Essentially, the preseason is over, aside from that monstrosity we have to sit through on Thursday. I appreciate the new cut system that allows teams to risk no one of significance anymore the last preseason game. It'll be a battle of laundry.
However, with the real deal nigh upon us, questions abound as suspensions and injuries drip from this roster like sap from a Gorosoe. The Cowboys aren't ready, but tough toodles, it's here.
Week One is littered with uncertainty. Zeke's appeal quite possibly might not be decided by then, so he might play against the Giants. If it comes down the Friday before, he won't have time to file for an injunction. If it's enough before, he might get an injunction. Or, he might just accept whatever fate the league decides. Who knows? Nobody, that's who.
Then there's Damien Wilson and Nolan Carroll, who could be suspended any minute and join Damontre Moore and David Irving as temporary outcasts from The Star.
Rookies Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are seriously needed asap. They aren't supposed to be add-ons like Switzer and Woods. They're supposed to be critically relied-upon players, and they haven't sniffed the preseason, which for rookies is important. It's hard to imagine they're ready for a Sunday Night game against the Giants.
So what's that leave, aside from a slew of scenarios to juggle with one hand tied behind?
I am not worried about the offense. Dak looked poised and practiced over the offseason, which he deserves mountains of credit for. He dove in and improved his arm velocity and his knowledge of the offense. The offensive line has some quibbles, but they'll be solid enough and get better, and the skill groups are deep and talented.
Simply put, the offense looks unstoppable. I'm not really sure how defenses will be able to attack the Cowboys, though I'm sure coordinators have plans for young Dak. Good luck with that if you can't get to him because you're going to get carved to pieces. Glorious.
Defensively, (sigh), oh boy. The defense looks unstoppable, too, as in, it can't get any stops.
Aside from the defensive tackles and Sean Lee, there's almost nothing ready for prime time. The pass rush looks anemic yet again, and the secondary is decimated and waiting on rookies to save it. Hitchens is now down, so I guess they'll rely on Justin Durant again or move Lee inside, which is a bad idea for his health. Wilson may or may not be available, and Jaylon Smith is not ready for significant playing time. He needs to keep healing.
Scandrick looks good, but his aging bones can't play every snap. Carroll remains a turnstile, and Anthony Brown will have to handle the top receivers, which I'm not sure he's ready to do. Jones and Heath need to get on the same page because both look repeatedly late. Dallas desperately needs Lewis and Awuzie to heal up and grow up fast. Tomorrow, if you please.
Of course, other teams have issues, too. The Giants can't run the ball or score touchdowns, it seems. Let's hope our defense isn't the cure for their ills. Denver's next with QB woes. Everybody ails, but I wish our defense wasn't such an annual beating to sort through.
This team will have to evolve as the season progresses to be in position to make any hay in the sun. That means some necessary 38-35 type of wins early, I'm afraid. That's an exagerration for effect, but not by much. Marinelli is going to have to earn his lunch money.
What happens when you mix a 13-3 offense with a 3-13 defense? You usually get 8-8. Let's hope this defense improves as the season progresses to avoid that sister-kisser season that none of us want to commiserate through.
I think they will make that progress if the injury gremlins are few enough. I can see 11-5, which should be good enough for the East, and present a formidable foe for the postseason.
That's if they grow up fast.
