Cowboys: This is what you should be looking for in Game 1

With the Dallas Cowboys’ first preseason game tonight, let’s look at how to watch it and what to look for.

It is finally time for some Dallas Cowboys football. Sure some may not be excited for meaningless preseason games, but even these exhibition games can fairly fun to watch if you know what to watch for.

As we all know, the results don’t really matter. Just ask the 0-16 Lions who went 4-0 in preseason. But the games can help to show what a team has as far as depth. Since there have been quite a few suspensions for the Dallas Cowboys, this holds added importance this preseason.

Offense

First, let’s look at the offense. The starters won’t play very much in the first game, if at all. So instead the important thing to look is how some of the rookies and depth players will play. Some questions remain on the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, none of them really apply to the starters, although, there are one or two answers needed.

Who will be the backup and third string quarterback? Well, right now Kellen Moore is the backup, however, Luke McCown was recently acquired and could push for that position. At the very least McCown and Cooper Rush will battle for third string. You always want to know who the backups will be, injuries do happen, just ask Tony Romo.

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Another question on offense is who will be the left guard. It seems like Chaz Green is the front-runner, but Jonathan Cooper is a former first round pick and could push Green for the starting spot.Since Green is now injured and expected to miss one if not two games, I’m watching Green to see if he can lock the spot down in Green’s absence.

Also on offense who will be the wide receivers behind Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, and Cole Beasley. We can assume that Ryan Switzer is a lock for the roster, but with Lucky Whitehead being released, there is at least one to two more openings. I wouldn’t focus on just the speed of players, but the route running and ability to get open and make catches as well. Oh, and if one can make noise in the return game and special teams.

The last offensive question will be what will the tight end depth look like. We all know Jason Witten will start, but after him the Dallas Cowboys are not quite locked in on the depth chart. James Hanna and Geoff Swaim right now hold the back-up slots. Rico Gathers has not had the best of training camps and rookie Blake Jarwin could push for a roster spot if he can prove he is more complete that Gathers.

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Defense

Defense is where the most questions remain. Instead of specific players however, there will be more of a focus on the unit as a whole. With a new influx of rookies who should get ample playing time, the question will become how does the pass coverage look from them. The real thing to watch for is their ability to play the ball rather than the receiver, as well as keeping throwing windows closed.

The most questions come in the form of the pass rush. The Dallas Cowboys don’t have that “war daddy” they wanted, but have a fairly solid rotation of players.

Watching the linebacker play includes the health and availability of Jaylon Smith who could help the pass rush as well. The front seven are far from locked into place outside of Sean Lee. Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber will factor into the linebacker rotation as well as depth.

Watch for small things in the game. Special teams play will be vital to helping figure out the depth chart behind first and maybe second string. Players racking up penalties and missing assignments no matter how flashy they may be, could end up on the bubble. With several suspensions on the way, looking at the backups will be key for the Dallas Cowboys over the first few games.

Next: Cowboys: Wake me when they are playing meaningful games

So sit back and relax while we watch preseason game one. It won’t answer all of the questions, in fact, it may not answer any of them, yet. However, it will be a start to answer some of the questions as the Dallas Cowboys march toward the regular season.