[Quack Attack]

Broncos' McDaniels concerned with Cowboys' run game

By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/01/2009 12:43:45 PM MDT
Updated: 10/01/2009 12:58:39 PM MDT





The Broncos know what they're getting in the Dallas Cowboys Sunday.
They are getting the league's No. 1 rushing team, averaging 193.7 yards per game on the ground. And they do it without pinwheels or sleight of hand. They do it behind one of the biggest offensive lines in the league.
"Some of the holes that are opened, not sure I'll see the rest of the year," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said today. "There's plays the back doesn't get touched, he's 25 yards into the secondary."

The Broncos have the league's No. 1 defense in fewest yards allowed after three games and the Broncos are the league's top scoring defense as well.

McDaniels said today he expects the Cowboys to split carries between Tashard Choice and Marion Barber at running back. Felix Jones, who leads the league in yards per carry at 10.1, will not play because of a sprained knee.

Barber did not play this past Monday night against Carolina because of a thigh injury, but he has practiced this week and is expected to be available Sunday against the Broncos.

Barber has averaged 6.3 yards per carry behind the Cowboys' mammoth line while Choice, a second-year back, has averaged 4.5.
The five Cowboys starters up front all weigh at least 307 pounds — left guard Kyle Kosier is the lightest at 307 — with four starters coming in at least 318.

Certainly there's no finesse in them at all, this a powerful group," McDaniels said. "You've got to do a good job to disrupt them at the line of scrimmage in some way, shape or form or it will be a long day. You've got to keep mixing it up, you can't be giving them the same thing or you're going to be in trouble. Somebody's going to have 200 yards."
The Cowboys have rushed for at least 200 yards in back-to-back games.
"We know what kind of challenge it's going to be," said linebacker Andra Davis.

Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com