Cowboys/Cardinals - 10/20/02

[Eugene Michaels]

ARIZONA CARDINALS ?3.5 (Sunday) - Now I am not usually a big fan of giving more than a field goal with a team like Arizona, but they appear to have made some significant strides this year while the Cowboys have struggled on the road. The Cardinals actually have a winning record at 3-2, and they have scored more points than they have allowed for the first time in memory at this point of the season. They have also won the last 3 meetings with Dallas here in the desert. Aside for the Cowboys' shocking win at St. Louis, they have been awful in their other road games, including an outright loss to the expansion Texans. Dallas is struggling terribly on offense, averaging just 14.7 points per game overall, and they are a woeful 13-29 ATS in their last 42 road games.

 

[Valuist]

Arizona has really improved their run D. Asking Quincy Carter to win the game thru the air on the road? No thanks. I believe Dallas has bad numbers on natural grass going back a few years. Like the write ups.

 

[wigs]

good luck cowboys with plenty of injuries to an already disgusting offense..

dallasnews

"The signing of Jeremy McKinney (6-6, 300) became urgent Friday because of a groin strain suffered by right tackle Javiar Collins late in practice Thursday. Whether Collins will start Sunday at Arizona will be a game-time decision, coach Dave Campo said.
If Collins can't start, Solomon Page would move from right guard to right tackle ? the position at which he started the season. Matt Lehr would start at right guard. Rookie Andre Gurode is expected to make his first start at center in three weeks ? with a metal plate on the tip of his shoe to protect his toe sprain. Marques McFadden would start at left guard, and Flozell Adams would start at left tackle. Larry Allen (sprained ankle) is not expected to play Sunday.

Safety Lynn Scott did not practice Friday and his availability will be a game-time decision. If Scott doesn't play, rookie Keith Davis of Italy, Texas, and Sam Houston State, would replace him at free safety in the team's 42 package (five defensive backs on the field) and nickel (six defensive backs on the field).

Duane Hawthorne practiced with the first-team defense for the second consecutive day and is expected to start at left cornerback.

Hawthorne started two games at that position earlier this season, but he suffered a strained hamstring, allowing rookie Derek Ross to move ahead of him for the last three weeks. Ross continues to struggle with his technique, so the Cowboys have opted to go with Hawthorne.

Another shuffle on offensive line

Center Andre Gurode, who missed the past two games with a sprained big toe, practiced Thursday, and there's a chance he could start Sunday against Arizona.

Gurode split practice time with Tyson Walter, because even if Gurode starts, the coaches don't know if he'll last the entire game.

Larry Allen did not practice for the second consecutive day and is not expected to play Sunday. Matt Lehr is expected to start instead of Marques McFadden.

Briefly ...

Safety Roy Williams practiced and is expected to play Sunday