November 20, 2011; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Colin Cochart (81) is tackled following a catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M

Cochart is a 6-foot-4, 258 pound tight end who played 10 games for the Bengals last year.  He was an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State in 2011. Last season, Cochart recorded just five receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. In their final preseason game, he recorded two catches for eight yards. Both receptions were the only ones he had all preseason. On a positive note, Cochart was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bengals team last season.

After four years, the McGee project is finally over. He has been on the team since 2009, when he was drafted in the fourth round of that year’s NFL Draft. A very athletic quarterback, McGee made plays with his legs, but battled constant inconsistency.  Over his career with the Cowboys, he recorded appearances in just three regular season games, one as the starter.  McGee threw for 420 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in that span. He also had 102 rushing yards, a credit to his mobility.

After claiming Cochart, the Cowboys went to work signing former players who had passed through waivers to their practice squad. Many Cowboy fans should be happy about this list of players: DT Ben Bass, WR Tim Benford, DT Robert Callaway, WR Danny Coale, RB Lance Dunbar, OL Ronald Leary, LB Orie Lemon, and RB/FB Jamize Olawale.

Dunbar and Lemon both had big games on Wednesday night, and it appears that paid off here. Leary was thought to be talented enough to be claimed, but luckily the Cowboys can now get a return on their financial investment in him. And Dallas selected wideout Coale in the fifth round of this year’s draft, but injuries hindered his progress in camp. It will be good to find out what he can really do on the field when given the proper time to develop.

A big name not on the list is DE/LB Adrian Hamilton. The talented rusher out of Prairie View A&M passed through waivers but wasn’t signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad. Dallas opted to go with Lemon instead. Hamilton eventually landed in Baltimore and is now part of the Raven’s practice squad.

Dallas got off to a slow start, allowing Miami to navigate up and down the field thanks to untimely penalties and a solid running game led by Daniel Thomas, but the Cowboys held the Dolphins to only a pair of field goals in the first half to accomplish an impressive feat: no preseason opponent crossed the end zone against Rob Ryan’s defense in the first 30 minutes of play in all four games. Despite the backups playing, that is still an impressive statistic and the defense should definitely gain some momentum from that heading into the regular season.

Fourth-year quarterback Stephen McGee may have played his last game as a Cowboy, going 9-18 for 124 with no touchdowns or picks, but struggling to find a rhythm and consistently move the offense. He made some good throws under duress –and wasn’t exactly helped by a few drops by wide receivers– but McGee didn’t show anything that would indicate the Cowboys HAVE to keep three qb’s on the roster. (More on McGee Below)

Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) breaks a tackle of Miami Dolphin safety Jimmy Wilson (27) during the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Linebacker Orie Lemon had the play of the first half for Dallas, reading Miami quarterback Matt Moore’s eyes attempting to throw to the other end of the field and intercepting him in stride. Lemon scampered 26 yards for the pick six and gave Dallas a 10-6 lead that would never be relinquished.

If there had to be a player of the game, however, it would definitely be rookie running back Lance Dunbar out of the University of North Texas. Dunbar came into this game looking to provide coaches with more than just a glimpse of his talent –he only had limited action the previous three games– and delivered at a high level. He finished the game with 15 carries for 105 yards, the highlight being a 58-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in which Dunbar busted through the hole after a broken tackle, and was off to the races. It was a breakout performance for the undrafted rookie and may have caused the coaches to seriously consider his value as a “Darren Sproles” type of player who could provide some energy on punt returns and short pass/run plays.

Here are some other observations from the game

*Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree had an early drop on a comeback route when the ball popped out of his hands after a perfect throw by McGee, but came back later and beat his man on a go route and drew a 43-yard pass interference penalty. Ogletree looks ready to contribute and has always been a good route runner, but can’t afford to drop easy first downs come season time. He finished the preseason with 10 catches for 147 yards.

* Cornerback Teddy Williams may have sealed his fate with a fumble on a kickoff return. He was in the process of a solid return and wasn’t hit very hard, but the ball came loose and was recovered by Dolphins kicker, Dan Carpenter–yes, a kicker maintained possession in the “scrum”. Williams is fast, but that seems to be his only real asset and it would be a surprise if he made this team.

* Linebacker Victor Butler continued his stellar preseason, collecting a sack on Moore after he blew by his man with ease. Butler should contribute to the pass rush this year and could supplant Anthony Spencer if he fails to make an impact on defense.

*Dallas finished the game with 238 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. The Cowboys running backs only hit pay dirt five times all of last season.

*Running back Phillip Tanner looks to have secured the third running back spot. Tanner showed good burst and explosiveness in his playing time, gaining 48 yards on 9 carries and a 1-yard score. Fans definitely hope he can be a complimentary back who can spell DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones from time to time. Dunbar performed very well, but Tanner’s size should give him the edge.

*Penalties were a negative in first half for Dallas. These replacement refs have been whistle-happy at times, but even that fact can’t mask the eight penalties called against the Cowboys in the first half.

*Staying on the subject of those replacement refs, they missed a clear pass interference call on Dolphins cornerback Richard Marshall. Marshall grabbed Ogletree around the waist as he turned to catch the ball and that is a penalty every time. Consider myself amongst those most worried about the impact on the game these refs are going to have–a negative one.

* Cornerback Lionel Smith took a blow from Dolphins fullback Jorvorskie Lane on a tackle attempt and sustained a concussion. Lane lowered his shoulder and layed the lumber on Smith.

*Should Felix Jones be worried? Both Tanner and Dunbar both looked good and could make it a tough decision for coaches. Each of them have their talents and could contribute significantly if given playing time this year.

Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee (7) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

*Dan Bailey is the man. The kicker nailed another trio of field goals and added to his perfect preseason, nailing his eighth in a row. Bailey could cement himself as an elite kicker this upcoming season, he hit 32 of 37 last year.

*Safety Mana Silva looks to have solidified himself a spot on the roster. He proved throughout the preseason that he’s a guy who can hit and always knows where the ball is.

**The Curious Case of Stephen McGee. Might as well start making the film now. McGee is such an enigma at times, he can show no pocket presence on one play and miss a wide open receiver in the middle of the field, but on the next play, can stay in there and deliver a strike down the sideline. It’s this inconsistency that frustrates coaches and makes it a real toss-up if he is going to make the team or not.

Injuries

*Cornerback Lionel Smith sustained a concussion on that hit by Lane and did not return.

* Guard Derrick Loper left the game with a hamstring strain.

*Wide receiver Andre Holmes tweaked his knee but should be ok.

All in all, a good win for the Cowboys, but it’s now a seven-day countdown to the start of the regular season against the defending champ New York Giants.

Time to get to work, men.

These next 16 count.