I'd treat Thursday as my dress rehearsal

[jterrell]

With the long week before the regular season begins, Thursday would not be a throw away for me.

I understand coaches are loathe to risk injury and I understand they prefer to use the 2 week period as game prep for week 1.

I'd ignore all that because of where this team is currently and what all it needs to accomplish.

I'd go into that game with a nothing to lose and everything to gain mentality.
This team needs to believe it can beat someone and I would be dead finished with being a floor mat for another team to gain confidence off of.

My starters would play one half of football and if we were not ahead they may take the first series of the 3rd quarter as well. I'd rotate my top 8 available DL much like the regular season. I'd play as much like game 1 as possible. I'd get my returning guys snaps so they can get in football shape.

At some point you gotta set a tone. I don't think you can waltz in week 1 and expect to out-tough San Fran if you've spent all training camp and pre-season playing spares and resting or protecting starters. I'd gout and punch Denver in the mouth Thursday because they have everything to lose and nothing to gain from this meaningless game. Whereas Dallas has everything to prove starting with to themselves.

 

[Seven]

I don't think, mentally, we're ready for that......................

 

[morasp]

With the long week before the regular season begins, Thursday would not be a throw away for me.

I understand coaches are loathe to risk injury and I understand they prefer to use the 2 week period as game prep for week 1.

I'd ignore all that because of where this team is currently and what all it needs to accomplish.

I'd go into that game with a nothing to lose and everything to gain mentality.
This team needs to believe it can beat someone and I would be dead finished with being a floor mat for another team to gain confidence off of.

My starters would play one half of football and if we were not ahead they may take the first series of the 3rd quarter as well. I'd rotate my top 8 available DL much like the regular season. I'd play as much like game 1 as possible. I'd get my returning guys snaps so they can get in football shape.

At some point you gotta set a tone. I don't think you can waltz in week 1 and expect to out-tough San Fran if you've spent all training camp and pre-season playing spares and resting or protecting starters. I'd gout and punch Denver in the mouth Thursday because they have everything to lose and nothing to gain from this meaningless game. Whereas Dallas has everything to prove starting with to themselves.

Jerry hinted at that a little after the dolphins game.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Makes no sense to me. What benefit will our 1's get playing against their 2's and 3's?

Guys coming off injury like Melton and Claiborne....will getting even a half of live football make any difference and outweigh the risk of getting hurt? To me it doesn't.

 

[Floatyworm]

Agree......

Considering how everyone has missed camp....It's time for guys to either put up or shut up and move on .

As far as I'm concerned players like

T. McClain
J. Mincey
Ahmad Dixon
Clairborne
Melton
Carr

Need to show they belong.....I wouldn't be disappointed at all if these guys stunk up Thursday- to cut them and run w/ some kids off waivers that are @ least hungry and want to play. This coddling of the players has got to stop.

 

[xwalker]

With the long week before the regular season begins, Thursday would not be a throw away for me.

I understand coaches are loathe to risk injury and I understand they prefer to use the 2 week period as game prep for week 1.

I'd ignore all that because of where this team is currently and what all it needs to accomplish.

I'd go into that game with a nothing to lose and everything to gain mentality.
This team needs to believe it can beat someone and I would be dead finished with being a floor mat for another team to gain confidence off of.

My starters would play one half of football and if we were not ahead they may take the first series of the 3rd quarter as well. I'd rotate my top 8 available DL much like the regular season. I'd play as much like game 1 as possible. I'd get my returning guys snaps so they can get in football shape.

At some point you gotta set a tone. I don't think you can waltz in week 1 and expect to out-tough San Fran if you've spent all training camp and pre-season playing spares and resting or protecting starters. I'd gout and punch Denver in the mouth Thursday because they have everything to lose and nothing to gain from this meaningless game. Whereas Dallas has everything to prove starting with to themselves.

Danny White did a long segment on the radio with Brad Sham yesterday. He said that in his day as a backup he remembers Roger playing almost the entire final preseason game along with all of the other starters.

I don't know how much it would help the Cowboys if their starters were playing against 3rd string guy, but I agree that they should do it. Maybe not Romo or Dez, but the OL and the defense need some more work.

 

[jterrell]

Makes no sense to me. What benefit will our 1's get playing against their 2's and 3's?

Guys coming off injury like Melton and Claiborne....will getting even a half of live football make any difference and outweigh the risk of getting hurt? To me it doesn't.

They will gain confidence. They will know the switch has flipped on and it is time to go play football.
They will know you are saying injuries are part of the game but we are playing it full out anyway.

If a player can't make it through one half of football versus back ups the odds aren't great they are gonna last when it counts.

This team needs confidence and to set a tone quite badly. As Romo is fond of saying "football players play football".
It is time to do just that.

 

[John813]

I would only play the defensive starter more, especially if Melton and others are finally healthy.
Linebackers too, gotta get those guys more playing time.
Maybe go a fullquarter for the O-line.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Makes no sense to me. What benefit will our 1's get playing against their 2's and 3's?

Guys coming off injury like Melton and Claiborne....will getting even a half of live football make any difference and outweigh the risk of getting hurt? To me it doesn't.

Came here to say that. though, I'd probably play Melton and Mclian a tad so they can shake off some rust--if they're healthy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't think you can waltz in week 1 and expect to out-tough San Fran if you've spent all training camp and pre-season playing spares and resting or protecting starters.

Given the current state of our depth we practically had that situation dictated to us.

 

[jazzcat22]

They would get reps of real playing time, game speed reps. I don't care if against 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or like last year when teams played against our street guys in regular season.
It's good to have the reps to be prepared.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Agree......

Considering how everyone has missed camp....It's time for guys to either put up or shut up and move on .

As far as I'm concerned players like

T. McClain
J. Mincey
Ahmad Dixon
Clairborne
Melton
Carr

Need to show they belong.....I wouldn't be disappointed at all if these guys stunk up Thursday- to cut them and run w/ some kids off waivers that are @ least hungry and want to play. This coddling of the players has got to stop.

LOL, you are going to cut a former pro bowler for some cast off in waivers? Carr was codded because his Mom died as we gave him some time? Mincey has played the whole time.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Zordon]

jterrell i agree with you. unfortunately i doubt it happens. i hate the nonchalant vibe i get from the franchise about the performance of this team so far the last month. they also carry that non-chalant attitude in their approach towards practice. romo can miss numerous practices, carr can miss numerous practices, claiborne can miss weeks and weeks, oline can start doing interviews about being the next great wall, acting like all of these position groups have been a well oiled machine the last month. not the case. every phase of this team still needs a lot of work but the vibe i get from the franchise is that they're deathly scared of injuries, so let's just wait it out and hope the switch flips in the regular season.

 

[jterrell]

Danny White did a long segment on the radio with Brad Sham yesterday. He said that in his day as a backup he remembers Roger playing almost the entire final preseason game along with all of the other starters.

I don't know how much it would help the Cowboys if their starters were playing against 3rd string guy, but I agree that they should do it. Maybe not Romo or Dez, but the OL and the defense need some more work.

Romo, Dez, Tyron, Witten. Those 4 have earned an Emmitt like abbreviated pre-season. I'd keep them in a half just to show the team how it is done and since that failed in week 3 this becomes my time.
Men step up and deliver and those guys lead that charge. They play hurt, sick and above all play with passion.

But the rest of this team is still in a show me state. They'd all need to play hard to insure they started (or played or even remained on the roster) week 1.

It really is difficult to send a message of you need to sacrifice and play in the regular season risking injury while also saying we won't take any chances in the pre-season.

I missed that segment but I did notice that all 3 pre-season games teams played their front line guys more than us.
I also noticed we have more injuries than anyone while trying so hard to avoid them.
At some point you just gotta go play.
I realize many folks would say that is versus SF week 1 but my gut says if you sit back and pattycake through Thursday that SF game is a bloodbath.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Agree......

Considering how everyone has missed camp....It's time for guys to either put up or shut up and move on .

As far as I'm concerned players like

T. McClain
J. Mincey
Ahmad Dixon
Clairborne
Melton
Carr

Need to show they belong.....I wouldn't be disappointed at all if these guys stunk up Thursday- to cut them and run w/ some kids off waivers that are @ least hungry and want to play. This coddling of the players has got to stop.

LOL....I guess you want to be a part of the second team ever to go 0-16 along with Marinelli. Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Romo, Dez, Tyron, Witten. Those 4 have earned an Emmitt like abbreviated pre-season. I'd keep them in a half just to show the team how it is done and since that failed in week 3 this becomes my time.
Men step up and deliver and those guys lead that charge. They play hurt, sick and above all play with passion.

But the rest of this team is still in a show me state. They'd all need to play hard to insure they started (or played or even remained on the roster) week 1.

It really is difficult to send a message of you need to sacrifice and play in the regular season risking injury while also saying we won't take any chances in the pre-season.

I missed that segment but I did notice that all 3 pre-season games teams played their front line guys more than us.
I also noticed we have more injuries than anyone while trying so hard to avoid them.
At some point you just gotta go play.
I realize many folks would say that is versus SF week 1 but my gut says if you sit back and pattycake through Thursday that SF game is a bloodbath.

There isn't a team in the league that will have the starters play a half of this last preseason game. It's just too much of a risk. They will be playing against scrubs that will do anything to get noticed....even if it's for the wrong reason.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

They will gain confidence. They will know the switch has flipped on and it is time to go play football.
They will know you are saying injuries are part of the game but we are playing it full out anyway.

If a player can't make it through one half of football versus back ups the odds aren't great they are gonna last when it counts.

This team needs confidence and to set a tone quite badly. As Romo is fond of saying "football players play football".
It is time to do just that.

Totally Agree.

Normally I would poo poo this game but the offensive and defensive starters could use a tune game that will allow them to build their confidence as well as give them more needed reps. They have not earned the right to sit this game out, in my opinion.

 

[jterrell]

LOL, you are going to cut a former pro bowler for some cast off in waivers? Carr was codded because his Mom died as we gave him some time? Mincey has played the whole time.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

I get where you are coming from here but ultimately if Garrett won't make drastic changes in approach then he will probably not be here next year and the next guy will make changes.
I can promise you the next guy's speech will include a line about starting fresh and needing to see who wants to be a Cowboy.

BP stated he needed to see it fresh every year and that if a vet and a rookie were even he was keeping the rookie.
The burden was on the vet to prove he was the better player in TC and pre-season.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I would at the very least play the first defense a quarter. Inspite of the beleive by some that they have played well, only giving up 3 points to the other team's starters, they need to lots of playing time together. I also beleive that Dunbar needs to play and show he deserves a spot on the team. He is the last one who deserves the "Emmitt" treatment, he's done nothing to get it.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I get where you are coming from here but ultimately if Garrett won't make drastic changes in approach then he will probably not be here next year and the next guy will make changes.
I can promise you the next guy's speech will include a line about starting fresh and needing to see who wants to be a Cowboy.

BP stated he needed to see it fresh every year and that if a vet and a rookie were even he was keeping the rookie.
The burden was on the vet to prove he was the better player in TC and pre-season.

Once again I agree.

I like Garrett but his methodology (business as usual) is eerily beginning to remind me of Campo. Do something different; this team needs a jolt somewhere.