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Pastimes : Football Forum (NFL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Thomas J. Graf who wrote (2655)	10/1/1999 12:06:00 AM
From: DSPetry	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 45639

Sanders ready to toe the line against Cardinals 09/30/99 By David Moore / The Dallas Morning News IRVING - The wait hasn't rivaled Homer's Odyssey or the inordinate amount of years it took George Lucas to crank out The Phantom Menace. Still, in terms of intrigue and discussion, the saga of Deion Sanders and his toe can stand on its own. And thats exactly what will happen Sunday. For the first time in more than eight months, Sanders and his surgically repaired left toe will take the field for a game. The opponent is Arizona. The expectations include an improved Dallas secondary, a game-breaking threat on punt returns and a "Holy Ghost" dance if the demonstrative Pro Bowl cornerback finds his way into the end zone. "I'm excited about getting on the football field and doing what I'm accustomed to doing," Sanders said, "doing what I'm paid to do." Receiver Michael Irvin talks about the excitement Sanders brings to the team simply by being in uniform. Strong safety Darren Woodson believes Sanders' return will instill a new sense of confidence on defense. It should dramatically upgrade a Dallas secondary that ranks last in the NFL, allowing an average of 300 yards a game through the air. "Any time you get back one of the best players in the league, he helps your team," Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said. "He allows you to do some things defensively you might not do otherwise because he does have a special talent." Defensive coordinator Dave Campo said the personality of the defense won't change with Sanders on the field. But he did acknowledge it will alter how he calls the game. The basic scheme doesn't change. Woodson estimates the cornerbacks will remain in man-to-man coverage 90 to 95 percent of the time. The change comes in how the Cowboys are able to disguise those defensive looks, how they can take away one side of the field. Without Sanders, free safety George Teague was asked to roll over and help Kevin Mathis and Charlie Williams in certain coverages. Teague still will give Mathis help at times on the left side. But the Cowboys don't give Sanders help. He'll be left alone. Opposing quarterbacks generally leave Sanders alone. But there might be a temptation to test the cornerback early to see if he's recovered from his injury. "I think somebody will make that mistake," Teague said. "I guess everyone is going to want to know how well is his toe. That will be a big issue going into the game. "But I think the first time he goes out there and snags one of those outs or double moves, whatever they try to give him, then it will be back to reality, and they will see he's the same old Deion." Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer has seen a healthy Sanders. "I tested him a couple of times at a young age as a rookie and as a second-year guy, and he made me pay for it," Plummer said. "Although I have completed a few balls on him, it's not something you make a living by. It's not something you go into the game plan saying, 'We're going to go right at No. 21 and win the ballgame,' because it doesn't happen. "You've got to give him respect. I don't think you completely forget his side of the field because he's over there. But because of the toe injury, you might want to test him and see what he's got." Sanders' response? "I'm praying so," he said. "I'm laying before the Lord and saying, 'Lord, please let Jake throw that ball to me.' I've got a new Holy Ghost dance I'm going to give you guys on the field. "I'm hoping I'm tested, and I will be. Even if I'm not tested on defense, they've got to punt." Special teams coach Joe Avezzano has no complaint with what Wane McGarity has done the first two games. The rookie has had two good returns called back because of penalties. But the fact remains that Dallas ranks 26th in the league in punt returns with an average of 5.3 yards. McGarity has a total of 16 return yards. That total is roughly what Sanders averaged each time he returned a punt last season. "He's one of the few athletes who creates an excitement among his teammates and the fans and an awareness by the opponent just by being out there," Avezzano said. "That doesn't mean he's going to do something spectacular every time. "But the potential is certainly there." The potential returns against the Cardinals. "I know timing well, and I know how to maximize my moments," Sanders said. "Sunday will be my time." You love him if's he's on your team...hate him if he's not.... Deion, luv him or hate him, is great for the NFL !! Jake is gonna have a long day with Deion shutting down Sanders (Moore hurt), and David Boston being his only other target... Cowboys laying the points. Dave

To: Thomas J. Graf who wrote (2655)	10/1/1999 5:02:00 PM
From: Andy Thomas	Respond to of 45639

Hi Thomas, I suppose we shouldn't be too quick to abandon Plummer then. On the other hand, I agree with whomever it was who posted that the large contract was a mistake. I tend to agree that Plummer was/is an unknown quantity and you don't want to award huge contracts to those guys, in my opinion. For one thing, it might take away some of their fire if they're overpaid before they really prove themselves. If Jake has an arm as good as Montana's, who knows - maybe he will pan out if and when everything else is in place. I wished the Seahawks had drafted Hobert but he's pretty unpopular around here. He looked like the better pro prospect and might actually end up making some noise at N'Arlens. Brunell was a surprise to me... he could run in college but Hobert had the stronger arm and the height. I think the NFL is better off at QB than a lot of people think. The problem now is really beating the blitz. Quick release QBs are king. FWIW Andy