Clarence Hill: What to watch in Dallas Cowboys preseason opener vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback Dak Prescott will not suit up for the Dallas Cowboys preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
But the game will offer a first look at the Cowboys new offense with head coach Mike McCarthy calling plays for the first time since his last season in Green Bay in 2018.
McCarthy will call plays from the sideline with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in the coaching booth.
“I’m always looking forward to the games,” McCarthy said. “That’s what it’s all about. But to compete again [as a play caller], I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
The West Coast offense features a lot of short throws designed for the quarterback to get ball out his hand quickly.
But McCarthy’s version has the deep ball as a prime component. The vertical threat will complement the short game.
5 things to watch vs. Jaguars:
1. Running back Tony Pollard missed two days of practice this week to be present for the birth of his baby girl. But he was unlikely to suit up against the Jaguars. Former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott did not take a snap in preseason past his second year in the league. Pollard, the team’s new featured back, will follow the same cautious plan.
The Jacksonville game is about the battle for carries behind Pollard between Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis. Dowdle has been the most impressive in camp so far and calls this the biggest opportunity of his life. Not only are the Cowboys looking for someone to share some carries with Pollard but the are looking for someone to show potential as a short-yardage and goal-line back.
2. Rookie running back Deuce Vaughn gets his own category because cause people can’t get enough of this 5-foot-5 dynamo in cleats.
Vaughn will get a long look on kick off and punt returns. He will get chance as the personal punt protector. And he will certainly get his opportunities out of the backfield.
“As much as the coaches put on my plate, I’m willing to take it,” Vaughn said.
The Cowboys want to get the shifty and hard-to-find Vaughn in space. He will quickly become a fan favorite.
“The biggest thing for me is I can go and cut it loose,” Vaughn said of his excitement to play on Saturday. “Now, football is football. You go out there, 11 guys on the football field on your side against another 11 guys. It’s football.”
3. Vaughn is the heartwarming rookie story, but he is not the only rookie draft pick to keep a close eye on Saturday.
Nose guard Mazi Smith, the team’s top pick, has been a load to handle in practice. The question is how much will he play, if at all, due to knee tendinitis. Second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker made his practice debut this week and showed flashes of the versatility as a blocker and as a receiver at tight end that should make him an impact performer as a rookie.
Look for linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to be all over the field. The Cowboys are eying a spot for him as the No. 3 linebacker behind Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark.
4. Just because Jerry Jones said he’s comfortable going into the season with Brandon Aubrey at kicker doesn’t mean the job is his. Aubrey is the lone kicker on the Cowboys roster but he is competing against kickers on 31 other teams as well as some veteran free agents sitting at home waiting on a call.
Aubrey must prove himself under the spotlight in games, starting Saturday. The Cowboys have too much riding in the season to head into 2023 iffy at kicker.
5. Let the battle for the fourth and fifth receiver spots behind CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup begin.
And keep an eye in Pro Bowl kick returner KaVontae Turpin, who will focus on receiver and not returns in the preseason.
Turpin has had a strong start to camp and should have a role at receiver. Whether it’s a niche spot or a regular rotation depends on where he slots in the pecking order.
“He’s a receiver that rotates in there instead of somebody whose put in there for certain things,” McCarthy said. “It’s a great testament to what he’s done and what [receivers coach] Robert Prince has done with him. He’s got a unique skillset and he’s got incredible stride length. His quickness speaks for itself. He’s done something almost every day, that makes for good tape. He’s had a good camp.”
Jalen Tolbert, a disappointment as a rookie last season, has improved greatly and is the favorite for the No. 4 spot. Another player to watch is 7th-round pick Jalen Brooks. He has been one of the highlights of training camp and the Cowboys are eager to see him put up similar performances in games.
