Vorstellungen » tend Kansas, where he arrived with less

IRVING, Texas - Henry Melton cant compare this years Dallas defence to the NFL-worst unit that visited Chicago last season because he was still with the Bears.The Cowboys defensive tackle just knows that right now, his new group doesnt look like the surprising bunch that boosted Dallas during a 6-1 start.The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles each scored on their first three possessions the past two games, although the Cowboys made enough stops against the Giants to rally for a 31-28 win. The defence kept Dallas in the Philadelphia game into the second half, but the offence couldnt overcome a quick two-touchdown deficit.Once we get going and flowing as a defensive unit, were tough to get past, said Melton, who leads the Cowboys with five sacks. But collectively ... obviously the whole game is, Ive got to play better and weve got to play better.Dallas (8-4) visits Chicago (5-7) on Thursday night, with the memory of last years dismal showing on the minds of the Cowboys who experienced that bitterly cold night.It wasnt the only bad game Dallas had defensively, which is why expectations couldnt have been much lower going into this season without the three best players in pass rusher DeMarcus Ware (released), tackle Jason Hatcher (free agent) and linebacker Sean Lee (knee injury).A strong start in 2014 was punctuated by a Week 6 win at Super Bowl champion Seattle, which had just nine first downs and 206 yards.The slide began two weeks later against Washington, when Colt McCoy essentially went from third-string quarterback to a starter making big plays in the fourth quarter and overtime of the Redskins 20-17 upset. The latest blow was a season-high 464 yards for the Eagles, including LeSean McCoys 159 yards rushing in a 33-10 Thanksgiving victory.Were still confident, defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. Sometimes its good to get ... a good old fashioned butt-kicking to get you going again. Its back to the drawing board.Mincey said he was still mad about letting the Eagles get outside early in the game on a play that he thought could have changed the momentum. McCoys two longest runs were to the outside, including a 38-yard score that put away the game in the third quarter.I can show you consecutive plays where we executed really well and the same guy did not do what he was supposed to do in the same situation and they really hurt us, coach Jason Garrett said. Whether its in the beginning of the game, the middle of the game or at the end of the game, you just have to do those things.Linebacker Rolando McClain was slowed against the Eagles by a right knee injury thats been bothering him for weeks, and cornerback Brandon Carr hasnt had a pass breakup since Seattle, seven games ago.Dallas sack totals have improved since the 6-1 start, but so have the completions percentages for opposing quarterbacks. And while the Cowboys are converting fewer third downs on offence, three of the past four opponents have a success rate of more than 50 per cent.Weve had some real good looks on third down and we didnt cash them, defensive co-ordinator Rod Marinelli said. But some of the third downs are too short right now. That starts with good run defence on first down. Tackling has to be sharp.Marinelli was Dallas defensive line coach in last years 45-28 loss to the Bears, who had 490 yards and 33 first downs a month after the Cowboys gave up an NFL-record 40 first downs at New Orleans.Chicago starter Jay Cutler had a sprained ankle, and backup Josh McCown set career highs with four touchdown passes and a passer rating of 141.9, the highest of the season against Dallas. The Cowboys didnt trash the video, though.I think it can be helpful, Garrett said. We always go through games like that. The systems are basically the same, and it applies. You want to go through it and see what they did.And the Cowboys are trying to get back to what they did defensively earlier this season.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Mats Hummels Jersey .Y. 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Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost .PHILADELPHIA -- As word spread through NBA inner circles that Kansas prospect Joel Embiid suffered a foot injury, the Philadelphia 76ers wondered if his misfortune was just the break the downtrodden franchise needed. "I sniffed opportunity," Sam Hinkie, the teams president and general manager, said Friday. "The moment he got hurt, we thought we might get him. We might be just the organization with just the set of owners, and we might be the one to do it." When the 7-foot centre was available at three, the Sixers pounced, even though he could miss up to a full season because of a broken foot. The 76ers are used to big men sitting out the season. Former All-Star centre Andrew Bynum never played a second because of bad knees in 2012-13. And rookie Nerlens Noel sat out all of last season because of a torn ACL. Noel, the No. 6 overall pick out of Kentucky, was antsy to play toward the end of a 19-63 season. The Sixers refused to rush him, not wanting to risk additional injury in what was always planned as a lost -- or, tanked -- season. Embiid recovery from a stress fracture in his right foot could take five to eight months. So will the Sixers play him in another season where the Sixers are building again toward a high lottery pick instead of a post-season berth? "Guess what our approach will be," Hinkie said, smiling. "Well focus on the long-term health of the player." Embiid wont be Philadelphias only lottery pick sitting out next season. Croatian forward Dario Saric, the 10th overall pick, signed a three-year deal last week to play in Turkey. The Sixers hold the rights to the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder for the next three years, and it could be that long until he plays for Philly. By the time hes set to join the Sixers, the organization hoped a playoff berth would be within reach. Hinkie said the Noel-Embiid frontcourt will be a "menace" at the rim. Coach Brett Brown was already drawing up plays for the duo -- Xs and Os hell have plenty of time to perfect. "I do think that Joel and Nerlens can co-exist," Brown said. "I think I can find a way to play those two guys together. Its a really good problem to have.dddddddddddd" Hinkie credited Philly fans for their "patience and understanding" for another lean season where the best outcome would be a No. 1 draft pick and not a seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Outside of rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams and veteran forward Thaddeus Young, the Sixers have few other credible players, and will likely stack the roster again with D-League castoffs and 10-day contract stopgaps. "Its not even close to demoralizing," Brown said. Brown tried his best at an optimistic spin on the seasons ahead. Knowing the security of three more years left on his contract makes it easier to wait for a project like Embiid. The versatile 7-foot Embiid had a fantastic freshman season with the Jayhawks, averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds while blocking 72 shots to earn Big 12 defensive player of the year honours. Embiid, who grew up playing soccer and volleyball, only decided to pursue basketball a few years ago. He started to blossom as a senior at The Rock School and ultimately chose to attend Kansas, where he arrived with less fanfare than fellow freshmen Andrew Wiggins and Wayne Selden. Embiid hurt his back while landing awkwardly during a game late in the season, and missed the Jayhawks final two regular-season games and the Big 12 tournament. He also missed a victory over Eastern Kentucky and a season-ending loss to Stanford in the NCAA tournament, after which he said that he would have been able to play had Kansas advanced to the second weekend. Hinkie said the Sixers consulted various doctors and felt confident there was little long-term risk to his health once the foot healed. Embiid was projected as Clevelands No. 1 overall pick before the draft. The honour went to Wiggins. "In this scenario, and only this scenario, does he fall to three," Hinkie said. "If he can remain healthy, he can have a fantastic, fantastic NBA career." Notes: 76ers G Jason Richardson exercised the $6.6 million player option for next season and will return. The 7-foot C Byron Mullens declined his $1.1 million option and will become a free agent. ' ' '