Colts/Dallas info

[PaulM]

Was looking at who news for both teams and thought id share. +200 on the Colts or anyone moneyline just seems crazy for a preseason game with backups playing the majority of the game..looks like the Cowboys starters esp on offense may play longer than the colts starters

Colts
Backup QBs
Josh Betts
Jim Sorgi

The preseason record: 1-8.

As in, one victory in the team’s last nine preseason games – 0-5 in the 2005 preseason and 1-3 last preseason.

Yes, the games mean nothing come January. And yes, they’re also all but forgotten come September. But in August, they do matter somewhat, Dungy and Manning each said.

And losing isn’t something either wants to experience.

“Believe me, I don’t like it,” Manning said this week as the Colts prepared to play the Dallas Cowboys


For the Colts, getting ready against the Cowboys likely will mean Manning and many other offensive starters playing in a limited role, likely leaving shortly after the first quarter. Dungy said he estimates most starters and front-line players playing about “10-to-15 plays.”

“Pretty much the same every year,” Dungy said. “Those guys will get a couple of series offensively and defensively. We have some guys who are second-team guys who we want to see against good players, so we’ll ease some of those guys into it.

“Then, we’ll have more of a mass substitution at the tail end of the first quarter.”

Cowboys

Tackling Opportunity: Ask Tony Romo how long he'll play against the Colts, and the Cowboys' starting quarterback adroitly answers, "All four quarters."

Romo might not want to tip his hand to the media, but Phillips said the offensive starters will play at least a quarter. That means Romo should get at least two series without starting tackles Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, who will be held out as a precaution following their recent return from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Rookie Doug Free and second-year veteran Pat McQuistan will start in their place with third-round pick James Marten also getting significant playing time. The Cowboys' trio of young tackles have a chance to gain valuable experience, but they're also saddled with keeping Romo upright - especially if Dwight Freeney is out there.

All three current backup quarterbacks - Brad Johnson and rookie free agents Matt Moore and Richard Bartel - are expected to play. Johnson is entrenched as Romo's backup, but Moore and Bartel must convince the coaching staff they're worthy of a roster spot. Remember, the Cowboys only kept two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last year.