Texans 24, Cowboys 6: My Top 10 Whitty Observations

10. I've attended all 43 Cowboys' game in Arlington and this was the smallest crowd yet. By far. Announced attendance: 76,856. Estimated actual bodies sitting in AT&T Stadium: 18,037.

9. When Terrell Owens caps a touchdown by desecrating on the most sacred star in sports, it starts a historical riot. But when Texans' rookie free agent A.J. Bouye tries it after picking off a pass in garbage time of the exhibition finale, we all yawn. Except the referees, who flagged the fool 15 yards for excessive celebration.

8. How did Tony Romo watch the meaningless exhibition? Backward hat. Headset. Leaned back on the bench. Taking it all in on the giant video board.

7. With the loss, the Cowboys have their first losing preseason (2-3) since the days of Dave Campo and Emmitt Smith. We're talking 2001. Not quite as impressive as the Mavericks' 11-year streak of 50+ wins and playoff appearances. Still, the end of a run?

6. If Kyle Orton doesn't look like Dave Grohl then I don't know my Foo from my Fighters. And I do. So he does. The backup quarterback finished an underwhelming preseason 17 of 22 with two scores and two picks.

5. I guess Houston got some revenge for what the Rangers have been doing to the Astros all season (14-2). But sorry, Texans, the Governor's Cup is weak when you win it via pre-season game.

4. Jerry Jones said this week he has "the brain of a 40-year-old." I knew I had something in common with the billionaire owner. For I too have the brain of a 40-year-old. Unfortunately I have the maturity of a 6-year-old and the body of a 60-year-old.

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3. The Cowboys must make 18 roster moves (down to 53) on Saturday. Nothing last night seemed to drastically affect those decisions. Honestly? Nobody of note did anything particularly positive or negative, save rookie cornerback B.W. Webb getting burned on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Gavin Escobar almost caught a touchdown pass, but couldn't get both feet down in the corner of the end zone after grabbing a pass from Alex Tanney.

2. Surprised that the NFL's concussion lawsuit got settled this fast, and for so little. Seriously, I was thinking billions and after maybe five years. Instead, NFL owners struck a winning deal that pays the 4,500 complainants' suit a total of $765 million. A lawyer for the former players said of the process, "I think you can assume that the NFL and the NFL owners are pretty tough individuals. In fact, you've got one down in Texas who I would call a hard-ass. I think that's a fair characterization." Sure, Jerry is a hard-ass. A hard-ass who played football. And, yes, suffered concussions. With zero compensation.

1. Somebody in charge of JumboJerry needs spellcheck. Or perhaps a history lesson. Maybe a new job? Last year it was "Shawn" Lee. Tonight -- swear -- there was a trivia question and the answer on the 60-yard video board was Troy ... Aik-men.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He's held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently writes a sports/guy stuff blog at DFWSportatorium.com and lives in McKinney with his fiancee, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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