The Cowboys are being billed as a serious threat to Philadelphia’s dominance in the NFC East, but in order to do it they need solid seasons from veterans Terry Glenn and Greg Ellis. The only issue is that Glenn, who had right knee surgery, won’t play in the preseason and Ellis may rest too.

On Tuesday, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said that Glenn’s knee is fine and predicted the No. 2 receiver would start practicing after the final preseason game. He also said that Ellis could rest until “walk through on Saturday” before the regular-season opener and be able to pass rush New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Trotter Landing Spots

Jeremiah Trotter was never great laterally, but he remained one of the toughest straight-line middle linebackers in the game. He can still dominate a center/guard and open a hole for a pass-rushing teammate.

Trotter, who may opt to retire because of his degenerative knees, would fit with the Rams, allowing Will Witherspoon to play weak-side linebacker, and he could be the muscle that the Saints have been searching for inside. Brian Simmons has been unable to unseat under-sized Mark Simoneau (slowed by a right ankle sprain), who is more guile and speed than pure power.

By releasing Trotter, a true leader and a four-time Pro Bowler, the Eagles once again showed their competitors they can make the tough decision and move on without a key veteran. I was in Dallas when the news came and, believe me, quarterback Tony Romo was stunned by the news. He raved about Trotter’s strength and relentless play last season.

But the Eagles have a knack of moving on without some veterans and making the tough decisions and other teams simply nod in praise of Coach Andy Reid and executive Joe Banner. Philadelphia, one of the NFC’s better teams, will now be started two linebackers – Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong – who were 2006 draft choices.

Sapp to Indy?

With the loss of Booger McFarland, the Colts have been looking for a defensive tackle to make their front four complete. Warren Sapp, now with the Raiders, was one of Tony Dungy’s favorite players in Tampa Bay, and the big fella is coming off a very good season and he’s in super shape. Wouldn’t it be nice to see Sapp and Dungy finish out their careers together?

Loose Chad

One preseason quarter doesn’t make a season, but Chad Pennington, one of the game’s genuine good guys, tossed two interceptions against the Vikings last Friday night and nothing about it was very pretty.

On the first one, he apparently didn’t see Darren Sharper and threw it right to the veteran safety. On the second one, Pennington also had to know better. He was under brutal pressure, and while falling, lofted a soft pass toward his check down receiver along the sideline and Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway broke on the ball, catching it in stride for a touchdown.

Pennington doesn’t have the arm velocity to take such chances. You have to wonder why Jets Coach Eric Mangini is thinking seriously about giving Kellen Clemens, the backup QB with the much stronger arm, a realistic shot at competing. Right now, though, Mangini seems more intent on making sure his players listen to Mozart during teaching drills and making sure his assistant coaches don’t reveal any secrets.