Aside from a trade or two, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about on free agency’s first 12 hours. There’s even less to talk about for the Dallas Cowboys.

Reports out of Dallas say that Jerry Jones hasn’t been in touch with any big-name free agents.

Free safety target Antrel Rolle has been in touch with the Giants, and his asking price might be out of the Cowboys’ price range according to Calvin Watkins:

“…the Cowboys like Mr. Rolle, but not if they have to give him a five-year deal worth about $25-30 million. The Cowboys are not players here at that price. The team will probably draft a safety or hope Michael Hamlin or Alan Ball emerges this summer. If the Cowboys can get safety O.J. Atogwe (84 tackles, seven QB pressures, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 12 games for the Rams last year) at an affordable price, he might be it.”

Uh, what? The Cowboys being priced out of a player? That’s not what we’re used to hearing, but I’m ok with that.

Jerry Jones has confidence in the guys he has drafted. Ken Hamlin should be very uncomfortable because he has a huge contract and lots of players lining up behind him to take his job.

Offensive line depth has also gone unaddressed in free agency so far. The Redskins are reportedly courting linemen Tony Pashos and Chad Clifton. They’d both be good moves for the Redskins but would both have a tough time against a healthy DeMarcus Ware.

The first preseason game is like a first kiss with a pretty girl. Sure, it might feel good, but it’s probably a little awkward, you’re probably going to make way too big a deal out of it and you’re probably not going to be able to tell what’s going to happen beyond that first smooch.

Still, when the Cowboys take the field against the Oakland Raiders tonight, we’re going to get our first look into a few new players and a few old ones too. Here are a few guys I’m going to keep an eye on.

1. Roy Williams: Are there any other receivers in Dallas? Yes. But no other receiver in the NFL has been under the microscope quite like Williams. We won’t see much more two or three series of Williams with starting quarterback Tony Romo, but I’m sure that his numbers from this preseason game will be touted as an early indication of the developing connection between Romo and Williams.
2. Bobby Carpenter: Yep. I’m going to be watching Barbie. The guy has to step up big time in his role as the nickel linebacker. He should also see some time at middle backer with the second string defense. Reports from camp say that Carpenter has been much more physical against the run and that he has made improvements in his game. That was also the case last year, and we all know how last season went for Carpenter.
3. Gerald Sensabaugh: Sensabaugh probably won’t see a lot of the field, like Romo and Williams. Still, I’m eager to see what Sensabaugh can contribute in place of current Bengal Roy Williams. His addition to our pass defense should be immediately recognizable.
4. Pat Watkins: This guy is legitimately fighting for a roster spot. He has experience, but coaches are liking what they see from rookie safety Michael Hamlin and converted cornerback Alan Ball. If Watkins doesn’t contribute on defense and on special teams, he could find himself out of Dallas.
5. Martellus Bennett: Everyone is looking at Roy Williams to help make up for Terrell Owens’ lost production. I say look no further than Bennett for some of that production. ESPN’s Matt Mosley has predicted that Bennett could catch 45 passes and five or six touchdowns. I think he could get more. The Cowboys offense has been running tons of two tight end formations in training camp, and Bennett should see plenty of the field tonight.
6. Stephen McGee: McGee could eventually be Tony Romo’s replacement. In camp, has shown some signs of brilliance that could justify Dallas taking McGee in the 4th round of the 2009 draft after spending three years in an option offense and seeing his senior year cut short by injury. He has also made some rookie mistakes. It’ll be interesting to see how McGee responds to his first game against an NFL defense, although the Raiders’ third stringers probably won’t be too much tougher than some of the Big 12 defenses he faced while at Texas A&M.

I’ve been following the first few days of the Dallas Cowboys training camp via Twitter. I never thought that the online social networking/micro-blogging service would be of much use to me. I never even thought I’d say “micro-blogging.”

But I’ve been wrong. Following Josh Ellis’ and Zach Buchanan’s tweets from San Antonio has been like getting play-by-play of training camp. Here are a few developments from training camp:

• Sam Hurd has been tearing it up at the very competetive WR spot. He has a good connection with quarterback Tony Romo and has been making catches all over the place. Buchanan said Hurd “can do no wrong.”
• Running back Tashard Choice looks like a complete, strong back in all aspects, including blocking.
• The Romo-Roy Williams connection is still a work in progress, but it’s looking pretty good already with Williams making one-handed grabs. They had some timing issues on the slant, but that pass is already looking pretty money.
• Third-rounder and Cowboys’ top pick in the 2009 NFL Draft Brandon Williams is very athletic, but didn’t have to drop into coverage much in college. That could mean that Bobby Carpenter gets another year in Dallas.
• Not a lot of Wildcat/Razorback formation yet, but there’s a ton of two tight end stuff. That’s more time for Martellus Bennett to shine. Fantasy owners, take heed: If you’re in a deep league, he might be a great late-round value. Romo finds his tight ends often and Bennett looks like he’ll be getting a lot of PT.
• Gerald Sensabaugh is bringing a lot more athleticism to the strong safety spot. He’s good in man and zone coverage, and he’s been making interceptions.
• Marcus Spears has cut a lot of weight and looks much more aggressive. Igor Olshansky looks like a viable replacement for departed defensive end Chris Canty. Buchanan predicts that he’ll be less disruptive, but more consistent.
• Rookie QB’s Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter are making rookie quarterback mistakes. McGee has a cannon for an arm, but he won’t be pushing Jon Kitna at the 2nd quarterback spot anytime soon.
• Anthony Spencer is going to fill Greg Ellis’ shoes well enough. Buchanan claims “we won’t be missing Greg Ellis, that’s for sure.”
• Michael Hamlin has been the most impressive of the rookie DB’s sofar. Victor Butler and Brandon Williams are the most impressive of the rookie linebackers and have been dubbed our steals of the draft.

Also, there are no major injuries to report sofar.

The popular saying goes “no news is good news.”

Bull. A lot of good news is good news, and that’s what training camp has been in its first week. I’m telling you, sign up for Twitter. I got all this stuff sent right to my cell phone by text message for no extra charge. It’s well worth it.