JimBob
01-16-2008, 08:15 AM
McQuarters king of NFL versatility
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
1/16/2008
THE FORTUNES of R.W. McQuarters and the Dallas Cowboys were headed in different directions during the last two weeks.
The Cowboys dealt with a variety of off-the-field distractions and then an absolute disaster on-the-field performance on Sunday.
By contrast, McQuarters was enjoying perhaps the best two weeks of his professional football career.
McQuarters, a former Tulsan and Oklahoma State All-American, grabbed game-clinching interceptions against Tampa Bay and Dallas in the Giants' two playoff upsets.
McQuarters also had a 25-yard punt return to set up New York's game-winning touchdown in the seconds half of the 21-17 victory at Dallas.
"If these are the two best plays of my career, I'll take them," McQuarters said in a postgame press conference Sunday. "This will be my first time in the championship game and it feels good."
McQuarters, who starred at Booker T. Washington, has enjoyed a long, solid NFL career. It is remarkable he as played 10 years in the NFL. That's about twice the length of a normal career for an NFL defensive back.
But one of his strengths has always been his versatility. He can play anywhere in the secondary and is a solid punt returner. As a result, he has always been a valuable player to NFL teams. It isn't often you find a player with so many different skills.
So, when the Giants found themselves short on defensive backs, they were able to use McQuarters in several roles.
That's what makes Dallas' collapse even more remarkable. The Cowboys had the second-best offense in the NFL this year. Dallas was expected to shred a depleted New York secondary, which was without three starters against Dallas.
But McQuarters became a key figure as New York dominated Dallas' much-hyped offense in the second half. He split time between cornerback and nickel back, two positions not normally held down by 10-year veterans.
He intercepted Tony Romo's pass into the end zone with nine seconds to go.
"It felt great," said McQuarters. "I knew we were going on to the next round. I just wanted to get the ball, cuddle it, make sure that the referee and everybody else saw that it was a pick, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
"I was just ready to get to the sideline to celebrate."
McQuarters provided the end to what had been one of the best offensive seasons in recent years. If not for New England's remarkable offensive year, the Cowboys' offense would have been the talk of the NFL.
The Cowboys had seven pro bowlers on offense. Dallas got the ball, with a full set of healthy receivers, at the New York 48 yard line and nearly two minutes to go. That should have been plenty.
Instead, Dallas struggled to move the ball and faced a fourth down when Romo was picked off by McQuarters.
It was the continuation of a monthlong slide for the Cowboys. Dallas was 11-1 after beating Green Bay. The Cowboys won just two of their last four regular season games (against lowly Detroit and Carolina).
The Cowboys became the first No. 1 seed (in the NFC) to lose their first playoff game in 18 years. It should make for an uncomfortable offseason.
But it should be a spring and summer to remember for McQuarters.
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
1/16/2008
THE FORTUNES of R.W. McQuarters and the Dallas Cowboys were headed in different directions during the last two weeks.
The Cowboys dealt with a variety of off-the-field distractions and then an absolute disaster on-the-field performance on Sunday.
By contrast, McQuarters was enjoying perhaps the best two weeks of his professional football career.
McQuarters, a former Tulsan and Oklahoma State All-American, grabbed game-clinching interceptions against Tampa Bay and Dallas in the Giants' two playoff upsets.
McQuarters also had a 25-yard punt return to set up New York's game-winning touchdown in the seconds half of the 21-17 victory at Dallas.
"If these are the two best plays of my career, I'll take them," McQuarters said in a postgame press conference Sunday. "This will be my first time in the championship game and it feels good."
McQuarters, who starred at Booker T. Washington, has enjoyed a long, solid NFL career. It is remarkable he as played 10 years in the NFL. That's about twice the length of a normal career for an NFL defensive back.
But one of his strengths has always been his versatility. He can play anywhere in the secondary and is a solid punt returner. As a result, he has always been a valuable player to NFL teams. It isn't often you find a player with so many different skills.
So, when the Giants found themselves short on defensive backs, they were able to use McQuarters in several roles.
That's what makes Dallas' collapse even more remarkable. The Cowboys had the second-best offense in the NFL this year. Dallas was expected to shred a depleted New York secondary, which was without three starters against Dallas.
But McQuarters became a key figure as New York dominated Dallas' much-hyped offense in the second half. He split time between cornerback and nickel back, two positions not normally held down by 10-year veterans.
He intercepted Tony Romo's pass into the end zone with nine seconds to go.
"It felt great," said McQuarters. "I knew we were going on to the next round. I just wanted to get the ball, cuddle it, make sure that the referee and everybody else saw that it was a pick, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
"I was just ready to get to the sideline to celebrate."
McQuarters provided the end to what had been one of the best offensive seasons in recent years. If not for New England's remarkable offensive year, the Cowboys' offense would have been the talk of the NFL.
The Cowboys had seven pro bowlers on offense. Dallas got the ball, with a full set of healthy receivers, at the New York 48 yard line and nearly two minutes to go. That should have been plenty.
Instead, Dallas struggled to move the ball and faced a fourth down when Romo was picked off by McQuarters.
It was the continuation of a monthlong slide for the Cowboys. Dallas was 11-1 after beating Green Bay. The Cowboys won just two of their last four regular season games (against lowly Detroit and Carolina).
The Cowboys became the first No. 1 seed (in the NFC) to lose their first playoff game in 18 years. It should make for an uncomfortable offseason.
But it should be a spring and summer to remember for McQuarters.