NFL pro football is back and in the Hall of Fame game it will be the Dallas Cowboys facing the Miami Dolphins to open up the preseason on Sunday Night August 4th.
Kick off time on a neutral field at Canton Ohio is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by NBC TV.
The NFL betting odds from the Hall of Fame game have the Miami Dolphins favored by -2 points and the over under line coming in at 33 points. Money line odds have Miami the -115 odds favorite with the Cowboys returning -105 odds for a straight up win with no need for taking the points.
During the preseason it is important to research team news and to pay close attention to the head coach who will relay to the media his plans on personnel. In the first week of preseason first units go about one to three series at most.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett announced that starting quarterback Tony Romo will not play on Sunday. This makes sense as the team is introducing new offensive coordinator and his pass protection could put Tony Romo at risk of injury with new personnel and a scheme being introduced. The quarterback rotation for Dallas will be NFL veteran Kyle Orton and backing up Orton will be One year players Nick Stephens out of Tarleton State and Alex Tanney from Monmouth.
Starting running back DeMarco Murray will see little action. Getting time will be backs Terrance Williams, Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner and Joseph Randle. The Cowboys were the 31st worst running team in the NFL. Dallas will also introduce a new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin who has NFL experience with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Dolphins will start second year man Ryan Tannehill at quarterback who will see a series or two. There is experience behind Tannehill in former NFL starter Matt Moore and Pat Devlin who has two years with the club in a backup capacity.
At running back for Miami will be Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas. Guys getting looks will be Marcus Thigpen, Cameron Mitchell, Jonas Gray and rookie Mike Gillilee out of Florida. Four of the Dolphins five first picks in the draft came from the defensive side of the football where they need to defend against the pass much better in 2013.
