The preseason mercifully came to an end after the Cowboys failed to convert a late two-point attempt. I’ve never been so elated to see a team run an ill-fated play.
The Cowboys lost 17-15, but that is not important. Real football arrives Thursday, and it can’t come soon enough. I did enjoy the CBS-11 broadcast from an entertainment standpoint.
Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith seemed to believe Kellen Moore had one of the better play-calling nights in team history. They were bowled over by the young Moore going to the quick passing game after some ugliness from the reserve O-line.
Now, let’s discuss which players made a strong impression in the all-important preseason Game 4:
• You can’t keep everyone, but you damn well better keep Donovan Olumba. He had a pick six early in the game, and he gets his hands on everything. He’s not that fast, but this secondary desperately needs players who cause turnovers. Olumba and former Aggies great Donovan Wilson belong on this roster. But with all those D-linemen and linebackers who will make the 53-man roster, it will be a close call for Olumba. He’s taken advantage of every opportunity. At the very least, put him on the practice squad.
• Who knew Kansas was producing such talented D-linemen? Undrafted rookie Daniel Wise was dominant Thursday. He had two sacks, two hits on the quarterback and six tackles. Wise played like a desperate man. He will make an NFL roster even if it’s not the Cowboys’.
• Pretty sure Emmitt was calling my old pal Marcus Spears “DeMarcus.” In Emmitt’s defense, that’s been a prominent name in the organization for several years. Mike White doesn’t protect the ball and it’s time for him to seek fame and fortune elsewhere. Justin March and Justin Phillips played extremely well at linebacker. Phillips has been a revelation in these games, but he’ll likely land on the practice squad. March is a steady player who can help you on special teams.
• Emmitt had some interesting thoughts on missing the first two games in his holdout in ’93. He said the hardest part was “getting used to bodies flying around.” He said you can’t simulate 325-pound players.
• I think Trysten Hill has whipped himself into better condition. Tyvis Powell had a nice INT on a tipped ball. Good takeaway. Cedrick Wilson and Jordan Chunn were impressive on offense. Jon’Vea Johnson looks really fast, but his only hope is the practice field. (I wish Chunn’s first name was Wayne).
• Michael Irvin talking about how to properly push off is good content. Wise literally dominated the game. “I know that he’s a ball guy,” Jason Garrett said of Olumba. And I think the same goes for Wise. Just keeping stacking Kansas players!
• The cuts are going to be really tough this weekend…and that’s a good thing. I used to be the cut specialist at the DMN. I have thankfully moved on from that era. But if there’s something exciting like a Taco Charlton trade, I promise to write 1,000 words on it.
• The 26th annual Art Vandelay League fantasy draft is tomorrow night. Wish me luck. I normally start taking random NFC East players in the later rounds. It’s not a sound strategy.