Exactly one week ago in Cowboys news, George Selvie was the second coming of Bruce Smith and J.J. Wilcox couldn't ball worth a lick.
Today, we've got a whole new set of judgments from the Oakland game. That's the way it works in the preseason. But that's not going to stop me from doing the same thing across the NFC East. All of the Cowboys' division rivals have played one preseason game, and I'm going to jump right in and jump to some conclusions about how it looked.
Later this week we'll have a new set of games to judge, and we can do it all over again.
Washington Redskins
Opponent:Tennessee Titans
Main Storyline:Kirk Cousins didn't play much, but he was certainly efficient in two possessions as the Redskins' starting quarterback. Cousins guided a scoring drive of 64 yards on the Redskins' second possession of the game, culminating in a short touchdown pass to Fred Davis on a beautiful play fake.
Biggest Impression:It's been a talking point all offseason that the Redskins' defense would improve by leaps and bounds with the return of Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo. All the talk seems justified after one quarter of play, as Orakpo notched a sack and assisted on another in the first 10 minutes of play. More than just his own sack, Orakpo helped collapse the pocket and earn a sack for fellow Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan.
Surprise Star:Former West Virginia all-everything quarterback hadn't played football in two years when the Redskins signed him in April. Granted, it was the tail end of a preseason game, but White looked sharp in two drives. He completed five of eight passes for 31 yards and rushed for what would have been the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. However, instead of kicking an extra point, White completed the two point conversion to give Washington the win.
Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent:New England Patriots
Main Storyline:That'd obviously be the quarterback competition between Mike Vick and Nick Foles. Vick got the start against New England, though it's already been decided Foles will start in Week 2. But Vick couldn't have asked for a better start – his first pass was a 22-yard completion to Jason Avant, his second was a 47-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson. Foles completed five of six passes, but his completion average of 7.2 yards looked pedestrian compared to Vick's 18.8. Foles also fumbled when sacked during the first quarter.
Biggest Impression:New Eagles coach gave each of his competing quarterbacks one normal drive to start their playing time. But both Vick and Foles ran a no-huddle possession during their second trip to the field. All told, the Eagles ran 10 no-huddle plays out of 20 snaps with the top two quarterbacks.
Surprise Star:Call me a homer If you want, but how about defensive tackle Bennie Logan? The Cowboys wanted Logan back during the draft in April, and he gave a pretty good impression of why against the Patriots. Logan was second on the team in tackles with four, and that included a half sack and a quarterback hit.
New York Giants
Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Main Storyline:Just in case the Giants needed a reminder why they gave Victor Cruz big boy money this summer, there was the reminder. Cruz tallied one reception during the win against Pittsburgh, and it went for a 57-yard touchdown. Cruz beat his man down the seam from the slot, and once he hauled the ball in, he shook off tackles from starting Steeler safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark.
Biggest Impression:Rookie defensive end Damontre Moore showed early why many considered him a first round talent before he fell to third round of this year's draft. Moore shined with four tackles – three of them for loss – and a punt block. That production came against the Steelers' starters, it's worth noting. The Giants just know how to find pass rushers, basically.
Surprise star:I'm not sure I'd give anyone that label in a pretty ugly 18-13 game. But the Giants managed a whopping five sacks in their first action of the preseason. One of those came from new free agency acquisition Cullen Jenkins, who will undoubtedly be hoping to improve upon his disappointing stint in Philadelphia.
