Playing in the preseason comes with both positives and negatives.
On the one hand, teams can watch players compete at their highest-level striving to earn a roster spot and a future in the NFL. On the other hand, we have those God-forsaken injuries.
Nevertheless, depending on how you look at it, it is a necessary evil.
Some players need to be front and center, attempting to be on the field for as many snaps as the coaches will allow.
And then other players need to be as far away from the turf or grass in August as possible.
Micah Parsons is poised FOr AN All-Pro season and possible DPOY
This one is a no-brainer. Keeping Micah Parsons off the field should be the only play for Dan Quinn and Mike McCarthy.
At the bare minimum, the coaches would be protecting him from himself.
Every day in training camp, there are videos on Twitter or the newly named “X” where Parsons is going 100 miles an hour (figuratively speaking).
There are times when he has been too close to Dak Prescott for McCarthy.
Fans had to hold their breaths as Micah jammed his wrist in a simple practice drill.
Micah Parsons: “Yeah, I was just being stupid and just jammed my joint. I'm pretty fine though, nothing too serious right there.” https://t.co/GD87P6Iy5M
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 6, 2023
To lose Micah would change the entire dynamics of the defense. For the preseason, I'm not willing to risk and nor should this team.
Could this be the year Tyron Smith plays 17 games?
Okay, I'm two for two with no-brainers.
Some will say it has been a miracle that Tyron Smith has stayed healthy for the first few weeks of training camp.
Prior and current Dallas Cowboys coaching staff have been very careful employing him in the preseason.
That needs to continue into this season as well.
The potential of this offensive lies in the balance of Zack Martin returning and Tyron staying healthy for at least most of the season.
Watching him on this sweep play below, leading the way for Deuce Vaughn, shows me that Tyron still has something left in the tank.
Cowboys rookie RB Deuce Vaughn running behind LT Tyron Smith in open space. pic.twitter.com/bGU6LudN2p
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 7, 2023
However, what's left in the tank should remain there until we have games that count, not a day sooner.
Dak depends on him for his blindside protection, but Tony Pollard and the running back unit also need him.
Tony Pollard is ready to return to form in 2023
Speaking of Tony Pollard, he makes the list at number 3.
For all the talk about who is backing up TP20, my concern is ensuring Pollard is there for the entire season.
That gruesome injury to Tony's lower left leg is still fresh in the minds of Cowboys fans.
Say what you will, but Dallas could have been flying to Philadelphia if he didn't get hurt.
At this point, it's neither here nor there. But a healthy Pollard going into the 2023 season could reap significant benefits.
To be clear, no one has even hinted that Tony would play this preseason.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy and new Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer want to have a balance within this offense.
No offense to Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, and the rest of the crew, but Tony's different, and we need that difference-maker in the regular season.
I'm okay with waiting until September to see more Pollard highlights.
This duo is prepared to make some noise this season
Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore should be held off the preseason field until week 1.
Why, may you ask?
It's simple. First, Diggs has been dealing with a bruised toe during this training camp. Reaggravating that ailment seems ridiculous at this point.
Number two: Stephon Gilmore doesn't need the reps. There are plenty of others that Dan Quinn needs to observe.
Namely, Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright must prove they're NFL players. And then there are the newcomers – Eric Scott, Jr., D'Angelo Mandell, Myles Brooks, etc.
Also, soft tissue injuries happen as quickly as major ones.
Having the combination of Diggs, Gilmore, and Daron Bland ready for the New York Giants is what I'm waiting for.
We need Dak for all 17 games next season
This one is going to be straight to the point.
Regardless of your feelings, Dak Prescott is the quarterback of this team, and we need him healthy to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl.
Some media types will argue that he needs to be out there building cohesion with his wide receiver group, especially Brandin Cooks.
Granted, there is some truth to that. However, the pros do not outweigh the cons.
There are early indications that Mike McCarthy will side with sitting his veteran signal-caller.
Jerry Jones on Mike McMarthy saying Dak Prescott is unlikely for preseason: "We can get a good feel (in camp) for how its going to go when we get to the games. We'll play that by ear, Mike's going to make those calls for sure, how much actually snaps he gets in preseason games
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 7, 2023
Cooper Rush did an admirable job as the substitute, while Dak missed time last season and the year prior.
Getting hit on his throwing hand, straining a calf, or much worse is a headache that coaches, front office personnel, or fans should have to deal with.
Dak needs to sit and there's no two ways about it.
