Dallas Cowboys-Minnesota Vikings: Preview

Friday marks the last chance for the Cowboys to work out the kinks before going to Tampa Bay to start their season.

This game will be dedicated to reserves; the Cowboys have to cut 20 players by Monday, and head Coach Wade Phillips has been known to take his starters out very early. The coaching staff has to take a good look at everyone who plays Friday in order to make last day judgments on who to keep and who to cut, so expect a hard fought game, just without the household names. 

Rudy Carpenter will get a significant amount of time at Quarterback with Stephen McGee injured and Tony Romo playing maybe two series at the most, there will be a lot of snaps left over between Carpenter and Jon Kitna.

The big story for the offense is the receivers. Kevin Ogletree is going to make the roster, so that means Isaiah Stanback and others will have to have a great game to convince the Cowboys brass to keep six receivers, which is unlikely.

Tashard Choice and Keon Lattimore will get the bulk of the carries in this game as Phillips will make sure Marion Barber and Felix Jones are healthy for the season opener. 

The starting defense will get few reps in this game as well, however Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins will get more playing time as their camp battle comes to a conclusion after this game.

Whoever gets the job is likely to keep it for the duration of their contract and barring Terence Newman getting hurt or his production declining sharply in the next few years, the loser will be in the slot until his contract ends and it's a good bet he'll leave Dallas Ala Kevin Burnett to start elsewhere. 

Special teams Coach Joe DeCamillis will use this game to find out who'll replace his injured special teams starters. Kicker David Buehler will get time in the Cowboys coverage units as he has the build to play and had two special teams tackles against the Raiders.

It's not a big deal if Cowboys lose this game and finish the preseason 1-3, but for those of you who think a preseason record reflects the on the season, just think about this. The Lions went 4-0 in the preseason last year.