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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
It's time for the Cowboys' second outdoor practice of the season, and it's hot as Hades. So hot that one player told me he lost three pounds during a walkthrough this morning. Unless Jerry extends a last-minute invitation to his VIP suite, I will be blogging under less than ideal conditions this afternoon. The money-back satisfaction guarantee is off, but I can promise you won't find better live Cowboys practice updates anywhere. I'll try to check in every 10 minutes or so. 1:24 -- Greg Ellis apparently hasn't heard the reports that he's retiring yet. He's working out on the side again. 1:37 -- Just doing position drills. Nothing noteworthy, unless you're interested in Julius Jones dropping a pass from Tony Romo. 1:40 -- No sign of Rowdy. Don't think his four-wheeler is welcome on the nice green grass out here. 1:42 -- Rookie TE Rodney Hannah is a heck of an athlete, but real raw. The coaches work with him on stuff most kids learn in high school. "Hey, don't leave your feet if you don't have to," WR coach Ray Sherman said after Hannah jumped to make a catch. ... Still working position drills -- no competitive stuff. 1:51 -- Offense working on running game vs. scout D. You can hear the distinctive voice of Tony Sparano hollering during and after every play. He got stripped of play-calling duties, but he'll still have his fingerprints all over the running game. ... Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo are both moving fine, although it's not full contact. Adams' quickness especially stood out when he exploded out of his stance for a false start. 1:54 -- Scout offense now going against starting D, and Marcus Spears must be feeling frisky. He got into the backfield, grabbed rookie RB Alonzo Coleman and tossed him to the ground. "Get up out of here, boy!" Spears shouted. 2:05 -- A pretty good scuffle was the highlight of scout-team O vs. second-team D. Couldn't get a clean look at the combatants, but I'm pretty sure DE Jay Ratliff was in there throwing haymakers. He's one of the better practice brawlers on the team. 2:13 -- Missed kick coverage stuff while I went inside to prevent computer from melting. 2:15 -- Now watching pass-rush drills. Undrafted rookie OLB Alex Obomese had a nice preseason debut, but he just got buried by Marc Colombo after trying to spin inside. Colombo had a much tougher time handling a bull-rushing DeMarcus Ware. ... Rookie RT James Marten, Colombo's understudy and fellow BC alum, continues to have trouble pass blocking against quick D-linemen. Marcus Spears blew by Marten. 2:17 -- I thought Remi Ayodele was a long shot to earn the backup NT job, but I might have been wrong about Akin's little bro. He's impressed coaches lately. "That's a way to get his hands off you," DL coach Kacy Rodgers said after Ayodele beat Cory Procter. ... A couple snaps later, Ola Dagunduro couldn't get off Procter's block. 2:25 -- Terry Glenn is working out on the side. He isn't running around or anything, just standing still and catches passes fired at him from about 10 yards away. He has a wrap on his recently scoped right knee. 2:27 -- I didn't see any of the 7-on-7 action on the other end of the field, but Todd Archer reports that Anthony Henry had a nice deflection of a fade to Crayton. I was tough on Henry when he kept getting beat during training camp, but it's noteworthy that he broke up the only pass Peyton Manning threw his direction Thursday night. |
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Comments
Posted by Brian @ 1:35 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Does the heat keep Rowdy away?
Posted by Craig @ 1:40 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Scattershooting while musing about Spencer's hairdo-speed rushing relationship: maybe Romo should shave his arm hair, to get a better zip on the ball for those quick outs?
Posted by corey91 @ 1:42 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I'm concerned about nose tackle. How is Ola and Remi doing? Do you you think nose will be a major concern in next years draft or in free agency?
Posted by Rowdy @ 1:45 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Any observations about Brad Johnson, any competition for him from #3, and 4 Q.B's. Is Brad worth a roster spot.
Posted by Brian @ 1:47 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
a lot of writers have pretty much said the Cowboys will be Super Bowl bound if Romo is like the 1st 5 games last year, and won't make the playoffs if he was like the last five, my question is how do you think the cowboys will do if he is just above average..because the first 5 last year are just astoundingly unrealistic numbers over a 16 game season
Posted by Craig @ 1:51 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I admit to not paying as much attention to the second half of last Thursday's pre-season game as I should have... did you see any effects of the heat on the Cowboys after their TC in the A/C in SA? I know no one played a full game so they weren't huffing and puffing like they would have been after 60 minutes.
Posted by Justin @ 1:51 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
What are we going to see out of the special teams this year on kickoff coverage? Was Thursday night what we can expect with a new coach in that psosition?
Posted by Trae @ 1:52 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Do you feel the propensity of head injuries to Ken Hamlin is something the Seahawks knew about and made them hesitate to offer Ken a contract? I feel the practice concussion is related to the off field head injury, and re-occurrence is almost certain, is it not?
Posted by Chris @ 1:54 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I bet Ellis wins the gold medal for "best player with Flex Band"
Posted by Craig @ 1:55 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Thirsty for some reports on Stanback. Assuming his recovery continues well, how much playing time -- if any -- do you think this "project" will see this year?
Posted by Mike @ 1:57 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Do you think the Boys will end up with a better record than the 49ers this year?
Posted by Robert @ 1:59 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Marcus Spears better stop dis-respecting the Scout Team because given how poorly he is playing he may be joining them by year's end.
With respect to Sparano, only in Dallas kids does the OC who has the #1 red zone offense with 26ppg get demoted for novice.
Tony, hope you get out Jerrah's clutches with a great new job in a place you will get some respect.
Posted by Bill In DC @ 2:00 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
So is Spears starting to come on a little? If he added 10-15 lbs could he play the nose?
Posted by L.J. @ 2:01 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I am concerned about nose tackle too, Is the reason that we don't get much feedback on that position, is that the coaches have solid, unannouched plans regarding it?
Posted by Mo @ 2:02 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I know this question is getting old, but what's the word on the third QB? Moore played more last game, but is not even on the depth chart at dallascowboys.com; Bartel is number 3.
Posted by Big Jubes @ 2:02 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
#96 should try making some plays a first round draft pick makes before picking on an undrafted rookie free agent on the scout team.
What a chump!
Posted by theogt @ 2:04 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Yes, please keep us updated on Stanback. If he coughs, we want to know!
Posted by Craig @ 2:09 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
That's great, Marcus. Now try doing it against Brandon Jacobs on the evening of September 9th instead of some scout team spare. If you can, I'll be the one leading the cheers for you, brother.
Posted by clark @ 2:11 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Denver is trying to move DT Warren. Would he have the size to back-up DT Ferguson?
Posted by Juan C. Blanco @ 2:13 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Tim, any word if the Cowboys considered Aaron Brooks this offseason at all instead of Johnson? 31 years old, much stronger arm, very capable back-up were Romo to go down for a period of time.
Posted by L. Lohan and P. Hilton @ 2:21 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
will you be blogging during the practices with the Broncos?...are those open to the media?...
Posted by Craig @ 2:27 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Just an addendum: I am also thirsty for a drink, preferably one made with gin. Thanks in advance.
Posted by kevin @ 2:28 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Tim,
Is there any way on the face of this earth that we as red blooded American Cowboys fans could convince Jerry to string Rowdy up on the Vally Ranch fence as a warning to future mascots to not act like total whips?
Or at least banish him from any Cowboy related events, IE Games, training camp, practices, and maybe just limit him to low budget childrens birthday parties and media appearnces where no players are involved?
Posted by Gene Stroman @ 2:30 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Defense was pretty basic in the 1st preseason game. What sort of blitz packages is cupcake cooking up in practice?
Posted by Quincy C. @ 2:38 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Tim...who is taller?...Rowdy or Spagnola?...
Posted by Larry @ 2:43 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
I agree totally with Kevin. Rowdy is an embarrassment. Whatever "amusement" factor he had has long since disappeared and its time to deep six him.
Posted by JR @ 3:07 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Regarding Aaron Brooks in any capacity - I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Posted by S L @ 3:34 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Rowdy actually serves a purpose, at least at publically-attended practices. There are fans who have chosen to watch guys without names on their jerseys practice in the heat and never actually score a touchdown, and they/we find this a wonderful use of our free time and sometimes even plan around its occurrence. and then there are fans who bring their children who think they want to watch the Dallas Cowboys play, and after 10 minutes of waiting for a cloud in the sky and a player on the field, they're about done. Rowdy saves everyone at that point - they have something to watch, perhaps a T-shirt to catch, and everyone else can settle into deciphering the meaning of 2nd team OL drills and second-guessing Jerry on coaching moves he made 10 years ago.
Annoying? Absolutely. Distracting? You bet. He's the resort kiddie pool of football. you're glad he's there, and you settle in a chair as far, far away as you can.
Posted by Chip @ 5:58 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Quit picking on "Rowdy". Jerry Jr. needs to learn how to hold down a job.
Posted by Quincy C. @ 10:55 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Tim...I know I have been a pain in the rear with all of my "clever blogging" from all the "clever people" and have thought that I was the most clever guy of all but today I spit coffee through my nose with this one...please elaborate and start thinking about having the best "post" of the day...
Regarding Aaron Brooks in any capacity - I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Posted by: JR | August 13, 2007 03:07 PM