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This had a redeeming quality to it
By Randy Galloway
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - It's like Terry Glenn told you:
Get your popcorn ready.
OK, wrong guy.
But the quiet-spoken Glenn was the receiver who delivered big-time in Sunday night show-time, and was among many who made considerable contributions in the Cowboys' 27-10 home-opening victory over the Redskins.
For gawd sake, there was even a Mike Vanderjagt success story attached to this one.
But in the category of whatever-happened-to-ol'-what's-his-name...
Eldorado Owens wasn't peddling popcorn as he made his local debut.
His concession stand item of choice was Butterfinger. And then broken finger.
Three drops by Owens, one in the end zone, brought down the boos from a Texas Stadium fandom figuring on more from a $10 million receiver.
Owens had three first-quarter catches, then seemed to disappear, particularly after he was popped hard after a weak alligator arms drop.
By the fourth quarter, Jerry Jones' favorite receiver was in the locker room, asking for X-rays, and later it was announced Owens had a broken finger.
Surgery will be required, with an absence of two to four weeks, which is flexible considering his "slow" recovery from a tweaked hamstring.
Once again, Owens' NFL injury history is an ongoing process, but the Cowboys knew this risk when they signed him.
Meanwhile, back to the real players, because this was an evening of redemption for those who had been so dismal a week ago in Jacksonville.
Glenn, by the way, was prominent on that list.
But Sunday night, he figured heavily in all three Cowboys touchdowns, highlighted by a vital breathing-room end-zone catch on the first play of the fourth quarter.
With the Cowboys hanging on to a 17-10 lead, and with nightmare memories of what happened a year ago -- same place, same Game 2 of the season -- Glenn split the coverage in the secondary and broke clear in the end zone.
Drew Bledsoe (speaking of a Jax bounce-back candidate) was perfect with his throw, expanding the Cowboys' lead to 14 points.
On the play, the 'Skins were zoning Glenn, but linebacker Lemar Marshall never had a prayer of providing help for safety Sean Taylor. Both were beaten badly
It highlighted a fine performance for Glenn, who set up the Cowboys' first TD with a 34-yard reception to the Washington 4-yard line. Ditto for the second touchdown when an open Glenn drew a blatant pass interference at the 'Skins' 5.
Glenn had six catches for 94 yards, but his contribution was much bigger than those numbers.
With the Cowboys up by 14, there was still an uneasy feeling, based on the dramatic collapse of a year ago. But here came Vanderjagt to bang home a 50-yard field goal, and suddenly, everything was all right.
Big Bill removed the Vandy dog collar for the home opener, and he responded.
And if Parcells was possibly fitting Bledsoe for a dog collar and a spot on the bench, then that is also no longer an immediate option.
In a total one-eighty from Jacksonville, Drew provided quarterbacking excellence against a defense known to rough up the slow and the immobile.
But working with a game plan that called for short drops and quick throws, Bledsoe found an early groove and delivered on target all evening.
He got away with one poor throw in the fourth quarter when a sure pick was dropped, but otherwise was victimized by his own receivers. There were an incredible eight drops, overall.
Combine that with 90 yards in penalties (50 in the first quarter) and you can understand why Parcells' postgame comment was, "I'm feeling ill right now. No, I'm telling you, I'm ill. I just want my team to play better."
Well, except for maybe his offensive line, which kept Bledsoe upright and also provided running room. The Cowboys rushed for 138 yards.
Then there was the defense.
Speaking of Jax-lag, this unit was awful against the Jaguars but rebounded to throw an end zone shutout against the Redskins.
Washington's only touchdown was Rock Cartwright's 100-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
"I think we made it harder on ourselves than it had to be," noted Parcells. "The penalties, mainly. And then the kickoff return kept them alive."
Eventually, however, Terry Glenn delivered the popcorn. It was better than a Butterfinger or a broken finger.
This had a redeeming quality to it
By Randy Galloway
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - It's like Terry Glenn told you:
Get your popcorn ready.
OK, wrong guy.
But the quiet-spoken Glenn was the receiver who delivered big-time in Sunday night show-time, and was among many who made considerable contributions in the Cowboys' 27-10 home-opening victory over the Redskins.
For gawd sake, there was even a Mike Vanderjagt success story attached to this one.
But in the category of whatever-happened-to-ol'-what's-his-name...
Eldorado Owens wasn't peddling popcorn as he made his local debut.
His concession stand item of choice was Butterfinger. And then broken finger.
Three drops by Owens, one in the end zone, brought down the boos from a Texas Stadium fandom figuring on more from a $10 million receiver.
Owens had three first-quarter catches, then seemed to disappear, particularly after he was popped hard after a weak alligator arms drop.
By the fourth quarter, Jerry Jones' favorite receiver was in the locker room, asking for X-rays, and later it was announced Owens had a broken finger.
Surgery will be required, with an absence of two to four weeks, which is flexible considering his "slow" recovery from a tweaked hamstring.
Once again, Owens' NFL injury history is an ongoing process, but the Cowboys knew this risk when they signed him.
Meanwhile, back to the real players, because this was an evening of redemption for those who had been so dismal a week ago in Jacksonville.
Glenn, by the way, was prominent on that list.
But Sunday night, he figured heavily in all three Cowboys touchdowns, highlighted by a vital breathing-room end-zone catch on the first play of the fourth quarter.
With the Cowboys hanging on to a 17-10 lead, and with nightmare memories of what happened a year ago -- same place, same Game 2 of the season -- Glenn split the coverage in the secondary and broke clear in the end zone.
Drew Bledsoe (speaking of a Jax bounce-back candidate) was perfect with his throw, expanding the Cowboys' lead to 14 points.
On the play, the 'Skins were zoning Glenn, but linebacker Lemar Marshall never had a prayer of providing help for safety Sean Taylor. Both were beaten badly
It highlighted a fine performance for Glenn, who set up the Cowboys' first TD with a 34-yard reception to the Washington 4-yard line. Ditto for the second touchdown when an open Glenn drew a blatant pass interference at the 'Skins' 5.
Glenn had six catches for 94 yards, but his contribution was much bigger than those numbers.
With the Cowboys up by 14, there was still an uneasy feeling, based on the dramatic collapse of a year ago. But here came Vanderjagt to bang home a 50-yard field goal, and suddenly, everything was all right.
Big Bill removed the Vandy dog collar for the home opener, and he responded.
And if Parcells was possibly fitting Bledsoe for a dog collar and a spot on the bench, then that is also no longer an immediate option.
In a total one-eighty from Jacksonville, Drew provided quarterbacking excellence against a defense known to rough up the slow and the immobile.
But working with a game plan that called for short drops and quick throws, Bledsoe found an early groove and delivered on target all evening.
He got away with one poor throw in the fourth quarter when a sure pick was dropped, but otherwise was victimized by his own receivers. There were an incredible eight drops, overall.
Combine that with 90 yards in penalties (50 in the first quarter) and you can understand why Parcells' postgame comment was, "I'm feeling ill right now. No, I'm telling you, I'm ill. I just want my team to play better."
Well, except for maybe his offensive line, which kept Bledsoe upright and also provided running room. The Cowboys rushed for 138 yards.
Then there was the defense.
Speaking of Jax-lag, this unit was awful against the Jaguars but rebounded to throw an end zone shutout against the Redskins.
Washington's only touchdown was Rock Cartwright's 100-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
"I think we made it harder on ourselves than it had to be," noted Parcells. "The penalties, mainly. And then the kickoff return kept them alive."
Eventually, however, Terry Glenn delivered the popcorn. It was better than a Butterfinger or a broken finger.
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