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OK, the preseason schedule is out, so let's make an attempt to break things down.

The first preseason game is Aug. 13 and the Cowboys veterans are projected to report to training camp in Oxnard, Calif., on July 29. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement signed last year, rookies and quarterbacks can report a few days prior to July 29. That projected date is July 24. All of this is unofficial.

The Cowboys could leave Oxnard either Aug. 22 or 23 before facing St. Louis in their first home preseason game on Aug. 25.

After hosting first-round draft pick Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins in the preseason finale Aug. 29, the Cowboys will have six days off before the season opener at the New York Giants. Coach Jason Garrett expressed an interest in having at least a week off prior to the regular-season opener. Looks like he's got it.

The great thing from a Dallas perspective about opening the season on a Wednesday night is the Cowboys will have 10 days off between Weeks 1 and 2.

Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl title.

An event was held at Studio Movie Grill in Dallas to honor the team and promote a book written by former Associated Press sportswriter Jaime Aron, "Breakthrough Boys."

The core of that team was labeled a bunch of underachievers for their failure to win big games in previous seasons, including losing Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts.

"We just came back and committed to work harder and be better," said Lee Roy Jordan, a Cowboys linebacker. "After we lost in Super Bowl V, I tell people we didn't lose it, we gave it to them. We had five turnovers, three in the last five minutes or so, but we still lost. But we were committed to come back and do it and we did. We had a lot of ups and downs."

The 1971 season had its share of problems. The season started with a quarterback controversy surrounding Roger Staubach and Craig Morton.

Star running back Duane Thomas was upset he was sent back to the Cowboys after a failed trade with New England. Thomas didn't speak with coach Tom Landry or his teammates for the bulk of the 1971 season.

Of course, there was the season itself. Somehow, the Cowboys managed to turn things around after a team meeting following a loss to the Chicago Bears.

The Cowboys won their final seven games to win the NFC East and then allowed just nine points in the postseason, capped with a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.

"When things started to get bad, you forget about your personal issues," Staubach said. "You start thinking about the team issues and we really got it together and started playing together and it had a lot to do with we were 4-3, and if we didn't have the talent we wouldn't have gotten it turned around. Our personal issues became secondary."

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys running back Felix Jones is happy to see DeMarco Murray become a spark for the offense and didn't express any disappointment with losing his starting gig or getting limited touches.

In his first talk with reporters since losing his starting job, Jones said Friday he wasn't upset about getting zero carries in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Miami Dolphins.

"Man, no," he said. "What's the point of tripping or anything like that? We won the game. That’s all that really matters."

Jones touched the ball five times with four kick returns and one reception.

"I think I was doing well," Murray said of the Dolphins game. "I was feeling like I was in a groove and they just left me out there and I think if [Jones] was doing the same thing, he would be left out there too."

Jones opened the season as the starting running back and rushed for 115 yards on 14 carries in a win over Washington in Week 3. But Jones rushed for 69 yards the next two weeks before suffering a high-ankle sprain vs. New England.

Jones missed the next four weeks, and Murray rushed for franchise-record 253 yards against St. Louis in his game as the primary ball-carrier.

In the last six games, Murray has rushed for 761 yards, breaking the franchise mark for yardage over a six-game span set by Emmitt Smith with 744 in 1995.

"He's been looking good," Jones said of Murray. "He's doing good. Once you think about it, he's been doing good since I was hurt and things like that. It's all about friendly competition between us now. It’s always been that. Just going out there and just working hard and trying to get back out there."

This was supposed to be a special season for Jones, who finally was able to take over the No. 1 spot when the team released Marion Barber. All 2011 has done is confirm the durability issues Jones has. He's missed a total six games the last three seasons, but in 2008, his rookie year, he missed 10 games due to hamstring and toe injuries.

The interesting thing about Jones' season is that he played through a dislocated shoulder suffered early in the season.

With Murray running the ball so well, the Cowboys have to find other ways to get Jones touches.

Kickoffs are where Jones could get the bulk of them going forward.

In his rookie season, Jones averaged 27.1 yards per return and scored on a 98-yarder. Jones returned 30 kicks in 2009, but none last year.

"I love kickoff returns," he said. "Kickoff returns is where I got started at and I’m having fun with it. Just getting back used to it."

It still has to be disappointing for Jones to return to a supporting role with the team. He played this role at Arkansas behind Darren McFadden, and when he was drafted by the Cowboys the goal was for him to back up Barber.

Jones was supposed to emerge into an offensive threat, but it hasn't happened on a consistent basis for the Cowboys. And now the former first-round pick has lost his starting job.

"It's just unfortunate," he said. "Just got to deal with that and overcome it."

IRVING -- Gerald Sensabaugh is battling a sprained right foot suffered Nov. 20 at Washington.

Last week, vs. Miami, Sensabugh played in pain, despite taking a pain injection. He was credited with four tackles.

He's practicing as much as possible this week at Valley Ranch but not taking any pain medication because he will do that only for a game. Sensabaugh is expected to play Sunday afternoon at Arizona.

"I did everything. I did everything. I was slow," he said after Wednesday's practice. "But I did everything. I'm trying to go this week without taking a shot, I don’t want to do anything for practice, I just gut it out for practice [and] when it comes down to game-time I’ll really get it loosen up and get ready to roll. It's just an injury a little something, nothing big."

There was a thought Sensabaugh wouldn't play Thanksgiving Day because he missed three days of practice. The Cowboys had a short week because of the Thanksgiving Day game, but Sensabaugh went through an extensive rehab period to get ready to play.

The Dallas Cowboys ended November with a 4-0 record and the 18th career win for Tony Romo in the month since he took over as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys.

As impressive as that stat is, fans care more about what you do in December, January and now February. You have heard me mention many times before how difficult it is to win in the National Football League. You fully appreciate how hard it really is and how grateful you are when it happens after being in offices around the league.

The 2011 Cowboys have done a nice job of playing their best football at the right times. There are too many times that we get caught up in what the opposing team’s record is, using that as a base for how we think the Cowboys will play on a weekly basis.

In the tradition of things to be thankful for, I am grateful that I get the opportunity to break these games down for you, trying to give you a clear idea of why and how with this Dallas Cowboys squad.

Romo overcomes mistakes to save Cowboys

For the second week in a row, Romo won this game for the Cowboys with the way that he managed the quarterback position despite some early mistakes with the interceptions.

The first interception, which was intended for Martellus Bennett, was clearly Romo’s fault with the lack of depth as he tried to fit the ball to Bennett up the sideline. Romo threw the ball too much on the line instead of putting air under it. Cornerback Vontae Davis was able to adjust his coverage on the route because he was really not threatened by Bennett’s vertical route. The safety was not a factor in the coverage coming over, and Romo was not pressured at all to have to make that throw much like others that he had to make under duress.

Laurent Robinson took the blame for the second interception. At pre-snap, Jason Witten and Robinson flip spots on the line. Witten moves to the slot and Robinson outside. At the snap, Robinson tries an outside release against Sean Smith, who doesn’t lose position in the route. Robinson really doesn’t buy himself much space.

Smith is in great position and Romo throws the ball to the curl with Smith standing in front of Robinson. Romo threw the ball in tight coverage, evidence of the confidence that Romo has in Robinson and that receiver is going to run the right route.

Romo-to-Robinson connection clicking

Speaking of Robinson’s route running, his first touchdown was perfectly executed. This play in the red zone now has a chance because the way that DeMarco Murray has been running the ball the last several weeks. Without the threat of a running game, you don’t get this type of bite on a play-action.

On the play, Robinson is the only receiver on the field and lined up wide left. At the snap of the ball, the line blocks full flow going to their right, Murray starts to stretch right, and Romo fakes to Murray while moving right to draw the Dolphins’ defense up and to that side. Robinson holds one count like he is going to block, then explodes to the inside, leaving his man.

Romo’s eyes now find Robinson in the middle of the field uncovered with the linebackers moving forward. Romo throws the ball to an area, and Robinson is able to adjust and make the catch for the touchdown.

One more example of Robinson and Romo clicking was on the second touchdown throw.

With the Cowboys down 16-10 at the start of the fourth quarter and the ball on the Dolphins’ 18-yard line, Garrett goes with three wide receivers, one tight end and one running back. Dez Bryant is lined up wide left, Witten is on the line to the right, and Kevin Ogletree is in the slot to the right with Robinson outside of him.

At the snap, Witten starts vertical, working the middle of the field between the hashes. Bryant drives hard inside to cross the path of Witten. Ogletree works outside then up like he is running a wheel route. Robinson clears Ogletree going vertical. The protection is able to hold up to a point while all of this is developing down the field. Romo then flushes to his left, with his eyes down the field. Romo is able to square his shoulders and finds Robinson running along the backside of the end zone.

Robinson has a step on Smith and safety Yeremiah Bell doesn’t react well enough to Robinson, who crosses behind him. Romo throws the ball in a manner that allows Robinson to adjust to the pass by extending his body to make his catch, then drag his toes. Smith dives to try and defend the pass, but the ball is so well thrown that he has no chance to make the play.

Big-time throw, big-time catch.

Dolphins' Marshall gets best of Newman

Coming into this game, there were going to be several players on the Dolphins that were going to present problems for the Dallas defense.

Brandon Marshall is an outstanding wide receiver. In studying him, you could see that Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick were going to have their hands full because of his physical style and the way he likes to use his hands to push off in route. Scandrick learned this firsthand on a play-action pass down the field. Marshall shoved Scandrick off the line to get separation. It was clearly pass interference, but it was not called, which resulted in a big gain for the Dolphins.

Marshall also took advantage of Newman on a touchdown pass. Newman had been playing well in his press coverage, but in this case, he missed with his hands on the jam and allowed Marshall to get up the field. Safety Abram Elam played shallow to try to help Sean Lee with tight end Anthony Fasano. Elam is trying his best to do two jobs but is unable to really help Newman fully. Anthony Spencer is applying late pressure on quarterback Matt Moore, but it’s not enough and he is able to deliver the ball down the field to Marshall, who makes the catch with Newman around his neck. The coverage really broke down for Newman when he missed with his hands on the jam.

Cowboys' Ware vindicates himself

The position that played well for the Cowboys in this game was their outside linebackers. I had been very critical of DeMarcus Ware in the Redskins game for his lack of production on the final drive as the game was in the balance. In this Dolphins game, Ware was outstanding not only as a pressure player but in coverage as well.

One of the plays that I wanted to point out was when Ware carried Reggie Bush up the field in the red zone. We all know what an outstanding rusher Ware is, but in this play, you see what an aware football player he really is.

On the play, Ware is lined up as an inside linebacker in the middle of the defense. At the snap, Lee is trying to cover Bush by banging him at the line. Lee loses contact with Bush as he escapes through the middle of the defense. Ware sees that Bush is clear of Lee and adjusts to play him in coverage. Moore sees Bush clear Lee but has to try to float the ball over Ware, who is in outstanding shape on Bush. Moore would have to make a perfect throw to get the ball to Bush with Ware on coverage and he is unable to do that.

It was a nice, heads-up play by Ware that saved a touchdown.

Cowboys' Spencer stellar on goal-line stand

Anthony Spencer also played one of his better games of the season. Spencer was all over the field, whether it was in the running game, pressuring Moore or in coverage.

One of the key series of the game was in the fourth quarter when the Dolphins managed to get the ball to the Cowboys’ 3. Spencer played a key role in holding the Dolphins to a field goal.

On first-and-goal, the Dolphins try to run the ball on the edge, but Ryan slants his defensive line inside toward the center and Spencer is able to shoot the gap and make a tackle for a loss of two yards.

On second-and-goal, Moore tries a play-action pass. Spencer is now outside of tackle Marc Colombo and takes a sharp angle down inside off the edge. Colombo tries to work down then back to the outside but is too late to take care of Spencer, who is now in the path of Moore’s arm and is able to slap the ball out of his hand for an incomplete.

On third-and-goal, Ryan decides that he wants to bring two rushers from the same side. Ware and Spencer both are lined up together off the Dolphins’ right side. At the snap, Newman gets beat inside by Brian Hartline. Spencer rushes hard inside against Colombo again. Moore has to flush to his right to avoid the rush, and Elam turns in the middle of the field as he sees Newman struggling with Hartline in the back of the end zone. Elam is able to keep himself between Moore and Hartline. Moore, throwing the ball on the move, throws it too high and to the right of Hartline with Elam in position. Elam defends the pass, and instead of coming away with six points, the Dolphins have to settle for three.

The entire Dolphins drive was affected by Spencer, who at times shows the ability to make those types of plays.

The last time Felix Jones didn't get a carry in a NFL game, it nearly caused congress to hold hearings into the validity of Jason Garrett's ability to coach in the NFL.

Jones got zero carries in a loss to Washington in 2008, his rookie season. This came after a six-carry, 76-yard, one-touchdown performance the previous week at Green Bay, which was a Cowboys win.

Thanksgiving Day, Jones got no carries, instead he got four kick returns and one pass thrown his way in the Cowboys victory over Miami.

It's strange but there was hardly a mention of Jones not getting any carries Thursday.

DeMarco Murray has turned into a solid, dependable running back for Garrett to use. Garrett called every running play for Murray and he finished with 22 carries for 87 yards and no touchdowns.

In a close game, it didn't seem as if the Cowboys missed giving the ball to Jones, especially late in the game when the team was trying to set up for a game-winning field goal. The Cowboys won it when Dan Bailey converted a 28-yarder as time expired.

"I think individual players need experience in critical clutch-type situations," Garrett said. "I think teams need to do that as well and it comes back to having confidence in those situations that we're going make the right play here."

We don't believe Garrett has lost confidence in Jones, but rather is sticking with the hot hand, which is Murray right now.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones used the words "terrible" and "awful" to describe the penalty called against safety Abram Elam that kept the Miami Dolphins' go-ahead drive alive in the fourth quarter Thursday.

With the Dolphins facing third-and-4 from their own 38, DeMarcus Ware sacked quarterback Matt Moore to force a fourth down. But the referees flagged Elam with illegal contact, keeping the drive alive.

The Dolphins went on to get a 23-yard field goal by Shayne Graham to take a 19-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Cowboys later responded to win the game on Dan Bailey's 28-yard field goal as time expired.

"We had a terrible, about as bad of an officiating call, on a hold on Elam, that would have given us the turnover, that I've seen," Jones said on his Friday morning radio show on KRLD-FM. "In review, it is awful. The bottom line is you got to have that. You're going to get some of those but you shouldn’t. But you're going to get some of them. It really shouldn’t be called if you don’t see it, and he didn’t see that because it wasn’t there."

Elam did get both hands on tight end Anthony Fasano as he tried a swim move to get past him while moving down the field. It was a questionable call in a close game where every play was important.

"That’s part of the game," Elam said of the call. "They get paid to officiate, we get paid to play, so all I can do is go back and line up and we were able to hold them down to just a field goal."

This isn't about Dez Bryant disappearing again in the second half of games -- he had one catch for 16 yards vs. Miami on Thanksgiving Day -- it's about making the best of the opportunities when they arise.

With the game hanging in the balance late in the fourth quarter Thursday, Bryant was the last man onto the field for a punt return. It was the first time Bryant had touched the field on special teams all day. He was so late that when the ball was in the air, he was still snapping his chin strap. (It's uncertain if putting Bryant in to return was a last-second move.)

Bryant's 20-yard return with about three minutes left gave the Cowboys their best field position of the second half, at their own 36.

It led to a game-winning 28-yard field goal by Dan Bailey as time expired.

The Cowboys are averaging just 8.3 yards per punt return, which is 25th in the league.

But Thursday afternoon, Bryant showed what he could do. The Cowboys should use Bryant more on returns, and that was the goal at the start of the season until a thigh injury in Week 1 put an end to this job full-time.

As the season gets tighter, the Cowboys should return Bryant to this role. Miles Austin is expected to return next week at Arizona, and the emergence of Laurent Robinson takes some pressure off Bryant in the passing game.

The more opportunities you give Bryant to touch the ball the better, whether it's in the passing or return game.

"We're looking for spots," coach Jason Garrett said. "You know we like to have different guys available. We used Felix [Jones] as our kick returner. Those guys are playmaking-type guys, they certainly have a significant role on our offense. But when you get the ball in their hands, that's a good thing, and I thought Dez did a really nice job handling that."

Another close victory for the Cowboys, this one over the Redskins 20-19, and with that we give you our weekly Stock Report of who is playing well and who isn't.

Stock Up

Laurent Robinson: The man catches touchdown passes and is almost as good as Dez Bryant at getting free when a play breaks down. Robinson had seven catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, he should have done a better job of shielding himself from the receiver on a Tony Romo pick, but overall another solid game.

Anthony Spencer: It's easy to forget how good he is sometimes because he doesn't rush the passer with the same frequency as DeMarcus Ware. Spencer made life difficult for Jake Long and Marc Colombo and he finished with eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Solid all-around effort.

Sean Lee: He's playing with one hand, but that didn't stop him from popping Reggie Bush on a pitch play and finishing with seven tackles, a cheap sack, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. Lee continues to show the coaches he can react well on run plays and isn't a liability in pass coverage.

Stock Down

Felix Jones: Zero rushes. One catch for 4 yards. Four kick returns for 74 yards. Not much production. Thursday's game was another indication of how far Jones' stock has fallen at Valley Ranch. Jones is still a good player, but not getting a carry was an interesting decision by Jason Garrett. We did like his 24-yard kick return, but we need more out of this player.

Pass defense: The great Matt Moore threw for 288 yards and wasn't picked off. There were two pass interference penalties, two penalties by secondary players on a late go-ahead drive by the Dolphins and too many open receivers all over the field. There was pressure on Moore, but not enough plays by the secondary.

Penalties: Depending on whom you speak with, penalties are either on a coach or his players. The Cowboys were flagged a season-high 11 times for 69 yards. That sounds like Wade Phillips is still coaching this team. One thing we like under Garrett is the Cowboys' ability to play some disciplined football. It didn't happen on Thursday.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cowboys free safety Gerald Sensabaugh gutted out a foot injury and took pain medication to reduce swelling in the back of the ball of his foot.

"A lot of treatment," said Sensabaugh, who missed practice last week but was still able to start Thursday. "...I just knew if I could put a little bit of weight on it I was going to be good, so I took a little shot to help it out a little bit. But it was killing me the whole game. Pain is mind over matter. I feel if I don’t have to go under the knife I can play, and it got me to where I was able to run and function. I didn’t want to be out there if I was going to hurt the team."

Sensabugh didn't have his usual burst, but he did finish with four tackles -- three solo -- in the Cowboys victory.

"The training staff gave me a chance to go out there and let it out," Sensabaugh said. "They did an awesome job. They pretty much got out all of my swelling out in three days. It was crazy."

The next few days will benefit Sensabugh, who needs time off his foot. He spent the last three days in a walking boot and was wearing it as he left Cowboys Stadium.

In the NFL, short weeks of game preparation are never easy. It’s even more difficult having to play a physical divisional game on the road before an opponent that you see once every four years.

There will be nothing easy about this game against the Dolphins. It’s a team that has quality players on both sides of the ball. We should not be fooled by the Dolphins’ 3-7 record, because in the games I have studied, this could have very well been a team on a five-game winning streak going into this game.

The Dolphins will give the Cowboys trouble in this game in two areas offensively, wide receiver and running back.

Be wary of Dolphins' Marshall, Bess, Bush, Clay

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall can be a physical beast when it comes to having to defend him up the field. He is not afraid of using his body to create separation with the defensive backs. Have seen Marshall get into his route, then take both of his hands and push the defensive back away. Marshall will use his body on the slant to protect the ball.

Matt Moore likes to try and get him the ball on the move whether that’s up the field or on the quick screen. Hard man to bring down when on the move with the ball in his hands. Primary target in the red zone on jump balls or back-shoulder throws. Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick will have to be ready for an all-day physical game with Marshall on the outside.

Davone Bess will play the slot with quickness and the ability to adjust to the ball wherever it is thrown. Bess will need to be watched on third downs because he has a real feel for how to work inside routes and take advantage of coverage that might not be tight.

Running back Reggie Bush has proven that he can handle the workload as an every-down back. Bush makes this play-action game go for the Dolphins. Like the way that offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has taken advantage of his skill set with screens and plays on the edge in the passing game.

Bush can run the ball between the tackles, but he is most dangerous when he gets in space. The Cowboys defense has to be careful to not allow Bush to make to loose plays in space. Tackling on Bush will be key this week.

There is one other weapon I want to bring your attention to: fullback Charles Clay. We all understand now how important Tony Fiammetta is to the Cowboys running the ball. Clay is the same type of player, but he can really hurt you with his ability to get down the field and catch the ball. Clay is a converted tight end that is very athletic. He is a lot like Bess in that you don’t cover him, he will make a big play down the field.

Cowboys should target riight side of Dolphins O-line

On the offensive line, the Dolphins have some nice pieces in left tackle Jake Long and center Mike Pouncey. The weakness of this line is on the right side with tackle Marc Colombo and guard Vernon Carey. I fully expect Rob Ryan to try and put as much pressure on these two with anything scheme-wise that makes them have to move and adjust. Neither Colombo or Carey move that well, and the more you make them have to do that, the better the chance for successful pressure.

Don't sleep on Dolphins' defensive front, linebackers

I really came away impressed with what the Dolphins’ defense is doing scheme-wise and how physical the overall unit plays.

It really starts up front with guys like ends Randy Starks and Jared Odrick. These are powerful players and they are always working their way up the field, not only defeating single blocks. but handling double teams as well. Nose man Paul Soliai is difficult to move, much like what the Cowboys faced with the Jets and 49ers.

But the real strength of this defense is in its linebackers. Koa Misi, Carlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett and Cameron Wake are all outstanding. Misi and Wake are true pressure players. Misi is better against the run, but Wake will be a handful because of his ability to explode off the edge. Misi can get the edge too, but he will fight you more on the rush. Wake will slap, rip all while working his way up the field.

Wake will make Doug Free and Tyron Smith have to adjust on the move and reset their hands several times. They will need to find a way to anchor down on him.

On the inside, Dansby and Burnett will make plays in the running game. Last week against the Redskins, the Cowboys didn’t do a good enough job of handling the linebackers on the second level. If the line has the same kind of problems this week, running the ball will be difficult again.

The Dolphins linebackers run to the ball and they are sure tacklers. If the Cowboys struggle running the ball it will be because these linebackers are going unblocked.

In the games that I was able to study, the Dolphins’ front seven make their secondary better. Pressure has really helped this group make plays like they did last week against the Bills.

Safety Yeremiah Bell is a hitter. Cornerback Will Allen throws his body around. Cornerback Sean Smith is a much better cover man than tackler, and corner Nolan Carroll will force the run. There will be plays to be made against this secondary if -- and only if -- the Cowboys protection can hold up again Wake, Misi and the veteran Jason Taylor.

It’s a defense that has found its way since the loss to the Giants and coming off a short week will be a difficult test for the Cowboys.

Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel gives us his thoughts on all-things Miami Dolphins in our weekly installment of The Other Side.

Q: What's happened down there? What's been the key to the turnaround?

A: As strange as it might seem, despite the team's 0-7 start they've always been a confident team. In fact, it bordered on arrogance. The players kept working hard, kept their attitudes positive, and they kept saying it would eventually turn around. That's exactly what happened once Matt Moore became comfortable, and the defense finally started playing up to expectation.

Q: Is the heat off Tony Sparano?

A: Not really. I don't think he can survive this season unless he puts together at least a .500 record. Too much damage has been done. However, if the Dolphins remain hot it could make it a tough decision for owner Steve Ross. However, the fan base is demanding a regime change and Ross typically gives them what they want. The problem is this team is rallying for Sparano and the rest of Miami's coaches. Unfortunately, it might be too little too late.

Q: How is former Cowboys tackle, Marc Colombo, playing?

A: Horribly. He's a turnstile, which I'm sure isn't much of a surprise to Dallas fans. He's allowed four sacks this season, but a tight end is usually next to him at all times. He typically allows five bad pressures a game, and considering how much Moore locked onto what's going on downfield those pressures can turn into turnovers.

Q: Tell us about the defense. It hasn't given up a touchdown in 12 quarters.

A: The strength of the defense is the defensive line, which is six players deep. Paul Soliai, the nose tackle, is a force against the run. The past four opponents are averaging 2.8 yards per carry. The biggest improvement that's been made comes from Karlos Dansby's resurgence. He can to camp at least 25 pounds over weight and it took him two months to play like he did in 2010. Now that he's doing it some of the pressure that was placed on Kevin Burnett has subsided. Also, the secondary is playing a lot better. A month ago opposing quarterbacks had a cumulative rating of 103.1. Heading into Thursday's game that QB rating has dropped to 85.8.

Q: Matt Moore is a pretty emotional player. How much has this helped during this win streak?

A: He's become a very popular person in the locker room. The players rally around him, and and the feel of the offense is a lot different with Moore as the starter. It doesn't hurt that he's transforming those red zone opportunities into touchdowns. Over the past five games the Dolphins have scored 11 touchdowns on the team's 16 red zone opportunities. Of course the running game has been better, but the touch Moore puts on his passes has also helped.

Q: Will the short week help or hurt the Dolphins?

A: I think it should help the Dolphins considering they are a relatively healthy team. Only one of two players are nursing injuries, and everyone is fairly young, so they should be able to bounce back quickly. However, the short turnaround might hurt the team from a preparation standpoint because the Dolphins are typically show starters. Just look at the 0-7 start.

Q: DeMarcus Ware is one of the best defensive players in the league. How can the Dolphins slow him down?

A: By playing a lot of two tight end sets, and putting a competent blocker in the backfield. Of course Rob Ryan will try to put him up against Colombo, and the Dolphins would be crazy to not protect their weakest link. The best approach might be to shorten the game by running the ball a lot.

Q: You're picking the Dolphins this week, right?

A: No. I think this is the week the team's feel good vibes come to an end. The Dolphins don't do well against teams with strong pass rushing games. That's why I'm picking the Cowboys to win 24-17.

IRVING -- The Cowboys don't have starting fullback Tony Fiammetta due to an illness that hasn't been clearly defined.

Reporters have been told Fiammetta gets nauseous and sick when he's working out.

We do know Fiammetta's health issue is not long-term or placed his teammates in any real danger of it being contagious. But the mystery surrounding it is scary for not only him but for the team.

The Cowboys' medical staff does a wonderful job in getting their players the best treatment possible and wouldn't put a player back on the field if it meant long-term damage.

When Tony Romo tried to return to the field last year with a broken collarbone, he was yanked back to the sidelines by associate athletic trainer Britt Brown. Romo also tried to get back in a game at San Francisco before pain medication kicked in for a fractured rib. Head athletic trainer Jim Maurer made sure Romo didn't play until he was nearly pain free.

Along the sidelines on Sunday at Washington several players left the game for an ailment but were quickly tended to by the Cowboys medical staff. One player tried to walk away from a trainer but was quickly grabbed so he could get treatment.

The Cowboys have said they're doing everything possible to help their fullback.

"His symptoms are he just feels nauseous and sick when he’s working out," coach Jason Garrett said. "And I don’t want to get too much into detail about that, but that’s really been it more than anything else. So we have to understand why, whether it’s some illnesses in his family or whatever, I don’t want to go into too much detail, but we’re just trying to get to the bottom of it and we’re doing everything we can to do that."

This is not the first time an illness has baffled a NFL team.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin missed all of training camp with a mystery illness. The Eagles had to address rumors if it was cancer, mononucleosis or if it was life-threatening.

Maclin lost weight and had low energy. He also had night sweats and a loss of appetite. But the symptoms subsided and after doctors cleared him he was able to play.

Miami had two players, John Jerry and Ike Alama-Francis, with similar situations.

The Cowboys value Fiammetta's work at fullback.

But this isn't about football, it's more about the player's well-being and the Cowboys are doing everything they can to solve Fiammetta's health issues.

“I just think we’re just trying to be sensitive to the whole situation," Garrett said. "Certainly regarding concussions, we want to make sure we do everything the exact right way. The league has done a really good job outlining the procedures and the protocol for all of that, and Jim Maurer and our medical staff do a great job following all of that. So we just want to make sure we’re doing the right things by the player first and foremost, and we’ll just see how it goes here in the next few days."

Well that didn't take long.

Five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode will sign with the Baltimore Ravens today. Gurode, who was released by the Cowboys in a salary cap, move could play either guard or center with the Ravens.

After getting cut by the Cowboys, Gurode made visits to Seattle, Detroit and New England.

Of the three offensive linemen released by the Cowboys, tackle Marc Colombo (Miami) and Gurode found new teams. Guard Leonard Davis is still on the market.

After a late night in Miami Gardens, the Cowboys ended their preseason 2-2 after a 17-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. We look at who played well and who didn't in our weekly, but late, Stock Report.

STOCK UP

DeMarco Murray. First offensive snap, a screen pass, goes for 48 yards. Murray showed the speed and power game the Cowboys were looking for when they drafted him out of Oklahoma. His totals were 10 carries for 32 yards and four receptions for 64 yards. Will he replace Tashard Choice? No. But he brings another element to the Cowboys offense this season.

Sean Lissemore. At the end of the night, veteran linemen Jason Hatcher and Jay Ratliff were praising Lissemore and Clifford Geathers. Lissemore led the Cowboys with six tackles and solidified his roster spot as one of the backup defensive ends. He's played well this summer and should get more snaps when the regular season starts.

Phillip Tanner. Jerry Jones said Tanner has made the squad and good for him. He earned it the hard way by battling past Lonyae Miller and taking advantage of the injuries to Murray and Choice. Tanner finished with 28 yards on six carries, but his 4.7 average is what sticks out and his 11 yard gain.

STOCK DOWN

Raymond Radway. He was on his way to making this roster until he suffered a broken fibula and tibia with three seconds remaining in the game. Radway didn't play in the first half, but finsihed with three catches for 62 yards before getting hurt. The good news is that Radway can recover from his injuries and play next year.

Backup tackles. Sam Young and Jermey Parnell each gave up a sack in the second half of the loss. While fans and the media were begging the Cowboys to play Young over Marc Colombo last year, now we see why the Cowboys didn't. He's inconsistent and doesn't do well vs. athletic pass rushers. Parnell had one of his worst games of the preseason, but he might have more upside.

Kickers. Where do we begin? David Buehler is wide right on a 48 yarder and Dave Rayner is wide right on a 51 yarder and wide left on a 36-yard attempt. Jerry Jones said the Cowboys know what they're doing with the kickers. Really?