jets, so things will get better this week for your team.
---------------------
Kyle Work (Maryland)
I feel the Boys should have cut Newman this offseason and gone after Joseph or another 2nd tier corner in the. Newman is great but injured all the time. Thought?
Calvin Watkins (3:21 PM)
Not a big Joseph guy, but the Cowboys tried to sign Asomugha but it didn't happen. Nothing wrong with Newman, he's just older and needs to stay healthy. But I would think 2012 would have Jenkins and Scandrick as the starting cornerbacks.
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