The NFL announced the 2011 preseason schedule today, despite not having any resolution in the lockout. The 6-10 Cowboys witness the first bite of their disappointing season, and are not a part of the national television schedule.

Dallas opens the preseason August 13th at home against the Denver Broncos and their shiny new rookies (currently #2 in the first round). They follow that with a second consecutive home date against another AFC West foe, the San Diego Chargers.

The following week, August 27th, Dallas travels to the Brett Favre-less Minnesota Vikings. Well, at least for now, Brett's been known to pull some stunts.  The third preseason game is normally the dress rehearsal for the games that count, so you can target this game to see what kind of progress the team made in it's first training camp under Jason Garrett.

After Minnesota, the Cowboys take their talents to South Beach to face the Miami Dolphins in their preseason finale September 1st.

From there, it's full steam ahead into the teeth of the regular season (we hope).

The NFL preseason schedule kicks of August 7th, with the Hall of Fame Game featuring Chicago and St. Louis.