dbair1967
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Another fairly impressive performance for week two of preseason. At a bare minimum even the most skeptical of Cowboy fans (which we've been conditioned to be with 3 decades of disappointment) would have to admit that we look like a vastly better coached team than previous seasons. Most years our 2nd and 3rd teamers look like keystone cops in these preseason games with a comedy of errors, penalties out the ass, missed tackles and blocks, blown routes and busted coverages galore.
The first half was better than the second as the end of the roster defensive guys were def not as good. But I think overall this was a pretty positive night. Also appears that other than Julius Wood's concussion we came out injury free.
1) Can't see how Joe Milton isn't QB 2 now. Have said it multiple times since the day we signed Sam Howell, but I thought the #2 job would easily be his. The difference in Milton's game from last year at this time is night and day. He looks legit. He's big, has an absolute cannon. He's athletic. By all accounts he has a great attitude and works hard. Now he has added improved throwing mechanics and footwork and throws with really nice touch and accuracy. This will be his 3rd yr in the league. Not only is he the obvious QB2 now, but he shows enough traits to really make you wonder if he might can be QB1 down the road. Massive props to QB coach Steve Shimko and offensive assistant Ken Dorsey for the work they have done with him.
2) Really good night for the backup RB's overall. They all were productive and ran hard. It's understandable that they'd probably love it if Jaydon Blue ran away with the #2 spot, but Malik Davis is just another of these pro's pro type guys. Comes in, does his job, doesn't get much fan fare but at the end of the day does everything good enough to warrant the spot. Nothing wrong with Isreal Abanikanda and Phil Mafah either, hopefully they can squeeze one (if not both) onto the practice squad.
3) I think other than Milton's development one of the obvious surprises of camp/preseason has to be WR Jonathan Mingo. He was everyone's doormat since the day they traded for him yet coaches saw something enough in him to warrant him hanging around. He's had a really really good camp and looks like a solid 4/5/6 WR now as well as a guy that can be a really good special teamer. Camden Brown has to stick but he's almost assuredly inactive every game (barring injuries) even if he made it as the 5th WR. Mingo can be active because of his roles on ST and is good enough now to stick out there in some situations at WR during games. Junior Adams is our WR coach and like Shimko/Dorsey deserves some major props for his WR work with Mingo, Flournoy and now Brown. He's also helped turn George Pickens into an absolute monster.
4) Jaishawn Barham looks like the LB type we have been missing on our defense forever. He's big. He's physical. He moves exceptionally well. he plays mean. He's smart. He wore the green dot while he was in the game. I think he got a little gassed as the half wore on (was out for over a week with the groin thing so conditioning could be slightly down) but it's also partly a testament to him going 110mph every play. Love the violence in some of his contact. Despite missing a week he was immediately out there sharing 1st team reps in practice last week. The coaches obviously want him on the field.
5) LT Overton had a really solid showing again last night, appears we have found something with him. Malachi Lawrence only saw the field for a few plays (like CB Shavon Revel, who left after his interception) and he didn't do anything of note. Up and down performance for CB Devin Moore (had a really rough 1st drive) but it was his first game action. OT Drew Shelton did not look good and according to reports by PFF, notched a pass block rating of 0.0 (yes, ZERO) for the game. WR Anthony Smith clearly has some intriguing traits but is way behind Camden Brown and Mingo on the depth chart. Hopefully we can stash him on PS. Overall, this has the makings of a really high end draft and UDFA class for us.
6) Even though Sam Williams got a late 4th qtr sack, his overall game was poor again. Caelen Carson also didnt do anything positive. It's probably the end of the line for both of them here. James Houston was all over the place v Seattle but did not play well at all last night (he was dinged up during the week in practice so maybe that is some of it). I really got the idea that into the 2nd half some of these down roster guys were seeing the writing on the wall and because of it, maybe didn't play with the same effort as they did last week. Houston may have thought he was in line for the 4th (or even the 3rd) Edge spot, but now knows he is unlikely to make the team with the addition of Von Miller. I thought several of the DB's looked like they "checked out too"
7) Quiet area of improvement from week one to week two, massive drop in penalties (from 13 to 4). Thumbs up to the staff.
8) Sam Howell had the one really bad interception/decision, but otherwise played well. He might be rehearsing for another teams backup spot now but really hope we can stash him on the PS. Great veteran (young veteran) insurance should an injury happen to 1 or 2.
9) Offensive the Cowboys had 9 total possessions last night. One was the opening drive turnover on downs on 4th and 1 deep in Cards territory. One was a kneel down to end the 1st half. One was the endzone pick after a nice drive by Howell. All 6 other possessions were scores. No punts. 34 rushes for 175 yds and 24 pass plays. Really solid overall night.
10) Nothing has really changed for me in thinking we need a couple of obvious roster moves. OT3 is not on this roster and I don't think CB 4 is either. CB 4 might not be quite as critical because they have been playing Caleb Downs so much as a slot defender, and Jalen Thompson can do mant of those type things as well. Both are probably true S/CB hybrids. But if something happens to one of the top-3 then a true 4th CB is needed. None of the CB's beyond Revel, Bland and Durant has looked good. TE 3 might be the other spot worth watching. Schoon has caught 1 pass in two preseason games and is really no better than average as a blocker. He's also in his final yr of rookie deal. Most of the reporters seem to think the toe injury thing for Trigg is a way to stash him on IR this yr. Might be a move needed there.
The first half was better than the second as the end of the roster defensive guys were def not as good. But I think overall this was a pretty positive night. Also appears that other than Julius Wood's concussion we came out injury free.
1) Can't see how Joe Milton isn't QB 2 now. Have said it multiple times since the day we signed Sam Howell, but I thought the #2 job would easily be his. The difference in Milton's game from last year at this time is night and day. He looks legit. He's big, has an absolute cannon. He's athletic. By all accounts he has a great attitude and works hard. Now he has added improved throwing mechanics and footwork and throws with really nice touch and accuracy. This will be his 3rd yr in the league. Not only is he the obvious QB2 now, but he shows enough traits to really make you wonder if he might can be QB1 down the road. Massive props to QB coach Steve Shimko and offensive assistant Ken Dorsey for the work they have done with him.
2) Really good night for the backup RB's overall. They all were productive and ran hard. It's understandable that they'd probably love it if Jaydon Blue ran away with the #2 spot, but Malik Davis is just another of these pro's pro type guys. Comes in, does his job, doesn't get much fan fare but at the end of the day does everything good enough to warrant the spot. Nothing wrong with Isreal Abanikanda and Phil Mafah either, hopefully they can squeeze one (if not both) onto the practice squad.
3) I think other than Milton's development one of the obvious surprises of camp/preseason has to be WR Jonathan Mingo. He was everyone's doormat since the day they traded for him yet coaches saw something enough in him to warrant him hanging around. He's had a really really good camp and looks like a solid 4/5/6 WR now as well as a guy that can be a really good special teamer. Camden Brown has to stick but he's almost assuredly inactive every game (barring injuries) even if he made it as the 5th WR. Mingo can be active because of his roles on ST and is good enough now to stick out there in some situations at WR during games. Junior Adams is our WR coach and like Shimko/Dorsey deserves some major props for his WR work with Mingo, Flournoy and now Brown. He's also helped turn George Pickens into an absolute monster.
4) Jaishawn Barham looks like the LB type we have been missing on our defense forever. He's big. He's physical. He moves exceptionally well. he plays mean. He's smart. He wore the green dot while he was in the game. I think he got a little gassed as the half wore on (was out for over a week with the groin thing so conditioning could be slightly down) but it's also partly a testament to him going 110mph every play. Love the violence in some of his contact. Despite missing a week he was immediately out there sharing 1st team reps in practice last week. The coaches obviously want him on the field.
5) LT Overton had a really solid showing again last night, appears we have found something with him. Malachi Lawrence only saw the field for a few plays (like CB Shavon Revel, who left after his interception) and he didn't do anything of note. Up and down performance for CB Devin Moore (had a really rough 1st drive) but it was his first game action. OT Drew Shelton did not look good and according to reports by PFF, notched a pass block rating of 0.0 (yes, ZERO) for the game. WR Anthony Smith clearly has some intriguing traits but is way behind Camden Brown and Mingo on the depth chart. Hopefully we can stash him on PS. Overall, this has the makings of a really high end draft and UDFA class for us.
6) Even though Sam Williams got a late 4th qtr sack, his overall game was poor again. Caelen Carson also didnt do anything positive. It's probably the end of the line for both of them here. James Houston was all over the place v Seattle but did not play well at all last night (he was dinged up during the week in practice so maybe that is some of it). I really got the idea that into the 2nd half some of these down roster guys were seeing the writing on the wall and because of it, maybe didn't play with the same effort as they did last week. Houston may have thought he was in line for the 4th (or even the 3rd) Edge spot, but now knows he is unlikely to make the team with the addition of Von Miller. I thought several of the DB's looked like they "checked out too"
7) Quiet area of improvement from week one to week two, massive drop in penalties (from 13 to 4). Thumbs up to the staff.
8) Sam Howell had the one really bad interception/decision, but otherwise played well. He might be rehearsing for another teams backup spot now but really hope we can stash him on the PS. Great veteran (young veteran) insurance should an injury happen to 1 or 2.
9) Offensive the Cowboys had 9 total possessions last night. One was the opening drive turnover on downs on 4th and 1 deep in Cards territory. One was a kneel down to end the 1st half. One was the endzone pick after a nice drive by Howell. All 6 other possessions were scores. No punts. 34 rushes for 175 yds and 24 pass plays. Really solid overall night.
10) Nothing has really changed for me in thinking we need a couple of obvious roster moves. OT3 is not on this roster and I don't think CB 4 is either. CB 4 might not be quite as critical because they have been playing Caleb Downs so much as a slot defender, and Jalen Thompson can do mant of those type things as well. Both are probably true S/CB hybrids. But if something happens to one of the top-3 then a true 4th CB is needed. None of the CB's beyond Revel, Bland and Durant has looked good. TE 3 might be the other spot worth watching. Schoon has caught 1 pass in two preseason games and is really no better than average as a blocker. He's also in his final yr of rookie deal. Most of the reporters seem to think the toe injury thing for Trigg is a way to stash him on IR this yr. Might be a move needed there.