Training Camp/OTA's Chatter Thread...

[Cotton]

 

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[skidadl]

Playing for keeps? Nice.

 

[Cotton]

 

[junk]

It'll be fun when Dallas has the first player ever killed by asphyxiation from this drill.

Trainer: Gavin Escobar.....he's dead.
Garrett: Escobar is day to day
Jerry: Escobar.....relative to the injury he suffered.....is suffering from a bit of tennis elbow
Trainer: He also pulled his hamstring if that matters.

 

[Cotton]

It'll be fun when Dallas has the first player ever killed by asphyxiation from this drill.

Trainer: Gavin Escobar.....he's dead.
Garrett: Escobar is day to day
Jerry: Escobar.....relative to the injury he suffered.....is suffering from a bit of tennis elbow
Trainer: He also pulled his hamstring if that matters.

 

[Cotton]

Day 8 observations from Dallas Cowboys training camp practice: RB DeMarco Murray dominates; WR Dez Bryant makes athletic play

By Brandon George / Reporter bgeorge@dallasnews.com
9:04 pm on July 31, 2014 | Permalink

What does 100 percent mean? That's one of the questions Cowboys QB Tony Romo answers

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett hasn't talked to DT Josh Brent since he was released from jail, has 'no idea' of his physical shape
Here’s what stood out from Day 8 of Dallas Cowboys’ training camp practices Thursday in Oxnard, Calif.

The Cowboys had a short practice Thursday before taking the day off Friday. They mostly worked on red zone and hurry-up offense. It was a rough day for the defense.

Several of the players’ families watched Thursday afternoon’s practice. QB Tony Romo’s wife, Candice, and his two sons, Hawkins and Rivers, joined him after practice.

The family was surrounded by cameras on the field. At one point, Hawkins ran away from Tony and Candice and Tony had to go looking for him. He ended up just beyond the end zone, where Romo had him run over bags used for running back drills. Both his sons wore No. 9 jerseys with “Daddy” on the back.

Late in team drills, WR Dez Bryant made a smart, athletic play to keep QB Tony Romo from an interception. Romo’s pass to the left side was tipped up in the air near the line of scrimmage by DT Davon Coleman. LB Bruce Carter was camped underneath the ball, waiting for it to come down in his hands, when Bryant swatted the ball down from behind.

QB Tony Romo was forced to scramble to his left late in team drills and looked normal. One of Romo’s deep passes in team drills was too long for WR Dez Bryant, who had beat CB B.W. Webb on a go route down the left sideline.

To end team drills, Romo threw a nice deep out pass to WR LaRon Byrd for about a 20-yard gain in a hurry-up situation. That set up a Dan Bailey field goal attempt that was good. Byrd continues to have a great start to training camp, catching just about every pass his way.

The defense gave up several long runs in team drills, often not touching the running back until he was well into the secondary.

RB DeMarco Murray started team drills with a long run to the right side behind a big block from rookie RG Zack Martin. Murray had two other long runs in team drills, one up the middle and one to the right

RB Ryan Williams had about a 20-yard gain on a run wide left in team.

RB Lance Dunbar had a run wide right for 20-plus yards. CB Dashaun Phillips took a bad angle on the play to allow Dunbar to get around the corner.
DE Caesar Rayford would have sacked QB Dustin Vaughan early in team drills.

S J.J. Wilcox had a nice pass breakup against TE Gavin Escobar down the left seam on a pass from QB Tony Romo. But Romo wouldn’t have gotten the pass off because he would have been sacked by DT Davon Coleman.

The receivers dominated the cornerbacks in 1-on-1 drills Thursday, but it didn’t help that the Cowboys were without CBs Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Sterling Moore.

WR Dez Bryant beat CB Orlando Scandrick three times for red zone touchdowns in 1-on-1 drills. Scandrick did intercept a pass in 1-on-1 drills, stepping in front of WR LaRon Byrd near the left sideline.

CB B.W. Webb really struggled in 1-on-1 drills, losing all but one matchup. Several times he was beat badly, even to the inside on slant routes, which is something a cornerback never wants to allow in the red zone. On one matchup, Webb was flagged for illegal contact against WR Chris Boyd, and Boyd caught the ball for a touchdown anyway.

WR Dez Bryant, WR Terrance Williams and WR Dwayne Harris each won their 1-on-1 battle against a cornerback to start drills. That caused coach Jason Garrett to say, “3-0, offense. It’s a bludgeoning.”

Rookie CB Terrance Mitchell used his physical play to keep WR Dez Bryant from catching a pass inside in a 1-on-1 drill. Later, Mitchell gave up a touchdown catch to WR Terrance Williams.

WR Chris Boyd made a nice one-handed catch in the end zone for a touchdown against CB Terrance Mitchell.

WR Dezmon Bricoe had two touchdowns in 1-on-1 work, including one in which he caught the ball after CB Tyler Patmon deflected into the air. Afterward, WR Dez Bryant yelled at him, “Nice [expletive], man. Keep your eyes on it.”

Rookie CB Terrance Mitchell injured WR Dwayne Harris late in 1-on-1 drills. Harris appeared to sprain his left ankle as Mitchell came down on his leg at the goal line trying to defend a pass inside. WR Dez Bryant yelled at Mitchell after the play, “You got to stop doing that.”

K Dan Bailey was 5-for-6 on field goal attempts, missing his first attempt from 39 yards out. The ball went wide right.

As the offense huddled for a field-goal attempt, special teams coach Rich Bisaccia yelled at OT John Wetzel, “Hurry up, 61. Get your [expletive] in the huddle.”
After a punt, coach Jason Garrett threw the ball back toward the offense. A fan yelled at Garrett, “You still got it buddy.” Garrett turned toward the fan and said something to him and smiled.

In 7-on-7 drills, WR Dez Bryant beat S J.J. Wilcox and caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone.

QB Tony Romo threw a pass away through the end zone on the right side in 7-on-7 drills, and he immediately turned to his left and yelled at TE Gavin Escobar.
DE Jeremy Mincey blew past OG Mackenzy Bernadeau in 1-on-1 drills. Bernadeau recovered, however, and held off DT Davon Coleman in a 1-on-1 drills with the entire team circled around them.

In the other 1-on-1 drill with the team surrounding the players, TE Gavin Escobar showed his good hands by catching a pass against S J.J. Wilcox.

Former Los Angeles Rams and USC head coach John Robinson was at practice Thursday. Also, Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford – Tony Romo’s brother-in-law – attended practice. … Follow Brandon George on Twitter at @DMN_George.

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys Camp Report: Day 8

July, 31, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


OXNARD, Calif. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Dallas Cowboys training camp:

• The offense brought it to the defense in team drills, especially in the running game, which has to be concerning. Running backs DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar were able to get through the line unscathed in team run and situational work. Guard Zack Martin flattened safety Barry Church while pulling to give Murray a big gain, drawing oohs and aahs. Dunbar was able to gain the edge against the second-team defense with his speed, racing by cornerback DaShaun Phillips. Ryan Williams took a toss for a long gain, too.

• The Cowboys D stuck with a seven-man front against the offense, which might have accounted for some of the big gains, but the line was unable to get off blocks.

• One play that Jason Garrett will assuredly show his players was the work of Dez Bryant in team drills. A Tony Romo pass to Bryant was deflected at the line of scrimmage with linebacker Bruce Carter in position for his first interception of training camp. Bryant quickly backtracked, jumped over Carter and flicked the ball away to prevent the turnover. That a player of Bryant's stature made that kind of hustle play will not go unnoticed with the way Garrett likes to use his best players as teaching points.

• The defensive line was much better in pass-rush drills. Right tackle Doug Freestruggled with power from George Selvie, Dartwan Bush and Caesar Rayford in three reps. Jeremy Mincey was able to put Mackenzy Bernadeau to the ground with a power move. Backup tackle Jermey Parnell did a nice job of handling Tyrone Crawford's power, staying low to absorb Crawford's momentum.

• Garrett offered up play-by-play in the one-on-one drills between the receivers and corners. At one point he said the defense was being "bludgeoned." After an Orlando Scandrick pick, he gave the defense two extra points. Passing game coordinator Scott Linehan responded with, "Do we get two points for a touchdown?"

• Wide receiver Dwayne Harris suffered a left ankle sprain in one-on-one drills with cornerbacks when he was rolled up by Terrance Mitchell. Mitchell was chastised by Dez Bryant and others for being too aggressive and not staying on his feet. The Cowboys don't believe Harris' injury is serious. Defensive tackle Ben Bass left practice early with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys are down five defensive linemen (Amobi Okoye, Bass,DeMarcus Lawrence, Anthony Spencer and Terrell McClain) and could be forced to sign a reinforcement to ease the load off the rest of the group. Cornerback Sterling Mooreand guard Brian Clarke did not practice because of a groin injury. With only five healthy corners, practice was shorter than normal.

• The Cowboys are off on Friday and will return to practice on Saturday.

 

[GShock]

They are keeping Romo out to reduce the overall amount of offseason wear on his back. It's a wise approach. It's almost a guarantee if he gets dehydrated and presses too hard too fast he will pull a hamstring after recovering from a back injury.

This is a very good point.

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys wake-up call: Day 9

August, 1, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


OXNARD, Calif. – Every day of Dallas Cowboys training camp we'll offer up a wake-up call that offers a quick review of the previous day and a preview of the current day.

Today's schedule: The Cowboys will have their second off day and return for practice on Saturday.

Quick thoughts on five padded practices:

• The safety spot next to Barry Church remains J.J. Wilcox's to lose. Wilcox has been OK but he has not been pushed by Jeff Heath or any other safety. Wilcox has had a couple of pass breakups, but there has not been a big hit in the running game and he took a bad angle on a wide run by Lance Dunbar that would have led to a 50-yard run in one practice. You just want to see more from a projected starter.
• I'm not sure if Dartwan Bush can make it on the 53-man roster but he is making the most of his opportunity. He was at the Cowboys' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and went unsigned until early June. He has been active (two sacks on Wednesday and Thursday) and is getting more work with DeMarcus Lawrence out with a broken foot. The Cowboys are short on pure right defensive ends and he is getting in the mix the way Ben Bass did a few years ago. Bass used an invite to a rookie camp and earned a spot on the practice squad before a brief promotion to the active roster.
• It's easy to see Dezmon Briscoe's NFL experience. Signed at the start of camp, Briscoe has surpassed the work of undrafted rookies L'Damian Washington and Chris Boyd so far. He is smooth in and out of his breaks. He does a good job of catching the ball with his hands. Does it mean he will make the final roster? Probably not but he is putting himself in the mix, which can be difficult to do for a player who was not with the team in the offseason.
• Jason Garrett has altered the practice plan this season. In previous years the Cowboys had what he called a "blue practice" to open the session with the rookies and younger players taking the field before the veterans so they can get more work. This year Garrett has turned to a "blue period," at the end of the practices in which the young players go through eight plays of team drills. It gives quarterback Dustin Vaughan the chance because he does not take regular team drills or even 7-on-7 throws.

What I'm watching: With the players off again, there might be another media pickup basketball game at a local Ventura park. I didn't bring my golf clubs, so that is out, but I saw a story this week about footgolf where you use a soccer ball. That could be interesting.

They said it: "I was out last year with an Achilles and I went and talked to him. I told him everything I heard that was positive for me, helped me get through it. I'm going to be shooting him texts and giving him a call and making sure he's staying up and just make sure he stays in the books. He's definitely going to be back and definitely will be planning on him coming back where he left off." – Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford on how he will help DeMarcus Lawrence, who had foot surgery on Thursday.

 

[Rev]

Lol @ "has not been pushed by Jeff Heath"

Did you actually expect that?

 

[bbgun]

Heath couldn't push a baby stroller.

 

[ravidubey]

We are going to get run over this year. Run the fuck over.

 

[Cotton]

Dallas Cowboys training camp stock report: 3 players on rise, 3 players sinking
By Brandon George / Reporter bgeorge@dallasnews.com
12:21 pm on August 1, 2014 | Permalink

OXNARD, Calif. – A week into training camp and with seven practices behind them, the Dallas Cowboys are beginning to find some answers.

The Cowboys have 90 players in training camp and will have to reduce their roster to 75 on Aug. 26 and to the final 53 on Aug. 30.

So the Cowboys have about four more weeks to determine their depth chart and where each player belongs.

After watching about every minute of practice so far, here are three players who have helped themselves and three who haven’t:

THREE ON THE RISE:

1. Davon Coleman: The undrafted rookie defensive tackle out of Arizona State has been very active in camp so far. He’s often been disruptive by getting into the backfield and would have already had two sacks if players were allowed to take down the quarterbacks. On Thursday, he tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that was almost intercepted.

2. LaRon Byrd: The wide receiver who was undrafted in 2012 out of Miami (Fla.) has caught just about every ball thrown his way. Almost every time you look up, No. 80 is open. He has a knack for finding open space and has been sure-handed. The Cowboys will only keep five, maybe six, receivers on their final roster, so he’ll have to keep pushing.

3. Terrance Mitchell: The Cowboys drafted the rookie cornerback in the seventh round out of Oregon because they liked his length and skill set. He’s a physical player and that’s show in camp so far. In 1-on-1 drills Thursday, he even out-muscled wide receiver Dez Bryant as he tried to come inside near the goal line for a catch. Bryant ended up on the grass, with no flag thrown. Mitchell ended up hurting wide receiver Dwayne Harris in the same drill Thursday as he fell on top of Harris’ left leg, causing him to injure his ankle.

THREE SINKING:

1. B.W. Webb: The cornerback whom the Cowboys drafted in the fourth round in 2013 out of William & Mary has really struggled in camp. He’s been beat often in 1-on-1 drills and in team drills. He has a hard time staying in front of bigger receivers. With the rise of rookie Terrance Mitchell, Webb could be on the outside looking in come final cut-down day.

2. Tyler Patmon: The undrafted rookie cornerback from Oklahoma State has given up several catches to wide receiver Dezmon Brisco and other Cowboys wideouts. He’s struggled in coverage and hasn’t helped himself.

3. Caleb Hanie: The veteran quarterback from Forney hasn’t been sharp throughout the first week of camp. He’s struggled with his accuracy and seems far behind backup quarterback Brandon Weeden at this point.

 

[skidadl]

Dallas Cowboys training camp stock report: 3 players on rise, 3 players sinking
By Brandon George / Reporter bgeorge@dallasnews.com
12:21 pm on August 1, 2014 | Permalink

OXNARD, Calif. – A week into training camp and with seven practices behind them, the Dallas Cowboys are beginning to find some answers.

The Cowboys have 90 players in training camp and will have to reduce their roster to 75 on Aug. 26 and to the final 53 on Aug. 30.

So the Cowboys have about four more weeks to determine their depth chart and where each player belongs.

After watching about every minute of practice so far, here are three players who have helped themselves and three who haven’t:

THREE ON THE RISE:

1. Davon Coleman: The undrafted rookie defensive tackle out of Arizona State has been very active in camp so far. He’s often been disruptive by getting into the backfield and would have already had two sacks if players were allowed to take down the quarterbacks. On Thursday, he tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that was almost intercepted.

2. LaRon Byrd: The wide receiver who was undrafted in 2012 out of Miami (Fla.) has caught just about every ball thrown his way. Almost every time you look up, No. 80 is open. He has a knack for finding open space and has been sure-handed. The Cowboys will only keep five, maybe six, receivers on their final roster, so he’ll have to keep pushing.

3. Terrance Mitchell: The Cowboys drafted the rookie cornerback in the seventh round out of Oregon because they liked his length and skill set. He’s a physical player and that’s show in camp so far. In 1-on-1 drills Thursday, he even out-muscled wide receiver Dez Bryant as he tried to come inside near the goal line for a catch. Bryant ended up on the grass, with no flag thrown. Mitchell ended up hurting wide receiver Dwayne Harris in the same drill Thursday as he fell on top of Harris’ left leg, causing him to injure his ankle.

THREE SINKING:

1. B.W. Webb: The cornerback whom the Cowboys drafted in the fourth round in 2013 out of William & Mary has really struggled in camp. He’s been beat often in 1-on-1 drills and in team drills. He has a hard time staying in front of bigger receivers. With the rise of rookie Terrance Mitchell, Webb could be on the outside looking in come final cut-down day.

2. Tyler Patmon: The undrafted rookie cornerback from Oklahoma State has given up several catches to wide receiver Dezmon Brisco and other Cowboys wideouts. He’s struggled in coverage and hasn’t helped himself.

3. Caleb Hanie: The veteran quarterback from Forney hasn’t been sharp throughout the first week of camp. He’s struggled with his accuracy and seems far behind backup quarterback Brandon Weeden at this point.

Erbody wants to punish Black Wiener.

 

[boozeman]

Scout’s Eye: Banged Up CBs Fight Back; Longshots Surfacing

Posted 4 hours ago



Bryan Broaddus

Football Analyst/Scout



•During one of the first days of training camp Stephen Jones in meeting with the media talked about his believe that this team would run the football despite what people believed that offensive play caller Scott Linehan might choose do. The direction that Jones was going with this thought and I do agree with him here is to find ways to protect this defense during games. Jones is not calling for a run only attack not with the weapons of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten available.
What Jones believes and now what many of us that are observing practice every day is that with this offensive line, tight ends and DeMarco Murray, it could become the strength of this team. What I like about what Bill Callahan, Frank Pollack, Mike Pope and Linehan have done is take advantage of the mobility of guys like Tyron Smith, Doug Free and Zack Martin. The scheme is getting the ball quickly to the edge with men out front but also using down blocks by the other linemen and tight ends to seal off the other defenders.

This group has done a nice job of playing on their feet coupled with DeMarco Murray’s patience running style and Lance Dunbar’s explosive quickness to put this defense in some pretty bad situations when dealing with playing the run. Stephen Jones knew something was in the works that we are all just now learning.

•If you had a chance to view our Training Camp Live program from Thursday (Video above), you were able to see the wide receivers and cornerbacks go at it in the red zone. What was impressive about that period to me was the way in which a shorthanded group of cornerbacks were able to battle a veteran group as well as they were able to do. It was a positive sign to see young guys like Terrance Mitchell, BW Webb, Tyler Patmon and Dashaun Phillips have the type of day that they did. I was especially impressed with Patmon because I thought it was the first time since those practices in the spring where he really looked confident and comfortable in the way that he played. He was aggressive and he played with a burst. He was physical when he needed to be and when he got in a little trouble, he was able to recover and rally on the ball to make a play.

DB coach Jerome Henderson should be proud the way that these kids responded when no one else was there to answer the bell and I tip my scouting cap to them in the way they fought through practice.

•Earlier in camp, we were seeing more opportunities for guys like Mackenzy Bernadeau and Zack Martin to take snaps at center with the second offensive group. What I am noticing now is that Bernadeau and Martin are taking fewer snaps there and these coaches are working with rookie Ronald Patrick more in that spot.
Where Patrick has shinned in my view is what he has been able to do during the one-on-one periods where the line works against the defense in pass rush drills. Patrick has been able to show the ability to play with foot quickness and nice lateral slide. He physically doesn’t look like a powerful man but at 310 he has been able to hold his own when dealing with stronger guys like Davon Coleman and Ken Bishop. He has done a nice job of getting that off hand in position then quickly getting his snap hand up to control the rusher. He manages to keep his body in position and can sit down on the rusher to control. Mentally he has looked fine in the team periods with no major mistakes or problems when it comes to handling scheme or calls. His play has been steady and the coaches are showing more confidence in his ability to handle more of the snaps.

•During practice I noticed that the defensive coaches gave rookie linebacker, Joe Windsor at shot as a rusher during the one-on-one period. Windsor did not fare well in his pass attempt but I understand what they were trying to do here. There are going to be these preseason games where they are going to be playing guys like Windsor, Dontavis Sapp and Keith Smith where they need to know what these players can and cannot do in certain packages.
When Windsor has been asked to play in coverage, he has shown up. I have observed him carrying Ryan Williams up the sideline on a wheel route while he maintained perfect position the entire time, not giving Dustin Vaughan any opportunity to place the ball in a window. Windsor is not the biggest guy matter of fact he looks like safety. The strength of his game is his quickness along with the ability to play with range. It was good to see him get more opportunities to show if he can do other things for this defense.

 

[Cotton]

Three thoughts on Day 9 of Cowboys camp
August, 1, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

OXNARD, Calif. -- Three thoughts on Day 9 of Dallas Cowboys' training camp:

1. The general thought about the Cowboys’ defense seems to be that it can’t be any worse than it was last year.

Well, it can.

The first few practices have provided no indication this defense will be better than last year’s version that allowed 415.3 yards and 27 points per game. It’s not about a lack of effort, it’s about a lack of talent.

What players worry opposing offensive coordinators? Henry Melton? Brandon Carr? Orlando Scandrick?

Melton has the best pedigree, but he’s fighting through the mental hurdles of the knee injury that cost him 13 games last season. He's still too worried about his knee to play with reckless regard for his body, which is what it takes to succeed at defensive tackle.

And when he did play his best football in Chicago, he had Julius Peppers at defensive end and Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher at linebacker. No one remotely resembling those players starts for the Cowboys.

Talk to enough coaches and staff members at training camp and they’ll tell you the scheme has been tweaked and there’s even more emphasis on teaching than usual because the Cowboys don’t have enough talent to overcome poor technique or mental mistakes.

None of that guarantees a better performance.

2. For the Cowboys to end this wretched four-year streak of not making the playoffs, they must play better in the fourth quarter.

Jason Garrett emphasizes it to the players regularly -- and he’s right.

Last year, the Cowboys led San Diego, Denver, Detroit and Green Bay in the fourth quarter and lost. They had double-digit leads over Detroit and Green Bay.

In the last three years, the Cowboys have been within seven points of their opponent -- ahead or behind -- in 38 of 48 games. Their record in those 38 games is 20-18.

The Cowboys won the fourth quarter seven times last season. They were 6-1 in those games with the only loss coming against Denver.

Their margin for error this season will be slim again, in part, because of the defense. They’ll need to win a lot of fourth quarters to make the playoffs.

3. Garrett and playcaller Scott Linehan insist the Cowboys will run the ball this season.

Before you roll your eyes, understand this season they’re equipped to run it because of an offensive line that has been fortified with three No.1 picks in the last four years.

Teams had no respect for the Cowboys’ running game so they often used seven defenders in coverage and still managed to contain DeMarco Murray. Play coverage this season and the Cowboys should be more than happy to punish teams with their running game -- at least that's what Garrett and Linehan want you to believe.

More importantly, a better running game will make the passing game more efficient because the Cowboys can use play-action passes to generate big plays. Tony Romo attempted just 74 play-action passes last season, one of the league’s lowest totals.

Key number: 1

The Cowboys blitzed 132 times last season, one of the lowest totals in the league, and produced just one interception and nine sacks.

Pathetic.

Blitzes are supposed to disrupt the quarterback and force mistakes because the quarterback is making decisions under duress. Opposing quarterbacks had a 117.5 passer rating when the Cowboys blitzed last season.

Look at the personnel and there’s no reason to think the Cowboys will be any more effective blitzing this season. Their defensive line doesn’t have a proven pass-rusher.

The coaching staff has no idea how it's going to create pressure on the quarterback

Player to Watch: Justin Durant

With Sean Lee out for the season with a knee injury, recently signed Rolando McClain trying to earn trust and rookie Anthony Hitchens not ready for a starting role, Durant is making the most of his opportunity.

Durant, who had 24 tackles for the Cowboys last season, has impressed the coaching staff with his grasp of the system and his play so far in training camp.

He’s not going to be a difference-maker, but he’s been a solid player at various times in Jacksonville and Detroit. If he can duplicate that performance here, it would be a big help for the defense

 

[boozeman]

With Sean Lee out for the season with a knee injury, recently signed Rolando McClain trying to earn trust and rookie Anthony Hitchens not ready for a starting role, Durant is making the most of his opportunity.

It is amazing how little we have heard about Hitchens. Bust.