CFZ Thoughts/observations/opinions about yesterday's game

[Cowboyny]

I think it might be Hendershot on the outside looking in.

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

I think they are going to keep 4 TE's. Our linebackers look athletic and fast.

 

[Cowboyny]

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.

His job will be occupying multiple blockers to free others around him. If he is on the field in passing situations, pushing the pocket is what he needs to do.

 

[GORICO]

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 can agree with almost all your viewpoints

 

[Stash]

I think they are going to keep 4 TE's. Our linebackers look athletic and fast.

Ferguson, Schoonmaker, McKeon, Stephens.

 

[GORICO]

The Schoonmaker pick was them reaching for a perceived need with Schultz leaving. As it turns out, Ferguson looks like he is a player, Hendershot is a decent receiver, and Stephens is looking like he could be a steal. So we could have ignored the TE position and definitely drafted some OL help. But we didn't. So we need to work to find an answer. There are some vets out there that could help. Risner is still unsigned...not sure why unless he still has crazy demands. Justin Pugh posted a few months ago that he is close to being ready after suffering a knee injury early last year. We don't need a world beater, we just need someone that can come in and fill a role should we need it. None of the backup OL at this point appear ready to step in and be somewhat competent should a starter go down. And if the Martin holdout goes on into the season...it's a huge issue.

i hope this Martin holdout is only a clickbait game of Jerry...that in reality Martin will be back and more than ready for game 1 against those G-Women

if this holdout is real and goes into or past this season.....then Jerry needs to be forced into mental institution

 

[GORICO]

Ferguson, Schoonmaker, McKeon, Stephens.

where do you think we go "light"?

 

[KJJ]

Neither Malik Davis or Rico Dowdle did anything in the running. Davis only had 3 yards on 4 carries. If that continues next week the Cowboys might consider making a move to try and bolster the running attack. Turpin didn’t exactly get off to a good start. Had he got off to that start last preseason he might not have made the team.

 

[KJJ]

Ferguson, Schoonmaker, McKeon, Stephens.

I don’t see the Cowboys moving on from Hendershot. He showed some potential last season.

 

[Stash]

where do you think we go "light"?

At this point, I don’t think they’re going to keep Luepke on the 53. So I’d say three RB’s and 4 TE’s. But that could still change.

 

[Creeper]

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.

Thank you! That is very kind and unexpected. Part of the enjoyment of watching football and the Cowboys is watching individual players. It is a more intricate process than most sports because everyone s moving at the same time doing different things in football. I enjoy it a lot.

 

[Jarv]

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

I did not know tht, thanks!

 

[75boyz]

Thank you! That is very kind and unexpected. Part of the enjoyment of watching football and the Cowboys is watching individual players. It is a more intricate process than most sports because everyone s moving at the same time doing different things in football. I enjoy it a lot.

No problem man.
You, along with maybe 2 or 3 others at most here, are very good at sharing strictly player based football opinions with your reasoning behind it.
You don't get caught up in all the other personal agendas found here as even I'm guilty of.

Much respect.

 

[Jarv]

Ferguson, Schoonmaker, McKeon, Stephens.

I would keep Hshot over McKeon.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

that was my point, with Fergy, Schoon, Hendershot, they can be more of a downfield threat.

I still take a TE matched up against a saftey in running game. some safties as you said Kearse and Wilson can be good tacklers near the LOS, that's why they are the hybrid kind Quinn likes, but most aren't built that way

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

so for example dorance can be a low end starter. so a back up for a starter kind of a deal. Dorance will never be a high end DE, but can play decently.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Ferguson, Schoonmaker, McKeon, Stephens.

I doubt McKeon, but probably Hendershot. they will evaluate Stephens and decide if he can make it through waivers and put him on PS. if they don't think he will, then they may keep him as he will be inactive on game days....he needs a season of learning the position. right now his natural ability is giving him an edge, but that's against 2nd and 3rd stringers. I am not saying he is Rico...but remember Rico

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I don’t see the Cowboys moving on from Hendershot. He showed some potential last season.

Yeah, think McKeon may be the odd man out here. Stephens showing something out there so that will be the battle for the final spot.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

so for example dorance can be a low end starter. so a back up for a starter kind of a deal. Dorance will never be a high end DE, but can play decently.

But no team would ever make that trade. An OL capable of starting is far more valuable than a DE capable of starting.

On the flip side, if Dallas sees a guy only as depth, why would they trade an actual contributor for him? It just doesn't make much sense.

 

[Stash]

I would keep Hshot over McKeon.

I can see an argument for either guy, but I think McKeon’s versatility and ability to play H-back might give him the edge. Certainly so if they don’t keep Luepke on the 53.

Just my opinion.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

that was my point, with Fergy, Schoon, Hendershot, they can be more of a downfield threat.

Not really. The league is littered with guys of the exact same skillset, there's only 6-7 TEs who defenses have to worry about vertically.

Kelce, Kittle, Andrews, Pitts, Geodert, Waller is basically it. Any other big plays to TEs are generated by blown coverages or by mismatches created when WRs take safeties away.