by DAVID MOORE, dmoore@dallasnews.com , THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

But do you really want them sending membership cards to key players on your favorite NFL team?

Not if you want that team to improve as the season grinds along.

The optimism building in the Cowboys locker room these days runs deeper than their win over Atlanta. It goes beyond the Jerry Rice impersonation that Miles Austin has thrown down.

It has to do with the rise of Mike Jenkins at cornerback and the contributions of Anthony Spencer, Orlando Scandrick and Stephen Bowen. It has to do with the production of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice and the potential of Martellus Bennett.

All of these players are 25 or younger.

All have given the team the sort of boost you get when downing one of those XXL energy drinks.

"We've got a lot of good young players," head coach Wade Phillips said. "The better those guys play, the more upside you have."

Austin leads the surge by leading the team in receiving yards (502) and touchdowns (five). He also leads the NFL with an average of 23.9 yards a reception.

Phillips calls the 421 yards Austin has amassed over the last two games spectacular. The Cowboys haven't had a young player burst on the scene in such prolific fashion after the season started since Tony Romo took over for Drew Bledsoe in October of 2006.

The team responded with wins in five of Romo's first six starts. The Cowboys are 2-0 since Austin moved into the starting lineup.

"The adrenaline comes from winning," Romo said. "Miles can be doing all he's doing, but if we're losing, you don't get that same rush."

The rush isn't as dramatic with Jenkins, but it's tangible. The second-year player leads a defense starved for turnovers with two interceptions and had a third taken away by penalty. His seven passes knocked down tie him with Terence Newman.

The hesitation that characterized his rookie performance is gone. Jenkins has blossomed since winning his competition with Scandrick and earning the starting job for good in Week 3.

"You can't have a sophomore slump at his position or you'll be out of the league," linebacker Bradie James said. "Those guys are just like the quarterbacks. You get to see their mistakes. Their mistakes usually result in a big play or touchdown.

"He's starting to understand where his help is. He's starting to understand the scheme and he's being aggressive when he needs to be. He's not gambling. He's doing a good job."

Scandrick covers the opponent's slot receiver in the Cowboys' nickel and dime packages and has an interception. Bowen has one sack and 12 quarterback pressures - only DeMarcus Ware has more - off the bench.

Linebacker Anthony Spencer doesn't have any sacks. But he has 11 quarterback pressures, four tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery.

"He doesn't let the ball get outside of him," James said. "It might not come out on the stat sheet, but man, you just can't run that way."

Run? Jones' average of 8.6 yards a carry leads all NFL running backs. Choice is the team's third-down back and has 340 yards from scrimmage with two touchdowns. Bennett, who has blocked well but gotten off to a slow start as a receiver, caught two key passes on the team's touchdown drive to end the first half of Sunday's game.

These young legs could help the Cowboys stand a little taller once December hits.

"It's neat to see because there is so much spark that comes with that," tight end Jason Witten said. "For them to play at that level is huge for your team. It brings everyone along, too. It makes everyone excited.

"It's contagious and guys rally around those things."

noon Sunday (Ch. 4)

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