Cowboys end preseason with win over Dolphins
BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press
Thursday, August 30, 2012
8/30/12 at 5:52 AM
ARLINGTON, Texas - Former Oklahoma State standout Orie Lemon returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown, No. 3 running back Phillip Tanner had a 1-yard score and the Dallas Cowboys finished their preseason with a 30-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.
A week before playing in the NFL's kickoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, the Cowboys (3-1) kept quarterback Tony Romo and most of their front-line starters standing on the sideline.
Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the first-rounder from Texas A&M already tabbed Miami's starter, was 5-of-7 passing for 35 yards playing the first two series.
Miami (0-4) finished its preseason winless under new coach Joe Philbin. The season opener is Sept. 9 at Houston.
Undrafted rookie running back Lance Dunbar had 15 carries for 105 yards, including a 58-yard TD run, for Dallas in the third quarter. Tanner started with ex-Oklahoma star DeMarco Murray and former Booker T. Washington standout Felix Jones sitting, and finished with nine carries for 48 yards.
Another former Texas A&M QB, Stephen McGee, possibly took his last snaps for the Cowboys after playing the entire first half and going 9-of-18 for 124 yards.
Two years ago in another preseason finale against the Dolphins, McGee passed for 304 yards while going all the way in the victory that probably assured him the spot as the team's third QB that season.
McGee, a fourth-round draft pick in 2009, has played in only three regular-season games and started one.
With Kyle Orton signed during the offseason to be Romo's backup, Dallas likely will carry only two quarterbacks on its 53-man roster. Plus, McGee is no longer eligible for the practice squad like Rudy Carpenter would be.
Carpenter was 4-of-10 for 48 yards in the second half.
Even though they were playing at home again only four days after a win over the St. Louis Rams, the Cowboys have already turned their attention to the Giants.
When they get to their Valley Ranch practice facility Thursday, it will be essentially a Monday of game week.
Pro Bowl receiver Miles Austin didn't play in the preseason because of hamstring issues, and ex-OSU receiver Dez Bryant was held out because of right knee tendinitis. Both are expected to be ready for the Giants, though Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten (lacerated spleen) is less certain.
Associated Images:
Miami Dolphins defensive end Ryan Baker misses tackling Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee during a preseason game Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. SHARON ELLMAN/Associated Press
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