The Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys should provide a more competitive event than the Pro Bowls that have preceded the Aug. 17 preseason game at Aloha Stadium, officials said.
“I expect the game to be more exciting than the Pro Bowl because you have guys who are fighting for jobs,” said Chris Tatum, president and CEO of the sponsoring Hawaii Tourism Authority. “It is early in the preseason, so you have a fairly large roster with a lot of (players) trying to stay there.”
It is expected to be the second game of the preseason for two teams who met in January in the NFC Divisional playoffs.
Rams President Kevin Demoff said, “When we look at our team, we have a ton of backups that are going to be competing for spots, as do the Cowboys, so they are going to try and scrap to make the team.”
Of the four preseason games, the second and third contests generally provide the best viewing.
The first game is typically very basic with very limited appearances by the projected starters while the second game usually affords first-line players more repetitions playing through the first quarter and often a series or more into the second quarter. It can be a key game for backups and new players trying to secure roster spots.
The penultimate game of the preseason is traditionally the one in which starters play at least a half since it is considered the final tuneup. Starters usually sit out the final preseason game so as not to risk injury before the opener.
“Typically Sean (McVay, Rams head coach) has played our starters some in the preseason,” Demoff said. How much time starters see will likely be impacted by where on the regular season schedule the Rams and Cowboys will meet again. “If it is later in the (regular) season then you may see more of the starters (in the preseason).”
The NFL schedule is due out next month.
Since the Rams’ return to Los Angeles from St. Louis, they and the Cowboys, who train in nearby Oxnard, Calif., have become frequent preseason opponents. This will be the third time in four years they have met in the preseason.
Demoff said he expects the Rams and Cowboys to each hold at least one open practice while they are here.
In addition, the Rams and sponsoring Hawaii Tourism Authority said there will be considerable community engagement opportunities, including those with Oahu and neighbor island high school athletes and the military.
