Dallas Cowboys vs 49ers: The good, the bad and the ugly
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Smith (56) during the second quarter at Levi
The Dallas Cowboys first trip to Levi’s stadium in week 1 of 2014 was forgettable and last nights game against the San Francisco 49ers was even more so. The ever reliable Super Dan Bailey sent a field goal wide, the special teams performance looked anything but special and the much touted “greatest offensive line in the league” is an injury short of mediocrity.
More from The Landry Hat
- 3 ways Cowboys’ Dak Prescott can have a bounce-back season in 2023
- Cowboys News: Dallas sets pre-draft visit with potential Dalton Schultz upgrade
- NFL executives heaping praise on offseason is uncharted territory for Cowboys
- 3 free agent signings from NFC East rivals that left Cowboys fans laughing
- Cowboys News: Brandin Cooks sends flattering message to CeeDee Lamb, Stephon Gilmore
Too much doom and gloom? For some yes. Yet I refuse to spin a game like that into false positives: “oh but they only allowed field goals”. Of course the result of the game is irrelevant and so too is the team performance as a whole. Preseason is really about those guys on the cusp of the team making their presence known. For those players competing for spots, who in the game stood up to be counted and who slunk into the shadows? Here’s my good, bad and ugly players of the game.
The Good:
Keith Smith: Keith Smith played in ten games for the Cowboys last season, and could be considered unlucky to find himself cut earlier this year. But with the surprise retirement of Keith Rivers alongside suspensions and injuries, Smith was asked back just weeks ago and after two preseason games he hasn’t disappointed.
Cowboys LB Keith Smith should be nicknamed Jason because he keeps coming back and making sure you know he's there.
— Rainer Sabin (@RainerSabin) August 24, 2015
In preseason so far he leads the team in tackles (7) and stops (6). Two of his six tackles against the 49ers were for a loss and perhaps his finest was against Quinton Patton. With the 49ers on 3rd and long, Smith saw to the receiver with a 12 yard loss.
"“He was all over the field from his linebacker spot. There were several snaps where he just read the play on a run through and was able to make the tackle. He played well in space and — when he was asked to blitz — provided some nice pressure.” – Bryan Broaddus, DallasCowboys.com"
Next: The Bad