ARLINGTON, Texas – And just like that, the preseason is over. Check it out, it was the shortest preseason in team history — just three games — but why did it feel so long?
That’s how these preseason games go, especially when the starters don’t get it right at all.
Usually, this final preseason game isn’t very memorable, and I’m not saying tonight’s game was an exception to the rule.
But you’ll never hear me say that these games don’t matter at all. They matter to someone – good and bad.
And yes, it did matter to a handful of players. So here are my five guys who made the team after this game – in my eyes, of course.
Marquess Bell – Some of these on the list were probably already on the good side of the fence. Bell is in that category and it would probably take a bad night for him not to make the team. But he was around the ball all night and he hit an interception after a tipped pass. That was probably the nail in the coffin for what was left of the 53-man roster.
Israel Mukuamu – Another safety, another guy with an interception. And that makes two picks for the preseason for Mukuamu, who showed his range last week with the INT, and now he showed his coverage skills. This guy was already making the team. But now, he’s probably helping his cause by being active on the roster.
Brett Maher – Of course, the hitting situation is very fluid. But there will be no more games between now and September 11th, so I really can’t imagine anyone being available to take Maher’s place. He made all the shots he needed to make. His launch was on point and the only miss, just like last week – was a 60m kick. Sorry, but in the regular season, unless it’s halftime or late in the game, the Cowboys don’t need to kick 60+ field goals – not with this defense. I think Maher is safe for now.
Malik Davis – This is tough, but that word is the reason I think Davis does it – FAST. This guy is a bruiser and he’s only going to get better. I like the way he catches the ball out of the backfield and keeps the puck moving with his strong legs. He is also very good on special teams. I’m not saying they should cut Rico Dowdle, but they should make sure Davis is on the roster.
Peyton Hendershot – He came into the game on the bubble, but his snapping catch certainly carried him over the top. One thing coach Lunda Wells likes about him is his speed down the field. He is truly unique to the rest of the tight ends on the roster. That alone is worth keeping him at 53. Now, we’ll see how many tight ends they keep because Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson are locks, and then there’s Sean McKeon. They can carry fewer receivers and four tight ends. But I think Hendershot is one of them.
If you’re asking about quarterbacks – I am too. I thought Cooper Rush was on top the whole time, but now I think Will Grier could have made a strong push. The Cowboys could carry three quarterbacks, but it doesn’t make sense to me. There are too many positions that are too deep to cut and I think they have to make a decision at quarterback, cutting to two. If that happens, it makes more sense to keep Grier, who may not make it on waivers.
And there are some guys who probably played off the roster as well. Maybe off the practice squad. That’s the beauty of a game like this – there are always people appreciating something.
Again, this is just one man’s opinion – and it could change by the end of the weekend. The same goes for the current list, which is never final.
But decisions on cutting 53 players will come on Tuesday. Those five guys will probably be in it – at least for now.