3 major takeaways from Cowboys preseason loss to Seahawks
- A young defender shines
- Is the RB2 battle settled?
- Struggles looming for touted rookie?
By Jerry Trotta
2. Rico Dowdle is RB2
As much as Cowboys fans want Deuce Vaughn to be RB2, Saturday's loss proved once and for all that's Dowdle's job. Though Dowdle fumbled in the first preseason game, he was still the better back relative to Malik Davis.
That continued vs the Seahawks, as Dowdle outproduced Davis yet again.
Not only that, but Dowdle's punishing running style caused headaches for the defense. He hit the hole with venom and showed tremendous strength and contact balance by carrying defenders to move the chains.
Simply put, Dowdle looks the part of a complete backup. He can double as Ezekiel Elliott's replacement in short-yardage situations -- and in pass protection -- but he's also capable of making defenders miss in the open field with his quick burst and shiftiness.
No other back on the roster boasts that kind of versatility.