FanHouse Mike Jenkins

A year ago, the Cowboys used their two first-round picks on running back Felix Jones and cornerback Mike Jenkins. Neither contributed much as a rookie; Jenkins played in 14 games (starting three) and had 19 tackles, but the one he didn't make sticks out most in my mind (of course it does).

Jones, who was something of a surprise pick with Rashard Mendenhall still available, played in just six games before landing on injured reserve with a big toe and hamstring injury.

Falcons quarterback -- and 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year -- Matt Ryan is in Tampa for Super Bowl Week, and he took time out from hawking Axe Hair products to talk to FanHouse about preparing for the draft, his breakout rookie season, as well as some thoughts on the Cardinals and the Steelers.

Ryan Wilson: Hey, Matt, thanks for taking time out to talk. First of all, congratulations on Rookie of the Year.

Matt Ryan: I appreciate that, thank you.

RW: Let's just go through a few things here because I know you're busy down there in Tampa, because I guess Axe Hair doesn't sell itself.

See that picture to the right? That is Justin Tuck, and he is placed gingerly on top of Dallas quarterback Brad Johnson. If you watched the Giants beating today, you probably understand why this was the picture we picked.

Basically Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones and company are in serious trouble. Dallas looked as bad as the Giants looked good.

While Eli Manning and company were doing what they do, the Cowboys were throwing interceptions, fumbling the football and allowing guys like Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward to run all over them. If it wasn't for a second quarter interception by Mike Jenkins of the Cowboys, this game might have been called for the mercy rule.

While the quarterback position is a serious problem for Dallas, it appears the woes are deeper than that.

Marion Barber, who averaged a pitiful 2.8 yards per carry, bounced outside all day, which would have been a good idea if two or three Giants weren't sitting there waiting for him.

As we get ready for this week's matchup between bitter rivals Cowboys and Redskins, I exchanged e-mails with Dave Halprin from Blogging The Boys. Dave was nice enough to offer some insights on Dallas for this week's Behind Enemy Lines feature.

Sportz Assassin: As a Redskins fan ... I will humbly admit that Dallas is the best team in the NFL. Is there any flaw on that team right now?

Dave Halprin: We're as excited about the potential of this edition of the Cowboys as we've been in a long time. In terms of personnel, I would still have to say our secondary can be exposed on occasion; the Eagles did it a couple of weeks ago, but the window on that might be closing. Terence Newman has returned to the lineup in full health and played a great game against the Packers. Adam "Pacman" Jones is starting to round into form after his long layoff from competitive football and rookie Mike Jenkins is getting some valuable experience that should help his game. So this unit should be getting better as the season progresses.

The Cowboys also have problems with self-inflicted wounds like penalties that we are racking up in alarming numbers. It hasn't hurt us yet in the final score but somewhere down the road it could. We also haven't been getting enough turnovers from our defense, something I would like to see get better.

Tonight, the Cowboys and Texans will battle for the all-mighty and magical Governor's Cup. It's the big silver trophy awarded to the Texas team that wins their yearly matchup. I'm pictured with it and a large gentlemen who works for the Texans.

Though tonight's game is just a preseason game, the third pretend game is one that knowledgeable fans watch closely because the starters are left in the game longer.

Three Things to Watch From the Cowboy Perspective: (From my semi-reasonable Cowboy fan friend, Michael Whitehead, founder of sofantasyfootball.com, a terrific site to find thoughtful fantasy football information).

1. The Secondary. The biggest problem Dallas has had in recent history is the secondary. What has looked like sure wins has turned into disappointing losses in the second half of too many games. Pay particularly close attention to Adam "Pacman" Jones, as he will get the start, and will have a true test against Andre Johnson. Rookie Mike Jenkins, who started the previous two games will be used in nickel situations, an area that Dallas has truly struggled in for the past two seasons.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: We know that Tony Romo isn't a fluke. He stepped in last year and had another fantastic season, setting team records in the process. There are questions remaining about distractions (Romessica) and winning a playoff game (none in his two years) which Romo must answer if he wants to take a place among the NFL's elite. Dallas is putting all their eggs in that basket as the only fallback if Romo gets hurt is 39-yr old Brad Johnson who isn't quite the risk taker. Heat Index: 9

Running backs: It's rare when a team loses their starting running back and everyone is fine with the position. Julius Jones is gone, but rookie Felix Jones is in. Jones (Felix) will get a ton of carries this season to keep Marion Barber fresh. Barber, who only started the Cowboys' playoff game, is the NFL's version of Mariano Rivera -- he dominates late in games and finishes drives off. Jones and Barber will combined for that classic "lightning and thunder" combo and should be quite successful doing it in what supposed to be a more run-friendly offense. Heat Index: 7

Cowboys Pro-Bowl cornerback Terrence Newman will sit out the next three weeks due to a groin tear:

"I'm not worried at all, it's not that severe of an injury," Newman told Tyler, Texas, radio station KTBB-AM 660 on Tuesday. "... Being so early, you don't want to rush to get back and then have to deal with something else down the line. A lot of times, one injury can lead to another injury if you do rush back because you're compensating one way or another, so we're just taking our time, letting it heal and trying to get ready towards the end of camp."

Now, the Cowboys do have depth at that position. Anthony Henry had a fine season last year, Dallas drafted Mike Jenkins in the first round in April's draft and the team added Pacman Jones in a trade.

According to head coach Wade Phillips, Jenkins will be the starter opposite Henry for now. Jones is being used as Henry's backup on the right side.

Newman was injured last preseason (foot) and missed the first two games of the regular season. Everyone is hopeful that Newman won't miss any of the season, but groin pulls are known to stick around for a while.

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team

The Dallas Cowboys have quite a battle ahead of them in the secondary: who starts at cornerback opposite Terrence Newman? There are not two, but three candidates for the job: Anthony Henry, Mike Jenkins and PacMan Adam Pole Position DigDug Jones.

Henry had a very productive season in '07 as the starter. He picked of six passes and was very solid in coverage. However, Dallas can't be too sold on the oft-injured Henry or else they wouldn't have signed Jones and drafted Jenkins.

Jenkins (who, like Henry, went to South Florida) was taken with the 25th pick in the first round of April's draft. He was one of the top CBs in the draft and the Cowboys expect him to be a difference maker sooner than later. In the ultimate team move, Henry has said he is willing to move to safety if the coaches feel Jenkins can start right away.

And then there is DigDug. No one questions his abilities on the field ... but there is a huge question mark about his character. Usually, Dallas doesn't mind having a few bad boys on the team but they are so close to being a Super Bowl squad. Jones hasn't played a down since 2006 and it doesn't seem likely that the team will put all their faith in him starting right now.

While most everybody associated with the Cowboys are ecstatic about, ahem, Adam Jones joining the team, Anthony Henry is not. You see, Mr. Henry will be out of a job when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates Mr. Jones later this summer.

There has been talk of Henry eventually moving to safety, but there's no guarantee it happens, and even if it does, it won't be in 2008. Which is why he's not all that psyched about how things have gone down this spring.

Henry ... wasn't too happy about No. 21 getting first-team reps during last week's minicamp. Henry sees it as a sign of things to come.

"I knew what time it was when the transaction happened at the draft," Henry told the Cowboys' Web site. "I already knew what time it was. It's just a matter of when. And maybe when is now."

Silver lining: defenses, more than ever, are featuring nickel and dime packages, and that means Henry will still see plenty of action on game days. Still, I get what he's saying, and at some point soon, rookie first-round pick cornerback Mike Jenkins will be pushing for playing time, too.

The Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon goes through the trouble of making arguments for and against Jones getting the starting gig, but obviously, this is all Roy Williams' fault. Whatever happens, the Cowboys will have one of the best secondaries in the NFC, to go along with a pretty good group in front of them.

Who knows, maybe this is the year they finally win a playoff game.