Despite the loss, several stars shine bright for Dallas

There is nothing like a Dallas Cowboys game day.

Waking up in the morning knowing my favorite team will be on television later in the day gets me more hype than my coffee.

I know it’s only preseason, but today we got to see the Cowboys live on television, knocking helmets with someone other than themselves.

The Jacksonville Jaguars came to Arlington for a 4pm CST kickoff that saw Cowboys backups versus the Jaguars starters for the first three possessions.

A rag tag bunch of Cowboys second and third stringers managed to stifle the Jacksonville offensive attack until a muffed punt gave the Jaguars a short field.

It was a back and forth game that saw Dallas trail by as many as 14 points, only to score 16 unanswered before giving up another 14.

Jacksonville won the game 28-23, but there were several players that took their opportunity to shine in the preseason.

Cowboys rookie RB Deuce Vaughn

Deuce Vaughn

Let’s start with the fan favorite.

Deuce Vaughn had himself a nice day taking handoffs primarily from third string quarterback Will Grier.

Vaughn carried the football eight times for 50 yards and a short touchdown run that gave Dallas their first and only lead of the game.

His day was highlighted by a nifty 26 yard run through the teeth of the defense that he nearly broke all the way for a long touchdown run.

Deuce showed us that his size has almost no bearing on his ability to elude defenders, breaking two tackles and nearly a third on that long run.

He even managed to catch a pass on third down on an arrow route that setup his touchdown run.

Cowboys TE John Stephens Jr.

John Stephens Jr.

The Cowboys tight end room is full of young players trying to make their mark, and rookie undrafted free agent John Stephens should have the coaches’ eye.

Stephens has an obvious connection with Grier, as the two connected five times for 56 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Grier even targeted Stephens on four straight plays in one drive of the second half, showing just how much he trusts him.

Stephens showed his ability to create separation and attack the football using his 6’6″ 245 pound frame while also showing off his agility.

The young tight end is right on Sean McKeon’s heels in the fourth tight end on the depth chart conversation.

Cowboys rookie LB DeMarvion Overshown

DeMarvion Overshown

The rookie third round pick from the University of Texas did exactly what the Cowboys’ defensive staff knew he was capable of.

DeMarvion Overshown was flying all over the field versus the Jaguars.

He finished with six tackles, one of which included a big third down tackle for loss in a short yardage situation.

Overshown, in limited snaps, showed the instincts and awareness that made him a third round pick to begin with.

Questions at linebacker behind Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark were answered today.

Let’s just keep our fingers crossed for some consistency.

Juanyeh Thomas

Another young member of the defense came to play on Saturday.

Second year player Juanyeh Thomas earned himself the start at safety with the three main starters riding the bench.

It took only two plays for Thomas to make his mark.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence scrambled out to the left after the pocket broke down and fired a pass up the left sideline to TE Evan Engram.

Thomas read the play perfectly, and stepped right in front of the Lawrence’s pass for the interception.

He only managed one tackle on the day, but had another two impressive pass breakups.

Thomas isn’t going to make it easy on the coaching staff to determine which safeties are left off of the 53 man roster.

Overall, the Cowboys first preseason game of 2023 gave a clearer picture of who amongst the young talent is going to step up and earn a role.