Rafael: A Second Look at the Cowboys Tape: Tracking the New Guys

[CCBoy]

A Second Look at the Cowboys Tape: Tracking the New Guys

Posted by Rafael



http://www.cowboysnation.com/2012/08/a-second-look-at-cowboys-tape-tracking.html



While we wait for the ''dress rehearsal in two days, it's a good time to review the Chargers' video and get an early read on some of the new guys.

Today, I want to look at new right guard Mackenzy Bernardeau, the subject of so much spring angst, all because of a dubious rating he received from a major site last year. The Bernardeau I saw at Oxnard was quick and steady in pass protection. He accurately handled stunts and set a tight pocket for Tony Romo.

With fellow free agent guard Nate Livings out with an injury, Jason Garrett and Bill Callahan called for an early game plan that ran behind the new money, Bernardeau and free agent fullback Lawrence Vickers. Here are several cut ups from Dallas' first two series which offer a positive view of Bernardeau's game...

[Hoofbite]

Interesting series. I'll have to look at some of the others.

I like the way he's providing screen shots. Good stuff.

When I first started reading it I was wondering if he would address the last play that he did. I thought Bernie could have done a little better on that play but I guess Vela liked it. Not sure what to make of him claiming it was an 8 yard gain when it was only 6 and Dallas lined up with 3rd and 4 on the next play though.

[Idgit]

It's still too soon to say, but it's good to see positive early returns on at least one of the FA OL acquisitions. This is Vela and Broadus who've now been pretty happy about Mack's early play.

[AbeBeta]

said it before -- I think Bern is an example of our pro scouting department getting it right.

Livings is the bigger question mark. He's a guy whose issue is not being able to play at a high level - he can do that and be outstanding. His problem is consistency. He's really sucked at times too

[Teague31]

Really looking forward to watching livings Saturday night. I hope he plays at least the whole first half

[baj1dallas]

I thought he did what he was supposed to do last weekend. I'd be totally happy if Mernado can just block the guys he's supposed to block and give a little bit of space to Murray and Felix. I think Free has the ability to do the same and imo both RB have the ability to beat a man or two on any given play which could make for an effective running game. Of course if the LG and C can't do their job, it's a lot easier for the opponent to game plan against runs to the right...

[ravidubey]

Bernadeau is a decent player, probably the Cowboys best guard, and well worth the relatively small contract Dallas gave him.

Question will be what his strength and stamina will be like coming off his surgery for 4 quarters in real games?

If he's not there then we are terrible at that spot. We can't afford that with Costa and Livings also in the lineup.
Costa we all know about, and Livings also scares me because he's been so inconsistent. I'm not concerned about the great games he'll give you, and it appears he does play great at times. It's the meltdown games he has in pass protection vs speed rushers that worry me.

Romo needs Bernadeau to help keep him upright during those meltdowns.

[elcowboi]

So far so good. I hope he continues this kind of play.

[Idgit]

said it before -- I think Bern is an example of our pro scouting department getting it right.

Livings is the bigger question mark. He's a guy whose issue is not being able to play at a high level - he can do that and be outstanding. His problem is consistency. He's really sucked at times too

Gauging their contracts--and I'm not sure that's a great gauge, but I'm going to use it anyway--I'd say the team thinks more of Livings than they do of Mack. If we get a bluebird and he turns out to be a similar player, I'll be one happy camper. Throw in a capable vet someplace in the cutdowns, a decent one, and I'll be ecstatic.

[StarHead69]

Nice to hear that Bernie is panning out. Livings vs. the D-Lines of the Giants and Eagles scares me, inconsistency against those guys will get a QB killed.

If we grab a veteran guard or center after the late cuts, it tells me that they are planning to bring in a stud in next seasons draft/FA.

[AbeBeta]

Gauging their contracts--and I'm not sure that's a great gauge, but I'm going to use it anyway--I'd say the team thinks more of Livings than they do of Mack. If we get a bluebird and he turns out to be a similar player, I'll be one happy camper. Throw in a capable vet someplace in the cutdowns, a decent one, and I'll be ecstatic.

I certainly think we like Livings better -- he's been a starter which makes him more of a sure thing - he's a guy who, if he can be consistent, is going to be very good. It also seems to be the case that we think he fits better in our system than in Cincy. Also, we weren't the team pursuing him which ups the price.

Now Bern, we came after him really early. I think that was to our advantage as mid level signings like that usually occur a bit later. But that really does speak to how much we liked him. It wasn't that we settled on the guy -- he clearly had to have been top of the list