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Get Dallas Cowboys news on your cellRandom mini-camp thoughts
9:29 AM Mon, May 14, 2007 | Permalink
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| Roy's officially a dime back, not a nickel linebacker »
** The linebackers all look like they lost a bunch of pounds. Bradie James said he played part of last year around 265 pounds but is now 245. Akin Ayodele is in the 240s and Bobby Carpenter is down to 252 after playing last year at 265. Bill Parcells craved size in his linebackers because they had to take on offensive linemen so much, but this year the 'backers believe they need more speed. The Chargers' starting linebackers from a year ago weighed 262, 245, 227 and 272 pounds. ** Sam Hurd had a nice day on Sunday with a number of nice catches, but he is on the ground too much. He seems to dive when not necessary and it leaves himself open to injury. There is a fine line between hustle and not being wise. Hurd still has to figure that out, but he has a real future. ** Running back Tyson Thompson looks like he's added some bulk to his frame as well. That's going to be a real competition for the third tailback slot with two undrafted rookies Jackie Battle and Alonzo Coleman showing some promise. Keep an eye on Coleman when training camp starts. ** Not sure if this is real or just percieved, but from the looks of the offense so far this mini-camp, the Cowboys will be testing teams vertically more. Not that they didn't last year. Remember Tony Romo averaged 8.61 yards per attempt last year, but we're seeing the tight ends really push the middle of the field. I'd be surprised if Jason Witten averaged only 11.8 yards per catch this year. ** Leonard Davis might be the leanest 366 pound man in creation. He is just a freak physically. According to the rosters we have this weekend, Flozell Adams weighs 340 pounds, but Davis looks leaner than Adams. Oh, and Adams looks better now than he did a year ago at this time. ** Yes, Roy Williams saw some action at linebacker in the nickel defense during Sunday's package, but I'm not sure that's going to be an every down deal. Offenses might like to see a 229-pounder in the box with a spread field and an elusive running back. But it does show Wade Phillips and Brian Stewart are thinking of ways to get Williams closer to the line of scrimmage. ** When the Cowboys signed Ken Hamlin some questioned if he was just another Williams, unable to play a true centerfield type safety. In the Saturday afternoon practice that was moved inside because of rain, Hamlin covered a ton of ground in a short amount of time on a deep ball to Terrell Owens. ** Yes, the Cowboys will use the fullback more this year, but second-year tight end Anthony Fasano will be a factor. Fasano has done a nice job catching the ball and getting up field over the weekend. ** If the Mavericks are looking for a post presence next year, they might want to look to the Cowboys' offensive line. Adams is 6-7, Davis is 6-6, Marc Colombo is 6-8, Doug Free is 6-6, James Marten is 6-7, Pat McQuistan is 6-6. |
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Comments
Posted by Marcus W @ 9:59 AM Mon, May 14, 2007
Any news on the receiver Richardson from the CFL?
Posted by Larry @ 10:29 AM Mon, May 14, 2007
Excellent coverage guys. Excellent coverage. Everyone on the blog except ROBERT appreciate your comments. You might throw in something good about the Eagles and Robert would get a chance to say something constructive, if he is capable of that.
Posted by Delone @ 10:42 AM Mon, May 14, 2007
Am I the last to know Colombo is 6'8? Guess so. He didn't seem that big. Hopefully the Cowboys do a lot more than just trying to duplicate the Chargers. That's all we've been hearing. It's an upgrade, but what have the Chargers done championship wise. What seperates us from being just a great regular season team and then fall in the playoffs like the Chargers? I'm a die hard Cowboy fan but that is the question on My mind.
Posted by Mark @ 11:17 AM Mon, May 14, 2007
Now this is some good info. Thanks Mr. Archer
Just shoot from the hip.
Posted by Bill In DC @ 12:04 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Is it July yet? I apprecitate that Davis is a 'freak' physically, but, what I want to know is, can he play guard? Not only can he play, but will he be dominant at the position as his salary says he should be?
Posted by Lunging Wolf @ 12:17 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Nice. Keep up the good work. I sure hope they get Carpenter and Burnett on the field more this year.
Posted by DCBoy @ 12:20 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Yes, good updates. Fans in DC appeciate it!
Posted by Robert @ 12:24 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Good beat writer stuff.
Posted by Chris Capshaw @ 12:46 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Great coverage, this blog is by far the most informative of any of the DMN Belo blogs, and your work during the mini-camp has been unrivaled.
Posted by Robert @ 12:47 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
SD last year was a 5-2 moreso than anything else.
But yeah, BP was way too focused on bulk to the detriment of quickness. Glad to see the guys come in lighter.
Posted by cms @ 1:08 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
delone - the chargers are in the AFC and we are not. I'm pretty sure the chargers would have gotten to the super bowl last year were they in our conference. just get me to the game and give me a chance to win and i'll be a happy camper.
Posted by Scott @ 1:45 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
How athletic does Spencer look? It was obvious a few years ago the D Ware could handle the 'backer duties. Also, did Miles Austin and Sam Hurd make any progess this offseason? Thanks for all the updates.
Posted by Ray @ 2:48 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
How about the pass rush? And are Canty and Spears still the number 1 guys, or are Hatcher and Ratliff getting a shot? And explain to me how the new scheme is going to free up everyone. Are we going to play with 12 guys? Someone is still going to have to butt heads with people on the line.
Posted by Bill In DC @ 3:30 PM Mon, May 14, 2007
Ray,
Due to a special dispensation by the NFL office, Phillips is playing a 5-5-5 this season. That should help!
Seriously, I think it will be that the front D line will not have to play 'run first, then rush' anymore. Parcells insisted that they play the run, then react to the ball if it was a pass play. Phillips will let them take out after the QB right away on obvious passing downs, this will allow them to use that 'first step' against the O line, rather than reacting to the blocking pattern, possibly beating thier guy off the line. At least I think that's what it means.
Posted by Truefan @ 3:17 AM Tue, May 15, 2007
I believe it means they will defend the run on the way to the QB.