Game overview:
Backups against backups here. A lot of to-be-cut (at the time) guys playing against each other. However, several lower-level rookies and prospects of interest were seen in this game as well, and we’ll talk about them – and talk about the RB situations for both of these teams headed into the regular season.
As for the game itself, both teams played with effort...Dallas looked like the superior team, but Trey Lance threw 5 picks and gave the game to the weaker opponent. We’ll talk about Lance’s day here as well...but first let’s look at these somewhat perplexing backfields...
Scouting Notes from the game:
-- Deuce Vaughn (9-53-0, 0-0-0/2) was the main back this game...and he looked really good again. He’s not just a little guy good for change of pace and screen passes. He can work the middle...and can run routes. One of the most underutilized guys in the league.
If Deuce is back alive...and with Dalvin Cook recently added...and with Rico Dowdle (held out here) in the mix – they are all coming at Ezekiel Elliott’s lead back status. Not that Zeke disappears, but those lofty touch count projections when it was Zeke v. Dowdle-Freeman (and Royce was cut) have to come down a bit when it’s Zeke v. Deuce-Dalvin-Dowdle...it’s a 3D attack on Zeke!
I still think Zeke is the strong lead out of the gates, but the pressure is mounting...and the one I’m most afraid of (for Zeke’s touches upside) is Deuce -- but Vaughn hasn’t mattered to Mike McCarthy before after a great 2023 preseason, so will he now?
-- Kimani Vidal (DNP) was held out, which lets you know he is/was their #3 RB...so, everyone else forced to play in this game was toast...and later cut. Jaret Patterson initially made the 53-man roster, but then Jim Harbaugh got his old Michigan RB Hassan Haskins off waivers...so, Patterson is out.
Haskins’ Michigan connection to Harbaugh puts pressure on Vidal’s 2024 jump into action IF one of JKD or Gus goes down.
-- Trey Lance (33-49 for 323 yards, 1 TD/5 INTs, 11-90-1) got to throw the ball 49 times for 300+ yards while rushing for 90 yards, which is an amazing game...but-but-but FIVE interceptions.
And it’s the five interceptions that I will remember the most.
Why?
Because most of them were ridiculous – like throwing the ball right to defenders in the open field as if he didn’t even see them...which was my knock on him coming out of the draft, and he’s never gotten over it...and, thus, he’s still not a legit NFL QB...probably never will be. But if forced into action...he could be a decent FF QB because he can run and he can make some nice throws...but the bad throws wipe out the good plays way too often.
-- Quick hits/speed round items from this game...
LAC rookie ILB Junior Colson (5 tackles, 1 solo), the former Michigan ILB for Harbaugh, debuted here and was nothing special. Looked a little slow to the ball at first glance...but Harbaugh loves him.
LAC CB Deane Leonard (3 tackles, 1 TFL) continues to be a standout performer for LAC this preseason. He made the team, and he’s gonna contribute as a backup corner. Might move to SAF someday? He’s a hitting corner.
DAL 2nd-year UDFA TE John Stephens (3-40-0/3) looks like a very quick athlete for a TE. I kinda liked/noticed him last preseason and he actually made the 53-man roster this year (thus Hendershot traded). He’s one I am keeping an eye on, but nothing imminent yet.
DAL TE Luke Schoonmaker (2-14-0/3) looked much better here than he did in previous preseason games. The guy is a nice profile to be a starting NFL TE...he just needs more time. Schoonmaker could FF-hurt Jake Ferguson in some way, low level, in 2024...and challenge him for more work/the job in 2025, maybe?
Two of the best kickers in FF worked in this game...
God of kicking Brandon Aubrey (2/2 FG, 1/1 XP) was out there kicking multiple FGs again – he went 8-of-9 on FGs this preseason...2.7 FGs made per game. He’s averaging like 14-15 FF PPG this preseason. 15 PPG would have made him THEE best in PPG last season...in PPR...among TEs...ahead of Kelce-Hockenson-LaPorta.
Cameron Dicker (2/2 FGs, 2/2 XPs) has been excellent this preseason as well...and was one of the top accuracy PKs on FGs in 2023.
