What a long, odd journey the 2022 season was the Dallas Cowboys. It started with an offseason that motivated little self-confidence and left numerous fans thinking it was a throwaway season. Things took a turn for the evenworse in training camp when one of the Cowboys’ mostsignificant free-agent finalizings (according to Jerry Jones), large receiver James Washington, went down with a broken foot in the veryfirst cushioned practice. Another squashing blow came when left dealwith Tyron Smith fractured his knee in late August.
Then things actually got bad. Quarterback Dak Prescott fractured his thumb in a season-opening defeat and most anticipated the scenarios to sendout Dallas into a tailspin.
Yet a amusing thing tookplace on the method to a lost season, the Cowboys infact won some videogames. With backup quarterback Cooper Rush keeping the group afloat, the Cowboys were able to set the table for a 12-win season and a roadway playoff triumph.
It didn’t end how lotsof had hoped, however the Cowboys had a great season for a group that was left for dead in September. Here’s what went best, and incorrect, for Dallas throughout the 2022 season.
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The Cowboys bet Rush might be a strong backup and win a coupleof videogames if called upon. There weren’t lotsof who thought, particularly after a rough preseason efficiency.
Then the veteran QB made the company appearance clever when the routine season rolled around. While playing with beginners and preventing errors, Rush did his part in leading the Cowboys to a 4-1 record in Prescott’s lack.
In the 4 videogames the Cowboys won, Rush played fairly tidy football, throwing for 4 ratings and no interceptions.This consistedof wins versus both of the prior Super Bowl contenders, Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Rams.
Rush wasn’t a ideal QB, however he made clever choices and played muchbetter than anticipated. The shouting for him to stay the starter were ridiculous, however Rush was a huge part of the 2022 story for Dallas.
The Cowboys were showed right in not including a higher-priced veteran quarterback to play behind Prescott.
Dallas Cowboys large receiver Noah Brown (85)
The Cowboys mishandled the large receiver position from the minute the offseason started. It was no shock the group desired to relocation on from WR Amari Cooper, however trading him made little sense. There were monetary and individual factors that Dallas desired to rid themselves from Cooper, however it turned out to be a huge error, simply like most everybody anticipated.
Instead of keeping Cooper, the Cowboys chose to trade him for a little return of a fifth-round choice. Instead they picked to re-sign complimentary representative receiver Michael Gallup. It was curious choice giventhat Cooper was the muchbetter gamer and Gallup was coming off a major injury that wouldn’t permit him to play a complete season.
Dallas’ strategy at receiver; re-sign Gallup, draft Jalen Tolbert in the 3rd round, and indication the veteran WR Washington, was ill developed. These were the choices to set with rising receiver CeeDee Lamb, and a returning group that consistedof veteran WR Noah Brown and second-year large out Simi Fehoko.
Of the gamers offered to start the season, Brown was the just wideout aside from Lamb to haveactually signedup a catch. He had 39 in 5 seasons.
It’s safe to state the strategy stoppedworking.
The Cowboys attempted to change Amari Cooper’s 292 receptions, 3,893 lawns, and 27 TD’s in Dallas with Dennis Houston, James Washington, and Jalen Tolbert. Those 3 receivers had a integrated 4 captures, 28 backyards, and 0 TDs.
Amari Cooper had 1,160 backyards and 9 TD’s this season.
— Ernie (@es3_09) January 29, 2023
While Lamb stoodout, and there were strong minutes from Brown and Gallup, the rest of the receivers neverever got it done. Tolbert seldom saw the field as a third-round choice and Prescott had difficulty linking with any other receiver not called Lamb.
Miscommunication problems and receivers with separation stressandanxiety were a aspect in Prescott’s high interception overall for the season. Things got desperate when the Cowboys attempted to include broad receiver Odell Beckham late in the year and ultimately settled on veteran receiver T.Y. Hilton to assistance.
The offseason strategy at receiver for the Cowboys neverever worked out, and they were tested extremely incorrect with their choices at the position, inspiteof what Jones states.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Despite overestimating the depth at receiver, the Cowboys were on the cash about Lamb being allset to endedupbeing a star. Lamb had a sluggish start with Rush throwing him the ball, however the third-year WR progressed into one of the league’s finest by the end of the year.
Lamb set profession highs throughout the board, capturing 107 balls for 1,359 lawns and 9 goals on his method to a Second-Team All-Pro choice.
CeeDee Lamb on 2nd group All-Pro honor: “I couldn’t stop smiling when I got the text message. It wa