Cut by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week, free agent safety Pat Watkins visited the Cincinnati Bengals on…

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland and Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant have made amends. About an hour before their teams played Thursday night, they shook hands and had what looked like a brief, pleasant conversation. They spoke for less than a minute, with Ireland patting Bryant's chest when they finished.

Trade rumors surrounding Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton have heated up once again.  ESPN is reporting that even if the Cowboys don’t trade him by Saturday, there is a solid chance they will simply release him.

To me, cutting Crayton would be the team’s biggest blunder of the season.  Here are my top five reasons the ‘Boys need to keep Crayton:

1.  The odds of Bryant, Roy Williams, and Miles Austin all staying healthy throughout the season are slim. 

That trio is nice, but let’s not forget the team would be one injury away from having Kevin Ogletree on the field quite often.  Ogletree has shown a lot of promise, but he’s not ready to be a No. 3 receiver just yet. 

An injury would also likely force the Cowboys to use more two-tight end sets, something they might be hesitant to do since they may only keep two tight ends.

2.  Bryant isn’t ready to fully contribute just yet. 

I know expectations are through the roof for this kid, but let’s remember he hasn’t played football competitively for a year.  He needs to be phased into the offense.

3.  The Cowboys are ready to win in 2010.

Crayton’s $2 million salary is steep for a potential No. 4 receiver, but now isn’t the time to hoard money.  I suppose it is easier for me to say that because it isn’t my money, but hey, what can $2 million really buy you these days?  Probably only like five really nice houses.  I’m more of a six-house kind of guy.

In all seriousness, the Cowboys are a better team this year with Crayton, so they should keep him.  They aren’t rebuilding.  Plain and simple.

4.  Crayton’s been the most reliable wide receiver over the past few years.

Jason Witten has been the most consistent pass-catcher, but Crayton has been extremely clutch on third downs and in the fourth quarter.  I do believe Miles Austin is the real deal and Dez Bryant appears to be so as well, but who really knows?  There’s a right time to take a chance and a wrong one.  Taking a chance by releasing Crayton right now is about the worst time.

5.  He’s an insurance policy at punt returner.

Crayton’s not spectacular and I know I’ve criticized him in the past, but he’s consistent and reliable when back deep for punts.  He’s going to lose this job whether it is to Akwasi Owusu-Ansah or Dez Bryant, but if Bryant acquires a major role on offense and AOA struggles at all, Crayton needs to be there.

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I gave you 12 things to watch in tonight’s Cowboys-Dolphins game.  The Cowboys still have a lot of important decisions looming regarding the 53-man roster, so there are some things which they should and should not be doing tonight to ensure they make the right decisions and are still adequately prepared for the regular season.  Here they are:

DO- Give Michael Hamlin and Danny McCray Reps at Nickel Linebacker.

There have been reports that McCray will see some action in the nickel package, but I’d like to see Hamlin as well.  We basically know what the Cowboys have in current nickel linebacker Jason Williams, so let’s see the two safeties battle it out.  They could actually be playing for the same roster spot.

DON’T- Be As Predictable and “Vanilla” with the Play-Calling.

Just how basic has the Cowboys’ offense been this preseason?  Check out the chart above. 

You can see that the rate of motions, shifts, draws, counters, screens, play-action passes, and passes with Jason Witten in a route are all significantly down from the 2009 regular season.

Garrett should by no means throw the kitchen sink at Miami, but perhaps being slightly less basic will allow the offense to execute more efficiently.  Even though the starters won’t be playing, Dallas could probably benefit from heading into the regular season with some confidence.

Plus, Stephen McGee will be starting and perhaps auditioning for a roster spot.  Let’s see what he’s got.

DO- Max Protect for Stephen McGee so He Can Take Some Chances Down the Field.

It doesn’t mean McGee will actually throw down field, but providing him with adequate protection will be the best way to determine if he’s been checking down due to pressure or if he’s simply afraid to let it loose.

DON’T- Leave Tashard Choice in the Game Too Long.

I know Choice is the third running back and third running backs generally play significantly in the final preseason game, but Choice isn’t your typical backup player.  He’s a starting quality running back in a true three-back system. 

I’ve been campaigning for Choice to get more touches this season.  His presence is imperative for Dallas, particularly with the health concerns surrounding Marion Barber and Felix Jones.

DO- Give Cletis Gordon an Opportunity to Cover Brandon Marshall (assuming Marshall plays).

Gordon has been sensational this preseason, playing well enough to claim the fourth cornerback job without much controversy.  He’s played so well that some are wondering if he can steal a few reps at nickel cornerback from Orlando Scandrick.

Gordon figures to start, and Miami said many of their starters will play. If Marshall is on the field, put Gordon on him.

DON’T- Give Martellus Bennett Too Much Playing Time.

Even though the ‘Boys figure to ramp up the percentage of three-receiver sets this season (likely at the cost of two-tight end sets), Bennett is still incredibly valuable to Dallas.  He’s a top-notch blocker and is a big part of the reason the Cowboys ran so effectively last season with two or more tight ends on the field.

Furthermore, there is a very good chance that Dallas keeps just two tight ends on the 53-man roster.  They cut Scott Sicko a few days ago, meaning either DajLeon Farr and Martin Rucker would be the third tight end.  Yikes.

DO- Give Chris Gronkowski Many Reps, Particularly on Power Rushing Plays.

With Sicko’s release, the odds of Gronkowski making the roster skyrocketed.  I haven’t been impressed with his preseason play, but he has improved each game.  He’s a versatile player who could be used more as an F-Back or even H-Back as opposed to a traditional fullback. 

This would allow him to slide into a John Phillips-type role which offensive coordinator Jason Garrett covets but which Deon Anderson, Jason Witten, and Martellus Bennett cannot play.

We know Gronkowski can catch the ball, but I want to see him lead block more effectively.  He’s shown me he’s a tremendous downgrade from Anderson thus far in the preseason, but he has a big opportunity ahead to at least partially alter my opinion tonight (and I’m sure that means a lot to him).

DON’T- Put Patrick Crayton Back Deep on Punt Returns.

I actually think Crayton could start the season as the Cowboys’ punt returner. 

The other realistic options are Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Dez Bryant, and Bryan McCann.  I personally prefer AOA, but the Cowboys may want someone they trust more handling returns, particularly since ‘Kwasi fumbled already this preseason. 

Bryant hasn’t gotten any reps there, and McCann may not even make the team.

Still, the Cowboys know what they have in Crayton.  He will be fine whether he returns punts tonight or not.  I’d love to see AOA get the chance to be the return man for the entire night.  I have full confidence he’ll prove (again) that he’s worthy of manning both return spots for Dallas.

DO- Kick a Long Field Goal. . .No Matter What.

I don’t care if the Cowboys need to send out the field goal team on third down in the middle of the first quarter, I want to see Buehler kick some long field goals.  He hasn’t even had an attempt (long or short) the last two games.  Bonus points if they can put him in position to kick a high-pressure field goal.

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Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has dreamed the ultimate dream.

Going on the “if you build it they will come” theme, the new $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium has been everything Jones wanted and more.

With the Cowboys hosting Super Bowl XLV there this season, Jones doesn’t mind being a little greedy.

“I don’t mind telling you it’s a great feeling to have a competitive team this year,” Jones said. “It’s a great feeling. And for this team to do the ultimate this year would be on par with having won the first Super Bowl. I haven’t gotten over that. It would be something out of a story book. A man can dream.”

With 20 of 22 starters back from last year, the Cowboys have the talent to make Jones’ dream a reality.

To make it happen, however, the Cowboys will have to…

Head coach Wade Phillips announced that the Dallas Cowboys starters will not play in Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Despite the dreadful performance in Houston, Phillips’ decision is just what this Cowboys team needs.

The extra length of this preseason has taken its toll on this team.

Marc Columbo, Kyle Kosier, Gerald Sensabaugh, and Keith Brooking are all starters that have missed multiple preseason games due to injury.

Tight end John Phillips, who was forcing Marcellus Bennett off of the roster, is lost for the year.

First-round draft pick Dez Bryant has not played a down this preseason.

All four starters and Bryant are expected to be ready by the opening game against Washington.

The extra week of rest allows the team to be cautious with these guys rather than suiting them up to play in a meaningless game. The starting units will have a minimum of ten days between the Houston game and the regular season.

Additionally, these injuries have shown signs of having larger surrounding circumstances.

Tony Romo has been harassed behind an offensive line missing two starters. Both Felix Jones and Marion Barber have struggled to find room to run behind that same line. Is risking the health of Romo or the two injury-prone running backs worth trying to see the offense score a touchdown against the Dolphin reserves?

Conversely, the injuries to Brooking and Sensabaugh have allowed young players to get valuable extra reps with the starters that will prove beneficial later this season. Sean Lee has made up time lost early in training camp. Rookies Barry Church and Danny McCray have been able to play their way onto the roster. The added depth will only help the Cowboys as the season progresses.

The bigger concern is whether or not 10 days will be long enough to stop the steady decline on the offensive side of the ball.

After a strong showing against Cincinnati, Dallas has struggled to move the ball throughout the rest of the preseason before looking completely inept against the Texans.

One way to stop negative momentum is to stop the action and regroup, which is what Jason Garrett and the offense will be able to do. Giving the starting unit a night off will help break up the negativity surrounding the Houston performance.

While many fans want to see the offensive starters to work the kinks out on the field, there is no guarantee that another couple of series will go according to plan. An additional negative series sends the team into the regular season reeling rather than having an opportunity to step back and reassess.

In the past, coming off of extra time has been beneficial for this team. The Cowboys have won at least three games in a row after their bye week for the past three seasons.

Though seeing the offense look good against Miami would make the fans feel better, Wade Phillips made the right decision to continue his tradition of sitting the starters to end the preseason.

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The NFL is a copycat league, and most everyone wants to be a carbon copy of one team in particular — last season's Super Bowl champions. The New Orleans Saints won it all with the combination of an explosive, high-scoring offense and an aggressive defense. In the unpredictable NFC, they also were the conference's ninth different champion in as many years. Based on that formula, the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings can be considered strong contenders.

If Mike Shanahan really wants to set Albert Haynesworth off in a postgame fury, this sounds like the perfect…

If Mike Shanahan really wants to set Albert Haynesworth off in a postgame fury, this sounds like the perfect…

The Cowboys’ preseason hasn’t exactly gone as planned, but there is still time to get thing right before the regular season. Although most of the starters probably won’t play, the game is an opportunity for fringe players to show they talents and for the team as a whole to display more passion than in the previous two contests.  Here are 12 things in particular for you to watch tomorrow night…

1. How Long Will Dez Bryant Play?

This is the big one. Of course we all want to see Bryant in a game, and it appears this may be our first opportunity. You know Bryant is going to be fired up to face the team that he feels disrespected him before the draft.

I personally don’t think Bryant should play much, if at all. Perhaps a quick screen pass or slant and then get him out of there.  The Cowboys have 11 days until their first regular season game—11 days which could be important in Bryant’s healing process. A setback would be a devastating to this team, both from a personnel standpoint and a mental one.

2. Which Starters Will Get Playing Time?

It appeared earlier in the week that all of the starters might get some reps, including Tony Romo, but that won’t be the case. Only selected starters will see the field on Thursday night, which is the right move. We’ll see which starters Wade Phillips believes don’t need a rest. My guess is it will be the “starters” who are actually backups to injured players—Montrae Holland, Alex Barron, and so on.

3. How Will Stephen McGee Perform as a Starter?

McGee could very well be playing for his job tomorrow night. He’s done some good things this preseason, but he doesn’t seem to have that “it” factor which Romo displayed when he was in McGee’s situation.

If the Cowboys don’t think McGee has a long-term future in Dallas, they should cut him.  The team could keep one of the talented players who is on the roster bubble right now—a guy like Bryan McCann or Danny McCray, perhaps. To me, that is more valuable than a third-string quarterback who has virtually zero chance of seeing the field.

4. Will Jason Garrett Call Plays Differently in an Attempt to Get the Cowboys’ Offense on a Roll?

So far, the offense has been extremely, extremely basic. They’ve run the same plays again and again.  I’ve detailed particular plays from “Double Tight Strong” (and “I”) and “Double Tight Left Twins Right Ace” which the Cowboys have dialed up numerous times in each game.

It is obvious that the team doesn’t want to show anything for the regular season, but at what cost?  Could the predictable play-calling and subsequent inability to execute be affecting the confidence of the players?  While I don’t think you’ll see anything too unique against Miami, I do think Garrett will be slightly more innovative in his play-calling to gain some measure of offensive success, even if it is with the second-team.

5. Will Dallas Line up in “Double Tight Left Twins Right Ace” and Which Plays Will They Call from It?

This question is of course related to the previous one, but I will be particularly interested to see if the Cowboys continue to call the same play (below) from this formation. If you are watching at home and see the Cowboys line up in it, key the tight end who is on the line of scrimmage. If he runs a hitch and is the first read, it’s likely the same play.

Having said that, I want to make it clear that I’m not criticizing Garrett’s play-calling. . .yet.  If I continue to be able to predict multiple Cowboys plays pre-snap during the regular season, though, that might change.

6. Will Danny McCray or Michael Hamlin Get Reps at Nickel Linebacker?

I was a little shocking to hear the Cowboys are considering two safeties—McCray and Hamlin—as nickel linebackers. They’ve already told rookie Sean Lee’s he’s basically out of the running for the position  (for now anyway). That was more than a little surprising and leaves Jason Williams as the favorite to win the job now.

McCray and Hamlin should both get an excellent opportunity to show they are able to handle nickel linebacker. This is such an interesting battle because both players could be fighting for a roster spot….and it might be the same one. Strangely, they’ll face off at a position completely separate from the one at which they hope to eventually contribute.

7. How Will the Cowboys’ Defense, Which Has Struggled against the Run of Late, Hold up against Miami’s Rushing Attack?

The Cowboys were gashed by both San Diego and Houston in the run game.  They looked uninspired in both games, but particularly on Saturday in Houston. 

You certainly have to have the right personnel to stop the run, but just as often it is about a willingness to get the job done.  Perhaps some of the players are making “business decisions” by steering clear of some tackles this preseason, but players such as Mike Jenkins and, in particular, Alan Ball need to become more aggressive in run support for Dallas to improve.

8. Can Sean Lee Rebound from an Awful Performance on Saturday Night?

Lee really struggled in Houston. He was consistently blown backwards and didn’t show instincts which I know he possesses. It is quite possible that his early injury has set him back mentally to the point that he is thinking too much on the field—and not simply playing football. I do think he’ll come around, and tomorrow night is a tremendous chance for him to show he is capable of learning from his mistakes.

9. How Will Fringe Players Bryan McCann, Chris Gronkowski, and Travis Bright Perform?

I see these three players as the most “iffy” to make the final roster. It could really go either way.  I personally love McCann and really hope he makes the team, but he could fall victim to a numbers game at his position. Cletis Gordon is all but assured the No. 4 cornerback job, and with two safeties who are capable of playing cornerback, there might not be room for a fifth guy at the position.

Gronkowski will have to convince Dallas that he is worthy of the team keeping two fullbacks (assuming they retain Deon Anderson). He hasn’t impressed me with his lead blocking, although he did improve last week. He’s skilled as a receiver, but I don’t think that’s of much worth to Dallas.

Like Gronkowski, Bright picked up his play last week. It was by no means a dominating performance, but with the lack of depth the Cowboys have at the guard position, he at least put himself in contention for a roster spot. This is a big game for him.

10. Will Cletis Gordon Continue to Push Orlando Scandrick for Possible Playing Time in Nickel Packages?

In the last two or three games, Gordon has outplayed Scandrick. He’s shown true play-making ability and if he keeps it up, there’s a chance he could get some time with the nickel package this season.

Of course, Gordon didn’t line up against Andre Johnson this preseason either. I’d love to see coach Phillips match Gordon up against Brandon Marshall (assuming the Dolphins do indeed play their starters).

11. Will David Buehler Finally Get a Chance to Attempt Some Field Goals and How Will He Do?

Zero field goal attempts in the last two games is good for Buehler (as far as his job is concerned), but not particularly useful for Dallas. As long as Buehler doesn’t choke he’ll begin the season as the placekicker, but the Cowboys still want to see him make some semi-long field goals, particularly in pressure situations.

12. Will the Team Play with More Passion?

The “vanilla” play-calling on both offense and defense is certainly part of the reason the Cowboys have struggled this preseason, but it isn’t the only reason. The team has looked tired, bored, and uninspired. It would be one thing if it was veteran players who are simply sick of yet another training camp, but even the fringe players have appeared to play without much passion.

Let’s see if the Cowboys treat this game more like one that “counts” than an exhibition, not from a personnel standpoint, but by getting fired up and doing more to actually win the game.

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