Rapid reaction: Raiders 19, Cowboys 17
August, 9, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
OAKLAND -- The Dallas Cowboys lost their first preseason game of the season, 19-17, to the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on Friday night.
It was the debut of several key players including Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Demarcus Ware, Sean Lee and Dez Bryant among others. The first-team offense produced just three points and had a field goal blocked. The second-team offense picked up a touchdown and the special teams units struggled having a muffed punt, penalty and a long kickoff return.
Tony Romo makes his debut: After sitting out the preseason opener, quarterback Tony Romo made his debut against the Raiders. He completed 6-of-8 passes for 88 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Romo was sacked once. On the first possession of the game, Romo, with plenty of time, missed a wide open Miles Austin in the middle of the end zone and took a sack. But overall, Romo played well with the offensive line giving him time. He completed some good passes to Dez Bryant who caught three passes for 21 yards.
The red zone issues: Cowboys first-team offense had the ball at the Raiders 16, the result of a turnover. Cowboys failed to score, continuing a problem they had last season. Jason Witten was called for holding, Romo had a screen pass knocked down and he was sacked for a five-yard loss. Cowboys settled for a 38-yard field goal Cowboys got back in the red zone on second possession and on a third and 12 Romo threw a dump off pass to DeMarco Murray. But he came up just a yard short of the first down. Instead of going for it, coach Jason Garrett elected to kick a field goal, a 26-yarder which was blocked.
"It was good. We had couple penalties that put us in a hole that cost us some points, I think,” Romo said. “That is something that we are going to correct real fast. You just can't overcome that stuff in the redzone. Other than that, I thought the guys did a really good job and it's been going just how it was in training camp. It's been good.”
But the second-team offense was able to convert in the red zone as backup quarterback Kyle Orton found Cole Beasley down the seam for a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Kiffin’s defense making plays: The Cowboys have forced four turnovers the first two games of the preseason. Sean Lee forced a fumble when he hit Matt Flynn on the blitz and Jason Hatcher recovered the fumble. Safety J.J. Wilcox recorded an interception midway through the first half as Terrelle Pryor made a terrible throw on the run.
Ware plays defensive end: For the first time as a pro, DeMarcus Ware lined up exclusively at defensive end. Ware moved from outside linebacker to defensive end this season when the team moved to a 4-3 defensive alignment.
"Lining up at defensive end is easier,” Ware said. “You are down in the trenches. There is no difference than playing outside linebacker, you are out wide, but when you are in the six technique, there are a lot more techniques you have to work on. But I felt like I did really well for the first game."
B.W. Webb struggles: Webb, the fourth-round pick had a long night. The rookie muffed a punt in the fourth quarter leading to a field goal, missed two tackles and looked like he didn’t have much awareness on pass coverage. It’s only two preseason games, but Webb is off to a slow start.
Injuries: Beasley suffered a left foot injury in the third quarter and underwent x-rays. The results weren't available as the game came to a close.
Who didn’t play: Wide receiver Terrance Williams (concussion), guard Nate Livings (knee), guard Demetress Bell (conditioning test), guard Kevin Kowalski (knee), guard/center Ryan Cook (back), guard Ray Dominguez (shoulder), defensive tackle Jay Ratliff (hamstring), defensive end Anthony Spencer (knee), cornerback Morris Claiborne (knee), linebacker Alex Albright (back) and safety Matt Johnson (foot) didn’t participate. The Cowboys expect Albright, Williams and Claiborne to return next week at Arizona.
What’s next?: The Cowboys will have Saturday off and will practice on Sunday afternoon in Oxnard. The final road preseason game will be next Saturday night at Arizona.
