|  Wys³any: 2019-07-19 02:55:42 Temat postu: good to great on a December winning stre
IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys had their roughest day on defence when they lost to Philadelphia on Thanksgiving to raise doubts about their playoff hopes.They responded with four straight games that were anywhere from good to great on a December winning streak that ended a four-year post-season drought.We took a butt-kicking like men, said defensive end Jeremy Mincey, and came back and retaliated like men.Theres a similar bounce-back theme for Dallas (12-4) in Sundays wild-card game against Detroit (11-5) because the Cowboys gave up a franchise-record 480 yards passing to Matt Stafford in a 31-30 loss to the Lions last year.Not only did Calvin Johnson have 329 yards receiving — the second-most in NFL history — but the Cowboys let the Lions go 80 yards in just 50 seconds in the final minute for the winning touchdown.Stafford sees something different this year, though.Theyre in all the right spots all the time, it seems to me, he said. Theyre playing extremely physical up front and doing a great job of playing with a bunch of passion and getting after the passer and stopping the run on the way.Big plays were a problem a year ago for the Dallas defence, which finished last in the league and gave up the first two 600-yard games in franchise history (yes, Detroit was one of them). And big plays were a problem against the Eagles on Thanksgiving, when LeSean McCoy had a 38-yard run to set up one score and Jeremy Maclin had a 58-yard catch to set up another.Whether that loss was an aberration or a trigger, its hard to say. But the Cowboys gave up 170 fewer yards in the rematch, held Indianapolis to 1 yard rushing a week later and had a season-high four takeaways in the regular-season finale against Washington.The big plays were definitely an aberration. The Cowboys gave up 135 big plays passing and rushing last season. That number was 85 this season.The ball is critical — turnover ratio, but certainly big plays are a close second to that, coach Jason Garrett said. If you prevent big plays, its hard for teams to score against you.It wasnt hard for teams to score against the Cowboys a year ago.You have to play good, sound, fundamental defence, you have to tackle well, Garrett said. So we really tried to make an emphasis on being better in those areas, and I think we have made improvement.Mincey wasnt around a year ago — he went to the Super Bowl with Denver before coming to the Cowboys as a free agent. He was a steady presence for an improving unit early in the season, and now has emerged as the team leader with six sacks.While the Cowboys were close to the bottom of the league in sacks, they had nine the last three games of the regular season. Theyve also forced 10 turnovers in that span, surging to second in the league with 31.Were dominating our opponents, Mincey said. Everybody understands whats going on, understanding what they need to do specifically as an individual and those individuals doing what they need to do in bringing a collective effort because everybody has the same frame of mind, same frequency.Linebacker Bruce Carter, who struggled with the switch to the 4-3 defence last year, had two interceptions last week against the Redskins and leads the team with five. Along with Brandon Carr struggling to stay with Johnson, Carters difficulties were exposed a year against Detroit.Bruce has always had a knack for making plays on the ball, whether its blocking punts or intercepting passes or picking up fumbles, Garrett said. But I think, like with anybody else, he gets better with experience.And the Dallas defence sure did get better after Thanksgiving.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Hydro Flask 32 OZ . With the Canadiens leading by one to start the third period, Price turned away 16 shots by the Panthers in the final frame to give Montreal a 2-1 victory over Florida on Monday night. The Panthers (16-21-6) outshot Montreal 16-10 in the final frame, but were repeatedly frustrated by Price, who made 26 saves on the night. Hydro Flask Vattenflaska . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. http://www.sverigehydroflask.com/ . Erik Logan, president of the network, said Friday that the postponement was made after meetings with the St. Louis Rams. Hydro Flask Coffee . "You hate when they score," he said with some distaste at the thought. "You take pride in it. Hydro Flask Tillbehör . Ribery, who won UEFAs best player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Bundesliga and German Cup titles. Messi, winner of the last four Ballon dOr awards in voting by coaches, team captains and media, was injured late in the season and could not prevent Barcelona from being beaten by Bayern in the Champions League semifinals.BALTIMORE - Right-hander Bud Norris has agreed to an $8.8 million, one-year contract with Baltimore, and infielder Ryan Flaherty settled with the Orioles on a one-year deal for $1,075,000.Norris would get a $25,000 bonus for 180 innings and $50,000 more for 200 under Mondays agreement. He also would earn $50,000 each for making the All-Star game or winning a Gold Glove.Norris, who turns 30 on March 2, was 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts last season, when he made $5.3 million. He had asked for a raise to $10.25 million and been offered $7.5 million. Norris is elligible for free agency after this season.ddddddddddddThe 28-year-old Flaherty hit .221 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 312 plate appearances last year, when he made $512,500. He appeared in all four infield positions, left field and right field.Flaherty had asked for $1.5 million in arbitration and had been offered $900,000. He would get a $25,000 bonus if he reaches 400 plate appearances this season.Four Orioles remain in arbitration: closer Zach Britton, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, outfielder Alejandro de Aza and first baseman Steve Pearce. ' ' ' |
good to great on a December winning stre
