Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Rush Playing Better Than You Think

The Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback situation has been under a microscope this preseason, somehow, everyone has missed Cooper Rush is actually playing well.

If you look around at conversation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, the sentiment is that the backup quarterback situation is abysmal. There is a resounding thought that Cooper Rush and Mike White need to go immediately. While White has been really bad this preseason, Cooper Rush is playing better than many realize.

This is not a resounding support for Cooper Rush to be the absolute answer, however, this is about putting Rush and his play this preseason into perspective. Before we get into the stats and thoughts, I would like to know who exactly is out there that is far and away better than Rush right now. Seriously, hit me up on Twitter or respond here.

Okay, now that is out of the way, let’s take a look at Rush and his performances these past two games. The first preseason game was pretty ugly all the way around, and to be fair, most teams’ first preseason game is ugly. Players are finally getting to hit players other than those on their own team. New players are getting into the rhythm of the team, they are figuring out the other players in game situations, and chemistry is starting to occur. Rookies are getting their first look at professional players. It is rarely a thing of beauty.

Rush played with the second team in the first game and third stringers in the second game. The offensive line was a disaster in both games once the starters came out. The wide receivers were running sloppy routes or dropping balls, and the running backs were getting little on the ground. Yet, in the two minute drill Rush drove the Cowboys down for a field goal in the first game. It was well run, fairly smooth, and Rush made solid decisions.

In the second game after White came out, Rush made a great throw to Devin Smith for the Cowboys sole passing touchdown this preseason so far. He stood in and delivered when many backups wouldn’t have, he was poised under a disaster of an offensive line. His throws haven’t been absolutely perfect, but neither have the wide receivers been running great routes.