CFZ Perspective on pre-season games

[ElGatoGrande]

Not sure there is any value watching these games, at least for me. I don't know what the coaching staff is trying to do or evaluate so it ends up being three hours of W.T.F.

Looking forward to the regular season, maybe.

yeah, generally I end up being disgusted with the bad football being played but I do like watching the new guys play too, so.... What I hope for is to see some flashes of talent.

 

[ArtClink]

It’s always good to see the return of football. We are now less than a month away from the start of real football - the regular season - when the games actually count.

Yesterday’s pre-season opener vs the rams was the unofficial start to the 2024 season. And typical of all pre-season football games it was a sloppy contest of FGs, poor execution, vanilla playbooks and only one touchdown between the two teams. For anyone wondering if yesterday’s game is any indication of what the 2024 team will be - thankfully it is not. Very few of the players we will be counting on when it matters most played yesterday.

So here’s some general truths about PS games to keep in mind…at least IMO:

• Under Mike McCarthy, most of the key starters this team will be counting on in the regular season will not be on the field in PS games. So it’s very hard to judge a team when so many key players aren’t playing.
• Usually no more than 25% of the playbook on both sides of the ball will be used. Coaches usually use the more vanilla portions of the playbook choosing to not reveal in particular any new wrinkles on both sides of the ball.
• Unlike the regular season, there is zero game planning done for these games.
• The matchups in PS games are usually just a pairing of backup players or even players at the end of the roster who will NEVER play a meaningful down of NFL football. Keep in mind many players who may make some good plays are often doing it against guys who won’t make an NFL roster.
• The primary purpose of PS games is to evaluate the margins of your roster and possibly evaluate key draft picks and their ability to integrate into the pro game.

If the Cowboys lose every pre-season game this August, it will probably reveal almost nothing about what kind of regular season we will have. It may reveal an occasional diamond in the rough or that someone we thought had great potential is not that good.

My hope for PS games: Let’s get through it with no major injuries. The games that really matter start in September.

I miss Cowboy's pre-season great, RB Beau Morgan!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Morgan
"Morgan was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1997 NFL draft on April 25. He dropped because of his two-year military commitment with the United States Air Force and the lack of a defined playing position. He was converted into a running back during training camp. He played in the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, making 3 receptions for 12 yards and 8 carries for 8 yards. He spent just over 2 weeks with the team and was placed on the reserve/military list on August 4.

In 1998, he spent 3 weeks in training camp. In the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, he had 16 carries for 53 yards (led the team), 2 receptions for 21 yards and a 24-yard kickoff return. In the second preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, he rushed 5 times for 27 yards (led the team). He was placed on the reserve/military list on August 12.

In 1999, he was released before the start of the season on September 5 and signed to the practice squad on September 7. He was placed on the injured reserve list with a foot injury on October 16.

In 2000, he was moved to safety during the preseason. He was released before the start of the season on July 13."

 

[Bobhaze]

I miss Cowboy's pre-season great, RB Beau Morgan!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Morgan
"Morgan was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1997 NFL draft on April 25. He dropped because of his two-year military commitment with the United States Air Force and the lack of a defined playing position. He was converted into a running back during training camp. He played in the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, making 3 receptions for 12 yards and 8 carries for 8 yards. He spent just over 2 weeks with the team and was placed on the reserve/military list on August 4.

In 1998, he spent 3 weeks in training camp. In the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, he had 16 carries for 53 yards (led the team), 2 receptions for 21 yards and a 24-yard kickoff return. In the second preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, he rushed 5 times for 27 yards (led the team). He was placed on the reserve/military list on August 12.

In 1999, he was released before the start of the season on September 5 and signed to the practice squad on September 7. He was placed on the injured reserve list with a foot injury on October 16.

In 2000, he was moved to safety during the preseason. He was released before the start of the season on July 13."

Don’t forget 2004-05 TC and PS game star Lousaka Polite!

 

[ArtClink]

Don’t forget 2004-05 TC and PS game star Lousaka Polite!

Lol, indeed!

 

[acr731]

You mean there are folks who think preseason records mean something?

Someone threw out Dak's 2016 preseason stats last night, so there's at least one person who thinks the preseason means something. Or maybe he was just trying to bash Lance. Who knows...

 

[Rockport]

Someone threw out Dak's 2016 preseason stats last night, so there's at least one person who thinks the preseason means something. Or maybe he was just trying to bash Lance. Who knows...

Big Nate said today, that they went 3-1 in preseason and thought they were the cat’s meow and then lost the first 6 or 7 games.