Week 2: Cowboys 37, Dolphins 20

Anytime you win on the road, you have to be pleased. Winning in tough environments is essential to be thought of as an NFL heavyweight, and although it is difficult to imagine Miami being a decent team this year, the Cowboys wore them down in their own stadium. Despite wearing the dark jerseys, Dallas looked more and more superior as the game went on.

• Marion Barber is making it difficult on Julius Jones. The easy answer is to say that things are just fine like they are with this 1-2 punch. But, I am not worried about who starts or who gets the first 5 carries in a game. What I concern myself with is who gets the rock when you have a key possession and you have to get down the field. That man needs to be MB3. He runs like a man possessed, and also has speed to get around the corner that looks difficult to defend. Anyone who has been watching would have to admit that he is the better runner right now. It is a long season, and there is a chance this team will need Julius to have some big performances down the road, but for now, Barber has shown his quality is for real. Don’t be shocked if he gets a nice pile of money very soon.

• I really think we should congratulate Flozell Adams yesterday for doing a great job against Jason Taylor. Taylor is the best DE in the game right now, and despite Adams committing a false start or two, he held up well. Taylor had two moments of note; 1) when he was frozen in carbonite as the Jedi Romo danced around him on that play in the red zone, and 2) when he had the banner war with the Cowboys fan. I thought that was excellent entertainment, and the Cowboys fan definitely had some beer muscles. Easy fat man, Jason Taylor could rip you in half. Just because you are wearing a Terrell Owens Jersey doesn’t make you T.O.

• Jacques Reeves is a fighter. Sure, he can be beat, and even Trent Green can pick on him, but I think he is a fine substitute when Newman returns. I just like how he competes. He seems to give you everything he has, and even though he has a target on his back right now, it doesn’t look like it gets in his head, and he is ready for more abuse the next play.

• Owens had another nice day. There was a drop (1st drive of game), and another play that I sure thought that he should have made a catch if you fancy yourself as the best player in the game (1st drive of the 2nd half). Overall though, he is a dominant player who can still not be covered by the opponent for the entire game. The hook-up between Romo and Owens on 4th down for the touchdown was so awesome. You really had to burst out in laughter when they pulled Miami’s pants down like that.

• It sure looks like Wade Phillips has figured out in 2 weeks how to utilize Roy Williams, even though Bill Parcells didn’t try it for 4 years: Put Roy at LB in the Nickel full-time. If my eyes did not deceive me, the Cowboys in the Nickel had Ware, Ratliff, Bowen, and Spencer on the Defensive Line, Roy and Burnett at LB, Reeves, Jones, and Henry at CB and Hamlin and Watkins as your deep safeties. Roy made a few nice tackles that I recall, and a late interception in this package. Perhaps you can have him on the field in passing scenarios, but this is a story we will continue to follow. I guess I assumed that the Cowboys would want Bradie James on the field in those situations, but they sat him for Roy yesterday. I still am bothered by Roy seemingly never getting to the QB on the blitz, but this is better than having him deep.

• Speaking of Jay Ratliff, I am concerned about whether he can hold up all season. He is just a small DT at 298, and that makes him an odd option in the 3-4. But, it is the only option they have, so here is to hoping that Jeremiah can hold up. His quickness worked well yesterday, but let’s not forget he was up against a rookie center. And the next time we are butchering the Cowboys for their drafts, let’s remember that in 2004 they got Reeves, Patrick Crayton, and Nate Jones in the 7th round, and then Ratliff in the 7th in 2005. Not too bad, really.

• Tony Romo is the man. There is still no doubt. And, even though on this blog we have been saying Romo is a Brett Favre cover band since last October, it looks like the national media has picked up on it. He makes it up on his own on plays, and then you hear how Jason Garrett’s play calling is awesome. Let me tell you something, Jason Garrett is not calling those plays when Romo is improvising. He dances around in the pocket, staying alive for an extra split second and then throws a strike. Also, now that he is comfortable to run for the first down, he is even more dangerous. I know you might get tired of me saying this every week, but this kid is the real deal. No doubt in my mind.

• I swear I was told that Nick Folk could kick the ball deep on kickoffs. Not so much, as it seems like the ball doesn’t get to the 10 yard line much. But he is making his Field Goals, so he’s got that going for him….which is nice.

• Think the Dolphins are wondering why they spent so much time trying to get Trent Green this summer? He is horrible. And while we are at it, I think Joey Porter has had it, too.

• Nice to see Anthony Henry step up. Well done. That was a solid game from Henry, a guy who has a huge check, but is largely unnoticed most games.

• Nobody’s helmet comes off more than Marion Barber’s.

• 2-0 puts the Cowboys right where they needed to be heading into Chicago. This one is going to be a war. I just hate that we have to wait a whole week to see this one.