ARLINGTON — ARLINGTON _ The last time Cowboys receiver Roy Williams said he won a championship came upon the dusty West Texas fields when he was a fifth grader in Odessa.
So despite not catching a pass in Sunday’s 24-0 Cowboys victory against Philadelphia, there wasn’t a word of complaint coming from Williams.
Dallas claimed the NFC East title with the victory behind a diverse passing game and Williams said he’s happy just to be a winner.
“Me personally, I’ve never been a champion,” Williams said. “Fifth grade, but that don’t count, city championship in Pop Warner, so this is my first one in a long time.”
Quarterback Tony Romo only threw one pass in Williams’ direction, which was an uncatchable toss along the sideline.
Meanwhile, Miles Austin caught seven passes for 90 yards.
Patrick Crayton snagged four catches for 99 yards. Seven players caught passes, including rookie Kevin Ogletree with one catch for 15 yards.
“I could very easily be up there in Detroit and be 2-and-14 and be sad, packing up getting ready to watch the Cowboys play next week,” Williams said. “I’m part of a winning team. That’s all I can ask for. It’s what I’ve said from the beginning, I’ll take no catches and a win any day.”
Choice injured
Running back Tashard Choice left the game with a concussion. He did not have a carry.
Choice must be symptom-free for a week in order to be cleared to play next week. If he’s unavailable, it will change the Cowboys’ Wildcat formation options.
Choice took the snaps this season in the Wildcat formation. Plan B might be Patrick Crayton or Felix Jones, who both took snaps in the formation during off-season and preseason workouts.
Finally winning late
The Cowboys finished the year with a 3-2 mark. It signaled the first time Dallas posted a winning record after Nov. 30 since 1996.
The 1996 season signifies the last time Dallas won a playoff game as well.
“I think its important to go out there and have a good feeling heading into the post-season,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “Now does it mean you can not win if you don’t have a good feeling? No, because teams have done it. But I do think it definitely adds something. You believe in yourself and you believe in each other.”
Strong starts continue
The Cowboys scored on their opening drive for the third consecutive game.
“The longer you play the game you understand those first drives can go a long way in football games,” Tony Romo said. “You can sometimes set a tempo and set a rhythm. It was really important I felt like today against this ball club.”
Briefly
*Tight end Jason Witten enjoyed a return to the end zone on the Cowboys' first drive when he snared a 10-yard touchdown. Witten hadn’t scored a touchdown since Week 2 (Sept. 20) in a 33-31 loss to the New York Giants.
*Dallas kicker David Buehler set the Cowboys' single-season record for touchbacks with 29. Buehler kicked off five times on Sunday and secured four touchbacks. Lin Elliott held the previous record with 27.
*Kicker Shaun Suisham missed a 30-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. Suisham connected for a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter to give Dallas the 17-0 lead. Suisham made all three extra points.
*Cowboys cornerback Terrence Newman briefly left the game with a left knee contusion in the third quarter, but returned the next series.
*The big board briefly went dark with 2:26 left in the game. When power was restored, a cheer nearly as passionate as a Cowboys touchdown rose from the crowd. “I don’t know what happened and I’m anxious to see,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “There’s more fail safes here than probably around the White House. Maybe it just took a break. We were burning it up pretty good.”
*Fans finally enjoyed a bit of scoreboard relief as a ribbon board in the east end zone offered a game clock, timeouts remaining and the score.
*The big screen at Cowboy served as a pop-culture barometer before Sunday’s game as the sideline stars earned instant approval ratings. Charles Barkley drew a chorus of boos when shown on the big screen. Emmitt Smith of course drew the largest applause while Ole’ Miss coach Houston Nutt and golfer John Daly received courtesy applause.
*With 1:58 left, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Jones and John Daly were shown on the videoboard putting on their NFC East champion hats.
Source:star-telegram.com
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