A spirited defensive showing from the Oakland Raiders? Say it isn’t so!
The statistics may say otherwise, however, here’s the most valuable piece of info from the stat sheet: The Dallas Cowboys were 3-for-10 on third-down conversions.
“Some good work. Some great tape to evaluate,” said head coach Jack Del Rio after the game. “A lot of good stuff for us.”
The Raiders defense actually got off the field? And it wasn’t after a PAT or field goal? Gasp! Progress.
There’s more quirky glances at the Week 3 preseason performance in Big D in the Quick Slants:
- Jelani Jenkins is back on track and could conceivably start at outside linebacker Week 1. When healthy, he’s aggressive and a willing gapbuster and has the sideline-to-sideline range that is perfect for the Will spot.
- Treyvon Hester should merit some playing time, especially on passing downs this coming season. He reminds me of Rod Coleman.
- Mario Edwards Jr. occupying blockers freed up Hester (on a stunt) to drop Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Edwards was also integral in Khalil Mack’s QB hunting ways and do the same for others on the defensive line.
- Derek Carr may have needed the game snaps to feel all the way back, but doesn’t it look like the franchise quarterback is ready to start his Revenge Tour? He’s dead set on proving his worth every single penny of his mega contract.
- Amari Cooper torched the Cowboys secondary. It never gets old watching him make defensive backs look foolish.
- The AC/DC Connection struck a chord with that beauty of a play. Carr pump fake coupled with a full-speed Cooper? Lethal.
- David Amerson and Jamize Olawale need to get healed up. Amerson is in concussion protocol and Olawale came up lame after a long run (wiped out by penalty). As is his norm, Del Rio was mum on both player’s injuries.
- Breon Borders got smoked on a 44-yard TD pass. Borders struggled against speed and vertical routes in college. The undrafted free agent rookie just doesn’t have the wheels to keep up.
- LaTroy Lewis with another big play, this time a rebound of a fumble recovery for a 65-yard TD. Linebacker depth is lacking and at worst, Lewis lands on the practice squad.
- Reggie Nelson crept up to the line too early giving away Cover 0 in the red zone. Prescott found ageless Jason Witten for the touchdown with Karl Joseph being closest to the sneaky tight end.
- EJ Manuel and Connor Cook are neck-and-neck in the race for the No. 2 QB spot. Manuel showed well in the preseason opener and has tanked in last two. Cook has shown spurts of solid play. Week 4 likely decides who backs up Carr.
Quote(s) of Note:
“We know there’s one preseason game left, but our mindset is that we’re started the transition to the regular season and Tennessee.”
— Karl Joseph
“I forgot to calm myself down before the game. You are playing, it’s a live game, that dress rehearsal thing. There are a few little tweaks we can make, but I feel locked in.”
— Derek Carr
