WoodysGirl
08-29-2010, 11:09 AM
Aug 29
2:37
AM ET
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By Matt Mosley
If this was truly a dress rehearsal for the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17490/cowboys-texans-what-did-we-learn#comments) on Saturday evening, Redskins fans have to be licking their chops for Sept. 12. The Cowboys' first-team offense was once again whipped by an AFC defense. And the defense wasn't much better. The Colts don't get worried about pitiful preseason performances because of their winning pedigree. I'm afraid Cowboys fans won't take the same laidback approach. Now let's assess the damage:
About the best thing you can say about the first half is that fourth-round pick Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=13433) opened the game with a 41-yard return. He showed a nice burst and Joe DeCamillis's unit did a good job creating a lane along the right side of the field.
Both Bradie James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4561) and Mike Jenkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11259) did a nice job diagnosing plays early in the game, but Jenkins has to do a better job wrapping up. That's what Darren Woodson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=358) was really worried about with this group. Would they be able to tackle? Jenkins looked bad early in the game. Then Alan Ball (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10680) started missing tackles.
The Cowboys have to do a better job of knowing down and distance on defense. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11366) was giving Jacoby Jones way too much cushion on a third-and-6 play. There was no mystery where Jones was going with that route. On the next route, the Cowboys did the same thing on third-and-7. You think it might be a good idea to cover Andre Johnson on a crossing route? Johnson was the best player on the field Saturday.
The Texans were double-teaming Jay Ratliff (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8638)and Bradie James was overpursuing against the run. Foster just burned them all night. Simms makes a statement with 5 minutes left in the third quarter that the Cowboys are playing a lot of reserves. I looked up and saw DeMarcus Ware, Ratliff, Anthony Spencer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10470) and James all in the game. Second consecutive disgraceful performance for the Cowboys. We'll see if they can flip the switch against the Redskins
Read more Mosley observations: [URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17490/cowboys-texans-what-did-we-learn
2:37
AM ET
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Comments (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17490/cowboys-texans-what-did-we-learn#comments)[/URL]
By Matt Mosley
If this was truly a dress rehearsal for the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17490/cowboys-texans-what-did-we-learn#comments) on Saturday evening, Redskins fans have to be licking their chops for Sept. 12. The Cowboys' first-team offense was once again whipped by an AFC defense. And the defense wasn't much better. The Colts don't get worried about pitiful preseason performances because of their winning pedigree. I'm afraid Cowboys fans won't take the same laidback approach. Now let's assess the damage:
About the best thing you can say about the first half is that fourth-round pick Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=13433) opened the game with a 41-yard return. He showed a nice burst and Joe DeCamillis's unit did a good job creating a lane along the right side of the field.
Both Bradie James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4561) and Mike Jenkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11259) did a nice job diagnosing plays early in the game, but Jenkins has to do a better job wrapping up. That's what Darren Woodson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=358) was really worried about with this group. Would they be able to tackle? Jenkins looked bad early in the game. Then Alan Ball (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10680) started missing tackles.
The Cowboys have to do a better job of knowing down and distance on defense. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11366) was giving Jacoby Jones way too much cushion on a third-and-6 play. There was no mystery where Jones was going with that route. On the next route, the Cowboys did the same thing on third-and-7. You think it might be a good idea to cover Andre Johnson on a crossing route? Johnson was the best player on the field Saturday.
The Texans were double-teaming Jay Ratliff (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8638)and Bradie James was overpursuing against the run. Foster just burned them all night. Simms makes a statement with 5 minutes left in the third quarter that the Cowboys are playing a lot of reserves. I looked up and saw DeMarcus Ware, Ratliff, Anthony Spencer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10470) and James all in the game. Second consecutive disgraceful performance for the Cowboys. We'll see if they can flip the switch against the Redskins
Read more Mosley observations: [URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17490/cowboys-texans-what-did-we-learn