Observation Deck: Dallas Cowboys

[RS12]

Here are some other thoughts on the Cowboys’ first preseason game of the year:

• Judging any defense off the first preseason game always comes with hesitation. The Cowboys were without five projected opening starters. But the same issues that plagued the Cowboys last year - lack of pass rush, too many big plays – hurt them Thursday. The Cowboys gave up five plays of 20 or more yards in the first half out of 27 snaps. In the second half they gave up a 70-yard touchdown (albeit with Korey Lindsey at corner and he has yet to practice with the team). The Chargers quarterbacks did not have an incomplete pass until 14:24 remained in the game, completing their first 12 passes.

• In practicing during camp the run defense has been poor and it was shredded again by the Chargers. San Diego gained 111 yards on 20 carries in the first half on the ground. The defensive linemen have had difficulty all summer getting off blocks and that continued Thursday. The good news was the red-zone work. They stopped the Chargers inside the 5 twice, forcing a fumble and a field goal. Justin Durant popped the ball free from Ryan Mathews at the goal line, and Caesar Rayford stopped quarterback Kellen Clemens on a third-down keeper late in the second quarter.

• Joseph Randle got the start at tailback

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4731361/observation-deck-dallas-cowboys

 

[IAmLegend]

My only observation after tonight's game:

 

[lane]

dixon
heath
randle
weeden

showed up.

especially dixon

hope he is not injured ...that young man impressed the hell out of me tonight.

 

[Clove]

Offense was putrid as well. My observation

 

[Idgit]

In practicing during camp the run defense has been poor and it was shredded again by the Chargers. San Diego gained 111 yards on 20 carries in the first half on the ground. The defensive linemen have had difficulty all summer getting off blocks and that continued Thursday.

This is what bothered me the most tonight.

 

[lane]

i'm angry that while weeden was in there we continue to dink and dunk.

i'm actually more than angry.

weeden can actually throw a deep ball.

 

[ConstantReboot]

This is what bothered me the most tonight.

YES that is what bothered me most tonight as well. Getting off blocks can be coached and should be coached each and every day from now on.

 

[Kaiser]

Justin Durant popped the ball free from Ryan Mathews at the goal line,

Actually Jeff Heath made that play.

Some random observations - the highlight for me, bar none, was Ken Bishop chasing the ball carrier down from behind. The horsecollar was a mistake but i absolutely love to see that kind of hustle from a rookie DT.

I liked Terrance Mitchell also, he made mistakes and will continue to do so but I like that kind of aggressiveness at this point. The team also desperately needs a big physical guy (even before you get to Webb probably not making the team).

Weeden looked good at QB and Vaughn looks like a guy worthy of a practice squad spot. I thought the Cowboys would draft a QB this year but getting both these guys is good scouting and saved us the pick.

I focused on Parnell for a couple of series, he is out of position at LT but seems to have lost something from two years ago. I wonder if there is a lingering injury, his movement seems slower.

 

[lane]

i have high hopes for ken boatright as well.

he should have been out their earlier imo.

 

[CyberB0b]

I think the defense is worse than I initially thought. These depth guys didn't really show up.

 

[RS12]

• RB Joseph Randle was able to do some good things in space. He broke tackles, avoided defenders in the open field, and lowered his head when he needed a first down. He’s still a little hesitant to hit the hole and needs to commit more to hitting lanes with force, rather than bounce everything outside.
• Randle also seemed to run better out of 3 WR sets than out of multiple TE formations.
• OG/C Mackenzy Bernadeau still lacks strength and gets manhandled in straight forward man blocking situations. OG Ronald Leary looked equally as bad and seemed to be moving in mud when trying to block anywhere but immediately in front of him. The battle for the last guard spot continues…
• DE/DT Tyrone Crawford seems to be moving at a faster speed than those around him. He’s quick, strong, and athletic. If he can stay healthy he should lead the defensive line in snaps played.
• CB Terrance Mitchell has been overly physical all camp and the aggressiveness continued tonight as he drew a pass interfierence flag in the end zone. Aggressiveness is good but the penalties have to stop.
• WR Terrance Williams showed excellent maturity in his route running. He made adjustments, ran crisp routes, and used good technique. Expect him to run a ton of comeback routes in 2014.
• RT John Wetzel (6’7″ 315 lbs.) from Boston College was surprisingly brilliant in his play. He’s not overly strong but has excellent technique and was able to level a couple guys while run blocking on the move. Keep an eye on this guy.
• Gavin Escobar and James Hanna look really good this far through training camp.

http://sportdfw.com/2014/08/07/cowb...tm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Trending on FS

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

i'm angry that while weeden was in there we continue to dink and dunk.

i'm actually more than angry.

weeden can actually throw a deep ball.

And it's preseason. Why not see what he can do? It's not like we were going to win anyway with that defense.

 

[Idgit]

Actually Jeff Heath made that play.

Some random observations - the highlight for me, bar none, was Ken Bishop chasing the ball carrier down from behind. The horsecollar was a mistake but i absolutely love to see that kind of hustle from a rookie DT.

I liked Terrance Mitchell also, he made mistakes and will continue to do so but I like that kind of aggressiveness at this point. The team also desperately needs a big physical guy (even before you get to Webb probably not making the team).

Weeden looked good at QB and Vaughn looks like a guy worthy of a practice squad spot. I thought the Cowboys would draft a QB this year but getting both these guys is good scouting and saved us the pick.

I focused on Parnell for a couple of series, he is out of position at LT but seems to have lost something from two years ago. I wonder if there is a lingering injury, his movement seems slower.

Loved the Bishop play. I don't even think it was a mistake. It was the only way to bring the guy down and save the 6 points. I liked Mitchell, Dixon, Weedon, Hutchinson, and (ducking) Heath tonight, too. Though most of them (except Weeden) had some mixed plays, too.

 

[Wheeltax]

Some random observations - the highlight for me, bar none, was Ken Bishop chasing the ball carrier down from behind. The horsecollar was a mistake but i absolutely love to see that kind of hustle from a rookie DT.

I don't think it was a mistake - I'd rather take the penalty and have another shot at stopping the offense rather than have a for-sure runaway TD.

Edit: Bah, too slow on the trigger

 

[CCBoy]

Coleman and Bishop both showed that they care. Poor Dixon played a heck of a game and led the team in tackles. When a safety has to lead a team in tackles, that speaks poorly up front.

I wasn't at all impressed by Rayford. He hangs in there, but unimpressed too many plays.

I can put up with Mitchell's mistakes...as he was at least trying to ball.

Boatright and Wilson both showed up, but still aren't yet a starter quality.

Randle and Williams both did a respectable job with the ball.

I liked the play of both Weeden and Vaughen at quarterback. Tight ends and T Williams and Street showed up in the pass offense.

I don't know what to say about Parnell at this point. He is huge and should be a force, instead of a blocking action that gets pushed back towards the quarterback.

I hope that Malena is alright.

 

[Rogerthat12]

HUGE problem besides lack of pass rush, the defense can not stop the run!

Haynie was terrible!

 

[big dog cowboy]

• Judging any defense off the first preseason game always comes with hesitation. The Cowboys were without five projected opening starters.

Everyone slowly remove those hands off the panic button please.

 

[BAT]

Offense was putrid as well. My observation

Offense was most definitely vanilla. I think Linehan purposefully only called high percentage passing plays. Conservative and no risk.

 

[reddyuta]

I think Mtichell played well but NFL refs will call minute contact especially in the red zone unless you are a superstar DB.he needs to be aware of his hands at all times.

 

[waving monkey]

Offense was putrid as well. My observation

can you explain if it was putrid in the first half?