Media Stretches Their Statements to Make Points

OK, so I know it's just a little thing, but I was reading a question and answer thing on Dallas Morning News with Rick Gosselin.  The question he was posed to comment on was the following:

On the Cowboys’ running game (or lack thereof):

Gosselin's Response:

 Gosselin: "I wish they spent more time working on the run. They couldn’t run it last year. Show me you can run the ball. If you can run the ball, you’ll hold onto the ball and four of the turnovers last week came on pass play."

While I completely agree with Gosselin that the Cowboys need to run the ball better this year or they will end the year again around 8-8 and no playoff spot, his statement is obviously strangely skewed to make his point...... 

"you'll hold onto the ball and four of the turnovers last week came on a pass play"...... 

while technically correct, four of the turnovers did occur on passing plays, two of these four turnovers, which Gosselin fails to mention, were fumbles which occurred well after the catch was made and had nothing to do with it being a passing play.  In fact one of these "passing turnovers" occurred by the running back, Lance Dunbar, 40 yards down the field after he had caught a little 2 yard pass.  So again, I know it's just a little thing, but I get so tired of media people really stretching the facts to make their point.  Especially in this case when there are many arguments to be made about how important it is that the Cowboys run the ball better, without stooping to using skewed data.

Bryan Broaddus on Lance Dunbar Injury

Here's what Bryan Broaddus of DallasCowboys.com has to say about Dunbars injury and loss for the Cowboys offense.

• Lance Dunbar suffered a left foot sprain in the game against Arizona this past Saturday and will be out of the lineup for the next three to four weeks which means his availability for the opening game against the New York Giants is questionable. For Dunbar, it’s a major setback to an off season where he has done nothing but shine in every opportunity he has been given. He came into the OTA and minicamp practices in outstanding physical condition and was ready to compete. Through his work in those practices and training camp, I did not get the impression that he could not handle more of a physical work load. He might lack height but that’s the only trait that would handicap him. He showed the ability to run with explosive quickness off the edge, but he also showed the ability to take the ball, cut it back inside and deal with linebackers and safeties.
  We have seen him break down the linebackers in space consistently with the ball in his hands. His ability to catch and get up the field is a feature that Bill Callahan and this offensive staff are going to take advantage of. Where Dunbar will also be missed is on special teams. When you study him on tape, he is one of the most productive cover men that Rich Bisaccia has on the squad. Usually the first man down, and secure in his ability to bring the ball carrier down.
  Injury to a player is never a good thing but when it affects a player that the club is counting on to play a major role in the offense and special teams, it can be even more painful and to lose this player, it is.
  

Lance Dunbar out with Sprained Foot

As with a lot of the teams in the NFL, the Cowboys suffered another key injury during the preseason game against the Cardinals Saturday.  Lance Dunbar sprained his foot and will be out 3 - 4 weeks.  This is the same type of injury that DeMarco Murray had last year which cost him 6 games/weeks.  Hopefully Dunbar's injury is not as bad and he can get back quickly.  Unfortunately, if it's 3 - 4 week, probably no way he can make it for the Giants opening week game.  This is very disappointing, Dunbar had looked great with break away speed all through camp and the first 3 preseason games.
Click link below for a summary of Garrett's press conference from DallasCowboys.com

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-DavidHelman/Mon-Presser-Garrett-Hopes-Dunbars-Foot-Is-Only-Mild-Setback

Offensive Line, No Longer Offensive

I never thought I would say this about the Cowboys Offensive line, but they continue to look pretty good.  It's only preseason, but they look good so far.  Couple of comments by Tony Romo and Lance Dunbar is all you need to know that this is not just my opinion:

“I don’t want to get away from here without talking about the offensive line,” Romo said. “There were a couple of times I had all day and we had a sack, an incompletion on those two plays, so that’s going to help us a lot if we’re able to do that.
“That’s different. I know what it’s like to play behind that, and having that ability like they did tonight would be a huge bonus for us.”

Lance Dunbar -- “It’s probably the biggest the holes have ever been,” Dunbar said.

First Fight at Cowboys Camp

It's been more than two weeks at camp and no fights.  But Linebacker Ernie Simms and Running Back Lance Dunbar got into a little spat after Simms slung Dunbar to the ground after a run.
The guys are probably feeling that middle of training camp dun-drums with tempers beginning to flare.  Will be good for them to hit another team on Friday night against Oakland.

Battle at Running Back Already Heating Up

It's just day 1 of training camp, but look what rabblerousr at "Blogging The Boys" had to say about Lance Dunbar.  I have read similar points from other observers.  Here's the link to the whole article by rabblerousr if you are interested, great writeup on the first day of practice...Bloggingtheboys rabblerousr day 1 training camp writeup

Player of the Day: Lance Dunbar. Not only did Dunbar (somewhat surprisingly) take second-team snaps, he backed up his depth chart status by often looking like the quickest guy on the field. More importantly, he showed a gift for finding a hole and shooting through it before it closed. Going into the season, many observers thought that Joseph Randle would be Murray's backup, with Dunbar serving as the third down back. Today's practice suggested a new possibility: Dunbar as the backup and the bigger Randle as the third-down back.