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IRVING, Texas -- As we continue our Fixing the Cowboys series this week, plenty of free-agent options are dancing in fans’ heads as they dream and scheme of ways to spend Jerry Jones’ money.

As executive vice president Stephen Jones said late last season, the Cowboys will be able to do whatever it is they want to do when free agency begins in March.

According to league figures, the Cowboys have $12.6 million in salary-cap room based off the 2011 cap of $120.375 million, and that includes the $28 million (or so) in dead money related to guys like Roy Williams, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Marion Barber, Andre Gurode and Igor Olshansky who were cut in 2011.

The 2012 cap is expected to remain flat or go up slightly.

The $12.6 million figure does not take into account the tender amounts the Cowboys have for their exclusive rights and restricted free agents or the space needed for their draft picks, but that will not significantly impair their ability to sign players.

The Cowboys can create more room against the cap by releasing cornerback Terence Newman and saving either $4 million or $6 million depending on whether they would want to count him as a post-June 1 cut.

They have triggers in the deals of left tackle (or right tackle) Doug Free and cornerback Orlando Scandrick that would lower their base salaries to the league minimum, turn the difference into signing bonus and save them about $8.6 million. Re-working DeMarcus Ware’s contract would open up about $3.3 million

All told, the Cowboys could have in the neighborhood of $20 million or so to spend when free agency begins.

That’s not a bad place to be.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Normally facing a team with a 3-7 record would be viewed as quite an advantage for the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but that’s not necessarily the case this year.

The Miami Dolphins, however, enter Cowboys Stadium with a three-game winning streak by a combined 72 points.

That has helped Jason Garrett sell this game to his team perhaps as much as the struggle they endured Sunday against the Washington Redskins, a team Miami beat 20-9 on Nov. 13. The Cowboys will be looking for their first four-game winning streak since Weeks 5-9 of the 2009 season.

The last time these teams played on Thanksgiving, the Dolphins tore apart what had been a great defense in a 40-21 victory at Texas Stadium on Nov. 27, 2003.

Cowboys update (6-4): Tony Romo was unable to play in the Thanksgiving game last year because of a fractured collarbone, but the holiday has been kind to him in the past. The Cowboys are 4-0 in Romo’s Thanksgiving starts, and he has thrown 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions in wins against Tampa Bay, the New York Jets, Seattle and Oakland. He has had three 300-yard passing days, topped out with 331 yards against Seattle in 2008.

Cowboys' inactives: Jon Kitna, Miles Austin, Mike Jenkins, Tony Fiammetta, Daniel Loper, David Arkin, Clifton Geathers.

Dolphins update (3-7): Miami has won three straight games for the first time since 2008 when they closed the year with five straight wins. Those wins were largely a product of the defense. It has not allowed a touchdown in the last 12 quarters to beat Kansas City, Washington and Buffalo. The 86 points scored by the Dolphins is the third-best run of the Tony Sparano era. Quarterback Matt Moore has had three straight games with a passer rating over 100.

Dolphins’ inactives: Dan Carpenter, Steve Slaton, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Will Barker, John Jerry, Will Yeatman, Igor Olshansky.

Scouts in attendance: Arizona, Oakland

Officials: Referee – Pete Morelli, Umpire – Ruben Fowler, Head Linesman – Mark Baltz, Line Judge – John Hussey, Field Judge – Jon Lucivansky, Side Judge – Don Carlsen, Back Judge – Rob Vernatchi, Replay – Tommy Moore.

The Cowboys informed veteran defensive end Igor Olshansky he will be released today according to a source. NFL teams have to get their rosters cut to 53 players by late this afternoon.

Olshansky joined the Cowboys as a free agent in 2008. He started 28 of 30 possible games picking up 1.5 sacks and 124 tackles.

Olshansky became expendable when the Cowboys signed Kenyon Coleman in free agency this summer.

After about a week of practices, Coleman had taken Olshansky's spot with the first-team and didn't lose it through the preseason. Olshansky was moved to left defensive end and said at the time he welcomed the challenge of playing that role.

But it was clear the Cowboys wanted a run stopper that was comeforable with Rob Ryan's scheme. Coleman had played in Ryan's scheme for two seasons in Cleveland.

The Cowboys could go with six defensive linemen, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears, Sean Lissemore, Jason Hatcher, Josh Brent and Coleman. However, the team is high on backup Clifton Geathers but isn't sure if he gets released if it's possible to bring him back to the practice squad.

Olshansky had two years remaining on his contract. He was scheduled to make $3.3 million this season and $4.2 million in 2012. The Cowboys will save roughly $3 million by cutting Olshansky now and because of a reworked deal, there will be no dead money on next year's salary cap.

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys scored the seventh most points in the NFL last season. Only one team gave up more points.

Yet all five starters who have been shown the Valley Ranch door since the lockout was lifted were offensive players.

“A lot of it has to do with the business part of football, what guys are making and how old they are and what kinds of players you have to replace them,” Jason Garrett said. “We made a concerted effort in the draft and in signing some young college free agents to address some of those areas, and we felt like if those guys were able to compete for some of those spots we could make some of those moves.

“It wasn’t intentional necessarily. You’re trying to create competition throughout your football team and then make the best decisions based on what’s available to you.”

It’s not as if underperforming, high-priced defensive players should feel safe. Defensive end Igor Olshansky is in serious danger of being cut this summer. Cornerback Terence Newman’s time with the Cowboys will probably come to an end after this season.

It’s also not as if the five starters cut by the Cowboys were reasons why Dallas put points on the board last season, although Garrett is too professional to point that out.

The offense moved the ball despite the poor performances of Barber, Williams, Davis and Colombo last season. Gurode was just a guy despite a reputation-based invitation to the Pro Bowl. And all of those players except for Colombo were being paid like an elite player at their position.

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys have roughly $11.5 million in salary cap space after the decision to cut Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode on Monday.

The Cowboys save about $5.5 million by cutting Gurode and were $6.3 million under after the team signed cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a five-year contract extension.

The Cowboys have yet to restructure the contract of Tony Romo, which would create $5.4 million in space, and if the team cuts defensive end Igor Olshansky they would save an additional $3.4 million space.

But don’t look for the Cowboys to chew up a lot of that money this year. Look for them to carry over the money to 2012 as a credit.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- With Miles Austin aggravating his hamstring injury in Tuesday’s practice and Marcus Spears straining his groin Sunday vs. San Diego, it is highly likely the next time they step on the field will be for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at the New York Jets.

There is no need to rush Austin back for Saturday’s game at Minnesota and Spears will also skip the game. The regulars will not see the field in the final preseason game Sept. 1 at Miami.

Hello, Jets.

There is a ray of good news to the absences for some younger players.

Austin’s absence will give Kevin Ogletree, Dwayne Harris, Jesse Holley, Manuel Johnson and Raymond Radway more chances to fight for the final three wide receiver spots. Spears’ absence will give Igor Olshansky a chance to save his job or Sean Lissemore and Clifton Geathers the chance to win the final defensive line spot.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Defensive end Marcus Spears' night was cut short after suffering a left groin strain on San Diego’s first touchdown Sunday night.

Spears was in a T-shirt and shorts at the end of the game but was walking without any noticable problem. He said the injury occurred as he attempted to pressure Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers before the touchdown throw to tight end Randy McMichael when he got his foot stuck in the ground.

“Just a little strain,” Spears said. “Nothing too serious.”

But Spears said he was not sure he would be able to play Saturday at Minnesota. Spears started at left defensive end over Igor Olshansky, with Kenyon Coleman occupying Spears’ normal spot. Defensive end Jason Hatcher did not play against San Diego because of a toe injury.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The San Diego Chargers are in town for the second preseason game at Cowboys Stadium to face the Cowboys.

Some highlights from the opening quarter:

First-team defense: The first-team defense gave up a field goal, but there was some good plays. On the second possession, safety Abram Elam came through a hole and made a nice tackle on the backside for a loss. Safety Danny McCray knocked quarterback Philip Rivers down on a delay blitz. Safety Barry Church, who has performed well in camp, knocked down a potential touchdown pass in the end zone. Orlando Scandrick, the third corner -- who is starting because of injuries to Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins -- gave up too much space on two pass plays and seemed to think he had some deep help on one of them. The Cowboys inserted their second-team defensive line on their third possession, but kept the first-team linebackers and secondary players in. The Cowboys mixed and matched some of their first-team with Jay Ratliffreturning toward the end of the quarter.

Romo has first turnover:The first turnover of the preseason came from quarterback Tony Romo, who underthrew a pass to Kevin Ogletree with 4:22 to play in the quarter. The Cowboys were moving along on this drive, but Romo -- who had plenty of time -- tried to force a pass in. While this play was Romo's fault, Ogletree didn't do a good job on a 7-yard run by Felix Jones. Jones cut back across the grain and had plenty of room, but Ogletree failed to block two defenders. If he gets to one of them, Jones might get a big gain.

Lineup changes:The Cowboys started Bill Nagy at left guard, with Phil Costa backing up and Kenyon Coleman getting the start at left defensive end. Coleman is starting over Igor Olshansky, who was moved to the second team on Monday. Coleman is a better two-gap player than Olshansky. The Cowboys are still working on changes on both lines, especially on the offensive side, where line coach Hudson Houck wants his players to have the ability to play multiple positions.

Injuries:The Cowboys were minus three key players: Wide receiver Miles Austin (hamstring), Jason Hatcher (toe) and kicker David Buehler (hip) are the latest players not to participate. Among the others: Kai Forbath (quad), Teddy Williams (hamstring), Tashard Choice (calf), DeMarco Murray (hamstring), Terence Newman (groin), Keith Brooking (calf), Bruce Carter (knee) and Montrae Holland (back).

ARLINGTON, Texas -- For the second straight preseason game the Cowboys will start a rookie at left guard, but it will be Bill Nagy working against San Diego after David Arkin ran with the first team vs. Denver.

Nagy, a seventh-round pick, was moved up to the No. 1 offense during the week of practice but the Cowboys have said they want to look at different combinations before settling on who will make up the starting line.

With Miles Austin out, Kevin Ogletree will start opposite Dez Bryant at wide receiver.

On defense, Marcus Spears will start at right defensive end over Igor Olshansky with Kenyon Coleman starting in Spears’ normal spot. Coleman began working with the starters in the middle of the week, as well.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' coaches don't just announce drills during training camp practices, hollering out "9-on-7s!" as the horn blows and players shift from one field to the other. They're calling out situations. Two minutes to go, one timeout left, second-and-6 on your own 35. The players either huddle or hustle between plays, depending on what the called-out situation calls for. While these are drills only, they're intended to simulate game conditions as closely as they possibly can.

"Will we ever be able to completely re-create a game situation? No," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "But we're going to try our best in practice, and I think all these situational periods had been really good for us. Not only have we created initial situations, but stuff comes up that isn't scripted, and I think our team has handled those well also."

What strikes you when you spend a few days in Cowboys camp is how normal things seem, how businesslike. Sure, they were in San Antonio for a while and now are splitting practice time between the steamy outdoor fields at Valley Ranch and the air-conditioned luxury of Cowboys Stadium. But it's nothing like last year, when they spent August bouncing between those places as well as Canton and California, brimming with the highest possible expectations, proclaiming with confidence the goal of being the first team ever to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

A 6-10 record and a new coach can humble you, for sure, after a summer like that, and there's no doubt these Cowboys are humbled by the way things went in 2010. But if the end result is the atmosphere Garrett has created in his first training camp as head coach, there are worse things.

"We certainly want an atmosphere where guys like to coach and play football, but we absolutely want to be organized and prepared," Garrett said after Friday morning's workout at the stadium. "We want it to be businesslike when we're out there doing our work, out there on the field and also in the meeting rooms. We want to create a nice, professional atmosphere where we feel like we can function the best."

Garrett exudes both confidence and competence. He has waited his whole life for this chance, but he doesn't seem over-eager or phony about the way he's putting his long-held ideas about how to be a head coach into practice. He is smart, knowledgeable and self-assured, and it's emanating throughout the building. Around a team that often, throughout its history, has been known for something of a circus atmosphere, the mentality this August is straight lunch pail.

"Everybody here knows, whatever we get, we're going to have to work for it," right guard Kyle Kosier said. "Whether it's your spot on the roster or in the starting lineup or a Week 1 win or a playoff spot, it's about putting in this time right here and working. And that's all that's on anybody's mind right now."

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can the defense learn Rob Ryan's scheme in time? The Cowboys brought in Ryan to be their new defensive coordinator. And while they signed free-agent safety Abram Elam and free-agent defensive end Kenyon Coleman -- both played under Ryan in Cleveland the past two seasons -- the group they're bringing back on defense is otherwise the same as the one that allowed the second-most points in the league last season. Ryan is charged with fixing that, but of course the lockout denied him the opportunity to use spring minicamps and organized team activities as part of his installation process. The defense is trying to cram a whole offseason's worth of learning into one month, and there's a lot to learn. Ryan's defense is based on multiple and ever-changing looks, and a complexity designed to make things as confusing as possible for opposing offenses. But Garrett said he has faith in the quality of his defensive personnel and the ability of his flamboyant new coordinator to teach.

"It's difficult. There are a lot of looks," Garrett admitted. "But the other part to that, too, is that I think he grew up in very fundamentally sound system in the NFL -- linebacker coach for New England for four years during their Super Bowl era in the early 2000s. So he has a very good feel for base defensive football, and then he has an ability to evolve in different situations and make it more difficult for opposing offenses. So we feel excited about that, and we're excited to see our players play within this system."

2. Can they put together an offensive line? There are some new and inexperienced pieces here. Rookie Tyron Smith, the ninth overall pick in this past draft, will start at right tackle. Every day Smith gets an extra tutoring session with offensive line coach Hudson Houck and a series of rotating instructors that has included Kosier, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, left tackle Doug Free and others. Smith is ultra-talented but needs work on his footwork and learning the schemes. And as with the players learning the new defense, he has to cram. The Cowboys moved Kosier from left guard to right so he could work more closely with the rookie, but now they need a left guard. And while that still has a good chance to be Montrae Holland or Phil Costa, later-round rookies David Arkin and Bill Nagy have been getting first-team reps lately and one of them could end up starting Week 1.

3. Who is the No. 3 wide receiver? One of the first things the Cowboys did when the lockout ended and free agency began was cut receiver Roy Williams to help create cap room. That also created a vacancy at the No. 3 wide receiver spot behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Kevin Ogletree appears first in line to grab the opportunity, though Raymond Radway and Dwayne Harris have shown flashes. Some have suggested the Cowboys need to go out and get a veteran to fill the spot, but with tight end Jason Witten a near-lock for 90-plus catches, running backs Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray potential factors in the passing game and depth at both of those positions, the Cowboys feel as though the No. 3 wide receiver might be the No. 5 target for Tony Romo for most of the season.

THE BUTLER CAN DO IT

Third-year linebacker Victor Butler has been an eye-opener in camp, and some have suggested he might be a threat to Anthony Spencer's starting spot on the side opposite Ware. More likely, he's a guy to add to the pass-rush mix and give them depth and the ability to vary those looks even more. If anything, the camp Butler is having could serve to motivate Spencer to return to his 2009 form after a disappointing 2010.

"You can never have too many pass-rushers on one team," Ware said. "When the Giants won against the Patriots, they had several really great pass-rushers. Pressure is what gets things going. So to be able to develop another third-down guy will really help us out a lot."

TURNING UP A CORNER

The Cowboys did not sign free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, though they tried, and they'll go with Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman as starting cornerbacks again. The problem is, injuries have kept both Jenkins and Newman sidelined so far in camp, and Newman is out until at least the regular-season opener. This is a spot where the Cowboys struggled mightily in 2010, and they're not going to have their defense the way they want it until they get Jenkins and Newman back on the field. The one positive to come out of this is that backup corner Orlando Scandrick has looked very good in a starter's role so far in camp, so maybe they have some quality depth there that they didn't know they had.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Cowboys might have more at defensive end than we thought immediately post-free agency. Coleman looks as if he's poised to steal Igor Olshansky's starting spot from him, and Jason Hatcher has looked rejuvenated and been an asset in the pass rush. Letting Stephen Bowen go to the Redskins felt like a loss at first, but re-signing Marcus Spears and Hatcher and bringing in Coleman might have made them deeper than they'd have been if they'd stayed pat.
• The kicking competition looks miserable, with neither David Buehler nor Dan Bailey having seized the opportunity and Kai Forbath unable to get on the field because of injury. Don't rule out the possibility that the kicker the Cowboys go with this season isn't on the roster yet.
• Jones and Romo aren't new or exciting names around here, but they look as good as anyone in camp on offense. When I watched them practice against the Chargers on Thursday, the Cowboys were using Jones around end a lot, and he looks like he has great burst. The offensive linemen I spoke with all hope he gets a chance at full-time carries, because they believe he and Bryant can be "spark plug" guys.
• Elam was a critical signing, as he'll be responsible for the secondary calls and has been vitally important in helping the holdover players understand the language Ryan is speaking. I'm interested to see if the secondary looks more organized Sunday night having had an additional week-plus practicing with Elam.
• The Cowboys are serious about Nagy, who was a seventh-round pick after not playing much in his senior season at Wisconsin. He was seriously hurt in a moped accident as a junior and then was passed on the depth chart by a few other guys, so much of the action he saw as a senior was actually at tight end. But the Cowboys love his athleticism and maturity. They could start him at guard early in the season, and there are some who think he could eventually start at center for them down the road.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- When the Cowboys signed Marcus Spears, Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher, Sean Lissemore’s future did not look so bright.

Yet the second-year defensive end has continued to impress the coaches with his work during training camp and could force a decision on the 53-man roster. With Coleman now starting and Lissemore playing well, Igor Olshansky has been subject to some speculation about his roster spot.

Lissemore had two tackles in the preseason opener against Denver. His rookie year was cut short by an ankle injury but in his first game he had three tackles and a half sack against Jacksonville on Oct. 31.

When Jay Ratliff was out for a few days with a sore hip, Lissemore moved inside to nose tackle.

“I’m just trying to show some position flexibility,” Lissemore said. “You never know where a team is going to need you. I’ve tried to work on that while Jay was out. It’s a fun position. I keep telling people playing end is like stepping in a road and you can see the cards coming and you can avoid them. Playing nose is like stepping in an intersection and you can’t see where they’re coming from. They’re two different positions but I enjoy both of them.”

ARLINGTON, Texas -- When the Cowboys made the switch at left defensive end on Monday, it meant a benching.

Kenyon Coleman, who was signed in the early stages of training camp, will replace Igor Olshansky on the first team.

"Right now, I'm playing behind Kenyon, which is really a great opportunity for me to learn how to play this left side," Olshansky said. "He's a master at that left end position, which I'm looking forward to having an opportunity to master as well."

When the Cowboys signed Coleman, they got a run stopper who played in Rob Ryan's defensive scheme for two seasons in Cleveland.

Olshansky is also a run stopper, but he's more suited to the previous 3-4 scheme under former coach/defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Under Phillips, Olshansky was a one-gap player who moved to the right or left side of the tackle and received help from a linebacker on run plays.

With the Ryan defense, Olshansky plays two-gap, where he has to cover both sides of the tackle, but it also allows the linebackers to make more plays.

Ryan's 3-4 scheme asks its linebackers to help stop the run more so than Phillips'.

"In this scheme, the left side basically is where they will run the ball primarily," Olshansky said. "It's where they will line up the tight end, so you want your really good run stopper on that left side. You don't have to move as much on the left side as the right side, which Kenyon does a great job of. So I'm looking forward to learning a lot from him."

Olshansky isn't concerned with backing up Coleman at this stage because, as defensive line coach Brian Baker has said, everybody will play along the defensive line.

Olshansky has displayed a good attitude about the move, saying multiple times that he wants to learn how to play the left side. Coleman also has downplayed the move, saying it's just about moving guys around the line.

"It doesn't really matter," Olshansky said. "I know when we go out there, I know you have 16 regular-season games plus playoff games and a lot of snaps and a lot of football to be played. So you need a solid six guys that can go in there and play. I know I've started for seven years in this league and I know the key to playing a long time in this league is to have solid backup."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Cowboys have rotated their defensive linemen throughout camp. On Monday morning, newly signed defensive end Kenyon Coleman got some run with the first-team defense.

Defensive line coach Brian Baker has said he wants competition at all the defensive line spots because everyone at the position will get snaps.

"We're just doing different rotations," Coleman said after Monday's practice. "We're a rotating front. I'm not a coach. I don't know who’s where. It's Marcus [Spears], Igor [Olshansky] and Jay Ratliff and that's the way I look at it. The cool thing is we can all play."

Coleman said there's nothing to read into him getting snaps with the first team.

In practice, Coleman got snaps in place of Olshansky and both players are run stoppers. Yet Coleman has played for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Cleveland the last two seasons, so he has a better knowledge of the scheme.

"You get Kenyon Coleman, and the experience he has playing the defensive end position in this scheme we feel good about that," Jason Garrett said. "To add that to the group we already have, it's a good group that we have."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- If his performance against the Broncos was the beginning of a trend, Jason Hatcher will be a heck of a bargain for the Cowboys.

“He was a one-man wrecking crew,” defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said.

Hatcher hasn’t made the impact the Cowboys hoped he would when they selected him in the third round of the 2006 draft. That’s why he was the third priority out of their three unrestricted free agent defensive ends once the lockout was lifted.

Stephen Bowen was the top priority, but the Cowboys weren’t willing to come close to matching the five-year, $27.5 million contract the Redskins gave him. Longtime starter Marcus Spears was next in line, getting a five-year, $19.2 million deal to return to Dallas. Hatcher settled for $6 million over three seasons.

Hatcher, however, isn’t sweating his salary. He’s happy to be back and eager for what he feels like is his first legitimate chance to compete for a starting job.

“I started off slow, didn’t get the shot that I wanted early in my career,” Hatcher said. “Now I’ve got my shot. It’s a waiting game sometimes in this league. You’ve just got to be ready when the time comes. I feel like my time is here.”

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Hatcher has only 7.5 sacks in five seasons, but he’s the most dangerous pass rusher among the Cowboys’ current crop of defensive ends. He impressed Ryan by consistently getting pressure as part of a three-man pass rush in the red zone. Hatcher was also disruptive in the running game, even against double teams.

Of course, that was only the preseason opener. Hatcher showed flashes in his first five seasons, but he never earned an increased role. That could change this season, especially if Igor Olshansky doesn’t play better than he did against the Broncos and Hatcher continues playing well.

“I’ve just got to keep being consistent and keep grinding,” Hatcher said.

The Cowboys opened their preseason slate with a game against John Fox’s Denver Broncos. The Broncos were coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history with a record of 4-12 and questions about whether Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow would be the starter at quarterback. Here are some thoughts from studying the game:

*It doesn’t matter how good of a defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is if his front seven doesn’t get off blocks. It will not make one bit of difference what defense he calls if the Cowboys are physically dominated.

The Broncos were one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL last season but were able to push the Cowboys around with ease. The starters across the defensive line were Marcus Spears, Josh Brent and Igor Olshansky. Of the three down guys, Olshansky had the most trouble, then Brent.

The Broncos’ offensive linemen were able to get to Olshansky, who is known for his weight-room strength but played like he had none. It didn’t matter, end or nose, he couldn’t keep his pad level down and was moved easily two or three yards off the line of scrimmage. There was one play in which he was driven off the ball so far, Olshansky ended up in Sean Lee’s lap, causing Lee to not only have to fight off the blocker but his teammate as well.

Brent is a player that each day at practice makes a charge through the line that grabs your attention. In this game, he was playing a step late and behind blocks. He is most effective when he fires with his hands, controls the blocker, sheds and goes to the ball. I have seen Brent play much better at the point than he did against the Broncos, which was disappointing.

Spears was better than Olshansky and Brent when it came to playing with technique and power. His best play of the night when he was slanting down inside unblocked to make a tackle for loss.

If you were looking for some positive signs along the defensive line, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lissemore were it. Hatcher surprised me with his ability to not only get push with his rush but the way he was a force at the point. Hatcher did the best job of playing technique with his hands. Nice job of controlling blockers, two gapping and finding the ball.

In watching Hatcher, this was the way I believed that he would play when he was given the opportunity to start last preseason when Spears was injured. He didn’t perform then and was an afterthought to me. If Hatcher keeps his focus and intensity, he can fill that role that Stephen Bowen played in the nickel as well.

*There was plenty to like in the effort of rookie wide receiver Dwayne Harris against the Broncos. It wasn’t all perfect, but you did see the same flashes the Cowboys’ scouts did off the East Carolina game film.

Harris is one of those players who plays faster than his 40 time. If you noticed on his long touchdown catch and run, the defensive backs were beginning to catch him before he dove into the end zone.

There is no doubt that Harris can catch the football. There was plenty enough times where he caught the ball with defenders on his back or in traffic. On his touchdown catch that allowed the Cowboys to win the game on the two-point play to Martin Rucker, Harris did an outstanding job of being a football player by working himself open in the end zone. Stephen McGee didn’t have much time to deliver the ball because guard Papa Letuli missed his block at the snap. Harris was able to go up and get the ball at the highest point to make the catch.

If Harris has a weakness right now, it is as a route runner. In the games I studied in college, he was always playing the inside slot and most of his work was in the middle of the field. With the Cowboys, he will still play in the slot, but I did see him get some outside work. He was asked to run a slant and was still able to make the catch, but the route was more like a 3-yard “In” route than a slant.

There was also a point in the contest where McGee was trying to get him to come back for the football when it looked as if he needed to run the “hot” route instead of carrying his route up the field. To his credit, Harris did read the “hot” correct on his catch and run for the long touchdown.

*Much of the attention in this camp has been on rookie right tackle Tyron Smith, but a player I was interested in watching his progress in his first NFL action was rookie left guard David Arkin.

From watching Arkin two weeks in camp, I have grown to appreciate even more the toughness and determination that he plays with.

Arkin was a left tackle in college at Missouri State. There is a side of me that one day believes that he will be a center for the Cowboys.

Against the Broncos, Arkin was better than I had seen him in practice. When it came to reach or scoop blocks working with Doug Free or Phil Costa or Bill Nagy, he managed to stay on his feet, push through for position and sustain his blocks. On the hen screen that the Cowboys popped for a big gainer to Felix Jones, Arkin was able to get outside and make the defender have to avoid him. On his pass sets, he showed a nice base, punch and finish.

If he did have a struggle, it was when he had to physically get push in the running game one on one. He just doesn’t have enough upper- or lower-body strength right now to hammer on someone. Arkin is much better when he can block on the move and make things happen by using position on the defender.

Really like the way he plays on his feet. When he is in the lineup, the Cowboys are a much more athletic line and movement wise he can do things that Montrae Holland can’t in space, but Holland is a more powerful push, shove blocker.

It was a good start for all three rookie linemen -- Smith, Arkin and Nagy -- along with offensive tackle Jermey Parnell.