Dallas Cowboys: 5 Things We've Learned Through 2 Weeks

It may be just the preseason, but there are some things to take away from the glorified warm-up exhibitions.

In an offseason where OTA's and mini-camps were cancelled or shortened, the preseason is where all the shortcomings and early-season mistakes need to be ironed out.

It's also the time when both offense and defense need to set the tone for when the games start counting.

Through two preseason bouts, here are five things to take note of halfway through the exhibition games.

Felix Jones Has Looked Sharp

Under the last year of the Wade Phillips regime, the running game was under-utilized to say the least, and part of the reason Jones couldn't reach 1,000 rushing yards last year.

Many analysts have speculated that under Jason Garrett, the 'Boys will look to utilize the former Arkansas Razorback more often, and he's looked sharped through his two outings.

Jones has rushed 10 times for 79 yards against the first-team defenses of Denver and San Diego, averaging a cool 7.9 yards per carry.

Once Garrett took over as the new head coach, Jones saw double-digit carries in every game for the rest of the season.

Though never reaching 100 yards in a game, it's a good sign to see that the new Dallas coach is looking to emphasize the running game.

Big D will look to build on the relative rushing success from the latter part of last season into this year.

Defense Has Been Less Than Stellar

Though the first-team defense was able to shut down Kyle Orton in Week 1, Philip Rivers showed last Sunday night that he is a little harder to defend.

Rivers completed eight of his 11 passes, throwing for 92 yards and a score against the Dallas defense.

While Rivers is an excellent talent and one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC, those are the types of players the defense needs to at least slow down.

The second and third teams allowed Billy Volek and Brady Quinn to complete eight passes each and allowed Quinn to rack up 120 passing yards and a touchdown.

Volek's eight passes were for a much less staggering 48 yards with no touchdowns, which is good to see after being abused by Quinn and Tim Tebow.

The regular season is still weeks away, but the defense has to cut down on the points allowed and show they can shut down Donovan McNabb and Chad Henne in the upcoming games.

Kevin Ogletree Impressing

With Roy Williams sent packing, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant took over first and second receiver duties, leaving Kevin Ogletree to prove he's slot receiver material.

The former Virgina Cavalier has put up some decent receiving yards in limited play, posting a combined five catches for 49 yards through two games.

Going by the aforementioned stats, Ogletree is averaging close to a first down per reception, which is exactly what a coach wants from his slot receiver.

There are a handful of young guns that are battling it out in the receiving corps.

Ogletree has looked the bet of the wideouts not named Bryant or Austin.

If the New York-born Cowboy can continue posting similar numbers, there's no reason he can't lock down the slot receiver position.

Penalties Becoming an Issue

Since the days of Flozell Adams on the line and his constant false-start penalties, the yellow flag has been an issue for America's Team.

Both former head coach Wade Phillips and new coach Jason Garrett realized this issue needed to be addressed, and preseason has proven the issue hasn't gone away.

Granted, the preseason is the time to work out all the bonehead penalties, but as a team you want to look disciplined heading into the new year.

Thirteen penalties for 127 yards through two contests is not the way to look disciplined heading into the year and will surely continue to be a focus of the new head coach as Dallas prepares for Minnesota and Miami.

Tony Romo Looks Like His Old Self

The offseason was a good one for Tony Romo.

The Dallas quarterback got married, played some golf and had more time than usual to heal from injury due to the lockout.

No. 9 has looked back to normal, especially last Sunday against San Diego.

Romo was impressive against the Chargers, posting 58 yards on eight passes for a touchdown and an interception.

Romo made a poor decision on a deep ball that lead to the interception, but he also scored the touchdown on one of his trademark roll-out passes.

The Cowboy faithful realizes that those poor-decision picks will happen a few times throughout the season, but it's the improvised passes that make up for those interceptions.

Romo looks at full health once again, and as long as he can cut down on the poor decisions and throw for plenty of touchdowns, Dallas will be in good shape heading into the new season.