NFL Preseason Preview - Dallas (2-1) at Minnesota (1-2)
By Tony Moss, Sports Network
The Sports Network
A pair of teams trying to end the preseason on a winning note will meet at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Thursday night, as the Dallas Cowboys visit the Minnesota Vikings in the final August warm-up for each team.
Dallas was handed its first setback of the preseason last week, when Wade Phillips' squad dropped a 28-16 decision to Houston. Minnesota, meanwhile, was a 30-13 loser at Seattle.
The Cowboys didn't play particularly well in any phase against the Texans, though quarterback Tony Romo did enough in a 14-of-22, two-touchdown passing performance to reassure Dallas fans that he can deliver the goods during the regular season.
Romo heads into the Minnesota game, where he will likely play only limited snaps, with a solid preseason passer rating of 89.7. Backups Brad Johnson and Matt Moore will likely see most of the time at signal-caller for Dallas on Thursday.
Among the injured Cowboys who won't take part on Thursday are cornerback Terence Newman (heel) and linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles).
As for Minnesota, Thursday will mark a final opportunity for expected starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to polish his skills in advance of the team's regular season opener against Atlanta September 9th.
Jackson, a second-year pro out of Alabama State, has played to mixed reviews thus far in the preseason. The quarterback has completed 19-of-33 passes for 212 yards without a touchdown or an interception in three appearances.
Succeeding Jackson in Thursday's lineup will be backups Brooks Bollinger, Tyler Thigpen, and perhaps recently-acquired veteran Kelly Holcomb.
Holcomb, who started 22 games in Cleveland and Buffalo since entering the league in 1995, is expected to battle Bollinger for No. 2 quarterback duties. Thigpen, a rookie out of Coastal Carolina, is reportedly headed for the practice squad, meaning the loser of the Bollinger/Holcomb duel would be the Vikings' third-stringer.
Minnesota starters are slated to play one series against Dallas.
Minnesota owns a 4-3-1 advantage in its all-time preseason series with Dallas, including a 10-10 tie when the teams met in the 2006 preseason.
The Vikings and Cowboys will also square off in regular season play, with their date scheduled for Oct. 21st at Texas Stadium.
The Sports Network
A pair of teams trying to end the preseason on a winning note will meet at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Thursday night, as the Dallas Cowboys visit the Minnesota Vikings in the final August warm-up for each team.
Dallas was handed its first setback of the preseason last week, when Wade Phillips' squad dropped a 28-16 decision to Houston. Minnesota, meanwhile, was a 30-13 loser at Seattle.
The Cowboys didn't play particularly well in any phase against the Texans, though quarterback Tony Romo did enough in a 14-of-22, two-touchdown passing performance to reassure Dallas fans that he can deliver the goods during the regular season.
Romo heads into the Minnesota game, where he will likely play only limited snaps, with a solid preseason passer rating of 89.7. Backups Brad Johnson and Matt Moore will likely see most of the time at signal-caller for Dallas on Thursday.
Among the injured Cowboys who won't take part on Thursday are cornerback Terence Newman (heel) and linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles).
As for Minnesota, Thursday will mark a final opportunity for expected starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to polish his skills in advance of the team's regular season opener against Atlanta September 9th.
Jackson, a second-year pro out of Alabama State, has played to mixed reviews thus far in the preseason. The quarterback has completed 19-of-33 passes for 212 yards without a touchdown or an interception in three appearances.
Succeeding Jackson in Thursday's lineup will be backups Brooks Bollinger, Tyler Thigpen, and perhaps recently-acquired veteran Kelly Holcomb.
Holcomb, who started 22 games in Cleveland and Buffalo since entering the league in 1995, is expected to battle Bollinger for No. 2 quarterback duties. Thigpen, a rookie out of Coastal Carolina, is reportedly headed for the practice squad, meaning the loser of the Bollinger/Holcomb duel would be the Vikings' third-stringer.
Minnesota starters are slated to play one series against Dallas.
Minnesota owns a 4-3-1 advantage in its all-time preseason series with Dallas, including a 10-10 tie when the teams met in the 2006 preseason.
The Vikings and Cowboys will also square off in regular season play, with their date scheduled for Oct. 21st at Texas Stadium.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:18 PM
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