Understanding the Dallas Cowboys Media

In the Sports World, it doesn't get any more high profile than the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone who comes to the Cowboys from other teams, for whatever reason, are always shocked at the amount of media activity surrounding all things Cowboys.

In fact, a legitimate part of the Cowboys story is the personalities providing various types of coverage for the world to consume. From the strict reporting of mundane statistics to the tabloid unreality of PacMan's diet, one has to wonder what type of psychological profile is required to report on the Cowboys.

While we can't possibly profile each person who engages in highly public coverage (We'll save that for later), we can speak in broad generalities which give insight to the circumstances involved in the broad range of media coverage.

First, you have the completely independent freelance writer/reporter/blogger. This person has no allegiances to anything or anyone other than himself. Therefore, there's no surprise to anything this person might say or do. Nothing is taboo. Whatever brings attention to him and his enterprise, whatever that may be, is the norm. For that reason alone, this person is usually never taken seriously as a professional anything.

Then you have the professional media types. This is where you find most of the writers/reporters and, yes, even bloggers. Not afraid to turn attention to themselves, they, nevertheless, tend to moderate their actions when it comes to covering America's Team. This is usually because their professional contractual obligations to media organizations such as Newspapers, Television Networks and even advertisers, limits unapproved activities which would tend to bring unwanted or negative attention to the group. So, actions are carefully policed by the individual rather than depending on the Organization, because once it gets to the organizational authorities, it's usually too late to remedy the situation. In other words, the media person should already be sprucing up his or her resume or looking for additional advertisers.

Finally, we come to the pitiful world of the media types strictly employed by the sports organization itself. While deluding themselves into thinking that they possess the journalistic freedom to print their own thoughts, they, nonetheless, are limited in what they can actually write or say, especially when it comes to decisions of the coaches and/or management and especially the ownership. This is even more true in the case of the Dallas Cowboys. The poor souls who are employed by Jerry Jones, while obviously having an envied position, are still trapped, whether they admit it or not. Rather than truly investigate and write what they have found to be true, their journalistic hands are tied. Well, let's just say, they are motivated to write things that tend to put all things Cowboys in as positive a light as possible. And that motivation is monetary in nature.

Criticism? Not allowed! Well, not so you would notice. It is usually buried within the layers of explanations as to why or how the Cowboys made and implemented a certain organizational policy or decision. Legitimately question a decision of the owner? As I said, not so you would notice. And as I also said, your job is at stake. Question a decision of the Head Coach? Maybe, but carefully. It's usually couched in discussing the myriad of possibilities available to the coach at the time.

So, in seeking to understand the unusual media world of covering the Dallas Cowboys, it's good to realize that all is not as it seems. At the same time, most involved are completely sane, though there are some who appear to live on the edge of that media sanity. Others cannot afford to even consider approaching the edge. Their very media life depends on it.

The Return of Keith Davis?

According to Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, your Heros are about to welcome a Bill Parcells reject. Negotiations should be wrapped up by late Sunday to include Safety and Special Teams Ace, Keith Davis on the 53 man roster.

Though there might be some question as to his health, the Cowboys welcome any upgrade to the Special Teams after the poor preseason performance of all things kick coverage. Even an injured Davis could possibly raise the level of play to heights as yet unseen this season. And, at the same time, possibly preserve the job of the Special Teams coach, whatever his name is.

So, welcome back a familiar face.

Jerry Jones Missed His Calling

With the Dallas Cowboys suffering a rash of injuries to the receiving corp and effectively depleting all depth, the release of both Danny Amendola and Mike Jefferson leaves one, not only shaking their head, but also wondering what the Cowboys leadership is thinking. I say that only because the official word from your head Hero, ie. Jerry Jones, was that they had no interest in picking up any veteran potentially available from other teams.

I guess that in order to understand these moves, you need to let Tank Johnson use you as a tackling dummy for 10-15 minutes. But I doubt that any amount of head shakin', head scratchin' and head buttin' will begin to get the cranial cavity to functioning enough to approach, within a galaxy or two, any stray logical process regarding these two moves.

With that said, I am forced to back up a certain amount and take another stab at an explanation. I say that I'm forced to because I must admit that there's a trend that I've noticed with Jerry Jones for quite awhile. Prior tendencies aside, this activity has seemed to escalate of late, specifically since Bill Parcells headed south. It's an activity directly related to the Truth. In fact, it has to do with speaking the Truth. To be more specific, not speaking the Truth.

What purpose is served by announcing unequivocally that you absolutely have no interest in another veteran receiver, then immediately cutting your only two remaining receivers on the team? And at the same time, stating that you just don't know anything about Terry Glenn. I realize that this could be, and probably is, just a coy way of throwing other teams off track when it comes to guessing what your true plans are, especially if you're in the midst of working out a deal with a player and especially if that player is an available veteran, maybe Terry Glenn. Do they really think, though, that the front office personnel of other teams can't figure this out. Do they really think that we, as fans, are that stupid? Do we really think they care?

Maybe Jerry enjoys exercises in futility. Maybe Jerry enjoys having the rest of the management and coaches participate in covert football operations, ala Bill Belichek. Maybe, Maybe, Maybe!!!!!! Which makes the point! Why not speak, at least a little, more plainly? It definitely makes things more simple. And maybe, instead of feeling the need to spout some amount of misinformation or propaganda, don't say anything.

Now there's a thought! Can you imagine that? Jerry Jones silent??!!!!????!!!!????

Silence has never been a Jerry Jones forte. Just ask Tom Landry. Which makes it all the more important to speak with a certain amount of credibility. If you must make people listen to you, make it worth their time and effort.

But if you can't, and Jerry doesn't seem to be able to reach the lofty heights of straight talk, he needs to take a short trip to Austin Texas. They have this elite group of professionals called the Texas Supreme Court. They preside over the organization called the Texas BAR Association and probably have a membership card waiting for him as we speak.

That way, Jerry can meet his true calling head on. He can receive a license to practice Law, thus officially and legally enabling him to speak out of both sides of his mouth.

Dallas Cowboys Great Bob Hayes Nominated to Hall Of Fame

Maybe the Pro Football Hall Of Fame is about to make up for an egregious oversight and elect "Bullet" Bob Hayes in as a senior member. Hayes' world class speed impacted the game as no other receiver has, as evidenced by his 20 yard per reception average over the length of his career. But a lack of respect, some refer to is as Cowboy bias, has kept him out. Well, Cowboys and Cowboys Fans and many others think there shouldn't be any question as to his credentials.

But that's what the process is there for, so let it take its course. But it's about time!

Now, there are a few other Cowboys...................

Stanback May Miss Opener, Leaves Door Open For Others

by Ryan Bush

It's more bad news for Dallas Cowboys receiver Isaiah Stanback. Not only will he eventually need surgery after dislocating his shoulder in Friday's game against Houston, but his rehabbing may not do an ounce of good. He may need surgery now.

"You know me," Stanback said. "I'm trying my best to prevent that. "Everybody on this team plays with pain," he said. "If that's what it's got to come down to in order for me to help this team, then that's what it's got to come down to."

Stanback suffered a similar injury last season in a game against Philadelphia but put off surgery until the off-season by wearing a protective harness. "Same thing I had last year," Stanback said of his injury. "Rehab it first, see if it responds and depending on how that goes, if it's well enough to get on the field, obviously I'll get back on the field. If it's not, I get it taken care of."

So far the shoulder is showing signs of progress but Phillips said he doesn't expect Stanback to be available for the season opener against the Browns.

But Stanback's bad news is somebody else's good news.

With both Stanback and Miles Austin inactive for the first game, Phillips will be looking to either Mike Jefferson or Danny Amendola to dress as the fourth receiver. Both have stretched away from the rest of the wide receiver competion vying for the 6th and final spot on the roster.
Both are totally different, with Jefferson being more of a possession receiver, while Amendola is the speedy type.

Nevertheless, they are confident that they can step up to the plate if called on. "I'm confident that I could come in and contribute, but there's still a long way to go to get out there for the season," said Jefferson after Friday's game. "I've got to get myself in a little bit better shape. I was a little tired out there."

Though both continue to improve, you have to like Amendola's chances to win the job due to the fact that he can be a contributor on special teams, something Phillips has made clear that you had probably better do if you're on the roster bubble.

If Amendola were to play in the season opener, he would be the second man, along with rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick, to return kickoffs.

And if Adam Jones should go down with an injury or fail to get fully reinstated, Amendola could fill in as a punt returner as well.

The coaches love to use the former Texas Tech wideout in the slot where they can utilize his quickness and speed. In fact, Amendola caught the longest pass of the game (35 yards) against the Texans from the slot position. But he's not getting ahead of himself, realizing that there's still a lot to be done before the final cut.

"I'm still in a situation to try to make the squad," Amendola said. "I'm just trying to find a role for myself on this team, whether it be the fourth receiver, the fifth - it doesn't matter to me. I'm just trying to make a role for myself."

Rather than finding a role, Stanback's injury may have forced a role on him.

Q & A With Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo broke his silence on Tuesday when he spoke to the media about a variety of topics, including Thursday's game against the Vikings, his relationship with wide receiver Terrell Owens, and his off the field personality.

Do you think it's better to skip this game or be out there playing?

I don't know; I'm not sure. I know that offensively last year, we kind of came out of the gate pretty good in that first game. I know I didn't play that last pre-season game, so I don't think there's any perfect way to do it. We're a pretty veteran-laden group, experienced, especially offensively, that I think we'll be OK.

So you're going to play on Thursday or not?

I don't think I'll play. I wouldn't envision it, but you never know.

You've missed two deep balls here lately. We're not used to that. Anything to that?

No...I think, I mean you're not going to connect. I think it's a good thing when the only thing that people have to talk about is missing on the deep ball or something. You're just trying to get timing down. I'm sure I've missed two deep balls at some point in my career at different times. There's just not many throws now at the beginning of the year. I've only thrown the ball 20 times, or whatever it's been so far, or 30 times, whatever. So it's like people are just going to look at certain things. You're always trying stuff in the pre-season, trying to get yourself to a certain point. I'll really condense everything that I want to do going into the season, know what I'm doing well and do those things.

Since you're a golfer, is not dwelling on it like missing a couple of 4-foot putts?

No, it's practice. At the end of the day, you're trying to improve on something, you know. One ball that I might not do a certain way tomorrow that I did yesterday. I feel like the best thing that happens to me are the mistakes that I make because very seldom do I make the same mistake twice. It's a learning experience, something you go through, something you do. Like I said, it's just something you throw out in the pre-season. That's part of the reason I didn't talk a lot the last week or two. There's not much to talk about. You just kinda get out there. During the pre-season, you're just trying to get better. But there will be plenty of stuff for everyone to talk about during the season, each week, about what we did wrong and everything. It's difficult when you're trying to get better and everyone is watching because you're practicing, so you're trying different techniques, doing different things to prove yourself as an individual and as a team. And so I think for us, you know, you're always judged when you step out there in front of the cameras. We're just trying to get better and get to that point where we feel like we're playing our best level in week one, and I think we've accomplished that.

Is the team where it needs to be to start the season?

Yeah, I thought we had a really good pre-season. We're excited about our execution. The thing is that you guys look more so at just games, but we look at practice as a big tool as well. We feel like, and I said this a little while back in training camp, but we came out and we got into training at the beginning. It was the best offense has started training camp. Usually the defense is far and away ahead, but having the guys that we had at certain positions we were able to kind of pick up where we left off and go from there. It was important to get that feeling of confidence.

Is Kosier going to be a bigger loss than maybe the media gives him credit for?

Yeah, he's appreciated in here, and I think sometimes I get way too much credit when we win, and probably too much blame or whatever when you lose because it's such a team-oriented game. Kyle helps out in so many different ways that the normal fan won't know. He's always with Flozell and Andre and making some of the line calls, doing things that take pressure off them and myself, so everyone's got to step up a little bit and do a little bit more. But we know how important he is.

You didn't really talk much to the media. You weren't mad were you?

No, I think I don't really get mad. I don't ever get mad or any of that stuff just because it is what it is. I've said it a lot of times, if you're expecting all you guys to talk good about me all the time, then you're in for a bad feeling, I guess. It's just part of playing quarterback, it's part of being part of a franchise like this, it's part of being in this position...is getting ridiculed. There's always going to be talk, some good, some is bad. I've learned that, that's part of it. For me, I'd rather not always talk about it, more than just...sometimes it's fun just to play the game, and go home at night and talk about what's fun at practice.

So you just like playing the game sometimes?

I'm just saying like instead of being right here, this is OK, but...like talking about the deep balls or talking about our team, what we need to get better. We're practicing. I mean that's what we're doing. For us, it's just we want to improve and get better, and it's fun not to have...it's almost like the business side of the game. The game is so much fun and you love playing the game, and sometimes you just like to just play the game because it's a game and we really enjoy that side of it. Sometimes when you're in a contract dispute, or when media wants to talk all the time or everything, it doesn't allow me to go sit in the locker room for 25 minutes and talk to the guys. I've always got something I've got to do. There's always something that you have to do over here, and you miss out on a lot of the fun stuff. But I'm lucky enough to be able to do this for a living. I try sometimes to say, I'm going to put some stuff on the backburner. I'm not doing this, I'm just going to do this and have fun and enjoy it. And for me, that's always something I try not to take for granted, those moments. You're not always going to have that, so use that.

Did you ever ask Roger Staubach or Troy Aikman how to handle it?

Troy said not to talk to you guys all the time.

What do you think about the perception that you are changing off the field?

I don't want to minimize what I'm about to say in anyway, but it doesn't affect me necessarily. It just doesn't mean that much to me. I appreciate how passionate people are about our game because if you guys aren't in here talking and everything the game's not as exciting as it is. This is a great game and we're all lucky enough to play and you guys are lucky enough to be around it as well. For me, I don't necessarily take that feeling home with me and get mad at people and frustrated because I know when I'm sitting watching the Olympics I say, 'Why'd that guy do that?' or 'Why didn't he do this?' We're all Monday morning quarterbacks. That's the way we all are. It's part of the fun-ness. Let's talk about this on the radio, let's have a little give and take here. And for me, I don't mind anymore when someone says something because it gets people debating and talking about it. I think sometimes people talking about it is good for the game, for what it is. You hope you're always on the good side of the call but that's not always the case. If you can understand that in your brain, then you're OK with whatever happens and how it goes. You can rest easy when you're playing, when you're done playing or when your career is over.

Do you fear that maybe you have changed?

I think that's always something you try and watch out for. The hardest part is not becoming...I try and read and talk to different athletes and people just because sometimes you become a little cynical about everything. Like I said, you can get upset with people, you can get mad at people, people want to use you. There's a lot of deceitfulness involved in a lot of different areas and lot of it is just individuals. Some are whatever and I don't want to go into detail on it, but when you see that, it just lessens people's credibility in your eyes. So in a sense, I don't ever want to become...A, I don't want to naive, but, B, at the same point, I don't ever want to become the guy that thinks that everyone is out for something. I don't want to be that guy that assumes that guy is a bad person. I think it's allowed me to treat everyone the same and be the same person. And my dad will always yell at me, so I'm sure that will always keep me grounded.

How much of the offense did you show in the pre-season?

Oh, we held quite a bit out, and saying that, you're always trying to move the ball. I think it's something where what's in the best interest of your team. Like honestly, if I throw for 12 touchdowns because we out-scheme them, that's great but you're not going to be able to out-scheme them the next few times. It's a fine line you draw there. We held out a lot of stuff and hopefully that will help us. It doesn't mean you're going to be successful, but it gives you a little higher percentage chance.

How do you know if it works in a game?

That's why practice is so important. You play against your defense, and I hate to say it, but we treat it as a game. I feel like I play at a tempo of the game-like speed. That's why when the games happen, you just try to do the same you've done in practice.

Can you still do that although it's not full speed?

That's the whole thing I didn't understand when I first got into the NFL. Most quarterbacks if a guy comes free, gets to the edge and breaks it down, they let the guy run by and still throw in rhythm. I've never had the ability. A guy comes free, the ball is coming out. I'm going somewhere because that's what you do in a game. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, but my brain is telling me this guy, I feel him, he's going to hit me, it just feels the same. Now maybe that was a benefit for me to allow me to play better quicker when I was younger. I just felt that I was able to play at a tempo like you're playing games. When it happens in a game, it's not a brand new thing, not a random act. It felt the same.

Can you describe your relationship with T.O. and why the QB-WR relationship is better for him here than in the past?

Two people have to want to do it. If he wanted to have a bad relationship with his quarterback, he could. If I wanted to have a bad relationship with my receiver, I could make it that way. But you both know it's in your best interests to get along to do things well. The other thing is, our personalities are somewhat similar. Where we're opposite is that I'm funny and he's not.

Will Bartel Open Things Up A Little?

by Ryan Bush

Dallas Cowboys 3rd string QB Richard Bartel is scheduled to start and play the entire game on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings.

As a backup trying to make an impression and only getting a few snaps a game, it's easy for a QB's aggression to take a dramatic swing, either conservative or not-so conservative.

In Bartel's two appearances so far in 2008, he has shown a knack for finding the short pattern, i.e conservative.

I'm not criticizing him for that, but, knowing that he'll get to play 4 quarters, will he open up the passing game a little bit more?

Pacman's Unique But He's No Deion Sanders

by Ryan Bush

I'm not exactly sure why new Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones keeps getting compared to Deion Sanders. There's very little to compare.

Deion, who played with the Cowboys from 1995-99, was the only shutdown corner the game has ever seen. Let me repeat that. The only one. Ever!!

I know Champ Bailey and current Cowboy Terence Newman have been placed in that 'shutdown' stratosphere, but it's really all a bunch of whooee. Prime Time is the only one I've ever seen that can take his guy one-on-one and completely cover him up for an entire game.

Pacman is a solid corner, but he's not even considered one of today's best, let alone the all time greatest.

As punt returner, Jones is obviously a pretty good one. But nobody has that quick burst like Deion possessed. If you've ever watched Pacman, it's obvious that he can't get into as much trouble and get out of it like Deion. Pacman is fast, but at the same time is very reliant on decent blocking, whereas Deion could make four players miss seemingly with a touch of a button.

You can compare uniform numbers but leave the rest alone.

So let's all get our heads back out of the clouds and just enjoy what we have. Even if he's no Prime Time, at least he's still a Pacman.

Dallas Cowboys Injuries: More To Come?

Let's see: First it was Terence Newman, though he has now returned. Then it was Miles Austin, then Isaiah Stanback, now Kyle Kosier.

First of all, let's hope this doesn't become a trend. When the staffers carrying the stretchers start to need the stretcher themselves because of exhaustion, the potential for a Wade Phillips & Jerry Jones migraine exists.

Second, while Austin and Stanback are not starters, Kosier is. True, he didn't make the Pro Bowl last season, but his contribution beside those that did is not insignificant. The crucial factor with his injury is his replacement, who currently seems to be Bill Parcells pick Pat McQuistan. (If you'll remember, Parcells liked McQuistan because he had a mean streak in him. We'll see.) This is only one injury but we will finally begin to see just how deep this Offensive Line is.

Hopefully, we don't have to find out in other offensive areas.

Jerry Jones: Dallas Cowboys' Guru?

They say that an early rise to stardom and success has its own pitfalls. Those pitfalls usually have something to do with thinking more highly about yourself than you should. In other words, excessive credit is sometimes given to oneself. Sometimes, it's simply that enough credit is not given to others.

Anyone familiar with the history of The Dallas Cowboys knows what I'm referring to. Jerry Jones has had to learn some tough lessons. Some of these lessons he has partially acknowledged in public. Others remain unacknowledged. Which leaves me to wonder if he's really learned as much as he or others think he has.

It must be admitted, though, that the hiring of Bill Parcells was quite an admission in itself. Jerry was admitting that his way wasn't working. So he brought in a man who was not only successful everywhere he had coached, but was known for doing it his way. Hiring Parcells was the beginning of an education in Football fundamentals for the current General Manager. And learn he did. While not disrespectful in his actions toward Jones, Parcells, nevertheless, rarely deferred to Jones on purely football matters, especially when it came to evaluating talent. Parcells first of all, surrounded himself with Football people he trusted, which did not include Jones. Though Jones was around much of the time, Parcells listened to his people because they knew what type of players he was looking for. On occasion, but not often, Parcells would choose his own player, trusting his football instinct, something which rarely failed him.

Which brings us to the current situation. The Cowboys are poised for gridiron success for the next several years, thanks to Bill Parcells. The question becomes whether or not Jerry Jones can maintain and extend what Bill Parcells constructed. Has Jerry learned enough that he can continue to implement the types of policies and decisions necesary to remain a winner?

It's obvious that Jerry Jones doesn't like the idea or concept of rebuilding. He wants to win now and continue to win every year. Of course, if the right decisions are made, that is a possible scenario. However, it must also be confessed that Jerry's decisions, both in personnel and in dealing with salary cap in the 90's, led to the decline of what Jimmy Johnson had previously built. But like any good businessman, he recognized what was wrong and went out and remedied the situation. It wasn't immediate, but it was slow, steady and stable. It will take that same approach to continue the success.

Therein lies the rub. It's not in Jerry's nature to be slow, steady, and stable. Jerry's fortune was made being fast, flashy and flagrant. You see this evidenced in his affinity for the high powered Cowboys offense and wanting to bring in high profile players. But this is tempered by his desire to win and his bottom line acumen. So far, in this Post Parcells era, so good, even though we are less than two years removed.

But, I still wonder just how much penetrated that thick skull. We'll find out, won't we?

Roy Williams: The Most Popular Dallas Cowboy

The Dallas Cowboys have numerous personalities. Some are exciting, some are flashy, some are subdued, some are sophisticated (well, let's say more sophisticated than others), some are even cerebral. But there's one whose popularity reaches heights his teammates can only drool over. It's not Tony Romo, T.O., Marion Barber, Jason Witten or even Greg Ellis or Demarcus Ware. It's none other than Roy Williams.

Before you laugh this conclusion off as just another rant of another demented blogger type, I can easily demonstrate such a fact. We'll play a word association game and see which player you think of first. The fact that Roy Williams name ends up next to each word I choose should speak for itself.

Let's Start:

Hit Man - Roy Williams
Blown Coverage - Roy Williams
Terrell Owens Injury - Roy Williams
Horse Collar - Roy Williams
Missed Tackle - Roy Williams
Renewed Dedication - Roy Williams
Big Hit - Roy Williams
Persecution - Roy Williams
Criticism - Roy Williams
Excuse - Roy Williams
Journalists' Favorite Topic - Roy Williams
Next Year's Player - Roy Williams
Overshot The Gap - Roy Williams
Missed Opportunity - Roy Williams
Favorite Player From The Past - Roy Williams

See what I mean? And that's only the beginning. Out of respect for Roy Williams, I refuse to go any further. After all, he has received alot of unnecessary coverage, though I will say that he brought a certain amount of that on himself. There's alot to say for not opening your mouth very much. It saves a certain amount of trouble.

But when you do open your mouth, your can quickly become a very popular person. Especially when you play for Jerry Jones and The Dallas Cowboys.

Meeting Expectations: The Dallas Cowboys Future

The Dallas Cowboys have put the pressure on themselves. Forget the expectations of everyone else. The players know how good they are. They know they let one get away last season against the Giants. And they aren't afraid to voice their expectations for this season. They actually expect to meet all expectations.

But they are well aware that they must proceed one game at a time. Peeking is not allowed. Focusing your attention elsewhere tends to get you steamrolled. So one game at a time. Win one game at a time, that is. Even realizing that they could lose on any given Sunday, they still expect to win every game.

After all, the future is now.

Dallas Cowboys: Super Bowl Bound

Jerry Jones cringes at such titles or similar prognostications for his beloved Dallas Cowboys. He hates them. He hates them because he has made this same type of announcement before only to have the team fall flat on the face, their losing face. And Jerry doesn't like to lose face.

So, he's content to let others go out on a limb and speak for him what is obvious to all, the Cowboys are good, very good. And if not for one mediocre quarter of football against the Giants, your heroes could be wearing a Super Bowl ring.

But, alas, such memories are painful to bear. We are left, instead, to perform the work that the fear residing within Jerry Jones will not allow him to. Predict the glory to come, this year, not next year.

At least we will never have to acknowledge that we let our fear get the best of us, regardless of the outcome. True Texans possess that certain quality. Jerry should take note. After the Super Bowl, of course!

Cowboys Have To Trim The Tree On Tuesday

On Tuesday the Dallas Cowboys will have to trim their roster from 80 to 75 players, according to NFL rules.

Compared to the final cut, there's relatively no drama, but still head coach Wade Phillips will have some decisions to make. Like whether or not to keep QB Jeff Terrell around for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Vikings even though, seeing as how the coaches would like to see all they can of Richard Bartel, he's not likely to play.

Will Marcus Dixon last a few more days, even though he's been out most of training camp with an injury?

The majority of the starters aren't likely to play on Thursday, so I'm sure that whoever Phillips keeps, he would like to see on the field at some point in the game.

Stanback's Injury Could Open Door For Other Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys receiver Isaiah Stanback suffered a shoulder subluxation during Friday's game against the Houston Texans. He joins Miles Austin as the second receiver in as many weeks to be placed on the injury list.

Austin will miss at least the first regular season game against Cleveland and possibly the home opener versus Philadelphia as well.

Early reports suggest Stanback will be sidelined 1-2 weeks.

That means there's an outside possibility that he could miss the Browns game on Sep 7 also.

If so, that would mean that either Danny Amendola or Mike Jefferson (whoever wins the spot) would dress as the fourth wideout to open the 2008 campaign.