The Cowboys certainly will face some tough teams this season. As always, the other NFC East teams tend to be a handful, no matter how much momentum Dallas has built going into each matchup. The East will battle the South and all of its young talent in the NFC. In the AFC, an easier task. Could the AFC West be a division that the Cowboys sweep? If they do, it sure would help their chances of a much desired return to the playoffs.
The Cowboys begin their quest against the West in Denver (10/4). The Broncos are in a bit of a rebuilding phase with new head coach Josh McDaniels. The following week they travel to Kansas City (10/11) where the Chiefs will be led by their new head coach and former Dallas wide receivers coach, Todd Haley. They, too, are rebuilding. Greg Ellis will play his first regular season game in Cowboys Stadium when the Raiders make a Thanksgiving Day visit (11/26). Unfortunately for Oakland, the Cowboys have been kicking some serious butt when the aroma of turkey and stuffing hits the air. The Chargers (12/13) look to be the toughest opponent the Cowboys face from this division. The game is in Arlington, but it's in December.
Even getting three of four against the AFC West wouldn't be too shabby. Two or less would be more than disappointing.
Matt Mosely lists seven things to watch in this season's inter-conference matchups between the NFC East and AFC West. He has the San Diego @ Dallas game twice on the list.
1. Wade Phillips gets a look at his old defense: The Cowboys' head coach helped Shawne Merriman have the best season of his career when he was the defensive coordinator in San Diego. In fact, the Chargers' defense hasn't been nearly as dominant since Phillips brought his version of the 3-4 to Dallas. The Chargers will play on the road against the Browns and then come to Dallas on Dec. 13. It will be a great opportunity to see Merriman and DeMarcus Ware on the same field. The Cowboys opted for Ware over Merriman, and at this point, it looks like they made the right decision.
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4. Another reason I love that Cowboys-Chargers matchup Dec. 13: Chargers coach Norv Turner thinks he should've been the successor to Bill Parcells in Dallas, although he's always very complimentary of Phillips. Turner would've been exactly what Tony Romo needs -- someone who won't accept the careless mistakes. I think Phillips and Turner will bring a little something extra to this game.
More VRR after the jump.
Nothing but crickets chirped for the Cowboys during the NFL's Supplemental Draft on Thursday. Thirty other teams stayed just as quiet. The only team who did select a player was the Redskins. They gave up a third-rounder in next year's draft to select DE Jeremy Jarmon.
This doesn't mean Dallas can't check out the leftovers. Supposedly, there were some talented players that made themselves eligible. Here's a short list:
Former Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon is considered the crown jewel, though Texas Tech defensive end McKinner Dixon, Tennessee safety Demetrice Morley and Kansas State wide receiver Deon Murphy also show NFL-caliber athleticism on film.
Western Kentucky linebacker Blake Boyd, Central Michigan offensive lineman Pete McMahon, Southern Mississippi receiver Torris Magee and Florida State receiver Corey Surrency aren't likely to be drafted, but could earn a workout with teams.
Speaking of drafts, SBNation's Mocking The Draft has the Cowboys taking a defensive tackle in next year's first round. Personally, I don't see Dallas drafting so high.
14. Cowboys- Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska
Who really knows what Jerry Jones is going to do in the first round? He may go after a QB if Romo fails to win the 2010 Super Bowl. Suh is a massive force in the middle, and will command a double team all of 2009. He could be a big time force next to DeMarcus Ware.
It feels as if it has been a while since we talked some Bobby C. He's been prepping to fill Kevin Burnett's vacated nickel linebacker spot.
Carpenter has worked hard this offseason to get leaner, losing five pounds, with the idea that he would have to turn and run with a lot of tight ends in this projected role. In fact, Carpenter said he has worked out with Tony Romo and Jason Witten — a player he often goes up against in practice — this offseason to work on his footwork and change-of-direction skills.
Doug Free was named to CBSSports' Mid-American Conference All-Decade Team.
Nick Eatman takes a close look at the Cowboys' left guard position.
The Ravens re-signed OLB Terrell Suggs to a six-year, $63 million contract. This could help determine the value of DeMarcus Ware's upcoming contract extension.
Hat tip to thejanusman for the FanPost.
Jamie Dukes ranks Cowboys fans as third best in the league. Ha, ha. We beat the Giants who he slotted at number four.
The San Francisco Cowboys? This SF Chronicle article discusses the resemblance the current 49ers team has with, or hopes to have with, the Cowboys teams of the '90s.
Thoughts are with legendary Cowboys head coach, Jimmy Johnson, whose father died Monday at the age of 90.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse will be hosting a benefit dinner for Rich Behm.
The event is July 19 at the steakhouse in Dallas and costs $500, with reservations required. For more information, call 214-366-2000.
Smashburgers are now BIGGer than ever. Leonard Davis partnered up with the Smashburger chain to open up 30 of the Colorado-based restaurants in the Dallas area.
Says Davis in the press release, "I've had great success in the NFL, and my career with the Cowboys continues to drive me. But I wanted a business opportunity that made sense with my life after football. Smashburger has all the right things in place to be a huge success in Dallas and nationwide. They have a great management team and a compelling concept, and the burgers are hands down the best I've had."