Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFL preseason round-up: Jason Peters, Diggs, Buccaneers…
Five days until the season opener, the Cowboys finally did something about their problems on the o-line with the huge signing of tackle Jason Peters.
Cowboys make it official with Peters
As expected, the Cowboys officially signed offensive tackle Jason Peters, but for now, just to the practice squad. He will need to get a feel for the team and get into shape and he himself has said it could be a few weeks before he’s ready to play, given that he didn’t practice with any team during the offseason. Putting him on the practice squad gives the Cowboys a chance to make some other roster moves before Peters plays.
Ex-player of the enemy Philadelphia Eagles, Peters admitted that it’s “kinda weird” to be playing for Dallas now.
“Like I said, that was our rivalry. You know the Dallas and Eagle rivalry go deep, so it’s kinda weird. But I’m here in my home state and ready to roll.’’
To make space for Peters, the Cowboys released defensive end Mika Tafua from the practice squad.
This is a big move for the Cowboys, who desperately needed to do something after losing Tyron Smith. Peters, though he is 40 years old, can still play at a top level and was the best lineman on the Bears team, finishing with just six sacks allowed and only three penalties.
Prescott: “I expect Tyler Smith to be prepared”
Considering it could be Week 3 before Peters joins the Cowboys o-line in a real game, Dallas is still looking at putting rookie Tyler Smith in at left tackle to replace Tyron Smith. It’s a lot to ask of the rookie who’s spent most of his time at left guard, to suddenly fill in these big shoes and do it well. But, hey…that’s life in the NFL.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has been there before. He only became the QB2 to Tony Romo because Kellen Moore was injured, which meant if Romo was hurt, he’d be thrust into the role and expected to do it well. And that’s exactly what happened in 2016, Prescott’s rookie year.
It seems he thinks there is no reason any player should not be able to do the same, but sees something special in Smith.
“When you hang around Tyler, you see the competitor, the fighter. You see the football player - the grit,” Prescott said. “I expect him to be prepared. I was in his position [six] years ago. If there’s anyone who is supporting the next man up and is about that mentality, it’s me. I’m here to support him and give him the most confidence that he needs.”
Diggs vs Evans: Cowboys/Bucs season opener
The Cowboys have a chance at revenge this Sunday when they open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the second year in a row. The Bucs managed to squeak out some last-second points to get the win 31-29 at their home stadium last year. In that game though, there was a lot of good for the Cowboys, and one of those things was the four turnovers they got. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs got his first of 11 interceptions on the year during the second half of that game.
Diggs had an incredible year in 2021, and it started with that game in Tampa Bay. He had the task of stopping Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans, who consistently puts up 1,000+ receiving yards every year and is one of the most dominant receivers in the league. Diggs did not shy away from the job. He held Evans to just one catch for 10 yards.
After that, Diggs went on to become one of the best defensive players in the NFL that season. It is not unlikely we’ll see this matchup again this year, and this time, Diggs has 16 games of dominating experience under his belt.
Bucs’ Godwin set to play against Dallas?
Speaking of the Buccaneers’ wide receivers (they seem to have plenty of those), it seems Chris Godwin could be ready to go for the Week 1 opener against the Cowboys. Last year, Godwin tore his ACL and has been recovering over the offseason and wearing a knee brace during the preseason. But on Monday, he was seen practicing without the brace.
It’s not official yet that he’ll play on Sunday, as the Bucs are waiting on official word from Godwin’s doctors, but the outlook is positive. So if Diggs is on Evans, the Cowboys will need to pull from one of their many defensive weapons to cover Godwin, too.