IRVING, Texas - Dallas is Joe DeCamillis' fifth stop as an NFL special teams coordinator. He has established a successful track record over the past 21 years.
Nearly half of them have been dedicated to Sunday's opponent at Cowboys Stadium: the Atlanta Falcons.
Under DeCamillis (1997-2006), the Falcons' punt coverage team allowed a league-low 6.1 yards per return with only one touchdown. Atlanta also had the second-most kickoff returns for touchdowns (8), the second-most total touchdown returns (13) and the third-most touchbacks (126).
The Falcons had high overall success during that span, too, reaching the Super Bowl in 1998 and the NFC Championship game in 2004. But serious injuries to Jamal Anderson in 1999 - ironically against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football - and Michael Vick in 2003 derailed the team's playoff hopes in those respective seasons.
"It was just kind of uneven from an injury standpoint, but it was a great time to be there," said DeCamillis. "I was there with (ex-head coach) Jimmy Mora when we went to the championship game. We saw some success but it was choppy; it was never consistent. I have great memories there."
The Falcons have since regained their footing under DeCamillis' former colleague, second-year head coach Mike Smith. The two worked together in Jacksonville in 2007. During Atlanta's coaching search in early 2008, team owner Arthur Blank called DeCamillis three times to ask about Smith's credentials.
"I just told him basically what I thought of Mike, which is an outstanding football coach, and I think he's a great hire for Atlanta," DeCamillis said.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips' Atlanta ties - he worked on Dan Reeves' staff from 2002-03 - were instrumental in DeCamillis' arrival in January. The Cowboys have shown marked improvement on special teams through the first five games, particularly with their fourth-ranked kickoff coverage.
Thanks in part to rookie David Buehler's nine touchbacks, opponents' average starting position is the 22.2-yard line.
"It has to do with the kicker and I think the scheme is really good and Joe has always been one of the top guys," Phillips said. "I think there's a reason for it as far as his profession. I think he's had a big influence."
Felix Returns; Sensabaugh Rests
Wearing a knee brace, running back Felix Jones participated in part of practice Monday for the first time since injuring his left posterior cruciate ligament Sept. 28 against Carolina.
Jones' status this Sunday against Atlanta is uncertain. The Cowboys worked only in jerseys and shorts Monday and will begin preparing in earnest for the Falcons on Wednesday.
Starting safety Gerald Sensabaugh did not practice Monday and says he will have his surgically-repaired thumb re-examined Tuesday. Phillips did not rule out Sensabaugh this week but said the team wants him to "keep healing for a few more days."
"We haven't said definitely (he'll play) yet," Phillips said. "I think they'll re-X-ray everything and then get a feel for where he is and then also whether we can cast him. He's going to have to play with a cast if he plays."
Seeing Red
The Cowboys own the league's second-ranked offense (420.4) through five games, but rank 22nd in the red zone, scoring seven touchdowns out of 15 trips inside the 20-yard line (46.7 percent).
Phillips said the offense can improve by running more effectively and finding ideal match-ups for their tight ends and receivers.
"Basically it's not a drop-back area, it's a run and play-action area," Phillips said. "If you're a strong enough running team I think that helps you. I think a little of it's our backs have been banged up a little bit. That starts it all and it's getting a feel for who to go to and when in the passing game."
Penalties and turnovers also have stalled drives. Better execution will lead to more points for an offense that already ranks 11th with a 24.4 average.
"You've got to do it," running back Tashard Choice said. "Because if you don't you'll lose those games every time. And we know that."
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