Cowboys must cut camp standout after awful play goes viral in preseason opener

It's a testament to Mike Zimmer's brilliance, and Stetson Bennett's awful game at quarterback, that the Dallas Cowboys' defense came away with four interceptions in Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

Even though the Cowboys rested most of their starters, Zimmer's defense showed great discipline against the run. They held the Rams to 3.6 yards per carry. Mazi Smith, DeMarvion Overshown, Markquese Bell, Damone Clark and Chauncey Golston all deserve credit for that.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Sunday was the improved play from Dallas' linebackers. We haven't even mentioned rookie Marist Liufau or veteran field general Eric Kendricks, who didn't play and he's supposed to make everyone's job easier.

It wasn't a great day at the office for all of Zimmer's linebackers, however. Training camp standout Willie Harvey Jr. had a rough game. On one Rams running play, Harvey was fooled so bad that he ran off the screen. He shot the wrong gap and gave Boston Scott a gaping running lane.

You can watch the play behind this link. A graphic from PFF's John Owning underlines just how bad of a look this was for Harvey.

Cowboys may have to cut LB Willie Harvey Jr. after rough preseason debut

Mazi Smith has caught a lot of heat on social media from this play because he got stood up by a double team. With time, Smith will eventually shed the double to make the play. But Harvey abandoning his run fit was the reason Scott ripped a 14-yard run, which was the Rams' longest rush.

Harvey has looked the part of a serviceable depth option throughout camp. So much so that Cowboys fans want to see him make the team. That drumbeat has skidded to a halt after Sunday, however, as his struggles went beyond the viral play.

The All-UFL linebacker played 28 snaps: 13 against the run, 10 in coverage and five rushing the passer. He didn't make a single tackle and generated one hurry. His 35.8 PFF grade and 35.3 run-defense grade both ranked dead-last of the 32 players that played on defense, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His 52.1 coverage grade was fifth-worst.

Perhaps Harvey's lack of discipline can be attributed to him being too eager to impress Zimmer and defensive-run game coordinator Paul Guenther. The NFL -- even preseason -- is a different monster than the UFL. Maybe Harvey needed a game to adjust to the speed difference and talent discrepancy.

Regardless, Harvey didn't make the cut in Cowboys insider David Moore's latest roster projection. He lost out to undrafted free agent Jason Johnson, who had three tackles and one of Dallas' two sacks. Johnson also had the first interception of any defender in training camp.

There's still time for Harvey to redeem himself, but his odds of making the team took a drastic hit on Sunday. Performing well in camp means nothing if it doesn't translate to preseason.

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