The Cowboys have four former players suiting up for the New York Jets, but maybe the closest relationship will be Cowboys starting right defensive end Chris Canty and Jets starting left offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The two guys played at the University of Virginia for three years together and will be meeting up (literally) for the first time in the NFL. “I can’t wait to see him on Thursday,” said Canty, in his third season. “I know all our coaches from back in college will be watching.” Maybe Wade Phillips needs to name Canty captain again. Or how ‘bout Julius Jones, facing brother Thomas for a second Thanksgiving game? Just a thought.
With just one sack on Thursday, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware could vault himself into the NFL sack lead, even if it might be for only a few days. Ware enters the game with nine sacks, just a half-sack behind co-leaders Jared Allen of Kansas City and Mike Vrabel of New England, and tied for third with Philadelphia’s Trent Cole and Green Bay’s Aaron Kampman. Sack guys are just like home-run hitters. Ware knows exactly how many he has and where he stands. Can’t remember the last time the Cowboys had a player leading the league in sacks this late in a season.
With Patrick Crayton listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, but appearing on the wrong side of 50-50 since he still was walking around in a boot at The Ranch on Wednesday, Sam Hurd and Austin Miles must step up a notch. But my guess is, the guy who really must step up is tight end Jason Witten, who could figure into the nickel offense even more since Austin really hasn’t played that much wide receiver this season.
And the score . . . Cowboys 24, Jets 10, and to me, when you play another game four days later, the theme of the day is, just win, baby. And the key might be to keep the Jets from going into the second half with momentum since that’s when the quick turnaround for the visiting team really kicks in hard.