ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Cowboys spent the week working on all facets of special teams play. Several young players will have a chance to show if they’ve improved in tonight’s preseason game against the Broncos. The Cowboys special teams will undergo a huge transformation this year.
Coach Wade Phillips said the kickoff coverage was good last week in the preseason opener against the Chargers. But he said the punt coverage was horrible. The Chargers averaged 20.5 yards on four punt returns. We had effort, but we had some guys that need to learn,” Phillips said after Friday’s walk-through practice. “Five starters didn’t play, and the young guys just didn’t come through. I think they learned a lot, and I’m going to give them another opportunity.” http://www.cowboysticketsforsale.com
One player to watch is rookie free agent Dowayne Davis. Phillips has said Davis could be a special teams ace, much like Keith Davis was last season.
Tonight, Dowayne Davis will be on the first-half kickoff and kick return teams and the second-half punt and punt return teams.
Deon Anderson, Courtney Brown, Isaiah Stanback and Martellus Bennett are other young players to watch on special teams.
Easy going for T.O.: The first-team offense played only one possession against the Chargers. Receiver Terrell Owens didn’t touch the ball on an eight-play drive that ended with a touchdown.
“For me, it bodes well and lets me know that our offense is on pace,” Owens said. “If I can get a couple of touches, then great. The thing for preseason is really for some of the young guys.”
Owens said he doesn’t need many catches in the preseason. He needs just a few to maintain his timing.
Choice making a run: Tashard Choice had a team-high seven carries for 40 yards and one touchdown last week against the Chargers. The fourth-round pick wants to prove he can be the Cowboys’ No. 3 running back.
“All I’ve got to do is keep working,” Choice said. “That’s my whole point, not be just the No. 3 running back but somebody who pushes for time. I just want to get on the field.”
Let’s go home: The Cowboys landed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in California on July 24. After three weeks of practices, dozens of meetings and two preseason games after tonight, the players are ready to head back to Dallas.
The Cowboys have a charter flight home scheduled after tonight’s game. Players have the day off Sunday. The team will have meetings Monday and resume practice Tuesday at Valley Ranch.
“I’m glad we’re done with the last two-a-days of 2008,” receiver Patrick Crayton said. “It’s time to play Denver and then go home.”
