Rewatched game and one thing really stood out

[dallasdave]

One thing that stood out to me was McFadden. He goes down so quick and really doesn't have any wiggle. I also think he doesn't have good vision.

I would rather go with Alfred Morris. He deserves it more.

Morris and Smith both showed more than MCFadden.

 

[dallasdave]

I actually watched it again this afternoon. Moore still looks like Opie.

He was happy, Aunt Bee said she would make him an apple pie if his team won the game !!!

 

[Blackspider214]

Also noticed the patented flat Garrett-run team come out and be outexecuted out of the gate. Of all the ups and downs with Garrett, this is one things that's never changed.

This is a huge reason Garrett fails in the playoffs. We come out of the gate flat as can be and get early deficits. We were able to make it up against an inferior Detroit team at home but not against GB.

 

[Blackspider214]

Re-watching now. What stands out so far is Brice Butler and Rico Gathers. Kellen Moore may have gotten too much flak also - decent back-up out there. And La'el Collins looks strong and able at RT. And now Alfred Morris looking lean and mean fighting for a job - A+.

Everything you named is about the offense and that troubles me after this game. There was not one redeeming quality about the defense the other night. Yes, it was our backups but I think the first few drives, that is pretty much our starting secondary. No pass rush to be found, zero playmaking ability and just looks flat all the way around. But for some reason, we will hear yet again how much of a genius Marinelli is.

 

[75boyz]

One thing that stood out to me was McFadden. He goes down so quick and really doesn't have any wiggle. I also think he doesn't have good vision.

I would rather go with Alfred Morris. He deserves it more.

Totally agree, he should be 3rd or 4th (depending on coaches view of Smith)
To me it seems if no gaping hole is initially opened he looks very limited laterally and as you said lacks vision.
Oh yeah and the fall down thing at hint of slightest contact kinda bothers me too.

 

[Fletch]

People complaining about the lack of playmaking in the HoF game.

Yikes.

Bump!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Everything you named is about the offense and that troubles me after this game. There was not one redeeming quality about the defense the other night. Yes, it was our backups but I think the first few drives, that is pretty much our starting secondary. No pass rush to be found, zero playmaking ability and just looks flat all the way around. But for some reason, we will hear yet again how much of a genius Marinelli is.

It was preseason! Just lineup and play. Far too much handwringing over the first of five preseason games. Good Lord.

 

[Tabascocat]

It was preseason! Just lineup and play. Far too much handwringing over the first of five preseason games. Good Lord.

Imagine if we lost

 

[jaybird]

Beating a dead horse at this point, since the league clearly has no plans to address the issue, but officiating on the Cardinals first drive was absolutely abysmal. On each of their outside runs the edge was sealed by a blatant hold. On three separate runs an interior defender was dragged down from behind ala Irving in the NFCC.

I'm hoping this is just refs working out the kinks too, but it's was pretty bad.

I only watch these games to get a glimpse of individual performance of new guys. To evaluate anything by how a (not even) a preseason game plays out is just silly. Collins did ok, Taco look like he had dead legs, RIco shows improvement, Brice was encouraging etc etc

 

[CWR]

Also noticed the patented flat Garrett-run team come out and be outexecuted out of the gate. Of all the ups and downs with Garrett, this is one things that's never changed.

I hope we can change it up and show some variety out of the gates this year. Guaranteed the Giants will be playing the run our first series.

 

[Iron_Man]

Skipper was holding often and didn't get called for it.

He looks decent as a player but they'll have to brwak him of that habit.

My assumption is that the refs know the game would last forever if they called a tight game considering the extreme lack of experience by these players.

Very well said sir...

 

[CowboyRoy]

The thing that stood out most to me was the lack of playmaking ability on the defense.

Year after year I keep expecting someone to step up and make plays and it never happens. We don't cause fumbles, we don't get interceptions and sacks are almost nonexistent.

Who on the defense that played did you expect play making from? Rookies? Jeff Heath? Jones?

 

[Redball Express]

That bothered me too, but when I looked at who played in the front seven, it didn't matter much. Most of these guys wont see extensive action. Some won't see any.

They just had one week of practice and they were playing the 2nd and 3rd string starters of the Cards.

Not sure that's enough to judge but you maybe right.

 

[LocimusPrime]

The triple hammer

Yes sir. Triple hammer of truth

 

[dallasdave]

Yes sir. Triple hammer of truth

 

[JD_KaPow]

Also noticed the patented flat Garrett-run team come out and be outexecuted out of the gate. Of all the ups and downs with Garrett, this is one things that's never changed.

That's a pretty strange accusation, considering the 2016 Cowboys were:
3rd in the league in points allowed in the first quarter (3.4 per game), and
8th in the league in points scored in the first quarter (5.4 per game).

Both those numbers are pretty close to how they played over the full game, where they were 5th in each category, so a little better on D in the first quarter and a little worse on O, but really within the noise.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Also noticed the patented flat Garrett-run team come out and be outexecuted out of the gate. Of all the ups and downs with Garrett, this is one things that's never changed.

Also noticed his team won, like it did thirteen times last season.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Morris is a terrible blocker and terrible receiver. That's not good for a backup RB.

That is not a good excuse for keeping McFadden over Morris. If Zeke is out, would rather have a good runner or a good blocker? I think it's stupid when you hear that as an excuse. This RB can block and catch but can't run worth a darn, but we're keeping him over the running back who can run the heck out of the ball but is not a great blocker. That make no sense.

 

[Idgit]

That is not a good excuse for keeping McFadden over Morris. If Zeke is out, would rather have a good runner or a good blocker? I think it's stupid when you hear that as an excuse. This RB can block and catch but can't run worth a darn, but we're keeping him over the running back who can run the heck out of the ball but is not a great blocker. That make no sense.

I think it makes a lot of sense. Morris is the guy you want running the ball if Zeke goes down for an extended period of time. But he doesn't pass protect well, and you can't use him in the passing game, and he doesn't give you anything on STs. So any situation where Zeke is in the lineup, he's a liability in that he takes up a roster spot but can't be used. McFadden, on the other hand, is a change of pace for Zeke, and can be used on all three downs. He also gives you backup return potential on STs. The same goes for Smith, if he can demonstrate that he can give you what you need in a reserve capacity.

Besides that, a RB isn't actually running the ball most of the time he's on the field. Even in Dallas. You can't just discount what they do in the passing game. A blown RB pickup from Murray sidelined Romo a few years back. And we're pretty obviously putting an emphasis on using Elliott more in the running game this season. So, again, if he goes down, you lose that, which takes a lot out of your offense.

Weigh all that against the differential Morris gives you rushing the football over what McFadden gives you, multiplied by the likelihood that you'll even need him....there's not a good reason to keep Alfred Morris on the roster.

Which sucks, because he's a good running back and a great teammate. But it's true. So, you try to feature him with the #1 OL on the off chance somebody needs him later in the preseason as a potential starter--either for a team dealing with a suspension or something of their own, or a situation like in MIA where you might lose a RB for a period (though it looks like Ajayi will be back, after all). If you can flip him for a late conditional pick, that's a win.

 

[xwalker]

That is not a good excuse for keeping McFadden over Morris. If Zeke is out, would rather have a good runner or a good blocker? I think it's stupid when you hear that as an excuse. This RB can block and catch but can't run worth a darn, but we're keeping him over the running back who can run the heck out of the ball but is not a great blocker. That make no sense.

That's not really the comparison.

Nobody really knows which one would be the better runner at this point. Morris didn't look that good in regular season opportunities that he has received with the Cowboys.

If it's close on rushing ability, then blocking and receiving become very relavent.