Thoughts on Thursday (8/13) Preseason Games

[Ride the Pine]

My thoughts on Cowboys-Raiders:
I thought the first team offense for the Cowboys showed how ball control and spreading the ball around will be key this season. Felix Jones will definitely be an integral part of the offense. I do believe Sam Hurd will actually leapfrog Miles Austin, who many had pegged as the potential No. 2 receiver coming into the season. Austin dropped the ball on a middle route and didn't really get back in the game afterwards, paving the way for Hurd to strut his stuff. Crisp, clean routes, and a little bit of extra speed we haven't necessarily seen from him before. Offensive line depth is a worry. On the defensive side of the ball, Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins better get healthy. With a plethora of young rookies, many looked dazed and confused, which is to be expected. A few of them will need to mature quickly.

For the Raiders, they showed that their running attack will once again be potent. If JaMarcus Russell can learn to control that 50 yard fling he has (I say fling because it's almost effortless for him), he will be able to make defenses pay over the middle as well. Heyward-Bey has the speed and Russell has the arm to get the ball to him quickly. Could be a lethal combination. Something still tells me Russell will put it together and have a solid season.

[Ride the Pine]

Oh, and for anyone wondering about the Patriots: they're gonna be good again. Brady is back and doesn't look to have much, if anything.

[Taydeezy]

I thought the first team offense for the Cowboys showed how ball control and spreading the ball around will be key this season. Felix Jones will definitely be an integral part of the offense. I do believe Sam Hurd will actually leapfrog Miles Austin, who many had pegged as the potential No. 2 receiver coming into the season. Austin dropped the ball on a middle route and didn't really get back in the game afterwards, paving the way for Hurd to strut his stuff. Crisp, clean routes, and a little bit of extra speed we haven't necessarily seen from him before. Offensive line depth is a worry. On the defensive side of the ball, Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins better get healthy. With a plethora of young rookies, many looked dazed and confused, which is to be expected. A few of them will need to mature quickly.

Liked what I saw from the first team Offense AND Defense(who was without BOTH starting CB's). That Goal Line stand was nice to see.

The Offense, at least on the second series when they weren't on their own 5 yard line, lol, looked like it set a good pace. I liked the mix of running and passing, utalizing all their weapons.

While I LOVE Hurd, I don't think Hurd will jump Austin. I actually think they'll be at about the same place, and Garrett will have different plays for each of them.

I think Crayton WILL be the Cowboys #2 WR, and there's won't be a clear #3. It'll be Hurd on some plays, and Austin on other. I like both of them, and think both could be a solid #2 in a year or so.

For the Raiders, they showed that their running attack will once again be potent. If JaMarcus Russell can learn to control that 50 yard fling he has (I say fling because it's almost effortless for him), he will be able to make defenses pay over the middle as well. Heyward-Bey has the speed and Russell has the arm to get the ball to him quickly. Could be a lethal combination. Something still tells me Russell will put it together and have a solid season.

McFadden would scare me if I was a fan of an AFC West team...that's for sure.

And Russell has calmed down, and plays much better now, than he did when I first saw him play 2 years ago.

[Ride the Pine]

Well, apparently Crayton has showed up to camp in better shape than ever as well, so yeah he's definitely the number 2. He had a solid season in 2007 (with exception of the playoff game ). Either way, yes if they spread the ball around that way, they'll be able to drive down the field methodically, a la the Indianapolis Colts.