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

[Smitty]

They'll trot out the same BS nonsense about needing to evaluate bottom of the roster schlubs. As if the 25 mini camps/OTAs and 40 training camp practices aren't enough to evaluate a player.

I think Garrett is on record saying he evaluates better through practice than he does the first 2 preseason games.... Nate Newton quoted him on something like that last week on the DC.com podcasts.

 

[Smitty]

Gardner with good penetration.

Gardner should make the team over Edwards, if it's a question.

I guess the bigger issue is, can we keep enough DLs to keep Gardner?

 

[Smitty]

I haven't seen any of tonight's game yet, but in regards to our QBs I'd hope to sign a stop gap back up during cut downs. Shitcan Weeden and try to forget we ever signed him. Decide between the two young guys who we want to have on the PS. If they develop, great. If not, oh well. Even if they look like they might have some promise, I'd start looking hard at the top of the draft for Romo's replacement. Even consider trading up if the right guy and situation presents itself.

I don't like Weeden at all but I'm not sure there is a Jon Kitna type out there who would be better. Most of the cuts will probably be practice squad caliber guys like Vaughan and Weeden is better than they are.

 

[Smitty]

Oh Lord, a woman official. Can we just keep our boys club intact?

Agreed, shouldn't be anything wrong with that.

 

[NoDak]

I don't like Weeden at all but I'm not sure there is a Jon Kitna type out there who would be better. Most of the cuts will probably be practice squad caliber guys like Vaughan and Weeden is better than they are.

I disagree. Weeden is useless. I'd rather his roster spot went to somebody that might have even a remote chance of not sucking out loud. If we can't find somebody better than Vauhgn on the waiver wire, I'd just as soon keep him over Weeden. Either way, if Romo goes down for any significant time, we are shot.

 

[Cujo]

I disagree. Weeden is useless. I'd rather his roster spot went to somebody that might have even a remote chance of not sucking out loud. If we can't find somebody better than Vauhgn on the waiver wire, I'd just as soon keep him over Weeden. Either way, if Romo goes down for any significant time, we are shot.

Said the same thing during the game. It's not like were going to win anything if Romo goes down. Might as well keep someone with some upside.

 

[data]

Collins is a beast. that is all

 

[Texas Ace]

Bailey can't even make a damn FG.

Dating back to last season, the guy began to miss some as the season winded down and missed a really big kick in the GB game.

I'm not worried yet, but I'm also not ready to dismiss it as being nothing.

Remember, Nick Foles was money for 2 years too, then he just lost it mentally and never recovered until he got a change of scenery.

 

[Texas Ace]

I said it during the playoffs. He might be doing what Folk did. Look like money and then lose it.

He did not close the season strong last year. Hope that is not the case.

Well shit....

I read this thread from the last page and went backwards. Had I gone from earliest to latest, I would've seen you had already posted the exact same thing.

 

[P_T]

Just have two words: No Doubt.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Just judging from that series, Showers should be in contention for the #2 role. The 2 point conversion muddles that, but this kid looks like he might be able to do good things if called upon.

I'd much rather keep him on the practice squad then to keep 3 QBs on the roster. He is at least a guy who might be worth developing into a backup. I always like the idea of having an athletic number 2 QB. In a pinch a guy like that can at least scramble and make things happen without needing a lot of reps or experience.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I'd much rather keep him on the practice squad then to keep 3 QBs on the roster. He is at least a guy who might be worth developing into a backup. I always like the idea of having an athletic number 2 QB. In a pinch a guy like that can at least scramble and make things happen without needing a lot of reps or experience.

I agree. The only reservation I have about releasing Vaughn is how he might do with the starting offense. He doesn't react well to being pressured so it may be a pointless exercise to try him with the starters. Showers isn't ready to unseat Weeden yet.

 

[Simpleton]

No injuries, therefore this game was a success. The fact that the pass rush looked great is just icing on top, although just like everything else, it comes with the caveat of it being preseason. Randy Gregory definitely looks like a stud though, so that is really exciting.

The run defense looked horrific but what do you expect when Crawford, Hayden, McClain, Lee and Hitchens are all out, that's our top 3 DT's and top 2 LB's.

As far as the RB's, Randle looked pretty nice as a rusher but his blocking leaves a whole lot to be desired. McFadden looked stiff running the ball but I'm sure the staff trusts him more as a blocker. This is a similar conundrum that we would be in if we let Witten go, you'd be caught between two guys who aren't all around players and you lose versatility by having to mix and match skillsets depending on the situation. Of course the fact that we were without our 2 best OL has to be considered but either way I think we will add a RB at some point in the next month or so who will play an important role in the offense.

Some random observations, I thought Gachkar looked pretty decent for what his role will be, Scandrick and Corey White both had nice coverage in the red zone on their 1st drive to hold them to a FG and to me it looks like Hardy is still pretty rusty. I'm guessing he impacts the defense the most this year as an interior rusher in nickel/dime, not as a base DE.

Oh, and as for the QB's, they all suck, I literally don't care at all what we do with any of the backups. We could cut all of them and bring in some random schlub for all I care.

 

[VA Cowboy]

My main concerns remain the same. Running game and backup QB. McFadden hasn't shown anything to make me reverse my opinion of him from the time we signed him. Randle/Dunbar/Williams each have their moments but none look to be a go-to guy. Still have major doubts the RB by committee approach with avg RB's will work. And the last thing we need is to pretend Romo is Brady II and can carry the team.

And if something happens to Tony, we have absolutely zip backing him up. Weeden and Vaughn look like garbage. I already knew that about Weeden and any hopes for a pleasant surprise from Vaughn looks futile.

 

[NoDak]

Randle/Dunbar/Williams each have their moments but none look to be a go-to guy.

Nothing gets by your discerning eye.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Nothing gets by your discerning eye.

Concur.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

My main concerns remain the same. Running game and backup QB. McFadden hasn't shown anything to make me reverse my opinion of him from the time we signed him. Randle/Dunbar/Williams each have their moments but none look to be a go-to guy. Still have major doubts the RB by committee approach with avg RB's will work. And the last thing we need is to pretend Romo is Brady II and can carry the team.

I've seen nothing out of Randle's running ability that has disappointed me. The hold on the pass block wasn't good though. I don't think that gets called every time but pass protection is important. Hopefully more playing time will get him more comfortable with it. I would be more concerned if Randle had let the guy get past him and blow up the QB. That is a season ender if Romo gets hurt.

McFadden showed exactly what bothers me most about him. He just isn't elusive at all. I'm not talking about open field making guys miss. I'm talking about running in the hole and having absolutely no ability to prevent the defender from squaring him up and laying him out. I'm sure he looks great in practice when there is no tackling but in live action it's clear as day that Randle is the real RB on this roster. McFadden is a pass catcher, pass blocker and little more.

 

[Cotton]

I've seen nothing out of Randle's running ability that has disappointed me. The hold on the pass block wasn't good though. I don't think that gets called every time but pass protection is important. Hopefully more playing time will get him more comfortable with it. I would be more concerned if Randle had let the guy get past him and blow up the QB. That is a season ender if Romo gets hurt.

McFadden showed exactly what bothers me most about him. He just isn't elusive at all. I'm not talking about open field making guys miss. I'm talking about running in the hole and having absolutely no ability to prevent the defender from squaring him up and laying him out. I'm sure he looks great in practice when there is no tackling but in live action it's clear as day that Randle is the real RB on this roster. McFadden is a pass catcher, pass blocker and little more.

I'm not worried about the hold at all. I'm sure they were all under strict instruction to not let Romo get hit at any cost.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I agree. The only reservation I have about releasing Vaughn is how he might do with the starting offense. He doesn't react well to being pressured so it may be a pointless exercise to try him with the starters. Showers isn't ready to unseat Weeden yet.

I don't think Weeden is as bad as people make him out to bed. He had that horrible fumble in the first preseason game but all of the rest of his throws looked great. He stood in the pocket in the face of a rush and delivered the ball. Not sure he really got much of a chance in this preseason game. He looked horrible last year against the Cardinals, but their defense is pretty studly. He looked like he would have won the Redskins game though if we didn't force an injured Romo back into the game.

I don't like Weeden but I think he is even par with the vast majority of NFL backup QBs.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I'm not worried about the hold at all. I'm sure they were all under strict instruction to not let Romo get hit at any cost.

My biggest concern really is who will split carries with Randle. I don't see anyone capable of picking up the rest of that slack and Randle isn't a 400 carry type back like Murray last year.