Takeaways From Micah Parsons and Other Cowboys Rookies in HOF Game

On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys opened their preseason slate with a 16-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game. Dallas took the field in Canton, Ohio, for the NFL’s annual preseason opener for the fourth time since 2010.

The teams chosen for this matchup are always have representatives in the incoming Hall of Fame bunch. With two classes to honor after last year’s game was canceled, the Cowboys saw three former legends entered into pro football immortality. Former coach Jimmy Johnson, hard-hitting safety Cliff Harris, and the “Original 88,” Drew Pearson, were all honored for their time in the NFL as part of the 2020, 2021 and Centennial Class. It was a joyous occasion that included a major announcement that Jerry Jones will indeed have Johnson inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.

On the field, Dallas didn’t see many starters compete, with joint practices against the Rams coming up as well. This led to many rookies getting valuable playing time. Micah Parsons, along with many other first-year players, thrived in their first taste of NFL action.

Dallas Cowboys Rookies Thive in HOF Game

Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons was active in his limited time while lining up in several different alignments. He played in coverage, rushed off the edge and on the blitz, and the ball found him on the fumble. His speed was on full display on a perimeter screen that he was able to chase down, and even when he didn’t make the stop, he put others in position to do so, like on the jet sweep.

Kelvin Joseph

Joseph started opposite of Anthony Brown, and overall, I think both were a bit cautious early on. He gave up a reception to Chase Claypool on a quick out in which he was sure not to be the victim of a double-move.

It wasn’t, and Claypool had little issue reeling in the pass. Still, he closed well, and had Claypool attempted to turn up the field, Joseph was in position to shove him out of bounds.

Osa Odighizuwa

The third-round pick was probably Dallas’ most active defensive lineman, as he had more than a fair share of snaps where he got penetration into the backfield. The big play came with him splitting the A gap and pursuing a run to the edge from the backside.

Azur Kamara did a nice job taking on the block to force the play inside, and Odighizuwa was there to make the stop for a loss of yards. Odighizuwa also had several pressures, helping to force a throwaway by Mason Rudolph in the first half.

Nashon Wright

It was an up-and-down showing for Wright with more noticeable ups than downs. Wright made several good open-field tackles and showed some savvy by hand fighting with a receiver down the field on a deep pass that inevitably kept him from making a play on the ball.

He gave up the deep pass to Claypool, thanks partly to a slight push-off, highlighting Wright’s slight build. Claypool also dropped an uncontested pass that should have been a first down against him as well.

On the play, Wright retreated too deep off the snap in his press. Because of that, his jam completely missed leaving Claypool to separate from him easily. If the initial steps are back, you have to be more patient with the jam, and at this depth, he should have just abandoned the attempt.

Jabril Cox

Jabril Cox played most of the night, lined up next to Luke Gifford, and made four stops on the night. However, his best highlight for the Dallas Cowboys came on what would have been his fifth had the pass not been dropped.

He showed terrific eyes in coverage on a play designed for him to carry a receiver deep just long enough to open up space for a shallow crossing route underneath him. Cox quickly caught on to the design and jumped into action. He wouldn’t have gotten a hand on the pass, but he would have made an immediate tackle to keep the receiver from picking up the first down.

Simi Fehoko

Fehoko made on catch on a shorter curl in which he came back to catch the ball. My issue with the play was how far his momentum carried him back, where you’d like to see him make the catch then quickly cut upfield.

It was a sign that his hips aren’t quite as fluid as you’d like, even for a big receiver. He appeared a little stiff on several routes, and that is going to put him at a disadvantage when it comes to beating out Turner for a possible sixth spot at receiver.

Quinton Bohanna

I’ve already mentioned that Bohanna had a nice showing. Perhaps the most noteworthy play was a run near the goal line where he and fellow rookie Austin Faoliu came up with a big stop at the line of scrimmage.

Bohanna held his ground against the opposing blocker and even got some push just before disengaging in time to make the stop. His strength and surprising burst off the snap showed up often on the night, whether he got involved in the play or not.

Israel Mukuamu

Mukuamu made several stops on the night, but his most impressive snap was on a third-down throw that he batted down against a tight end. The tight end position has evolved immensely in this passing era, but Mukuamu’s length and experience as a corner give him a fighting chance in those matchups.

Matt Farniok

As advertised, Farniok played several positions on the night. One of his more noticeable reps came with the Cowboys backed up only inches from their own end zone.

He combined with Braylon Jones on the nose to get good movement before peeling off and taking on the linebacker. Farniok’s superb execution of a tough assignment sprung Rico Dowdle for a 25-yard run.

Other Dallas Cowboys Standouts

Maurice Canady certainly looked confident on several plays despite missing a year on the field after opting out. The tackle for loss was one of several plays he made that will aid his chances of forcing the Cowboys to go heavy at cornerback.

Sewo Olonilua showed off his versatility with a nice run after the catch on a pass to the flats. However, he didn’t show the same execution as a lead blocker that we saw from Nick Ralston, who looks like a bodybuilder in a football uniform. If Dallas is going to keep a fullback, they have two completely different options.

Reggie Robinson displayed terrific speed to run with a crossing route across the field. It’s not easy to run step-for-step with a receiver in that scenario.

Still, he was in position to make the instant tackle that was short of the first down to force a punt. Robinson also had a nice punch on the ball to force a fumble that Dallas should have recovered.

Luke Gifford may be fighting an uphill battle to make the roster, but he just has a nose for the ball. He may not have the requisite quickness to play linebacker in Dan Quinn’s scheme, but he always seems to be around the ball carrier.