First thoughts on the Cowboys schedule

Finally there's something to write about! After a week full of baseball, (God bless Nick Adenhart, Harry Kalas and Mark "The Bird" Fidrych.) the feeding frenzy that is the playoff race in the Western Conference, and The Masters, I thought I was going to have to break out my college football previews a few months ahead of schedule.

However, thanks to the release of the Cowboys' schedule for 2009, there's something to discuss that is worth my time. So without further a do, here are my initial thoughts on the 2009 schedule for the enigma/soap opera known as the Dallas Cowboys.

9/13 @ Tampa Bay
- The Cowboys should start the season with a win considering the Buccaneers will still be trying to find their way in the defensive system brought in by new defensive coordinator Jim Bates. I like Tampa signing Byron Leftwich, but he's about as stationary as it gets when it comes to QB's and that's not a good thing when DeMarcus Ware is chasing you.

9/20 vs. New York Giants
- Welcome to Jerry World America! The Cowboys play their first regular season home game in Jerry's sparkling new billion dollar baby against the rival Giants. Don't be alarmed if you see a Giants receiver wearing a #17 jersey. It's just the butter fingered male model formally known as Braylon Edwards.

9/28 vs. Carolina
- Should be a great game if Julius Peppers is still a Panther and Jake Delhomme isn't still throwing passes to the other team. This game is for you if you're looking to see some of the best young running backs in the league. (DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart, Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice)

10/4 @ Denver
- Will the Cowboys defense speed up the clock on what could be a short tenure in Denver for new head coach Josh McDaniels?

10/11 @ Kansas City
- The Chiefs will be better under Todd Haley, but Matt Cassel isn't Tony Romo. Zach Thomas and his former teammates discuss the differences between Bar-B-Que in Kansas City and Dallas at halftime.

10/18 Bye
- It's a little early for a team that should be no worse than 4-1 at this point.

10/25 vs. Atlanta
- Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and the rest of the up and coming Falcons will scare the hell of the Cowboys before Tony Romo and company pull out a thriller at the "Jones Mahal"

11/1 vs. Seattle
- Who knows what kind of shape the Seahawks will be in by this point of the season?

11/8 @ Philadelphia
- Win or lose, I'm waiting to see what great philosopher Tony Romo tries to quote after the game.

11/15 @ Green Bay
- Thank the lord it's not a true night game! It will be interesting to see how improved Aaron Rodgers and the Packers new 3-4 defense will be when America's team comes to Lambeau Field.

11/22 vs. Washington
- The Cowboys come home to host the Redskins in their new digs for the first time.

(December is looming large for this group who has struggled down the stretch in recent years.)

11/26 vs. Oakland (Thanksgiving Day)
- The Cowboys better take advantage of what should be the last game of what has been a manageable schedule up to this point.

12/6 @ New York Giants
- Just another crucial matchup between two teams in the NFC East who don't like each other.

12/13 vs. San Diego
- Philip Rivers shows Tony Romo how to lead a football team. Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware square off in a battle of 05' draft picks. LaDanian comes back to Texas just a few miles away from where he starred at TCU. Wade Phillips and Norv Turner match wits in what should be a slugfest between two of the most physically talented teams in the league.

12/19 @ New Orleans
- Strange things always seem to happen to the Cowboys in the Superdome. Anybody remember what the Saints did to the Cowboys two years ago? 42-17! Fullback Mike Karney is still open in the flats.

12/27 @ Washington
- Is Colt Brennan getting playing time by now for the Redskins? One way or the other, it's going to be a cold night in Landover for somebody.

1/3 vs. Philadelphia
-Is it me or do the Eagles always seem to be the fly in the ointment for the Cowboys late in the season?