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SAN DIEGO -- Welcome to Qualcomm Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys have the chance to improve to 3-1 with a win against the San Diego Chargers.

The Cowboys haven’t been 3-1 since 2008 and have lost six straight games when they had the chance to get two games over .500 by Week 4 of a season. The Cowboys spent all week talking about getting off the win-one, lose-one rollercoaster.

“The last two years we’ve been 8-8 because we’ve won one and lost one,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “Winning on the road is going to be tough, especially against a San Diego team that’s a really good team. They’re a really good offense. It’s one of the best offenses we’re going to see all year, a ton of talent with a great quarterback.”

Do it again: DeMarco Murray had his first 100-yard rushing game last week since the 2012 season opener against the St. Louis Rams, finishing with 175 yards on 26 carries.

Only once before has Murray posted back-to-back 100-yard games. He did it in 2011, his rookie year, when he ran for 139 yards against the Seattle Seahawks and 135 yards the following week against the Buffalo Bills. As a team, the Cowboys finished with 193 yards on 34 carries against the Rams, but they did not have back-to-back rushing games of 100 yards as a team last year.

The key for the Cowboys is to stick with the run even if it does not start as well as it did last week.

“I think more than anything you just you know that after a week like that that teams are going to prepare to have certain things in place to try to slow down the run game,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “That’s something we’re always going to try to do, to run the football and that’s what we think is the right way to play.”

Defending a Pro Bowler: San Diego tight end Antonio Gates is off to a hot start to 2013 with 15 catches for 228 yards and a touchdown, and the Cowboys know their attention has to be on the eight-time Pro Bowler.

Safety J.J. Wilcox will be making only his second career start, but the Cowboys will take a team approach to defending Gates.

“That’s a big test for him to handle, but he won’t be by himself,” safety Barry Church said. “We’ve got teammates out there to support him. We won’t leave him on an island out there. We know Gates is a great player, but we have great players on our side of the ball as well.”

The ref: Ed Hochuli’s crew works today’s game. The last time the Cowboys saw him came in Week 11 last season against the Cleveland Browns.

SAN DIEGO -- The note from Rod Marinelli with the cigar taped onto it still hangs in DeMarcus Ware’s Valley Ranch locker.

“Close but no cigar,” Marinelli wrote after Ware’s sackless performance in Week 1. Ware has been smoking since then, racking up back-to-back two-sack games.

“Hopefully you fill the box up, close it up and you’re able to have some wine with it later,” said Ware, who broke Harvey Martin’s franchise record with his 115th career sack last week.

The Dallas Cowboys’ meeting with the San Diego Chargers should be a prime opportunity for Ware to add to his sacks total. He’ll likely be matched up against a backup left tackle.

San Diego starting left tackle King Dunlap, who didn’t practice all week due to a concussion, is officially listed as questionable but reportedly isn’t expected to play. That would mean Michael Harris, an undrafted second-year player, gets the task of trying to keep Ware off of Philip Rivers.

Harris ranked third in the NFL in sacks allowed last season with 10 despite starting only nine games.

Ware vs. Harris won’t be the only major mismatch featuring a Dallas defensive lineman. Both of the Chargers’ starting guards are listed as doubtful, so backups Johnnie Troutman and Rich Ohrnberger will probably be matched up against defensive tackle Jason Hatcher, who had a sack in each of the Cowboys’ first three games.

Sacks won’t be enough to satisfy Marinelli, though. He put notes in each of the defensive linemen’s lockers this week, along with a small stuffed ball, demanding that they force fumbles when they get to the quarterback.

“He always has something to say,” Ware said, smiling. “He’s always one of those guys that wants more.”

More should be expected of Ware and Hatcher with matchups this favorable.

IRVING, Texas -- It's hard to determine just how good a cornerback is playing sometimes.

A look at the stats will tell you the Cowboys' Orlando Scandrick is off to a strong start to the season. According to Pro Football Focus, which should be used as a guide, Scandrick is ranked seventh among cornerbacks in the NFL with a 3.7 ranking. Cincinnati's Leon Hall tops corners with a 7.2 ranking.

Scandrick moved into a starting spot because of the shoulder injury to Morris Claiborne. While he doesn't have an interception and just two pass breakups on the season, Scandrick has allowed just 19 yards after catch, according to PFF, lowest among the three corners on the team. Scandrick has also allowed eight receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown.

According to Stats Inc., Scandrick has been burned by receivers a team-low seven times among the cornerbacks. Claiborne has been burned nine times and Brandon Carr eight times.

"I'm not going to assess my own play," Scandrick said. "I'm coming out and being competitive and try to put it on film every day."

Given the money paid to Carr, $50.1 million, and where the team drafted Claiborne, sixth overall, you can forget about Scandrick, who is mainly the slot corner. Coach Jason Garrett loves Scandrick's demeanor and said he doesn't play with a chip on his shoulder, but it's more like a boulder.

The Cowboys value Scandrick's work on and off the field as evident by the contract extension he signed in 2011, a six-year $28.2 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. When one of the starting corners goes down, moving Scandrick into their role isn't a big deal because the team views Scandrick as a starter.

"You guys might have looked at me as a third corner, I don't think that's the way I was looked at or perceived in this organization," Scandrick said. "They always had the world of faith in me. Coach Garrett has expressed that to me. I just had to wait for my opportunity and unfortunately my opportunity came with a banged up Morris Claiborne, and I'm just embracing it and making the most of all my chances."

IRVING, Texas -- It's really amazing when you think about it, but the last time the Cowboys started a season 3-1 was 2008.

"Yeah, now that you say that, I hadn't thought much about it," tight end Jason Witten said. "But that would be a good feeling, for sure."

The Cowboys have a chance to improve to 3-1 with a victory Sunday at San Diego. This franchise has been up-and-down the past few years. It started off 2-2 before bye weeks the past two seasons and in 2010 opened with a 1-4 mark. In 2009, the Cowboys also started 2-2. A 3-1 start can build momentum for this season that has so much promise.

"Since I’ve been here we’ve had shots to go 3-1 and we’ve had some tough losses," linebacker Sean Lee said. "We have to find a way to build that consistency and we understand that it’s building throughout the year and stacking games together is what the great teams do. That’s what we have to do."

The Cowboys are taking on coach Jason Garrett's conservative approach of living day-by-day. Garrett doesn't want his team thinking ahead because it could distract from the importance of the game in front of them. So, while an Oct. 6 game against the Denver Broncos looms, a loss to the Chargers this Sunday increases discussions that the Cowboys are just a .500 team.

"It’s huge for us," Lee said of moving to 3-1. "It’s something we’ve not done in the past consistently. The last two years we’ve been 8-8 because we’ve won one and lost one. Winning on the road is going to be tough, especially against a San Diego team that’s a really good team. They’re a really good offense. It’s one of the best offenses we’re going to see all year, a ton of talent with a great quarterback."

One thing about that 2008 season, despite the 3-1 start, the Cowboys finished 9-7 overall and lost three of their last four games, including the regular-season finale, 44-6, to the Philadelphia Eagles. A victory would have clinched a playoff berth.

IRVING, Texas -- After three weeks, the Cowboys' offense ranks fifth in scoring (27.7) and the middle of the pack in total offense (17th), passing (18th) and rushing (17th).

New offensive coordinator/playcaller Bill Callahan said he's got a good chemistry going between himself and quarterback Tony Romo and expects things to improve in the coming weeks.

"I think every game you learn and you go back to every game that you call and try to take the good things on and try to reflect on what you can get better at," Callahan said. "And I know I do that every practice. I go back and try to look at where the preparation could be better, where the reps could get featured a little bit better for the quarterback and the receivers and the running game. I think that’s huge to go back and take a self inventory of where you're at now. After each game we’ll go back and fill out a report, it’s like an after action report and find out the pluses and the minuses and what you did well and what you do differently and we’re trying to learn from that."

Callahan has a script of plays he begins the game with but has to go off script due to down and distance.

In the first game of the season, against the New York Giants, the Cowboys' first offensive possession occurred at the Giants 19 because of a turnover. So, Callahan began the game in the shotgun with a three-receiver set. Instead of going with his planned script, Callahan called his red zone plays.

Week 2 in Kansas City was different as well. The Cowboys got the ball in the traditional sense, their own 20, but were down 7-0. Callahan started with a two-tight end set and sent tight end Jason Witten in motion and lined up Miles Austin in the slot.

Last week against St. Louis, the Cowboys offense watched the Rams get the ball twice before stepping onto the field due to a muffed punt by Dwayne Harris.

When the Cowboys offense took the field, the ball was placed at their 38 and they ran the Pistol formation with Harris as the third receiver.

The Cowboys have started the first three games with runs to DeMarco Murray.

"You can be off your script in a heartbeat," Callahan said. "You can be in a backed up situation, first play of the year, we get the ball in the red zone, so there goes that script. Just throw it out the window. There are times you will come off the script. There are certain plays and formations and personnel groupings you want to throw out there, just to see how they respond to it and see how they want to defend it. It either verifies what they’re doing or it makes you adept or adjust."

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys stand atop the NFC East, which isn’t saying much right now with the way the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and New York Giants have started the season, but they can create more separation with a win Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

The Cowboys need to get off the win-one, lose-one roller coaster they have been on the last two 8-8 seasons.

On to the recap:

For the fourth time in the past five seasons the Cowboys have a chance to improve to 3-1 on the season if they beat the Chargers, but they failed in their last three attempts to get there.

Jean-Jacques Taylor notices a little different Tony Romo this season.

Nobody knew who Nick Hayden was when he signed with the Cowboys, but Calvin Watkins takes a look at what the starting defensive tackle has done.

Tim MacMahon takes a peek into the magic of Rod Marinelli with how well the defensive line has played early on this season.

How will the Cowboys replace Miles Austin? With a little bit of everybody.

Here’s this week’s Double Coverage where Eric D. Williams and I debate the game.

IRVING, Texas -- The only draft pick not to play for the Cowboys this year is fifth-rounder Joseph Randle.

But it seems that the running back is nearing his debut when the Cowboys visit the San Diego Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Randle has sat the first three games because the team trusted Phillip Tanner more on special teams and used five safeties on the units.

Randle needed to get up to speed on special teams and improve his blocking in the passing game, which sometimes can be an adventure for any rookie running back.

But with an injury to wide receiver Miles Austin, the return of linebacker Ernie Sims and the possibility of Mackenzy Bernadeau moving to a backup role, an opening has developed on the 46-man game-day roster.

The Cowboys could play with four running backs against the Chargers and use seven offensive linemen. Phil Costa has been the backup center but with Brian Waters taking over for Bernadeau, it's moved him to a backup center spot.

Finding opportunities to insert Randle into the game-day roster has been difficult at times, but now it seems things are clearing up for him.

"I'm getting more into the special teams a little more," said Randle, who will participate on two units. "That's what they wanted from me and that's what they got."

Randle had to bide his time this summer after the Cowboys drafted him. There was a thought Randle would emerge as DeMarco Murray's backup but Lance Dunbar and Tanner proved to better at supporting the starting running back.

Randle wasn't bad in the preseason -- pretty good, actually -- showing good vision and power during the course of five games. But when it came time to put the game-day roster together, Randle sat.

"I don't think its frustrating. I'm in this program and I believe in the program 100 percent," said Randle, who hasn't had a full-time special-teams role since his freshman season at Oklahoma State. "Whatever they feel is best for the team, I'm with it."

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys’ new assistant coaches deserve a lot of credit for the team’s 2-1 start.

Owner/general manager Jerry Jones eagerly gushes about the work being done by defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and other newcomers on the coaching staff.

“It’s exceeded anything that I might have expected, my expectations, both from the standpoint of the enthusiasm, the overall aura around the team as well as the technical aspects of it,” Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM.

Jones just wants to make sure the job being done by one longtime Valley Ranch resident doesn’t get overlooked. He goes out of his way to give head coach Jason Garrett his due.

“The guy that I want to point out that is the one that is the leader and is basically really a motivator that might surprise a lot of people is Jason Garrett,” Jones said. “Jason really has a way of communicating. He has a way of setting expectations. He certainly can use the fact that he’s new, it’s fresh for him as far as his career is concerned. He’s not that far removed from having played. All of that is a plus for us.

“This team is getting a big gain from Jason Garrett’s motivational ability.”

Jones stripping his head coach of power and play-calling duties dominated the offseason discussion about the Cowboys. He pushed Garrett into a “walk-around” head coach role after saying for years how important it was for a head coach to be in charge on one side of the ball.

A widespread assumption was that Garrett entered the season on the hot seat, although Jones has insisted that wasn’t the case.

However, Garrett has thrived thus far with his revamped responsibilities. And it’s important to Jones, who is sensitive about the perception that he wants his head coach to be a puppet, to publicly praise Garrett when appropriate.

At this point, although it’s early, it seems more likely that the offseason discussion about Garrett will focus on his getting a contract extension, not being fired.

IRVING, Texas -- The chances of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin playing Sunday against the San Diego Chargers seem slim after he missed his third day of practice because of a hamstring strain.

Coach Jason Garrett does not have a hard-and-fast rule about a player having to practice in order to play, but Austin’s history of hamstring trouble will play a factor in the decision. Austin has been bothered by hamstring strains the last two seasons, but did not miss a game last year after missing six games in 2011.

"If anything because of the last two years, we’ll be conservative with that decision at game time," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on KRLD-FM.

Wide receiver Dwayne Harris returned to practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday with a bruised hip. If Harris can play it is possible he would give up the punt and kick return duties. Cole Beasley handled the punt chores after Harris was hurt last week against the St. Louis Rams and Lance Dunbar could take over on kickoffs.

DeMarcus Ware was at practice again but did not appear to be in shells. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday because of a stinger. Linebacker Ernie Sims will be available after missing two games with a groin injury.

IRVING, Texas -- Let’s play a quick game of “Guess Who Said This?”

“He’s one of my closest buddies on the team. We’ve been here now together -- this is our 10th season together. His locker’s right beside mine. We have that chemistry from lots of dialogue, obviously, and conversations about routes and things, but we also have that unspoken chemistry. I have a feel for him, when he’s coming out of a cut, when he’s doing this, or what he sees and he kind of knows when to speed up routes. He just has that sense of timing and things like that. It’s been a real pleasure to play with him all those years. We got to hopefully keep it going this year and keep things rolling.”

Sounds a lot like Tony Romo talking about Jason Witten, but it’s actually San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers talking about Antonio Gates.

Romo and Witten are on their 11th season as teammates, and Witten was one of the groomsmen in Romo’s wedding.

Witten talked about the two eight-time Pro Bowl tight ends.

“I think at the end of the day there’s different ways to get there,” Witten said. “Obviously he was a basketball player and has great feel and athletic ability. At the end of the day it’s all about body and leverage. I think he understands, just like I do, that those are the matchups you want to create -- whether it’s on a linebacker or a safety -- of how do you use that leverage, and your quarterbacks have confidence in you. I think Phillip has a lot of confidence in him, quite like Tony and I.”

They might get the job done differently but they have 16 Pro Bowl appearances between them.

“Quarterbacks,” coach Jason Garrett said, “tend to migrate to things that work out for them.”

Witten has worked out for Romo, and Gates has worked out for Rivers.

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Qualcomm Stadium to take on the San Diego Chargers for the first time since 2005, when Drew Bledsoe served as the team’s starting quarterback. The Cowboys hold a 6-3 edge in the series, but haven’t defeated the Chargers in San Diego since the 2005 season opener.

Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is fourth in the NFL with 286 rushing yards through three games. Is this the year he finally stays healthy and provides some balance to that Tony Romo-led offense?

Todd Archer: Like everything in the NFL, it's week to week. When Murray sees the Rams, he's very good. He has 253 and 175 yards against St. Louis in two games. He's kind of pedestrian against everybody else. The biggest difference last week was the commitment to the run. The Cowboys started the game well running the ball and stood by it. Will they stand by it when it doesn't start out as well? When Murray rushes for more than 100 yards in a game the Cowboys are 10-0. Clearly that helps Romo, who had to throw it only 24 times versus St. Louis and had three touchdown passes. What the Cowboys do best is throw the ball with Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Miles Austin, but if the running game can do anything, then they become much more dangerous.

Are we seeing a rejuvenated Philip Rivers after he became a turnover machine the past few seasons?

Eric D. Williams: It certainly appears that way. Head coach Mike McCoy and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt’s installation of an up-tempo offense emphasizing getting the ball out quickly has helped keep Rivers upright. San Diego’s offensive line also has done a nice job of protecting Rivers. He has been sacked only five times through three games. Rivers was sacked 49 times last season, second only to Aaron Rodgers (51). Through three games, Rives has completed 70 of 100 passes (70 percent) for 798 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. His QBR of 116.2 is second only to Peyton Manning (134.7), and Rivers has spread the wealth, completing passes to 10 different receivers. Right now, Rivers is part of the solution in San Diego, and not the problem.

The Cowboys are holding teams to just more than 66 rushing yards a contest, and giving up only 18.3 points a game. How has new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin helped stabilize that side of the ball?

Archer: What Kiffin has done best is keep things simple. Under Rob Ryan, the Cowboys tried a lot of looks and wanted to disguise things. Oftentimes they were just confused and it showed. The 4-3 scheme isn't about tricking people. It's pretty straight forward. The guy who deserves a lot of credit is defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. He has DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher playing well, and guys like George Selvie and Nick Hayden believing they are great players.

Speaking of coaching, how are things different for the Chargers with Mike McCoy after so many years under Norv Turner?

Williams: Accountability and attention to detail are key buzz words at Chargers Park. Under the direction of new general manager Tom Telesco and McCoy, the Chargers are in the process of revamping the roster, with 21 new players on this year’s team. Veteran holdovers such as Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates and safety Eric Weddle help provide some consistency, giving San Diego a chance to win each week. But in order to build a roster that can be a championship contender long-term, Telesco and McCoy understand that a talent upgrade is needed on both sides of the ball.

At 2-1, the Cowboys sit atop the NFC East. Is this the year the Cowboys finally put it all together and make a deep playoff run?

Archer: I've been covering this team since 2003, and the one thing I've learned is just when you think they have it figured out they falter. So I can't say they have it all figured out. To me that's why this game is pivotal. The early part of the schedule is the easiest, so coming out with a 3-1 mark at the quarter mark is important. I will say this, though: The NFC East looks brutal, so the Cowboys should be in the race the whole year even if they don't win games early. But we know how this team has done in December over the years. If the Cowboys can, they want to have the business taken care of before they get to Week 17.

From the outside, the pass defense looks brutal in San Diego. What's the deal?

Williams: Youth and inexperience are the key culprits here. Besides Weddle and cornerback Derex Cox, the Chargers are young in the back end defensively. On the Titans’ go-ahead score last week, recent addition Crezdon Butler was forced into action because Shareece Wright and Johnny Patrick were out with hamstring injuries. Butler gave up a 34-yard touchdown to Justin Hunter at the end of the game. The San Diego secondary has zero interceptions on the year. But the defensive backfield also needs to get more help from the front seven. The Chargers have just six sacks in three games.

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IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys right tackle Doug Free admits he is playing better in 2013 than he did a season ago, but as for the reasons, he’s not so sure.

It could be a second year of playing right tackle. It could be a second year learning what offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Bill Callahan wants. Maybe there is motivation after seeing his salary cut from $7 million to $3.5 million. It could be health.

“I’m not saying any of them are the magic potion,” Free said.

Maybe he just does not want to jinx things because he knows how quickly things can change. But the Cowboys' most penalized player last year (15) has yet to commit one this year. He has improved as a run-blocker and pass-protector as well.

Coach Jason Garrett said Free is playing with more strength.

“Usually you just try to keep going forward and don’t look back,” Free said.

SAN DIEGO -- They don’t make them like they used to.

That’s the sentiment of San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, and his counterpart, the Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten.

Both arrived in the NFL in 2003, and a decade later, the duo sits No. 2 and No. 3 in receptions among active leaders for tight ends behind future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons.

Gates' and Witten’s teams will face each other for perhaps the final time in their impressive careers when Dallas travels to Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.

“They’re very talented,” San Diego coach Mike McCoy said. “They’re different in their own ways. I think they’re the quarterback’s best friend. They have a lot of confidence in how they play the game and what they do, and the way they run routes and everything, but they’re very good football players.

“It’s great to have guys like that, weapons you know. Regardless of what the situation is, whether it’s in the red area, whether it’s third down, when the game’s on the line, it’s a guy that you know you can count on.”

Gonzalez is the active leader in receptions with 1,253 catches in 17 seasons. Witten is No. 5 on the list with 822 catches, and Gates is No. 12 with 657 catches.

According to Gates, what makes he and a handful of other tight ends different than more athletic players coming into the league is they are the complete package. They can dominate as a blocker in the run game or beat a defender down the seam of the defense in the passing game.

“It’s a mutual relationship where the respect is there,” Gates said about Witten. “Granted, he’s always been an NFC guy, and I was always an AFC guy. He’s more a traditional, true tight end that can catch the ball.

“Some of these guys are receivers who they’ve converted to tight ends. But when I think of Jason, I think of a true tight end -- a guy who fits the position.”

Between them, Gates and Witten have earned invitations to 16 Pro Bowls -- eight apiece. Witten said those weekends in Hawaii provided opportunities for the two to swap stories and trade secrets. Specifically, Gates played for six seasons under former Chargers coach Nor Turner, who served as a mentor for Dallas coach Jason Garrett.

“Over the years it’s been interesting, because Norv and Jason’s are very similar systems and we can pick each other’s brains about that, so you’re kind of talking the same language,” Witten said. “You’re always competing against him, but it’s somebody you definitely have a lot of respect for. I don’t know about the box score, but you take a peek at the film every once in a while and see what kinds of plays they’re running.”

At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, the 33-year-old Gates was a standout basketball player at Kent State, but chose to purse football in the pros, signing with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003.

Gates’ size, agility and athleticism help him create mismatches against opposing defenses in the red zone. His 84 touchdowns rank second-most among tight ends in NFL history behind Gonzalez (104).

“Obviously he was a basketball player and has great feel and athletic ability,” Witten said. “At the end of the day it’s all about body and leverage. I think he understands, just like I do, that those are the matchups you want to create -- whether it’s on a linebacker or a safety, how do you use that leverage and your quarterbacks have confidence in you. I think Philip (Rivers) has a lot of confidence in him, quite like Tony (Romo) and I.”

At 6-6 and 261 pounds, Witten was a third-round selection in 2003 by the Cowboys out of Tennessee. The 31-year-old Witten is the Cowboys all-time receptions leader, and has developed a reputation for reliable hands, polished route running and a knack for making the big play.

“Football is very important to him,” Garrett said about Witten. “His attention to detail is as good as anybody I’ve been around in my career. Nothing is too small to make sure he gets right. He goes about it that way in meetings and in walk-throughs on the practice field. There’s no secret behind his success. He works very hard at it. He’s a talented guy, and you put those two things together, you can be a consistently good player, as he is.”

While Gates believes the number of players who can do everything required of a tight end is dwindling, giving way to more athletic pass catchers built like big receivers, he understands that fans will see two of the best to ever do it in San Diego on Sunday.

“We’re different in a sense of what he’s able to do help his team, as opposed to what I’m able to contribute,” Gates said. “But I have so much respect for him because he’s still able to make it happen, and contribute to help his team win football games."

ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer contributed to this story.

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys went from a team trying to get younger to adding a 36-year old guard who is projected to make his first start in more than a year on Sunday at San Diego.

Brian Waters will start over 27-year old Mackenzy Bernadeau Sunday afternoon and the team has reservations about it.

Waters has the résumé -- six Pro Bowls -- and the skill set to produce, but his layoff and age should be concerns. This will be Waters' first start since he started at guard for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI to finish the 2011 season. The Kansas City Chiefs released Waters prior to the start of the 2011 season and he signed with the Patriots. All he did was start 16 games and earn his sixth Pro Bowl selection.

"My experience with players who have retired and come back has been good," Cowboys offensive line/offensive coordinator Bill Callahan said. "Steve Wisniewski did it in Oakland, and when he came back he was in great shape. Those guys know how to take care of their bodies. They’re Pro Bowlers for a reason. They know what their limitations are. They know what their body needs. They know how to train. They know how to prepare. They wouldn’t get to the level they’re at as a player if they don’t have an awareness and an understanding of all those other factors."

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said last week Waters has been amazing in the weight room and that was another positive sign for the franchise in need of improved line play. Injuries and ineffective play has hurt the Cowboys line in the last few years, but team owner Jerry Jones said the interior of the line has been the best he's seen in three years. Quarterback Tony Romo has also agreed.

Has it something to do with Waters, who has played only two games in a rotation with Bernadeau, or the play of younger players such as rookie center Travis Frederick and left guard Ronald Leary?

Waters said he's still working on his game, but is confident enough in his abilities now that he can start and help the Cowboys.

"Take it one day at a time," Waters said. "I'm out here (and) I'm competing my butt off. I'm healthy (and) I have a lot of experience. Obviously I'm not young and as athletic as I used to be but I feel like I have enough weapons and they wouldn’t put me out there if they didn’t think I still had enough ability to be successful out there."

The Cowboys love Waters' experience and the fact he's helping younger players such as Frederick and Leary understand the game more. What's also helped in this process is Bernadeau. He was signed last season as a starter to the offensive line, but the Cowboys have been disappointed in his health. He's needed surgery in the two offseason's he's been with Dallas and his play can be described as uneven.

Bernadeau played much better toward the end of the 2012 season, though, than another free agent pickup, Nate Livings, and the team still values him. Bernadeau is getting snaps at center in practices so he can have position flexibility.

The arrival of Waters has changed how the Cowboys do business with the offensive line. While he's not considered a savior to the line, he is an upgrade to what they've had in the past few years despite his age. Waters said don't give him any excuses for any poor play because of his age.

"No concessions, nothing I can't do that I've done before," Waters said. "I might not be able to run as fast as I used to but I can still get to Point A to Point B fast enough. I don’t have to alter my name at all."