DMN: Five things to watch in Dallas Cowboys first preseason game at San Diego Chargers

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Five things to watch in Dallas Cowboys first preseason game at San Diego Chargers
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Brandon George / Reporter Follow @DMN_George Email bgeorge@***BANNED-URL***
Published: August 12, 2015 10:00 am
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones (31) works against wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (13) during a morning special teams walk-through at training camp on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, in Oxnard, Calif. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)

OXNARD, Calif. – Finally, the Dallas Cowboys get to hit someone other than their teammates.

The Cowboys left Oxnard, Calif., early Wednesday morning via train and plan to stop along the way to San Diego at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

On Thursday night, the Cowboys open their preseason schedule at the San Diego Chargers. Though few starters are expected to play, there are some storylines to follow.

Here are five things to watch Thursday night at the Chargers:

1. First chance to see DEs Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory: The Cowboys’ big offseason addition was Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy. He played in only one game last season. But coach Jason Garrett indicated Tuesday that Hardy would play in the preseason opener. Hardy has been physical and aggressive in training camp, helping bring an attitude to the Cowboys’ defense. Rookie Randy Gregory will get his share of snaps at right-side defensive end whether Hardy plays or not. Hardy won’t be in long if sees the field, which will give the second-round pick Gregory plenty of time to establish himself early. Gregory has bulked up some and has a quick first step that has given some of the Cowboys’ offensive linemen trouble in camp.

2. Battle for fifth WR spot with Lucky Whitehead leading way: One of the top position battles of training camp is for the fifth wide receiver spot on the final roster. The Cowboys signed five undrafted rookie receivers in the offseason and so far one has the clear lead for the fifth receiver job: Lucky Whitehead. He’s been the most consistent in the offense and is listed as the top punt and kickoff returner for the preseason opener. Also keep an eye on ex-Houston standout Deontay Greenberry and former Kansas wideout Nick Harwell. Greenberry has had a few good days in camp but has lacked the consistency of Whitehead.

Follow Brandon George on Twitter at @DMN_George.

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• USA Today: Dallas Cowboys have the best logo in American sports

 

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3. Who looks better at QB between Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers?: Tony Romo won’t play against the Chargers and backup Brandon Weeden is expected to start. But Weeden might not play long, leaving plenty of time for Dustin Vaughan and Jameill Showers to continue their battle for the potential third quarterback spot on the roster. The Cowboys carried a third quarterback on the roster all season last year in Vaughan. But Vaughan has struggled with his accuracy in training camp, opening the door for Showers. Showers, the former UT-El Paso and Texas A&M quarterback, has also been playing on special teams units to give him an even better shot to beat out Vaughan for the third quarterback spot.
4. First-round pick CB Byron Jones in first pro game: The Cowboys should get a long look at the club’s first-round pick against the Chargers. With starting cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick out with injuries, cornerback Byron Jones is expected to get a lot of playing time. Jones has working at cornerback and safety in training camp, but he’s played mostly at cornerback of late with the injuries piling up in the secondary. Cowboys coaches have been impressed with Jones’ professionalism and his ability to absorb a lot of information. The Cowboys believe Jones can thrive in their scheme, but they’d like to see him make more plays on the ball.
5. How does OL La’el Collins look in his NFL debut?: The Cowboys are expected to use their interior offensive line starters for at least a series against the Chargers. That means left guard Ron Leary will likely start, but he won’t get a lot of work if he does play. That will plenty of playing time for La’el Collins, the first-round talent who went undrafted out of LSU. The Cowboys’ undrafted rookie came in with high expectations but hasn’t surpassed Leary so far. Collins will have to be really impressive the rest of the preseason to overtake Leary for the starting left guard job. Collins will get plenty of time to shine against San Diego.

Watch early not many of the normal starters will play much.