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Romo, Cowboys look for fast start vs. Browns

Sep 7, 2008 - 12:52 PM Dallas at Cleveland, 4:15 pm. EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys open the season with sky-high expectations.

The Cowboys travel to the "Dawg Pound" to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in the season opener for both teams.

Dallas will be looking to show why it is the odds-on favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.

Led by Romo's record-breaking season and the stellar play from his go-to receiver Terrell Owens, the Cowboys cruised to a franchise-best 13-3 record and an NFC East title in 2007.

However, Dallas was stunned at home by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the divisional playoffs. It was the Cowboys' sixth straight playoff defeat.

Romo, who set franchise records with 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns, took most of the heat for the loss due to his trip to Mexico with pop star girlfriend Jessica Simpson.

"Right now, it's 2008, it's fresh, everyone's starting off 0-0 and it's our chance to go out against Cleveland and start off right," said receiver Patrick Crayton.

The Cowboys, who finished second in the NFL in scoring (28.4 ppg), could get off to a fast start against the Browns' beleaguered defense, which finished 30th in the league a season ago.

One of the few changes for Dallas is that bruising tailback Marion Barber is the primary ball carrier for the first time after splitting time for three years with Julius Jones, who left via free agency. Barber will be spelled by rookie Felix Jones - the 22nd overall pick of April's draft.

But this game features a much more publicized Jones. That is one Adam "Pacman" Jones. The controversial cornerback-kicker returner was fully reinstated last week after a 17-month ban for multiple violations of the league's personal conduct policy.

Jones, who was acquired in a draft-day trade from Tennessee for a fourth-round pick, was suspended due to his alleged involvement in a melee outside a Las Vegas strip club during the 2006 NBA All-Star game that left a man paralyzed.

Jones has been a model citizen in Dallas so far, and said he will make the most of his second chance.

"I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I understand my responsibilities to the Dallas Cowboys and the National Football League," Jones said upon learning of his reinstatement.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is coming off its best season in 14 years. The Browns went 10-6 last season, but missed out on the playoffs due to a tiebreaker and were the only double-digit win team not to make the playoffs. The NFL's eighth-best offense a season ago (25.1 ppg) enters Sunday's game a little banged up.

Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion), All-Pro wide receiver Braylon Edwards (foot), and running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) are all hurting.

A second-year starter, Anderson suffered the concussion on August 18. Edwards, who set a franchise-record with 16 TD catches last season, needed stitches after fellow receiver Donte Stallworth stepped on his foot while he was running in socks in practice on August 9.

Both are expected to start. Meanwhile, Lewis, who ran for 1,304 yards and nine TDs last season, did not practice Tuesday.

The Browns are seeking an eighth straight home win.