Pre-Season Chatter Thread | Cowboys vs 49ers | 8/23/2015

[Cotton]

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is concerned with 49ers field for Sunday’s game

Jon Machota Email jmachota@dallasnews.com
Published: August 21, 2015 3:25 pm

OXNARD, Calif. — The Cowboys are headed to Santa Clara, Calif., to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in their second preseason game.

NFL teams have enough to worry about when it comes to injuries and their players’ well-being, and Dallas is no exception, with a number of starters expected to miss this weekend’s game. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also isn’t comfortable with the playing conditions and discussed them with G-Bag Nation on KRLD-FM 105.3 in Dallas on Friday.

“This is interesting. We’re going up here to a great new stadium where we’re going to have the Super Bowl, and we’ve got field problems,” Jones said. “And this field is really causing us to have to look at what we’re going to do during the game because of the challenges of this turf not taking hold.”

Jones has seen bad field conditions before. The Cowboys played preseason games in Mexico City in the ’90s, where the soccer stadium provided didn’t have the turf capable of handling the rigors of an NFL game.

“It reminds me of what we did down in Mexico City,” Jones said. “If y’all remember those clumps as big as softballs. Just huge, big clumps out there. I can’t believe when I look back on it that we kept playing in Mexico City.”

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said Thursday that the team would head over to the stadium before they go to the team hotel on Saturday.

“We’ll take a peek at it, but it sounds like it has been an issue and they’re trying to address it as best they can,” Garrett said. “We’re going to play a game on Sunday afternoon, so we’ve got to figure it out. Hopefully they’ve taken care of their end of it.”

After Friday’s practice, Jones said he didn’t want to “over blow” what he said earlier on the radio because he has so much respect for the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’m not concerned about going out there and competing just as much as anybody else is competing,” Jones said. “I was referring to the [players] that we might have a question mark anyway, really, is how I meant to say that. If we have a question mark about them, we may be even a little more cautious. But that in general is not a worry about what we’re going to get out of the game.”

 

[boozeman]

Rightfully so. It is awful.

 

[jsmith6919]

Romo will play some tonight without Smith, Leary, and Martin

 

[p1_]

Tony Romo: Dallas Cowboys Owner Says Quarterback Could Sit Out Sunday's Game Due to Turf Concerns
"Everybody needs field conditions as good as they can get them," Jerry Jones told media outlets Friday about the Levi's Stadium turf. The Cowboys and 49ers face off in San Francisco Sunday night.

 

[Cotton]

Tony Romo: Dallas Cowboys Owner Says Quarterback Could Sit Out Sunday's Game Due to Turf Concerns
"Everybody needs field conditions as good as they can get them," Jerry Jones told media outlets Friday about the Levi's Stadium turf. The Cowboys and 49ers face off in San Francisco Sunday night.

I would be perfectly okay with sitting him the rest of the preseason. He already good chemistry with his receivers, and we don't need to see him in a meaningless game to know what he's capable of.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I would be perfectly okay with sitting him the rest of the preseason. He already good chemistry with his receivers, and we don't need to see him in a meaningless game to know what he's capable of.

I really want to see him play but you're right. It's just me selfishly missing football and wanting to see my favorite players play. Plus even though it is just preseason I hate losing and it makes it really difficult to win when your second string is playing against the other teams first string.

 

[jsmith6919]

I would be perfectly okay with sitting him the rest of the preseason. He already good chemistry with his receivers, and we don't need to see him in a meaningless game to know what he's capable of.

Yea I see no reason to chance Romo getting hurt considering the field condition and Smith not playing.

 

[BipolarFuk]

If the field is that shitty, then just put the ass end of the roster in and let them play the whole game.

 

[Cotton]

If the field is that shitty, then just put the ass end of the roster in and let them play the whole game.

It's that bad, and usually is. I sit anyone of importance for this game. That is, if I was a coach and stuff.

 

[Cotton]

Okay, I'll drop it now.

 

[Cotton]

Moore: 5 things to watch in Cowboys’ preseason game vs. San Francisco

David Moore

Ten days after opening the preseason in Southern California, the Cowboys travel north on Highway 101 to for their second game.

The Cowboys face the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 7 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium. It just so happens Super Bowl 50 will take place on this cite, a fact head coach Jason Garrett pointed out to his team late Saturday afternoon as they held a walk-thru at the stadium.

Few starters will play Sunday and the ones that do won’t be around long. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some things to watch.

Here are five.

1. Will he or won’t he – Quarterback Tony Romo usually makes his first appearance of the preseason in this game. But there are some factors at work that argue for his debut to be pushed back to next week’s game against Minnesota at AT&T Stadium.

It starts with injuries. Three and up to four starters could be missing from the offensive line. Center Travis Frederick will play and based on the work he got in Friday’s practice, veteran right tackle Doug Free could make his preseason debut.

Two of his top three receivers (Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley) and two of his top three tight ends (Gavin Escobar and James Hanna) will also miss the game with injuries.

Another factor is the field. The 49ers have held only three of a scheduled eight practices at the stadium in this training camp due to the poor condition of the field. A new field was installed Tuesday after Taylor Swift’s concert last weekend.

Will the Cowboys be comfortable with Romo playing his typical one to two series in this game or will they wait?

2. Committee approach – The Cowboys allowed the NFL’s rushing champion to leave for Philadelphia in free agency.

In case you’re interested, DeMarco Murray scored a touchdown Saturday evening in the Eagles’ pre-season game against Baltimore.

But if you bleed blue and silver, you’re more interested in what the Cowboys will do to replace Murray than what he does in Philadelphia.

Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar are all expected to make their preseason debuts in this game. None are expected to play long – Randle aggravated an oblique strain in practice a few days ago and McFadden and Dunbar have just returned to the practice field in the past week – but this will be the first glimpse of what life after Murray will look like.

3. Keeping it tight – Rookie Geoff Swaim has made a strong first impression on the coaching staff. This game represents another chance for the seventh round pick to solidify a roster spot and make a move up the depth chart.

If Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten plays it will only be for a series or two. Escobar must work his way through the league’s concussion protocol before he returns to the field and Hanna is out with a knee injury.

Swaim will get most of the work against San Francisco with Brandon Barden backing him up. The Cowboys drafted him for his ability to block but he’s also shown some receiving skills in this camp. He could persuade the club to keep four tight ends and/or challenge for Hanna’s spot.

4. Bouncing back – Darrion Weems should get his second start at left tackle as Pro Bowler Tyron Smith nurses a strained bicep.

Weems struggled in the opener against San Diego. The Cowboys need to find a replacement for swing tackle Jeremy Parnell, who left for Jacksonville in free agency. If Weems struggles again this week, the club could be faced with a decision. If the Cowboys aren’t confident that Weems can progress to the point where he can handle the job to open the season, will it prod them to move rookie La’el Collins to that spot?

5. Sack attack – Rookie Randy Gregory played well and picked up a sack in his first preseason game.

The defensive end wants to build on that in this game.

“I think I got off the ball real well,’’ Gregory said of the Chargers game. “That’s the main thing I wanted to do, make sure my legs were under me, get off the ball. As far as turning the corner, getting around left tackle, I didn’t think I did that the best I could.

“That would be the best thing I could do coming up.’’

 

[boozeman]

Four Rookies Among Staff Picks For Players To Watch Sunday vs. 49ers


Sunday, August 23, 2015 11:57 AM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – While many more starters are expected to play in Sunday’s preseason game with the 49ers, this game is still more about the individual evaluation.

The DallasCowboys.com staff highlights eight players worth watching closely at Sunday night from Levi’s Stadium and will revisit these same players following the game.


Rob Phillips

Geoff Swaim: Backup tight end James Hanna is still recovering from a sprained knee, so the rookie Swaim should get plenty of playing time against the 49ers. The Cowboys could have taken their chances on signing Swaim after the draft, but they valued him on their board too much and actually traded a 2016 sixth-round pick to the 49ers to move back into the seventh round and grab the University of Texas tight end. Swaim was billed as a blocker, but his best asset might be his receiving skills. The question is, can he do enough to make the team as a fourth tight end behind Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar and Hanna? Would the Cowboys keep four instead of a fullback? May depend on what Swaim continues to show in preseason.

Damien Wilson: On Friday, Jerry Jones noted how many rookies have a chance to make an impact on this year’s Cowboys team. Wilson was among the names Jones mentioned. The fourth-round pick delivered a big hit in last week’s preseason opener and has drawn praise from the coaching staff for his progression in the defense. A little like Anthony Hitchens did last year as a fourth-round pick, Wilson has worked at multiple positions where needed, and he spent time with the first unit this past week. His versatility is an asset. What could he do with more playing time Sunday?

David Helman

David Porter: The TCU guy has done nothing but impress since he got here, so I’m pretty intrigued to see what he can do in a game situation. The natural assumption is that Dez won’t play, and I’d guess Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley will be limited – if they play at all. That leaves plenty of touches for the younger receivers. Lucky Whitehead and Nick Harwell have been the best of the young guys, but I don’t think the gap is that big. Porter can make a lot of noise with a good night.

Danny McCray: If McCray makes this team, it’s going to be primarily for his skills as a special teamer. The problem for me is that the numbers don’t seem to work out. You’ve got J.J. Wilcox, Barry Church, Byron Jones and Corey White as safety candidates. You’ve also got Jeff Heath, who fills a role at backup safety and core special teamer. Where does that leave McCray? I’m not sure the numbers are in his favor. So I think it’s worth watching him in the latter stages of the game, to see what he can bring to a table. He’s an experienced player, and I don’t think it’d be smart to write him off.

Nick Eatman

Darrion Weems: Everyone who saw the game last Thursday night knows Weems has to perform better and be more consistent if he’s going to be the Cowboys’ swing tackle this year. He had some plays where he struggled but he also made a few nice blocks as well. Again, this guy has never played in a regular-season game before and he missed all of last year due to injury. He’s got some rust that has to be knocked off but the Cowboys need to see more out of him. If he struggles Sunday night, this team might have to rethink the positon of La’el Collins, who has played tackle before but currently works at guard. The Cowboys aren’t giving up on Weems for sure but they’d like for him to turn that corner fairly soon.

Davon Coleman: Coming into camp, my “pet cat” was Ken Bishop, who is probably the biggest competition for Coleman for one of the final spots on the D-line. But so far in camp, Coleman has been slightly better. He’s taking advantage of injuries to both Nick Hayden and Terrell McClain, not to mention a few setbacks to Tyrone Crawford. Coleman has the ability to play both the 1- and 3-technique in this scheme, which always helps when it’s time to trim the roster. In this game, I want to see if Coleman can get some reps against quality starters for the 49ers and just how he fares against top-notch players. He’s a guy who likes to laugh and smile and seems to enjoy training camp. But he doesn’t mind mixing it up as well. Let’s see how he performs on the big stage Sunday night.

Bryan Broaddus

Lance Dunbar: It was a productive week on the practice field for Dunbar after returning to action from injuring his ankle. His explosiveness was back as well as his cutting ability, which is the strength of his game. There were snaps during practice where he was featured out of the backfield as a wide receiver, and I am interested to observe if this continues to be the plan for him in this offense. With the injury to Joseph Randle, I expect that we should get an extended view of his work against the 49ers in both areas.

Ryan Russell: I didn't feel like Russell was as good against the Rams in the joint practices last week as he was against the Chargers in the preseason game. There is a side of me that believes Russell is on the bubble for a spot in this defensive line rotation. I am sure that the front office and coaching staff are looking for more consistency in the way he is playing. There have been times where he has flashed, both as an end and defensive tackle, but in the scouting world that's not enough. Russell will get plenty of chances to prove he belongs Sunday night.

 

[Cotton]

No surprise here.

 

[Cotton]

Love this man.

 

[boozeman]

No surprise here.

So if there is a fight, he can still get punched in the face and lose his earring.

 

[UncleMilti]

I'm guessing this isn't on TV?

 

[boozeman]

I'm guessing this isn't on TV?

Of course not.

But the goddamn Eagles, Steelers and Packers have had or will have back to back live games on NFLN.

I guess playing pansy west coast teams is part of our problem, I dunno.

 

[Cotton]

Of course not.

But the goddamn Eagles, Steelers and Packers have had or will have back to back live games on NFLN.

I guess playing pansy west coast teams is part of our problem, I dunno.

And, the Titans/Rams game is going to be televised nationally.

 

[boozeman]

Before anyone asks the inevitable question that they should already know the effing answer to...

Here are two reliable stream sites:

http://www.mamahd.com/

http://ifirstrow.eu/sport/american-football.html

 

[Cotton]

So, anyone know where I can stream the game?