The Cowboys have released 23-year old undrafted rookie QB Matt Nichols.  Nichols played in the Cowboys’ first two pre-season games and he completed 10 of 16 passes (62.5%) for 81 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs.  One of the INTs was a pick six.  This just solidifies Stephen McGee as the #3 QB for the Cowboys in 2010.

The Cowboys have signed 25-year old TE Martin Rucker.  Rucker came out of college with the reputation of being a big time receiver but he has not showed that in  the NFL as of yet.  He played in 5 games (1 start) in 2008 for the Browns and he caught 2 passes for 17 yards (8.5 avg).  It was a smart move to take a flier on a guy like Rucker who is likely much better than he has shown so far in his NFL career.

The Cowboys will be without starting LG Kyle Kosier for the next 4-6 weeks due to a sprained MCL.  This is a pretty big blow for the Cowboys who are already without RT Mark Columbo.  Kosier has started 51 games in 4 years with the Cowboys including all 16 in 2009.  30-year old Montrae Holland will likely replace Kosier until he’s ready to return to action.  Holland did not get into any games last season for the Cowboys.  He has played in 7 games (2 starts) in his two years in Dallas.  Holland has played in 75 games (48 starts) in his 7 years in the NFL.  I have a feeling that Holland will do a decent job while Kosier is out of action but it will still be a dropoff for the Cowboys’ O-Line.

The Cowboys will be without starting right tackle Marc Colombo for the next 2-4 weeks.  He had his knee scoped on Sunday.  The Cowboys will replace Colombo at RT with Alex Barron until he’s ready to return to action.  This is not a big dropoff especially in the passing game but the Cowboys still hope Colombo is ready when the regular season begins.

The Cowboys looked a little bit tired last night.  But they really played well on defense most of the night as they were leading this game 9-0 after the first three quarters.  Tony Romo was so-so completing 4 of 7 passes for 52 yards.  Jon Kitna looked a little bit better completing 8 of 11 passes for 96 yards.  Stephen McGee took a step back last night completing only 2 of 7 passes for 11 yards.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 15 yards (7.5 ypc) last night.  4th string QB Matt Nichols had a night to forget.  He completed 8 of 14 passes for 72 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs.  One of Nichols pickoffs was returned 48 yards for a TD by Raiders’ safety Jerome Boyd.  WR Sam Hurd led the way in the passing game for the Cowboys last night as he caught 4 passes for 57 yards (14.3 avg).  The Cowboys finished up with only 66 yards rushing (3.0 ypc) and 197 passing yards last night.

Linebackers Jason Williams (5 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass defensed) and Leon Williams (5 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss) led the way for the Cowboys defensively last night.  DT Junior Siavii also had a decent game last night with 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 QB hit.  The Raiders finished up with 129 yards rushing (4.6 ypc) and 188 passing yards last night.