"Fake Football" Fixings

The Cowboys finally finished off the "fake football" part of the year, as the last preseason game was won by the 'Boys 16-10 at Texas Stadium. Romo, Owens, Barber, Witten, and the rest of the starters did not play. However, there are still many positives we can take from this game:

-LB Bobby Carpenter has been criticized for his play (or lack there of) the past 2 seasons. Many people believed last night's game could be his last in a Cowboys uniform if he did not step it up. "Barbie" Carpenter, as he was called on Hard Knocks by DeMarcus Ware, played the entire game Thursday and finished as the team leader with five tackles and a pass deflection. That could be enough to keep him on the roster of the deepest team in the league. Carpenter could be quite a threat in the nickel/dime defense, and with Kevin Burnett coming off surgery, Carpenter will be needed on this Dallas defense. When the roster gets cut to 53 on Saturday, Carpenter should still remain standing.

-Tashard Choice had a great game as well, but do the Cowboys really need another running back? With Marion The Barbarian and Felix Jones getting all the carries, Choice could be the odd man out when it comes to roster cuts.

-Concerned about their depth at guard after losing starter Kyle Kosier with a foot injury, the Cowboys traded a 5th round pick in 2010 to Denver for Montrae Holland, a Texas native. Holland started all 16 games for the Broncos last season and looks as if he will fill Kosier's quite nicely. The only concern is if he will know the plays well enough for opening day against Cleveland. In other news, Montrae Holland will be competing against DeMarcus Ware, Flozell Adams, Tashard Choice, Orlando Scandrick, and Tank Johnson for "Most Badass Name" on the team.

-The feel good story on the team has been that of Richard Bartel, the Grapevine native that is gunning for the 3rd string QB spot. Bartel might not make the team, and sources say he most likely will not, but the greatest night of the young man's life happened last night when he got to start for the Cowboys. "I had the greatest time," said Bartel, who kept a game ball for himself. "I hadn't had that much fun in football in my life. I mean, c'mon, you're playing a whole game for the Dallas Cowboys. You get to run out of the tunnel. The experience was awesome for me." He completed 28 of 41 passes for 233 yards, and many of the coaches were impressed. It will be very difficult for one of the lone remaining spots going to an unproven rookie quarterback. We here at DallasDedicated are not too keen on the idea of Brad Johnson's becoming America's Quarterback if Romo goes down with an injury (knock on wood), and Bartel showed he has the poise to play in the NFL. Give the kid a chance Jerry!

In Mavs news:
Bob Ortegal is back on television! DallasDedicated's favorite commentator will be making his way back to the visual side of sports with good buddy Mark Followill. On thing missing from that broadcast will be the energetic Laura Green, who is heading to Portland to cover Greg Oden's knee.

As for that man that just keeps on giving, Jason Kidd announced that he is leaving Nike to join the Chinese sportswear company, Peak. The tagline for Peak Sportswear..."I can play." Really? What marketing genius came up with that? The nerd in gym class wearing the new Peak shoes will have so much confidence in himself.




--ND