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Cowboys must deal with Marc Colombo's knee, Alex Barron's psyche
01:43 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 14, 2010
BY GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
gfraley@dallasnews.com
IRVING – The Cowboys face a two-headed problem at offensive right tackle this week: the knee of Marc Colombo and the psyche of Alex Barron.
[Click image for a larger version] RON JENKINS/Special Contributor
RON JENKINS/Special Contributor
Alex Barron apologized to Roy Williams for his penalty that cost the Cowboys an opportunity to win Sunday.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that Colombo is expected to return to practice Wednesday. Colombo has not practiced since Aug. 15, when loose bodies in the right knee forced him to undergo arthroscopic surgery.
If Colombo can practice, he likely will start in the home opener against Chicago. The Cowboys will monitor Colombo's practice work. He has had two major leg injuries in the last 10 months.
"I have to see what happens with him," Phillips said. "If he comes back like he was, he'll be fine."
Because they are uncertain about Colombo's status, the Cowboys must also prepare Barron to play. It will be a rebuilding of the mind.
Barron had three holding penalties during Sunday's loss at Washington. According to STATS LLC, Barron is the first player to have three holding calls in the same game since journeyman tackle Tony Pashos, with Jacksonville in 2008.
"Alex has tried to do everything we've asked him to do," Phillips said. "I'm not happy he had the penalties, but I think he'll try to correct that."
The final penalty nullified what would have been Roy Williams' game-tying touchdown reception. A distraught Barron sat with Williams on the charter flight home and repeatedly apologized for his play.
"It happens," Williams said. "You don't want it to happen in that situation. The last play of the game, it's tough."
Choice's first fumble a bad one: Running back Tashard Choice's fumble at the end of the first half of the loss at Washington was out of character.
Before the instantly infamous play, Choice had handled the football 194 times in the NFL without fumbling. On the play, DeAngelo Hall pulled the ball loose and returned the fumble 32 yards for Washington's only touchdown.
"I don't fumble," Choice said. "That's something I am going to hold against myself. I have to make sure I regroup and come back from it."
Choice handled the football four times in the second half and produced 15 yards of total offense without fumbling.
Briefly: Guard Kyle Kosier (knee ligament) will practice Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 18. Kosier is also likely to play against Chicago. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (neck) is also expected to practice. ... The 12 infractions against Washington cost the Cowboys a total of 131 yards in penalties and lost offensive yardage. Former coach Bill Parcells called this "hidden yardage" and said every 100 yards equaled seven lost points. ... Defensive end Marcus Spears blamed himself for Washington being able to gain 35 yards on five carries on a fourth-quarter possession that ended in a field goal. Spears said he abandoned his main assignment of controlling a gap, creating openings for the Redskins.
• • •
01:43 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 14, 2010
BY GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
gfraley@dallasnews.com
IRVING – The Cowboys face a two-headed problem at offensive right tackle this week: the knee of Marc Colombo and the psyche of Alex Barron.
[Click image for a larger version] RON JENKINS/Special Contributor
RON JENKINS/Special Contributor
Alex Barron apologized to Roy Williams for his penalty that cost the Cowboys an opportunity to win Sunday.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that Colombo is expected to return to practice Wednesday. Colombo has not practiced since Aug. 15, when loose bodies in the right knee forced him to undergo arthroscopic surgery.
If Colombo can practice, he likely will start in the home opener against Chicago. The Cowboys will monitor Colombo's practice work. He has had two major leg injuries in the last 10 months.
"I have to see what happens with him," Phillips said. "If he comes back like he was, he'll be fine."
Because they are uncertain about Colombo's status, the Cowboys must also prepare Barron to play. It will be a rebuilding of the mind.
Barron had three holding penalties during Sunday's loss at Washington. According to STATS LLC, Barron is the first player to have three holding calls in the same game since journeyman tackle Tony Pashos, with Jacksonville in 2008.
"Alex has tried to do everything we've asked him to do," Phillips said. "I'm not happy he had the penalties, but I think he'll try to correct that."
The final penalty nullified what would have been Roy Williams' game-tying touchdown reception. A distraught Barron sat with Williams on the charter flight home and repeatedly apologized for his play.
"It happens," Williams said. "You don't want it to happen in that situation. The last play of the game, it's tough."
Choice's first fumble a bad one: Running back Tashard Choice's fumble at the end of the first half of the loss at Washington was out of character.
Before the instantly infamous play, Choice had handled the football 194 times in the NFL without fumbling. On the play, DeAngelo Hall pulled the ball loose and returned the fumble 32 yards for Washington's only touchdown.
"I don't fumble," Choice said. "That's something I am going to hold against myself. I have to make sure I regroup and come back from it."
Choice handled the football four times in the second half and produced 15 yards of total offense without fumbling.
Briefly: Guard Kyle Kosier (knee ligament) will practice Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 18. Kosier is also likely to play against Chicago. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (neck) is also expected to practice. ... The 12 infractions against Washington cost the Cowboys a total of 131 yards in penalties and lost offensive yardage. Former coach Bill Parcells called this "hidden yardage" and said every 100 yards equaled seven lost points. ... Defensive end Marcus Spears blamed himself for Washington being able to gain 35 yards on five carries on a fourth-quarter possession that ended in a field goal. Spears said he abandoned his main assignment of controlling a gap, creating openings for the Redskins.
• • •