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I promised to answer all the questions from this morning's Live from the Alamodome XVIII, so here goes. I'll start with one that I skipped over. I'll predict that this team goes 10-6 and wins a playoff game for the first time since my first freshman year of college. Don't see a Super Bowl for the Cowboys this season. I'll start with Kevin's question posted at 10:05 about Anthony Spencer and go right on down the list. Follow the jump for the fascinating answers. Anthony Spencer still looks a little hesitant on his pass drops, but Wade Phillips is pleased with the first-round pick's progress. Phillips reports, however, that Spencer has a horrendous singing voice. ... Don't understand the reference to Greg Ellis' terrible team spirit. Do you want the guy to rehab in a cheerleader's skirt? ... Pat Watkins and Keith Davis will both make the team. Davis will be the backup strong safety. They're both valuable special teams guys. ... No veterans have whined about the Alamodome turf to me. If you want to blame the turf for pulled hamstrings, go right ahead. ... They expect Isaiah Stanback to get some work before the preseason. Jerry said today that they knew there was a chance Stanback might not be ready for camp when they drafted him. I'd be stunned if they expose him to waivers. IR might be an option, but Cowboys officials don't think it'll come to that. ... Sam Hurd has the potential to develop into a starting WR, but that's at least a year or two down the road. Jerheme Urban will get some action as a punt returner against the Colts. Phillips said Urban proved he can catch the ball, which is really all they're looking for. ... Veteran scribes tell me not to panic about Anthony Henry's performance thus far in camp, but it concerns me to see a starting CB struggled against undrafted rookie WRs in 1-on-1 drills. I think it's a good thing that Terence Newman is good enough to roll coverage away from. ... Bradie James has had a solid camp, and his weaknesses won't be exposed as much with him on the sidelines in passing situations. He's a very vocal guy, but I see Newman emerging as the leader of the D. ... Bit surprising to hear a head coach badmouth a player who left in free agency, but I'm all for honesty instead of P.C. bull. I don't see why Mike Holmgren would lie about Ken Hamlin being out of position. There's a reason the Seahawks spent a lot of money on Hamlin's replacement without making him an offer. ... Let's see Spencer in at least one preseason game before labeling him a bust. Romo flicked the ball to Julius Jones with his left hand while scrambling Sunday afternoon. Kinda like an unplanned, on-the-run shovel pass. ... I think we've seen the kind of back that Julius Jones is -- a decent starter, but not an elite guy worth giving a huge contract. I'd be surprised to see him here next season. Jerry would love to get a shot at Darren McFadden. ... Casey/coogiguy03, Romo and Witten are and will be leaders on this team. You can count on T.O. being vocal and cross your fingers that his teammates won't always follow his lead. ... I'll take Bigg Davis if the black bear has been declawed. ... Abram Elam still has a chance to make this team because he's good on special teams. It will depend on whether the Cowboys can afford to keep five safeties. |
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Comments
Posted by Jim @ 1:47 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
started reading an article by one of your colleagues about Roy...but then read a line saying that Bradie james is the heart and soul of the defense...I cringed and didnt finish reading the article.
who do you think is the heart and soul of the defense?
Posted by jim @ 2:05 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
ok then, what about a black bear with claws vs Bigg and martin gramitica in full pads?
Posted by Mark @ 2:22 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
McFadden, as long he falls in our lap. This team still has needs other than RB!
NT, CB, OT, WR, these positions I feel need more attention.
That's all I need is to see the Cowboys sitting with the 2nd overall choice. With McFadden rumored to being selected #1. Jerry coughs up two -#1's this year, with 2nd & 3rd round selection the following year. All to jump up one spot and grab a RB!
Were not a player away! No team is!
Posted by Bill In DC @ 2:24 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
Heart and Soul of the Defense?
Would have to be DeMarcus Ware. If he gets hurt the Dallas D is set back big time. The only other person might be Mr. Newman. If he's gone I fear our secondary would be toast.
Posted by Larry @ 2:26 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
Tim,
I have to disagree agout the boys chances of making it to the super bowl for one simple reason:
The NFC has no great teams. No one to compare with the patriots or the colts for instance.
The boys have just as good a chance as any of the other teams in the NFC, better than most.
Posted by Bill In DC @ 2:30 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
Mark,
You can relax, I would be willing to bet the house Jerry would not make a trade like that. If McFadden is available when Cleveland's pick is there (where ever that happens to be), we'd probably take him. I'd prefer an Impact NT, or WR, but that is dependent on the location of the pick, we wouldn't want to reach either.
My bet is, if the player they want isn't there, Jerry trades down and picks up more picks.
Posted by L.J. @ 3:09 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
If McFadden does not get injured during this college season, Jerry will give wharever it takes to secure him.
Posted by Larry @ 3:13 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
Mark,in your schenerio(never could spell that word) it wouldn't take anywhere near what you speculate to go from 2 to 1. Depending on the needs of whoever is sitting in number 1, it might take as little as the brown's #1 pick plus the boys 2nd round pick, but certainly not more than the boys two #1's.
I would make either trade in a heartbeat to get a guy like McFadden.
Posted by Mark @ 3:29 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
My point is, that if Jerry want's McFadden in the worst way. In my opinion, I feel Jerry will cough up the picks.
He did not have the ammo to move up to get Adrian Peterson. But, for the first time, Jerry did mention in his pre-draft press conference. That a trade up to land a "difference maker" (something along those lines).
That he would consider moving up.
Then factor in Jerry's Arkansas ties. Have the Cowboys drafted a player from Arkansas since Jerry became Owner in 89? I think that is "No"!
Teams that hold the #1 pick ask for a boat load of picks & young players. Leverage!
It would come down to how bad Jerry fall in love with a player.
The Bucs wanted WR, Calvin Johnson in the worst way. Detroit was asking for the Farm. Tampa resisted & the Lions selected Johnson.
Jerry has the final say!
Posted by jeff @ 8:15 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
Let's just see how the Browns' pick turns out before we start debating who we will take next year in the draft.
Let's also let next year's college season play out.
We need to be talking about the right here and right now about this year's team.
We haven't even played 1 pre-season game, so next year's draft should be the farthest thing on Cowboys' fans minds.
Posted by kameleon_o @ 8:52 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007
I'm not worried at all about what Holmgren or the Seahog coaches say about Hamlin. Deon Grant himself, who the Seahogs replaced Hamlin with, was a free agent from the Jags. Why was he let go if he was so good?? Doesn't matter how you slice it, but Hamlin is an absolute upgrade over what we had last year and he's 100% healthy now. Good for us.