ARI 27, DAL 3: Randy Gregory Rocks, Backups Get Rolled

There isn’t much good to talk about from the Dallas Cowboys 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in their third preseason game.

The best thing you can say is that it is indeed preseason. Also, unlike most “dress rehearsal” games, Dallas didn’t play their starting quarterback, running back, two-thirds of the offensive line, and several other key players.

It was mostly the Cowboys backups who had to contend with Arizona’s starters for the first part of the game, and that ongoing mismatch led to eight turnovers and a lopsided score.

But let’s focus on the positive. His name is Randy Gregory.

The Cowboys returning defensive end had an early sack and several other pressures while going up against Arizona’s starting left tackle D.J. Humphries. Coincidentally, Humphries was a first-round pick in the same 2015 draft class that Gregory was part of.

Randy looked dangerous, and the thought of what he could bring to the Cowboys defense playing across from DeMarcus Lawrence is very exciting.

I hope that made you feel good, because little else from tonight’s game could have.

Other Notes

• Cooper Rush was given a tough task, playing with mostly reserves against the Cardinals first-team defense. It led to two interceptions and an otherwise uninspiring performance. It would be unfair, though, to judge him given the circumstances.
• Mike White was better in the second, partially due to playing against easier competition. But it was easily his best play so far in the preseason with some sharp passes in tight windows. He did have a pick, but otherwise went 17/22 for 157 yards.
• It was a rough night for bubble player Lance Lenoir, who had two muffed punts and no offensive contribution. The receiver may have just made it a lot easier to land on the practice squad.
• Kavon Frazier had to leave the game with an upper arm injury but it doesn’t appear to be serious. Losing him could have been devastating to the already thin safety position.
• Linebackers Joe Thomas and Justin March-Lillard continue to impress, creating a lot of confidence in the depth Dallas now has there.
• Again, just there isn’t much good to say from this one. Dallas was outmatched early with the talent disparity and the second half was just typical preseason sloppiness. Thankfully, Thursday night’s game in Houston should be more even.