CFZ Training Camp Predictions

[rambo2]

They should have brought in a 4th QB to compete. So much for Jerry's lip service about drafting a QB.

100 percent disagree.

 

[Kingofholland]

I’m not a big fan of TC only because the hype far exceeds reality. But it’s football and I’m glad to see that oblong pigskin return for a hopefully great 2023 Cowboys season. For those of you who do enjoy training camp and pre-season games, more power to you. I just don’t get too excited until the real games begin. But I respect those who do enjoy.

Here are my predictions for 2023 Cowboys TC, some tongue-in-cheek of course, some serious.

• Jerry will get choked up tomorrow at some point along with setting a new world record for number of “uhs” spoken during his annual “State of the Cowboys” presser (time waste). And Stephen will giggle a lot.
• Several guys who will probably never play a meaningful down of NFL football will be raved about as “having a great camp” by beat writers, Jerry and a few coaches and players. Then get cut in early Sept.
• Deuce Vaughn will impress at TC, make some big plays in pre-season games, and become an actual legit offensive weapon during the regular season.
• Jalen Tolbert will look better than last year, make the team but remain buried in the depth chart.
• Mazi Smith will start slow. But by mid-season he will be playing 80% of the defensive snaps.
• The offense will look sluggish at first. Fans will overreact. Patience required.
• The Cowboys will lose the first PS game. It has become an annual event. Doesn’t matter anyway. We haven’t won a pre-season game opener since 2017, lol. And it means nothing anyway!
• Fans will waaaaaaaay overreact to what they see in PS games. (PS games rarely indicate much of anything regarding how the team will perform when it matters)
• This is a guarantee: We will see very plain vanilla offense and defense during ps games. Because teams don’t game plan and want to hide what they really want to do when it matters.

If you enjoy TC and pre-season games, I respect that. I hope you can equally understand why I care so little. Other than learning what some of our rookies and backups can do, most of what this team will be will remain hidden until the live bullets begin flying on Sun night, Sept. 10th in New York. For that, I will be genuinely excited.

I can see those things happening. I still find training camp interesting, though not a ton of big battles this year for big playing time spots. To me these are the most intriguing battles.

TE: There's 3 guys that have a chance at this spot and should be a fun battle. I give the edge to Fergueson, but we'll see.
K: Neither Aubry and Vizcaino may make the team, edge to Vizcaino. However, don't know if either will have the consistency above 50 yards which may prompt the Cowboys to look at other options.
DT: Cowboys added some much needed help with Mazi, but could see him spelling Hankins to start the season as well.
OLB: clarke likely wins this spot but Overshown and Cox will be in the mix. Land may quickly turn into everyone's favorite pet cat. I dont think he'll win a starting job, but a roster spot is a strong possibility.
RB2: Vaughn, Jones, Davis, or someone else? Upside wise Vaughn looks like the obvious choice, but someone that can grind out tough yards and has experience like Jones probably gets first crack at the spot. On the opposite side I also wouldn't be shocked if Jones was also cut. Though it's a backup/relief role this battle will probably attract as much attention as the TE and K spots.
Swing Tackle: May not get the attention of other positions but a critical one, especially with Tyron. It's likely Ball or Waletzko. I think this is a role the Cowboys have a close eye on the waiver wire for or an end of camp trade. Ball played admirably in minimal snaps last year, slight edge to Ball.

 

[Bobhaze]

So, if there are many fans that say they do not like PS games and can care less about TC.
Why are they here posting about it, just to tell us they don't like it?

Why waste your time and ours telling us you don't like it?

We should all let fans have their opinions. I get it that lots of fans love TC and PS games. That’s cool. I understand why. And conversely, shouldn't we also allow fans who don’t love it to express what they don’t like about it? Lots of great Cowboys fans see things differently. Fans expressing honest opinions isn’t a waste of time. It’s what makes this place hum. IMO…

 

[jazzcat22]

100 percent disagree.

Why?

My reasons why they need to.

Save wear and tear on Dak's arm. Do we really want to chance his arm becoming sore? I know in 2021 it was an issue. But not last year, that we knew of. But better to be safe than sorry.
Rush will be the back up for sure, so he and Grier may get many reps, as all 3 need to, so the new 30% gets instilled in them. But how much do they truly need.

However, a 4th QB can give them all some rest at times, and then you may find a gem, that can develop too at least be a back up.
Are they really going to risk just Rush and Grier in the 3rd PS game? Use a 4th QB to play the 2nd half, see what he can do.

 

[rambo2]

Why?

My reasons why they need to.

Save wear and tear on Dak's arm. Do we really want to chance his arm becoming sore? I know in 2021 it was an issue. But not last year, that we knew of. But better to be safe than sorry.
Rush will be the back up for sure, so he and Grier may get many reps, as all 3 need to, so the new 30% gets instilled in them. But how much do they truly need.

However, a 4th QB can give them all some rest at times, and then you may find a gem, that can develop too at least be a back up.
Are they really going to risk just Rush and Grier in the 3rd PS game? Use a 4th QB to play the 2nd half, see what he can do.

They don't need a 4th qb to give them rest. If they did they would get one. Grier needs all the reps that he can get.

 

[jazzcat22]

We should all let fans have their opinions. I get it that lots of fans love TC and PS games. That’s cool. I understand why. And conversely, shouldn't we also allow fans who don’t love it to express what they don’t like about it? Lots of great Cowboys fans see things differently. Fans expressing honest opinions isn’t a waste of time. It’s what makes this place hum. IMO…

I was mostly joking. I know why, and that is ok. I understand it. I was not saying for them not to have an options. Just wanted to point out how funny it is.
It just reminds me at times, fans chime in on an article without really reading it. Or what they post is angst, against the teams when the article has nothing to do with their angst.

For example ... the article is about new cheerleader outfits, and someone says, ...it doesn't matter, because the team won't get to the SB anyway...
And yet, now, someone will post ...that would be a correct statement...

 

[jazzcat22]

They don't need a 4th qb to give them rest. If they did they would get one. Grier needs all the reps that he can get.

Grier is not the answer, he needs some competition. IMO.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

With you on this, the TEs in that league are incredible.

 

[rambo2]

Grier is not the answer, he needs some competition. IMO.

Competition for what?

 

[Jimbo123]

They should have brought in a 4th QB to compete. So much for Jerry's lip service about drafting a QB.

They should've drafted Will Levis.

 

[rambo2]

They should've drafted Will Levis.

Bs. Mazi Smith was the right pick.

 

[ESisback]

So, if there are many fans that say they do not like PS games and can care less about TC.
Why are they here posting about it, just to tell us they don't like it?

Why waste your time and ours telling us you don't like it?

Or you telling us you don’t like the complaints? Or me, complaining about you complaining about others complaining? Technically, there’s no end to it!

 

[Jimbo123]

They should've drafted Will Levis.

Or Nolan Smith

 

[jazzcat22]

Competition for what?

For 3rd string QB. Come on, you know that.
I am not being negative about it all, just want some competition in there.

 

[jazzcat22]

Or you telling us you don’t like the complaints? Or me, complaining about you complaining about others complaining? Technically, there’s no end to it!

I was not complaining. I was just pointing out a fact. And making fun of it.

 

[rambo2]

For 3rd string QB. Come on, you know that.
I am not being negative about it all, just want some competition in there.

The competition is between Rush and Grier. They like what they have

 

[jazzcat22]

The competition is between Rush and Grier. They like what they have

And this is why they have been what they have been.
They always spew about improving the roster….except at QB … no I am not knocking Dak…..

 

[ESisback]

I was not complaining. I was just pointing out a fact. And making fun of it.

If you disagree with someone’s view, and say so, many would call it a complaint, right?

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I wonder why there are no joint practices scheduled. The Cowboys are 1 of only 4 teams with no joint practices scheduled. You would think it would really benefit the rookies. oh well, it probably would cost the team more money.

It's funny that the Players Union will allow joint practices and scrimmages, but fights for fewer preseason games. It's still live action and is just as likely to end up with injuries.

 

[jazzcat22]

If you disagree with someone’s view, and say so, many would call it a complaint, right?

Depends on that person. Some would say they agree to disagree.