The 2023 preseason is in the books and it was certainly eventful. The 1-2 record over the three games wasn’t much to crow about.
But wins and losses don’t start to matter until Sept. 10th, so the record is of no concern.
In the two losses, the Cowboys backups held up well against the Jaguars and Seahawks starters. Dallas lost both by scores of one possession or less.
They trounced the Raiders in the final game, allowing the Eagles to finish last in the NFC East preseason standings.
Okay, so maybe the wins and losses mattered a little. But let’s get into the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2023 preseason.
The Good
Three former Cowboys were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the beginning of the month.
Chuck Howley’s induction was long overdue. The first defensive player, and only member of a losing team, to be named Super Bowl MVP deserved to be in much sooner.
DeMarcus Ware played most of his career in Dallas before going to Denver to win his Super Bowl. Zach Thomas only played one year in Dallas, but he still counts.
The Cowboys might, might, have found their place-kicker. Brandon Aubrey’s 59-yard field goal on Saturday probably assured him the job.
If Saturday was their final game wearing the star, both Will Grier and Hunter Luepke went out strong. I think Luepke might just make the roster still.
And Grier did enough to make the Cowboys think long and hard before they show him the door. Cooper Rush should not be comfortable the next few days.
Then there’s the Trey Lance trade. I’m a huge North Dakota State fan. The chance to have three Bison on the Cowboys roster makes me happy.
Lance will start out as QB3. Luepke could hang on to the roster as could offensive lineman Matt Waletzko to complete the trio.
(EDIT: Waletzko actually attended the University of North Dakota, not North Dakota State. However, the author still roots for the North Dakota kids no matter if they are NDSU or UND alums. Thanks to the readers for pointing out the error so I could correct it here.)
But after leading the Bison to a FCS Championship in 2019, Lance bailed out as a sophomore in 2020 to head for the NFL. It denied North Dakota State a chance to defend its title.
The 49ers way overpaid for Lance and then rushed him into the starting job. Injuries didn’t help his cause. So I have concerns.
Still, he’s a project that could work out, one that did not cost much to obtain either. And it could prod Dak Prescott into taking that next step he needs to get Dallas past the divisional round.
The Bad
Really, Sam Williams? We are less than two years removed from Henry Ruggs III killing a young woman and her dog with his car.
An intoxicated Ruggs, driving over 150 MPH, crashed his car into her’s violently that it was thrown nearly the length of two football fields.
And its not like the Cowboys don’t have their own history with players and fatal car accidents. Dwayne Goodrich ring a bell? Josh Brent, anyone?
So yeah, it’s a bad thing to be out on the road speeding and in possession of drugs. Can we not do that, please?
And to make it worse was Jerry Jones’ reaction. Jokingly saying Williams wasn’t speeding as much as the last time he got busted?
Really, Jerry? Really?
The Ugly
DeMarvion Overshown’s injury in Seattle was the worst moment of the preseason hands down. The promising linebacker from Texas was having a great camp.
And the tackle seemed innocent enough, watching the play live. Only, the Seahawks player got up right away and Overshown didn’t.
Cowboys rookie LB DeMarvion Overshown awaits medical assistance after tearing his ACL in a preseason game at Seattle on 8/19/2023The good news is that he should be back for camp next year and appears to have the right attitude in his approach to rehab.
He’s got a great mentor in that department in Michael Irvin. In his second year, Irvin went down with a knee injury and came back to have a Hall of Fame career.
Here’s hoping Overshown can walk the same path. In the meantime, given the history of Cowboys getting injured playing against the Seahawks I have an idea:
From now on, just forfeit the game whenever Seattle is on the schedule. I’ll take the ‘L’ over losing any more players to that franchise.
For now, on to New York and the season-opener against the Giants in 13 days.