Should the Cowboys rest players or play them? **merged**

[landroverking]

Play them all until the game is out of reach one way or another.

 

[aikemirv]

I would rest Martin and Smith - backups on Oline need reps anyway and they are injured.

I would give Zeke as few reps as possible but he plays.

I don't know of anyone else that I would sit. I don't think it helps

You play to win and go into the playoffs on a high note. As someone else said, let Dak sling the ball all around!

By the way, I would not let Sean Lee touch the field. He should be available for a backup for the playoffs in case we were to have an injury!

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We’ve all seen how NOT playing in the preseason worked out .....

I think they should play them like a third game of preseason is usually ..... thoughts

no rest. just play 1/2 of the game..prepare, plan and go through the process and mental aspects of the game. unlike 2016 when we rested and the eam looked out of sync in the first half

 

[CouchCoach]

Rest is either a reward or a necessity for healing. Those that would normally sit out to heal, sit out and everyone else plays until the game is not in doubt.

If I were giving any players rest, they would be on the D side, the offense, except for Zeke and a couple of players on the OL, have been backing up to their paychecks. They would play as if their season depends on it and the pass game would be on the line and so would Linehan's job.

Booger and Garrett are too comfortable with attaboys and not as focused on what's not right.

 

[Flamma]

We’ve all seen how NOT playing in the preseason worked out .....

I think they should play them like a third game of preseason is usually ..... thoughts

Play them and start removing them when Dallas takes a 28 point lead. Rest Martin in the second half. But torch these Giants. The Cowboys offense can't afford to take weeks off.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I would rest all critical players. That includes:

Zeke
Amari
Dak
Martin
Tyron
Lawrence
LVE
Jaylon
Byron

You aren't going to fix what ails the offense in one week. Rest them and have them motivated to bring their A game in the playoffs.

If you get any of these guys hurt in a meaningless game you will rue the fact that you played them even one snap. We are past due for the injury bug.

It would be almost impossible to functionally get through a game sitting this many players. OK so we're sitting 2 lbs. Who is playing? We're sitting two lineman who is playing? Realistically sitting the skill players and Dak is the easiest to do. Who are your inactives?

Everytime we are in this situation people make the case to sit like 10 players ignoring the reality of a 53 man roster.

 

[blueblood70]

Play them ALL for a half, start taking them out after the 1st series of 3rd quarter, that gives them the game feel they need to go into next week but with limited snaps..so play them with smaller workload..hopefully get an early lead and let the backup defenders blitz eli until he cries..LOL

 

[DC Cowboy]

Crawford won’t play
I’d rest Zeke
Everyone else I’d play
I might bring in backups for Martin and smith in second half
Dak and the receivers I’d play every play and I’d pass 40 times
The passing game is what needs work
Cooper and Dak need to be reintroduced

I like this idea but in 2nd half I would start pulling starters. Pull my QB first and give back-up QB a few plays with #1 WRs. After that give back ups as much time as possible in case they are needed.

 

[Aviano90]

Zeke's tank is on fumes. He needs all the rest he can get.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Personally I say NO.....he won't risk Cooper or White showing him up and his limp arm....just like last season in Philly....
Does JG have the B@@@@ to sit him in this one just to send a message to him and try out Rush iwth the 1st offense?.....Nope never had them right JG....

 

[Ranching]

Personally I say NO.....he won't risk Cooper or White showing him up and his limp arm....just like last season in Philly....
Does JG have the B@@@@ to sit him in this one just to send a message to him and try out Rush iwth the 1st offense?.....Nope never had them right JG....

I hope he sits so you can disappear for a week!!!! Lol!

 

[glimmerman]

Play him a half. Then let’s try the Rush and White. Should be sobering to watch.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Personally I say NO.....he won't risk Cooper or White showing him up and his limp arm....just like last season in Philly....
Does JG have the B@@@@ to sit him in this one just to send a message to him and try out Rush iwth the 1st offense?.....Nope never had them right JG....

Would you have the balls to start Cooper or White for the WC game? Put your money where your mouth is?

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

So in your fantasy Dak Prescott is single handedly is making personnel decisions?

 

[BillyJoDuPree]

No you must play most starters incl Dak and Cooper.. Whole game preferred. They need the work. T Smith and Z Martin should be out and Zeke should only play 10 touches max or not at all. Lee needs to play too.

 

[TonyS]

So, this is an interesting scenario, as many teams would sit their starting QB much of this game, since it is mostly meaningless at this point. It would not be looked at as a demotion as much as a protection scenario. It also gives the backup much needed game experience should the starter go down in the playoffs. Here it looks like the OP is trying to show it as a way for JG to give Dak a wakeup call. Hmmmm.

I would look forward to seeing what Rush or White could do in a regular season game with the starters, even if a couple non-starters are sprinkled in.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Wait, when has Cooper/White ever shown up Prescott?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I hope he sits so you can disappear for a week!!!! Lol!

Right. If he will disappear for a week I hope Dak sits. ITs worth it.

 

[sacowboysfan513]

Resting has never done us good in the past. Which is why I’m glad we don’t have a bye going into the playoffs.
Play him at least a half.

 

[Willfreedom909]

Cooper and mike white don’t win a single game with this team