Well, the Dallas Cowboys’ second preseason game went just about as well as the first one did, and they beat up the Arizona Cardinals to a 34-13 win, and I am sure by now you know the point I will be making.
Jaishawn Barham returned from a minor injury and was outstanding in his snaps on Saturday.
He missed last week’s game with a groin injury, and made his debut against the Cardinals. He had five first-half tackles, including a tackle for loss as he shot the gap on a run play, while playing middle linebacker.
Even though Barham played on the edge in his final season at Michigan, he was always at his best in college defending the run. While other teams saw his versatility as a drawback (why else did he fall to Round 3?), the Cowboys viewed it as an asset.
Just As Important
Look, Caleb Downs is going to be the reason why the Dallas secondary is not totally buns this year like they were a season ago, but if the Cowboys get Barham to play at a level that he is clearly capable of doing, this line backing core is going to be head and shoulder above a year ago.
He, Dee Winters and Overshown are three high level guys that can give you very good play every single week.
Again, it was a preseason game against maybe the worst team in the league when they have their starters on the field, so everyone, like myself, tries and give the kid some grace, but he clearly looks to be ready to be just as important to the defense as Caleb Downs.
No, I am not saying he is going to be in the running for the defensive rookie of the year like Downs should be and have a chance to win it, but he can be a reason why the Cowboys’ defense goes from league worst to at least average.
Dallas only has one preseason game left, but I would not expect to see him again until they play the first Sunday night football game against the New York Giants.
The biggest takeaway that I had though was not that he was just awesome, it was that he wore the green dot for the night. Being that impressive all while making sure that the defense is getting into the right play, protection, making sure guys are doing what they are supposed to be doing, etc.
Winters is going to be the starter next to DeMarvion Overshown. Those two are the guys that are ready to be the dudes in the middle, but Barham is very much alive for that job, and we’re already convinced he should get it after what we saw in preseason Week 2.
Even if he isn’t technically the starter, Christian Parker is going to find a way to get Barham involved plenty. You can bet on that.
Nonetheless, Downs is going to be the man on the backend, but Barham is going to be just as important as a guy that Parker can call on to come in and give a nice spark if the defense is struggling, but from what we’ve seen over two weeks, this team is ready to go.
I don’t care that it was preseason and everything else. Not many starters play, but the fact that guys that are battling for roster spots look this good tells you that the coaching is working on both offense and defense.
I have to give credit to everyone on the staff. We have one more preseason game to go before the regular season, but seeing the plays from both sides of the ball is good.
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