Cowboys Not Ready For Prime Time

Dallas was demolished in the final real tuneup game before the start of the regular season, losing to the Texans 23-7. Tony Romo (above) and the Cowboys' first-team offense continued to struggle as it was shut down by the Texans defense. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

It's been a lackluster preseason thus far for the Dallas Cowboys, especially on offense. Normally I'm not a big fan of people freaking out over the preseason because, hey, it's just a glorified practice where everything is vanilla and game plans are basically nonexistent.

But, this time around, the Cowboys first-team offense has shown just about nothing in terms of quality play through three preseason games, and I'm finding myself on the ledge along with many others who see this as a dubious sign of things to come. In fact, even Cowboys' head coach Wade Phillips feels this team isn't ready for the start of the regular season.

"We're not ready for prime time yet," Phillips said. "If the players aren't ready to play for the first regular season game, then I need them to get ready to play.

"If we need more game time, then we'll just have to do it."

Normally the fourth and final preseason game showcases rookies and other players trying to make the roster, but it's sounding more and more like Phillips wants to see more from the starters. Especially after the way the offense played Saturday against the Houston Texans, it seems abundantly clear these guys need more time together.


The offensive-line was especially woeful against the Texans. Dallas allowed three sacks for the game, six hits, and it seemed as though Cowboy's QB were forced to run for their life every time they dropped back to pass. Tony Romo, forced into unenviable situations all game by the poor play of the o-line, fumbled twice (losing one) and threw his second interception of the preseason.

The big guys up front were even worse blocking for the run. The Cowboys averaged 1.1 yards per carry for the game, totaling 13 rushing yards on 12 attempts for the game. The two running backs expected to get the most time this season behind the quarterback, Marion Barber and Felix Jones, had all but zero running lanes in the game. The duo combined to rush seven times for four yards, with Barber finishing the game with four carries and -2 yards for the game.

The way the offense played against the Texans is just a recurring theme thus far for the 'Boys so far this preseason. The Dallas first-teamers have scored only one touchdown in eight quarters of action, and guys just aren't making plays out there.

"It's not just one person or anything like that," Romo said. "It is all of us. It's everybody. But it's correctable. We all just need to execute better. I don't know how else to say it."

I know it isn't necessarily entirely the offensive line's fault for the way things have gone, but I think it's undeniable that it makes it a whole lot harder to execute plays when there are no holes to rush through or two defenders are meeting you in the backfield for a sack every time you drop back.

Even though the offensive play through Aug. 28 has been disturbing, all that really matters to Cowboys' fans is how this team looks when it steps on the field Sept. 12 against the Washington Redskins. Five starters (two on the offensive line alone) have missed significant time this preseason and this team has had the longest camp (thanks to the Hall of Fame game) in the NFL. However, if Romo and co. can't get it together by that Sunday night in Washington D.C., those excuses won't matter and the already restless Dallas masses may turn against America's Team - and it won't be pretty.

Dallas plays the fourth and final preseason game Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys first-teamers may see some time on the field and there may even be a Dez Bryant sighting.

Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)