dbair1967
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Didn't start out well at all, then got better. Still a number of things they need to clean up but I am encouraged.
1) Romo pretty damn sharp again and other than a few plays, has been all preseason. If we can just achieve an average level of pass protection this year, the passing game looks to be virtually unstoppable with the guys we have for Romo to throw to. Dez looks amazing. Austin looks healthy and quicker than he has the past couple seasons.
2) Loved the emphasis on trying to run the ball, even if there were still quite a few plays we didn't get enough push. To me Bernadeau is clearly the weak link of the OL, and assuming Leary is healthy Bernie might be on the bench. Free started out kinda slow but seemed to improve as the game wore on, and IMO outplayed Bernadeau badly. Parnell looked ok enough at RT, especially considering it was his first action of preseason. I thought Free looked better at RT the first 3 games than Parnell did, but if Free can play RG at an acceptable level and get the worst player on the OL on the bench (Bernadeau) then Parnell at RT and Free at RG might be the thing to do. Still think they will try to acquire another starting G though, which would allow Free to play RT and Parnell to play the swing T position on gamedays.
3) I think we're in for a really good season defensively. This Nick Hayden guy isn't a world beater or anything, but it looks like he was a pretty nice addition (especially for what we had to pay him). Plays the run pretty well and he does get into the backfield some. Hatcher looks really good at DT. Ware is going to notch 14-18 sacks. Cant wait to see Spencer at LDE. We're stacked at LB, but I really do wonder (again) how much longer it will be before Holloman is the starter at SOLB. Even when he has been on the field vs other teams good players, he has performed. Makes a lot of plays and is definitely better in space than Durant is. I thought Durant really struggled last night. Secondary play is looking pretty solid too. Wasn't expecting much from Will Allen or Barry Church, but both seem to be playing adequately so far. Still think its just a matter of time before Wilcox gets worked in there though.
4) Rookie opinions after 4 games- Fred really good and was well worth the pick we used on him. Escobar really disappointing, hopefully he isn't just a redshirt guy this year but right now, it doesn't look promising with him. T Williams haven't seen enough of, but it doesn't appear he is struggling to get open. Love Wilcox. BW Bebb is definitely improving. Nice coverage and pick one play last night, also had really tight coverage on a number of other plays I saw. Randle was a nice pick in the 5th. Holloman has really been an eye opener. Looks tailor made for this type of defense at SOLB.
5) Special teams, just putrid. I really hope somebody tells Harris (or Cole Beasley, because he was guilty too) that returning the kickoff from 8+ yds deep in the endzone everytime is foolish. Punt and kick cover teams are bad. Not sure our punter is anything more than a JAG. At least we have Bailey. ST are definitely a worrisome area though, hopefully it doesn't bite is in the ass in terms of costing us a game or two.
6) Wont surprise me at all if we see roster moves at OL and DL. Still think they will scour the market for a starting caliber G. But if the Free at G and Parnell at T is ultimately the call, I think they'll have to look around for a backup swing OT. I don't see any of them (the other backup T's) who look like they can play a lick. Selvie might make the team by default, but if Spencer is iffy it wont surprise me much if they try and sign another vet DE. Wilbur had a few good pass rush plays last night, but both he and Selvie are better from the RDE spot and neither is good vs the run.
7) Thought Orton looked better last night than last week. Love Tanner's running style but he probably is not a good 3 down option at RB because he doesn't catch the ball well. Really liked how Randle ran too. With the 4 RB's we have we're set there for sure.
8) Looks like Dre Kirkpatrick is in for a long year. Was impressed with CMD's guy Giovanni Bernard though.
1) Romo pretty damn sharp again and other than a few plays, has been all preseason. If we can just achieve an average level of pass protection this year, the passing game looks to be virtually unstoppable with the guys we have for Romo to throw to. Dez looks amazing. Austin looks healthy and quicker than he has the past couple seasons.
2) Loved the emphasis on trying to run the ball, even if there were still quite a few plays we didn't get enough push. To me Bernadeau is clearly the weak link of the OL, and assuming Leary is healthy Bernie might be on the bench. Free started out kinda slow but seemed to improve as the game wore on, and IMO outplayed Bernadeau badly. Parnell looked ok enough at RT, especially considering it was his first action of preseason. I thought Free looked better at RT the first 3 games than Parnell did, but if Free can play RG at an acceptable level and get the worst player on the OL on the bench (Bernadeau) then Parnell at RT and Free at RG might be the thing to do. Still think they will try to acquire another starting G though, which would allow Free to play RT and Parnell to play the swing T position on gamedays.
3) I think we're in for a really good season defensively. This Nick Hayden guy isn't a world beater or anything, but it looks like he was a pretty nice addition (especially for what we had to pay him). Plays the run pretty well and he does get into the backfield some. Hatcher looks really good at DT. Ware is going to notch 14-18 sacks. Cant wait to see Spencer at LDE. We're stacked at LB, but I really do wonder (again) how much longer it will be before Holloman is the starter at SOLB. Even when he has been on the field vs other teams good players, he has performed. Makes a lot of plays and is definitely better in space than Durant is. I thought Durant really struggled last night. Secondary play is looking pretty solid too. Wasn't expecting much from Will Allen or Barry Church, but both seem to be playing adequately so far. Still think its just a matter of time before Wilcox gets worked in there though.
4) Rookie opinions after 4 games- Fred really good and was well worth the pick we used on him. Escobar really disappointing, hopefully he isn't just a redshirt guy this year but right now, it doesn't look promising with him. T Williams haven't seen enough of, but it doesn't appear he is struggling to get open. Love Wilcox. BW Bebb is definitely improving. Nice coverage and pick one play last night, also had really tight coverage on a number of other plays I saw. Randle was a nice pick in the 5th. Holloman has really been an eye opener. Looks tailor made for this type of defense at SOLB.
5) Special teams, just putrid. I really hope somebody tells Harris (or Cole Beasley, because he was guilty too) that returning the kickoff from 8+ yds deep in the endzone everytime is foolish. Punt and kick cover teams are bad. Not sure our punter is anything more than a JAG. At least we have Bailey. ST are definitely a worrisome area though, hopefully it doesn't bite is in the ass in terms of costing us a game or two.
6) Wont surprise me at all if we see roster moves at OL and DL. Still think they will scour the market for a starting caliber G. But if the Free at G and Parnell at T is ultimately the call, I think they'll have to look around for a backup swing OT. I don't see any of them (the other backup T's) who look like they can play a lick. Selvie might make the team by default, but if Spencer is iffy it wont surprise me much if they try and sign another vet DE. Wilbur had a few good pass rush plays last night, but both he and Selvie are better from the RDE spot and neither is good vs the run.
7) Thought Orton looked better last night than last week. Love Tanner's running style but he probably is not a good 3 down option at RB because he doesn't catch the ball well. Really liked how Randle ran too. With the 4 RB's we have we're set there for sure.
8) Looks like Dre Kirkpatrick is in for a long year. Was impressed with CMD's guy Giovanni Bernard though.
