…until the Dallas Cowboys begin their 2007 campaign!

All the hype surrounding this team since Phillips’ hire , the NFL draft, and training camp is coming to a head as Dallas prepares to wage war vs. the much-hated Giants in Texas Stadium on national TV. The road to the season opener has been been filled with fervor and high expectations along with a sense of purpose and pride that Phillips has brought to this team.

While there have been some turbulent moments due to injuries and some off-field issues, the general feeling in Bid D is that Cowboy fans are going to see a brand of football that has not been witnessed in quite some time if ever.

And, it all starts tomorrow night. Here are some notes going into the inaugural game:

1. WR Terry Glenn is out and maybe for the season. It all depends on what he wants to do for his knee that has torn cartilage. He can either have micro-fracture surgery and end his season and possibly his career or have damaged tissue removed and be out three to four weeks. Either way, I believe that his glory days are over and he physically won’t be able to perform at the level he once did.

2. Patrick Crayton will start and probably Sam Hurd will be in the slot. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to step up and prove themselves, but I do believe that Dallas will look for insurance. I’ve heard that recently-cut WR Reche Caldwell’s agent has contacted the Cowboys.

3. Don’t expect CB Terence Newman to play. Owner Jerry Jones is optimistic that he’ll be out there, but does that really surprise anyone? It’s his job to be positive.

4. LB Greg Ellis is officially out which is not headline news.

5. Missing a star #2 WR, while it throws a curve ball in OC Jason Garrett’s game plan for the season, is not the end of the world. First of all, the position is so deep that I believe someone will step up. If not, they’ll go get someone proven. Secondly, as I recall, the Cowboys in the 90’s won a few title rings with Irvin who was not complemented by another headliner. And, besides, the Giants secondary is porous so I don’t believe it will make a difference for this game.

6. New starting RB Brandon Jacobs declared earlier this week that the Giants were going to go down to Dallas and “whip their ass.” Mr. Jacobs has talent and is a monster to tackle, but he has never started an NFL game and his first is against a hated division rival on their turf. It’s like walking into a lion’s den and begin throwing rocks at them.

7. Dallas 27   N.Y. Giants 14