- Messages
- 58,566
- Reaction score
- 9,056
Like many, I had pretty low expectations for last nights game, especially from an offensive standpoint.
Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised at the first half.
1) I haven't read all the commentary here from last night yet but I was right there with CMD and some others in thinking Dak Prescott was not a good pick as a potential NFL QB. After last night I don't have any delusional thoughts that he's the next superstar player or anything, but what I saw last night was not at all what I expected. His composure, decision making, accuracy, velocity and especially his ball placement were outstanding. His footwork and throwing mechanics were also better than I expected. I think every single one of his 12 throws was thrown on the money. His two incompletions were bad drops by Swaim. His TD throws to Dez and TW were thrown exceptionally. He also had another nice downfield completion to Brice Butler. He threw the slant and the screens with perfection. He didn't try to take off and run as soon as he dropped back. He obviously has worked his ass off since the end of his college season. I really expected a fairly poor showing (especially considering it was the Rams defense and their first game back in LA) and instead what we saw was probably hands down the best preseason performance of a young backup QB that we've seen since Romo in 2006 (before he was named the starter). Not ready to make any proclamations about him being "the guy of the future" or anything, but there is cause for optimism.
2) Liked what I saw from both the RB's Morris and Jackson. I'd keep them as backups to Zeke and kick everything else out. Maybe keep Rod Smith as the 4th guy, though I'd lean towards either finding a true FB or maybe trying to find a 4th TE that's an excellent run/pass blocker.
3) Starting WR group was exceptional. If they stay healthy, they are going to cause serious problems for everyone. Cole Beasley looks even quicker than before, and Dez surprised everyone by talking himself onto the field and then playing well. TW's move/route on that TD from Prescott was textbook. (Much to the disappointment of Omega)
4) Starting OL was strong, even without Tyron Smith. After the middle 3 guys were removed though it was rough (see below)
5) Lucky Whitehead could be pretty significant as a return guy this yr. He had an explosive punt return for TD in the blue/white scrimmage the other night, then had a length of the field KO return to open game last night. Looks MUCH more decisive with his returns. Still showed he's a major weapon on the WR sweep play too.
6) Liked what I saw from Cedric Thornton, Mark Nzeocha and Anthony Hitchens with the 1st half defense. A couple of the backup DB's looked decent to me- Ronald McKinnon (very active) and CB Deji Olatoye. Had a couple nice plays vs the pass and came up with a pick too. The newly signed DL Shaneil Jenkins had a sack and another hit on the QB and looks like he might be a solid PS candidate.
On the downside,
1) The backup OL (especially the tackles) was atrocious. Chaz Green wasn't hopeless when he was in with the starters, but as soon as Collins/Fred/Martin came out he was really bad. He really looked like he ran out of gas completely to me (poor conditioning, see below). Whoever played RT was equally as awful, both guys got whipped repeatedly in the 2nd half and made it hard for Showers and Darius Jackson to have any real success. If Green doesn't improve pretty quick there will definitely have to be a move at swing tackle made.
2) Awful drops by Swaim and Jones, two guys who had really been talked up so far in camp. I don't remember anyone else dropping anything, but these two guys dropped two each. Both of Jones drops cost us 1st downs. One of Swaim's looked like a play that could have went for a really good gain.
3) The kick and put return coverage was pretty awful (again, seems like it is that way every preseason)
4) 10 accepted penalties was pretty bad. One or two of the calls were bogus, but many were just inexcusable. I think we stopped 3 or 4 drives but due to penalties, gave the Rams new sets of downs. I know at least one of those (and maybe two) ended in TDs for them.
5) Probably the single biggest disappointment though had to be the play of DE's David Irving and Ryan Russell. Like Swaim and Jones above, these two guys had really been talked up by the coaches and people covering the team. They didn't play very well in the first half, and then made it worse by doing nothing against the Rams scrub OL's in the 2nd half. Supposedly Marinelli was disgusted with the defense in the 2nd half and I bet most of his angst had to do with these two guys playing so poorly. They kept trotting them out there even late in the game hoping they'd do SOMETHING positive, and they never did. No signs of a pass rush from either one of them and both struggled mightily against the run. Russell badly whiffed on a couple of tackles.
6) In addition to the penalties, there were quite a few missed routine tackles, the above mentioned dropped passes and I thought late in the game a clear display of the team being gassed (offensive and defensive guys). All of these things are a direct reflection on poor coaching/leadership IMO.
7) JJ Wilcox had an awful night and made only one positive play that I saw (big hit to break up potential long completion). His man coverage and open field tackling were dreadful though. Unless some guys get hurt, I don't see how he makes the team this year. Also didn't see much positive from 6th rd pick Kavon Frazier. Saw him once take a really bad angle on a play that ended up in big yards. Kyle Wilbur also stunk on defense IMO.
I was encouraged by the first half of the game though. The offense looked REALLY good and despite our challenges defensively, we made the top pick of the draft (Goff) look pretty bad. A lot of key guys were held out (Romo, Witten, T Smith, Zeke, Lawrence, Tapper, Lee, Scandrick, T Crawford) but I would imagine we'll see most of these guys for at least a quarter or so vs Miami this week. Disappointingly, our top-4 draft picks ALL missed the game last night.
Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised at the first half.
1) I haven't read all the commentary here from last night yet but I was right there with CMD and some others in thinking Dak Prescott was not a good pick as a potential NFL QB. After last night I don't have any delusional thoughts that he's the next superstar player or anything, but what I saw last night was not at all what I expected. His composure, decision making, accuracy, velocity and especially his ball placement were outstanding. His footwork and throwing mechanics were also better than I expected. I think every single one of his 12 throws was thrown on the money. His two incompletions were bad drops by Swaim. His TD throws to Dez and TW were thrown exceptionally. He also had another nice downfield completion to Brice Butler. He threw the slant and the screens with perfection. He didn't try to take off and run as soon as he dropped back. He obviously has worked his ass off since the end of his college season. I really expected a fairly poor showing (especially considering it was the Rams defense and their first game back in LA) and instead what we saw was probably hands down the best preseason performance of a young backup QB that we've seen since Romo in 2006 (before he was named the starter). Not ready to make any proclamations about him being "the guy of the future" or anything, but there is cause for optimism.
2) Liked what I saw from both the RB's Morris and Jackson. I'd keep them as backups to Zeke and kick everything else out. Maybe keep Rod Smith as the 4th guy, though I'd lean towards either finding a true FB or maybe trying to find a 4th TE that's an excellent run/pass blocker.
3) Starting WR group was exceptional. If they stay healthy, they are going to cause serious problems for everyone. Cole Beasley looks even quicker than before, and Dez surprised everyone by talking himself onto the field and then playing well. TW's move/route on that TD from Prescott was textbook. (Much to the disappointment of Omega)
4) Starting OL was strong, even without Tyron Smith. After the middle 3 guys were removed though it was rough (see below)
5) Lucky Whitehead could be pretty significant as a return guy this yr. He had an explosive punt return for TD in the blue/white scrimmage the other night, then had a length of the field KO return to open game last night. Looks MUCH more decisive with his returns. Still showed he's a major weapon on the WR sweep play too.
6) Liked what I saw from Cedric Thornton, Mark Nzeocha and Anthony Hitchens with the 1st half defense. A couple of the backup DB's looked decent to me- Ronald McKinnon (very active) and CB Deji Olatoye. Had a couple nice plays vs the pass and came up with a pick too. The newly signed DL Shaneil Jenkins had a sack and another hit on the QB and looks like he might be a solid PS candidate.
On the downside,
1) The backup OL (especially the tackles) was atrocious. Chaz Green wasn't hopeless when he was in with the starters, but as soon as Collins/Fred/Martin came out he was really bad. He really looked like he ran out of gas completely to me (poor conditioning, see below). Whoever played RT was equally as awful, both guys got whipped repeatedly in the 2nd half and made it hard for Showers and Darius Jackson to have any real success. If Green doesn't improve pretty quick there will definitely have to be a move at swing tackle made.
2) Awful drops by Swaim and Jones, two guys who had really been talked up so far in camp. I don't remember anyone else dropping anything, but these two guys dropped two each. Both of Jones drops cost us 1st downs. One of Swaim's looked like a play that could have went for a really good gain.
3) The kick and put return coverage was pretty awful (again, seems like it is that way every preseason)
4) 10 accepted penalties was pretty bad. One or two of the calls were bogus, but many were just inexcusable. I think we stopped 3 or 4 drives but due to penalties, gave the Rams new sets of downs. I know at least one of those (and maybe two) ended in TDs for them.
5) Probably the single biggest disappointment though had to be the play of DE's David Irving and Ryan Russell. Like Swaim and Jones above, these two guys had really been talked up by the coaches and people covering the team. They didn't play very well in the first half, and then made it worse by doing nothing against the Rams scrub OL's in the 2nd half. Supposedly Marinelli was disgusted with the defense in the 2nd half and I bet most of his angst had to do with these two guys playing so poorly. They kept trotting them out there even late in the game hoping they'd do SOMETHING positive, and they never did. No signs of a pass rush from either one of them and both struggled mightily against the run. Russell badly whiffed on a couple of tackles.
6) In addition to the penalties, there were quite a few missed routine tackles, the above mentioned dropped passes and I thought late in the game a clear display of the team being gassed (offensive and defensive guys). All of these things are a direct reflection on poor coaching/leadership IMO.
7) JJ Wilcox had an awful night and made only one positive play that I saw (big hit to break up potential long completion). His man coverage and open field tackling were dreadful though. Unless some guys get hurt, I don't see how he makes the team this year. Also didn't see much positive from 6th rd pick Kavon Frazier. Saw him once take a really bad angle on a play that ended up in big yards. Kyle Wilbur also stunk on defense IMO.
I was encouraged by the first half of the game though. The offense looked REALLY good and despite our challenges defensively, we made the top pick of the draft (Goff) look pretty bad. A lot of key guys were held out (Romo, Witten, T Smith, Zeke, Lawrence, Tapper, Lee, Scandrick, T Crawford) but I would imagine we'll see most of these guys for at least a quarter or so vs Miami this week. Disappointingly, our top-4 draft picks ALL missed the game last night.
