Smitty
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Moore: Preseason opener provided some interesting developments...
CANTON, Ohio — Not to dampen the enshrinement mood on this Hall of Fame weekend, but let’s pose a question.
Why did the Cowboys lobby to add Sunday’s game to their pre-season schedule, then opt to play only a handful of guys who will start to open the regular season?
It turns out it wasn’t about the game — a 24-20 victory over Miami — as much as it was the additional practice time.
“We’ll work those guys in,’’ owner Jerry Jones said of the starters. “We’re seeing a lot of those guys in practice and have seen a lot of them in their careers.
“This extra week, this Hall of Fame week, was something we really wanted to take advantage of and we have by looking at our depth and looking at our young guys. We got everything that I hoped we would get out of having this extra ballgame.’’
One night after seven of the best to ever grace the NFL were inducted, Fawcett Stadium was turned over to the Cowboys and Dolphins to force feed minutes to their young and/or backup players.
While virtually nothing should be read into a contest where head coach Jason Garrett chose to shut down quarterback Tony Romo, his primary offensive skill players and all but one player expected to start on defense, there were some interesting developments.
Let’s start with the run game. A Cowboys team that got no traction in this department last season displayed an impressive commitment and execution this evening.
With offensive coordinator Bill Callahan calling the plays, the Cowboys rushed for 97 yards in jumping to a 17-3 halftime lead. The significance: that’s more yards than the Cowboys gained on the ground in 11 full games last season. Callahan called 17 run plays and only 10 passes in the opening two quarters.
The Cowboys finished with 170 yards rushing.
“We want to be a more physical team running the football,’’ Garrett said. “I thought tonight was a good start running the football. We ran it a few different ways. We ran it inside, had some edge runs as well.
“I thought the runners ran hard. I thought Phillip Tanner really ran hard and was taking advantage of the opportunity we gave him.’’
Rookie Joseph Randle led the team with 70 yards, with all but 16 of those coming in the second half. Tanner led the early charge with 59 yards and a touchdown. This is the same running back who gained only 61 yards all last season.
“Just coming out here and making the best of every opportunity,’’ said Tanner, who is eight pounds lighter and moving much better than he did a year ago. “Coach Garrett preaches that to us all the time, whether it is one play or 100 plays. Make the best of every snap.’’
The defensive emphasis with the switch to a 4-3 has been on turnovers. So what happens on Miami’s first offensive play of the evening? Backup defensive tackle Nick Hayden, starting in place of Jay Ratliff, recovers a fumble to set up the Cowboys first touchdown.
One quarter later, sixth round pick Devonte Holloman makes a nice adjustment on a ball that goes through the hands of a Dolphins receiver, makes the interception, spins then races 75 yards for the touchdown.
The two turnovers the Cowboys came up with in the first half was more than the defense produced in 10 games last season.
“Taking the ball away was critical,’’ Garrett said. “It’s been a big point of emphasis for us.’’
Strongside linebacker Justin Durant is the only player expected to start against the New York Giants on Sept. 8 to start against Miami. He was on the field for only two possessions.
Center Travis Frederick, left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Doug Free started Sunday and should also be there on opening night. Ron Leary started at left guard and while he didn’t play last season, there’s a good chance he starts against the Giants.
Smith and Free took all seven snaps of the Cowboys first possession and didn’t return. Backup quarterback Kyle Orton did the same, meaning the Cowboys turned this game over to its second-team, third-team and wanna-be players before the first quarter was over.
Frederick was solid at center and also took snaps at right guard with Phil Costa at center and Leary at guard.
“I thought it was OK,’’ Frederick said of his evening. “Definitely have a lot to work on from here on out.’’
And four more pre-season games to get that work done.
Catch David Moore on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310) with The Musers at 9:35 a.m. and The Hardline at 3:50 p.m. every Monday through Friday during training camp.
CANTON, Ohio — Not to dampen the enshrinement mood on this Hall of Fame weekend, but let’s pose a question.
Why did the Cowboys lobby to add Sunday’s game to their pre-season schedule, then opt to play only a handful of guys who will start to open the regular season?
It turns out it wasn’t about the game — a 24-20 victory over Miami — as much as it was the additional practice time.
“We’ll work those guys in,’’ owner Jerry Jones said of the starters. “We’re seeing a lot of those guys in practice and have seen a lot of them in their careers.
“This extra week, this Hall of Fame week, was something we really wanted to take advantage of and we have by looking at our depth and looking at our young guys. We got everything that I hoped we would get out of having this extra ballgame.’’
One night after seven of the best to ever grace the NFL were inducted, Fawcett Stadium was turned over to the Cowboys and Dolphins to force feed minutes to their young and/or backup players.
While virtually nothing should be read into a contest where head coach Jason Garrett chose to shut down quarterback Tony Romo, his primary offensive skill players and all but one player expected to start on defense, there were some interesting developments.
Let’s start with the run game. A Cowboys team that got no traction in this department last season displayed an impressive commitment and execution this evening.
With offensive coordinator Bill Callahan calling the plays, the Cowboys rushed for 97 yards in jumping to a 17-3 halftime lead. The significance: that’s more yards than the Cowboys gained on the ground in 11 full games last season. Callahan called 17 run plays and only 10 passes in the opening two quarters.
The Cowboys finished with 170 yards rushing.
“We want to be a more physical team running the football,’’ Garrett said. “I thought tonight was a good start running the football. We ran it a few different ways. We ran it inside, had some edge runs as well.
“I thought the runners ran hard. I thought Phillip Tanner really ran hard and was taking advantage of the opportunity we gave him.’’
Rookie Joseph Randle led the team with 70 yards, with all but 16 of those coming in the second half. Tanner led the early charge with 59 yards and a touchdown. This is the same running back who gained only 61 yards all last season.
“Just coming out here and making the best of every opportunity,’’ said Tanner, who is eight pounds lighter and moving much better than he did a year ago. “Coach Garrett preaches that to us all the time, whether it is one play or 100 plays. Make the best of every snap.’’
The defensive emphasis with the switch to a 4-3 has been on turnovers. So what happens on Miami’s first offensive play of the evening? Backup defensive tackle Nick Hayden, starting in place of Jay Ratliff, recovers a fumble to set up the Cowboys first touchdown.
One quarter later, sixth round pick Devonte Holloman makes a nice adjustment on a ball that goes through the hands of a Dolphins receiver, makes the interception, spins then races 75 yards for the touchdown.
The two turnovers the Cowboys came up with in the first half was more than the defense produced in 10 games last season.
“Taking the ball away was critical,’’ Garrett said. “It’s been a big point of emphasis for us.’’
Strongside linebacker Justin Durant is the only player expected to start against the New York Giants on Sept. 8 to start against Miami. He was on the field for only two possessions.
Center Travis Frederick, left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Doug Free started Sunday and should also be there on opening night. Ron Leary started at left guard and while he didn’t play last season, there’s a good chance he starts against the Giants.
Smith and Free took all seven snaps of the Cowboys first possession and didn’t return. Backup quarterback Kyle Orton did the same, meaning the Cowboys turned this game over to its second-team, third-team and wanna-be players before the first quarter was over.
Frederick was solid at center and also took snaps at right guard with Phil Costa at center and Leary at guard.
“I thought it was OK,’’ Frederick said of his evening. “Definitely have a lot to work on from here on out.’’
And four more pre-season games to get that work done.
Catch David Moore on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310) with The Musers at 9:35 a.m. and The Hardline at 3:50 p.m. every Monday through Friday during training camp.
