NFL Preseason Week 3: Minnesota @ Dallas

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

So all things considered... McFadden wins the start: yes? no?

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

We are really a top-heavy team. A great disparity between the starters and backups in terms of talent suggest that the Cowboys just happened to have gotten lucky with their talent selection. In truth... a team is really only as good as it's depth.

What made the 90's Cowboys' OL so great was in fact because of it's depth. The backups on that OL could start legitimately for any team.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

What I learned from this preseason:

1. Gregory looks like a real player.
2. We're screwed if either tackle gets hurt.
3. Nothing else.

 

[yimyammer]

Randle looks really small to me, I think they're gonna miss the size of Murray, his toughness and the punishment he dished out. Hopefully the money spent elsewhere will more than make up for what we lost in Murray

McFadden looked good, hopefully that continues all season

 

[Sheik]

Jeez, McFadden looked like he was back in college on a few of those runs. Freakishly quick.

Too bad his body is made up of a 1000 pussies.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Randle looks really small to me, I think they're gonna miss the size of Murray, his toughness and the punishment he dished out. Hopefully the money spent elsewhere will more than make up for what we lost in Murray

McFadden looked good, hopefully that continues all season

Better STs play from both Beasley and Dunbar should give us better field position than what we had to work with last year, and thus a shorter field. Beside, McFadden will not be ran nearly as much as Murray. We cannot have Randal doing blitz pickup. Romo will get killed. McFadden has proven to be the better blocker.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

I wasn't paying much attention by that point, but is anyone else surprised Byron Jones was in there late in the game with the super scrubs? That usually isn't a good sign. Did he play any corner, or just safety?

Regardless, I don't think this was a great sign for him. I was hoping he'd stay at corner because I have zero faith in Claiborne either staying healthy or playing decently during the season. We should still outscore the Giants, but I bet they wear Claiborne out. DGB or Cruz on him is pretty much a nightmare.

 

[dbair1967]

So all things considered... McFadden wins the start: yes? no?

Broaddus seems to think so after last night.

I think Randle is fine as a runner and receiver, but his blocking is just not good. Maybe with all the starting OL in it wouldn't be as big of a concern, but at some point Randle will have to step into the hole and handle blizters. Right now he isn't good at it. Seems like he knows who to block, but he just cant execute it.

McFadden looked really good last night and he doesn't have the blocking question marks Randle has.

 

[Dodger12]

I dunno. I keep hearing about how much better we're doing at drafting and talent acquisition, yet every year our backups are not competitive against other teams' scrubs. Weeden, Vaughan and Flowers have combined to score one touchdown in 11 quarters of play. That is beyond impotent and incompetent.

Because it's a myth. We hit on our 1st round pick and then occasionally hit on some picks after that. Our depth is atrocious.

 

[dbair1967]

I wasn't paying much attention by that point, but is anyone else surprised Byron Jones was in there late in the game with the super scrubs? That usually isn't a good sign. Did he play any corner, or just safety?

They played him at CB, safety and nickel LB. He missed last weeks game and a week or so of practice so they are wanting him to get work. Corey White played a lot in the 2nd half too.

Regardless, I don't think this was a great sign for him. I was hoping he'd stay at corner because I have zero faith in Claiborne either staying healthy or playing decently during the season. We should still outscore the Giants, but I bet they wear Claiborne out. DGB or Cruz on him is pretty much a nightmare.

He'll (Jones) be fine. Broadus fwiw thinks Jones eventually settles FT at safety, but believes for now they will move him around. In regards to Claiborne, its only one preseason game but I didn't see him get beaten any and he was in perfect position for a pick if not for an off PI (that was called by the way). I expected him to look really slow or tentative, but he didn't. I cant believe someone had the knee injury he had less than a yr ago is moving around like this. Last yr when it happened there was some talk it could be a career ending injury. Whoever the doc was that fixed it must have done a helluva job.

The Giants have been absolutely putrid all preseason and were really bad last night again. I actually have little concern with that game at all. Their OL has been awful and so has their defense.

We'll be a better team after the bye week for sure IMO (after Hardy and R McClain return)

 

[dbair1967]

Because it's a myth. We hit on our 1st round pick and then occasionally hit on some picks after that. Our depth is atrocious.

Its not atrocious everywhere. We appear to be quite deep on the DL and pretty good at LB. I think the CB situation is good even w/o Scandrick. We are deep at G on the OL and have a good situation at TE and RB. Our top 3 at WR are as good as any team's in football.

Where we are in trouble is backup QB, backup T and safety, unless they decide to move Byron Jones permanently to safety.

 

[dbair1967]

I don't agree with him on Leary, I thought he looked really rusty, and I still have no idea why Bernadeau started at RG over Collins (unless they just didn't feel like Collins had enough reps on the right side yet). Also don't think I agree with him on the Gardner/Edwards thing.

Broaddus: The Case For Coleman, Byron Jones' Versatility Among 12 Thoughts

Saturday, August 29, 2015 11:53 PM CDT
By Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout

ARLINGTON, Texas – Twelve thoughts – both good and bad – that I observed from the radio booth during the Cowboys’ preseason home opener against the Vikings.

1. I have said this before and I will say it again: Darren McFadden is the best running back on this team. If this staff is looking for that complete back like they had with DeMarco Murray, McFadden is the man that needs to start. His running style and physical skills are perfect for this scheme, and if given the opportunity, he will silence those critics that believed he could no longer play.

2. It's hard to imagine a better fit in this scheme at Will linebacker than Sean Lee. The fact that he is now free to run to the ball and he doesn't have to take on blocks at the point of attack is exactly what he needed. The amount of wear and tear it will save on him will surly help him, but they are also putting him in position where he can make a ton of plays.

3. Scott Linehan might want to find more ways to get Terrance Williams the ball on the move in this offense. There is something about his ability to separate across the field that makes him more difficult to cover than when he takes his routes up the field. Williams is sneaky with his speed, but I believe he also catches the ball better.

4. I counted three different defensive spots that Byron Jones played against the Vikings. He was a cornerback, a safety and a nickel linebacker. Even with the loss of Orlando Scandrick, I see no reason why we won't continue to see him get this type of work. But my gut feeling is that he will most likely end up as a safety.

5. Despite his holding call early in the game, I was impressed with the way Ronald Leary played. On the play, he was a step slow to get to the second level and it caused him to have to grab his man -- but that was the only issue I saw. Both he and Tyron Smith worked very well together and there were several times where they were secure on their run blocks, but they also kept their men along the line of scrimmage.

6. I am still not sure that the fifth wide receiver is on this squad. The staff is giving Lucky Whitehead every opportunity to win the job, and even though he had a touchdown reception, there still is a side of me that wants to believe there might be better guy out there when we get down to these final cuts.

7. Count Andrew Gachkar as an option at Mike linebacker as this club looks to replace Rolando McClain for the first four weeks of the season. Where I think that Gachkar is different from Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber is that he plays with more stoutness at the point of attack than the other two. I don't believe I would like him to play the entire season there, because I believe he might get worn down. But if for just a short time, he could give you what you need.

8. I just have a feeling that if it comes down to Lavar Edwards and Ben Gardner for that four-game roster spot while Greg Hardy is suspended, Edwards is going to win the shot. He is more active with his rush, and when it comes to defending the run, Edwards gives you a better defender at the point.

9. I continue to like what I have seen from Davon Coleman at that nose tackle spot, even with Terrell McClain back in the rotation this game. There is no doubt that Nick Hayden will be the starter, but what I am struggling with is how this staff might evaluate the backup for that spot? Coleman has proven to be reliable at least through this camp, while McClain has had to deal with injuries and missing time. If it comes down to one or the other, the scouting side of me wants to see Coleman get the opportunity to be a part of this rotation.

10. I am looking forward to sitting down on Sunday and studying the game tape to see how Morris Claiborne played against the Vikings. My initial reaction I feel will be a positive one. He played with a willingness as a tackler and with solid technique when he was asked to cover.

11. I just don't see this club keeping a third quarterback -- whether it's Dustin Vaughan or Jameill Showers. I don't see how they will be able to commit a roster spot to that position. If Showers makes this team, he will be listed as the third quarterback but he will likely be a jack-of-all trades player.

12. Last week I was keeping four tight ends -- now I am not so sure. I am starting to believe that there are other positions where I might want to carry an extra body that could help me more during the season. Defensive line and linebacker come to mind.

 

[dbair1967]

Don’t Forget About These 5: Special Teams Struggle, Gregory & More


Saturday, August 29, 2015 11:20 PM CDT
By Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cowboys aren’t as concerned with the 28-14 final outcome against the Vikings Saturday night, as they are with how the starters performed in the dress rehearsal.

This spot is usually saved for the five plays that changed the game. But in the preseason, when the goal is more to evaluate individuals and keep everyone healthy, let’s focus on five other aspects of the game.

So the preseason version will include players, stats and sometimes plays that get overlooked.

Special Teams Issues? – Last week, it was pointed out here that the Cowboys were simply mixing and matching players in the preseason on special teams, trying to get through the games where backups play more on offense and defense. But in this game, what you saw on special teams might be pretty close to the real thing on Sept. 13. And if so, it’s a bit alarming, considering that Minnesota’s Cordarrelle Patterson torched them for a 107-yard touchdown return in the second quarter. Now, Patterson is one of the NFL’s most dangerous specialists, but if you’re using the excuse that “it’s only preseason,” the second-quarter runback might be reason to have some concern.

Sack Attack – In three games, Randy Gregory has recorded one sack in each of them, proving once again that he could be a second-round steal for the Cowboys. Don’t forget he had another sack that was taken away on a very late penalty, Dallas getting flagged for defensive holding. Gregory has worked mostly against second-teamers on the offensive line, but he’s making the most of his pass rushes. He leads the team with three sacks, and it should’ve been four.

Third-Down Woes – Here’s an interesting stat: The Cowboys went 0-10 on third-down conversions Saturday, and get this, they weren’t the worst of the two teams. The Vikings actually one-upped them with a 0-11 conversion rate on third downs. What’s even more interesting is that Minnesota held the ball for 37:34 of the clock and never picked up a third down, other than by penalty. So credit the Cowboys’ defense for getting off the field, but this offense obviously needs to improve that stat in order to keep the ball moving.

Vikings Held Back, Too – While it’s still preseason and the Cowboys don’t seem too alarmed with the final score, don’t forget Minnesota sat out a pretty good player on their side of the ball. Running back Adrian Peterson didn’t play for the Vikings, while the Cowboys were holding out both Dez Bryant and Zack Martin. That’s a few Pro Bowls on the sideline. Yes, the Cowboys might have picked up a few more first downs with those two on the field, but it’s likely the Vikings would’ve moved the chains some with Peterson in the lineup, too.

Flag Day – If this was a dress rehearsal for both teams, let’s hope it’s not that way for the officials. Both teams were flagged 11 times for a total for 176 yards in penalties. The Cowboys had 96 penalty yards. In the first two preseason games combined, the Cowboys had 11 penalties for 91 yards.

 

[dbair1967]

Didn't even realize this, but the defense held the Vikes to 0-11 on 3rd down conversions last night. The first team defense was 0-5.

I guess the other positive for the defense was the rush defense overall was pretty good, especially in the first half. Overall they held the Vikes to 85 yds on 32 carries (2.7 yds per attempt). I think the Vikes had 15 or 20 yds rushing against the first team defense in the first half.

Vikes did get 5 first downs via penalties though. One of those penalties wiped out a Randy Gregory sack.

 

[bbgun]

Its not atrocious everywhere. We appear to be quite deep on the DL and pretty good at LB. I think the CB situation is good even w/o Scandrick. We are deep at G on the OL and have a good situation at TE and RB. Our top 3 at WR are as good as any team's in football.

but again, no depth. Street, Jenkins and Whitehead do not inspire confidence. Also, if you have dreads coming out of your helmet, I hate you.

 

[dbair1967]

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

but again, no depth. Street, Jenkins and Whitehead do not inspire confidence. Also, if you have dreads coming out of your helmet, I hate you.

Broaddus was actually saying in the pregame last night that he thought Jenkins could beat out Street. I can't believe that.

 

[dbair1967]

Broaddus was actually saying in the pregame last night that he thought Jenkins could beat out Street. I can't believe that.

I'd be surprised if they cut Street, who has looked good when healthy this yr in camp/preseason. Dooley supposedly really likes Street too.

I kinda think they might keep both, although Jenkins didn't do much last night.

 

[bbgun]

Broaddus was actually saying in the pregame last night that he thought Jenkins could beat out Street. I can't believe that.

why not? Street is only known for being slow and hurt

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

Well up to this week he was known for being an up-and-comer who could beat out Williams. At least by a lot of people.

I'm actually with you. He seems incredibly average to me.