OK, I watched the game again for the 3rd time.
My biggest concern is now the Swing Tackle position. Cleary struggled at LT. Skipper looked decent at RT and LG but I wouldn't want to count on a rookie UDFA. Edwards (#78) is not the answer at OT. Will they give Bell reps at OT? Green was really good in two starts at LT last season but he can't be counted on to stay healthy. I would keep Green regardless just because his talent far exceed the other backup OTs. Green has been practicing at OG, but can easily move back out to OT if healthy.
Cleary (OT) - I'm now a little worried about the swing tackle position. Cleary is not remotely in the same ballpark as Chaz Green from a talent perspective, but Green may never be healthy.
Skipper (OG, OT) - Might already be better than Cleary except he holds too much. The refs were not calling holding very often because the game would have lasted 5 hours if they did. AZ held on every play.
La'el (RT) - He is going to be fun to watch. He's very powerful.
Edwards (OT) - He played LT but he is not the answer, IMO.
Bell (OG) - Struggled with Nkemdiche but OK otherwise.
Cooper (OG) - Better than I said in the 1st review. He was really good. Quick with good power. He was good blocking while moving down the line on the Zone Stretch.
Looney (OC) - He did struggle with Nkemdiche but Bell and La'el also had their hands full with Nkemdiche.
Theaker (OG) - Intriguing OG. I didn't see any physical reason that he can't play in the the NFL; although, the level of competition was not a true test.
Rico (TE) - I liked him in the first review and I noticed even more things to like this time. His power to block DL and LBs is outstanding. He has to learn a lot from a technique perspective, but his physical ability is the real deal.
Andy Jones (WR) - The only young WR that really stood out.
Butler (WR) - Showed his speed and size. Made a couple of really good catches. If he can stay focused he has the talent to be quite good.
Moore (QB) - I'm not concerned about him as the backup QB.
Note: AZ was basically holding on every play. The refs can't call all the penalties in this type of game or it would last forever considering that most of the players are 1st/2nd year guys. People probably wanted more from the pass rush, but the blatant holding made that almost impossible. I recall one play where the OT basically tackled the DE Moore.
Taco (DE) - Looked really good. Maybe the best player on the field for the Cowboys. He was very good against the run and had some good snaps as a pass rusher. He didn't really get that many opportunities for a pure pass rush. He gave OTs problems with his power and length. He reminds me of a faster version of David Irving. His first step is really good. He dropped into coverage at least once.
Moore (DE) - Looked good. He was near the QB several times. He's not a quick as Taco. He played some snaps from a standing position.
Tapper (DE) - Really fast but very raw as a pass rusher. Has to learn to turn the corner and not just get pushed past the pocket. More interior pressure would help because the QB was able to step up in the pocket when he did get close. He does not have the length, bend or power that Taco has, but he did play well against the run.
Neal (DT) - Short, stubby player but very pesky with good quickness and often got penetration into the backfield. The suspensions of Irving and Moore might open up and extra spot on the DL for at the beginning of the season. He has a chance to claim it.
Carroll (DT) - Quick for a 300 pound man but let himself get turned sideways and driven back on running plays. Has to learn to fight to stay square.
Baron - (DT/DE) - Quick for a DT, but undersized. Needs time in the weight room.
Ivie (DT) - Better than I indicated in my first review. He has a good ability to fight to stay square and avoid getting driven back too much. He did run well when pursuing down the line on run plays. He flashed into the backfield a couple of times.
Joseph Jones (LB, #43) - He flashed on several plays but he's not very big.
Wacha (LB) - He looks really small.
Woods (S) - He flashed some speed but he looks small. Awuzie looks bigger than Woods.
Awuzie (CB) - He was very active and often had good coverage. He also looked like a rookie in his 1st game a few times. His build looks a bit like a Safety. He's very solid.
Frazier (S) - Impressive up near the line. I couldn't really tell about his coverage ability in this game of chaos, but he reminds me of slightly faster version of Barry Church in run support.
Byron Jones (S) - He looked terrific on most plays. For a CB turned Safety, he is really good against the run.
White (CB) - Looked good. He looked more comfortable than some of the PS squad CBs that have been around the NFL a year or two. I think he'll be good against the big WRs but you don't want him covering the Cole Beasley type WRs.
Heath (S) - He looked terrific. Maybe the best player on the field other than Taco. As a starter he'll probably get more INTs than any player the Cowboys have had in many years.
LBs and RBs - I need to see them in a game that is not quite so chaotic with 1st/2nd year players everywhere. Everybody should have already known that McFadden requires a good OL and space to get going. Also, people need to remember that Morris can't pass block or do much as receiver.
Yes, it is!
