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Houston Texans @ Dallas Cowboys: What I'm looking for

Preseason game number three: the unofficial "dress rehearsal" game that serves as the biggest test for the starters heading into the season. The first two games have been underwhelming at best and Cowboys fans are itching for a little domination, just to ease some of those fears that have come up the past few weeks. Last year the Texans treated the game at home against the Cowboys like it was their Super Bowl, now its time for the Cowboys to come out a little fired up. I'm not saying that it's do or die but it would be nice to see a little more enthusiasm in the team than we saw last week. With that being said, here is what I am going to be looking for tonight:

Sharpness: The Cowboys starting offense needs to come out sharp and move the ball like we know they can. While Jason Garrett won't exactly be unleashing the hounds, I expect to see a little less vanilla gameplan than we saw last week. Felix Jones needs to get in with the starting offense and alternate with Marion Barber like he will once the season starts. If The Cat can break those runs behind the second string offensive line, imagine what he could do once Barber wears them down a bit.

And on a personal level, I want to see the Cowboys throw right at Jacques Reeves. I want to see Hurd or Crayton, or even better TO himself, catch a couple 10 yard comeback routes on the cornerback who cost Dallas a couple of games last season. For what it's worth, Texans fans are starting to see the redeeming qualities that led to the Cowboys not making an offer to keep Reeves in the offseason.

Demarcus Ware: He made a couple of nice plays against the run last week, but Ware has yet to lay a hit on the quarterback. Ware is poised to have an even greater season than he did last year, aided by an improved secondary playing behind him. Against Denver the Cowboys hardly blitzed and played soft zone coverage, and Jay Cutler was able to quickly get the ball away. Just once tonight I want to see Ware explode off the end, dipping low to the ground as he blasts past the left tackle and then lays a big hit on the blind side of Matt Schaub.

Turnovers: The Cowboys have yet to force a turnover so far in the preseason. With the amount of playmakers we have on defense and special teams that is astounding. Granted, the starters haven't played much, but the closest the Cowboys have come to a turnover is when Adam Jones came this close to a pick-six in the second half against the Broncos. With Brian Stewart not following the pleas of an email asking for the Cowboys to play nice, the defense should have some opportunities tonight to make a game changing play. An interception by Jones would be nice, but a fumble causing hit by Roy Williams would be even greater.

Isaiah Stanback: Stanback should get Miles Austin's reps tonight against the Texans and he needs to make the most of his opportunity. Stanback has looked good so far in the preseason, especially on special teams, but he needs to show some playmaking ability on offense for me to feel better about the receiving group in Austin's absence. No more of these 8 yard curl routes out of the slot, I want to see Stanback flying down the sideline.

5Blings has a Fanpost up about what he is hoping to see tonight as well.

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Stanback isn't going to be a big factor with this team this year

they’ll have a couple of designed plays for him, like an end around or a skinny post but He’s still raw and learning the position and is probably a half a season away from starting too show he’s making strides at getting comfortable at the position and running crisp routes..

by Deke on Aug 22, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

more likely

but i hope not. i hope he develops into the player i think he can be.

by Tuna Helper on Aug 22, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I realize that Deke

I meant in the preseason games

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Aug 22, 2008 4:14 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree Deke

But coach Wade was quoted at the start of training camp saying that he expected Stanbach to make an impact on offense this season. The thing with stanbach IMO is that this is only his second season….after being injured and recovering for the majority of his rookie year. Look at how improved Austin was….Pre-injury….between his second and third year. Stanbach,I believe will be a very good reciever….But it’s going to take time.

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Aug 22, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stanback its only his second year being a reciever

Give the guy a break. He has made and shown improvment just be patient, the injury to Austin might have been a blessing in disguise.

TD

by littlewoozy9902 on Aug 22, 2008 4:52 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm curious to see...

…if Hurd makes the most of this opportunity (Austin’s injury) more than anybody.

I’ll still never forget that play in Week #1 last year (@ home against the G-Men) where Romo hit him on da fly for that long game-breaking TD pass.

I’d love to see more of that on a consistent basis.

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Aug 22, 2008 6:35 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reeves

no doubt will get Toasted by who ever he sticks.

by bleedn blu on Aug 22, 2008 3:48 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jacques Reeves...

Light him up.

I want Romo and the whole WR corps to take out all the frustration at the playoff loss to the giants on mr. 10-15 yards soft. Make Houston fans realize that they bought a pig in a poke.

How Bout Them Cowboys!

by sprprsnmn on Aug 22, 2008 4:12 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i'm looking to see if pac man is...

able to step up into the 1st spot…i hope he doesn’t get to cocky and bite, but he was all over his guy last week….i want to see barber and jones witten T.O. bennitt all on the feild for a few quarters…..plus i want to see a little more on d-fence….good times….

I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....

by hashishkabob on Aug 22, 2008 4:36 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reeves

Man he stinks and as for the games he cost us, The Giants game right at the half when they lit him up wherever he lined up.

TD

by littlewoozy9902 on Aug 22, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stan the Man

trying to take over for Austin – ROFLMAO
he will be lucky to get a return
Sorry guys he is not our next big playmaker

by GimmyJ on Aug 22, 2008 5:27 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not saying Stanbach will

Take over the #3 spot.
But its basically his Rookie season.
Remember how everyone was so down on austin after the Redskins game (week #17), but now we’re talking about someone actually having to “take over for him”….HaHaHa…..he was a bum last December! Just goes to show you how players can improve from one year to the next….plus you’ve got to give wideouts 3 years to actually be productive…..Give Stanbach a break….he’s not going to be cut this year…..or next!

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Aug 22, 2008 5:44 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah and Romo will never make it

heard that same thing 2 years ago

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Aug 22, 2008 6:35 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lucky to get a return ??

I’m predicting Stanback will get off a 40 yard return tonight….and will make an impact in the passing game…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Aug 22, 2008 6:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Crystal ball anyone ???
I’m predicting Stanback will get off a 40 yard return tonight

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Aug 23, 2008 6:45 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no its 7:00 pm Central time

8 O’clock on the east coast.

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Aug 22, 2008 6:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is there a website that'll be televising it?

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Aug 22, 2008 6:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks, deke!

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Aug 22, 2008 6:41 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Actually

Pat Watkins had two interceptions that were negated by penalties.

by cowboy78 on Aug 22, 2008 6:27 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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