Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts Preseason Game Recap

Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts Game Recap

Tony Romo and the Cowboys under new coach Wade Phillips had an excellent showing in their first preseason game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. Romo started- off on fire-- he completed his first pass to Terrell Owens and ended up completing 10 of 11 passes while leading the Cowboys down the field with ease. Romo ended the game with 93 yards with six completions to different receivers.
Both Phillips and new offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett were in good spirits during the game and the mood became even more jovial in the post- game press conference. Phillips said, "I thought it was a pretty good first outing, it's not a regular season game, but it's nice to come in and play well at home, which you need to establish, and not turn the ball over and not let them run the ball. So I think we did some things well. Hard work can pay off. Winning whatever kind of game is important." Garrett was pumped throughout the game and was very energetic towards the players, smacking them in the helmet, jawing with them, and even pushing them around. Garrett and Phillips are a lot easier to please then predecessor Bill Parcells was and the duo is bringing fun football back to Dallas.

Dallas also had the run game going behind Marion Barber III and Tyson Thompson. Barber made a few Colts look silly trying to tackle him and ended the contest with 12 carries for 48 yards. Thompson saw most of his carries in the second half. The offensive line looked impressive with Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams sitting on the bench-- with the addition of Leonard Davis, the Dallas line is one of the biggest in the entire league and looks to be back in top run blocking form.

Peyton Manning did play the first half and hooked up with Marvin Harrison on a nice play but that was all that we would see from Manning and company. The first half at Cowboys Stadium was a bit choppy and all we saw were field goals but that soon changed when Keith Davis intercepted an errant, tipped Jim Sorgi pass that he proudly scooted into the end zone for the games first touchdown. On the next drive, the Cowboys marched down the field and Thompson punched it in from the two- yard line. It was now 23-3 and all Cowboys. The game ended 23-10 after Josh Betts tossed a three- yard touchdown to Trent Shelton for the only score for the high- powered Indianapolis offense.

Phillips played the second and third string for most of the second- half and ended up sitting Leonard Davis, Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Ken Hamlin and Greg Ellis. The second half Cowboys charge was led by some key plays from Jerheme Urban at receiver and Matt Moore at quarterback. Moore led Dallas down the field for their first offensive touchdown and added some nice passes to Tony Curtis and Anthony Fasano. Fasano had a terrific game and is already looking like a complete tight end in only his second season.

From My Notepad

• Tony Romo was throwing darts and making quick reads
• Kicking game looked good for Dallas
• Secondary was up and down in coverage but held their own-- Keith Davis had an interception return for a touchdown
• Dallas had pressure on the quarterback but I know Phillips would like to see more
• Nice run schemes and blocking-- Dallas was running at ease
• Jason Garrett was leading the charge from the sideline-- Garrett is a players coach and is going to have a nice year calling plays for Romo and company
• Tony Curtis, Jerheme Urban and Anthony Fasano were beasts in the passing game-- Fasano finished with 43 yards and Curtis 58.
• Matt Moore looked good-- look for more time in the up- coming preseason games