Posted: August 8, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
“Are you ready for some sock-ker!?”
– The Simpsons, mocking Hank Williams Jr.’s tired opening line.
Finally. Real action that everybody can see. For those living in a cave, the NFL Network will broadcast the Cowboys/Chargers game, so get yourself to a friend with cable, or a sports bar. The game will be visible nationwide. It’s only a preseason game, meaning the starters will play at most a quarter. That said, here are some matchups to look for, some rookies to track and where to find them.
When Dallas Has the Ball
– The same starting 11 will return to the field from the Giants playoff game, with Marion Barber now the man at running back. Deon Anderson will play fullback when Dallas goes to its 21 packages (two backs) and Tony Curtis will join Jason Witten when Dallas calls for its 12 sets (two TEs). See how often Martellus Bennett spells Curtis. The more he plays in the first quarter, the more ready the coaches feel he is. He’ll play a lot, regardless.
When the starters are in, take a look to see how Andre Gurode fares against mammoth NT Jamal Williams. And don’t dawdle. Williams sat out the first week of camp and likely won’t play more than a series or two, if he plays at all.
The Chargers front appears a bit dinged. Starting DEs Igor Olashansky and Luis Castillo have missed time with back problems and may also miss the game entirely.
At linebacker, former 49ers ILB Derek Smith will start for Stephen Cooper, who will miss the first month on suspension.
In the secondary, however, the Chargers appear loaded and will challenge the Cowboys receiving corps. Quentin Jammer has resumed with strong ‘07 with a strong training camp. He and Antonio Cromartie will match up against T.O. and Patrick Crayton. Crayton was very strong against league-average CBs but really struggled against blue-chippers, so Dallas may throw away from him if Jammer gets him.
The game will also let us see Chargers 1st rounder Antoine Cason, whom the San Diego scribes call one of the team’s best performers in camp.
Watch to see if Felix Jones gets some reps with the first team. The Cowboys have installed some special sets that get him on the field with Marion Barber and on 3rd down but they may be kept under wraps until the games count.
When the second quarter begins, watch the second line. Doug Free has been working exclusively at left tackle but watch James Marten and Pat McQuistan, who have both been rotating at left guard and right tackle. If Dallas goes all backups, look for a Free, Marten, Cory Proctor, Joe Berger, McQuistan lineup from left tackle to right tackle. Dallas won’t keep all five of these guys, with Berger and Marten probably facing the longest odds at this point.
When San Diego Has the Ball
The Chargers are really beaten up here, so the Dallas starting eleven will match up against a lot of backups. Center Nick Hardwick has yet to practice while rehabbing an injured ankle. Former 49er Jeremy Newberry will take his place until at least October, as Hardwick is expected to miss four games. That said, Newberry is being paced slowly; the 12 year vet’s knees are cartilage deficient.
The Cowboys will also miss three key Chargers skill-position players. WR Vincent Jackson played lights out week one, but strained a hamstring and has missed the last week. He’s out. So is Antonio Gates, who is rehabbing a surgically-repaired big toe and is aiming for the season opener.
Dallas will also miss LaDainian Tomlinson, who will be held out of every pre-season game, according to head coach Norv Turner. Tomlinson has nothing to prove and with the other injuries, Turner will not risk his biggest offensive weapon.
Rookie Watch
Where some Dallas bubble boys are working out:
– Danny Amemdola has been playing the slot, gunner on punt coverage teams, punt and kickoff returner.
– Alonzo Coleman has been playing RB, and coverage on punts and kickoff teams. The same is true for Keon Lattimore. They are both batting to be the 4th running back, if the Cowboys keep four.
– Erik Walden is backing up Demarcus Ware at WOLB and is on the coverage teams as well.
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Could I be 1st?
The game starts at 9:00 Pm Dallas time and runs to midnite.
I wish we could see the Chargers real starters for the 1st Q, I’ve seen where they were picked by a few talking heads to win the Super Bowl.
I am looking forward to seeing our rookies.
Let me gush once again. You, Raf, have the pulse of Cowboys Nation better than anyone.
Who among us will not be watching the 4th Qtr.?
Most important is the 2nd & 3rd. That’s your 53 + special teams considerations.
The most amazing thing about Raf’s opine is that he’s not convinced that 10 OL is a sure thing. And I whole-heartedly agree.
The 53rd man will come from the decision whether to keep 10 OL, 9 LB, 7 WR, 5 CB, or (and my candidate) the 3rd QB. If a keeper comes along, then Proctor or McQuistan are expendable. My bets on McQ being that 53rd guy.
The question is…Who would you rather have? McQuistan or a WR (TBD); or the Alan Ball/Evan Oglesby loser for 7th CB; or a 9th LB (Rogers/Walden/Smith); or a fifth safety (Davis)…the list goes on.
Personally, I like keeping 9 OL and keeping a better talent. Marten or McQ need to go…thus creating a competition that no one is talking about.
My choice is between the corner or WR…my preference being a late sign or trade of a vet WR, and don’t leave out the TG scenario. It could happen.
Whoa. SEVEN WRs? No way. Six tops. They almost have to keep 6 CBs IMO. And Bartel is a long shot. Matt Moore played better last summer than Bartel is now.
Back to WRs — Five locks — T.O. Crayton, Hurd, Austin, Stanback.
Amendola has a real good shot. So who else you gonna keep? Mike Jefferson? I think Amendola has to play well to make them keep 6.
My thinking today is the team goes unbalanced: 24 offensive and 26 defensive players, with the 3 special team’s guys certain.
This is likely to change radically in the next 24 hours, with injuries, breakouts and flops but I see:
Offense (24)
2 QBs
3 RBs
1 FB
3 TEs
9 OL
6 WRs
Defense (26)
7 DL
9 LBs
6 CBs
4 Ss
Lattimore or Coleman will have to knock out a Dixon (the 7th DL) or Walden (the 9th LB). I can’t see Dallas cutting a CB with real value like Oglesby to keep a 4th RB.
Now, if Dixon flops or Walden flops they could be cut. But those guys play at positions (rusher and D-line) where teams are always short. They would NOT make it through waivers to the practice squad.
I noticed tonight that DeSean Jackson for Philly looked really good, even holding onto the ball when he got a good smack going across the center of the field. He looks ready to contribute this year (at least based on 1 preaseason game).
Limas Sweed didn’t look too bad, either. I hope Bennett can make us forget about them. Sorry to beat the well-beaten dead horse.
I’m looking forward to seeing especially Felix and Adam in action. I see them as being the 2 biggest difference-makers this year over last year’s squad. Liquid mercury speed on offense and knee deep in cornerbacks. Just think, they only have to be better than Julius Jones and Jacques Reeves.
mdlusk,
Trust me, the Cowboys had Bennett rated higher than either of those guys.
Much higher.
I know they did, and I hope that pans out, too. I expect it will from the reports we get from camp. Then he will likely be a monster. Possible future replacement for Witten?
I actually agree with you, Rafael.
The point was keeping only 9 OL. That means one of the “sure things” that everyone is talking about, namely McQuistan is gone.
That leaves room for your extra, which happens to be Dixon at DE…and a good choice.
But don’t discount a 3rd QB (Simms), 7th CB (Ball), or 5th Safety (Butler) being equally as enticing. Simms, Ball, McQ, and Dixon have little chance of passing wavers.
The fly in the ointment (or severe backup plan) is TG, or some other veteran WR. That cuts our boy Amendola, unless their willing to go very long there. Which is not a terrible idea. Cause there is no player except maybe Ball that would be the #1 pickup (Miami) in waivers.
Who could you get through waivers? Best bet is Dixon, the safeties, and the fringe WRs.
Just curious, but who’s talking about McQuistan being gone as a “sure thing?” Marten still hasn’t shown me anything to suggest he’ll kick McQuistan to the curb.
As for waivers, look, Miami can claim as many Cowboys as they want. They get first crack at EVERYBODY.
I put the over under at cut Cowboys on the Miami opening day roster at 3. You take the over or the under? Ball, Butler and McQuistan are all Ireland draftees/signees, as is Marten.
Any one of these guys cut is a Dolphin, unless another team wants to give you something for them in order to jump Miami in the queue.
I take the over. I expect them to grab nearly every late cut we have, if they could.
And I agree with Marten being the surprise cut. You stole my thunder (once again) for a future blog. The difference is that McQ is in that magic year 3 and Marten just moved to guard.
You’ve hit on a great point, though. Many of the fringe guys we’re talking about will have value. Assuming they all perform, there’s going to be a pick or two coming our way.
You know, I’m not so sure Marten is the odd guy out either. I’d still say Berger is the last cut. If you have two guys who can play G/T in Marten and McQuistan and a guy who plays OG/C in Berger, I think you cut the inside guy, unless Berger beats out Proctor, in which case HE’s the guy gone.
Gettin’ freakie deekie on me. Yeah, tht’s a plausible scenario.
What ever happened to replacing Kosier? Continuity? (which is a damn good argument BTW)
I just can’t get over that we’re satisfied with the 2nd/3rd WR and don’t want to lose Amendola. Then again, the Hurd/Austin runner-up can be valuable trade bait. Or just lose the Waterbug.
My two cents. McQ seemed to have some talent at tackle, and is big enough and apparently mean enough to play guard. Question to me is he better then Marten, which appears to be true. Kosier is someone who is also supposed to be able to play guard and tackle. NOW the question is is McQ better then Kosier. If he is then move him to guard and keep Kosier as a backup. We really do need a better backup to Gurode then proctor. THAT to me is where we need to upgrade.
Anybody know where a guy without the NFL Network and doesn’t live in Dallas or San Diego can watch/listen to the game live?
Cosby I don’t know for sure, but you might be able to to find a radio station to listen to on the net. Probably can get streaming from the ticket.
Cosby,
No sports bars in your part of the world? No bars with cable that will put the game on?
I think when things get slow around here I’m just going to start putting names in a Yahtzee cup, roll them around, and whoever comes out is who I’m gonna have beef with.
Hahaha
Rafael, thanks for your postings, I look forward to reading them everyday. A future topic I’d like to suggest is some extra analysis from you regarding this year’s rookie class, based on what you saw from them during camp.
Who determined the number for the roster cap and how long has it been 53? I know it may not seem like it for lesser teams with poor depth, but 53 has seemed unreasonable for the Cowboys the last couple years. Does anyone think this number could ever be adjusted
Well fellas, this will be my first pro football game ever! We are off to the tailgate now. Good luck, GO COWBOYS!
Is it to early to start looking at next year’s draft.
Sell everything to get one guy. That guy has a remote chance of being the No. 1 pick. He is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz7caPqoJE&feature=related
#5 Michael Crabtree | WR Roster:
Full Name: Michael Crabtree
Born: September 14, 1987
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Height: 6-3
Weight: 214 lbs.
Age: 20
Pos: WR
Class: Sophomore
REC 134 | YDS 1,962 | TD 22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz7caPqoJE&feature=related
At 6′3, it is simply amazing how well he runs and his numbers are for 1 year. Simply amazing.
Looks like TO but in fact run better.