How 'bout them Cowboys!!!
Since this IS a blog, I've decided to write as much as I can about the Dallas Cowboys, mention any noteworthy news, trades or injuries, plus try my best to review the last game and perhaps even preview the next opponent.
Then again, if they start playing like crapola, I may never mention them again. We'll see.
You're certainly welcome to comment, and if there's certain news or something else you would like to discuss in a new thread, please reply and I'll start one. Maybe.
There's a Dallas Cowboys feed on the side navbar from The Dallas News, but I also go to the official Dallas Cowboys website (award winning!) You can do that too, so I will save my posts for commentary on what's happening.
Yesterday's game vs. the Denver Broncos was satisfying; the Cowboys not only walked away with a 31-20 win, the DC first units looked excellent against both of Denver's. I would think Mike Shanahan's teams would be better prepared than that, so I am going to give the 'Boys the credit for being that much farther along in the season. I also noticed the same thing last week against the defending Super Bowl champs. (whom the Cowpokes beat LAST year, too)
Granted, this is only pre-season and the games mean nothing and at least half of each game has been played by guys who won't be on ANY NFL roster by the regular season, but it's encouraging to see how advanced that Dallas looks.
The only position that's really up for grabs is the kicker spot. M. Gramatica has looked good, but Nick Folk hit a 52 yarder (good for at least 57)in the last game under a pressure (end of half)situation and the vet would make three times what they'd have to pay the rookie. It may very well come down to economics, but Gramatic IS pretty much a proven commodity. I really wouldn't want to wager on this either way, but I honestly don't think Dallas will keep two kickers, preferring to try to get another def. lineman via the waiver wires over the next few weeks.
Dallas is blessed with some capable starters and some very good backups at other spots, and that may pose a hard problem for the Dallas front office in having to decide who to cut when The Turk comes to visit for the last time. Junior Glymph, a reserve LB may very well be wearing different colors, perhaps even starting for a different team by the time of the first reg. season game.
Guard/center Joe Berger may be another of the last cuts. He will certainly not be able to be placed on the practice squad; linemen that can do both spots are rare and he won't clear waivers.
I think Dallas will keep as many WRs as they can, probably six, mainly due to the age of the top two wideouts, T.O. and Glenn. (Glenn did not play due to a knee 'scope a few weeks back but is expected to be back within a few weeks, at least by the reg. season) I think they have a decent WR corps even without those two vets.
Stanbeck, the QB turned WR, showed great speed and hands the other night from the backup QB, seasoned vet Brad Johnson, who also helped calm some fears "IF ROMO CAN'T GET THE JOB DONE" or the silly conjecture that last year's fumbled placekick attempt will bother him during this season. Hogwash, he's a vet. Johnson put the ball right in Stanback's hands and in the only spot where the ball could be caught. That old wiley vet might not have a big arm (if he ever did) but he's got a great touch and was cool under pressure.
I watched some of the Giants/Ravens game tonight; NY won by a score of 13-12, but the Giants didn't impress me much, other than the HUGE RB Brandon Jacobs. There will certainly be some collisions between the two hard-hitting Dallas safeties and this mountain of a running back. (6'4" 264lbs, larger than most linebackers, as large as some defensive ends)
I can't see much competition there and I doubt there will be much from the Redskins; I'm waiting to see an Eagle game.
That's the Cowboys news for now!
