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Cowboys' evaluations for key positions
By TODD ARCHER - The Dallas Morning News
CANTON, Ohio -- With five preseason games, the Cowboys want to make sure they find out what they have in reserve. They may have to dig deeper than they had hoped at tight end with John Phillips suffering a sprained right knee that knocked him out of the Hall of Fame Game against Cincinnati in the second quarter.
John Phillips
Like he did in San Antonio, Phillips made plays all over the field with Martellus Bennett watching with an ankle injury. But his night was marred by the knee injury.
He appeared to take a shot to the knee on his first catch but stayed in the game. He also had two big blocks that helped spring Tashard Choice for long runs.
If the injury is serious, then Phillips' absence hurts because of his ability to play on the line, at fullback and at H-back. Bennett is expected to play Thursday against Oakland.
David Buehler After making 33 of 38 attempts inside the Alamodome, Buehler came out with field goals of 20 and 34 yards in the first half.
But he badly hooked a 49-yard attempt in the third quarter. He rebounded with a 23 yarder on the ensuing series.
Getting Buehler as much work as possible in all kinds of conditions is a must to help speed up his learning curve and work remains. His kickoffs were strong. He had two touchbacks and sent one kickoff 5 yards deep in the end zone.
But the Cowboys have to see him answer questions about his placekicking.
Stephen McGee
He spent most of his time inside the Alamodome running for his life with the bulk of his snaps coming against the first-team defense. Facing Cincinnati's backups, McGee displayed a strong arm but he was still under a lot of pressure.
He worked the outside to wide receivers Kevin Ogletree and Jesse Holley and underneath to tight end Scott Sicko. McGee showed good awareness by batting down a deflected pass.
Brandon Williams
Williams is viewed as the third pass rusher behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer even after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.
Where it was thought he needed work was in coverage because he was making the move from defensive end at Texas Tech to outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4. In the third quarter, he picked off a Jordan Palmer pass and returned it 36 yards to set up a Buehler field goal.
By TODD ARCHER - The Dallas Morning News
CANTON, Ohio -- With five preseason games, the Cowboys want to make sure they find out what they have in reserve. They may have to dig deeper than they had hoped at tight end with John Phillips suffering a sprained right knee that knocked him out of the Hall of Fame Game against Cincinnati in the second quarter.
John Phillips
Like he did in San Antonio, Phillips made plays all over the field with Martellus Bennett watching with an ankle injury. But his night was marred by the knee injury.
He appeared to take a shot to the knee on his first catch but stayed in the game. He also had two big blocks that helped spring Tashard Choice for long runs.
If the injury is serious, then Phillips' absence hurts because of his ability to play on the line, at fullback and at H-back. Bennett is expected to play Thursday against Oakland.
David Buehler After making 33 of 38 attempts inside the Alamodome, Buehler came out with field goals of 20 and 34 yards in the first half.
But he badly hooked a 49-yard attempt in the third quarter. He rebounded with a 23 yarder on the ensuing series.
Getting Buehler as much work as possible in all kinds of conditions is a must to help speed up his learning curve and work remains. His kickoffs were strong. He had two touchbacks and sent one kickoff 5 yards deep in the end zone.
But the Cowboys have to see him answer questions about his placekicking.
Stephen McGee
He spent most of his time inside the Alamodome running for his life with the bulk of his snaps coming against the first-team defense. Facing Cincinnati's backups, McGee displayed a strong arm but he was still under a lot of pressure.
He worked the outside to wide receivers Kevin Ogletree and Jesse Holley and underneath to tight end Scott Sicko. McGee showed good awareness by batting down a deflected pass.
Brandon Williams
Williams is viewed as the third pass rusher behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer even after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.
Where it was thought he needed work was in coverage because he was making the move from defensive end at Texas Tech to outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4. In the third quarter, he picked off a Jordan Palmer pass and returned it 36 yards to set up a Buehler field goal.
