Sunday, August 17, 2008

Second Preseason Game - Nothing to Write Home About

Well, the Cowboys left the friendly confines of Oxnard, CA this week and traveled up to Denver to practice with the Broncos Wed - Fri and then the teams played each other last night in their second preseason game. Much to my dismay, Denver looked a bit more ready to play. The starters for the Cowboys, which looked very sharp last week, didn't play as well against Denver...on either side of the ball.

First on offense, Romo wasn't bad but he wasn't what we have come to expect over the last season and a half. He even over threw Sam Hurd who actually had his defender beat for a TD if the two had connected. However, playing in the high altitude of Denver can make balls sail a bit so we can forgive him for that one. However, the starting offense only managed to generate 3 first downs in 2 possessions and didn't have a play more than 10 yards. The running game sputtered as well gaining only 70 yards on 20 carries.

The defense wasn't all it was cracked up to be either. The Broncos starters scored TDs on their first two possessions both of which were against the Dallas starting defense. I know Cutler is good, and probably will be one of the next "greats" if he fulfills all the prophesy by the talking heads, but he looked like the second coming of John Elway last night completing his first 12 passes. The Denver running backs had plenty of running room, gaining 101 yards on the night, and Bronco WRs cut through Dallas' secondary like a hot knife through warm butter.

There were also penalties galore. It seemed like every time Dallas did something well and got a big play on offense or a big stop on defense, a yellow flag would be on the ground shortly after...and they weren't phantom calls either. Marc Columbo had an unnecessary roughness personal foul against him on the Cowboys initial drive, Bradie James was flagged for a late hit which helped sustain a scoring drive for the Broncos (had James not come in late, Dallas would have forced a Denver punt on the play) and Allan Ball was flagged for pass interference which negated a Patrick Watkins interception. Definitely not crisp on defense.

The special teams was a bit better last night but still needs a lot of attention. Again, Dallas couldn't get out of their own way. Tashard Choice blocked a punt but the ball went right back to the Denver punter and, since almost the entire Cowboy punt return team was down back down field setting up the return, the Denver punter ran for a first down. All I could do was shake my head. However, we did get to see what everyone was talking about when Pac Man Jones returned a punt 24 yards. He reminded me a bit of Deion (which I never thought would happen) and had to be tackled by the punter, which I'm sure he will hear about in team meetings. If that guy provides that kind of punch, at least half the time, when returning punts then he will be worth the signing.

The game wasn't a complete disaster though. Brad Johnson, who wasn't good last week, came in and played a lot better. He threw a very pretty 37 yard pass to Miles Austin near the Broncos sideline and hit Austin for a 5 yard touchdown a few plays later. Johnson finished 9-12 for 114 yards and a touchdown. Felix Jones again showed some of the offensive "pop" he has when he took a swing pass 27 yards down the sideline. I am pumped about getting that guy and excited about how Jason Garrett is going to use him. Anytime that guy touches the ball, he has the potential to make a big play. And Martellus Bennett made a nice catch and dragged 3 Bronco defenders with him until they finally brought him down. Unfortunately, that was the only time I remember that guy in the game.

I know this was only their second preseason game but the Cowboys have got to be better than they have the past two games. They are America's Team, on HBO's Hard Knocks, won 13 games in the regular season last year and are the odds on favorite of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. Preseason or no, Dallas is going to get every one's best shot and just because they show up to play doesn't automatically put one in the win column for them. I'm still not overly concerned as they have been playing very vanilla offense and defense however the penalties, special teams snafus, and lax play have got to be improved upon before the season starts or all this hype/expectations are going to come crashing down against just like they did last January vs. the Giants (I still ache a bit when I think about that game).

Maybe they need to concentrate a little more in practice and spend a little less time playing grab ass and joking around. The Cowboys will have another opportunity to live up to the hype of the coming season on Friday evening against Houston. Now, if Houston comes in and beats Dallas, then I will be worried as Dallas is playing at home and Houston is, well, Houston. But a dog can bit you every once in a while if you aren't careful so the Cowboys better tighten the screws a bit this week. Because they definitely need it.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know what the Cowboys need? A homlier QB....like Jay Cutler for instance. I mean, he doesn't date starlets or anything, and did you see how focused he was Saturday? Romo just didn't have his legs under him if you know what I mean. That's why the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl this year.

brooks-brooks said...

Homlier? Well, maybe...I do like the fact that Cutler isn't dating starlets...yet. But if he's as good as everyone thinks he is, his time will come. Dallas and Denver meeting in the Super Bowl huh. If that happens, I will predict a replay of Super Bowl XII where Staubach will replace Romo and Morton will replace Cutler on the way to loosing to Dallas by 17 points.

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