NFL Preseason Preview - Minnesota (1-2) At Dallas (1-2)

Gryphon

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NFL Preseason Preview - Minnesota (1-2) At Dallas (1-2)
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor (Sports Network)

Stars like Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and Adrian Peterson probably won't see much of the Texas Stadium field on Thursday night, when the Dallas Cowboys play host to the Minnesota Vikings in the final preseason tune- up for both clubs.

The teams, both popular picks to make the playoffs in 2008, will likely limit their starters in keeping with final-game-of-preseason tradition.

Romo, Owens, and other prominent Dallas players such as running back Marion Barber saw generous time in last Friday's 23-22 win over the Houston Texans.

Romo was a crisp 15-of-19 for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception in that game, Owens led Cowboys wideouts with four grabs for 43 yards, and Barber carried 13 times for 75 yards and a touchdown before exiting.

Veteran Brad Johnson and youngster Richard Bartel will probably take a majority of the snaps for Dallas on Thursday.

On the injury front for Dallas, cornerback Terence Newman (groin), linebackers Anthony Spencer (knee) and Kevin Burnett (knee), wide receivers Miles Austin (knee) and Isaiah Stanback (shoulder), and guard Kyle Kosier (foot) will miss the Minnesota game.

The Vikings also have injury concerns heading into Thursday, with the sprained right MCL of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson ranked number one among them.

Jackson did not appear in last week's 12-10 loss to the Steelers, and though he is likely to be ready for the regular season opener, his status for the preseason finale is uncertain. If Jackson can't go, veteran Gus Frerotte and rookie John David Booty would be the first quarterbacks in.

Wideout Bernard Berrian (toe), who has missed the last two preseason games for Minnesota, returned to practice earlier this week and has a chance to see limited snaps on Thursday.

The Vikings will open their season on Monday, Sept. 8th at Green Bay, while the Cowboys begin their campaign a day earlier at the Cleveland Browns.

Minnesota owns a 5-3-1 advantage in its all-time preseason series with Dallas, including a 23-14 home victory prior to last season.

The Vikings and Cowboys also squared off in regular season play last Oct. 21st, with Dallas scoring a 24-14 win at Texas Stadium.
 

Gryphon

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Minnesota Vikings starters won't play Thursday night against Dallas Cowboys
By Don Seeholzer
dseeholzer@pioneerpress.com

That includes quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who is working his way back from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee but has said he definitely will be ready for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener at Green Bay.

Childress said backup quarterback Gus Frerotte also would be rested Thursday, leaving rookie John David Booty and Brooks Bollinger to divide those duties.

Asked who would lead off, Childress joked: "I'm not that far along yet. I'm not sure if we're down to a coin flip. We may play rock-paper-scissors for it."

All kidding aside, Thursday's game represents a big opportunity for Booty and particularly Bollinger, who have been competing for the No. 3 quarterback job.

"If you figure on both for a half, obviously they want to give a good account of themselves," Childress said, "whether they're handing it off or whether they're making a play on a naked (bootleg) or a screen or a dropback pass. I just want to see where they're at with my system."
 

Phrozen Phil

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It's going to be their spares vs our spares. Strictly for deciding who gets cut.
 
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