Hall of Fame Game 2013: Five players to watch during Cowboys vs. Dolphins
Ramon Ramirez is a writer for Fansided partner, BroJackson.com.
The 50th NFL preseason jump starts Sunday night with the work-in-progress Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins (8 p.m. Eastern, NBC). After seven months of no football, halfway-there pigskin in a 22,000-capacity high school stadium is must see. It’s been an unbearably hot few months of prestige television Netflix binges and soccer. As I write this, Gangs of New York is on in the background. I’ve never seen it and it’s kind of terrible. John C. Reilly can no longer be taken seriously in a dramatic role after his comedic breakthroughs so retroactively, I just see “shake and bake” where I should see a corrupt official; Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio in Irish accents are distracting; the opening fight scene is one of the most miserably scored scenes of the early aughts. It’s all post-techno action fare that takes me back to the late 20th Century, not the mid 1800s.
Anyway, like you I’m ready to pay attention to the NFL. Yet tonight, Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, and Dez Bryant will be out of action for Dallas. New Miami deep threat Mike Wallace, and Canton native Brian Hartline, are also out with injuries. But with fantasy drafts around the corner and the viewership re-awakening and taking notes, one can’t afford to fall behind. Here are five dudes worth keeping tabs on.
Lamar Miller
If you’re a fantasy football nerd, the offseason buzz has been about Miller’s breakout potential. Reggie Bush was a workmanlike stud in this backfield situation. He’s been shipped to Detroit, and the keys to the condo are Miller’s. His first and last names are NFL cliches so it sounds like he’s been a career backup. Not true, Miller is a second-year man from The U that the Dolphins drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. Preseason games are not about stats or touches, they are about the eye test. If I like what’s there, and given his potential workload, I’m looking at my league’s draft board and reaching two rounds to secure his services.
Travis Frederick
Jerry Jones puked on his lapel during draft night, and went home with the last girl at the bar. Jones the GM reached for a lineman, but his spin is that it was a move he needed to make to secure his guy. Frederick is a Wisconsin center that Dallas will flex to left guard. If he pans out, stability for 10 years is worth the draft reach. Coach Jason Garrett has said that Frederick will play heavily in all five preseason games. Cowboys fans better hope he’s ready to pave roads.
Cole Beasley
The former SMU slot receiver, as well as 25-year-old East Carolina project Dwayne Harris, have heavy chemistry with their franchise quarterback. Harris is a speed demon and an emerging kick return force with a more defined role. But Beasley is the guy I’m excited about because of his lightning 2012 preseason that prompted “who is that white dude?” texts from buddies. My friend Clint played intramural hoops with Beasley at SMU, is quick to tout his underrated speed, and says he’s a chill bro that’s easy to root for. Beasley is also a circumstantial rival of former Cowboys number one, Miles Austin. Austin’s incessant hamstring problems open up opportunity for Beasley to breakout as a fantasy PPR force. Moreover, Dez Bryant has been singing his praises in training camp and the word is Beasley is creating Wes Welker separation on Dallas cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne.
The other Miami receivers
Hartline and Wallace are out with non-serious injuries. No problem, the Dolphins harbor nine receivers vying for two roster spots. This is a reality show premise perfect for Hard Knocks or that Michael Irvin show. It’s heartbreaking melodrama and a particularly bloated battle to watch this month. Sunday is the best time for an early frontrunner to emerge.
DeMarco Murray
Murray is the default headliner with so many offensive linchpins sitting out. I think he’ll do something electric and special. He always does. But remember: the Oklahoma prospect was a third round pick and not a first because the scouting reporting report on him was “this guy is one of the most talented and natural running backs we’ve seen in recent memory but his injury history will nag him indefinitely.”
Why that matters: Fantasy gurus aren’t sure where to rank him. He’s both overvalued and undervalued, depending on whom you ask. But if he flexes like a stud in front of a national audience, his draft stock rises. All I know is that Murray has an extra preseason game on his plate this season and that’s another chance for an injury. Let someone else burn a second round pick on him.