I was loathe to weigh in on this topic....because I have given my 2 cents a week ago. So I will keep this short. A lot of the "injured" guys....would have played IF it were a REAL game. Pre-season football might be the worst thing in all of professional sports. I would much rather them have 2 pre-season games....and just start the season already. One of the drawback about preseason....is the body and mind KNOW it is not a real game...and it is hard to get up for them...thus it is EASIER to get injured.
If this team has any chance...it is going to have to be as healthy as possible. They know that...and we should know that as well. So that more than anything is what Dallas is trying to accomplish.
The strength of this team is the OLINE. Hate to sound pessimistic....but I don't think we are going to discover any diamonds in the rough this pre-season. A DeMarcus Ware type is not going to emerge.....a Sean Lee type is not going to emerge....a Jay Ratliff type is not going to emerge. On defense....luck, field position, down and distance, ball control by the offense....these type of football things are the only chance. It kind of reminds me of Parcells 1st year here....when he COACHED a team to a 10-6 record. All 3 phases had to be in sync...and there had to be a lot of luck...because he understood the limitations of his team. After the worst defense in the history of the organization last year...hopefully Garrett has an understanding of what he has on defense...and COACHES the team accordingly. It is what it is...but as the HEAD coach...it is his job to manage the game in such a way..that he HIDES this defense.
So I am not personally all that caught up either way with these pre-season games. Sure, I want to see the young guys get their pads dirty......get used to what getting hit feels like. But other than that, preservation will be key. Because this team is going to have to shorten the game, with a physical brand of football on offense...and they cannot burn out before the season starts. Whether we like that or not....it is the truth. Not even sure how often our "rush men"...or going to get the chance to "rush". If a team can push you around all day...why would they try to beat you through the air?