Second look a key opportunity for three Dallas Cowboys

Aug. 17--ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and Marion Barber lasted one drive in the first preseason game. DeMarcus Ware, Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams and Greg Ellis played two series.

The plan figures to change for tonight's second preseason game at Denver, but not much.

"Team-wise, I think we'll play with our guys we think can be contributors," coach Wade Phillips said. "We'd like them to play well again and maybe for a longer amount of time, but we're still evaluating players and want to see if they can fit in and help us."

For backup quarterback Brad Johnson, tonight's game is a chance to work with the first-team offense. For cornerback Adam Jones, it's a chance to continue to knock off the rust from a year's absence. For rookie wide receiver Danny Amendola, it may be a final chance to make a favorable impression on the coaches.

Brad Johnson Johnson completed 8 of 15 passes for 89 yards against the Chargers last week, but he was intercepted once and sacked twice. The Cowboys want him to play with the first-team offensive line to give him a better chance to succeed.

Playing mostly behind the second-team line last week, Johnson did not have much time to throw, and a mixup by two running backs led to an aborted play near the Cowboys' goal line.

"I've always wanted to work," Johnson said. "No matter how many times you see it, there's always a new experience, different coverages, different players, different ways of calling a play. I've been in six different systems. This is my second year in this one, and I feel comfortable."

Adam Jones

He flailed away at two tackles and was called for pass interference, hardly the return he was looking for after missing last season because of a suspension.

He also struggled in the four practices against the Broncos this week and had several sparring sessions with receiver Brandon Marshall. He promises to play better his second game.

"The first preseason game, I always play [poorly]," Jones said earlier in the week. "We'll just see how I play this weekend. If I do that same [expletive] I did last weekend this weekend, y'all just throw me up under the bus. But I doubt that's going to happen again."

Jones might get a chance to return punts against the Broncos, but Phillips wants to see Jones play better on defense first.