Cowboys close out preseason with loss to Vikings, 23-14

I'll start with what I saw on the corners

A. Glenn is still the solid #3CB

Joey Thomas looked terrible, out of position all night, giving way too much cushion to 3rd stringers (c'mon dude) my confidence in him is shaken.

Nate Jones missed one tackle for a big play, later made a crushing hit on a WR causing a fumble (later ruled incomplete) still borderline average. He can play the slot, and he's good on ST, that might save him.

Reeves - up and down, made some nice pass break ups early but nothing after that. Infuriated Wade right before the half by allowing his man to make the catch and get out of bounds to stop the clock (Minn had no timeouts) this allowed them to kick a FG before the half ended. I can see him getting the boot.

Butler - good tackler, didn't get a chance to defend  any passes that I saw, but he's good against the run especially. He only got a couple chances to return punts, but looks like he's quick enough to do it.

Ball, one great tackle on ST, that was all I saw of him.

Safety

Courtney Brown had an INT on a poor pass, but he didn't make any bad plays.

Elam will make the team, no doubt in my mind. Made plays all over the field and on ST he was a standout.

Basically a battle between Austin and Urban for the last spot.

Austin was a star on offense, his switch must have come on. Ran good routes and with his speed and KO return ability I'd give him the edge.

Urban - Yes, he had the play of the game on the punt return, but I saw Carp block a guy in the back which took out 3 defenders. Might have been a penalty in the regular season. Still Urban made the most of it.
He also had a bad fumble which led to Minn score. He had a tough catch for a 3rd down conversion later in the game.

We might keep both, but if we only keep 6, I'd vote for Austin.

Stanback is lightning quick, but still needs work as a WR.

Nobody else did squat.

JJ and MB3 the line starting should have been able to open better holes. This is the 2nd consecutive game when we could not run and Coach Garrett's offense needs that dimension. The good news is that the Giants - especially without Strahan - should be easy to run on.

The regression in taking care of the football is troubling. The Vikings were playing scrubs and did not fumble. No reason for us to have 4 fumbles no matter who is playing.

Spears was playing into the 4th Q, and still didn't get a sack, but did bat down a pass. Read into that what you will.

Hatcher, he started manhandling his guy collapsing the pocket, pressuring the QB. I'll predict he surpasses Spears as the starter before midseason.

Bowen - he's a keeper. Was getting all kinds of pressure early on in the game, also got a sack, and totally stuffed a Minn RB for a loss.

Remi Ayodele stepped it up, but it was late in the game against the guys who won't be Vikings much longer. I still think he should be on the PS.

McBriar is a stud! Pro-Bowl bound.

Glymph did nothing, Ellis better get back on the field.

Blair Phillips - I don't know if he makes the roster or not, but he was getting the plays from B.Stewart after Carp finally got to sit down. Maybe PS candidate?

James Marten, whew...not looking good. I think Pettiti was better. If not for the fact that he's a 3rd rd pick he'd definitely be on the PS or just cut.

We probably only keep 2 QB's and then pick up whoever clears waivers and put them on the PS.

Curtis looks better and better. Definite 3rd TE.

FB - they all played well, tough call if we only keep 2.

My notes for the game show them very close as WR's. Yes, Urban had the TD Punt return (which he stupidly fielded at the 4: I know the TD makes up for that, but still...) But then Urban basically gave the six points back with his later fumble.

I kind of get the sense that maybe Urban runs more aggressive routes and might have better hands. "Maybe," being the key word, there. Both still young and raw, with obvious "up side" to exploit.

I think this battle may come down to stuff we can't see, like the coaches' perception of their individual work ethics/character.

You gotta love this:

Romo, Owens and Crayton worked on the entire route tree, worked up a good sweat and improved their chemistry, I'm sure.

"There were some footballs around and we could use the opportunity either to sit and watch or get in some work," Romo said.