OK, Dallas Cowboys fans, your fandom will be tested Thursday night.
Will you show up in a big way for the preseason final against the Minnesota Vikings or will you stay home to watch on television as Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech?
We know how the Cowboys feel. They had a chance to move the game up to avoid a conflict with Obama's speech, but decided against it.
Considering that stars such as Tony Romo and Terrell Owens won't play in the game, expect only the diehards of the diehards to show up at Texas Stadium.
Of course, don't tell former Grapevine High School star quarterback Richard Bartel this game means nothing. He will get his first professional start in what could be his last chance to show he belongs in the NFL.
Here are five things to watch in Thursday's game:
Kickoff return
Coach Wade Phillips continues to fight the notion that he should use Felix Jones on kickoff returns. It only took an injury to Isaiah Stanback for Phillips to come to his senses. The Cowboys are giving Mike Jenkins a tryout against the Vikings. If he does well, Jones, who at Arkansas was one of the best kickoff returners in NCAA history, might be sidelined again from what he does best.
Wide receivers battle
Who would have thought that the most intriguing battle of camp would come down to Danny Amendola vs. Mike Jefferson for the sixth receiver spot? Because of injuries to Miles Austin and Stanback, the sixth receiver will be the fourth receiver for the season opener at Cleveland on Sept. 7. One of these guys needs to show they have a pulse against the Vikings or the Cowboys could be shopping for a receiver on the waiver wire.
Bobby Carpenter's time
Linebacker Bobby Carpenter has been labeled a bust since being drafted in the first round of 2006. He finally has a chance to shed that label. With Kevin Burnett injured, Carpenter has been tabbed as the team's nickel linebacker. The job is Burnett's when he returns, but Carpenter is on the field now. All he has to do is prove that he shouldn't be taken off it. Can he be a Wally Pipp to the injured Burnett?
Left guard rotation
Pat McQuistan is the guy the Cowboys are hoping can have success in place of the injured Kyle Kosier largely because he is better than Joe Berger and Cory Procter. But McQuistan has yet to step up in a meaningful way since coming to the Cowboys two years ago. So it's no slam dunk. He has been moved between guard and tackle in hopes of finding the right spot for him. McQuistan, Procter and Berger will play against the Vikings.
Bartel's last stand
Richard Bartel's dreams of being a Cowboys quarterback could be decided in a 60-minute span. The Cowboys went with two quarterbacks last year because they didn't think Bartel was good enough to warrant a roster spot, instead signing him to the practice squad. The team is leaning toward making the same decision this year, unless Bartel can convince them otherwise with an inspired performance against the Vikings.
