Last night was a brilliant success. Not a single ow-ey to report, other than a mild "concussion" for Weeden that looked more like crying "uncle". Health was the ONLY thing that really mattered last night.
The roster is set outside of 2-3 spots that might have some dudes come in via trade or roster cuts. The coaches have seen what they need to see by now from this lot. The only questions I see are Harwell-vs-Street, Gardner-vs-Edwards, Hanna-vs-Swaim, and Vaughn-vs-Showers. ('Both' could be the answer to some of those.) I cut Weems, Terrell McClain (Coleman and Bishop look good), Heath, and Wetzel.
Randy Gregory is a freaking stud. Instant star. Corey White was a great signing. Escobar is ready to up his game. THIS TEAM WILL FINALLY HAVE A PASS RUSH. Collins will likely have to be the swing tackle because Weems blows. Deep safety remains a concern that hopefully White or Byron Jones can solve. Swaim and Russell are keepers, and fantastic draft picks. The backup QBs all stink. McFadden has a nice burst, and Randle looks quick, but we'll see.
All's good in Cowboys world. What remains is two mildly important quarters this week against Minnesota.
The crappy 49ers ventured off the preseason reservation last night, running all sorts of blitzes and advanced coverages defensively. They learned nothing about their team, but they won a game for the home crowd, hoping that might get rid of a few more empty seats early in the season. They're in for a last-place finish in that division. Dallas just slept-walked to the finish.
Bad teams win preseason games. Good ones just try to survive them.
Packers-Steelers showed the danger of preseason in high definition yesterday, losing critical players for long stretches, if not he entire year. So far, all's quiet on that front around here. Knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood.
So that brings us back to this week. A really good first quarter on Saturday night, and preseason is over for Dallas. Might take two quarters to get that mojo feeling needed to carry forward. But that's it. No more football for anybody of substance, please, after the dog-and-frisbie show during pee break on Saturday.
I'm hoping for three moves by opening week.
1. If anybody cuts a good punt returner, sign him. Whitehead can be stashed on the practice squad, but I don't trust him yet. Kickoff returner isn't worth the trouble because so few of them actually happen. Just take knees in the end zone.
2. Get a gunner. Not sure who that is on this roster currently, but it needs to be better. There has to be somebody out there better than what is here.
3. Trade for Zach Mettenberger. I think this guy can play, and he'd be a good future investment for post-Romo, not to mention a legit backup for now. This would be costly, as in perhaps a second-round pick and a good player. Tennessee is reluctant to release him, I'm sure, and other teams are interested, no doubt. Dallas needs a true future QB, and he looks like a good candidate. Reminds me of Tannehill.
One more week's trudging to go. Granted, getting to Week One healthy doesn't mean the Cowboys won't get hurt, but at least they'll get hurt when it matters. Preseason has long outlived its usefulness.
Work hard and stay healthy, Boys.
