I thought trading Amari for a 5th was a terrible idea and I think that was born out.
This year I think selecting Mazi instead of a guard/tackle was a mistake.
I think Mazi is going to be good in the long run, but this year he is going to struggle it's just a matter of how much.
I also wanted to say I thought taking Mazi was the right move at the time, because DT has been a need forever for this team; but now, I just think we could have gotten by with what we had. The kid they were thinking of taking over Mazi (Bergeron) is going to start for Atlanta.
Our depth at Oline is really hurt by the poor play of Ball and Waletzko, I know some people think Ball performed OK at guard, but I thought he was terrible at tackle when he played, now he is injured and not playing until later in the season I just think he is a waste of a roster spot. Waletzko can go too, always hurt, gets pushed around at guard and tackle, I don't think he is good enough to keep on the roster. As bad as Farniok played at guard he is at least serviceable at center, seeing him go also hurt the depth if for no other reason he was a serviceable if below average center/guard. The Cowboys Oline is not deep at all and while I have hope for Richards and Bass; I think that throwing them in early could hinder the team as a whole, but I think eventually they will be OK, I just wonder how long it is going to take. Last year though we didn't know what the Cowboys had in Tyler Smith and I think most of us were pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the rookies are able to handle the upcoming season, hopefully later than sooner.
The WR room is a whole lot better than last year, our second and third wide receivers were Dennis Houston and rookie Jalen Tolbert, Gallup was hurt and Washington (talk about a disappointing signing) also was injured. This year we have Cooks and Jalen looks to have taken a step, which was needed, Gallup is over a year removed from his ACL. So much better. Noah Brown is on the Texans popping balls into the air causing ints.
I liked our RB room better last year, but not by that much. Elliott was no longer explosive like early in his career, but he was tough and I loved that. I don't think this team has a downhill runner like him, but the Cowboys probably have better pieces. Deuce will be exciting and I think they have a role in mind for Luepke. Dowdle needs to stay healthy, he might be a diamond, but if he can't stay on the field he will be gone. Pollard should be about what he was last year, I think the Cowboys will be OK at RB with Tony.
TE maybe a little more exciting. Ferguson is ready, Schoon is a tough blocking machine and Hendershot, well is Hendershot, I'm not that impressed with him I'll be honest, he needs to be able to catch the ball better and block better, I thought Stephens offered more, but since Stephens is hurt I don't mind Hendershot on the roster that much, McKeon is on the PS and if necessary he can have a role later in the year depending on injuries.
I have anxiety over LB's this year, Vander Esch is an injury waiting to happen, Clark (hurt most of last year) looked lost last year and the only other LB on this roster is Harper (played three games last year). I like Clark and Harper don't get me wrong, but I would have liked to get more depth. I understand why they didn't though because those three will be rotating between Middle and Weak side while Kearse Bell and Wilson will be probably playing strong side, dipping into the safety depth, the Cowboys will be going long on safety this year where they are very deep.
I like the secondary, much better than last year, but there is not too much depth behind Gilmore and Trevon. I like Bland, but he did make some mistakes in Pre-season on the outside this year, beyond him not convinced about Noah Igbinoghene or Wright. If Eric Scott is playing multiple minutes at CB then something went really wrong in the secondary. My criticisms are a little nitpicky because it was obvious that Anthony just wasn't very good anymore, he really wasn't ever that good to begin with, I liked his fight, but this team needed to move away from him. I'm not happy he go injured, but the Cowboys needed to move on.
On the DL, I wonder if they still have the juice that they had last year, will they be able to play with the same intensity as they did at the beginning of the season last year? Will they be able to dominate games like they did at points last year? How much does Lawrence, Fowler and Armstrong have left? Can Golston and Osa take the next step, can Sam stop being a knucklehead and play to his talent level? So many question for the DL this year. If they can play like last year than I think the Cowboys at the very least win the division.
I would like to see Lance play some if possible. I thought Rush played fantastic when called upon, it's just about all you can ask for from your back-up QB. Dak, Dak, DAK, STOP throwing over the middle on 3rd and long PLEASE!
