http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...ts-without-newman-jenkins-and-tyron-smith.ece This is great. The Giants and the Boys are in trouble from day one. Cowboys prepare for opener without CB Newman, TE Bennett IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' two biggest areas of concern going into the opener — cornerback and offensive line — just became more of a problem. Starting cornerback Terence Newman didn't practice Wednesday and likely won't play Sunday at the New York Jets because of a lingering groin problem, and fellow starting cornerback Mike Jenkins left practice with a knee injury. Starting right tackle Tyron Smith also left with a knee injury. Smith and Jenkins were having MRIs to determine the severity of their injuries, and are considered day-to-day. Coach Jason Garrett maintained that the injuries are merely opportunities for backups to prove themselves. Still, it dims the outlook for the opener when a team coming off a 6-10 season learns it could be without three expected starters days before heading to New York for a prime-time opener against the Jets on what promises to be an emotionally charged night because of the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Newman and Jenkins are trying to bounce back from miserable seasons in 2010, after both made the Pro Bowl in 2009. They've hardly been on the field, though. Both missed the preseason, and nearly all of training camp, Newman because of the groin problem and Jenkins because of a stinger sustained Aug. 1. He did some non-contact work in recent weeks, but Wednesday's practice was his first with hitting in pads since the injury. The Cowboys were hoping Newman would be able to start practicing this week. Team owner Jerry Jones said the club isn't counting on him playing against the Jets. Dallas finished practice with a first-string tandem of Orlando Scandrick and Alan Ball , who started at safety all last season. The only solace for the Cowboys is that the duo got plenty of work in the preseason. Of course, that's not the same as trying to stay with Santonio Holmes , Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason for four quarters. “I'm not going to sit here and not say it's not going to be a challenge when you go against those caliber of receivers,” Scandrick said. “I'll be ready to embrace the challenge and I have confidence that my guys will be ready to embrace the challenge.” The offensive line already was suspect because it features Smith, fellow rookie Bill Nagy and a second-year center who'd played only two games on the offensive line, Phil Costa . Losing Smith really could make things risky for quarterback Tony Romo, especially against an aggressive defense like the Jets have. Jermey Parnell took over at right tackle Wednesday, but he's more of a project than an NFL-ready starter. A former college basketball player, he played only one season of football, and it was on defense. He switched to offensive line while on the Saints' practice squad in 2009. He was with Dallas for 12 games last season and inactive for all. None of the other backup linemen have much experience at tackle, although newly signed Derrick Dockery played there some early in his career and in college.
A win is a win. After Dallas and Jax, we have five straight AFC games, including 3 straight on the road. None of them is guaranteed. I would prefer to start out 2-0 knowing that I might be 3-4 or 4-3 going into the bye. Home field advantage is a big deal for this team come playoff time. -X-
True, but if we are 3-4, or even 4-3 going into bye week, you can forget about homefield advantage. We have to be a 12-4 team to sniff home field. The Pats will win more than 10 again this year.
once the MRI results comeback everyone will know for sure. But regardless if he plays, he will be hobbled. Not as good as out, but he can be beaten more frequently if hobbled. Expect to see Santonio going deep early on to test the guys speed, if he plays of course... but its officially confirmed that Smith is out?
NFL Total Access just rolled a message that Smith is out 2-4 weeks. Since both the starting CBs are out I'm guessing Shotty will try to out smart them by running on every play.
