CFZ Thoughts/observations/opinions about yesterday's game

[75boyz]

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.

I enjoy your writing style. When pointing out your personal observations you make good balanced negative and positive comments. And you always support those comments with visibly logical reasons as to why that is your opinion.
You're always a good read.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

And who could we trade that is going to bring a starting level OL? Gallup? Fowler? Armstrong? Gallimore? Kearse? Turpin?

Gallup trade - saves 2.4m on cap, with 4.4m in dead money
Fowler - saves 2m, 1m dead cap
Armstrong - saves 5.75m, 1.5m dead
Kearse - saves 4.4m, 1.75m dead
Gallimore - saves 2.75m, .25m dead
Turpin - saves 870k, $0 dead

So from that group, Armstrong, Gallimore or Kearse would be the best bet. I doubt Gallimore would get us much...so Armstrong or Kearse.

There's no player on the roster they can realistically trade for a starting OL who is an upgrade to anything we already have.

 

[Cowboyny]

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.

I actually excited to see Turpin get more touches with the offense, get the ball to him in space and he can make some plays. Think our TE coach wants inter-changeable TE's where they can rotate and give the same production.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

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.

You can fair catch that and take it to the 25 now.

 

[Cowboyny]

Jefferson outplayed him by far IMO...

Jefferson is pretty much a jag with bad instincts. If Cox cannot outplay him, he isn't an NFL caliber player.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

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.

Because our LBers have been terrible.

I don't think people realize how bad Jaylon Smith was lol

 

[quickccc]

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.

Let's keep in mind that per preseason, these are backup bubble guys (and most in 3rd and 4th quarters) who most will not even be on 53 roster .

.For regular season, . I'd be super far more frustrated and discouraged if it were starters such as Parsons, Armstrong, and DLaw, and opposing teams were still running around. .and right thru us

 

[blueblood70]

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 agree with most of that it's a good write up the only thing I don't like is people keep talking about mozzy Smith as a pass rusher look go look at Hankins go look at Vince Wilfork, these are what you call nose tackles of the truest form they eat space they command double teams and sometimes more and they free up the stat line for the linebackers, safeties, and pass rushers..

these guys have less than 2 sacks per year for their entire career. That's the reality and that's the expectation it's gonna be hard to get a pass rush from the middle when you're being double teamed and your job is to make sure that those guys don't move or they get pushed back.. But they literally are supposed to just be a wall they're not gonna move much that means they're very rarely gonna get a sack very rarely gonna fill up a stat sheet he's impressive in that way that they already in a preseason game are putting two guys on him on every play and you saw that one play which I think is an anomaly that there were three guys on him that means he's strong enough to start the game that they're worried about him..

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree with most of that it's a good write up the only thing I don't like is people keep talking about mozzy Smith as a pass rusher look go look at Hankins go look at Vince Wilfork, these are what you call nose tackles of the truest form they eat space they command double teams and sometimes more and they free up the stat line for the linebackers, safeties, and pass rushers..

these guys have less than 2 sacks per year for their entire career. That's the reality and that's the expectation it's gonna be hard to get a pass rush from the middle when you're being double teamed and your job is to make sure that those guys don't move or they get pushed back.. But they literally are supposed to just be a wall they're not gonna move much that means they're very rarely gonna get a sack very rarely gonna fill up a stat sheet he's impressive in that way that they already in a preseason game are putting two guys on him on every play and you saw that one play which I think is an anomaly that there were three guys on him that means he's strong enough to start the game that they're worried about him..

Fully understand what a NT is, but the coaches feel like he has the potential to also rush the passer.

 

[blueblood70]

Fully understand what a NT is, but the coaches feel like he has the potential to also rush the passer.

I don't care what the front office thinks or the coaches we know what he is now and that's what he was drafted for I have no expectations as a pass rusher the thing he can do to affect the pass game though is to be standing those dudes straight up we know most quarterbacks do not like to have to move off their spot in the middle to get a clear line of sight to the wide receivers and if he stands those two dudes up and makes it tough that will be affecting the pass game as well we've got so many playmakers to pass rush from all areas both linebackers safeties and defensive ends that I think we're gonna be just fine not counting on MSmith to do this.

 

[Stash]

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 think it might be Hendershot on the outside looking in.

I like what I’m seeing from the young linebackers too.

 

[diamonddelts]

Who gives a shhh about preseason.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Because our LBers have been terrible.

I don't think people realize how bad Jaylon Smith was lol

Jaylon smith? or gimpy.... yes, he was bad. even in decision making.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

There's no player on the roster they can realistically trade for a starting OL who is an upgrade to anything we already have.

high back up quality?

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I actually excited to see Turpin get more touches with the offense, get the ball to him in space and he can make some plays. Think our TE coach wants inter-changeable TE's where they can rotate and give the same production.

and I can imagine our 2 or 3 TE sets. if Schoon, Ferguson can block and hendershot, then we can either go for a run, or pass depending on defensive personnel. if they go light with Safties to cover TEs, then we can run a little, if they go with LBs, then it favors the pass. gives us flexibility in 2, 3 TE sets.

 

[8FOR!3]

Yesterday was also our first look at the new offense and I thought play calling was good. Yes it was a preseason game so there's only so much to take from it but I liked the fact that we kept going to the Simi screens bc they were working.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Jaylon smith? or gimpy.... yes, he was bad. even in decision making.

His decision-making is what made him so terrible, not his foot. LVE has been wildly inconsistent in that regard. Clark was pretty slow to diagnose a lot of times last year too.

They just haven't had smart LBers.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

high back up quality?

Why would any team do that?

It would make no sense for any team in the league to trade a good backup OG for, say, Dorrance Armstrong.

 

[Cowboyny]

and I can imagine our 2 or 3 TE sets. if Schoon, Ferguson can block and hendershot, then we can either go for a run, or pass depending on defensive personnel. if they go light with Safties to cover TEs, then we can run a little, if they go with LBs, then it favors the pass. gives us flexibility in 2, 3 TE sets.

Yes, some nice run/pass options out of multiple TE sets.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

and I can imagine our 2 or 3 TE sets. if Schoon, Ferguson can block and hendershot, then we can either go for a run, or pass depending on defensive personnel. if they go light with Safties to cover TEs, then we can run a little, if they go with LBs, then it favors the pass. gives us flexibility in 2, 3 TE sets.

I think this is a little too idealistic. You can fill gaps with safeties and win the numbers game that way. Dallas does it all the time with Kearse/Wilson.

NFL teams are begging for a high volume of 2, 3 TE sets, because it's so difficult to generate big plays out of them. The majority of TEs just don't present enough of a vertical threat to create any kind of space for explosives.