5 Thoughts on Dallas Cowboys Preseason Game 1

It didn't take long to recall that I was watching a game between 6-10 and 4-12 teams. Particularly considering that neither team made any significant personnel upgrades in the off-season.

1) The first thing I noticed is that there are not 53 guys on the current roster that should make this team. Even if you accept this is a bad team they are going to have to pick up some guys off the waiver wire to fill out a 53-man roster.

2) Rob Ryan's defense has a lot of work to do. There was a lot of talk about guys not knowing the system and still learning how to communicate, but this defense only has 2 new guys and for the most part the Broncos were running right up the middle so not sure how that relates to poor communication. Looked like guys were just getting pushed back to me!

3) Time to go young. At WR there is no one that has claimed the 3-5 spots. The way I see it Dwayne Harris becomes the slot guy, Ogletree is not a slot guy so he cant be the #3, make him the #4 so he can play on the outside. For the last spot they should pick the best special teams players or bring in a veteran that could potentially be the #3 guy. At LB there are a lot of young guys. Its time to give significant playing time to the players like Sean Lee and Victor Butler. Plus take a shot on a guy like Orie Lemon and Kerwin Cummings and hope Bruce Carter is ready to play after he joins the team from injury. If Garrett is going to hold true his mantra of putting the best players on the field it's time to lessen the role of Bradie James and Keith Brooking.

4) The Cowboys are going to be playing in a lot of close games. This just seems to be the nature of Jason Garrett as a coach. He can develop competitive game plans, but seems to be unable to make key adjustments for his team to close out games. Not making any predictions yet, but I just feel games this season against good and bad teams will be close.

5) Finally, lack of depth is going to be a big issue this season almost across every position except LB, TE, and QB. None will be a bigger concern than at RB. I actually feel good about the talent at RB with Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, and Demarco Murray, but I just wonder if they will be healthy. They all have history of injuries and even if they are on the field if they are battling injuries they will be ineffective. It would be great if they could package all 3 and go get a guy like Chris Johnson who the Titans refuse to pay!

I know you have to be thinking how can I not make any comments on the OL? I didn't see enough in this game to weigh in on that yet. I will look forward to the next few preseason games to get a better idea of how this team will shape up for 2011.