By Jim Keller
The temporary era for Jon Kitna starts this weekend. The bigger question in Dallas is when the Wade Phillips era will come to an excruciating end.
The demoralized Cowboys will test their pride Sunday at Cowboys when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Dallas (1-5) was supposed to contend for the Super Bowl this season and perhaps be the first host city to appear in the game, but got off to a 1-4 start because an offense that averaged 400 yards per game but couldn’t make a big play to offset costly penalties and turnovers and a solid defense that couldn’t force turnovers.
All of that seemed to change last week when the Cowboys got three takeaways in the first 20 minutes and a 92-yard punt return by outstanding rookie Dez Bryant to take a 20-7 lead against the rival New York Giants.
However it was about that time when it was revealed that starting quarterback Tony Romo had suffered a broken collarbone after a sack by linebacker Michael Boley, and both the offense and defense went into a tailspin in which it never recovered.
After Bryant’s score, New York scored four touchdowns and a field goal in its next five possessions while holding the Cowboys to 26 yards and one first down in Kitna’s first seven drives.
Kitna finished up 16 of 33 for 187 yards and two late touchdowns to Bryant as Dallas made the 41-35 final respectable.
The 14-year veteran has started 115 games during his career with Seattle, Cincinnati, and Detroit, completing 60 percent of his passes with 154 TDs and 151 interceptions. His clubs have won just 49 of his starts.
He led the NFL with 372 completions in 2006 and led with 20 picks the following season – both with Detroit. His best season was 2003 with Cincinnati. He completed 62 percent of his tosses for 3,591 yards and a career-high 26 TDs against 15 interceptions.
A Dallas defense that entered third in total defense, was shredded for 497 yards. Eli Manning passed for 306 yards and four touchdowns and Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith each went over 100 yards from scrimmage.
Since only the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals have rallied from a 1-5 start to make the playoffs, speculation has already begun about the future of Phillips. Owner Jerry Jones has stated many times that he doesn’t like making changes in midseason, but the Cowboys are out of it and there’s pressure for Jones to start making contact with the power coaches around the league.
With Romo out at least six to eight weeks, Kitna will be making his first start since 2008 against Jacksonville (3-4), which played Kansas City tight for three quarters last week before suffering a 42-20 defeat.
The Jaguars gave up 236 yards on the ground to the Chiefs tandem of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, but they shouldn’t have to woory that much this week. Dallas ran the ball just 13 times against the Giants and rank 30th in the league at 86 yards per game.
Todd Bouman, a 38-year-old signed off the street when injuries sidelined David Garrard (concussion) and Trent Edwards (thumb), made his first start since 2001 and completed 18 of 34 for 222 yards and two TDs. However, he threw two interceptions, one that gave the Chiefs a 28-20 lead another in the fourth quarter that led to another touchdown.
Garrard has past the NFL’s mandated concussion tests and is expected to start Sunday. He was injured in Jacksonville’s 30-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans two Mondays ago. Taking Garrard’s place on the bench will be right tackle Eben Britton, who was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Maurice Jones-Drew, who was limited to 47 yards on 16 carries and has been held to 3.8 yards per carry, may find the sledding a little easier against the disheartened Cowboys, who have allowed three 100-yard rushers in their last four games.
The clubs have split two games this decade, with Jacksonville winning the last match-up 24-17 in 2006.
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