When ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news Saturday that Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was retiring from the NFL, I freely admit to losing focus on the annual preseason matchup between the Cowboys and Texans. Maybe Bill O’Brien can blame his team’s embarrassing 34-0 loss on the Luck retirement.
I tried to recall the most shocking retirements in professional spots, and only Barry Sanders and Michael Jordan came to mind. Jordan would return to glory with the Chicago Bulls after a failed stint in minor league baseball. Sanders had already cemented his status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, so I don’t believe his departure was as shocking as Luck’s. This is a man who reportedly was trying to return from a calf strain. And by Saturday night, he was holding a news conference to explain his decision to walk away forever. And this wasn’t one of those fake retirement speeches that Brett Favre used to make. Luck seems perfectly content, and actually relieved, to walk away.
Feeling jilted, Colts fans booed Luck as he left the field. It was unfortunate. I’m sure they will have a chance to atone for it down the road, but on this night, perspective was in short supply. But wait, the Cowboys did manage to destroy a Texans team that lost their starting running back Lamar Miller to an apparent torn ACL. Maybe Texans coach Bill O’Brien can pin this performance on former GM Brian Gaine since he loves scapegoating folks. But you came to this (safe) space for my unrivaled preseason Game 3 OBSERVATIONS. Let’s do this!
• Left guard Connor Williams couldn’t seal off Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus on a Tony Pollard run early in the game. I did think Williams bounced back and did a nice job double-teaming with center Travis Frederick. You can see Frederick starting to regain his footwork and power. He’s not the same guy yet, but his mental game is extremely sharp. I think the physical stuff will catch up soon. Zack Martin should be ready for Game 1, but the Cowboys are fortunate to have a versatile player like Xavier Su’a-Filo to fill in for him. I thought Su’a-Filo did a great job getting to the second level. La’el Collins was exposed by J.J. Watt a couple times early in the game, but he settled down and held his own on Dak Prescott’s touchdown pass to Michael Gallup. Prescott misfired on two passes to Gallup on the first drive, but he found a rhythm on the Cowboys’ next possession. He used his legs to extend a play and then fired to Gallup for a TD on the scramble drill. Prescott looked extremely comfortable throwing on the move. It almost seems to put him at ease when he’s forced to leave the pocket. It’s the exact opposite of what we saw from the Texans quarterbacks. They had four yards passing at the half. Just an utter embarrassment. O’Brien had to get DeShaun Watson out of the game quickly to avoid further injury/indignity.
• This C.J. Goodwin is a playmaker. He appears to be the team’s MVP on special teams. Goodwin is a sure tackler who doubles as a pretty nice player in the secondary. This is the type player who other teams will covet as a special teams demon. I’m thoroughly impressed.
• Maliek Collins may challenge DeMarcus Lawrence for best D-lineman on this team at some point. He’s become a menace in the middle of that defense. He destroyed a Texans lineman who tried to block him on the move. Miller was carted off the field after a Collins tackle. Upon returning from break, CBS 11’s Bill Jones introduced us to the man responsible for Saturday’s featured work of art at AT&T Stadium, “Solar Arrangement.” Bill handled it like the pro he’s always been. Later in the broadcast, he and Daryl Johnston talked about the passing of Babe Laufenberg’s son, Luke. I thought Bill handled it beautifully. He told viewers about Luke’s courageous path that finally led to a Division I scholarship at UTEP. He then relayed a text message from Babe. It was a wonderful tribute, and I thought it was appropriate the cameras stayed on Bill and Daryl instead of the field.
• Who is this guy wearing No. 97? I know Watson was holding the ball too long, but Taco Charlton was brilliant in this game. He had a strip sack early followed by another forced fumble while bringing down a running back. He has a confidence about him that we haven’t seen in his previous two seasons. He’s taken charge with Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford recovering from injuries. If Charlton takes this to the regular season, the Cowboys won’t be pining away for Randy Gregory. In other news, former Texas Tech stud Kerry Hyder is having an elite preseason, if that’s a thing. Johnston wondered aloud whether the Cowboys would have room for Hyder on the roster. I think the guy has earned more than a roster spot. He needs to be a major part of the rotation. Opposing players are being overwhelmed by Hyder. That was a rough evening for Zack Martin’s brother, Nick. He didn’t have a chance against a talented D-line.
• Tony Pollard continues to be a revelation in these games. He has a tough running style that wasn’t apparent from his time in Memphis. He’s an electric player who will complement Zeke Elliott, if he shows up at some point. Alfred Morris also ran the ball hard. He bounced off Tyrell Adams’ tackle attempt at the goal line and found another path to the end zone during Saturday’s rout. If I’m O’Brien, I’d be thinking about trading for Morris. A fourth-round pick would get it done, in my mind.
• Jaylon Smith’s recovery from a gruesome injury and his subsequent stardom is inspirational. He’ll see a receiver sprinting across the middle and then pick him up in coverage step for step. He’s one of the most athletic middle linebackers in the game, and now he’s paid like it.
• How DO you do, Joe Thomas? What an unbelievable play to block a punt and then pick it up and score the touchdown. The Cowboys haven’t had a blocked punt in a regular season game since 2015, according to the broadcast. The way Thomas came racing off the edge, that drought may end soon. I don’t know what the personal protector was thinking. He just sort of passed him on to the punter.
• The officials are calling a ridiculous amount of holding penalties. If you push a player to the ground, it appears to be an automatic hold. Connor Williams did nothing of significance on a block, but the call on him negated a touchdown. I love watching Pollard in the screen game. He has soft hands and he shows great patience setting up his blocks — especially for a rookie.
• Former Jets second-round pick Devin Smith is a smooth route runner. He does some things that remind me of Terry Glenn. He catches everything with his hands, and he does a tremendous job of tracking the ball and then making life tough for defenders. I have him making the roster for sure. But here comes Cedric Wilson. He also has a knack for getting open. And he had a 33-yard punt return. Find a spot for this man, too. Can you keep 10 receivers? I’m kidding.
• Defensive end Jalen Jelks is definitely a practice squad candidate, but now he’s playing his way toward the roster. He looks a little thin because he’s so tall, but he holds up well against the run. And he belted the Texans tailback in the second half. Just stopped him cold and then threw him to the ground. My man Jelks has something. He’s a project, but he’s the best type project. You can play him while he’s developing because the guy already has good instincts…and elite size.
• Rookie safety Donovan Wilson of Texas A&M fame packs a punch. But we already knew that. It appears this man also knows how to track the football. When Joe Webb III lofted a deep ball to what appeared to be an open receiver, Wilson raced over and snagged the INT while nimbly getting both feet down. There are folks who think he’ll start for the Cowboys someday. How’s Week 1 sound? This dude can play.
• Take some time today to decompress after the big Luck news. I’m still reeling from this, for no apparent reason.