Can't read a lot into the first preseason game, defenses aren't showing all they have so as not to confuse the younger guys and not to show teams early what they will do in the regular season.
But a couple of bright spots and a couple of concerns showed up:
Bright spots
1. Good throw on the pass to Gallup, long throw right on the money. Yes the DB messed up but who's to say Gallup couldn't have out-fought the defender for the ball if he had turned around?
2. Love the batted passes. I've complained for years that other teams knock down or deflect passes constantly, whereas we seldom do that. Hope it keeps up during the regular season.
3. Rod Smith looked pretty good, of course as noted defenses aren't showing a lot of different looks at this point, but he did show some moves and some speed.
4. Scarborough looks like he could be a good inside runner, nose for the goal line
5. Jarwin apparently was having difficulty catching the ball in camp, but he did make some catches last night.
6. Austin appears to be able to get open, something our receivers other than Beasley in 2016 haven't been able to do.
7. T. Williams played, the foot isn't a problem, though he might not be able to play a full game just yet, but he has another month to get in shape and to be sure the foot is healed.
8. Lots of defensive turnovers, again something I have been asking for.
9. Lenoir and the other backup receivers showed some ability, was mostly against backup DBs, but that doesn't affect the way they run routes and catch the ball.
10. Built a fairly comfortable lead early with a lot of the regulars in, moved the chains well.
Concerns
1. Defense can't hold a lead, still.
2. Green screwed up again, yes he mostly played okay, but I'm fearful he'll make the critical mistake that loses games.
3. Dak runs too much. He'll wear himself out, come to depend on his legs too much, and exposes himself to more injury.
4. DBs look way out of sync. Hopefully that's due to learning how to play for Richard, but too much confusion out there.
5. C. Williams got beat bad on the sack. He was a tackle in college, should have better feet than he showed.
6. Bailey off on a very makeable kick, okay it's early for him, too, but that was automatic for him just a couple of years ago.
7. Rush didn't audible off to a sneak on the second td drive, when he got under center the defense had only 1 guy in close, he had a choice of two sides of the center to go to Frederick can handle the one guy 99% of the time, should have been an easy quarterback sneak for a td. The next play, defense was in tight, and they stuck with a run up the middle, which failed, yes you want to stick with the run, but it's preseason, change the call to a pass or outside run.
8. Don't know how many years it's been since the Dallas defense has had like 3rd and 10 on the other team's 10-20 yard line, if they stop them there, even a long punt gives you the ball at or close to mid-field, but nooo, they let teams convert, usually a 15-20 yard throw, now it's first down and field position is lost, again. Can't seem to pin teams deep, EVER.
Notice more good than bad, that's a win in preseason. Overall pleased with the result...
