CFZ Thoughts/observations/opinions about yesterday's game

[Big D]

To improve the blocking. To make Dak better he needs better blocking. To improve the run game and allow the RB's to get wider.

If we wanted a tight end to block we should have taken Washington IMO. Ferguson is a going to be the starter for a while.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Offense

-We were playing backups against their 1's to start the game. Certainly the OL struggled, but almost every backup line would. It's an issue around the entire league, lack of quality depth.
-Need to remember the WCO is more three step drops and fire, less time will be needed to protect.
-Thought Dowdle/Vaughn were far more explosive then Luek and Davis. Dowdle had a bad fumble, but looked real good. Really excited to see what MM will do with the likes of Pollard, Duece and Turpin within the offense. Think they will keep 3 at the RB position.
-Tolbert looked like a different player, made a terrific catch on the sideline with a very iffy pi call. Houston made some plays with the 3rd team. Simi had a few WR screens.
-Ferguson looked the part, Stephens made a few plays, think McKeon might be on the outside looking in.

Defense

-Thought both Overshown, Clark looked terrific, they might be the future tandem. Harper was also impressive. I think they are going with youth this year.
-Fowler, Sam looked good in limited snaps. I. Land was very disruptive, wonder if he might be a player they can hide on the PS squad.
-Mazi looked good against the run, but didn't show much as a pass rusher, this is expected early on in his career. What was surprising to me is to see both Gallimore/Golston playing late in the 4th quarter, this suggests both are on the bubble.
-Secondary struggled. The team needs another corner to emerge out of the group of Scott, Muku, Wright, Joseph-thought all of them struggled. Thomas the safety got the early interception and is making a strong case for a roster spot.

Special Teams

-Turpin has to protect the football, that is his #1 job. Cannot flip field position.
-Saw all the running backs play special teams, this is very important to be active on gameday.
-I can see why the team likes their new kicker, but he has to make all his makeable kicks. Missing an extra point wasn't good, but they will be patient with him.

Mazi was double teamed a lot and he plays the 1 tech. so we are not going to see a lot of stats from him. he will open up everybody else to make plays.

fumbles are concerning. if Dowdle has another fumble, he will end up on PS again.

 

[quickccc]

Mazi Smith logged just one tackle for the game, and the Jags rushed for 145 yards against us so how was he "good against the run"?

People are already making excuses for this guy who did not impress at all in his first outing. We got people saying, "don't expect Warren Sapp", but his draft spot and hype certainly warranted more noise than what he made yesterday.

It's a team .. not one man boxing .

.. did Mazzi give up ground in his spot while he was in the game ? .. i saw Jax going buck wild on the outside when we collapsed
on containment on the edges than Jax running it up the gut with Mazzi & co in the game.

in fact two of Jax's TDs were RPO fakes with the QB scarmpering " easily " into the end zone for TSs.

 

[quickccc]

If we wanted a tight end to block we should have taken Washington IMO. Ferguson is a going to be the starter for a while.

i believe Cowboys took Washington off their draft board because of medical red flags

i would like to think Cowboys liked Schoon physical tools and speed ( 4.63) to think he could bloom into a impact catchng TE ..rather than just drafting a blocking TE so high in the draft.

 

[nyc-cowboy]

i believe Cowboys took Washington off their draft board because of medical red flags

Since when did that stop them.

 

[gimmesix]

-I can see why the team likes their new kicker, but he has to make all his makeable kicks. Missing an extra point wasn't good, but they will be patient with him.

He does have kind of a smooth stroke. It almost looks effortless. He said he rushed the extra point that he missed, so let's see if he learns from it.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

I’m not sure why they went out and got Schoonmaker. Fergs is fully capable of being the #1 TE. The kid is pretty darn good and feisty.

I think Hendershot is a JAG. So drafting a TE did make sense to me. When we all see Tony and Deuce running the ball averaging 5-6 yards per carry, behind Ferg, Tyron, Tyler, Biadasz, Zach, Steele and Shoon, we'll see why they drafted him so high. That's what I'm hoping at least.

 

[Cowboyny]

He does have kind of a smooth stroke. It almost looks effortless. He said he rushed the extra point that he missed, so let's see if he learns from it.

He is still a green kicker, being a former soccer player with limited football experience. Has the tools, now has to show consistency

 

[Cowboyny]

Mazi was double teamed a lot and he plays the 1 tech. so we are not going to see a lot of stats from him. he will open up everybody else to make plays.

fumbles are concerning. if Dowdle has another fumble, he will end up on PS again.

If they have Mazi on the field in passing situations, he is going to have to at least push the pocket.

 

[CCBoy]

Offense

-We were playing backups against their 1's to start the game. Certainly the OL struggled, but almost every backup line would. It's an issue around the entire league, lack of quality depth.
-Need to remember the WCO is more three step drops and fire, less time will be needed to protect.
-Thought Dowdle/Vaughn were far more explosive then Luek and Davis. Dowdle had a bad fumble, but looked real good. Really excited to see what MM will do with the likes of Pollard, Duece and Turpin within the offense. Think they will keep 3 at the RB position.
-Tolbert looked like a different player, made a terrific catch on the sideline with a very iffy pi call. Houston made some plays with the 3rd team. Simi had a few WR screens.
-Ferguson looked the part, Stephens made a few plays, think McKeon might be on the outside looking in.

Defense

-Thought both Overshown, Clark looked terrific, they might be the future tandem. Harper was also impressive. I think they are going with youth this year.
-Fowler, Sam looked good in limited snaps. I. Land was very disruptive, wonder if he might be a player they can hide on the PS squad.
-Mazi looked good against the run, but didn't show much as a pass rusher, this is expected early on in his career. What was surprising to me is to see both Gallimore/Golston playing late in the 4th quarter, this suggests both are on the bubble.
-Secondary struggled. The team needs another corner to emerge out of the group of Scott, Muku, Wright, Joseph-thought all of them struggled. Thomas the safety got the early interception and is making a strong case for a roster spot.

Special Teams

-Turpin has to protect the football, that is his #1 job. Cannot flip field position.
-Saw all the running backs play special teams, this is very important to be active on gameday.
-I can see why the team likes their new kicker, but he has to make all his makeable kicks. Missing an extra point wasn't good, but they will be patient with him.

This is called an after - action analysis and report. It is exactly what all teams have used for the past 20 years. They do focus attention and directions for use of personnel and scheme adjustment or directional changes.

The team is evaluating time on the field merit and positional roster contribution ability. The team will be arrived at in just this manner - in coaching and leadership applications. This is a strong tool on the professional side of things.

Oh yea, Jerry has been relying on imputs and evaluations from all sources over time. That being directed in just this type of analysis as well as applications.

Good insightful analysis.

The fumbles sometimes need more knowledge on the player level of how to anticipate weaknesses and vulnerable spots when they are occurring, not afterwards. Some tough fumbles this game.

The tight end group is building on what appears to be a strength holding group. They are young as a group as well as cheap, here and now. It is a solid help in the running game ...interesting to this fan, for sure.

 

[CCBoy]

I think Hendershot is a JAG. So drafting a TE did make sense to me. When we all see Tony and Deuce running the ball averaging 5-6 yards per carry, behind Ferg, Tyron, Tyler, Biadasz, Zach, Steele and Shoon, we'll see why they drafted him so high. That's what I'm hoping at least.

I'm enjoying watching Stephens right now also...

 

[G2]

The media is silent that Lawrence threw an opening INT verses camp bodies. I guess they're more concerned with Dallas practices.

 

[Einstein]

He was with the 3rd teamers playing in the 4th quarter. Think he and Jefferson are fighting for the final LB spot.

Jefferson outplayed him by far IMO...

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Actually if you have a good kickoff return team and a kicker who kicks the ball just short of the goal line you have a good opportunity to pin the other team inside the 20 yard line. Let’s see Bones and his Kickoff team earn their money. Most teams don’t want to return kickoffs. They want the ball at the 25 yard line. The don’t want to take the chance of a holding penalty either.

its about how much height the kicker can put under the ball to allow time for coverage team to make it down there. but you are right, if its just inside the 10 and high kick its good.

 

[Sandyf]

Taped the game and did the rewatch Sunday a couple of times. All in all it was a good start for a lot of the young players. I never get caught up in the score of preseason although always prefer to win. Turpin fumble and Dowdle fumble cost us points so sure they will work on securing the ball this week.

Our LB corp is going to be very, very good. So is the defensive backfield. Hard to say about the D line since didn't see Parsons or Lawrence and limited on some of the others but believe Smith and Hankins easily will handle the middle with Osa.

The O line is really missing Martin regardless of any other problem. Jerry is going to have to bite the bullet on this one. Dowdle did okay not so much for Davis. Vaughan I believe makes the 53 although wouldn't be surprised if he didn't and goes on the PS, little chance any other team will pick him up. I know no one wants to here this but Zeke is still working out in Dallas and seen in Oxnard so it shouldn't be surprised if they sign him after the preseason games or after the 1st game with the Giants.

WRs is going to be interesting case of who to try and stash on PS, right now Lamb, Cooks, Gallup, Tolbert, Turpin and Brooks seem like locks unless the last two have horrible last 2 preseason games.

TE is looking very good with Ferguson, Schoonmaker, Hendershot and Stephens. If they only keep 3 then I think Stephens could beat out Hendershot. Stephens reminds me a lot of Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow with his size, speed and coordination.

 

[kskboys]

i believe Cowboys took Washington off their draft board because of medical red flags

i would like to think Cowboys liked Schoon physical tools and speed ( 4.63) to think he could bloom into a impact catchng TE ..rather than just drafting a blocking TE so high in the draft.

Speed like Witten's(4.64)?

 

[75boyz]

I thought the overall linebacker position, both starter and now depth, appears to be fast ascending imo.

Captain Obvious's, for me, were Tolbert looking better and Nahshon Wright's competence as well showed, at least compared to last year.

Would have liked to have seen more 3rd down pressure from our d-line depth. Made coverage look worse than it was. Land showed up a couple of times though.

While in the minority, I prefer some traditional downhill running elements of past offenses. The WCO and its short passing game supposedly being an extension of the run game aint my cup of tea personally. But I guess McCheese thought he had to do something.

jmo

 

[Creeper]

I finally had a chance to watch the game on the NFL Network replay. But for some reason they cut out a few of the Cowboys offensive series. That annoyed me.

In any case

Offense

-We were playing backups against their 1's to start the game. Certainly the OL struggled, but almost every backup line would. It's an issue around the entire league, lack of quality depth.
-Need to remember the WCO is more three step drops and fire, less time will be needed to protect.
-Thought Dowdle/Vaughn were far more explosive then Luek and Davis. Dowdle had a bad fumble, but looked real good. Really excited to see what MM will do with the likes of Pollard, Duece and Turpin within the offense. Think they will keep 3 at the RB position.
-Tolbert looked like a different player, made a terrific catch on the sideline with a very iffy pi call. Houston made some plays with the 3rd team. Simi had a few WR screens.
-Ferguson looked the part, Stephens made a few plays, think McKeon might be on the outside looking in.

Defense

-Thought both Overshown, Clark looked terrific, they might be the future tandem. Harper was also impressive. I think they are going with youth this year.
-Fowler, Sam looked good in limited snaps. I. Land was very disruptive, wonder if he might be a player they can hide on the PS squad.
-Mazi looked good against the run, but didn't show much as a pass rusher, this is expected early on in his career. What was surprising to me is to see both Gallimore/Golston playing late in the 4th quarter, this suggests both are on the bubble.
-Secondary struggled. The team needs another corner to emerge out of the group of Scott, Muku, Wright, Joseph-thought all of them struggled. Thomas the safety got the early interception and is making a strong case for a roster spot.

Special Teams

-Turpin has to protect the football, that is his #1 job. Cannot flip field position.
-Saw all the running backs play special teams, this is very important to be active on gameday.
-I can see why the team likes their new kicker, but he has to make all his makeable kicks. Missing an extra point wasn't good, but they will be patient with him.

I finally had a chance to watch the game on the NFL Network replay. But for some reason they cut out a few of the Cowboys offensive series. That annoyed me.

In any case, I tend to agree with your assessments of the offense. Farniok got bullied on consecutive plays in one series. Since he was a rookie I noticed he struggles getting back into a good steady blocking foundation in pass protection, and if the DT gets into his chest he is finished. Apparently he has not improved on that. He could be playing his way off the team. But his run blocking is good enough if he has to start during the season. Asim Richards went in to play LG later in the game I thought he was better. Maybe he is the backup LG. But he was playing against backups so it is hard to say. He just seems like a better pass blocker than Farniok, who I still think is a C, not guard. I noticed later in the game they had Faniok getting help from the C on pass plays. Waletzko and Ball need more development. But as I said in another post. If one of these backups has to play they will be okay. If 3 of them have to play due to injuries or holdouts,, they are in big trouble.

For a makeshift OL, they did okay. They had some breakdowns. That was to be expected. The first sack came on a blitz and was actually Malik Davis's fault. He missed his blocking assignment and allowed the safety to into the backfield.

Which Brings me to the RBs. I like Davis, but I think Dowdle and Vaughn will be fine. I don't know if they will carry Luepke too but I want to see more of him the next two preseason games. Maybe if they keep Davis as a return guy, they can cut Turpin and keep another young promising receiver.

I agree about the LBs. Overshown, Clark and Harper looked really good. Cox had a couple of solo tackles too but I did not see the speed he had when he was a rookie. The Cowboys have a good group of young LBs. They do not need a veteran for that group. Land also looks promising as a pass rusher, but I want to see him about first team players.

I couldn't really evaluate the secondary. Most of them were backups. I am not there yet on Eric Scott. He looked slow on his catchup speed to me. The rest of them looked inexperienced. Joseph didn't get much playing time but had 1 PD and no obvious screw-ups. He needs to shine I think.

I watched Mazi closely. He was okay. Not great but not bad. He is strong and held his ground. He had 1 play where he got shoved backwards on a QB sneak but that was an issue with pad level. He will fix that. I think he was tired having played so much. Osa looked really good. Gallimore looked okay but against backups. Same with Bohanna. I think one of Bohanna and Gallimore does not make the team. We'll see how that plays out.

The receivers are all backups so I can't say much. Tolbert had a good catch called back. Scrubs playing against scrubs doesn't sway me much. Turpin always looked like a kid from the stand stepped onto the field to me. He still does. I do not see what he brings to the table. I don't trust him as a receiver and what has he really done as a return guy?

Stephens looked good at TE but how many TEs can they keep? Is he a replica of Hendershot? Is he better than Hendershot?

Both QBs looked bad to me. A couple of picks dropped, one would have been a pick 6, a couple of bad sacks, staring down receivers, forcing ball into receivers. I saw a lot of bad things and I do not have a lot of confidence in either backup QB.

As for the game, overall it was well played for a first preseason game.

There were some good individual efforts and bright spots. Those are the guys to make the roster. The guys who don't do much or get beat a lot won't be there when the season begins. I saw enough to know the Cowboys do have quality depth at a few positions. But there are two more games to change my mind.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It's a team .. not one man boxing .

.. did Mazzi give up ground in his spot while he was in the game ? .. i saw Jax going buck wild on the outside when we collapsed
on containment on the edges than Jax running it up the gut with Mazzi & co in the game.

in fact two of Jax's TDs were RPO fakes with the QB scarmpering " easily " into the end zone for TSs.

we have had issues with containign outside runs for several years now. with Lawrence supposedly a good run stopper, not sure why that keeps happening.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I finally had a chance to watch the game on the NFL Network replay. But for some reason they cut out a few of the Cowboys offensive series. That annoyed me.

In any case

I finally had a chance to watch the game on the NFL Network replay. But for some reason they cut out a few of the Cowboys offensive series. That annoyed me.

In any case, I tend to agree with your assessments of the offense. Farniok got bullied on consecutive plays in one series. Since he was a rookie I noticed he struggles getting back into a good steady blocking foundation in pass protection, and if the DT gets into his chest he is finished. Apparently he has not improved on that. He could be playing his way off the team. But his run blocking is good enough if he has to start during the season. Asim Richards went in to play LG later in the game I thought he was better. Maybe he is the backup LG. But he was playing against backups so it is hard to say. He just seems like a better pass blocker than Farniok, who I still think is a C, not guard. I noticed later in the game they had Faniok getting help from the C on pass plays. Waletzko and Ball need more development. But as I said in another post. If one of these backups has to play they will be okay. If 3 of them have to play due to injuries or holdouts,, they are in big trouble.

For a makeshift OL, they did okay. They had some breakdowns. That was to be expected. The first sack came on a blitz and was actually Malik Davis's fault. He missed his blocking assignment and allowed the safety to into the backfield.

Which Brings me to the RBs. I like Davis, but I think Dowdle and Vaughn will be fine. I don't know if they will carry Luepke too but I want to see more of him the next two preseason games. Maybe if they keep Davis as a return guy, they can cut Turpin and keep another young promising receiver.

I agree about the LBs. Overshown, Clark and Harper looked really good. Cox had a couple of solo tackles too but I did not see the speed he had when he was a rookie. The Cowboys have a good group of young LBs. They do not need a veteran for that group. Land also looks promising as a pass rusher, but I want to see him about first team players.

I couldn't really evaluate the secondary. Most of them were backups. I am not there yet on Eric Scott. He looked slow on his catchup speed to me. The rest of them looked inexperienced. Joseph didn't get much playing time but had 1 PD and no obvious screw-ups. He needs to shine I think.

I watched Mazi closely. He was okay. Not great but not bad. He is strong and held his ground. He had 1 play where he got shoved backwards on a QB sneak but that was an issue with pad level. He will fix that. I think he was tired having played so much. Osa looked really good. Gallimore looked okay but against backups. Same with Bohanna. I think one of Bohanna and Gallimore does not make the team. We'll see how that plays out.

The receivers are all backups so I can't say much. Tolbert had a good catch called back. Scrubs playing against scrubs doesn't sway me much. Turpin always looked like a kid from the stand stepped onto the field to me. He still does. I do not see what he brings to the table. I don't trust him as a receiver and what has he really done as a return guy?

Stephens looked good at TE but how many TEs can they keep? Is he a replica of Hendershot? Is he better than Hendershot?

Both QBs looked bad to me. A couple of picks dropped, one would have been a pick 6, a couple of bad sacks, staring down receivers, forcing ball into receivers. I saw a lot of bad things and I do not have a lot of confidence in either backup QB.

As for the game, overall it was well played for a first preseason game.

There were some good individual efforts and bright spots. Those are the guys to make the roster. The guys who don't do much or get beat a lot won't be there when the season begins. I saw enough to know the Cowboys do have quality depth at a few positions. But there are two more games to change my mind.

thanks for the post. many different views, tend to provide the true picture.
I am with you on Turpin. I like the speed, but not sure outside of an end round and some jet sweeps what he brings to the table. he is good on returns, but last few games of last season and then this game he has fumble problems. perhaps he is not very strong in holding on to the ball and the league has figured that out, so they attack the ball.

I agree on the OL. backups to start with. first, there is a reason they are backups. but secondly, more than any other position, the OL works as a single unit. one failure and the whole thing fails. so each has to be graded on their individual performance. Farnoik looks weak. and still has technique issues. if he is getting pushed back, then its one, the other or both. he has to have a stronger base, and more lean. if he allows the DTs to get into his body, then he is going to lose leverage and get pushed back. if you are Smith then you can compensate some with strength and he doesn't have that neither.

I like the LB group. fast. side line to side line. size is a bit of concern. can they be ran on? maybe with Hankins, Mazi not up the middle, but we have to do a better job of containing the outside runs.

I think the true test for most players is when pads/helmets come on and its game speed. perhaps why Jalen Brooks and Scott looked good in training camp. they both may need a year in PS and year of practice. perhaps for Brooks it was nerves. lets see how he does in the next two games.

I am pretty much done with Fehoko. he is not doing anything spactacular to set himself apart.

having good TEs, as similar as they maybe, is not a bad thing. not sure if Stephens can make it through waivers if he keeps showing. he needs some seasoning. so not sure if we can get him on PS. he can create some mismtaches against the defense.