Preseason Game 2 reactions (and overreactions)

[CT Dal Fan]

What about the fourth ILB? Overshown, Winters and Barham are locks.

Do you think Barron could bump James? He’s had a pretty good camp and it wouldn’t surprise me.

I think it comes down to what the Cowboys prefer. Barron looks very good and helps on special teams. But the Cowboys invested a draft pick on James and he did start six games last year (pretty much out of necessity). I think if Barron and James are both equal on ST the tie goes to the player they drafted (James).

 

[gimmesix]

Barham just continues to show up on film, how the hell did he fall to the third. He just has it, meanwhile Rodriguez and Styles look lost

I think he fell because Michigan moved him to end, so teams were judging him based on what he did his last year, where he was learning to be a pass rusher on the college level. I think if he had stayed at linebacker, he might have been the top linebacker taken.

Change that: I don't think he would have gone as early as Styles, but bottom of the first/early second.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

That is pathetic.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

My biggest thing I saw from the game. FOUR PENALTIES!! That is pretty amazing for us. Can't tell you how many times I've seen this team make mistakes and especially false starts. Hope this is something we continue to see from this team.

That was amazing to see

 

[gimmesix]

I think it comes down to what the Cowboys prefer. Barron looks very good and helps on special teams. But the Cowboys invested a draft pick on James and he did start six games last year (pretty much out of necessity). I think if Barron and James are both equal on ST the tie goes to the player they drafted (James).

I had Barron on the roster a couple of weeks ago, but I think he's practice squad right now unless he shows out in this next game. James is above him in the pecking order so Barron needed to have showings like the one against the Rams in the scrimmage where he had three interceptions. He's been good in the preseason games but not really any better than James IMO.

 

[gimmesix]

That was amazing to see

And also not accurate. The Cowboys broadcast showed we had eight penalties.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

And also not accurate. The Cowboys broadcast showed we had eight penalties.

Still less than normal for a preseason game. Still plenty to clean up, but plenty of good. Also, I watched the AZ broadcast because that's what was on NFL network, so I didn't see that.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Or IR

I could see that too

 

[dupree89]

If he doesn’t make the 53, I’m gonna be mad.

Thank you Dave. And I dont wanna see you mad, friend. Anyone with Shotgun in their name, i wanna see happy.

 

[gimmesix]

You're really just seeing what you want to see. Negligeable difference between the first and 2nd half runs.

1st half
J.Blue up the middle to DAL 35 for 10 yards
J.Blue up the middle to DAL 32 for -3 yards
J.Blue right tackle to DAL 25 for 3 yards
J.Blue right tackle to DAL 29 for 4 yards
J.Blue up the middle to DAL 41 for 6 yards
J.Blue right tackle to DAL 46 for 5 yards
J.Blue up the middle to ARZ 39 for 15 yards

2nd half
J.Blue right tackle to DAL 40 for 8 yards
J.Blue left guard to DAL 46 for 6 yards
J.Blue up the middle to ARZ 37 for 6 yards
J.Blue up the middle to ARZ 13 for 2 yards
J.Blue up the middle to ARZ 11 for 6 yards

Claiming Mafah didn't need additional carries at the very end of the game VS players who will be bagging groceries in a couple week all while blasting Blue for getting his numbers "at the end of the game" which he didn't and didn't even play at the end of the game, is just confirmation bias at its finest.

That's weird. I felt like Blue looked better in the second half. Maybe the negative run tainted my view of him, even though that wasn't his fault. Of course he did have 4 runs of 5 or more in the first half and 3 of 5 or less, so maybe that's it. In the second half, four of his five runs were for 6-plus.

 

[gimmesix]

The Cowboys have stated they really like their RB room. And at this point I think Davis, Blue, and Abanikanda all bring something to the table. I like Mafah but just don't see the same burst from him as the other three backup candidates.

As I stated earlier I think they keep Javonte Williams, Luepke, Davis, and Blue. Izzy can go on the PS, if he gets claimed off waivers I doubt Mafah does so bring him back instead.

I think Izzy and Mafah will both make the practice squad.

 

[amame25]

Why did you skip the first two runs of the first quarter? Hiding something?

Did I really "blast" Blue? Look at his first quarter runs? He literally goes down with no fight. He got better as the game went on as I acknowledged.

I think they have a pretty good handle on what Mafah is, that is why he didn't play more outside of returning kicks. They still aren't sure of Blue. He is a bit of a tease and I think they are giving him every chance to prove he is better than Mafah....and Izzy.

Mafah got one carry....and probably had the best individual run of the night. He was only in for 3 snaps.

Didn't realize I did. I was wading through every play of the night so I guess I missed it when it went from Davis to Blue.

Regardless, Blue was nothing if not relatively consistent the entire night. All RBs have a play or two here or there where they get tackled for a loss or short gains. Those are typically not on the RB as they're weren't in this instance either.

Like I said, I don't think he's a world beater and have no dog in this hunt rather than wanting the Cowboys to have the best players they can. This started by you saying he got all his yards at the end of the game and I just wanted to show that was incorrect which I have done.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

My two cents: if Blue ran like he did last night with the starting offensive line in front of him, he breaks a couple really long ones and might have went from 75 yards to almost 150.

He really finished his runs for the first time since he got here. I think he's starting to turn that corner and become an asset.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

That is pathetic.

It is, but this is one of those cases of PFF being really extreme. Most of the time their grading system looks good, but to give Shelton an absolute zero? It's not like Milton or Howell were constantly running for their lives. Shelton deserved a low grade based on allowing so much pressure....but the eye test did not have me thinking he was THAT bad. A ZERO????

 

[jblaze2004]

 

[Shotgun Dave]

Thank you Dave. And I dont wanna see you mad, friend. Anyone with Shotgun in their name, i wanna see happy.

Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[gimmesix]

Mafah dragged down by his kick returns?

 

[Tabascocat]

how were the preseason teams in 14 and 16? I dont really remember. Were they disorganized?

I don’t really remember either but the depth and structure wasn’t there. I haven’t seen a preseason like this since Parcells.

 

[JustChip]

I don't know if I'd say Revel looked awesome. He had the illegal contact penalty and on the interception, the receiver tripped. He was in the right place at the right time to make the interception, though.

Barham looked like he's going to be a beast.

Both Mingo and Brown had shining moments at receiver.

This was the best I've seen Jay Toia look since he's been here, and Overton got him a sack. I've liked what I've seen overall of the backup interior defensive linemen in these two games.

There’s value in being able to actually catch the ball when gifted an opportunity. Anthony Brown most likely would have dropped that ball.

 

[gimmesix]

There’s value in being able to actually catch the ball when gifted an opportunity. Anthony Brown most likely would have dropped that ball.

Didn't say there wasn't, just that it wasn't like he made a spectacular play to rip the ball away from a receiver. The receiver tripped and Revel was where he was supposed to be. I don't have a problem with how he's played so far. There's been some hit and miss but the reports on him out of camp are good.