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01:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 23, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
• cwatkins@***BANNED-URL***
IRVING – The first-team offense and defense performed much better in the Cowboys' preseason home opener Friday night against Houston.
Tony Romo completed 15 of 19 passes for 166 yards, and one touchdown and Marion Barber averaged 5.8 yards a carry.
On defense, the Cowboys were much more aggressive than last week, when they took a more cautious approach against Denver. There were several more blitzes from Bradie James, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Henry. However, Dallas was hampered by turnovers, including an interception in the end zone on a pass by Romo, a fumble on the second-half kickoff by second-year return man Isaiah Stanback, and rookie running back Felix Jones' fumble inside the 20.
1. Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo
Faced with their toughest pass-rushing end of the preseason in Houston's Mario Williams, the Cowboys' starting tackles didn't allow him to get too close to Romo. Williams started off against Adams, the left tackle, and was twisted around several times on pass plays. Williams then went to the right side, where Colombo held him off on two pass plays. Colombo also received some help from tight end Jason Witten, who slowed Williams with chip blocks.
2. Orlando Scandrick
The rookie was in on the second defensive snap, when the Cowboys went to a nickel package. Faced with a third-and-10 on the Dallas 26, Scandrick was sent on a blitz from the slot. Though he didn't get to the quarterback, the coaches have shown confidence in him by using him in different situations. Scandrick showed his coverage skills by knocking away a Matt Schaub pass that was intended for Andre Davis. Scandrick played the bulk of Friday night's game and finished with five tackles and a pass breakup.
3. Sam Hurd
With Miles Austin missing the game with a knee injury, Hurd saw more time with the first-team offense. Hurd finished with two catches for 43 yards, turning a short reception into a 32-yard gain. The Cowboys like Hurd's speed and ability to make tough catches in traffic or by leaping. But the emergence of Austin, who had seven catches for 106 yards and a TD in the first two preseason games, has put pressure on Hurd. "Just trying to find my spot and fit in the offense," Hurd said.
4. Bobby Carpenter
Anthony Spencer (knee) and Kevin Burnett (knee) are missing time as they recover from surgery. That gives Carpenter, the 2006 first-round pick from Ohio State, a chance to make plays. Carpenter was inserted in the dime package, and he also played in an alignment that had five linebackers on the field. Carpenter played into the fourth quarter for the third consecutive game ended the game and finished with a team-high eight tackles.
5. Isaiah Stanback
Miles Austin's absence allows players like Stanback an opportunity to prove themselves, but Stanback had some problems Friday. He left the game in the second half with a shoulder injury and will undergo an MRI today. It was the same shoulder Stanback underwent off-season surgery on last season. "It's beyond frustrating," Stanback said. Stanback finished with two returns for 19 yards, but he fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half. On the bright side, he made a nice open-field tackle in the first half.
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
• cwatkins@***BANNED-URL***
IRVING – The first-team offense and defense performed much better in the Cowboys' preseason home opener Friday night against Houston.
Tony Romo completed 15 of 19 passes for 166 yards, and one touchdown and Marion Barber averaged 5.8 yards a carry.
On defense, the Cowboys were much more aggressive than last week, when they took a more cautious approach against Denver. There were several more blitzes from Bradie James, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Henry. However, Dallas was hampered by turnovers, including an interception in the end zone on a pass by Romo, a fumble on the second-half kickoff by second-year return man Isaiah Stanback, and rookie running back Felix Jones' fumble inside the 20.
1. Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo
Faced with their toughest pass-rushing end of the preseason in Houston's Mario Williams, the Cowboys' starting tackles didn't allow him to get too close to Romo. Williams started off against Adams, the left tackle, and was twisted around several times on pass plays. Williams then went to the right side, where Colombo held him off on two pass plays. Colombo also received some help from tight end Jason Witten, who slowed Williams with chip blocks.
2. Orlando Scandrick
The rookie was in on the second defensive snap, when the Cowboys went to a nickel package. Faced with a third-and-10 on the Dallas 26, Scandrick was sent on a blitz from the slot. Though he didn't get to the quarterback, the coaches have shown confidence in him by using him in different situations. Scandrick showed his coverage skills by knocking away a Matt Schaub pass that was intended for Andre Davis. Scandrick played the bulk of Friday night's game and finished with five tackles and a pass breakup.
3. Sam Hurd
With Miles Austin missing the game with a knee injury, Hurd saw more time with the first-team offense. Hurd finished with two catches for 43 yards, turning a short reception into a 32-yard gain. The Cowboys like Hurd's speed and ability to make tough catches in traffic or by leaping. But the emergence of Austin, who had seven catches for 106 yards and a TD in the first two preseason games, has put pressure on Hurd. "Just trying to find my spot and fit in the offense," Hurd said.
4. Bobby Carpenter
Anthony Spencer (knee) and Kevin Burnett (knee) are missing time as they recover from surgery. That gives Carpenter, the 2006 first-round pick from Ohio State, a chance to make plays. Carpenter was inserted in the dime package, and he also played in an alignment that had five linebackers on the field. Carpenter played into the fourth quarter for the third consecutive game ended the game and finished with a team-high eight tackles.
5. Isaiah Stanback
Miles Austin's absence allows players like Stanback an opportunity to prove themselves, but Stanback had some problems Friday. He left the game in the second half with a shoulder injury and will undergo an MRI today. It was the same shoulder Stanback underwent off-season surgery on last season. "It's beyond frustrating," Stanback said. Stanback finished with two returns for 19 yards, but he fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half. On the bright side, he made a nice open-field tackle in the first half.
