:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19059695/20120825_pjc_sh2_196.0.jpg)
Thursday Garrett Presser: Garrett Mum On Starting Linemen - Rowan Kavner, DallasCowboys.com
Garrett said he has a "pretty good feeling" who the starting offensive linemen will be on Sunday, but then didn't follow up any further on that statement.
What a tease.
Callahan says Waters showing 'all the explosiveness and strength' of a Pro Bowl guard - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
Bill Callahan is pleased with what he's seen from Brian Waters after two days.
"Even though he’s working himself in shape, you could see all the traits come alive on the practice field," offensive coordinator and line coach Bill Callahan said Thursday at Valley Ranch. "Interesting, he worked in individual yesterday and he worked individual period again today. Within that, we did some competitive drills against the defensive line, and you could see all the explosiveness and strength that a Pro Bowl-caliber guard has."
But will he play on Sunday?
"I think that’ll be based on how he feels," Callahan said. "I think we go day to day and see how he feels and see how much more he can handle. I know we’re working him a little bit more later in the practice with the training staff and with the strength and conditioning staff trying to work on his metabolic workout a little bit and try to get him acclimated to drive series where he can six plays or eight plays or whatever it may be."
Romo has trust in Cowboys' offensive line, no matter who plays - ESPN
There's been a lot of change along the O-Line over the last couple of seasons for the Cowboys, but Romo is confident about whoever it is that plays:
"I think you’ve just got to trust your offensive line, and then you adjust obviously as the game moves on," Romo said. "But if you go into it thinking some guy’s not going to do his job, then that doesn’t help anybody and you find yourself trying to do too much. I don’t think you can do it that way."
Cowboys’ Dez Bryant is thinking MVP, but not for himself - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
Dez Bryant artfully deflected the question when asked about Michael Irvin's statement that Bryant could be the 2013 MVP:
"Hopefully, this year, I believe Tony’s [Romo] got a good shot at being MVP because I think his mindset is to go out and get it. Us, we’re going to be behind him 100 percent. So, can’t wait."
"I’m more excited getting to see Tony get it and just knowing I was part of it. That’s how I look at it. I think MVPs go to quarterbacks because they’re the boss, the CEO on the field, and we just go out there to get him where he’s supposed to go."
Thin Blue Line Gets Thinner For Dallas: DT Ben Bass Out - Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys have had relatively few injuries so far in 2013, but the ones they have had mostly are on the defensive line. Add Ben bass to that list: Bass will likely be out for 2-4 weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
Dallas Cowboys DE Anthony Spencer says he suffered a setback in his recovery from left knee surgery - Brandon George, DMN
Spencer said he experienced some swelling in his knee over the weekend, but hasn't ruled himself out yet for Sunday's game. Spencer did some conditioning work on Thursday and believes he will participate in some team drills on Friday.
"It’s doing better," Spencer said of his left knee. "I had a little setback some time during the weekend. It feels better today."
"Yeah, it was just a minor setback. The swelling was there for a day in it was gone."
Cowboys Confident About Depth At DE If Spencer Can’t Go - David Helman, DallasCowboys.com
DeMarcus Ware had some nice words about the guys about to step in for the injured Spencer, but to say the Cowboys are "confident about depth at DE" is probably not entirely accurate.
"You’ve got guys practicing in 105-degree weather, being effective against our offense – a high-powered offense," said defensive end DeMarcus Ware. "They’ve been playing really, really well, so I have a lot of confidence in those guys to come in and fill the shoes of Jay and Spencer, if Spencer doesn’t play. We’ve got to be effective with what we have."
Long-shot George Selvie could be making his first career start Sunday - Charean Williams, Star-Telegram
Jason Hatcher has a lot of faith in fellow defensive linemen George Selvie and Nick Hayden:
"He’s tough; he makes plays," Hatcher said of Selvie. "He does what he’s supposed to do. He’s playing as well as anybody in the preseason, and he’s going to continue to do that. He’s just taking advantage of his opportunity. I’m glad he got his second chance at this league. Here or somewhere else, he’s going to continue his path of playing football. I’m just happy for a guy like that. And same as Nick [Hayden]. Nick was on the streets for a year. Why would you even doubt going into a game with guys like that? With their backs against the wall and nothing to lose and been on the streets? How do you think they’re going to play? So why would I be worried about anything?"
Cowboys defensive backs coach discusses the secondary - Carlos Mendez, Star Telegram
Very readable Q&A with secondary coach Jerome Henderson, in which he reviews the status of the Cowboys secondary.
Double Coverage: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys - ESPN
Dan Graziano and Todd Archer both like the Cowboys over the Giants - by a considerable margin:
Dan Graziano: The Giants are in bad shape physically, and I think they'll have a rough September. Three road games in the month, and I agree with you that they'll lose the first one. I think the Cowboys are in for a good season, and it starts Sunday night with a blowout. Prediction: Cowboys 35, Giants 17.
Todd Archer: OK, I'm going on the odds here. At some point the Cowboys have to beat the Giants in Arlington, don't they? Maybe the name change to AT&T Stadium will help. So for the second straight year, Dallas opens the season with a win against the New York Football Giants. Prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 23
2013 NFL Predictions: Super Bowl, MVP & more - Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
If you want to see a prediction that has the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, you'll have to look outside the DFW media. A good place to start would be this Philadelphia publication that has the Cowboys in the Super Bowl against the Texans.
J.J. Wilcox, interior linemen make Stephen Jones’ list of Dallas Cowboys breakout candidates - Jon Machota, DMN
Wilcox has fallen a little bit off the public's radar after missing 10 days of camp as he and his family dealt with his mother's passing. But he's remained on Stephen Jones' radar for sure:
"We have a young safety in J.J. Wilcox that I really think has a chance to step up," Jones told the Ben & Skin show on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM]. "Obviously it’s tragic that he lost his mother and for all the obvious reasons, set him back a little bit. He did the right thing to go spend time with his family and get that situation resolved. But I still think before it’s all said and done, he’s going to make a huge difference."
And Jones also mentions the revamped interior offensive line:
"I think from Leary to Frederick and now to Waters that we have a chance to see a vast improvement in the middle of that offensive line," Jones said, "which I think will be key to us being a successful offensive football team."
NFL Betting: Lone star Romo can lasso fallen Giants in Week One - Betfair
Betfair expects the beefed-up Dallas Cowboys to get off to a strong start against the struggling New York Giants, and has the stats to back it up:
"In their infinite predictability, NFL schedulers have pitted the Giants against the Cowboys six times in the opening weekend and Dallas have never lost - twice with Romo at the helm."
