ddh33
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Here in Oklahoma I had to settle for the tape delayed broadcast, so I'm a little behind everyone else.
First of all, I think the Vikings are a good football team. Brad Childress doesn't seem like someone I would particularly like, but I do like the talent on that team on both sides of the ball. I sure can't see how so many people think the Bears are going to run away with that division. I think Minnesota is going to be right there unless injuries kill them. I really like their lines.
As for tonight's game, I have a hunch this game is going to be talked about a lot more than any final preseason game should because of the appearance of TO and the misses of Vanderjagt. More on those later...
Before I started this thread I noticed a lot of complaining and "sky-is-falling" stuff on the board. I'm surprised. I didn't see anything that would make me believe this team is suddenly going to be mediocre. This has the makings of a very good football team.
I think it's important to remember that Dallas just played a football game five days ago. It's tough to around that fast and play another game. When you add in the fact that this was the final preseason game and only matters to a very few number of people, I'm not surprised that things were a little sloppy. I expect Bill to use this to coach the team up and have them ready for Jacksonville.
As you might expect, the first teams were a little sluggish. It looked to me like the Cowboys had determined to be very vanilla in this game. In contrast, I swear I saw the Vikings blitzing and stacking the box. Obviously, that's nothing the team hasn't seen before, but it does tend to skew perspective.
I think this offense has a chance to be very good. When TO gets up to speed and more comfortable, this group should be able to move the football. I know that people are worried about the running game, but I'm not just yet. Julius Jones and Marion Barber are very capable of handling the job here, and I think this offensive line is going to get better as well. I have a sneaking suspicion that the passing game is still going to be the superior weapon for this offense though.
Bledsoe looked good, for the most part. He did take a knock on his head and was taken out of the game, but since all the indications are that he's fine, I'm not going to worry yet.
I thought some of these receivers just continued to increase their stock. Jamaica Rector is going to be almost impossible to keep off this roster. Sam Hurd has shown some things. Terrance Copper seems to be improving as well, and he can already contribute on all of the special teams. Skyler Green was the highly thought of draft pick, so that is going to be an interesting spot to keep an eye on Saturday.
The line is always tougher to judge. They got less push and opened less holes than any other game, but they were playing the best defense they have seen this preseason as well.
I thought Tyson Thompson helped himself tonight. He really ran hard, and he showed that burst that you just can't coach.
Tony Romo absolutely blew me away in this game though. The cynics will point to the two interceptions, but I thought he was very impressive tonight. I thought his throws has zip on them. He showed a great ability to move around in the pocket, avoid the rush, and still complete passes down field. If I had Jerry's money, I would have locked him up to. His last interception may have been unnecessary, but it's hard to be too upset. He's a heck of a football player.
On defense, the team gave up the big 98 yard drive on two big passes agains Newman and Henry. Other than that, the group was solid with the exception of a second half drive that ended in a field goal.
I liked what I saw from Jason Hatcher when it came to ability to get to the QB. He's shown that ability all preseason.
Abram Elam is another guy who helped himself tonight. He was really getting after it and making some plays. I think he's likely going to be the fourth saftey on this team.
I couldn't distinguish a real winner as the backup NT. That will be an interesting position as well.
I couldn't help but notice Mike Vanderjagt take a nasty spill on his extra point make at the end of regulation. I'm not trying to make excuses for him, but I wonder if that affected him? I thought he looked like he kind of short-legged those last two kicks.
I can't understand the concern about the second stringers playing so much either. It's not like anyone played more than four quarters at the most. Are we so worried that a player can't play four quarters and be able to play again in ten days? I look at it as a great chance for some of those guys to get one more opportunity to impress a coach. I think Bill knows more about his team today than he did yesterday.
All in all, we saw a fourth preseason game that Dallas should have won but somehow tied. I guess that makes it feel like a loss, but it's not like these things count anyway. So don't be too worried. Fix the things that need fixed, and work out this roster. Dallas has a chance to have a great season.
First of all, I think the Vikings are a good football team. Brad Childress doesn't seem like someone I would particularly like, but I do like the talent on that team on both sides of the ball. I sure can't see how so many people think the Bears are going to run away with that division. I think Minnesota is going to be right there unless injuries kill them. I really like their lines.
As for tonight's game, I have a hunch this game is going to be talked about a lot more than any final preseason game should because of the appearance of TO and the misses of Vanderjagt. More on those later...
Before I started this thread I noticed a lot of complaining and "sky-is-falling" stuff on the board. I'm surprised. I didn't see anything that would make me believe this team is suddenly going to be mediocre. This has the makings of a very good football team.
I think it's important to remember that Dallas just played a football game five days ago. It's tough to around that fast and play another game. When you add in the fact that this was the final preseason game and only matters to a very few number of people, I'm not surprised that things were a little sloppy. I expect Bill to use this to coach the team up and have them ready for Jacksonville.
As you might expect, the first teams were a little sluggish. It looked to me like the Cowboys had determined to be very vanilla in this game. In contrast, I swear I saw the Vikings blitzing and stacking the box. Obviously, that's nothing the team hasn't seen before, but it does tend to skew perspective.
I think this offense has a chance to be very good. When TO gets up to speed and more comfortable, this group should be able to move the football. I know that people are worried about the running game, but I'm not just yet. Julius Jones and Marion Barber are very capable of handling the job here, and I think this offensive line is going to get better as well. I have a sneaking suspicion that the passing game is still going to be the superior weapon for this offense though.
Bledsoe looked good, for the most part. He did take a knock on his head and was taken out of the game, but since all the indications are that he's fine, I'm not going to worry yet.
I thought some of these receivers just continued to increase their stock. Jamaica Rector is going to be almost impossible to keep off this roster. Sam Hurd has shown some things. Terrance Copper seems to be improving as well, and he can already contribute on all of the special teams. Skyler Green was the highly thought of draft pick, so that is going to be an interesting spot to keep an eye on Saturday.
The line is always tougher to judge. They got less push and opened less holes than any other game, but they were playing the best defense they have seen this preseason as well.
I thought Tyson Thompson helped himself tonight. He really ran hard, and he showed that burst that you just can't coach.
Tony Romo absolutely blew me away in this game though. The cynics will point to the two interceptions, but I thought he was very impressive tonight. I thought his throws has zip on them. He showed a great ability to move around in the pocket, avoid the rush, and still complete passes down field. If I had Jerry's money, I would have locked him up to. His last interception may have been unnecessary, but it's hard to be too upset. He's a heck of a football player.
On defense, the team gave up the big 98 yard drive on two big passes agains Newman and Henry. Other than that, the group was solid with the exception of a second half drive that ended in a field goal.
I liked what I saw from Jason Hatcher when it came to ability to get to the QB. He's shown that ability all preseason.
Abram Elam is another guy who helped himself tonight. He was really getting after it and making some plays. I think he's likely going to be the fourth saftey on this team.
I couldn't distinguish a real winner as the backup NT. That will be an interesting position as well.
I couldn't help but notice Mike Vanderjagt take a nasty spill on his extra point make at the end of regulation. I'm not trying to make excuses for him, but I wonder if that affected him? I thought he looked like he kind of short-legged those last two kicks.
I can't understand the concern about the second stringers playing so much either. It's not like anyone played more than four quarters at the most. Are we so worried that a player can't play four quarters and be able to play again in ten days? I look at it as a great chance for some of those guys to get one more opportunity to impress a coach. I think Bill knows more about his team today than he did yesterday.
All in all, we saw a fourth preseason game that Dallas should have won but somehow tied. I guess that makes it feel like a loss, but it's not like these things count anyway. So don't be too worried. Fix the things that need fixed, and work out this roster. Dallas has a chance to have a great season.
