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Who shined and who faltered in the Cowboys last preseason game?
The Dallas Cowboys played, and lost, their final preseason game of the 2016 season to the Houston Texans. The game was a battle of backups and down-the-roster players scrambling to secure a spot on the 53-man roster which is due on Saturday at 4 PM EST. Let’s take a look at who helped and hurt their cause.
Winners
Anthony Brown - The Cowboys sixth-round pick has had a solid training camp and preseason, making a strong push to be one of the reserve corners. In the game against the Texans, he made a nice cut on an out pattern to snatch an interception and take it to the house for a pick-6. Nice way to cap off your preseason, young fella.
David Irving - The Texans backup linemen had trouble containing Irving in the game, he helped create the fumble recovered by Jeff Heath. He didn’t get home for any sacks, but he was definitely getting penetration and was also a force in the run game.
Darius Jackson (Pass Receiver) - The running back led the Cowboys in receiving yards with 32 yards on three catches (four targets). He also took a screen pass in for an 18-yard touchdown.
Lawrence Okoye - It might not be enough to keep him around when the cuts to 53 come down, but Okoye was a very disruptive force in the game, showing off some impressive power. He was involved with seven tackles during the game and had a sacked wiped out by a penalty on another player. He might be one of the toughest bubble choices with the issues along the Cowboys defensive line.
Rico Gathers - Okay, it wasn’t much, but a popular pet cat finally got some decent playing time and managed to get on the board with one catch for eight yards. If nothing else ever happens for him in football, at least he had that!
Losers
Jameill Showers - Fighting for a spot as the backup QB, Showers was given the entire game to shine. It probably wasn’t enough to keep Dallas from signing a veteran backup. Showers was 10 for 25 for 91 yards and one TD along with one INT. He also lost a fumble on a run. There just wasn't enough here to justify keeping him as the sole backup to Dak Prescott.
Gavin Escobar - Playing against backups and guys who won’t be in the NFL next week, Escobar had a no impact game. He caught one pass for 13 yards. Part of the problem was the poor offensive play as whole by the Cowboys offense and the inaccuracy of Showers, but the hope would be that Escobar would stand out against inferior competition. It looks like he still has a ways to go until he’s fully back.
Deji Olatoye - The Texans repeatedly went his way and were completing passes regularly. It was so bad that the broadcast crew was wondering if the Texans had actually game-planned to attack Olatoye. He was also instrumental in giving up the Texans long TD pass just before halftime.
Devin Street - Street’s last-gasp effort to stay with the Cowboys ended with a dud. He was shut out in the game, dropped one pass, and is a 99.9% lock to be cut this time around.
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