With the spotlight on, most are able to shine
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
SEATTLE – Much of Saturday's preseason opener was about Tony Romo's performance.
Coach Bill Parcells wanted to test the young quarterback, giving him his first start since his senior year at Eastern Illinois, and Romo responded well, but the 13-3 win had other storylines. Here's a look at five:
GREG ELLIS
Ellis' transition to outside linebacker has been one of the bigger surprises in camp, but Saturday was a chance to see him against another offense. And Ellis looked as comfortable as he had in practice.
On the game's second play, Ellis dropped into zone coverage and brought down receiver Bobby Engram in the flat after a 9-yard gain. He then had his way with Seattle right tackle Sean Locklear, locking him out on a 1-yard run by Shaun Alexander and blowing by him for a 5-yard sack of Matt Hasselbeck to end Seattle's first drive.
"The arrow is pointing up with him," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "What we saw out there, I like the pressure, got the sack."
COACHING
After allowing Sean Payton to call plays last season, Parcells could have running game coordinator Tony Sparano or passing game coordinator Todd Haley call them this year.
Then again, Parcells could end up calling them as he did his first two seasons.
Early in the game, Sparano and Haley both had play sheets, and Parcells stayed away from them. Running backs coach Anthony Lynn also was on the sidelines after spending last year in the coaches' box.
There appeared to be little confusion with the substitution patterns, and only once did the play clock run low enough to force a timeout.
RIGHT TACKLE
When the first-team offensive line went off after its second series, Marc Colombo remained the right tackle.
It was Colombo's most extensive playing time since 2004 with Chicago, and he showed some rust. He had a false start on the game's second snap and allowed Lofa Tatupu to pressure Romo, but he had good moments, notably in the run game.
Rob Petitti, who took every snap at right tackle last season, took over in the second half and was solid. Jason Fabini, the third candidate, did not play.
SAM HURD
With Terrell Owens in California, Hurd got the start opposite Terry Glenn and promptly let the first pass thrown his way hit his shoulder pads.
But Hurd responded with four catches for 40 yards and had a nice one-handed grab on the Cowboys' first touchdown drive, pulling away from Kelly Herndon as Romo stepped up in the pocket under pressure.
With the backup receiver spots unsettled, it was imperative for Hurd, who also had a drop in the third quarter, to make some plays. At the least, he earned another look.
PAT WATKINS
The fifth-round pick did not see much action with the first-team defense, but he was effective on special teams, dragging down Peter Warrick from behind on a punt return and making a stop on a kickoff return.
Defensively, Watkins was credited with two tackles and had a face mask penalty. If he can't beat out Keith Davis, he can fill a big special teams role.
SEATTLE – Much of Saturday's preseason opener was about Tony Romo's performance.
Coach Bill Parcells wanted to test the young quarterback, giving him his first start since his senior year at Eastern Illinois, and Romo responded well, but the 13-3 win had other storylines. Here's a look at five:
GREG ELLIS
Ellis' transition to outside linebacker has been one of the bigger surprises in camp, but Saturday was a chance to see him against another offense. And Ellis looked as comfortable as he had in practice.
On the game's second play, Ellis dropped into zone coverage and brought down receiver Bobby Engram in the flat after a 9-yard gain. He then had his way with Seattle right tackle Sean Locklear, locking him out on a 1-yard run by Shaun Alexander and blowing by him for a 5-yard sack of Matt Hasselbeck to end Seattle's first drive.
"The arrow is pointing up with him," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "What we saw out there, I like the pressure, got the sack."
COACHING
After allowing Sean Payton to call plays last season, Parcells could have running game coordinator Tony Sparano or passing game coordinator Todd Haley call them this year.
Then again, Parcells could end up calling them as he did his first two seasons.
Early in the game, Sparano and Haley both had play sheets, and Parcells stayed away from them. Running backs coach Anthony Lynn also was on the sidelines after spending last year in the coaches' box.
There appeared to be little confusion with the substitution patterns, and only once did the play clock run low enough to force a timeout.
RIGHT TACKLE
When the first-team offensive line went off after its second series, Marc Colombo remained the right tackle.
It was Colombo's most extensive playing time since 2004 with Chicago, and he showed some rust. He had a false start on the game's second snap and allowed Lofa Tatupu to pressure Romo, but he had good moments, notably in the run game.
Rob Petitti, who took every snap at right tackle last season, took over in the second half and was solid. Jason Fabini, the third candidate, did not play.
SAM HURD
With Terrell Owens in California, Hurd got the start opposite Terry Glenn and promptly let the first pass thrown his way hit his shoulder pads.
But Hurd responded with four catches for 40 yards and had a nice one-handed grab on the Cowboys' first touchdown drive, pulling away from Kelly Herndon as Romo stepped up in the pocket under pressure.
With the backup receiver spots unsettled, it was imperative for Hurd, who also had a drop in the third quarter, to make some plays. At the least, he earned another look.
PAT WATKINS
The fifth-round pick did not see much action with the first-team defense, but he was effective on special teams, dragging down Peter Warrick from behind on a punt return and making a stop on a kickoff return.
Defensively, Watkins was credited with two tackles and had a face mask penalty. If he can't beat out Keith Davis, he can fill a big special teams role.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:27 AM
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