The Eagles defense will have the tough job of tackling the Cowboys big, physical ball carriers in the open field. Dallas might have the biggest, most physical skill players in the NFL, so the Eagles must do an outstanding job of tackling.
It starts with Marion Barber. He's a beast who will make tacklers pay for approaching him. Barber has a powerful stiff arm and has powerful legs to run through arm tackles. Barber looks for contact rather than trying to avoid it. He's going to punish Eagles safety Sean Considine who makes the mistake of breaking down before hitting the ball carriers. His fellow running back, Julius Jones isn't nearly as physical but he's faster and more capable of taking the ball on long touchdown runs.
Of course they're going to have to deal with Terrell Owens. Owens is a big powerful receiver who makes a habit of running through tacklers and bullying defensive backs. He's going to be a tough assignment for smallish Birds cornerbacks, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown. The key to doing the job on Owens will be hanging on to him so that help can get there. The other wideout Patrick Crayton is also big and powerful. Crayton has taken quite a few short passes and turned them into long gains by breaking tackles.
Another weapon the Cowboys have who breaks tackles is tight end Jason Witten. He's having a great season so far and must be wrapped up when he has the ball in the open field.
The Birds can't afford to give the Cowboys big plays because of poor tackling. The key will be being under control when they approach the ball carriers and wrapping them up. The Eagles defenders have to grab some jersey so that they can hold onto them until help arrives.
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