The Hall of Fame Game: Seven Things We Learned About the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals faced off in the first glimpse of NFL football this season, the Hall of Fame Game.

Dallas won the game by a score of 16-7. Dallas' only touchdown came in the fourth quarter after Brandon Sharpe intercepted Jordan Palmer at the Cincinnati six and ran it in for the score.

The only score allowed by the Cowboys' defense was a late pass from Jordan Palmer to Darius Hill set up by a good punt return from former Texas Longhorn Jordan Shipley.

Defense ruled the contest, but wins and losses in the preseason do not really mean all that much. The more important thing is to learn things about the season to come.

In Sunday night's game, we learned several important things about this Dallas Cowboys team.

1. John Phillips is ready to take the number two spot behind Jason Witten

Phillips was quite the target Sunday night. He caught four passes for 60 yards before injuring his knee and leaving the game.  

He took full advantage of Martellus Bennett's absence and played very well. He had very good chemistry with both Tony Romo and backup Jon Kitna. 

In the 2009 season he caught a total of seven passes for 62 yards. Assuming the injury that took him out of Sunday's game doesn't keep him sidelined too long, Phillips could become yet another weapon for Romo to use in this Dallas offense.

2. Roy Williams is not giving up just yet

Williams was targeted four times and came up with one catch. The catch he made was really the only pass he had a play on.

It was a 21-yard reception from Romo on third and 12. He made a good play on the ball to bring it down.  

He was also target on second and goal. Romo was hit as he threw and missed Williams, who was wide open.

With Dez Bryant sidelined for the majority of the preseason, Williams finally seems motivated to be a valuable receiver for the Cowboys.

3. David Buehler still needs work

Last year's kickoff specialist is trying to become the place kicker in 2010. Buehler was inconsistent.

He made three of four field goal attempts. His miss was from 49 yards out and was missed badly to the left.

Buehler hooked his one extra point badly but still squeezed it through the uprights. He nearly missed one other field goal, but put the other two right down the middle.  

His performance wasn't bad, but wasn't impressive either. He had two touchbacks in the game, showing off his strong leg.

The more attempts he can get over the next few weeks, the better. Maybe nerves had him hooking his kicks a little, or maybe he just needs a lot more practice. Either way, he looks like the team's only option as of now.

4. There is depth in the pass rush

Stephen Bowen got the start Sunday with Marcus Spears out. He got to Carson Palmer several times and came away with a sack. 

Victor Butler also came away with a sack as one of his four tackles. The two other teams' sacks came from Jason Williams, who had six total tackles, and Steve Octavien.

This is a good sign for a team that puts a lot of effort on the defensive end towards getting pressure on the quarterback.

5. Scott Sicko will make the team

Sicko had the most reception of any receiver on the Dallas team, five, catching the ball every time he was targeted.

The undrafted free agent out of New Hampshire showed good hands and ran routes well. A player who should have been drafted, Sicko could be a steal for Dallas. Whether he will see the field much this season is hard to tell, but he could become a red zone target.

**Edit:

Tight end John Phillips tore his ACL in Sunday's game and is out for the season. Sicko will be a bigger part of this Dallas offense than anticipated. It is suddenly much easier to see the importance of his performance in the game.

6. Tashard Choice will get more touches

Choice carried the ball seven times for 41 yards, averaging nearly six yards per touch. This was better than any other ball carrier on the night.

While he may be the third option on the team right now, he looks to make a far bigger impact than his 349 yards last season.

Choice clearly wants to be more involved in the offense, and the way he ran Sunday night proved he should be.

7. Doug Free is going to be the starter at left tackle and is going to play well

Free was fairly dominant on the offensive line during the opening series Sunday. He got limited time but was still able to impress everyone watching him.

His backup, Alex Barron, proved he was brought in for nothing more than depth. The position battle was ended Sunday.

Showing strength and mobility, Free gave Cowboys fans and coaches something to be very excited about.