Dallas Cowboys: Winners and losers from Hard Knocks episode 2

Hard Knocks episode 2 featuring the Dallas Cowboys dropped and we’re breaking down which players and coaches came out as winners and losers alike.

Another week during the 2021 NFL preseason means another episode of the Dallas Cowboys being featured on Hard Knocks. Tuesday’s second episode of the season covered everything from the fallout after the Hall of Fame Game to joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams to the preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals and much more.

There was less of a focus on quarterback Dak Prescott than in the first episode, though we were positively updated on his recovery from the shoulder injury. Instead, we got a look at some of the players with their families, some background stories on some lower-roster players and a good look at the Cowboys and Rams getting heated on the practice field.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s dive into Hard Knocks episode 2 with the Dallas Cowboys and break down the winners and losers from this installment for one reason or another.

Winners for the Dallas Cowboys on Hard Knocks episode 2

Azur Kamara – Easily the best story from episode 2 was a look at Azur Kamara, an African refugee who tried out for football and eventually got to play at Kansas before making it onto the Cowboys practice squad after signing as a UDFA last year. The insight into his backstory in addition to watching his positive development was good to see.

Moreover, Kamara looked impressive against the Cardinals in the preseason game, even if his strip-sack was negated and he was the victim of a no-call on a hold.

Ezekiel Elliott – Not only did the running back provide one of the biggest laughs in the episode early on when he needed baby powder to prevent, um, sticking, but Elliott looks like a legitimate life force for his team. He’s on the sidelines hyping up his teammates in preseason games, he’s setting a fun-having mood in practice and he looks locked in when he’s working.

Much was made about his physique coming into training camp and it’s seemingly paying off. We saw a few runs of Zeke against the Rams in joint practice and he looked explosive and dangerous, much more akin to the player the Cowboys need him to be than he was a year ago.

Ben DiNucci’s chess prowess – Ben DiNucci might not be the QB2 on the Dallas Cowboys depth chart but, if America’s Team ever wants to venture into chess tournaments, they have to bring the second-year quarterback along.

Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons, who got a bit less spotlight in the second episode of Hard Knocks than he did in the first, was locked in trying to take down DiNucci. But it looked as if the quarterback was almost toying with him en route to a victory on the chessboard.

CeeDee Lamb – One player who has been buzzing throughout all of training camp is CeeDee Lamb, providing one big play after another for the Dallas offense. And we finally got to see a bit of that as there was basically a hype tape for the second-year pass-catcher in the middle of this episode, complete with his teammates and coaches gushing over his talent.

Not only was he making plays against the Cowboys and Rams defenses alike but you can just feel the confidence oozing from Lamb whenever he’s on camera. He was asked by Parsons after practice with Los Angeles if he got a touchdown and Lamb looked offended that was even a question. That’s the type of alpha playmaker Dallas wants and needs him to be.

Losers for the Dallas Cowboys on Hard Knocks episode 2

Ben DiNucci’s quarterback play – Admittedly, there weren’t too many negatives to take away from the episode, especially because HBO elected not to highlight the array of injuries the Cowboys suffered. However, it’s hard not to watch Ben DiNucci and wonder how he’s going to make the roster.

Yes, DiNucci led a touchdown drive against Arizona but the practice reps we saw just weren’t inspiring in the slightest. He was getting caught by pressure on a number of occasions and wasn’t always sharp in what he was doing. For a heavily produced reality show and with how steady Garrett Gilbert has been, it feels like the second-year quarterback is fighting an uphill battle.

Mike McCarthy – Some people are going to say Mike McCarthy deserves to be a loser because of the content of his speeches that were featured in the episode. Those were honestly fine to me. I didn’t necessarily want to run through a wall for the guy but it’s not hard to buy into what he’s selling either.

No, my gripe with McCarthy from episode 2 was him getting on Connor Williams and the Cowboys as things got chippy with the Rams in joint practice. Sure, the head coach is right in that it will result in a penalty during a game. But that’s also the type of fire you should want to see from your team when they’re in the trenches with a fellow NFC contender. Dak Prescott had more of the right idea as he hyped up Williams after the skirmish.