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Cowboys Run Past Broncos For 31-20 Preseason Win

DeMarco Murray 29

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DeMarco Murray 29

DeMarco Murray 29

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Cowboys Run Past Broncos For 31-20 Preseason Win site_divider_720.gifeatman_50.jpgNick Eatman - Email

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

August 18, 2007 11:34 PMChange Font SizeAAAAsite_divider_720.gifferguson1_081807_330.jpgThe Cowboys held the Broncos to 35 rushing yards, including 22 in the first half.

IRVING, Texas - Coaches and players always say they're looking for improvement from the previous week, whether it's in preseason or the games that actually count.

If that's the case, the Cowboys should be rather pleased with Saturday's 31-20 win over the Broncos here at Texas Stadium.

Other than improving to 2-0 in the exhibition season, the Cowboys and head coach Wade Phillips progressed in several more areas following last week's win over the Colts.

This week, the first-team offense not only found the end zone, but scored three touchdowns in the first half.

This week, the Cowboys converted touchdowns on all three of their red-zone opportunities after setting for field goals last week.

This week, the Cowboys ran the ball even better, rushing for 190 yards, a 51-yard improvement from the preseason opener.

This week, the first-team defense was even better than the first game, allowing Denver only two field goals and just 78 yards of total offense in the first half.

This week, the Cowboys didn't commit a single penalty in the first half and finished the game with just six for 71 yards, thanks mostly to a 36-yard pass interference call in the fourth quarter.

Now maybe the Cowboys benefited more than the Broncos by practicing against them this week at Valley Ranch. But all in all, the Cowboys looked even better in this second preseason game.

"I think we gave another good effort," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said in his post-game press conference. "In the first half, I thought our offensive line and defensive line, at key times, made some good plays. They asserted themselves a little bit. We held a really good running team (to) not much rushing yards. I was a little worried about that."

The Broncos only rushed for 35 total yards, including 22 on 12 carries in the first half.

Once again, the Cowboys' first-team defense didn't allow much of anything. After giving up six points in last week's win over the Colts, the starters allowed two field goals again in the first half against Denver.

"I really like what I'm seeing over on that side of the ball," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "We're swarming to the ball and the guys are playing as a team over there. It's early. I know that. And we've got a ways to go. But we've got a lot of talent over there and it's showing here in these (first two) games."

Jones admits he's not getting overly excited about the two preseason wins, but he said it's not too early to give credit where it's due.

"Some of the fundamental things that we're seeing are really impressive," Jones said. "I'm really going to pat our coaching staff on the back. I think they're doing an outstanding job. Jason Garrett, I'm really pleased not only with how he's gotten this offense ready to go and how he calls the plays in the game."

Garrett, the first-year offensive coordinator, called an even better game Saturday night, with the end result being three first-half touchdowns.

Marion Barber was impressive again Saturday, rushing for 57 yards on 11 carries and scoring two touchdowns. But for now, he's still the backup to Julius Jones, who wasn't bad himself, rushing for 31 yards on nine attempts and also scoring a touchdown in the first quarter.

Phillips has said all along he doesn't expect the Cowboys to divert much from last year's rotation in which Jones started and got the majority of the carries, but Barber played more on third downs and around the goal line.

"We'll have to look at it (more)," Phillips said of his running back situation. "Right now, it's kind of a generic running plays with both guys. Both are good-looking backs. I like both of them. I like their styles."

And it's hard not to like what third tailback Tyson Thompson is doing, too. The third-year back and Irving, Texas, native rushed for a team-high 75 yards Saturday on 22 carries.

One aspect that did not improve from last week was Romo sits to pee's overall statistics. That would've been a challenge, considering his 10-of-11 performance against Indianapolis. But Romo sits to pee was still sharp against a Denver defense that played its first-team defense for the entire first half.

Romo sits to pee finished the game 11-of-18 for 122 yards and had an interception in the second quarter. But overall, the Cowboys quarterback seemed pleased with the performance, especially considering Terry Glenn (knee) didn't play and Terrell Owens only went for two offensive series. Owens had one catch for 12 yards and took an end-around reverse for a 9-yard gain.

"I thought it was good tonight," Romo sits to pee said. "We moved the ball pretty good. I thought we put a lot of points on the board in the first half and that was good to see. You have to give Denver credit, too. They have a really good secondary. They're going to be a good team this year. You can see that."

And if that is the case, the Cowboys might just be a pretty good team, too.

But Phillips said this isn't always the best time of year to evaluate the group "as a team." He said with the constant change in personnel, it's easier to evaluate the players on an individual basis.

One player Phillips was excited to finally see on the field was rookie receiver Isaiah Stanback, who just started practicing last Saturday for the first time since he was drafted in April, having spent several months recovering from Lisfranc foot surgery and then dealing with shin splints that forced him to miss all of practice in San Antonio.

And the former college quarterback had quite a debut, catching two passes for 30 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson in the fourth quarter.

"We wanted to get him in the game, he's only practicing once a day this week," Phillips said. "But we wanted to see what he can do and he did some good things."

Another rookie draft pick who helped his cause was kicker Nick Folk, who nailed a 52-yard field goal just before halftime and also hit two kickoffs into the end zone. His competition, veteran Martin Gramatica, missed a 51-yard attempt in the first quarter, but had two touchbacks on kickoffs. "Overall, I look at the things we did well tonight," Phillips said. "I'm looking at the individuals and how they played. But as a team, it's early in preseason. But as a team, we played well overall." And that's always what a head coach wants to say after a game. Whether it's preseason or not. </FONT>

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Birdlives

Birdlives

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Wow a dallas cowboys staff writer. I'm sure he's completely objective. :rolleyes:

It's amazing how badly cowboys fans want to pat themselves on the back after beating an injury depleted broncos team in the preseason that they practiced against during the week. I guess dallas will go 16-0 assuming all the teams they play this year come in for practice during the week.

That fumble? Travis Henry dropped the ball like it was a porcupine. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the two quick TD's though.:laugh:

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TheFan

TheFan

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The first string teams were efficient again. They improved in the red zone which was the only problem on offense in the first game. No 3-outs for the first string group, not bad considering that most of the drives the second/third string receivers were out there. The OL did a good job.

On defense I'd still like to see more pressure and turnovers but overall their performance is encouraging.

There is reason for Cowboys fans to be cautiously optimistic. Execution has been good overall and few injuries.

TheFan

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dwdj75

dwdj75

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That fumble? Travis Henry dropped the ball like it was a porcupine. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the two quick TD's though.:laugh:

Dallas still had to get it right ?

Dallas still had to get into the endzone after that right ?

Or did Henry just hand it to a linebacker and stepped aside for him to walk into the endzone.

Nothings given in this game.

Denver didn't get a TD after Hurd coughed it up. Dallas made the plays Denver didn't.

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DeMarco Murray 29

DeMarco Murray 29

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Come on, now...that's just one game. We should use his overall rating, not just one poor outing.

Romo sits to pee 79.0 rating :excited:

To be honest, I could care less if he put up Rex Grossman #'s. He has moved the ball down the field both games with success. He has made crisp throws and the offense has moved the ball well. 3/3 in the Red Zone last night. That is also without Glenn, and Owens played only two series.

Look out for Crayton this year ... that dude is on frickin' fire!!! He could very well go to another team next year and be a #2 with ease. [Or IMO should just stay and be Glenn's replacement.]

Overall, I am impressed thus far with our team. It is preseason. But we have done things well. We have moved the ball, the Offensive line ACTUALLY gives Romo sits to pee some protection. We have ran the ball well ... and I know Marion Barber III will never compare to Great John Riggins in any way shape or form. But the way Barber keeps those legs moving and runs like a freight train, reminds me of him a bit.

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Birdlives

Birdlives

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and I know Marion Barber III will never compare to Great John Riggins in any way shape or form. But the way Barber keeps those legs moving and runs like a freight train, reminds me of him a bit.

LOL! The last time Riggo ran the ball you were too busy being born to see him! I know I know, they have video tape, but still, a comment like this deserves a good ribbing. Barber has had one pretty good season. I know cowboys fans like to compare their players to Hall of Famers, but let's let the guy play a few years first.

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Birdlives

Birdlives

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Dallas still had to get it right ?

Dallas still had to get into the endzone after that right ?

Or did Henry just hand it to a linebacker and stepped aside for him to walk into the endzone.

Nothings given in this game.

Denver didn't get a TD after Hurd coughed it up. Dallas made the plays Denver didn't.

Calm down. I know dallas had to make some plays, but seriously, that was a gift from on high.

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