data
Forbes #1
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 50,457
Ragr
Pre-Season Chatter Thread | Vikings vs Cowboys | 8/29/2015
- Thread starter L.T. Fan
- Start date
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 21,700
Pretty much.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 19,596
Depends on if you count Randle as the starter or McFadden. McFadden looked a lot better than Randle so there is that. However I fully expect to see some kind of injury from McFadden after last nights game.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 52,949
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 19,596
I know you are in Randles camp but my post was based on last nights game which is not even debatable. McFadden looked better than Randle and Smitty was asking about last nights game.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,216
Don’t Forget About These 5: Special Teams Struggle, Gregory & More
Saturday, August 29, 2015 11:20 PM CDT
By Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
@nickeatman
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cowboys aren’t as concerned with the 28-14 final outcome against the Vikings Saturday night, as they are with how the starters performed in the dress rehearsal.
This spot is usually saved for the five plays that changed the game. But in the preseason, when the goal is more to evaluate individuals and keep everyone healthy, let’s focus on five other aspects of the game.
So the preseason version will include players, stats and sometimes plays that get overlooked.
Special Teams Issues? – Last week, it was pointed out here that the Cowboys were simply mixing and matching players in the preseason on special teams, trying to get through the games where backups play more on offense and defense. But in this game, what you saw on special teams might be pretty close to the real thing on Sept. 13. And if so, it’s a bit alarming, considering that Minnesota’s Cordarrelle Patterson torched them for a 107-yard touchdown return in the second quarter. Now, Patterson is one of the NFL’s most dangerous specialists, but if you’re using the excuse that “it’s only preseason,” the second-quarter runback might be reason to have some concern.
Sack Attack – In three games, Randy Gregory has recorded one sack in each of them, proving once again that he could be a second-round steal for the Cowboys. Don’t forget he had another sack that was taken away on a very late penalty, Dallas getting flagged for defensive holding. Gregory has worked mostly against second-teamers on the offensive line, but he’s making the most of his pass rushes. He leads the team with three sacks, and it should’ve been four.
Third-Down Woes – Here’s an interesting stat: The Cowboys went 0-10 on third-down conversions Saturday, and get this, they weren’t the worst of the two teams. The Vikings actually one-upped them with a 0-11 conversion rate on third downs. What’s even more interesting is that Minnesota held the ball for 37:34 of the clock and never picked up a third down, other than by penalty. So credit the Cowboys’ defense for getting off the field, but this offense obviously needs to improve that stat in order to keep the ball moving.
Vikings Held Back, Too – While it’s still preseason and the Cowboys don’t seem too alarmed with the final score, don’t forget Minnesota sat out a pretty good player on their side of the ball. Running back Adrian Peterson didn’t play for the Vikings, while the Cowboys were holding out both Dez Bryant and Zack Martin. That’s a few Pro Bowls on the sideline. Yes, the Cowboys might have picked up a few more first downs with those two on the field, but it’s likely the Vikings would’ve moved the chains some with Peterson in the lineup, too.
Flag Day – If this was a dress rehearsal for both teams, let’s hope it’s not that way for the officials. Both teams were flagged 11 times for a total for 176 yards in penalties. The Cowboys had 96 penalty yards. In the first two preseason games combined, the Cowboys had 11 penalties for 91 yards.
Saturday, August 29, 2015 11:20 PM CDT
By Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
@nickeatman
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cowboys aren’t as concerned with the 28-14 final outcome against the Vikings Saturday night, as they are with how the starters performed in the dress rehearsal.
This spot is usually saved for the five plays that changed the game. But in the preseason, when the goal is more to evaluate individuals and keep everyone healthy, let’s focus on five other aspects of the game.
So the preseason version will include players, stats and sometimes plays that get overlooked.
Special Teams Issues? – Last week, it was pointed out here that the Cowboys were simply mixing and matching players in the preseason on special teams, trying to get through the games where backups play more on offense and defense. But in this game, what you saw on special teams might be pretty close to the real thing on Sept. 13. And if so, it’s a bit alarming, considering that Minnesota’s Cordarrelle Patterson torched them for a 107-yard touchdown return in the second quarter. Now, Patterson is one of the NFL’s most dangerous specialists, but if you’re using the excuse that “it’s only preseason,” the second-quarter runback might be reason to have some concern.
Sack Attack – In three games, Randy Gregory has recorded one sack in each of them, proving once again that he could be a second-round steal for the Cowboys. Don’t forget he had another sack that was taken away on a very late penalty, Dallas getting flagged for defensive holding. Gregory has worked mostly against second-teamers on the offensive line, but he’s making the most of his pass rushes. He leads the team with three sacks, and it should’ve been four.
Third-Down Woes – Here’s an interesting stat: The Cowboys went 0-10 on third-down conversions Saturday, and get this, they weren’t the worst of the two teams. The Vikings actually one-upped them with a 0-11 conversion rate on third downs. What’s even more interesting is that Minnesota held the ball for 37:34 of the clock and never picked up a third down, other than by penalty. So credit the Cowboys’ defense for getting off the field, but this offense obviously needs to improve that stat in order to keep the ball moving.
Vikings Held Back, Too – While it’s still preseason and the Cowboys don’t seem too alarmed with the final score, don’t forget Minnesota sat out a pretty good player on their side of the ball. Running back Adrian Peterson didn’t play for the Vikings, while the Cowboys were holding out both Dez Bryant and Zack Martin. That’s a few Pro Bowls on the sideline. Yes, the Cowboys might have picked up a few more first downs with those two on the field, but it’s likely the Vikings would’ve moved the chains some with Peterson in the lineup, too.
Flag Day – If this was a dress rehearsal for both teams, let’s hope it’s not that way for the officials. Both teams were flagged 11 times for a total for 176 yards in penalties. The Cowboys had 96 penalty yards. In the first two preseason games combined, the Cowboys had 11 penalties for 91 yards.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,216
Que?
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 17,522
Hardy looks like he is slowly working the rust off, he made a few plays against the run and got some decent pressure, especially on that 3rd and 7 in the red zone. Gachkar looked pretty good, glad to have him as depth, Terrance Williams was impressive of course, Mincey played pretty well too I thought, he basically made the play for that 5 yard loss against the run.
I thought that holding penalty on Carr was complete BS that kept their offense on the field on 3rd down on their scoring drive. Their offense couldn't really do much of anything outside of the one perfect throw/catch to Wallace down the sideline where Carr had good coverage, other than that they couldn't run and basically just dinked and dunked for a few yards here and there.
The offense looked better than it did at any point last preseason so that's something but Randle's inability to pass protect is going to be a big problem. He gave up the sack on the first drive which was negated by a penalty, I'm not really worried about him as a runner but he can't seem to stand up in pass protection for shit, and McFadden is a ticking time bomb in terms of getting injured. Randle will really have to get his head out of his ass in that regard or we will be looking for a new RB real quick.
Our use of Jones is going to be interesting, seems like he is basically going to be a nickel LB/CB/S hybrid, I'm guessing if it's 3rd and 6+ Lee is likely the only LB we seen on the field.
And yea, Stefon Diggs, I would've loved that pick in the 4th round. He was a top 10 recruit coming out of high school, great speed, great returner, great run after the catch ability, Terp, would've been a money pick.
I thought that holding penalty on Carr was complete BS that kept their offense on the field on 3rd down on their scoring drive. Their offense couldn't really do much of anything outside of the one perfect throw/catch to Wallace down the sideline where Carr had good coverage, other than that they couldn't run and basically just dinked and dunked for a few yards here and there.
The offense looked better than it did at any point last preseason so that's something but Randle's inability to pass protect is going to be a big problem. He gave up the sack on the first drive which was negated by a penalty, I'm not really worried about him as a runner but he can't seem to stand up in pass protection for shit, and McFadden is a ticking time bomb in terms of getting injured. Randle will really have to get his head out of his ass in that regard or we will be looking for a new RB real quick.
Our use of Jones is going to be interesting, seems like he is basically going to be a nickel LB/CB/S hybrid, I'm guessing if it's 3rd and 6+ Lee is likely the only LB we seen on the field.
And yea, Stefon Diggs, I would've loved that pick in the 4th round. He was a top 10 recruit coming out of high school, great speed, great returner, great run after the catch ability, Terp, would've been a money pick.
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 21,700
Deleted one didn't ya.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 52,949
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,216
I didn't delete anything.
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 21,700
There were two identical posts but no biggie.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,216
Nope. The first of the two tweets looks similar, but two different tweets.
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 21,700
Hmmmm. Imagine that.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 122,809
Bob Sturm: The positives and negatives of Cowboys’ loss to Minnesota
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: August 30, 2015 3:12 pm
Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket host Bob Sturm analyzes the Cowboys 28-14 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Overall thoughts:
I think overall they probably accomplished what they had hoped to. Once they got past the penalties they got a few things together and most importantly: Seemingly kept everyone healthy. Looking around the league, that must be the No. 1 objective with the top players in the month of August.
On Tony Romo’s performance:
A couple moments he looked fantastic. There was not a lot to nitpick. The touchdown to Lucky Whitehead, with the pirouette, he did the full Romo spin to buy time, which everyone loves in midseason. But that might have been in the category in the chances you wouldn’t want to take during the preseason. I might have preferred him to throw the ball away. I think they got momentum going with the big beautiful route to Terrance Williams on the 60-yard touchdown.
On the defense:
More than anything, we’re going to see what a devastating front four can do this season. If those four guys, Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence can stay healthy, the Cowboys are going to have amazing pressure from their front four by midseason. That should change eveverything about this defense from the past couple of years. The infusion of pass-rush talent has been under-reported. Frankly, it’s possible the upside could match the offensive line rebuild when it’s all said and done.
What Sturm didn’t like:
Like everyone else, I didn’t love the penalties and another disappointing special teams performance. But, overall, it sure seemed like the Cowboys were trying to get through the evening and on to (the opener on) Sept. 13. We’re now into cutdown week and it’s pretty much time to turn your attention to the real thing.
On the running game:
As pessimistic as i have been about Darren McFadden campaign, there’s no question he has given the Cowboys the most compelling reason for optimism. He looked confident explosive and while we should all slow our roll with our projection for 300 carries, there were signs of life. Credit where credit’s due. Now we need to see that again and again.
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: August 30, 2015 3:12 pm
Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket host Bob Sturm analyzes the Cowboys 28-14 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Overall thoughts:
I think overall they probably accomplished what they had hoped to. Once they got past the penalties they got a few things together and most importantly: Seemingly kept everyone healthy. Looking around the league, that must be the No. 1 objective with the top players in the month of August.
On Tony Romo’s performance:
A couple moments he looked fantastic. There was not a lot to nitpick. The touchdown to Lucky Whitehead, with the pirouette, he did the full Romo spin to buy time, which everyone loves in midseason. But that might have been in the category in the chances you wouldn’t want to take during the preseason. I might have preferred him to throw the ball away. I think they got momentum going with the big beautiful route to Terrance Williams on the 60-yard touchdown.
On the defense:
More than anything, we’re going to see what a devastating front four can do this season. If those four guys, Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence can stay healthy, the Cowboys are going to have amazing pressure from their front four by midseason. That should change eveverything about this defense from the past couple of years. The infusion of pass-rush talent has been under-reported. Frankly, it’s possible the upside could match the offensive line rebuild when it’s all said and done.
What Sturm didn’t like:
Like everyone else, I didn’t love the penalties and another disappointing special teams performance. But, overall, it sure seemed like the Cowboys were trying to get through the evening and on to (the opener on) Sept. 13. We’re now into cutdown week and it’s pretty much time to turn your attention to the real thing.
On the running game:
As pessimistic as i have been about Darren McFadden campaign, there’s no question he has given the Cowboys the most compelling reason for optimism. He looked confident explosive and while we should all slow our roll with our projection for 300 carries, there were signs of life. Credit where credit’s due. Now we need to see that again and again.