American based GM and Ford are doing something that they don’t usually do; they’re reconfiguring their vehicles for the 2009 model year releases, and it’s more than just cosmetics getting an overhaul.

There is a plenty of new technology available that can be used to help make cars more efficient on fuel consumption, just look at the Japanese counter-parts, they’ve been doing it for years and currently lead the market in fuel economy. Improvements such as using an electric power steering system to reduce the drag from the belts of the older, and outdated, hydraulic system are being implemented to gain additional miles per gallon.

The gains are small this year, with most manufacturers reporting between one and two extra miles per gallon in their vehicles, but they say that those small gains will add up to impressive numbers soon enough.

It’s great to finally see the Detroit automakers getting up to speed in the fuel mileage race, as they have been lacking in recent years. The price of oil has even spurred the latest move by GM to all but cease manufacturing on SUV’s in favor of smaller, and more fuel efficient cars and car-based crossovers.

This past Friday night, in the week 3 preseason game against the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys starting left guard Kyle Kosier suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot. Luckily, the Cowboys haven’t been too shallow on backups this year, but the loss of Kosier will certainly be felt throughout the first month of the regular season, perhaps longer.

Wade Phillips is taking a look at the three primary candidates to fill in for Kosier, Joe Berger, Pat McQuistan, and Cory Proctor. Each still lacks the refinement that Kosier has gained in his veteran career, but the O-line, coaches, and even Kosier feel that no matter who wins the starting spot in his absence, they’ll be just fine.

Look for the Cowboys to play each of the three possible replacements in the final preseason game at Texas Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings this Thursday night as they try to figure out who is the best for the job.