Dallas Cowboys Preseason 2014: 5 Takeaways From Loss In Week 2

By Marvin Moore

Dallas Cowboys Preseason 2014: 5 Takeaways From Week 2 Loss

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys — The Dallas Cowboys came away from their 37-30 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night with more positives than negatives. Here are five takeaways from the Cowboys' second preseason game.

5. Special Teams Disaster

Bernard Pierce Baltimore Ravens

5. Special Teams Disaster

Bernard Pierce Baltimore Ravens — Although the Cowboys are still trying out guys for the special teams unit, the group allowed a pair of long kickoff returns (50 and 108 yards) to Ravens receiver Deonte Thompson that resulted in 10 points. Dallas also averaged less than four yards on three punt returns.

4. Brandon Weeden Not So Sharp

Brandon Weeden Dallas Cowboys

4. Brandon Weeden Not So Sharp

Brandon Weeden Dallas Cowboys — The backup quarterback was not as impressive as he was last week and threw a terrible interception into double coverage. Weeden looked shaky behind the second-team offensive line, but still completed 10 of his 19 attempts for 129 yards.

3. Defensive Unit Has Big Holes

Ray Rice Baltimore Ravens

3. Defensive Unit Has Big Holes

Ray Rice Baltimore Ravens — Although Dallas was missing several key defensive players, tackle Henry Melton and cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, there is still no reason to believe that the Cowboys' defense won't just as bad as last season. However, Dallas did limit the Ravens' first-team offense to just one third-down conversion in five tries.

2. Rolando McClain Continues Comeback

Rolando McClain Dallas Cowboys

2. Rolando McClain Continues Comeback

Rolando McClain Dallas Cowboys — The former top-10 pick, who did not even play in the NFL last year, led the Cowboys with six tackles, a forced fumble and a pass deflection. It's no secret that Dallas has big plans for the 25-year-old middle linebacker, which should worry local fans considering McClain has already retired twice since being drafted in 2010.

1. Impressive Preseason Debuts

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys

1. Impressive Preseason Debuts

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys — Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant all saw their first action of the preseason, and the trio looked awfully good. Romo connected on four of his five passes for 80 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Bryant, who hauled in three catches for 59 yards. Murray rushed for 34 yards on eight carries and also took a screen pass 21 yards.

Marvin Moore is a Texas Rangers writer at RantSports. Follow him on Twitter at @SportsMarvin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your circles on Google.

Teams in this article »

Dallas Cowboys

Share On Facebook

Share