dbair1967
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Despite playing all backups (save Costa), Dallas played pretty well even against the Miami starters, who they used on at least 2 or 3 series on both sides of the ball. There were alot of things to be enouraged about but there are still some questions too. Alot of tough decisions to make about the 53 man roster, and we'lll definitely be letting go of a few guys who will play elsewhere.
1) I've always liked Steven McGee. I think he plays hard, by all accounts he is a great kid. Unfortunately he's in his 4th yr, and he really doesnt look all that different now than he did 2 or 3 seasons ago. He almost assuredly isnt going to develop into a starting QB and at best is probably a career #3 guy. To me that means he probably isnt going to be here come later today. Best of luck to him though if he does end up elsewhere.
2) We have a really good problem at RB. Murray is on his way to being a bonafide star. Tanner and Dunbar both looked outstanding last night, and Tanner had looked outstanding last preseason too. Olawale has shown alot in the preseason. Felix Jones has been a good solid player when he has been healthy. Thats 5 RB's. I doubt they keep more than 3, although 4 would seem possible especially when you consider Murray and Jones' injury history. We know though that Detroit called asking about Felix Jones. I wouldnt trade him there (because of what I stated last night, we dont need to be helping Detroit) but if there was an AFC team we could trade him to and we could get good value, it might be worth doing.
3) I think Orie Lemon, Mana Silva and Mario Butler wrapped up roster spots last night. Lemon IMO has outplayed Dan Connor during the preseason. Shaun Chapas looks improved a great deal too. His run blocking was pretty impressive, he displayed good hands out of the backfield again and he was on all the special teams units that I saw. He may not end up making our 53, but I bet he has shown enough that someone will definitely claim him and he might even warrant somebody giving us a late rd pick for via trade.
4) Really going to be tough calls with Matt Johnson and Danny Coale. I wish they could IR Johnson, but Coale is healthy and is playing decently now. He made a sensational one handed catch last night and as Michael Irvin mentioned, having a 3rd WR that can work the middle areas of the field is something that can really help an offense. I dont think Johnson or Coale would clear waivers, somebody would probably nab them.
5) CMD isnt going to like this, but Phil Costa looked pretty good to me. His shotgun snaps were crisp and accurate (and didnt have that delay thing going like last yr) and he definitely appears bigger and more physical. Obviously he only played a couple or maybe three series last night in a preseason game, but he definitely looked better to me.
6) The OL in general looked good last night. There were a couple plays where they allowed some pressure but the run blocking was superb, even when our backups were going against the Miami starters. Everyone thought Bill Callahan and Jerome Hnederson (DB coach) were key additions, and judgding from the week to week improvement of the OL and the much improved play by our DB's, looks like people were right.
7) Not seeing the Clifton Geathers thing. He looks like a classic JAG.
8) The WR position as a group is similar to the RB position now. After having tons of question marks all offseason and early TC, it appears we have quite a few guys past Bryant and Austin who can legtimately play. Ogletree has looked really good at times, but he had two bad plays to start the game last night (including his 2nd drop in as many weeks) and if he continues that, he wont be the 3rd WR for long. Like Beasley's upside and potential as a true slot guy and Harris has had a great camp. Harris also adds the benefit of being able to serve as a KO and PR guy.
9) Dan Bailey gives us a huge advantage in close games. He's about as automatic as it gets and has great range as well. Last year they thought he couldnt be a regular kickoff guy and when he did do it, he was good at it. This year he's just booming his kickoffs. Looks like his leg in stronger. The P situation I wasnt worried about until last night, and Jones did not have a good game. Shorted 2 or 3 kicks and plunked one in the endzone from the Fins side of the field. Kinda wondering how safe his spot is, especially with McBriar available again and several other good prospects likely to be out after final cutdowns.
10) Marcus Spears was the one guy who DNP that kinda opened my eyes. Either he absolutely had his roster spot sewed up (which is not what we were hearing) or perhaps they held him out because they are going to trade him. IMO he's better than Coleman and makes more plays than he does, but apparently the coaches dont see it that way.
1) I've always liked Steven McGee. I think he plays hard, by all accounts he is a great kid. Unfortunately he's in his 4th yr, and he really doesnt look all that different now than he did 2 or 3 seasons ago. He almost assuredly isnt going to develop into a starting QB and at best is probably a career #3 guy. To me that means he probably isnt going to be here come later today. Best of luck to him though if he does end up elsewhere.
2) We have a really good problem at RB. Murray is on his way to being a bonafide star. Tanner and Dunbar both looked outstanding last night, and Tanner had looked outstanding last preseason too. Olawale has shown alot in the preseason. Felix Jones has been a good solid player when he has been healthy. Thats 5 RB's. I doubt they keep more than 3, although 4 would seem possible especially when you consider Murray and Jones' injury history. We know though that Detroit called asking about Felix Jones. I wouldnt trade him there (because of what I stated last night, we dont need to be helping Detroit) but if there was an AFC team we could trade him to and we could get good value, it might be worth doing.
3) I think Orie Lemon, Mana Silva and Mario Butler wrapped up roster spots last night. Lemon IMO has outplayed Dan Connor during the preseason. Shaun Chapas looks improved a great deal too. His run blocking was pretty impressive, he displayed good hands out of the backfield again and he was on all the special teams units that I saw. He may not end up making our 53, but I bet he has shown enough that someone will definitely claim him and he might even warrant somebody giving us a late rd pick for via trade.
4) Really going to be tough calls with Matt Johnson and Danny Coale. I wish they could IR Johnson, but Coale is healthy and is playing decently now. He made a sensational one handed catch last night and as Michael Irvin mentioned, having a 3rd WR that can work the middle areas of the field is something that can really help an offense. I dont think Johnson or Coale would clear waivers, somebody would probably nab them.
5) CMD isnt going to like this, but Phil Costa looked pretty good to me. His shotgun snaps were crisp and accurate (and didnt have that delay thing going like last yr) and he definitely appears bigger and more physical. Obviously he only played a couple or maybe three series last night in a preseason game, but he definitely looked better to me.
6) The OL in general looked good last night. There were a couple plays where they allowed some pressure but the run blocking was superb, even when our backups were going against the Miami starters. Everyone thought Bill Callahan and Jerome Hnederson (DB coach) were key additions, and judgding from the week to week improvement of the OL and the much improved play by our DB's, looks like people were right.
7) Not seeing the Clifton Geathers thing. He looks like a classic JAG.
8) The WR position as a group is similar to the RB position now. After having tons of question marks all offseason and early TC, it appears we have quite a few guys past Bryant and Austin who can legtimately play. Ogletree has looked really good at times, but he had two bad plays to start the game last night (including his 2nd drop in as many weeks) and if he continues that, he wont be the 3rd WR for long. Like Beasley's upside and potential as a true slot guy and Harris has had a great camp. Harris also adds the benefit of being able to serve as a KO and PR guy.
9) Dan Bailey gives us a huge advantage in close games. He's about as automatic as it gets and has great range as well. Last year they thought he couldnt be a regular kickoff guy and when he did do it, he was good at it. This year he's just booming his kickoffs. Looks like his leg in stronger. The P situation I wasnt worried about until last night, and Jones did not have a good game. Shorted 2 or 3 kicks and plunked one in the endzone from the Fins side of the field. Kinda wondering how safe his spot is, especially with McBriar available again and several other good prospects likely to be out after final cutdowns.
10) Marcus Spears was the one guy who DNP that kinda opened my eyes. Either he absolutely had his roster spot sewed up (which is not what we were hearing) or perhaps they held him out because they are going to trade him. IMO he's better than Coleman and makes more plays than he does, but apparently the coaches dont see it that way.
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