When the Dallas Cowboys began their first practice of training camp on July 29 all eyes were on the last player to take the field that morning – and that’s just the way that Terrell Owens wanted it. Since then, however, there have been other noteworthy developments in Cowboys Camp that deserve our attention.

OFFENSE
Just when Owens and quarterback Drew Bledsoe were starting to click, Owens began to be bothered by a sore hamstring. As of August 7 he has missed six practices including an intra-squad scrimmage. The rest is considered pre-cautionary, and an MRI showed no damage to the hamstring. Although there is still plenty of time left in camp, coach Bill Parcells no doubt wants Owens on the field so that he can continue working with Bledsoe and learning his new offensive system.

Further, as of today, Coach Parcells states that Owens' injury has yet to become a major problem. Further the coach says it won't be until the regular season begins. Several rumors are circulating that Owens will not practice or play until just before Week #1 kicks off.

The offensive line continues to be a real work in progress. Left tackle Flozell Adams was recently shuttled from first-string to second-string and back again, with last year’s right tackle Rob Petitti playing left tackle in Adams’ absence. Former Chicago Bear Marc Colombo has been getting a long look at right tackle, while Andre Gurode and Al Johnson are competing for the starting center position. Parcells is admittedly trying to toughen this group up, and his success in doing so will strongly influence the fantasy fortunes of Owens, Bledsoe, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten.

New kicker Mike Vanderjagt has been a little shaky in practice; Parcells said one of the highlights of the intra-squad scrimmage was seeing Vanderjagt make some kicks.

Second round draft pick TE Anthony Fasano has pleased the coaching staff so far. Watch for the Cowboys to run a lot of two tight-end sets this year with Fasano and Witten. Make no mistake – Fasano is a pass-catching tight end and the Cowboys will throw to him if the youngster continues to develop.

One of the early stars of camp has been running back Marion Barber. Parcells recently stated that Barber “will play a major role if he stays healthy”, seemingly stressing the word “major”.

If you are a Julius Jones owner you need to draft Barber. In fact, Barber is a great sleeper candidate even if you don’t have Jones. It is not unthinkable that Barber could take the starting job at some point, especially given Jones’ injury history.

DEFENSE
The Cowboys’ defense has been well ahead of the offense to this point in camp.

Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry have been up to the challenge so far. Veteran free safety Keith Davis is in a battle to retain his starting position. Fifth round draft pick FS Pat Watkins has surprised with his coverage abilities. If Watkins can get on the field he may be able to use his 6’5” height to knock down the kinds of deep passes that hurt the Cowboys last year.

Veteran Greg Ellis is in the midst of a position change experiment. The career 4-3 defensive end is being asked to play outside in the 3-4. Although Ellis was initially very skeptical, Parcells says that both he and Ellis are excited about the possibilities.

Entering their second full season playing in a 3-4 scheme, the Cowboys defense is substantially further along than it was at this point last year. The added familiarity and new talent such as Watkins, CB/FS Marcus Coleman and LBs Bobby Carpenter and Akin Ayodele will make the Cowboys an improved fantasy defense this year.