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2016-2017 Preseason: Best Laid Plans . . .
- September 11, 2016 At 3:12 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Romo!”
While seeing Tony Romo writhing in preseason pain with Seattle
linebacker Bobby Wagner standing over him like the grim reaper may
have reminded fans of a famous fight between Muhammad Ali and Smokin’
Joe Frazier . . . the crack-causing collision to Romo’s vertebrae
was decidedly less vehicular.
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- Wagner’s hit was neither dirty nor illegal . . . and that fact
in-and-of-itself did the biggest damage in exposing just how
devastatingly delicate Dallas’ franchise quarterback has become.
The Dallas Cowboys’ preseason – until that point – had been filled
with hope of a reasonable recovery from last year’s complete
disaster . . . into a new season where the NFC East was – once again
– available for anyone to master.
Dak Prescott was pushing more poise and performance potency – in the
prior three preseason games – than most of the rookies drafted ahead
of him. The defenses he was facing were predictably boring as
vanilla, but Dak was unpredictably smooth as Nutella.
Dak may have seemed every bit a seasoned pro during his time at Ole
Miss, but “everything is faster and more complex in the NFL.” He
could have gagged like (Jared) Goff, learning a new system, and his
preseason opportunity could have gone all to hell.
When it finally came time for Romo to make his
more-than-a-few-series preseason debut, Cowboys Nation was enjoying
an unnatural sense of ease they had not felt since John Kitna had
donned a Dallas uniform.
Best laid plans . . .
Supposed To
Romo was supposed to possibly play against the Seahawks for one
roll-back-the-clock half.
Romo was supposed to hand off to new ground game toy Ezekiel
Elliott.
Romo was supposed to make some dynamic deep deliveries to Dez.
Romo was supposed to try some tosses to a wheel-routed Terrance.
Romo was supposed to go easily underneath to Beasley.
Romo was supposed to whiz a few down the seam to Witten.
Romo was supposed do all of this as if it were October 2014 all over
again.
Romo was supposed to return to the sideline from the safety of “the
best offensive line in the game today” and (potentially) watch Dak
deliver more of his rookie smack . . . allowing fans to release a
rare-but-familiar and confident laugh.
Romo was supposed to make his triumphant(ly healthy) return to the
rigors of the regular season on Sunday against the rival New York
Giants . . . the ironic source of at least two of Romo’s more
ruinous wrecks.
Romo – instead – is in the early “throws” of a recovery process that
is expected to keep him out of practice and off the grid iron
through at least – or as many as – the Cowboys’ first six games.
Romo – instead – was allegedly “this close” to going somewhere other
than the 53-man roster.
Romo was potentially headed to the "Reserve / Injured List" (as
known as short-term IR), where he would be labeled as “Designed for
Return,” and be unable – by rule – to return to practice until week
six of the regular season . . . and no sooner than week eight for
actual game day activity.
Romo was also potentially headed to SEIR (Season Ending Injured
Reserve) for the entire year.
Dr. Daniel Cooper – lead physician for “America’s Team” – was able
to provide Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Jason Garrett, and other
critical decision-makers enough hope in his official prognosis of
Romo’s recovery from his latest back injury . . . that Romo narrowly
escaped SEIR and the aggressive acceleration of a career-threatening
paradigm shift.
Dak Prescott was supposed to not even be drafted by the Dallas
Cowboys . . . who tried and failed to put together the right package
of picks to move up in the 2016 NFL Draft to select Paxton Lynch out
of the University of Memphis. Plan B or C instead received the
emphasis and – depending upon who you ask – Dak suddenly found
himself being installed as the starting QB . . . showing preseason
proof of being up to the task.
Dallas was supposed to pursue a veteran QB as insurance against
another catastrophic Romo injury. The Cowboys stood fast and gave
Jameill Showers another shot to earn that game day grid iron spot .
. . but – for the second consecutive preseason – he could not
separate himself from the practice squad lot.
Dallas was supposed to trade for Josh McCown, but he had a
prohibitive price tag . . . leaving the Cowboys to choose among
available retreads, err, veteran backup QBs. They signed then-free
agent Mark Sanchez who is roundly viewed as suffering from an
error-provoking disease . . . which makes for a real drag.
Dak is (ideally) supposed to play well until Romo’s return . . . in
order to spare Cowboys Nation from being seared by Sanchez and yet
another brutal backup burn.
Best laid plans . . .
The New Reality
The writing is on the wall . . . and “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” is
not referring to another classy Eli Manning locker room signature at
AT&T Stadium. Dallas – for the second consecutive season – is hoping
someone (much sooner than expected) can stand unreasonably tall . .
. and not come up painfully small.
While past Romo injuries had exposed the Cowboys as ill-prepared,
the sense – even with a fresh, new rookie replacement – is the QB
cupboard is (finally) no longer bare.
Dak Prescott has been thrust into the limelight . . . and he has –
thus far – convinced coaches, teammates, executives, and
prognosticators he will maintain his impressive poise, improve upon
his preseason promise, and not play the regular season tight.
Dak – to his growing credit – is prepared to do more than merely
drive the bus . . . and is not focused on all the fuss. He
acknowledges feeling little pressure . . . primarily due to the
powerful pieces around him that are determined to help him achieve
success and with good measure.
Ezekiel “Zeke” Elliott stands ready to back Dak with a well-rounded
rushing attack not seen since the days of DeMarco . . . with a dose
of Dorsett when he really needs to get up and go. He can block like
a veteran, he is not afraid to mix it up, and he is eager – on each
successive play – to get after it again.
Alfred “A-Train” Morris spent a good few years ensuring Dallas
defenders got chewed up within his running game gears. He is a
steady masher who – for now – will share the remaining scraps from
Zeke’s attack with Lance Dunbar and late round draft pick, rookie
Darius Jackson. When he returns from the PUP (Physically Unable to
Perform) list, Dallas’ deepest roster spot will also include Darren
“Run DMC” McFadden.
Dez Bryant is healthy, hungry (like a ravenous wolf in a herd of
sheep so asleep), and defiant . . . towards the injuries that have
made his well-conditioned physique just a bit reliant.
Jason Witten is an all-world player within whom all of Cowboys
Nation remains smitten. He heeds the call and – without a gripe –
does it all. Try as the Cowboys might to find his heir apparent to
put up a fight . . . they continue digging up duds who suffer from
complete game stage fright. James Hanna is recovering from an
offseason knee surgery (and due back short-term IR in week eight to
learn his game day fate), Geoff Swaim is still attempting to up his
game, and Gavin Escobar remains too one-dimensional to go very far.
Witten – in the (perpetual) absence of a properly-skilled buddy to
be his understudy – will continue to play his familiar role as
security blanket (to the entire offense) . . . and Dak knows he can
bank on it.
Though Terrance Williams has proven – sadly and without a doubt – he
is no better than a number two (flanker) through and through . . .
Williams can exploit the single coverage he regularly enjoys and
show he still knows what to do for Dak and the ‘Boys.
Cole Beasley is a modern day Kelvin Martin with Witten-like ability
to find a defense’s intermediate soft spot . . . and – similarly to
Romo – Dak will like him a lot.
Lucky Whitehead began the preseason by “popping” a kickoff return
for a score . . . which helped him solidify his special
teams-oriented roster spot. Dak may call on him to deliver more
(than just trying not to embarrass the team when mimicking the still
dearly departed Dwayne Harris). Lucky has a similar but less refined
skill set to Beasley. Time will tell if he can (eventually) perform
more of the same responsibilities just as easily.
Brice Butler is seemingly the only player mystery with his
inconsistent play brought on by an untimely injury history. If his
body finally complies, Butler could really show Dak how well
downfield he flies. He could become THE X-factor. Butler – by year’s
end – may pay go route dividends . . . and allow Dallas to wave
bye-bye to Terrance Williams, the latest contract year actor.
The Dallas Cowboys – on offense – may face a new reality . . . but
unchanged are their goals and (fans hope) their destiny.
Best laid plans . . .
Defense Undaunted
Rod Marinelli – since joining Garrett’s staff – must think he is
absolutely cursed . . . to almost never have the same game day
players with whom he spent all offseason getting rehearsed.
Lesser men might join Cowboys Nation in shedding a few tears if not
for his experience of years and required sense of humor to laugh off
the (understandable) fears.
Marinelli and his men (dominantly directed by Sean Lee) are – once again – having to do more with less
. . . as three of his more critical defenders are (selfishly)
unavailable for game day dress.
Randy Gregory – for now – is in drug rehab and on a four-game
NFL-mandated suspension . . . while the Roger Goodell concludes his
consideration of an additional 10-game punishment for Dandy Randy’s
additional pot retention.
DeMarcus “PED (Poorly Executed Desires)” Lawrence is also serving a
four-game NFL-mandated suspension . . . as the latest player hiding
behind the “I did not read the ingredients” contention.
Rolando “Purple Drank” McPain, err, McClain continues to suffer from
some unbelievable decision-making stank. He is on a 10-game
NFL-mandated suspension. Jerry and Jason have given (the incredibly
talented) Rolando multiple chances to recover, but his distaste for
practice and his (ultimate) lack of respect for the team may finally
encourage the Cowboys to perform a long-overdue roster correction.
If Marinelli’s Men are performing above their paygrade by McClain’s
return date (as Cowboys Nation has come to expect) . . . that may
just as well seal his fate and leave him a free agent reject.
Rookie linebacker Mark Nzeocha (if-and-when he returns from the
strained Achilles tendon injury he suffered during a promising
preseason) represents much needed assistance . . . to an undermanned
unit needing to put up some serious resistance.
While the absence of these fellas’ will be damaging to the defensive
line, the defensive secondary appears to be on somewhat of an
upswing . . . with Orlando Scandrick having successfully returned
from his ACL / MCL knee injury thing. Morris Claiborne is also
looking healthy, aggressive, and much closer to the explosive
claymore the Cowboys thought they originally drafted. Newly drafted
Anthony Brown looks primed – this year or next – to potentially run
one of his veteran teammates out of town. Brandon Carr – speaking of
players whose (on the field) performance continues to vex – seems to
have benefited from the healthy return of his teammate. Brandon also
continues to understand – unless his results get dramatically better
– he will most likely be parking his Carr (this time next year) in a
different state. He is an EXCELLENT off the field fellow – with
great (low key) charitable efforts – but he simply cannot continue
to deliver on the field mellow.
Byron Jones returns with even more experience under his talented
belt, and Barry Church (for now) appears healthy than he has ever
felt. Jeff Heath remains a valuable special teams maven and
continues to receive favorable playing time over J.J. Wilcox . . .
the American muscle car with extremely poor handling in passing
situations who cannot ever seem to quickly and reliably get off the
blocks. Kavon Frazier – at this point – is still a bit too raw for
much more than kick and punt coverage . . . but if Wilcox implodes,
Frazier would certainly welcome the playing-time overage.
Marinelli’s Men may – once again – be an imperfect lot, primed to be
twisted into knots . . . but they could surprise – just like in 2014
– and be Johnny on the spot.
Best laid plans . . .
Will They Or Won’t They?
The New York Giants come to Cowboys town . . . looking to get a(n
already) critical a leg up on their desire to claim a very
achievable NFC East crown.
Veteran Eli Manning brings with him Odell “Sticky Fingers” Beckham
and a recovered Victor Cruz to torment a Dallas defense that needs
only to provide a few slivers of coverage daylight to have set
themselves up to lose the fight.
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- Dak Prescott – with nothing but preseason experience and a potent
offensive tool belt – is looking to show the Giants what he’s got .
. . and send them home with a nasty welt.
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- Dak has been compared to Donovan
McNabb which is all fine and good – as long as he, too, does not
spend the first half of the game trying to "dirt the ball" to one
and all . . . if-and-when the defense starts to get rude.
Will the “Dak And Zeke Attack” get on track . . . or suffer from the
experience they lack?
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- Will Doug Free – right on cue – be
one who makes the offensive line endure an unnecessary penalty? Will
he remain calm and cool . . . or will he – once again – deliver a
performance worthy of a Pozderac fool? He knows better – after all
these years – but he is one key reason the Giants' defensive
appetite could not be wetter.
Will this game resemble the century mark scoring fest – of a few
years ago – between the Cowboys and Broncos . . . or will these
limited defenses have any kind of say-so?
Best laid plans . . . can still be believed but – in the absence of
such much injured and suspended talent – can they still be achieved?
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- Will a victory by either team bring
a semblance of joy to those Americans who lost and sacrificed so
much on this day of remembrance?
We shall see. We always do.
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