Cowboys 17, Raiders 19: Three Things We Learned, Three Things We Knew

[RS12]

Things we learned
1. The offensive line may be better than many expected.

The tackles stayed in for both Romo and Orton, and both QBs had a lot of time behind the O-line. Sure, the Oakland announcing crew kept repeating that the Cowboys first team was playing against the raiders second team defense when Orton was on the field, but so what?

The left side looked positively dominant last night; now imagine if the Cowboys could just get a league average performance from the right guard spot - the O-line turnaround may be complete (finally) in its third year.

2. Deja vu?

It's fine to say the preseason results don't count, because they don't. But what matters in preseason is execution. And what we saw in terms of execution by the first team in just two drives is all too familiar:

• Holding penalty by Jason Witten
• False start penalty on James Hanna
• Two stalled drives in the red zone, one at the Oakland 20, the other at at the Oakland 17.

The Cowboys moved the ball well from their own 20 to their opponent's 20, just like they did last year, but they didn't come away with a TD, just like last year.

3. Dez Bryant looked scary good.

Bryant caught just three balls for 55 yards before his night was over, but if last night is any indication he will be a monster this season. Dez ran crisp routes, out-physicaled almost everybody and did you see how open Bryant was each time?

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013...-three-things-we-learned-three-things-we-knew

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Based on a very small sample size... I'm encouraged about the offensive line.

 

[tyke1doe]

Dez, if he stays healthy, is going to be a beast this year.
I think Romo is as excited about what Dez can do as fans are.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I gotta say I thought Bernie looked pretty ok out there. His head was on a swivel and he kept moving his feet to stay in position. I was very pleased with how the line played. Also don't look now but Free is also playing some good ball and buying into the system and seems to have gained his confidence again.

 

[Zordon]

The fact that #2 still exists while #1 and #3 are true is disheartening. I think the red zone issues will determine whether this is a playoff team or 8-8 again. Can't keep kicking field goals early in games and turn a blind eye to it. It's why we keep losing close games. We leave way too many points on the field in the 1st half. We are too talented on offense (now with the oline improving) to accept field goals again this year. Witten, God bless him, needs to correct his penalty bug. This has been a problem for him for several years and he's largely escaped criticism.

 

[theogt]

Based on a very small sample size... I'm encouraged about the offensive line.

It feels a lot better than being discouraged by a small sample size.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It feels a lot better than being discouraged by a small sample size.

Agreed.

I remember the thoughts about the offensive line after the 3-0 exhibition game last year.

 

[CowboysLegend365]

Quick question fellas...did Andre Smith play last night? Didn't see him out there at all...

 

[TheCount]

Based on a very small sample size... I'm encouraged about the offensive line.

Agreed, I'm a bit surprised by how solid they've looked so far. I don't think Romo has any idea what to even do with all the time.

 

[Nirvana]

we may have something special in Leary AND Frederick, along with Smith. Leary (I'd actually like to rewatch the game and just focus on him) seemed like a Beast out there on some plays, I mean really bulldozing his guy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The Cowboys moved the ball well from their own 20 to their opponent's 20, just like they did last year, but they didn't come away with a TD, just like last year.

I feel a little better about with knowing our defense will be much improved.. But still.........

 

[Risen Star]

Based on a very small sample size... I'm encouraged about the offensive line.

So am I. The left side, including the C, looks notably improved.

I still wouldn't give you a kicking tee for the right side though.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

So am I. The left side, including the C, looks notably improved.

I still wouldn't give you a kicking tee for the right side though.

Obviously, it's likely to be better than last year. Free can focus on one side of the line and we have some competition at RT.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Is Waters really an upgrade over Bernie? If people are willing to give Free another chance, I think they should be willing to give Bernie another one. If problems still persist, we draft a RG next year. The good news is you don't have to spend a high pick on RG. We can find a solid Day 1 starter at RG in the round 3-4. The problem is we take chances on complete projects in round 3-4 when we should be taking proven guys like Warford. You can get top 2-3 RG in round 3-4 any year. Now, RT you need to spend a round 1-2 pick on. Hopefully next year we can do Round 1: DT, Round 2: RT, Round 3: DE, Round 4: RG.