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5 Players to Watch in Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks Preseason Game
Aug 24th, 2016
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by Kristi Scales
http://www.5pointsblue.com/5-players-watch-thursdays-cowboys-seahawks-preseason-game/
5 Players to Watch in Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks Preseason Game
First-team players will get more playing time this week than any other preseason game, but there are plenty of young guys who will get significant action on Thursday night when the Cowboys play at the Seahawks.
In addition to rookie quarterback Dak Prescott (who has topped our “Players to Watch” list each of the first two games), here are some other young guys I’m anxious to see this week.
Running Back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT #21
Zeke has been wrapped in bubble-wrap since tweaking his hamstring on August 2nd, but we’re expecting him to make his NFL debut against the Seahawks. It’s important that he plays in this game because he’ll be working with the first-team offensive line (which won’t play in preseason game 4). The Cowboys would like for Zeke to not only get a couple of carries, but they also want him to go out on a couple of pass routes, and hopefully have a chance to show his blocking skills and ability to recognize blitzes/pass rushers in pass protection. There’s a lot of anticipation for Zeke, and it’s exciting to finally see him in game action.
Defensive Tackle MALIEK COLLINS #69
Collins, the rookie from Nebraska, is also making his NFL debut. He returned to practice last week after missing the past 2 ½ months because of a broken foot he suffered during OTAs. In my opinion, other than Zeke Elliott, Collins has the biggest chance to make the most impact on this team as a rookie. He plays defensive tackle, and Heaven knows we don’t have enough healthy bodies along the defensive line. With Tyrone Crawford sitting out this game because of a concussion, Collins will likely be the starter at DT alongside Terrell McClain. He needs to be a disruptive force along the defensive line. The defensive line is the biggest question mark entering the 2016 season, and Collins can be one of the answers.
Fullback KEITH SMITH #41
Keith Smith is the third year player who was switched this offseason from linebacker to fullback. He got to play a lot last week because Rod Smith (no relation, but also a fullback) was sidelined. Keith took full advantage. Not only did he get to do a lot of blocking, by the end of the game he was carrying the ball. In fact, he got three carries from the tailback position! It was the first time he’s carried the ball since 8th grade! Unfortunately his mom didn’t get to see the game live. She was flying from California to see the game, but her airplane was diverted to San Antonio because of bad weather. Anyway…Keith is a versatile player who can be a core special teams player. He could also play linebacker in a pinch. Keith needs to have a strong showing each of the next two weeks to convince the coaches that they need to carry a fullback on the final roster (many NFL teams no longer have fullbacks), and that it should be him, not Rod Smith. This is a huge two week period for both players.
Wide receiver BRICE BUTLER #19
Dez Bryant will not play this week because of a concussion suffered in practice on Monday. Butler will get more snaps with the first-teamers in Dez’s absence. Butler is a big-play guy who had the big 58 yard catch last week, followed on the next play by the 1 yard touchdown catch. In my opinion, Butler has already surpassed Devin Street on the depth chart, but Butler can solidify his spot on the roster with a couple of strong outings to close out the preseason.
Defensive end BENSON MAYOWA #93
Mayowa is a former Oakland Raider who joined the Cowboys in free agency this summer. The Cowboys desperately need a pass rush, and he could be a guy who can definitely help. In fact, the team is really counting on him to come through. But Thursday night is the first time we’ll see him in game action. He opened training camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform List) following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in June. He was cleared to return to practice on August 15th. So this will be his Cowboys debut. He’s more of a slender, fast pass-rusher. Let’s see how quickly he can get off the ball and around the offensive tackle. I cannot emphasize enough how desperately the Cowboys need pass rushers. By the way, Mayowa should be familiar with the Seahawks. He signed with them in 2013 as a rookie free agent out of Idaho. He played two games in the regular season that year and won a Super Bowl ring. The next summer, he was cut at the end of camp and signed with the Raiders. Now he’s a Dallas Cowboy and he gets to go against his former teammates.
Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks game will kickoff at 9pm central (7pm Pacific).
Aug 24th, 2016
/
by Kristi Scales
http://www.5pointsblue.com/5-players-watch-thursdays-cowboys-seahawks-preseason-game/
5 Players to Watch in Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks Preseason Game
First-team players will get more playing time this week than any other preseason game, but there are plenty of young guys who will get significant action on Thursday night when the Cowboys play at the Seahawks.
In addition to rookie quarterback Dak Prescott (who has topped our “Players to Watch” list each of the first two games), here are some other young guys I’m anxious to see this week.
Running Back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT #21
Zeke has been wrapped in bubble-wrap since tweaking his hamstring on August 2nd, but we’re expecting him to make his NFL debut against the Seahawks. It’s important that he plays in this game because he’ll be working with the first-team offensive line (which won’t play in preseason game 4). The Cowboys would like for Zeke to not only get a couple of carries, but they also want him to go out on a couple of pass routes, and hopefully have a chance to show his blocking skills and ability to recognize blitzes/pass rushers in pass protection. There’s a lot of anticipation for Zeke, and it’s exciting to finally see him in game action.
Defensive Tackle MALIEK COLLINS #69
Collins, the rookie from Nebraska, is also making his NFL debut. He returned to practice last week after missing the past 2 ½ months because of a broken foot he suffered during OTAs. In my opinion, other than Zeke Elliott, Collins has the biggest chance to make the most impact on this team as a rookie. He plays defensive tackle, and Heaven knows we don’t have enough healthy bodies along the defensive line. With Tyrone Crawford sitting out this game because of a concussion, Collins will likely be the starter at DT alongside Terrell McClain. He needs to be a disruptive force along the defensive line. The defensive line is the biggest question mark entering the 2016 season, and Collins can be one of the answers.
Fullback KEITH SMITH #41
Keith Smith is the third year player who was switched this offseason from linebacker to fullback. He got to play a lot last week because Rod Smith (no relation, but also a fullback) was sidelined. Keith took full advantage. Not only did he get to do a lot of blocking, by the end of the game he was carrying the ball. In fact, he got three carries from the tailback position! It was the first time he’s carried the ball since 8th grade! Unfortunately his mom didn’t get to see the game live. She was flying from California to see the game, but her airplane was diverted to San Antonio because of bad weather. Anyway…Keith is a versatile player who can be a core special teams player. He could also play linebacker in a pinch. Keith needs to have a strong showing each of the next two weeks to convince the coaches that they need to carry a fullback on the final roster (many NFL teams no longer have fullbacks), and that it should be him, not Rod Smith. This is a huge two week period for both players.
Wide receiver BRICE BUTLER #19
Dez Bryant will not play this week because of a concussion suffered in practice on Monday. Butler will get more snaps with the first-teamers in Dez’s absence. Butler is a big-play guy who had the big 58 yard catch last week, followed on the next play by the 1 yard touchdown catch. In my opinion, Butler has already surpassed Devin Street on the depth chart, but Butler can solidify his spot on the roster with a couple of strong outings to close out the preseason.
Defensive end BENSON MAYOWA #93
Mayowa is a former Oakland Raider who joined the Cowboys in free agency this summer. The Cowboys desperately need a pass rush, and he could be a guy who can definitely help. In fact, the team is really counting on him to come through. But Thursday night is the first time we’ll see him in game action. He opened training camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform List) following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in June. He was cleared to return to practice on August 15th. So this will be his Cowboys debut. He’s more of a slender, fast pass-rusher. Let’s see how quickly he can get off the ball and around the offensive tackle. I cannot emphasize enough how desperately the Cowboys need pass rushers. By the way, Mayowa should be familiar with the Seahawks. He signed with them in 2013 as a rookie free agent out of Idaho. He played two games in the regular season that year and won a Super Bowl ring. The next summer, he was cut at the end of camp and signed with the Raiders. Now he’s a Dallas Cowboy and he gets to go against his former teammates.
Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks game will kickoff at 9pm central (7pm Pacific).
