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Cowboys vs Colts game review: Standouts, notes, and observations

By Reid Hanson

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Dez Bryant
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Dez Bryant /
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The Dallas Cowboys hosted the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason home opener on Saturday, after careful review here are the game’s standouts, notes, and observations

It couldn’t have gone any better for the first team offense. Backed up on their own five, they took it 95 yards, finishing it all off with a vintage Dez Bryant touchdown catch. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. What else did we see on Saturday…

What’s most noteworthy of the first Cowboys drive is how well they advanced the ball on first downs. By getting a minimum of five yards per first down play, they set themselves up for ideal second downs, avoiding those troublesome third downs altogether. Last season the Cowboys struggled later in the season when their yards per first down play dropped. They know this and have been dedicated to getting positive yards early and not falling behind in the pitch count, so to speak.

  • Jaylon Smith’s Dallas Cowboys debut dominated the headlines on the defensive side of the ball. He looked a little overaggressive but all things considered he looked good. He was decisive in his movement and had a good jump on the ball. It’s only a matter of time before he makes this defense his own but until then it’s wonderful knowing Dallas has Anthony Hitchens back there.
  • For as unexciting as Nolan Carroll and Orlando Scandrick are, they are proving to be better players than most people give them credit for. The question isn’t whether or not they can hang against NFL QBs as the top pair, it’s if they can hang against the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. They are still allowing windows that the leagues’ better QBs can exploit.
  • Expect a ton of “11” personnel again this season. The Cowboys increased its usage last season and Cole Beasley gave them a career year. Last season he was uncoverable. In training camp this year he was uncoverable. And this game he was uncoverable. He’s going to lead the team in receptions again this year. Book it.
  • Jonathan Cooper appeared to do very well as the left guard. Even with Chaz Green at left tackle, the left side of the line looked strong. Both players did very well causing me to think the left guard is now Jonathan Cooper’s job to lose, relegating Chaz Green to that “swing linemen” position I mentioned before camp even began.  I’ll say this about next season though, I expect Chaz Green to be the starting left guard in 2018 and beyond.
  • David Irving had a fun game to follow. I did what I usually do with him and watched every play of his, focusing on him alone, and he showed everything. He showed the speed rush, the bull rush, and even dropped into coverage (as did Taco Charlton). Rod Marinelli is running his linemen through multiple assignments and isn’t settling on that vanilla brand we usually see in preseason.  It’s unfortunate Irving is suspended for four games because he has very real double-digit sack potential.

    • Damontre

    Moore

    , my pick for playing “

    the most important position on the D-line

    ” played a little at defensive tackle and snagged himself a sack. He’s likely to make the team and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rod Marinelli gets creative with him this season.

    More from Dallas Cowboys

    Dallas used Noah Brown in a handful of blocking assignments, to which he executed with varying success (not all great). Brown continues to look good enough to make the team as the sixth receiver and is too good to make it onto the practice squad. That’s bad news for those Andy Jones lovers.

    I really want to see Dan Skipper, the tallest man in the NFL, make it but I just don’t see it at tackle. He’s too slow on the edge and will probably have to move to guard where he can just envelop his man in smaller space. Either way, he’s not making the team this season.

  • Darren McFadden looked like Darren McFadden. He was quick to the hole, and while he doesn’t play with a natural feel that most zone runners usually have, he does have power. The fumble wasn’t overly troubling as it looked more like a freak play than a sign of recklessness.
  • Alfred Morris, on the other hand, is painfully slow to the hole but plays with a better sense of awareness. It’s crazy to see such vastly different running styles play behind the same line and execute the same offense in such different ways.

    • Next: What to do with Noah Brown?

    I’ve come to believe the Dallas Cowboys would be best off if Kellen Moore retired and was hired as an assistant coach. Cooper Rush could be the QB2 and if Dak ever fell to injury, Moore could unretire and back up Rush. Problem solved.

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