this is what i wrote after watching every play four times for the website
http://www.cowboysportsblog.com/app...ress-rehearsal-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-
GOOD
Kickers
I can’t remember the last time the Cowboys were 3-3 on field goals during a single game. Although none of the kicks were from 45+ yards, that isn’t where the kickers have historically struggles. It’s important that the kickers can hit the must-have chip shots.
Jesse Holley and Manny Johnson
Jesse Holley had his best game as a pro. You could make the same case for Manny Johnson. The two combined for 5 catches and 100 yards. Holley had three huge catches for 51 yards and Johnson made two great catches in coverage for 49 yards. At this point it looks like the fifth receiver spot belongs to one of the two unless Radway has a monster game next week.
Orlando Scandrick with Confidence
I’ve been watching a lot of games from the past two years and after doing so, I see nothing that tells me that Terence Newman is significantly better than Orlando Scandrick if at all. Scandrick who is normally shy and suspect in down-field man coverage mad two fantastic one on one plays and didn’t get beat for more than 7 yards. This contract is starting to look really good. From another point of view, Terence Newman might want to hire a realtor.
First Line Protection
Despite starting eight different linemen throughout three games, Tony Romo has only been sacked one time. Romo hasn’t been hit much and has time to throw. Individually the players aren’t much to marvel at but as a unit these guys have played well. These guys have good awareness when it comes to helping out the player next to him when they have been beat. They haven’t been bad at opening holes either.
Dez Bryant Branching Out
The only on-field problem with Dez Bryant has been his inability to grasp the offense and to run a wide range of routes effectively. I like that two of his catches were a product of his ability to run routes in the middle of the field and to find the holes in zone coverage. For the first time in his career Bryant looked like an all-around receiver rather than just a dominating physical presence.
Sensabaugh Motivated
Gerald Sensabaugh signed a 1-year deal. He didn’t command the market that he hoped hewould last season and he’s looking to cash in next year. His motivation and energy is evident over the last two weeks. That’s my theory. It could be that he was hampered by having to babysit Alan Ball all last year. Whatever the cause might be, it seems like a light has come on for Sensabaugh
Backup Running Backs
This is one of those times that I’m really glad that I’m glad I’m not a general manager. DeMarco Murray, Tashard Choice, and Phillip Tanner all showed that they deserve a roster spot. They were all good running the ball and none of them failed in pass protection. They combined for 15 carries for 71 yards (4.7 ypc). Either Choice or Tanner won’t make the team. Jerry has said that they don’t plan to keep four backs. I wouldn’t be disappointed either way. This makes for a good storyline next week.
Kenwin Cummmings and Mike Balogun
These two linebackers were all over the field. Even though they combined for only 5 tackles, it seems like they were involved in every other play. There’s something to say about players who are always around the football. Cummings especially impressed me in special teams and in pass coverage.
Bend Don’t break
Even though the first defense was shaky, they only allowed 10 points. History shows that teams can make it to the superbowl while allowing a lot of yards as long as you pile up the takeaways and remain strong in the redzone (*see Saints and Cardinals). Despite an all-around poor defensive performance there’s something to be said about a defense that comes through when it matters. If it weren’t for a mistimed jump with pretty good coverage, the defense could’ve allowed even less points.
Victor Butler
Victor Butler looks like the future at the right outside linebacker spot. He pressured the quarterback multiple times and sacked the very athletic Joe Webb. He led the team in solo tackles for the second time this preseason as he remained stout against the run. Victor Butler, who has become the best pick of the 2009 draft, should see at least 30% of defensive snaps this year.
Jason Hatcher
Hatcher was without a doubt the best player of the front seven. Hatcher was simply all over the place. He had two sold tackles on two run plays, he made two great plays in pass coverage, including one that resulted in an interception, and he brought heavy pressure on two separate occasions. He’s one of those players whose light may have suddenly come on.
BAD
Josh Thomas
Thomas had three notable bad plays and three plays that were questionable. He was out of position several times and even when he had good coverage down the field, he failed to get his head around and make a play. He’s putting together a pretty bad preseason. He’s likely to make the roster as a fifth round pick but if I were making the decisions, I’d think twice about keeping six corners.
Kevin Kowalski
The rookie center didn’t play a very good game. He looked lost at times and made a few noticeable mistakes, especially on the sack of Romo. He wasn’t very physical and was kind of tip-toeing around rather than being a nasty player. He’s not a nasty player like Arkin or Nagy and his technique doesn’t make up for it. I haven’t seen enough to suggest he could be a starter if Gurode is traded.
No Touchbacks, Bad Coverage
There were zero touchbacks in this game and the Vikings averaged over 25 yards per kick return. The Boys also allowed an 18 yard punt return with a facemask penalty to make it a total of 33 yards. Jesse Holley had a bad game on special teams and only McCray and Cummings were good.
Matrellus Bennett the receiver
Bennett is getting a reputation as a dropper. When you are only targeted one time, as Bennett was, you can’t drop it. In this preseason, Bennett has three catches and two drops. I can’t say that those numbers are reassuring. Bennett is making it seem like he’ll never be the receiving threat he should be.
Third tackle battle
Jermey Parnell and Pepa Letuli both had bad games. These guys should be no higher than practice squad. They have very bad fundamentals and were the cause of several broken plays. We should all have a joint prayer that neither Doug Free nor Tyron Smith get hurt.
No three and outs until ponder
Good defenses get off the field. The Boys couldn’t force a three and out before the rookie third string quarterback came in. Even bad defenses get three and outs. There should be at least one drive where the opposing offense comes out slow. It’s certainly a cause for concern.
One big play this preseason from AOA
Owusu-Ansah probably won’t make the roster. The great athlete has one memorable play of the preseason and I don’t even really remember it. Based on his playing time, you can infer that the coaches don’t like him. I wouldn’t waste a roster spot on him.
Ugly
Ineffectiveness against run
Everyone knew that the Boys couldn’t stop the pass, now we have to worry about the run. The Vikings seemingly ran at will. It wasn’t Just Adrian Peterson either. The Boys have been at least average against the run over the last couple of years but after the Broncos gashing and the Vikings gashing, I’m officially worried about the run defense.
Middle of the field passes
The starting corners didn’t play but the rest of the defense was targeted more than the corners. McNabb, who loves to throw down the middle of the field, did so at will. Everyone will occasionally be beat down the field man-to-man but when you’re rushing four, there shouldn’t be passes completed between the backers and safeties.
First team inside linebacker play
As a group, the starting backers played the worse. They couldn’t cover a pass and they couldn’t tackle the backs. DeMarcus Ware was solid and so was Anthony Spencer but the inside backers were awful. For the first time, Bradie James looked old and slow. Sean Lee was not bad but he definitely wasn’t good. Keith Brooking made his preseason debut and it wasn’t a good one. Just about all of the big plays by the Vikings first team, both running and passing, went through those three backers.
