Training Camp/OTA's Chatter Thread...
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Three thoughts on Day 5 of Cowboys camp
July, 28, 2014
By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- Three thoughts on Day 5 of Dallas Cowboys' training camp:
1) Stephen Jones made it pretty clear the Cowboys have no intention of signing DeMarco Murray to a new contract before the season ends, but that doesn't mean he won't be on the team next year.
The reality is that last season was easily his best season -- 1,121 yards, nine touchdowns and a 5.2 average per carry -- in 14 games.
He's 26 and heading into his fourth season, and he still hasn't played 16 games. Running backs break down more quickly than any other position, so it's easy to see why the Cowboys don't want to give a guy with an injury history a new contract as he nears 30.
The franchise tag -- $9.54 million -- would be one option, and working out a three-- or four--year deal after the season would be another.
Murray is a good player, and if he puts together another good season, the Cowboys will find room and money for him.
2) Anthony Spencer said he's doing considerably more running and lifting than he has done in the recent past, but he still has no timetable when he'll return to the practice field.
He remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Whatever he gives the Cowboys this year must be considered a bonus. He's still recovering from micro fracture surgery and the longer it takes the more you have to wonder if he'll even play this year.
Spencer doesn't.
"I wouldn't be out here putting myself thought all of this," he said, "If I didn't think I could come back and play. I don't have a timetable, I'm just doing everything I need to do to put myself in a position to get back on the field."
3) DeMarcus Lawrence showed moves on consecutive plays in a pass rush drill that had to get the coaching staff just a tad excited -- even though each play occurred against backupDarrion Weems.
On the first play, Lawrence burst off the line, dipped his shoulder low and blew past Weems for what would've been a sack. On the next play, he faked outside, used a rip move and burst inside past Weems.
The confidence to use an inside move was impressive. Most young pass-rushers get so enamored by the outside move, they forego the inside ones.
47
One way to judge whether an offensive staff is doing a good job with the game plan is to look at their success with the first possession of the game.
The Cowboys scored 47 points on their first possession -- five touchdowns and four field goals. Only Denver scored more.
The Broncos scored 62 points on eight touchdowns and two field goals.
Player to Watch: Joseph Randle
This is an important season for Randle, who averaged just 3.0 yards per carry on 54 carries last season.
The Cowboys took him in the fifth round, hoping he could provide an adequate replacement if Murray went down. Well, he had an opportunity and he didn't do much with it.
If he doesn't play better this year, then the Cowboys will be looking to possibly add two running backs in the offseason. He must play well in the preseason to fend off Ryan Williams because the Cowboys probably aren't keeping four running backs.
July, 28, 2014
By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- Three thoughts on Day 5 of Dallas Cowboys' training camp:
1) Stephen Jones made it pretty clear the Cowboys have no intention of signing DeMarco Murray to a new contract before the season ends, but that doesn't mean he won't be on the team next year.
The reality is that last season was easily his best season -- 1,121 yards, nine touchdowns and a 5.2 average per carry -- in 14 games.
He's 26 and heading into his fourth season, and he still hasn't played 16 games. Running backs break down more quickly than any other position, so it's easy to see why the Cowboys don't want to give a guy with an injury history a new contract as he nears 30.
The franchise tag -- $9.54 million -- would be one option, and working out a three-- or four--year deal after the season would be another.
Murray is a good player, and if he puts together another good season, the Cowboys will find room and money for him.
2) Anthony Spencer said he's doing considerably more running and lifting than he has done in the recent past, but he still has no timetable when he'll return to the practice field.
He remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Whatever he gives the Cowboys this year must be considered a bonus. He's still recovering from micro fracture surgery and the longer it takes the more you have to wonder if he'll even play this year.
Spencer doesn't.
"I wouldn't be out here putting myself thought all of this," he said, "If I didn't think I could come back and play. I don't have a timetable, I'm just doing everything I need to do to put myself in a position to get back on the field."
3) DeMarcus Lawrence showed moves on consecutive plays in a pass rush drill that had to get the coaching staff just a tad excited -- even though each play occurred against backupDarrion Weems.
On the first play, Lawrence burst off the line, dipped his shoulder low and blew past Weems for what would've been a sack. On the next play, he faked outside, used a rip move and burst inside past Weems.
The confidence to use an inside move was impressive. Most young pass-rushers get so enamored by the outside move, they forego the inside ones.
47
One way to judge whether an offensive staff is doing a good job with the game plan is to look at their success with the first possession of the game.
The Cowboys scored 47 points on their first possession -- five touchdowns and four field goals. Only Denver scored more.
The Broncos scored 62 points on eight touchdowns and two field goals.
Player to Watch: Joseph Randle
This is an important season for Randle, who averaged just 3.0 yards per carry on 54 carries last season.
The Cowboys took him in the fifth round, hoping he could provide an adequate replacement if Murray went down. Well, he had an opportunity and he didn't do much with it.
If he doesn't play better this year, then the Cowboys will be looking to possibly add two running backs in the offseason. He must play well in the preseason to fend off Ryan Williams because the Cowboys probably aren't keeping four running backs.
ravidubey
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I would hope he's better than all the young walk-ons, injured guys, and underachievers around him. But he still needs to earn his PT.
The coaches need to rotate 15-16 guys on the front seven and play them all equally until players distinguish themselves positively or negatively.
I know that's hard to do, but that's why coaches get paid. If my daughter's soccer coach can do it...
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Oh, I agree. What I'm saying is I hope that Lawrence can establish himself and earn that starting role and the PT that comes with it.
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That's probably part of his problem.
I think the guy has been overtraining, juicing or both.
I have never heard of any guy coming into the league hurting himself without contact like this.
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http://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/10412780-babe-laufenbergs-interview-with-jerry-jones/
This will fucking piss you off if you have a functional brain.
This will fucking piss you off if you have a functional brain.
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He would move to the bottom of the list for a SB. Bullshit.
DLK150
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I have a functioning brain and some of my brain cells died listening to that delusional, senile twit. First time I've listened to him speak for more than a minute in years and now I remember why.
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Mid-Day Report: Johnson Taking Latest Injury Hard
Posted 18 minutes ago
Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. – Matt Johnson can’t seem to catch a break.
It’s been a tough couple years for the 2012 fourth-round pick, whose injuries haven’t allowed him to play in a regular season game yet. The latest is another hamstring injury that has his contemplating what else he can possibly do to stay healthy.
“I talked to my brother and stuff, and I had like a pity party yesterday,” Johnson said. “I can’t do that, because it’s not going to solve anything, but I just don’t know. I’ve done everything I could – stay late, get here early, rehab it – I’ve done more in the month off we had than I ever had in my life.”
Johnson hurt the hamstring during a pursuit drill, and he said it felt really good while warming up and thought he could give it 100 percent in the drill. It was frustrating for Johnson to see that he couldn’t, to say the least.
He said he got an MRI and the trainers would call back if the injury was really bad. It’s a good sign he never got that call, but there’s currently no specific timeframe for him.
Johnson said the worst part is he can’t be on the field working with his teammates and friends, standing with them on the sideline working hard and being gassed as a team. He said just watching practice and not being involved is the hardest thing about the injury, and hamstring issues are particularly frustrating.
“Personally I feel like muscle stuff, pulls are on me,” he said. “If you tear an ACL, break a foot, something like that, freak things happen in football. That’s why this is so frustrating, because anybody could pull a hamstring, and I’m the only one that’s really pulling them. That’s why I’m taking it so hard. I’ve done, I don’t know if anybody’s got anymore suggestions on what I could do, but I’ve tried everything. So I don’t know.”
Head coach Jason Garrett said Johnson would probably be out at least a week, but he didn’t anticipate this hamstring injury being particularly bad. It was unfortunate after what Garrett said was a really good offseason and start to camp for Johnson, and Garrett added that Johnson has to know he’ll get a chance when he comes back.
“He’s as conscientious a player as I’ve ever been around,” Garrett said. “He’s very in tuned to getting himself right. Unfortunately he’s just had to deal with these things.”
In addition to Johnson, linebacker DeVonte Holloman and defensive tackle Terrell McClain also left practice Sunday and didn’t return but were at the walkthrough Tuesday morning. That said, McClain is still day-to-day with his ankle injury, and Garrett said it could take about a week for his return.
Here are some other highlights from the morning walkthrough and Garrett’s Tuesday press conference:
•There will be competitive two-minute situations at today’s afternoon practice, but Garrett said not to expect Tony Romo to be a part of them. He said Romo won’t do anything today at the afternoon practice because it’s a two-a-day, and he added there wasn’t any setback. Garrett said the biggest thing he needs is honest feedback about how Romo’s doing, and Garrett feels even a little time off can be really valuable.
•The head coach said he believes Romo is doing fine and will gradually get more work as he goes along. The focus is on getting him ready for the 49ers in September, Garrett said the starting quarterback is on pace to be ready for that.
•Jeff Heath hurt his hand in Sunday’s practice and returned with it heavily wrapped. He expects to practice with a small cast on the hand after getting it caught between helmets.
•Executive vice president Stephen Jones said both Ronald Leary and Ben Gardner are close to a return. He said that return may not be today, but they’re close.
•Garrett initially said Tuesday would be the likely return point for Ronald Leary off his hamstring injury, but that doesn’t sound likely today. Still, Garrett said he anticipates Leary back within the next week.
•Garrett touted the versatility of Kyle Wilber, who “comes in as the incumbent starter at Sam.” Garrett said the linebacker’s also valuable on teams and as a nickel defensive end rusher.
•Henry Melton’s hard to miss during individual drills, as the defensive tackle doesn’t look like the typical player coming off ACL surgery. Garrett said he sees flashes from Melton and he’s getting confident making the natural movements all football players need when returning from an injury.
Posted 18 minutes ago
Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. – Matt Johnson can’t seem to catch a break.
It’s been a tough couple years for the 2012 fourth-round pick, whose injuries haven’t allowed him to play in a regular season game yet. The latest is another hamstring injury that has his contemplating what else he can possibly do to stay healthy.
“I talked to my brother and stuff, and I had like a pity party yesterday,” Johnson said. “I can’t do that, because it’s not going to solve anything, but I just don’t know. I’ve done everything I could – stay late, get here early, rehab it – I’ve done more in the month off we had than I ever had in my life.”
Johnson hurt the hamstring during a pursuit drill, and he said it felt really good while warming up and thought he could give it 100 percent in the drill. It was frustrating for Johnson to see that he couldn’t, to say the least.
He said he got an MRI and the trainers would call back if the injury was really bad. It’s a good sign he never got that call, but there’s currently no specific timeframe for him.
Johnson said the worst part is he can’t be on the field working with his teammates and friends, standing with them on the sideline working hard and being gassed as a team. He said just watching practice and not being involved is the hardest thing about the injury, and hamstring issues are particularly frustrating.
“Personally I feel like muscle stuff, pulls are on me,” he said. “If you tear an ACL, break a foot, something like that, freak things happen in football. That’s why this is so frustrating, because anybody could pull a hamstring, and I’m the only one that’s really pulling them. That’s why I’m taking it so hard. I’ve done, I don’t know if anybody’s got anymore suggestions on what I could do, but I’ve tried everything. So I don’t know.”
Head coach Jason Garrett said Johnson would probably be out at least a week, but he didn’t anticipate this hamstring injury being particularly bad. It was unfortunate after what Garrett said was a really good offseason and start to camp for Johnson, and Garrett added that Johnson has to know he’ll get a chance when he comes back.
“He’s as conscientious a player as I’ve ever been around,” Garrett said. “He’s very in tuned to getting himself right. Unfortunately he’s just had to deal with these things.”
In addition to Johnson, linebacker DeVonte Holloman and defensive tackle Terrell McClain also left practice Sunday and didn’t return but were at the walkthrough Tuesday morning. That said, McClain is still day-to-day with his ankle injury, and Garrett said it could take about a week for his return.
Here are some other highlights from the morning walkthrough and Garrett’s Tuesday press conference:
•There will be competitive two-minute situations at today’s afternoon practice, but Garrett said not to expect Tony Romo to be a part of them. He said Romo won’t do anything today at the afternoon practice because it’s a two-a-day, and he added there wasn’t any setback. Garrett said the biggest thing he needs is honest feedback about how Romo’s doing, and Garrett feels even a little time off can be really valuable.
•The head coach said he believes Romo is doing fine and will gradually get more work as he goes along. The focus is on getting him ready for the 49ers in September, Garrett said the starting quarterback is on pace to be ready for that.
•Jeff Heath hurt his hand in Sunday’s practice and returned with it heavily wrapped. He expects to practice with a small cast on the hand after getting it caught between helmets.
•Executive vice president Stephen Jones said both Ronald Leary and Ben Gardner are close to a return. He said that return may not be today, but they’re close.
•Garrett initially said Tuesday would be the likely return point for Ronald Leary off his hamstring injury, but that doesn’t sound likely today. Still, Garrett said he anticipates Leary back within the next week.
•Garrett touted the versatility of Kyle Wilber, who “comes in as the incumbent starter at Sam.” Garrett said the linebacker’s also valuable on teams and as a nickel defensive end rusher.
•Henry Melton’s hard to miss during individual drills, as the defensive tackle doesn’t look like the typical player coming off ACL surgery. Garrett said he sees flashes from Melton and he’s getting confident making the natural movements all football players need when returning from an injury.
p1_
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Anyone else concerned about Romo already taking time off?
Reverse field: Tony Romo won’t practice Tuesday afternoon. What plan do the Cowboys have in place?
By David Moore
dmoore@dallasnews.com
2:50 pm on July 29, 2014 | Permalink
Tony Romo’s training camp took another curious turn Tuesday.
Head coach Jason Garrett said the quarterback wouldn’t go in the afternoon session. A few hours earlier, executive vice president Stephen Jones said that Romo would practice.
This doesn’t represent a split at the top of the organization. What is does indicate is the confusion over any sort of plan in place to get the quarterback ready for the start of the season.
“Tony is not going to do anything this afternoon,’’ Garrett said. “He got his work in this morning in some of the walk thru sessions.’’
Garrett stressed that Romo has not had any setbacks since camp began and added that, “hopefully he’ll come back and have a good day tomorrow.’’
Hopefully? Garrett also said the coaching staff decided to keep Romo out of the afternoon practice because the team was going to work on some very competitive two-minute situations.
If Romo is as healthy as the Cowboys claim, wouldn’t they want their starting quarterback to get some work in those two-minute situations?
The mystery continues. This will be Romo’s second day off since camp began last Thursday. The team also has Friday off.
That means Romo will go through the first 11 days of this camp without practicing more than two consecutive days. That may be the closest thing the Cowboys have to a plan.
“There’s an old adage in football that a day off can be really valuable and two days off can be life changing,’’ Garrett said.
Still, it seems odd that there is this much confusion over Romo’s schedule when the quarterback and the club have consistently asserted that he’s on schedule.
Just what is that schedule?
“You really point yourself toward that first game with San Francisco,’’ Garrett said. “You want to have that in mind the whole time. Let’s keep going forward, let’s keep taking incremental steps, gradual steps, to get you ready for that.
“Part of getting ready for that is practicing in training camp, part of that is playing in pre-season games. We feel like we’re very much on schedule in those two regards.’’
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p1_
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How would that shit go over? Wow.
jsmith6919
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Even if they know right now Romo won't be anywhere close to ready to open the season I'd bet they keep up the charade until the last possible minute
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That would be a typical giant Dallas f'up. Pass on the top guy on your draft board who happens to be a QB because you have Romo on the roster. Then find out that Romo won't play another game for your franchise.
jsmith6919
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Hmmm now I'm wondering if some bad news about Romo's health spurred on Jerry publicly lamenting not taking Manziel
p1_
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The Jerry loathing part of me soooo wishes this to be true. Just to stick it to his ass. Like Booze said, glorious.
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It would almost be nice going into the season without Romo. If only to not have to have my hopes shot down yet again. I could cruise through the season just knowing we will have a high draft pick next year. The only downside (besides losing a season of course) is that it might give Jerry reason to keep his golden child around another season.