Football: 2006 Cowboys: Will it be champagne or sugar water

San Antonio Express-News

Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells insist the Cowboys will field a more talented team than the one that finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs last season. Should Cowboys connoisseurs consider that fine wine? Or Kool-Aid?
Staff writer Tom Orsborn offers a position-by-position snapshot of the Cowboys' first-game lineups, in 2005 and 2006, and a projection of what Dallas fans will really be sipping this season.

Position 2005 2006 Comment Fine wine/Kool-Aid

OFFENSE

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe Same - Fine wine: Primed for best season in years

Running back Julius Jones Same - Kool-Aid: Now or never for oft-injured Irish ex

H-back Lousaka Polite Anthony Fasano - Fine wine: Upgrade in skills and playbook savvy

Receiver Terry Glenn Same - Fine wine: He'll top last year's 18.3 per-catch norm

Left tackle Flozell Adams Same - Kool-Aid: One of the best, when he cares to be

Left guard Larry Allen Kyle Kosier - Kool-Aid: Old Allen trumps young Kosier

Center Al Johnson Andre Gurode - Kool-Aid: Either one qualifies as "just getting by"

Right guard Marco Rivera Same - Kool-Aid: His Pro Bowl days are over

Right tackle Rob Petitti Marc Colombo - Kool-Aid: Hard to see any upgrade here

Tight end Jason Whitten Same - Fine wine: A career year, another Pro Bowl

Receiver Keyshawn Johnson Terrell Owens - Kool-Aid: Glenn's the man. Will T.O. understand?

Kicker Jose Cortez Mike Vanderjagt - Kool-Aid: Giant step forward, but still on hot seat