The Digs: In-Depth post-game wrap up of Cowboys preseason opener

[bsbellomy]

I believe Jalen would have made bis way to Safety. And even if he didn't his talent in th secondary would have made everyone's job easier.


As to heath.... I'm not as hard on the kid as some. But come on man. We are talking different level of prospects.

First, you don't draft a guy at 4 to play safety. The best safeties in the nfl weren't even close to that high. He also doesn't have the body to play safety.

Second, it doesn't matter who you put back there in the secondary if you are going to give the qb all day to throw. The way I'm looking at it, Ramsey would have been a waste of a pick based on how our current roster is composed.

 

[Stash]

Whatever, I had you on ignore for a reason, and decided to take you off as well, as others. Now I should put you back on it. and this board will be much better.

You do what you need to do. If you can't handle me disagreeing with you, you're better off putting me and everyone else who does it, on Ignore.

 

[tyke1doe]

Yeah, I don't think Wilcox makes the roster if he continues to play like he did Saturday. Here's my projection after the first preseason game:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks
Romo, Prescott
COMMENTS At least for the moment, Prescott has given Dallas reason not to get a veteran backup. That could change as the preseason progresses, but there was every reason to be impressed with Prescott on Saturday. Showers also had some good moments without much help from his blockers. The question here for me right now is if Dallas will keep a third quarterback if Prescott puts together similar performances to what we saw. It might be possible to put Showers back on the practice squad and save a roster spot for elsewhere.

Running backs
Elliott, Morris, McFadden, Dunbar
COMMENTS Morris looked capable of handling the backup role, which could make one of the other veterans expendable. However, I did not see enough from Jackson on Saturday to give him a spot ahead of them. He had some a few nice runs, so we'll see if he can build on that. If he can, Dunbar is most likely on the bubble unless someone offers a pick for McFadden.

Fullback
R. Smith
COMMENTS Rod gets the nod over Keith simply because he was the first fullback put into the game. I do like what he offers as a runner and receiver, but did not see anything to tell us he can help much as a blocker.

Tight ends
Witten, Hanna, Escobar, Swaim
COMMENTS Probably many are cutting Swaim after he dropped two passes Saturday, but his performance in camp buys him some leeway while Gathers is too much of a project to fit on the 53 at this point.

Wide receivers
Bryant, Williams, Beasley, Butler, Whitehead, Street
COMMENTS Street is probably the 53rd player on this 53 so his spot could easily go to another position or another receiver. However, he looked better Saturday than any of the other receivers possibly competing for a sixth WR spot.

Offensive line
Smith, Collins, Frederick, Martin, Free, Leary, Looney, Green
COMMENTS Street's spot could easily be used on another lineman because we usually like to go with nine. I just can't find a ninth linemen on the preseason roster worthy of making this team, and I'm not sure Green is worth, either. He did not look out of place, though, when he was in Smith's spot with the starters, but looked more and more shaky as the game went on. I will not be surprised if Dallas keeps cutting vets and bringing more in until it finds a suitable experienced tackle.

DEFENSE

Defensive line
Mayowa, T. Crawford, Thornton, Irving, Tapper, J. Crawford, Collins, T. McClain, Russell
COMMENTS Watching Russell play has me looking forward to Mayowa being cleared. We could be deep on the interior with Jack Crawford providing some valuable minutes, but we'll have to see how McClain and Collins look when healthy. Also, not getting to to see Tapper left us with fewer quality end options for Saturday's game, and it showed with Irving really being the only one who showed any consistency.

Linebackers
Lee, Hitchens, Durant, Gachkar, Wilson, Nzeocha, Wilber
COMMENTS Much like with the defensive line, Saturday's performance at linebacker should be looked at in light of Lee, Durant, Gachkar and Wilson all not playing. Lots of confusion and missteps by a group missing most of its veterans. Wilber should have played better regardless, but Wilber isn't on the team because he's a great linebacker, he's on the team for special teams. Nzeocha showed promise.

Cornerbacks
Scandrick, Carr, Claiborne, Brown, Olatoye
COMMENTS The Rams didn't challenge our starting corners much, even though we were without Scandrick. Brown looked like a rookie while Olatoye continues to show he's willing to attack the ball.

Safeties
Church, Jones, Heath, Frazier
COMMENTS Not really sure yet that we have a fourth safety worth keeping, but I do think Frazier is worth developing. I had hopes Wilcox might show some progress, but he actually seems to have regressed. It's hard to believe some thought he could challenge Church to be the starting strong safety. He just does not play with his head.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker
Bailey

Punter
Jones

Long snapper
Ladoceur

Nice write-up.

 

[jazzcat22]

Do us both a favor and and remove that stick you apparently have crammed up there and try to have a respectful adult conversation before this takes an ugly turn, OK?

I'm trying to have a civil debate on this topic.

Civil debate? You are crazy. As for the stick comment, shows that you are the uncivil one. Back on ignore list for you.

 

[jazzcat22]

You do what you need to do. If you can't handle me disagreeing with you, you're better off putting me and everyone else who does it, on Ignore.

It's not the disagreeing, it is the insults just like last time.

 

[UTmodisette]

It's not a knock on Elliott the player at all. It's about the return on such a huge investment and if the warranted expectations can possibly be met. If he and the running game aren't putting up HUGE numbers, the investment isn't worth it, especially given the needs elsewhere.

This part I understand completely, and I felt the same way going into the draft. The problem was that the positions that you do want to invest in with a top 5 pick were not as high quality as they have been in the past. There was no athletic freak pass rusher, or superstar QB, which I think Dallas would have drafted over Zeke. Corner and Left Tackle are the other positions to target, but Dallas doesn't need a tackle with Tyron Smith. Which obviously falls to Ramsey or Zeke, and I think Dallas and other front offices had worries that Ramsey might be a NFL safety instead of a corner. He will start out at corner, but I think he is a lot like Malcolm Jenkins, who transitioned to safety for the Eagles.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Jalen Ramsey will be a bust. You will be extremely happy that we did in fact draft that running back.

Can you share the winning lottery numbers while you're at it?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Name a successful RB after the 1st 2 rounds last year...all the RB's selected that fans wanted us to take didn't really do much. Doesn't mean they wouldn't have had success here, or even eventually with their current team. But it is just the way it falls.
Murray, had one great season with us, it's not like he was lighting the league on fire before then, nor last year either.
The titans traded for him, then what do they do, draft the 2nd best RB in the draft in Henry.

A "washed up" Dmac ran for over 1k yards and wasn't a starter until Halloween.

Comparing what RBs on other teams do verses what they'd do here is foolishness. Which is the exact point you're missing.

 

[jazzcat22]

Can you share the winning lottery numbers while you're at it?

5 - 9 - 21 - 82 - 88 -13
That is Bailey - Romo - Zeke - Witten - Dez...and I thew in 13 for LUCKy

 

[jazzcat22]

A "washed up" Dmac ran for over 1k yards and wasn't a starter until Halloween.

Comparing what RBs on other teams do verses what they'd do here is foolishness. Which is the exact point you're missing.

It is you that is missing the point...foolishly...

 

[CowboyRoy]

First, you don't draft a guy at 4 to play safety. The best safeties in the nfl weren't even close to that high. He also doesn't have the body to play safety.

Second, it doesn't matter who you put back there in the secondary if you are going to give the qb all day to throw. The way I'm looking at it, Ramsey would have been a waste of a pick based on how our current roster is composed.

right, but you draft a guy at #4 to play RB?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Can you share the winning lottery numbers while you're at it?

I could, but I won't.

 

[Stash]

Civil debate? You are crazy. As for the stick comment, shows that you are the uncivil one. Back on ignore list for you.

I am so hurt.

 

[Stash]

It's not the disagreeing, it is the insults just like last time.

What "insults"? You're the guy jumping down the throat of everyone who's disagreeing with you here.

Seriously, check yourself.

 

[UTmodisette]

right, but you draft a guy at #4 to play RB?

You do if you think he is the best player in the draft, and there aren't any other superstar pass rushers available. If you can agree that Ramsey might be a safety, which is also a devalued position, then which player do you think Dallas should have drafted? It sucks there weren't any superstar quarterbacks or pass rushers in this draft, but I'm just glad that Dallas didn't draft purely on position.

 

[Stash]

This part I understand completely, and I felt the same way going into the draft. The problem was that the positions that you do want to invest in with a top 5 pick were not as high quality as they have been in the past. There was no athletic freak pass rusher, or superstar QB, which I think Dallas would have drafted over Zeke. Corner and Left Tackle are the other positions to target, but Dallas doesn't need a tackle with Tyron Smith. Which obviously falls to Ramsey or Zeke, and I think Dallas and other front offices had worries that Ramsey might be a NFL safety instead of a corner. He will start out at corner, but I think he is a lot like Malcolm Jenkins, who transitioned to safety for the Eagles.

I think that again incorrectly presumes that you're stuck at #4 where I don't think that's the case at all.

 

[UTmodisette]

A "washed up" Dmac ran for over 1k yards and wasn't a starter until Halloween.

Comparing what RBs on other teams do verses what they'd do here is foolishness. Which is the exact point you're missing.

The point that you miss is the effect a great runningback would have on the Cowboys offense. McFadden had good rushing numbers because of the Oline, but he wasn't game planned for or feared by opposing defenses. When you have players like Dez Bryant, they make defenses have to account for them the whole game. Elliot has the talent to be that kind of guy, which will create a lot more space for the receivers and quarterback. McFadden does not.

 

[AKATheRake]

I know 1 thing.

Dez Bryant is a man amongst boys.

 

[CowboyRoy]

You do if you think he is the best player in the draft, and there aren't any other superstar pass rushers available. If you can agree that Ramsey might be a safety, which is also a devalued position, then which player do you think Dallas should have drafted? It sucks there weren't any superstar quarterbacks or pass rushers in this draft, but I'm just glad that Dallas didn't draft purely on position.

IF Ramsey isnt good enough to be a pro bowl caliber corner, then he probably wasnt the pick. Now is it because he isnt good enough or is it just because his skills are so diverse that safety is where he can take advantage of that? Tackling, pass rushing, ect.....ect.... were some of the things he did really well. If that kid could lead our defense and be a terror strong safety and make pro bowls for the next 8 years I take him at 5.

 

[UTmodisette]

It's called opportunity cost.

You can only dedicate so many resources to one facet of the game before the law of diminishing returns severely impact your net benefit.

True, but it's not like Dallas ignored defense in the draft. They spent 3 of their first 4 picks on defense this year, and they spent quite a few on defense in last year's draft too. Dallas had a chance to draft their top guy on the board at #4. Obviously you hope to have an evenly balanced collection of superstars on both sides of the field, but you don't look over elite talent because you are worried that worried about it.