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(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
JOSH DES AUTEL ALBUQUERQUE, NM: With so much talk of Smash, Dash and Tash in the backfield sharing carries, do you think Felix Jones will be used on special teams as he was last year before the injury? He does add a scoring threat.
Josh: In my opinion the Cowboys are going to have to use him on kickoff returns, because he's so dynamic in the open field. Wade Phillips wasn't sure about that last year because he thought it would take away from his snaps on offense. Since it looks like he's going to get more touches at running back this year, that might be something they consider again. As for punt returns, he would need to show he can field the ball more cleanly than he did this summer.
Rob: It's probably a safe bet to expect Jones on kickoff returns again. He was a real difference-maker there before he got hurt. Wade Phillips said Jones is not very comfortable fielding punts at this point, though. Patrick Crayton is a candidate there again, but also keep an eye on rookie DeAngelo Smith.
Nick: I think Felix has to be on special teams. That's a way to get the ball in his hands and a way to give him touches, allowing him to have somewhat of a smaller offensive role. You have to find a way to get your playmakers the ball. Felix is a huge threat on kick returns and we'll see how much progress he's made as a punt returner. If he can handle both returns, then he becomes a huge weapon back there. You think punters would want to boom the ball 60 yards down the field and give Felix Jones about 15 yards of open space with the ball?
CARL BARWISE PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: In a year when the Cowboys are going to need all the help they can get, do you feel the new stadium may encourage fans to lift the level of vocal support and noise to an even higher level? Could they turn Cowboys Stadium into a place opposing teams dread to visit?
Josh: I'll believe it when I see (or better yet, hear) it. Cowboys fans have a long history of either sitting on their hands, or booing the team when things aren't going well. The players who were around for the move from the Cotton Bowl to the more luxurious Texas Stadium in 1971 said it cost the team some of their more rabid fans. That could certainly happen again. We'll see (hear) soon enough.
Rob: That's probably fair to expect -- that is, if they're not completely awestruck by the 25,000 square-foot video board. We got an on-field view of it Thursday and it's truly amazing. Talking to former players who were part of the first Texas Stadium game, they feel like Cowboys Stadium will trigger a sense of pride in the fans and the team. Now it's up to the players to defend it.
Nick: I think there could be something to that. But it starts with having a good team and giving the fans something to cheer for. But I do think if the team is good, and the fans are excited about that, and they're excited about the new stadium as well, it could all be linked together. I think that's what happened in Arizona this past year, although the Cardinals' stadium is a few years old. But that's how long something like this could take.
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