Cowboys-Titans: Dallas' New Home Debut Isn't a Disappointment

The Cowboys opened their beautiful new stadium in royal fashion on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, winning their home opener 30-10.

On Friday, the offense shined as brightly as the stadium lights. Tony Romo led the first team offense on two scoring drives in the first half, going 18 of 24 for 192 yards.

Marion Barber and Felix Jones both had a rushing touchdown in first half. Jones' 42-yard catch and run set up the second TD, which he ran in, and Jon Kitna and Stephen McGee both threw touchdowns in the second half. 

Kitna alleviated concerns about him being the second string QB, going nine of 12 for 111 yards and hitting Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree for a TD. More importantly, Kitna didn't make the mistakes he made in the first game and got into a rhythm early in the third quarter.

McGee went five of six for 57 yards and threw a 22-yard TD pass to backup tight end Rodney Hannah to finish the scoring for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys defense shut down Kerry Collins and the Titans in the first half, as most of Collins' 55 yards passing came on the Titans last drive of the first half. In the second half, the Cowboys confused Vince Young as he went three of nine with an interception and was hounded every time he tried to leave the pocket.

Young was pressured constantly and his interception was a result of Steve Octavien tipping the ball at the line of scrimmage, while Matt Stewart caught the ball as it came down.

Both Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins played well enough for the starting cornerback spot opposite Terence Newman. Both played well into the third quarter and were very aggressive with the Titans receivers.

Jenkins turned his ankle late in the game, but said he wouldn't miss a practice. Jenkins also said that he'll probably be playing with ankle soreness most of the season.

While backups Mike Mickens, Alan Ball, and DeAngelo Smith didn't make any big plays, they didn't get beat and learned from their mistakes against the Raiders.

Special teams had its troubles for the second straight game. Nick Folk missed a 49-yard field goal, and while Coach Wade Phillips said Folk is not in danger of losing his job, you have to wonder how long the Cowboys will wait for Folk when you have David Buehler on the field tackling and hitting guys while waiting for the opportunity to kick.

The Cowboys also gave up a 51-yard return to Javon Ringer, committed three penalties on returns that backed them up, and muffed two punts. Receiver Sam Hurd said it all after the game: "We can pick it up a lot more."

The Cowboys have two more preseason games to round themselves into shape before their season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the offense and defense look to be improving every game, special teams needs to improve, and fast.

Look out tomorrow for the Cowboys injury report.