5 crucial takeaways from Cowboys' Week 1 beatdown of NY Giants
By Jerry Trotta
4. Trades for veterans were a thing of beauty
Training camp foreshadowed the impact Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks would have on the 2023 Cowboys and Sunday was a continuation of that.
Cooks unfortunately wasn't asked to do much, but he drew a pass interference penalty on rookie corner Tre Hawkins. It was a 37-yard gain on 3rd and 12. Cooks' experience and veteran savvy made it happen and Dallas moved the chains. He only had two catches for 22 yards, but big games are ahead for the 29-year-old.
Gilmore, meanwhile, was one of myriad standouts on the defensive side of the ball. It took him less than 20 minutes of game time to notch his first Cowboys interception. He made a great break on the ball as Daniel Jones drifted to the sideline and managed to cradle the ball before it could graze the turf.
Tony Pollard scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to give Dallas a 26-0 advantage to put (another) nail in the Giants' coffin.
Gilmore finished with the INT and three passes defended. He's going to feast against team's secondary receivers all season. Cowboys fans can get used to Gilmore and Cooks making winning plays on a weekly basis.
And to think they were had for two fifth-round picks and a sixth-rounder.