Dallas Cowboys: Thoughts about the Hall of Fame game

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 15: Jason Witten
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 15: Jason Witten /
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With the Dallas Cowboys set to face the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, here’s your chance to catch up on some random notes I have before the kickoff.

Get ready for some football. Congratulations. It’s the month of August, which means we’re just one month away from real Dallas Cowboys football.

But until then, we have five preseason games to look forward to.

As you know, the summer news cycle hasn’t been kind to the Cowboys. From suspension to suspension to eventually, you guessed it, more suspension, Dallas is finally busy with training camp.

As the Boys get ready for the Hall of Fame game Thursday, I thought I’d jot down some notes I have swirling around.

Let’s jump right to it…

1. Jaylon Smith strikes back

Well, that didn’t take long. The Dallas Cowboys need a defensive boost. Is Smith that guy? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, the second rounder is proving to be a good investment.

But before we get too excited, the young linebacker will have to get the pads on in real game. Regardless, things are looking good, and that is exciting.

2. Winning makes one forget

We had a summer to forget in Big D. While our focus should have been on cat videos or on the return of Game of Thrones, our eyeballs were glued to our smartphones notifying us of another suspension.

Err.

Not good.

But you know what, a win on September 10th changes the narrative. People tend to forget blemishes with a win. If the Cowboys can take over the New York Giants in the season opener, the critics will be quiet.

At least for another week anyways.

3. Want some of that Rico?

Hello Rico Gathers. Nice to meet you, sir.

Well, that’s a nice way to introduce yourself. You looked a little mad. At your teammates. You know what? I like it.

After all, the Cowboys do wear t-shirts that say “Fight.” I’m just saying. A little fire never hurt anyone.

4. Any news is good news

I can’t wait for the season to start. Even preseason. While football fights in training camps isn’t anything new, the media blasts it up on the highest volume.

I don’t know who is more excited here — the players or media outlets.

5. Luke McCown

Okay, I don’t mind this signing. Nothing flashy, nothing big. The Cowboys get a veteran arm, someone to help pilot the younger quarterbacks in the meetings.

Can the 36-year-old, former fourth rounder take Kellen Moore‘s spot? That’s something to watch out for. I wouldn’t be surprised. Let’s see what the two do this summer.

6. Thanksgiving jerseys

You know, I am all for the color rush jerseys. But what about those old, iconic uniforms the Cowboys used to wear on turkey days? I know the league doesn’t allow the color mismatch of the helmet and jersey and stuff, but can’t we alter that to fit regulations?

Just thinking out loud here, don’t mind me.

7. Lucky Whitehead and all the weirdness (dumbness)

So, the Dallas Cowboys sent a message loud and clear by ejecting wide receiver Lucky Whitehead. The message I got was this: Dude was going to be cut anyways, but let’s beat the horse again and see what happens.

Score.

I don’t want to get too much into this, but I didn’t like how the organization handled this. It’s that simple. They looked like managerial goofballs at the end of the day.

If we’re going to criticize the Cowboys for personnel mistakes, draft bombs, or free agent signings, shouldn’t the PR program get some blame too.

This baffles me. The organization changed their culture and drafting perspectives, and yet their still elementary at disciplining their players, or even themselves.

8. Dak Prescott is no RG3

Robert Griffin won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Mr. Prescott accomplished this last year.

There are voices in my head wondering if Prescott will fall on the same sword as RG3 did. I don’t think so.

After listening to Dak, what he has to say and offer, how he conducts himself, how he interacts with his teammates and coaches, all of this uneasiness vanishes.

Next: The all-time best defenders to wear the Star

Dallas hit the lottery with this fourth rounder.

And, for us lucky ones, we’ll get to see Prescott prove it all again, at least 16 times this year.