How fitting it is that the Dallas Cowboys have been selected to start the 2010 NFL Pre-Season by playing the Cinncinati Bengals in Canton OH at the Hall of Fame Game on August 8th.
The Cowboys last played there in 1999 when Running Back Emmitt Smith was with the Cowboys. The Hall of Fame Game will follow an enshrinement of the Hall’s Class of 2010 on Saturday, August 7 which will include Smith. Michael Irvin is expected to enshrine Smith.
Check out Smith and the rest of the Class of 2010:
Game four of any pre-season is of no interest to most football fans but Cowboys fans realize it is a chance to see future stars or at least starters trying to make the club any way they can. It was not a well played game for either team. There were so many missed tackles and turnovers I lost count. But it was Cowboys football and it was entertaining.
The Stats tell it all for the Cowboys too many turnovers too many penalties.
Team Stat Comparison
1st Downs
18
19
Passing 1st downs
11
10
Rushing 1st downs
5
8
1st downs from Penalties
2
1
3rd down efficiency
8-13
6-15
4th down efficiency
0-0
1-3
Total Plays
61
73
Total Yards
310
369
Passing
218
242
Comp-Att
21-32
16-32
Yards per pass
6.8
7.6
Rushing
92
127
Rushing Attempts
27
41
Yards per rush
3.4
3.1
Red Zone (Made-Att)
2-2
2-3
Penalties
7-51
4-35
Turnovers
4
2
Fumbles lost
3
0
Interceptions thrown
1
2
Defensive / Special Teams TDs
3
1
Possession
29:27
30:33
++++
Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings First Quarter Review
Detroit Lion Jon Kitnatakes the 2nd string down the field on a nice drive lead by several nice runs by RB Tashard Choice.
Cowboys 7
Vikings 0
Special ED teams don’t hurt the team and the defense does a nice job holding Tavarus Jackson.
Cowboys get the ball back and Detroit Lion QB Kitna fumbles the snap from center.To go with his earlier strip which was recovered by the Cowboys.
Vikings take two plays to score from 40 yards.The Viking TE was Wiiiiidddddeee open.Not good.
Cowboys 7
Vikings 7
Cowboys Special Ed Teams screw up again.On a routine kickoff from Ryan Longwell Dallas returner who will remain nameless drops the ball and it goes out of end zone.NOT GOOD!
The Cowboys offense takes the ball down the field again on several nice Tashard Choice runs.Drive slow by more penalties.
End of 1st Quarter
Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings Second Quarter Review
Detroit Lion QB Kitna gets stripped AGAIN!This time the Vikings recover in mid air and run it back to the Cowboys’ 30.If you were counting that was three lost balls in the first 18 minutes for Kitna.
Vikings take the ball and jam it down the Cowboys throats.No one made a play to stop the drive.
Cowboys 7
Vikings 14
Cowboys QB Rudy Carpenter enters the game.THANK GOD!At least he held on to the snap on all three plays.3 and out.
Cowboys Special Ed Teams do it again!Vikings return the punt for a touchdown.This is out of hand.Is it time to get a new Special Teams Coach?
Cowboys #16 misses and easy tackle and off he goes for a touchdown.85 Olegtree hurt on the play.
Cowboys 7
Vikings 21
Carpenter makes several nice passes.To drive down the field until RB #29 fumbles without being touched.This is nuts.Hold on to the ball.
Vikings drive down the field to the Dallas 1 foot line at the two minute warning.
Vikings go for it on 4th down and Cowboys #25 Watkins keeps containment to stop QB naked boot leg.Nice play by Watkins.
Cowboys Special Ed Teams finally make a play!!!!Patrick Watkins make a nice play to block a end of half kick attempt by the Vikings.Nice play by Watkins.He makes the team on that play.
The Half Ends Mercifully!
Cowboys 7
Vikings 21
The Cowboys first half was terrible.The offense could not hold onto the ball.The Special Ed Teams again let up a big play for a touchdown.The defense was ok but no one stepped up to make a play.No forced turnovers.Cowboys had 30 more penalty yards
All three NFC East team ended their preseason 1-3.I guess the Cowboys want to
Start of the 3rd Quarter
Cowboys Cornerback Patrick Watkins make a great play to intercept a pass and return it for a touchdown.Nice!He just made the team!!!
Cowboys 14
Vikings 21
Cowboys K David Buehler kicks second kick 8 yards into the end zone.Nice.
Cowboys finally get some turnovers LB Steve Octavien makes a second interception for a touchdown.
Cowboys 21
Vikings 21
Cowboys defense makes stand.
Cowboys fumble AGAIN!RB #39 Crosslin fumbles but at least he got hit.
Vikings take the ball down field for a touchdown.Oh Brother!
Cowboys QB Carpenter puts together a nice drive and passes to TE Chandler for the score.Carpenter looked good against the 3 and 4th string guys.
Cowboys 28
Vikings 31
Michael Irvin 4th and Long Winner Jesse Holley makes the play of the night.On a Vikings punt the ball bounced as defenders ran by the ball and Holley picked up the ball and showed great speed to return it for a 70 yard touchdown return.
Holley just made the practice squad which is great for him
I'm hoping the Farve and Peterson will play but I can not imagine that happening. Peterson is ready for the season and Farve is old and needs the rest even though he is still learing the system.
The first string was up 10-0 on the 49ers just before they got a FG right as the first half ended. Except for the terrible throw by Romo that was intercepted the starting Cowboys Offense and Defense had a good game. The second string not so good.
Check out some of the game highlights and lowlights.
The Cowboys first string won the first half battle which included a 94 yard drvie that lead to the Cowboys only TD of the game. The second teamers again showed that they do not match up against other teams players.
The biggest concern of the night is how bad is Tashard Choices injury. He left the game early and there was no indication how bad his injury was.
The Special Ed Teams showed both signs of life and same old same old. Penalties took three points off the low hanging scoreboard early but they did have a nice return which turned into a quick 3 points for the Cowboys.
Tony Romo's decision process again failed him when he through a long interception into double coverage. Overall he had a nice half but the INT is worrysome.
Again, too many turnovers, too many penalties, average special Ed teams and a loss for the Cowboys.
Team Stat Comparison
1st Downs
23
22
Total Plays
64
64
Total Yards
320
377
Passing
219
252
Rushing
101
125
Red Zone (Made-Att)
2-3
1-3
Penalties
7-40
8-78
3rd Down Conversions
6-13
6-14
4th Down Conversions
0-0
1-1
Turnovers
0
2
Defensive / Special Teams TDs
0
0
Possession
29:36
30:19
Cowboys – 49ers First Quarter Review
Cowboys start out with RB Felix Jones returning the opening kickoff.Nice!Get the ball in this guy’s hands.
Cowboys Special Ed Teams take points off the board for the Cowboys.This is killing me.A nice drive stalls but the Cowboys get three points only to be knocked out of FG range by a penalty.This will kill the Cowboys this season if this does not stop.It killed a nice play drive.
49ers put a nice drive together on their first series of the game.Cowboys Brookings makes several tackles and looks ready to go for the season.
Romo makes a long interception to end eight play drive!Didn’t we see this last year?Bad Special Teams and Romo interception!
End of 1st Quarter
Cowboys 0
49ers 0
Cowboys – 49ers Second Quarter Review
Felix Jones is burning up the 49ers defense.
Cowboys have nice 13 play 86 yard 8 minute drive which had a nice balance of run and pass.If the offense keeps this up it will be a nice season.
Cowboys 7
49ers 0
Cowboys Defense makes the 49ers do a 3 and out.Nice!
Special Teams has nice play to bring back punt inside 49ers 10.
Two penalties kill drive.49ers hold Cowboys to a FG.
Cowboys 10
49ers 0
49ers put together nice drive.Cowboys’ defense holds them to FG.
Cowboys 10
49ers 3
Special Ed Teams make nice return to the Cowboys 40.
And I am Jacked-Up!!! The 2009 Season is Getting Close!!!
Tonight's game should be the most we see of the starting lineup until the Regular Season Opener. Some team have played their starters into the 3rd period depending on how many plays they get.
It will be interesting to see if the starting offense can put together several solid drives similar to the 15 play 9 minute drive Romo Engineered versus the Titans. It will also be interesting to see if the Cowboys offense can not do a 3 and Out like they have done the first two pre-season games. The offense needs to set the tone right from the start not to mention it takes the pressure off the defense.
#1 WR Roy Williams will probably sit out tonight's game due to his bruise shoulder. No reason to make it worse and it will give more reps to the backup WRs which is not a bad thing.
The Biggest question of the night will be if the Cowboys Special Ed Teams can at least break even. Solid kick and punt returns, quality coverage and make a few field goals beyond 40 yards. If this happens I will sleep much better tonight. maybe some rookie can show us something tonight.
DEFENSE WINS SUPER BOWLS:
Let's see if the defense can continue its dominance tonight. 49er RB Gore is tough to stop but may not play much. I'm waiting to see if off-season LB pickup Brookings starts to emerge as a stud. The 49ers have name Shaun Hill as their starting QB this week.
Monday's announcement by coach Mike Singletary that Hill will be the starter represents a case of (very) delayed gratification for Hill, who seemed destined for a career of third-quarterback obscurity until his life changed at the midpoint of the 2008 season. That's when Singletary yanked J.T. O'Sullivan and installed Hill as the starter. He should be easy pickings for the Cowboys Defense.
49er Info:
RT Adam Snyder has a sprained right knee and will not play in the last two preseason games. He should be ready for Sept. 13 at Arizona. ... WR Arnaz Battle sat out practice with a tight hamstring. ... SS Michael Lewis (concussion), CB Tarell Brown (toe), LB Patrick Willis (ankle/Achilles) and LB Parys Haralson (hip) all returned to practice.
Special Ed Teams Coach Joe DeCamillis must have felt like the new stadium fell on him last night versus the Titans. After a terrible opening game versus the Raiders I look to see if the Special Ed Teams would rebound at home. You got to figure that at least ten marginal players have figured out that the only way that they are going to make the team is through Special Ed Teams play. Well last night's video will be the reason several players will be un-employed next month.
Here are the details:
- 0-for-1 on field goals, with kicker Nick Folk knocking a 49-yarder off the right upright. He misses a 32-yarder against the Raiders. Keep in mind that the Cowboys new stadium is a DOME so it wasn't the wind.
- 12.3 yards per punt return allowed, including a 21-yarder. I think that is worse then last year.
- 23 yards per kickoff return allowed, low-lighted by a 51-yard return by Titans rookie running back Javon Ringer.
- Two muffed punts, including one by the normally sure-handed Patrick Crayton.
- Three special teams penalties, two of which put the ball further back in Dallas territory.
These tidbits do not hide that the Cowboys returners had an average night at best.
Titans drive down field with WR wide open in the End Zone.Not good.
Cowboys’ Felix Jones EXPLODES on a screen play and moves the Cowboys to the Titans 20 yard line with less than a minute to go.Cowboys work the clock nicely and Felix Jones takes it into the end zone.EXCELLENT TWO MINUTE DRILL.Felix Jones is the man!
Cowboys 14
Titans 10
Cowboys kick off and do not screw it up.
End of 1st Half.
Overall a good quarter by the Cowboys.The ‘D’ let up a good drive but overall for the half has been solid.Romo is 18 for 24 for the half for 192 yards and NO interceptions.Not Bad.
Forget about the NEW Stadium this will be a BIG test for the Cowboys. The Titans are good and have only gotten better this offseason. The Titans added Rutger WR Kenny Britt to the offense and it seems the 2nd string QB Vince Young has turned it around.
The Cowboys offense will need to show that it can run against a very tough against the run defense. The three headed monster must show tis week that it can take pressure off of Tony Romo to win games. They need to show that they can run down field and take large chunks of time off the clock to give the Defense a rest.
The Titans were very good on Special Teams last season. The Cowboys Special ED Teams need to match their play tonight. The Cowboys will get a break as the Titans return man Mark Jones will be out.
COWBOYS - TITANS
Tonights Matchup Edge
TEN
Edge in:
DAL
Points/Game
Yards Gained
Yards Allowed
Time of Possession
Red Zone
Kicking
Penalties
Overall Team Offense
The Dallas Cowboys are ranked 24 on offense, averaging 274.0 yards per game. The Cowboys are averaging 127.0 yards rushing and 147.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Tennessee Titans are ranked 23 on offense, averaging 274.5 yards per game. The Titans are averaging 82.5 yards rushing and 192.0 yards passing so far this season.
Home and Away
The Dallas Cowboys are 0-0 at home this season, and 0-1 against AFC opponents.
At home the Cowboys are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The Tennessee Titans are 0-0 while on the road this season, and 1-0 against NFC opponents.
On the road, the Titans are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
PRESEASON 2009 Stats and Records
Team Comparison
W/L
Strk
PF
PA
Home
Away
Grass
Turf
OT
Div
Conf
Tennessee
2-0
W2
24.0
19.0
2-0
0-0
1-0
1-0
0-0
0-0
1-0
Dallas
0-1
L1
10.0
31.0
0-0
0-1
0-1
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
++++++
Last COWBOYS - TITANS Meeting (THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO)
The third-team offense had only four reps in Monday's practice. The coaches focused mostly on the regulars in preparation for Friday's preseason game vs. Tennessee. The offense struggled with the pressure looks they got from the defense during the day. The offense had to repeat at least three plays and the QBs were often under pressure even when completing passes. NOT GOOD FOR THE 'O'!
• DE Marcus Spears came up limping after colliding with James on a blitz but did not miss a snap and recorded a sack later.I’m sure his agent didn’t like that.
• Tony Romo, while moving right,had a perfectly placed throwback to his left to TE Martellus Bennett.The throw cameafter Carpenter bit on the motion to the right.
• LB Bobby Carpenter made a nice interception of a Jon Kitna (who had enough turnovers versus Oakland) pass thrown down the middle of the field and intended for TE John Phillips.
• TE Jason Witten flung the ball at LB Stephen Hodge after making a catch near the sideline in the two-minute drill. Witten apologized to the TCU rookie after the session ended.Temper Temper!!!
• DE Marcus Spears came up limping after colliding with James on a blitz but did not miss a snap and recorded a sack later.
• S Ken Hamlin put a big lick on WR Mike Jefferson,but to Jefferson's credit, he held on to the Kitna pass for a first down.
• WR Miles Austin ended the first-team's two-minute drill with a touchdown in the back of the end zone on a throw from Romo over S Pat Watkins.
• CB Courtney Brown had two pass deflections and an interception Monday after suffering through a rough Sunday workout in which he was repeatedly beaten.
Cowboys fans watch out for Titans #1 pick Kenny Britt. He was a stud at Rutgers (My Alma Mater). I got to see him play live, he is big and fast with good hands. He should have an immediate impact on the Titans.
****
Kerry Collins probably entered the 2008 season unsure if he'd ever become a starting quarterback again. Then Vince Young injured his knee in the season opener, and amid apparent concerns over his attitude, remained a backup for the rest of the year.
Without Young, the Titans won a league-best 13 games the old-fashioned way - with a strong running game and a stout defense. And the 36-year-old Collins played well enough to earn a contract extension and retain the starting job under center.
Jeff Fisher's group will try to use the same winning formula in 2009, which might prove more difficult defensively without departed tackle Albert Haynesworth. The organization also will play with a heavy heart following the tragic death of retired quarterback Steve McNair.
In a way, it's fitting the Titans will play the first NFL game at Cowboys Stadium. The Titans/Oilers franchise has deep Texas ties from all those years in Houston.
Tennessee Off vs 
Dallas Def