Dallas Cowboys: Review of first preseason performance
By Carl Daley
![SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass over Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass over Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9df95503e6604ff947591baa4e27faa87d29100d7ad806fc3d69a99a8b881f73.jpg)
Gotta go with Bo
The Dallas Cowboys first depth chart of the preseason showed rookie running back, Bo Scarbrough behind Darius Jackson, this seemed odd for several reasons. Bo is a bulldozing Alabama running back with the size and power to give a defense nightmares, Jackson was on the roster at one point, only to be released. If there was any doubt about Scarbrough’s abilities, they were put to rest.
He had more carries than any other running back and seemed to have more pop and power than any of the other players (besides Ezekiel Elliott) on the roster. Bo recorded 33 rushing yards and a goal-line touchdown. He had a relatively long scamper down the field and while he may not be the fastest running back, he knows how to break tackles. The starting back of the game and presumed backup, Rod Smith had eight carries for 32 yards.
In a league where Saquon Barkley could go on a 39-yard run and immediately be anointed the next Jim Brown, I find it curious that a seventh-round pick who spent most of his final year of college banged up recording a 28-yard run is not celebrated. Bo is also a perfect compliment to Elliott as the Ohio State alum’s combination of speed and power wears down a defense over time.
Add Scarbrough’s power to that mix, and we have a new deadly one-two punch for the Dallas Cowboys on the ground. If Bo can stay healthy he can be the most productive seventh-round pick this team has seen in recent memory.