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Stock Report: Anthony Armstrong up and OLine is down
August, 16, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- This is our final Stock Report of training camp and with that we tell you who is moving up and who is moving down.
Stock Up
Anthony Armstrong. The Cowboys are expected to keep five wide receivers but Armstrong is making a case for six. The sixth receiver has to play special teams, something he's capable of doing and if needed and of course catch some passes, which Armstrong has done consistently. He's on the bubble right now and the next three preseason games will determine his fate.
James Hanna. It's easy to watch Jason Witten everyday in practice and marvel at his greatness, well the backup tight end in Hanna is putting the work in, too. Hanna didn't miss a step when he returned from a hamstring injury and has kept Gavin Escobar (more on him later) with the second-team offense in the 12 personnel groupings.
Jermey Parnell. After he returned from his hamstring injury, the right tackle was inserted with the second-team offense and continued his aggressive play. The Cowboys' coaches like how he pass blocks with an aggressive nature and his athletic ability to reach the second level quickly is an added plus. He's on track to become the swing tackle.
Jeff Heath. The undrafted rookie safety from Saginaw Valley State could make this team due to special teams play. While the Cowboys want to use more starters on the unit, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is open to playing the best players. Heath still needs work in the passing game, but he's got a toughness on special teams that could get him on the 53-man roster.
Bruce Carter. It's very easy to talk about Sean Lee's work at middle linebacker, but Carter has done a solid job as the weakside linebacker. His quickness to the ball helps in pass coverage and he's a physical presence in the run game. If Lee goes down, the Cowboys are confident in Carter's abilities to take over the defense.
Stock Down
Gavin Escobar. The rookie tight end is struggling to block and missed an opportunity to surpass Hanna on the depth chart when he was out for a week with a hamstring injury. Escobar needs to pick up more weight, he's about 249 pounds, and his thin frame up hurts him as a blocker. He can improve, but it's going to take some time.
Offensive line. This isn't because of the play, but the injuries. Ronald Leary went down with a right knee injury and needs surgery. Nate Livings, Kevin Kowalski, Ryan Cook and Ray Dominguez are all out with injuries. The Cowboys are trying to upgrade the talent by signing Brian Waters, who hasn't played in a year.
Matt Johnson. Injuries have derailed Johnson's NFL career. He enters his second year having yet to play in a regular season NFL game because of injuries. This time, Johnson has a stress reaction in his foot. His status for the season opener is in doubt, but you have to wonder how long the Cowboys are willing to wait on him.
Jay Ratliff. The defensive tackle won't practice in California due to not only his hamstring injury, but he's still recovering from a groin injury, suffered last season. Ratliff is a talented player but his health seems to be betraying him. The Cowboys are confident he'll play at least one preseason game.
Ryan Cook. The Cowboys need the veteran center/guard more than ever with the injuries to the interior. Cook hasn't recovered from a back injury and he's got two preseason games left, he won't play Saturday at Arizona, to prove he can make the roster.
August, 16, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
OXNARD, Calif. -- This is our final Stock Report of training camp and with that we tell you who is moving up and who is moving down.
Stock Up
Anthony Armstrong. The Cowboys are expected to keep five wide receivers but Armstrong is making a case for six. The sixth receiver has to play special teams, something he's capable of doing and if needed and of course catch some passes, which Armstrong has done consistently. He's on the bubble right now and the next three preseason games will determine his fate.
James Hanna. It's easy to watch Jason Witten everyday in practice and marvel at his greatness, well the backup tight end in Hanna is putting the work in, too. Hanna didn't miss a step when he returned from a hamstring injury and has kept Gavin Escobar (more on him later) with the second-team offense in the 12 personnel groupings.
Jermey Parnell. After he returned from his hamstring injury, the right tackle was inserted with the second-team offense and continued his aggressive play. The Cowboys' coaches like how he pass blocks with an aggressive nature and his athletic ability to reach the second level quickly is an added plus. He's on track to become the swing tackle.
Jeff Heath. The undrafted rookie safety from Saginaw Valley State could make this team due to special teams play. While the Cowboys want to use more starters on the unit, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is open to playing the best players. Heath still needs work in the passing game, but he's got a toughness on special teams that could get him on the 53-man roster.
Bruce Carter. It's very easy to talk about Sean Lee's work at middle linebacker, but Carter has done a solid job as the weakside linebacker. His quickness to the ball helps in pass coverage and he's a physical presence in the run game. If Lee goes down, the Cowboys are confident in Carter's abilities to take over the defense.
Stock Down
Gavin Escobar. The rookie tight end is struggling to block and missed an opportunity to surpass Hanna on the depth chart when he was out for a week with a hamstring injury. Escobar needs to pick up more weight, he's about 249 pounds, and his thin frame up hurts him as a blocker. He can improve, but it's going to take some time.
Offensive line. This isn't because of the play, but the injuries. Ronald Leary went down with a right knee injury and needs surgery. Nate Livings, Kevin Kowalski, Ryan Cook and Ray Dominguez are all out with injuries. The Cowboys are trying to upgrade the talent by signing Brian Waters, who hasn't played in a year.
Matt Johnson. Injuries have derailed Johnson's NFL career. He enters his second year having yet to play in a regular season NFL game because of injuries. This time, Johnson has a stress reaction in his foot. His status for the season opener is in doubt, but you have to wonder how long the Cowboys are willing to wait on him.
Jay Ratliff. The defensive tackle won't practice in California due to not only his hamstring injury, but he's still recovering from a groin injury, suffered last season. Ratliff is a talented player but his health seems to be betraying him. The Cowboys are confident he'll play at least one preseason game.
Ryan Cook. The Cowboys need the veteran center/guard more than ever with the injuries to the interior. Cook hasn't recovered from a back injury and he's got two preseason games left, he won't play Saturday at Arizona, to prove he can make the roster.
