Dallas Cowboys Update: Preseason Starts with New Questions

The sports betting fans in Dallas are getting ready for a preseason they did not think would happen. But the Dallas Cowboys seem to be filled with more questions than answers as the team prepares to take on the Denver Broncos Thursday in the preseason opener. Changes in some key positions, and no changes in other positions, have created tense moments for the Cowboys’ fans who are unsure as to what to expect in 2011.

Felix Jones prepares to take on the role of the primary running back after the departure of Marion Barber in the off-season. But NFL betting lines fans remember Jones as the running back that could not stay healthy his first two seasons. Barber was the one that was carrying the load for Dallas while Jones was hurt. When Jones was able to play, he was an electric and exciting running back. But fans are wondering if the loss of Barber will give more time to new back-up running back Tashard Choice as opposed to allowing Jones to flourish as the starter.

The biggest question floating around Valley Ranch involves the Dallas defense. The one major change made to the Cowboys’ defensive unit was new coordinator Rob Ryan. Aside from that, the players on the field are the exact same unit as last year. The defensive secondary was unable to keep up with some offensive opponents, and the defensive line had issues in containing the run. But the Cowboys feel that a change in scheme will help the current players to be more successful and bring out the best in this defensive unit.

NFL fans in Dallas remember Kyle Kosier as being an effective left tackle in the 2010 season. But the addition of rookie right guard Tyron Smith in the 2011 draft means that Kosier will be playing right tackle in 2011. The move does make sense. Kosier has a comfort level on the right side, and he can work with the rookie Smith to develop his skills. That also gives veteran left tackle Doug Free the chance to work with rookie left guard David Arkin. Having two rookies at guard is a risk that the Cowboys are willing to take. It may help an offensive line that had a lot of problems last season, or it could be another step backwards for the Cowboys’ offensive unit.

The Dallas Cowboys love taking their training camp show on the road, but the shortened training camp this season made it difficult for the Cowboys to make multiple stops on their way to Valley Ranch. The Alamodome in San Antonio has been one of the homes of the Dallas Cowboys training camp for the past few years, but the Cowboys are not committing to coming back in 2012. Each team in the NFL picks its training camp sites for extended periods of four and five years. Now is the time for the Cowboys to re-sign their five-year commitment to the Alamodome, and the Cowboys are not certain that they want to do that just yet.

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COWBOY CORNER – WEEK 4

Sportsbook bettors and emotional Cowboy fans can step off the ledge now. The Cowboys did their new stadium right Monday night, scuffling at times but still grinding out a win over Carolina. Before the season started, most of us would’ve pegged Dallas’ Week 4 matchup as a gimmie; now, with Denver’s defense flourishing and Dallas’ offense hit-miss, America’s Team has a real challenge on its hands.

Week 4
DALLAS COWBOYS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Sunday, October 4, 4:15 p.m. ET
Favorite: Cowboys -3

Cowboys offense vs Broncos defense

The Cowboys won’t have the cakewalk everyone thought they’d have when the season started. Somehow, some way, the Denver Broncos lead the NFL in defense across the board, allowing an absurd 5.3 points, 78.3 rushing yards and 136.3 passing yards per game. That said, the Broncos have faced two absolutely pathetic offenses in their first three games. Who couldn’t amass prolific defensive numbers after facing the Browns and Raiders in consecutive weeks?

The better measuring stick as we study NFL Week 4 matchups is to review Denver’s game against Cincinnati, who at least has a competent offense. The Broncos allow 214 yards per game on the year but allowed 307 to Cincinnati. Cedric Benson, Carson Palmer and company didn’t set the world on fire but they moved the ball.

My prediction: expect something similar to last week for Dallas’ offense. The Cowboys should have more success on the ground than in the air. Felix Jones is out with a tweaked knee but Dallas is still set at tailback with Marion Barber, Tashard Choice or both of them getting the rock. Barber’s quad could make him a game-time decision. Since the Broncos are rushing the passer well, leading the NFL with 10 sacks, they could fluster Romo into another mediocre performance. Since Romo isn’t on the same page with Roy Williams right now, he’ll probably hand off more than he’d like.

Cowboys defense vs Broncos offense

The Broncos offense has been decent enough; Correll Buckhalter has been a nice surprise in the running game and rookie Knowshon Moreno is coming on. Kyle Orton has done good job protecting the football but target=”_blank”>betting services project a different result this week. The Cowboys’ defensive effort against Carolina was very encouraging, as they sacked Jake Delhomme three times and picked him off twice. Look for them to blitz Kyle Orton and force him to make mistakes. DaMarcus Ware should have his long overdue breakout game and pick up a couple of sacks.

It helps to have Terrence Newman back healthy. He helped hold Steve Smith to 38 receiving yards last week and took a Delhomme interception to the house. He and the rest of the Dallas secondary should contain Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall, both of whom haven’t woken up yet this season.

Outlook

The Cowboys have no easy task playing on the road in the thin air against undefeated Denver. However, we have to take the Broncos’ success with a grain of salt due to their easy schedule. Look for the Cowboys to win on the road, cover the three-point spread as NFL picks and take Denver down a notch.

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos | NFL Week 4

After last weeks win the Dallas Cowboys have 2 wins and 1 loss. The Cowboys rallied in the second half to beat the Panthers 21 – 7, and now face an undefeated Broncos team.

Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a new look this year thanks to the departure of head coach Mike Shanahan and Quarterback Jay Cutler. Josh McDaniels has taken over as the head coach of the Broncos, and his decisions have been questioned since it is believed that he is responsible for Jay Cutler’s departure. The Broncos wins have been over the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders. The Raiders and Browns have a combined record of 1 – 5 and the Broncos did not dominate Cincinnati in their 12 – 7 win, so in other words the Broncos are a very weak 3 – 0 and have not been tested. The Broncos WRs Barandon Marshall and Eddie Royal will test the Cowboys secondary in this matchup.

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys running back position is not looking as deep as it was at the beginning of the season due to Marion Barber and Felix Jones injuries. Felix is believed to be out for this game, and it is questionable whether Marion Barber will be available. Barber was a no show on the Cowboys Stadium sidelines for the Panthers game, the team is saying that he was getting treatment during the game. It is more likely that he was angry the Cowboys wouldn’t let him play, but you can decide for yourself. Running Back Tashard Choice was pressed into duty and did not disappoint, he ran for 82 yards and a TD and caught 4 balls for 36 more yards. Other roster news that came down this week is that Michael Jenkins is now the full time starting Corner Back for the Dallas Cowboys, he had been rotating with Orlando Scandrick who will now serve as the 3rd CB.

NFL Week 4 Preview | Cowboys – Broncos | TV Channel – Game Information – Tickets
Cowboys – Broncos Time: 3:15 PM Central Time
Cowboys – Broncos Day / Date: Sunday – October 4th 2009
Cowboys – Broncos Location: INVESCO Field / Mile High – Denver CO
Cowboys – Broncos TV Channel: FOX
Cowboys – Broncos Tickets:

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