FanPost

So far, who has excelled, and who has been MIA?

Going into the 3rd preseason game, Dallas has looked pretty good. We jumped out to a 17-point lead against the Rams, then steamrolled the Dolphins 41-14. Most of that was courtesy of the Amazing Dak Prescott!

But who else has shown up so far? And who have we been missing?

Best Performers

1. Dak Prescott. Not much more to say about him. I've penned my ode to him here.

2. Alfred Morris. I live outside DC, so I've seen a lot of this guy. I had concerns about his declining numbers with Washington. I don't have any concerns now. He is a perfect fit behind Zeke and this line. He's even shown his willingness to address pass protection and catching the ball, two of his weaknesses.

3. Dez Bryant. It's good to see him back after last season. Dak already has a great rapport with him.

4. Shaniel Jenkins. This guy came out of nowhere to show what we might have hoped for from Maliek Collins. Bob Sturm has a great write up here.

5. Brice Butler. Though he has yet to catch a pass from Tony Romo, Dak Prescott has shown how to use him. He not only has speed to get behind the D, he has shown great hands and leaping ability. Too bad the officials called him for offensive pass interference once at the goal line. If he is willing to take less than Williams next offseason, he may become our #2 guy for the next few years.

6. Cedric Thornton. Has played, unlike a lot of the guys on the D-line, and shown how much of an upgrade he'll be over Nick Hayden. Loved the scooped QB fumble against Miami. I hate Philly, but they train their guys very well on picking up turnovers and trying to score.

7. Jack Crawford. Moved to LDE and had a disruptive game against Miami. Looked like he's passed Irving and Russell on the outside.

8. Geoff Swaim. Despite his dropped balls from Dak, he's shown he's a player. He's never going to take a Jason Witten role, but he seems like a very solid depth TE. That's important with Hanna out.

9. Darius Jackson. No wow plays so far. His best run, where he got outside for 20+ was called back on a bogus holding call against Terrence Williams. But he's also shown that he's solid, which will make it possible to move on from DMC if the team chooses to.

10. Tony Romo. Like Dez, it's useful to see him in a game. He often doesn't start seasons well, so I think it's important to give him some reps and blow the rust off.

Honorable mention. Special teams. They have run back a kickoff for a TD, and blocked a punt. These kinds of things win games.

P.S. Chaz Green. He's had some penalties, mostly when he got fatigued, but showed significant improvement in game #2. The Cowboys invested a 3rd round pick in him, and he may redeem their confidence by growing into a swing tackle and eventual replacement for Doug Free.

Missing in Action (so far)

Lots of guys have been out. Some of them we hope to see Thursday night.

1. Ezekiel Elliott. We can't wait to see him get his feet wet. It doesn't matter to me how he does, just that he's out there taking snaps. But he has the potential to electrify the team in the same kind of way that Dak has.

2. Maliek Collins. We all have him penciled onto the roster, but Shaniel Jenkins blew past him while he was recovering from his OTA injury. Let's see if Collins has an answer.

3. Charles Tapper. Our 4th rounder was touted for his superior speed off the edge. Another guy we haven't seen yet, and may not see on Thursday.

4. Benson Mayowa. Our #2 D-line free agent (Thornton is #1) has yet to play. He's critical to giving us hope the D-line will be okay.

5. David Irving. Had one game, then he's been out. Need much more consistency from someone who should be fighting for a starting spot.

6. Ryan Russell. Got hyped in OTAs and the start of camp, but hasn't shown much in the games. Roster spot is no longer secure.

7. Rico Gathers. He's done so little, I'm no longer 100% sure they will keep him on the practice squad. Austin Traylor seems to have blown by him and may make the team as Hanna's sub until he returns.

8. Kavon Frazier. Not a zero, but has he done anything that would lead you to believe he could play a major role if they let Wilcox go, and don't re-sign Church next year? He did have a pass defense on the goal line for his best (and only) significant play. Needs to pick it up.

9. Anthony Brown. He had 3 tackles against the Rams, but none against the Dolphins. Did he play?

10. JJ Wilcox. Has looked terrible at times. Got burned deep by Miami, for example. But he's also had a couple of good plays. Separated a Rams receiver from the ball near the goal line on a nice hit. And created a tackle for loss against Miami the play after he got torched. Still on all the special teams units. Potentially could still have a role, but you'd have to protect him. Wish Dallas had enough depth here to cut him.

That's my take. Who do you have?

P.S. Two more MIAs. Rolando McClain and Randy Gregory. We've adapted to their loss, but there's no doubt the team would be stronger with them here.

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