Stephen McGee to Start vs. Dolphins; Some Starters to Play
by Brandon Worley on Aug 31, 2010 2:08 PM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
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Wade Phillips talked to the media today and addressed the thought that perhaps the Dallas Cowboys could put the starting offense on the field for a couple of series in the final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. While everyone is concerned about the lack of production from the offense through four games, we're going to have to wait until Washington to see if everything has been ironed out.
According the Phillips, Stephen McGee will get the start against Miami and is likely to play the entire game. From the DMN:
``In a a few cases (starters) will play some,'' Phillips said. ``We will play a lot of guys in this ballgame that I think are going to make a difference in our team and also guys who are on the border of making or not making the team.''
More after the jump...
Other than the statement on McGee starting it was a fairly non-committal answer from Phillips on who exactly will play. With Romo no playing, and with the Cowboys focusing on the final evaluations of contributing players and players on the bubble, I'm expecting to not see a lot of Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Terence Newman or Mike Jenkins.
In fact, I'd be surprised if any of those players even put pads on Thursday night.
Phillips would not say whether Dez Bryant would play on Thursday. While the rookie is hungry to get on the field I fail to see any advantage to him playing with McGee and not Romo.
For Stephen McGee, it's likely that he's going to be playing for a roster spot against the Dolphins. While he's shown flashes at times he has yet to be consistent and been reluctant to aggressively get the ball downfield; with an entire game ahead of him, he now has the chance to get into a rhythm and show the coaches he deserves to stay on the team.
We're also likely to see plenty of Sean Lee, as the Cowboys are trying to get him caught up to speed after he missed significant time due to injury. He has supposedly dropped out of the nickel LB spot while he learns the basics of the ILB position. He was less-than-impressive against the Texans; let's see what he does with another full game under his belt.
Expect Wade Phillips to break out of his vanilla mindset a bit as well. While most of the starters won't be playing, it's likely he'll unleash the defense at times to see how the younger players react. Against the Texans he was hesitant to even put the proper defense on the field; I'm expecting to see a bit more aggression in Miami.
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Forget the Whales, Save The Starters
I am happy to hear there is not much intent to play any players that we cannot live without. It would also be nice to see the backups in an overmatched situation to see if anybody emerges.
In regards to McGee, is this his chance to make or lose a roster spot? If his woes continue, I say we cut him to make room for another contributing player elsewhere on the team.
Yep
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
I would like to see McGee throw to some quality people. Crayton, Ogletree, Hurd would be fine.
Then get Holly, and Johnson in there. Bryant (caution), RW (pride), and Austin (because he is our outside passing game) should sit.
Family, Friends, Cowboys, Beer & BBQ. Life is good!
I'd add Crayton to your list
He’s the only WR who knows all the positions, as well as most likely being our 3rd WR until Dez is totally confident in his role(s)
When in doubt, empty your magazine
I've mentioned this before, but can't help myself ... why not Dez?
Everyone seems content to see Lee gain playing experience, yet Dez seems to have taken on a fragile aura. I say give the kid as much playing time as you can. It might be a few-plus weeks before he sees any significant playing time, he missed most of training camp … and, despite his lofty potential, he’s A ROOKIE.
Let him play.
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
I think it is a matter of...
what is to gain with having him out there?
I agree that it is good to have him out there, but it isn’t like he’ll be developing chemistry with Romo or going up against #1’s, so… you know?
AFB Condensed- New name, same flavor.
Quoting yourself doesn't require your own name attached to it. I'm going to assume if there isn't anyone else's name attached it's yours.
I agree with Luke
Dez hasn’t played in any kind of game for almost two years. There might be a little touch of rust to knock off there. I think he will see a few plays.
The new mantra: No more injuries. No more injuries. Everybody now: NO MORE INJURIES!
It hasn't been two years.
You don’t just forget football. The problem with missing time is loss of stamina and that isn’t going to be an issue with Dez.
Semper Fi Do or Die
Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first
Sorry, almost a year was what I meant
But I disagree about the forgetting part – any skill not used tends to decay, and Dez has never played on the professional level. I just think the coaching staff may want to get a few reps in before the first regular season game, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in on a couple of series.
The new mantra: No more injuries. No more injuries. Everybody now: NO MORE INJURIES!
how is going up against scrubs
from another team going to help? How is it any better than practice?
There will be dolphins that are tryig to make the team or just want to make Sportscenter for 15mins of fame. They are looking to lay out guys like dez. With Mcgree throwing to him its likely they will get their chance too.
Really?! Really?!
Exactly
You want Dez to be playing for simple reps (which won’t be with anyone that will be throwing to him in the season which defeats the purpose entirely) against guys that are getting cut if they don’t make a spectacular showing. I guarentee I’m gunning for Dez if I’m the opponent, that’s a definate. Also to this
any skill not used tends to decay
You don’t think he’s been catching passes and running routes? He’s prepped for the combine after the suspension and he’s worked here… His skillset is the least of our troubles.
Piney, it’s just not worth it man.
Semper Fi Do or Die
Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first
Theres no advantage
you will have inaccurate qb throwing to who should be a starting wr soon. Do you want Dez to be hung out to dry over the middle? Plus WR are targets people want to hit them while a LB is trying to hit people not vice versa.
Dez needs time with romo to knock the rust off. Its all about getting in sync with the qb
Really?! Really?!
It's a high ankle sprain.
That’s the sort of injury that could lurk all season long. If there’s no significant advantage to having him on the field, with McGee at QB….then why take that chance?
One of the last Joe Nieuwendyk supporters in Dallas....
Defending Big D - Dallas Stars news & analysis; SB Nation Dallas-Fort Worth
by Brandon Worley on Aug 31, 2010 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly.
One bad turn early on a bad ankle and it’s even longer before he comes back. Plus, I guarentee if you see him get left out in the air on a bad pass and get clocked like RW last year I bet you regret making that call. Plus I’ve got a biased opinion, because I’m wearing his jersey to the opener and he better play! lol
Semper Fi Do or Die
Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first
You speak the truth
Don’t need to do it. The guys going to be a stud, we already know it. One or two series in the final pre-season game won’t help accelerate that. But if he aggravates it, that could set him way back for the season.
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
The More Time You Rest a High Ankle
injury, the better. Nothing to gain here, in my view. Besides the injury issue, Dallas does not need Dez in the first 25 percent of the season; they need him to slowly develop in the next 50 percent of the season and then be ready to turn it on as the season winds down and the playoffs crank up. I recall St. Landry treating one Tony D in the same manner.
agreed
Totally agree. The guy needs to be on the field. If he got hurt it would suck, but you still need to practice all you can.
Ahab the Arab
I say keep an eye on this kid, this Louie the Looper. He's going places!
He'll get practice
Just not in a game where scrubs will be trying to make a name for themselves by doing whatever they can to be noticed.
We don’t want our future star getting blasted by some no name FS trying to get a highlight on Sportscenter.
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
The main argument against is a fear of injury ... understandable
Except … that is the case for all of the players in all of the pre-season games. On that logic alone, you’d hesitate to play your starters much if at all until game one.
My thought is that we’ve got a rookie with TONS of potential that will have a learning curve – meaning he’ll make mistakes, and hopefully learn from those mistakes. I’d rather have him learn a few of those things while the stakes are not so high.
If he’s cleared to play, and the ankle is strong, then I don’t see the great danger in giving him reps. If you want to avoid the “sportscenter highlight” … then don’t give him anything over the middle.
I realize most people disagree, JMHO :)
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
I'd like to see him in action, and I don't really think anything bad would happen to him
Also I totally agree with you that he needs all the reps he can get. But better safe than sorry. Especially with the rest of the 1st unit not going, plus it gives the ankle ligaments an extra week to strengthen. Also, there will be zero film on Dez in the Cowboys offense for WAS to look at. Strategery!
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
Right decision but......
it will likely be one ugly game and that sums it up for this preseason.
Maybe Bright and Costa can save themselves. I hope Holly can make a few plays and land a job here or somewhere else.
McGee working whole game indicates for me that it isn’t a lock McGee makes the team. I give him less than 50% making team given current decisions that need to be made on roster.
linus
I had the same thought
Richard Bartell, II this has the potential to become. Remember Bartell? Developmental QB we had the PS for a year and let him play the whole last preseason game. He knew he was being cut and took home the game ball as a momento.
Bartel's playing for WAS right now
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
Definitely hoping to see some solid OLine play,
even if it will be back-ups. Might make me feel a little better about our prospects this season.
"Everybody wants something but nobody wants to pay the price" - Michael Irvin
Heard on GAG that Lee won't be the nickel LB in Washington.
I guess the injury set him back.
Lock n Load
Brookings
is the best we’ve got for the nickle LB. My guess is that we’ll see Lee sub for him in the base D quite a bit to help keep his snap count down.
You're also going to see a lot of
Jason Williams, Barry Church and even Mike Hamlin in that nickel LB spot.
One of the last Joe Nieuwendyk supporters in Dallas....
Defending Big D - Dallas Stars news & analysis; SB Nation Dallas-Fort Worth
by Brandon Worley on Aug 31, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Gotta be Jason Williams in the opener though
If not, that’s a bit disappointing. (Even though I do like it when Church gets some mention, heh heh)
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
Lee is playing in the base defense
so his role at the nickle is on hold, not to add he was out a couple weeks w/ an injury. they have to see what the depth looks like behind Lee at LB incase another injury occurs to a starter. JWill, McCray & M.Hamlin were the names i heard mentioned as possible canidates for the nickel LB but never heard Church’s name. (DMN mentioned it)
Brooking has the fire/experience & can play all 3 downs very well but at his age do they really want him taking that many snaps per game, also this could all change come opening day.
did they say Lee was playing in B.James’s position against the Phins? whos the other starting ILB? L.Williams?
Move Over Sweetness, Make A Place For Emmitt!
by Va_Cowboy_Fan on Sep 2, 2010 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking:
That most of the starters should play, at least for one series.
The reasoning is simple, if McGee continues to show what he has shown with several starters on the field, then there’s something seriously wrong with his development. I just don’t want to make a judgement on a vaccum, McGee with average protection and targets isn’t the ideal situation to make a fully informed opinion.
Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
Disagree,
One series won’t make any difference one way or the other. The coaches can evaluate McGee with the backups on the field IMO. If he has to play this year, the season is down the drain anyway.
Lock n Load
Agreed DF
If they haven’t seen enough to form an intelligent decision right now, then we may need to reevaluate our coaches.
No starters, no way. We don’t need anymore injuries.
The guy is getting graded on a curve and still hasn't proven himself.
If you can make it without starters and a porous line you deserve a spot, if not you don’t.
Semper Fi Do or Die
Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first
So, Romo didn't deserved a spot when it was his time?
Because, as far as I know, in his second year he started the last preseason game and pretty much played with every starter for a couple of series…
Parcells gave the guy a test to see if he would be able to swim with the other guys
BTW, I’m not comparing McGee to Romo, I’m only echoing some comments that I’ve read, including from Raf, the poor protection from time to time gives him no shot at looking consistent…
Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
you wouldn't echo if you didn't agree, at least somewhat
no offense intended, but with Romo one could at least see some raw ability. Remember too, that we had poor QB play for years, and although old veterans were brought in, they weren’t the answer for the future.
Romo isn’t an old veteran on his way out, thus the need to keep a young project QB is not really necessary. IMO
I agree...
I am not going to judge McGee until I see how he does with an experienced O-line in front of hiim and some receivers who could actually run routes. I felt bad for him on the last play against the Texans. He got hammered! I didn’t think he was going to get up.
According to the DMN
Hurd is on the bubble so he may be el fuego Thursday.
If McGee can’t go vertical then he needs to be cut.
Lee always seems to be around the ball, he wasn’t that bad Sat.
Want to see more of AOA he looked good as a return man.
Hope the safeties show up also.
by TCB Orange Dino on Aug 31, 2010 7:04 PM CDT reply actions
I'd bet they planned to start McGee
ever since they found out we had an extra preseason game this year. This seems calculated, not spontaneous. Spontaneous would have been if we started Romo this week.
by speedmetal on Sep 1, 2010 12:22 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
wont see the game ,
as i will be working that night..
hope you guys post lots of breakdowns for me to read on fri morning…
go cowboys……………..
Davie Wilson
how bout them cowboys!!!
This is the smart move
A 5th pre-season game is for the scrubs and to evaluate the young guys battling for the final few spots. Other than that you don’t want to put your starters at risk just to prove your team can score a TD. I feel much better hearing this news.
Thank you #22, for everything you did for the Cowboys. There will never be another one like you.
why hasn't Buehler been kicking FGs?
any ideas why Dallas hasn’t allowed Buehler a chance to kick some 43-53 yarders when they had the chance to see him live? they’ve opted to punt/kneel down on several occasions when they had a prime chance to see him. 1) is they know he’s the man without any questions & dont need to see anymore or ruin his confidence. 2) they have no confidence in him & don’t want to drive the price of a FG kicker up or possibly have to trade for one. 3) waiting for cuts or going to wait to see how he does until the bye week.
i would like to be a fly on the wall in those conversations but i can’t see Jerry blowing off a chance to win a game on a botched FG this year.
Move Over Sweetness, Make A Place For Emmitt!
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