Dallas Cowboys third-string quarterback Brooks Bollinger got some reps with the first-team offense today. That probably means the Cowboys are so distraught with backup QB Brad Johnson’s 60.3 passer rating after two starts filling in for injured Tony Romo, they’re willing to turn things over to a guy who couldn’t crack the top three (Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, John David Booty) in Minnesota this preseason. I have to admit, I’m surprised at Brad’s dismal performance so far. With his considerable knowledge and experience, I thought he was a perfect backup quarterback for just about any team in the National Football League. But his best last chance might be during the first half of Sunday’s game against the rival N.Y. Giants. If Brad continues to struggle, not only will he be demoted, he might give retirement some serious thought.

Source: ESPN.com

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Brad Johnson or Brooks Bollinger?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

When Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo injured his throwing hand two weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals, it was anticipated he would miss up to one month of playing time. Surprisingly, Tony had thoughts of returning from that hand injury last week against the St. Louis Rams. It didn’t happen and the Cowboys were routed. Now it looks like we’re back to the original plan. On Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens’ radio show (I bet that’s really something to listen to) tonight, Tony said he won’t play this Sunday against Tampa:

“I’ll say it will be Brad (Johnson). Brad is going to go this week, unless something different happens that we don’t foresee. It will be very difficult to change. It took a long time to come up what the trainers did (a brace for the finger) and it was awesome what they did. But we will go back to the drawing board and see what we can come up with — and it is what it is and right now. We’re going to rally around Brad and hopefully we can get two wins out of this and go into the bye and get everyone healthy and go on from there.”

Yeah, right. The Cowboys are screwed. And it sounds like Tony is going to miss two more games. This team is going to have to hope for one heck of a second half run. The 2008 season might not be working out the way they had planned, but it’s still possible the Cowboys can come out of this mess with the end result they were ultimately hoping for.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Tony Romo Will Miss Another Game

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware tied an NFL sack record by recording a sack in his 10th straight game this afternoon. But it was the only good news the Cowboys had as they were not only beaten — they were lambasted by the revived St. Louis Rams 34-14. DeMarcus finished the day with three sacks and led the Cowboys with seven tackles. Interestingly, though he now shares the NFL record, DeMarcus remains one game shy of the franchise record. The Cowboys recognize Harvey Martin’s 11-game streak from 1976-77, a run that ended five years before the sack became an official statistic, as the number to beat.

This was a chaotic week for the Cowboys — Tony Romo’s injury, Adam “Pacman” Jones’ suspension, more injuries to rookie running back Felix Jones and punter Mat McBrier, trading with Detroit for receiver Roy Williams — and I guess I overestimated backup QB Brad Johnson’s veteran ability at 40-years-old. He had three interceptions today. But Brad was not the only reason the Cowboys lost today. It was a team effort. DeMarcus will certainly put this sack record on the backburner as the Cowboys try to regroup and figure out what is wrong with their team.

Source: NFL.com

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DeMarcus Ware Ties NFL Sack Record

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be ready to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. At least that’s what a “high-ranking Cowboys source” said today. Tony broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in a 30-24 loss at Arizona last weekend and it was initially reported that he would be out for up to a month. Tony didn’t practice today but did throw the ball on the side with good velocity and confidence. Again, that’s according to an unnamed source because part of practice was closed to the media. Tony appeared briefly in the locker room with the broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand heavily wrapped before escaping quickly without comment.

This is all speculation and really a non-story until Cowboys owner Jerry Jones or head coach Wade Phillips says it’s something. Brad Johnson is still scheduled to be the starting QB Sunday. I think the team has enough confidence in Brad to give Tony the rest he needs until that finger is properly healed.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Tony Romo Ready to Play?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo fractured a finger on his throwing hand against the Arizona Cardinals yesterday and could be out for up to four weeks. Tony broke his right pinkie on the first play of a disastrous overtime for the Cowboys. They won the toss, then proceeded to go three-and-out and had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown to lose the game. Tony had difficulty gripping the ball and throwing since the injury, but he won’t need surgery. Head coach Wade Phillips was nevertheless optimistic:

“Brad Johnson is going to be playing quarterback for us this week and we have complete confidence in him. Our team, I think, will rally around him, along with the rest of the guys playing, and everybody is going to do their job and they’re going to do it the best they can do it, and we’re going to demand they do that, and that’s what’s going to happen.”

Fantasy owners will cry the blues about Tony’s injury, but I don’t think this is the biggest problem for the Dallas Cowboys right now. Brad Johnson is a very capable backup QB and while he won’t offer Tony’s big play ability and gun-slinging mentality, he should give the Cowboys a more balanced attack. Let’s face it, the running game has been inconsistent this season and with Brad at the helm, I expect the Cowboys to recommit themselves to a ground attack. Brad’s a smart, experienced and talented backup quarterback who will perform very well. Despite what some people will want you to believe, there’s really not a lot of drop-off here — just different styles.

There’s more injury news to go around, though. Felix Jones’ strained hamstring will cause him to miss a couple games. Plus, cornerback Terence Newman is out for at least three more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia last week. Those are both potentially nagging, ongoing injuries. Safeties Roy Williams (broken arm) and Pat Watkins (neck) could return this week against the Rams but probably won’t be 100%. Receiver/special teamer Sam Hurd needs ankle surgery. And punter Mat McBriar fractured his right foot on the aforementioned blocked punt and is out 6-8 weeks. Throw in the potential Adam Jones punishment/suspension/banishment and whatever Terrell Owens wants to add to the mix and you’ve got a team in disarray.

Source: DallasCowboys.com, Photo: Newscom

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Tony Romo Out For One Month