Multiple injuries to wide receivers have opened the door for rookie Mike Jefferson to see some playing time. He was signed to the active roster from the practice squad this week and will likely see time in long yardage situations. Isaiah Stanback is questionable with a shoulder problem and will be a game time decision as to how much he will play.

Because of this I am looking for the Cowboys to incorporate other positions into the passing game more than usual. Look for Marion Barber and Felix Jones to be in the game together at times. Both running backs are excellent receivers too. Also, look for formations with multiple tight ends throughout the game. Martellus Bennett will see extensive playing time at tight end and Jason Witten will probably be asked to line up in the slot occasionally too.

On the defensive side of the ball, look for Mike Jenkins, Adam Jones and Orlando Scandrick to split time that is left open by injured cornerback Terrence Newman. Although he will also be a game time decision I don’t expect Newman to play much and it looks like Roy Williams will not be in the game for 3rd down passing situations. Williams had trouble last year dropping back in coverage in crucial situations.

The Cowboys first game at Cleveland this week will reveal what kind of character they have on both sides of the ball. Even this is one of the most talented teams ever in Dallas, they have already seen their share of adversity with pre-season injuries. I am excited to see the young guys step up and prove that the belong on America’s Team!

The biggest questions arose with injuries to 3 of the Cowboys top 5 wide receivers. Sam Hurd was hurt in the Cowboys final preseason game last Thursday, a 16-10 win over the Vikings. He will miss at least one game and possibly more, with a high ankle sprain.

Hurd joins Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback as injured members of the Cowboys receiving corp. Austin is out for another month or so with a knee injury, while Stanback may be able to play in a week. He is nagged by a recurring shoulder injury. That leaves the team with only 2 active wide receivers going into week one versus Cleveland.

The Cowboys did receive good news this week regarding one of their top offseason pickups. Adam Jones was cleared by the NFL to play again and is on the active roster. He was suspended for the 2007 season due to off the field legal issues. Apparently a change of scenery has been good for Jones, he has avoided any altercations with the law since joining Dallas this year.

We have one week before the “real” games begin and will have updates on injuries and other player developments as they happen. Are you ready for some football!!

Heading into training camp, there are plenty of questions to be answered. At WR fans are curious as to whether Terry Glenn will be able to step back in and help or if we will need to depend on one of the new recruits. Glenn and the Cowboys have trying to work out details of his contract. The team doesn’t want to guarantee Glenn a large salary if he is unable to play. We’ll see how that works out pretty soon.

Adam “I will honor his wishes and not mention the P word” Jones’ ability to play…or not…will only create more questions in the defense. If he does start at right cornerback, Anthony Henry, will need to find a new place. Henry needs to be a regular so would the Cowboys try to move him to the other side, or maybe to safety? Will Roy Williams figure out how to fit into the defensive scheme, or will he become a part time player?

These are just a few of the many questions we will look to have answered. Oh! Don’t forget, this years Training Camp will be featured on the HBO special sports series, “Hard Knocks“. The show will begin airing on August 6th every Wednesday at 9pm central time. I believe they will show 5 or 6 episodes leading up to the beginning of the regular season…I can’t wait!

In a surprise to most followers of the team, owner Jones has given T.O. a brand new contract that should keep him with the Cowboys for a few more years. Owens reportedly will receive in the neighborhood of $12.9 million as a signing bonus. This came as a surprise because Terrell still has a year left on his contract, but apparently Jones didn’t want negotiations to be a distraction during the season so he broke out his fat checkbook…again.

Other good news earlier in the day came from league headquarters. Roger Goodell announced that Pacman Jones is clear to participate in the teams’ offseason workouts, training camp and pre-season games. He did participate in the OTA workouts today, the 7th of the teams 12 scheduled. Goodell also stated that he will make a decision on Jones’ eligibility for the regular season by September 1st. So, Pacman had better be on his best behavior ALL summer!

I don’t know about you but I am excited about both of these developments. Jerry seems to be getting all his ducks in a row in preparation for the Cowboys last season at Texas Stadium and for the beginning of a new era next season when they open thier new state of the art stadium in Arlington.

After a few months of conjecture, the Adam “Pacman” Jones trade finally came together. Tennessee received the Cowboys’ fourth round pick this year and could get their sixth round pick next year depending on Pacman’s availability.

The Cowboys brass is obviously not convinced the Jones will be able or available to fill their needs at cornerback. Dallas took Mike Jenkins, cornerback out of South Florida, with the 25th pick in the first round of the draft. He should be able to step in and make an impact this year, although he won’t be asked to start right away. They also took cornerback Orlando Scandrick, Boise State, in the fifth round. He was a 3 year starter who bypassed his senior season to join the NFL.

Jerry Jones also picked 2 running backs in the draft. Felix Jones of Arkansas was taken in the first round as expected. He will fill the hole vacated by Julius Jones who was not re-signed by the Cowboys. They also took Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech in the fourth round. He should be able to take on some of the kick return duties as well as back up the running backs.

The other 2 draft choices Dallas made were Martellus Bennett, a tight end from Texas A & M, and Erik Walden a defensive end from Middle Tennessee State. After trading Anthony Fasano the Cowboys needed to fill his roster spot and were excited to grab Bennett in the second round. Walden, their sixth round pick, is more of a gamble. Drafted as a defensive end, he is likely to be moved to linebacker to fit into Wade Phillips’ defensive scheme.

So, looking forward to the beginning of rookie mini-camp this Friday, we’ll see how these draft picks along with a crop of a dozen or so rookie free agents will pan out, at least for now. But according to the Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones is “very pleased with the players we’ve drafted.” With all these pieces added, the Cowboys will surely remain one of the favorites to represent the NFC in next February’s Super Bowl!