Report: Cowboys’ coaches tell players Richard Sherman is overrated

The Cowboys aren’t the least bit intimidated about facing Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman today.

That’s the word from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who reported that the Cowboys’ coaching staff has been telling the players this week that Sherman is overrated. The Cowboys’ view is that the rest of Seattle’s secondary, particularly safety Earl Thomas, deserves more of the credit, and that Sherman gets propped up by playing with Thomas.

The Cowboys aren’t saying the Seahawks don’t have a great defense — the Cowboys consider the Seahawks’ defense the best in the league — but they do believe they can attack Sherman.

If the Cowboys’ coaches are saying that, however, do they really mean it? Or are they simply trying to give their players a jolt of confidence as they prepare to face a player who’s regarded by many as the best cornerback in the NFL?

If the Cowboys do go after Sherman, they won’t be the first team. When the Chargers beat the Seahawks this season, Philip Rivers didn’t shy away from throwing in Sherman’s direction, and Chargers receiver Keenan Allen had a good day with Sherman covering him.

If Tony Romo can go after Sherman today and succeed, that will go a long way toward establishing Dallas as a real threat to dethrone Seattle in the NFC. But you can expect Sherman to have something to say about that, during the game and after.