Cowboys @ Seahawks: Three Things To Watch For In The Game -DannyPhantom- Blogging The Boys
With the Cowboys starters getting plenty of action? Will Zeke make a big splash in his debut? Who steps up on defense? Taking a look at things to look for in the upcoming game.
The anticipation of watching Elliott take a hand-off for the first time is very exciting. We are all jacked to see what the kid can do, but lower your expectations quite a bit. Sure, we can’t wait for that defining moment where he gets into space and breaks off a big run. Cowboys fans everywhere will all come together in harmony as the front office’s decision to select him will appear validated. As great as that sounds, don’t expect that day to be on Thursday.
Butler, Collins, Durant, Zeke & Wilber Among Players to Watch vs. Seattle | Dallas Cowboys
Let’s check out who the staff writers will be following closely in Saturday’s game against the Seahawks.
Nick Eatman: LB/DE Kyle Wilber: He’s been slowed by a bad back in training camp but if last week was any indication, he looks like he’s back to form. With so many issues at the defensive end position, I’m wondering if Wilber will get some chances to rush the passer again like he did last week. He’s expected to be the starter at the SAM position but the Cowboys are looking to get Damien Wilson some reps there, too. But Wilber has always moved around on this defense and this could be yet another opportunity for him to show his versatility. Wherever he plays, it could be a domino-effect for other players on this defense.
Cowboys need Chaz Green to get in swing of things- Todd Archer- ESPN
Chaz Green did not play as a rookie because of hip surgery. This season, his role as a swing tackle takes on even more importance.
"We’re looking for a swing tackle, so what happens with the swing tackle is, he goes into the game when one of the tackles get hurt and that’s real life," coach Jason Garrett said. "One of the things we’re trying to do is create a competitive situation and see if Chaz can emerge or if somebody can emerge there. It was good to see him out there with the ones and against the ones with Tony [Romo]being the quarterback.
5 things to watch in Cowboys-Seahawks game -Drew Davison-The Star-Telegram
Without Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys will look to first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott to power the offense in Seattle.
How’s the rush?
The top storyline throughout the off-season and training camp has been developing a pass rush. It’s an unknown group right now, but this will be the most telling sign since the Seahawks have one of the better offenses in the league. How much pressure the Cowboys are able to get on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will provide a barometer of where this pass rush is at this point. Shaneil Jenkins has shined in the first two preseason games. Who else will make a name for himself?
Dallas Cowboys: Zeke, the D-line, Prescott: Why Seattle game will be good barometer for Cowboys' biggest question mark- Kate Hairopoulos- SportsDay
For those pining for some real Cowboys football, Thursday night's action between Dallas and the Seattle Seahawks isn't it, but it's as close as we'll get to the real thing.
"They're a really good football team," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said of the Seahawks. "Their fans up there really love them. I've never played a preseason game up there in that stadium, but we certainly anticipate a raucous crowd and a good football team on Thursday night."
Cowboys @ Seahawks: "We're hoping against hope that Russell Wilson doesn't get injured in a dumb preseason game" - Dave Halprin-Blogging The Boys
We find out more about the Cowboys Thursday opponent by speaking with Seahawks blog Field Gulls.
FG: I think everything is lining up for Wilson to "prove" his 2015 season wasn't a fluke and that he is an elite quarterback in this league. The offense could really be exciting with Rawls, Michael, Prosise, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, Graham, Luke Willson, and Nick Vannett at his disposal. The biggest concern is the offensive line but they've finally got a couple of good pieces to build around it seems like: Ifedi and center Justin Britt, who has been great this year following another position change after playing tackle and guard.
If they can protect Wilson, things will go right. If they can't, there will be a lot of low-scoring games, and Carroll has already proven capable of losing low-scoring games and blowing fourth-quarter leads. The Seahawks need to put the gas on in the first half and not let up, which is something they seem to struggle with every season. It could be as good as their 2013 Super Bowl year or as bad as their 31-0 deficit to the Panthers in the playoffs last season.
Lawrence Expects To Make "Big Impact" After 4-Game Regular-Season Suspension-Rob Phillips- Dallas Cowboys
DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t thinking about his upcoming four-game NFL regular-season suspension.
"I’m going to have a big impact," he said. "It’s just all about me working on what I’ve got to work on. I just feel like I’ve just got to do my job and make sure everybody’s ready to do their job, and it’ll be a great group."
After seeing the Cowboys had printed a slogan trademarked by the Patriots on their training camp locker room wall, Rob Gronkowski had something to say.
Hmm, the Cowboys' new slogan sounds familiar .... What are your thoughts??? #DoYourJobGate
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) August 24, 2016
https://t.co/C10NZtsJKb pic.twitter.com/HnvWyoOEyz
Hennings praises Prescott but issues reality check for Cowboys' fans-Jimmy Burch- The Star-Telegram
Prescott will be best served holding a clipboard on the sidelines "for a couple of years" before he sees meaningful, regular-season NFL action.
Asked about his level of optimism for his former team if Prescott is forced into extended duty this season, Chad Hennings said:
"Hopefully, he doesn’t have to play. Hopefully, Tony can stay healthy. Again, it’s (about) confidence. For Dak, for his development, you’d like for him to carry the clipboard on the sidelines for a couple of years as Tony did for several years to kind of acclimate and get used to the game. Because there is a pretty steep learning curve. If he has to play, I don’t know if they’d put him in right away to potentially jeopardize his confidence. But you never know. Hopefully, they won’t have to get to that stage."
Dallas Cowboys: Former NFL GM: Cowboys have to be watching Dak Prescott thinking, 'Do we have a Russell Wilson here?' | SportsDay
The biggest story to come out of Dallas Cowboys training camp isn't from the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. It's from the quarterback that wears the number four jersey.
Charley Casserly -- now with NFL.com and former Washington Redskins GM -- had this to say of Prescott:
"I don't know how you can't fall in love with him because he's been outstanding. What I liked about him in Week 2 of the preseason for the Dallas Cowboys is this: instincts. The guy has an instinct of where to throw the ball, who to throw it to and when to run. That's a lot to be said for a young guy. I did not have any negatives again for the second week in a row."