Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: Can Pass Rush Come Through For Cowboys?

Is there reason to believe in Cowboys' pass rush? Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey say yes | Rainer Sabin, DMN
Henry Melton came away with a positive impression of the no-name D-line after playing his first competitive snaps last Suday, and Jeremy Mincey agrees:

"There are a lot of hungry guys and a lot of guys who want to make plays and that can make plays," Melton said.

"Guys are starting to gel," Mincey said. "Everything is falling in line. It’s going to come. I’ve got a real good feeling it’s going to come."

Terrell McClain ready for his season opener - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Defensive tackle Terrell McClain will make his Dallas Cowboys' debut today against the Titans, and fellow defensive lineman George Selvie is happy to have him back on board.

"He can get after it," Selvie said. "He can get penetration, get up the field, make some plays. That's what you need. You need some disruption and I think he can bring that to us."

3 Reasons for Optimism Against TEN | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
The times they are a changin: Who would have thought the run game and the defensive line would count as reasons for optimism for the Cowboys as little as a week ago. Here's Todd Davis' take on the DL:

The Cowboys front didn’t dominate against San Francisco, but they definitely flashed. Defensive tackle Henry Melton and defensive end Jeremy Mincey were especially impressive, making All-Pros Joe Staley and Mike Iupati look foolish several times.

The defensive front was supposed to be a sieve, but they held the Niners to 4.2 yards per rush, less than their 2013 average of 4.4. Based on last season's play, Tennessee's offensive line is a step down.

Is Game 2 a must-win situation for 0-1 Cowboys? History says it is | Rainer Sabin, DMN
198 teams have lost their first two games since 1990; 23 made the playoffs, Sabin writes, and adds that the last time the Cowboys started 0-2, the head coach was fired midway through the 2010 season.

Here's a nifty little table that shows the playoff odds since realignment in 2002:

Greg Cosell's Film Review: Examining Tony Romo's Week 1 mistakes | Yahoo Sports
In his film review of the season opener, Cosell explains why Romo " looked like an inexperienced quarterback," and adds two more observations:

It didn’t look on film like there was anything wrong physically with Romo. There have been a lot of questions about that because he’s 34 and coming off back surgery. But he started the game very well. He made some good throws on intermediate in-breaking routes. He looked solid. He just missed some things.

The 49ers were up 28-3 early, but I’d argue that was more on the Cowboys than what the 49ers did. I thought the Cowboys' run game was very, very good. DeMarco Murray got past the first level, the defensive line level, many times. The 49ers’ three-man base defensive line was moved at the point of attack. But Romo missed some things in the pass game, and that was what turned the game.

Dez Bryant's career journey continues to make for riveting ride - NFL.com
There's one term Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant wants you to know does not apply to him: diva. Michael Silver gets a first-hand look at what drives a player on a truly exciting path, in this teaser for a lengthy on-air interview.

Pondering the 46: How many DTs to keep - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Archer assumes that with Justin Durant and Lavar Edwards out with injuries, LB Korey Toomer will play in the first NFL game of his career, while DE Jack Crawford will see his first live action for the Cowboys.

No deal: Dallas Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick won’t play Sunday at Tennessee Titans | Brandon George, DMN
Scandrick is out, but he's expected to be back for the Cowboys’ Week 3 game at St. Louis. Sterling Moore will play the nickel corner spot in Scandrick's absence.

DallasCowboys.com Writers Share Their Game 2 Gut Feeling - DC-.com
Helman and Eatman like the Cowboys, Broaddus and Kavner see the Titans winning today.

NFL Owners May Be Overvaluing Goodell | FiveThirtyEight
Interesting take by the statheads at 538:

NFL franchises have appreciated at an annual rate of 8.8 percent since [1991], compared to baseball’s 6.7 percent. The bulk of that growth, however, occurred under Goodell’s predecessor, Paul Tagliabue. Since Goodell took over as commissioner in 2006, NFL franchises have risen in value by 32 percent, net of inflation, according to Forbes. That’s the lowest of the North American leagues by some margin. NHL franchises have increased in value by 114 percent, MLB franchises by 82 percent and NBA franchises by 65 percent over the same period.

The NFL did such a good job of expanding its reach and protecting its brand under Tagliabue and Pete Rozelle that even a mediocre commissioner could be in a position to look good. Compared to his predecessors and his counterparts in other leagues, Goodell’s value to the NFL’s bottom line hasn’t been quite so clear.