Minicamp/OTAs Thread...

[Cotton]

Even in Year 2, Scott Linehan goes back to basics

Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter

IRVING, Texas -- A year ago Scott Linehan was just putting names to faces when it came to the Dallas Cowboys' offense.

This year Linehan knows not only the names and faces, but what they can do.

"That for me makes things probably accelerate a little bit," Linehan said. "I think you can get a little bit too dialed into, 'Let’s do this,' and 'Let’s do this.'"

In coordinator Scott Linehan's first season in Dallas, the Cowboys scored 30 or more points 10 times. Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports
So the process starts over from the beginning with the most basic of fundamentals as the Cowboys start the second week if on-field teaching activities that lead into Phase 3 of the offseason program, which includes organized team activities and the minicamp.

"Bottom line is there’s certain things we feel very adamant about is going to be important and it’s no different really, same message that we had when we kind of started with ground zero last year," Linehan said. "I think if we do that and we go back to the basics and do those things well again, it will be benefit us as we move forward."

The Cowboys had one of their best seasons offensively in 2014, scoring 30 or more points in 10 of 16 regular-season games. Seven of the team’s eight Pro Bowlers came from that side of the ball. Tony Romo had the best touchdown-to-interception ratio of his career and led the NFL in completion percentage, QBR and passer rating. Dez Bryant set a team record with 16 touchdowns on 88 receptions for 1,320 yards.

Of the regulars, the Cowboys could have two position changes in 2015 if rookie La'el Collins wins a starting job on the offensive line -- most likely at left guard and running back.

Replacing DeMarco Murray's 1,845 rushing yards will be difficult. He was the offensive identity last season with a franchise-record 392 yards, but the Cowboys chose not to pay him as much as the Philadelphia Eagles would pay him. They added Darren McFadden in free agency, but did not add a runner in the draft.

As it stands now, the Cowboys are prepared to go with a committee of McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and/or Ryan Williams.

"I think that we continue to look at who we are and what our personnel is and put our mindset into that," Linehan said. "I don’t think it’s going to change our approach or plays we run. Who runs them is going to be different, but hopefully the result is similar. That’s going to be our approach and that’s not going to change regardless of the running back we had last year not here anymore or not. We’re going to keep it there."

 

[dallen]

Keep saying the right things Scoot

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys kick off OTAs at Valley Ranch

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys kick off three weeks of organized team activities Tuesday at Valley Ranch and coach Jason Garrett wants the players thinking of the regular season as they practice.

“Everyone's excited to get started and do football, but you have to practice smart,” Garrett said. “One of the things we talk to our players about all the time is, given the new collective bargaining agreement, you don't have that many full-padded practices. The teams that learn how to practice in helmets and jerseys really are the teams that are the best teams in this league because this is how we practice many more times than not. So we have to do a great job teaching tempo and convincing our players about the type of tempo we want to practice with. There's a sense of urgency. There's a pace for these types of events."

In Phase Three of the offseason, the offense and defense get to work against each other for the first time. Phase One was about strength and conditioning. Phase Two dealt with the individual units without 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 drills.

The Cowboys have nine OTA practices as well as a mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 before their offseason work ends.

The tempo of the offseason changes with the OTAs.

“The coaches are much more focused on technique and getting things done to make sure everybody's on their P's and Q's,” safety Barry Church said. “I feel like we are as a defense and I know the offense is going to be ready, so I'm excited about it.”

The Cowboys will have to incorporate new faces into their program, including Greg Hardy and Darren McFadden. They will welcome back Sean Lee, who missed 2014 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in OTAs last spring. They also will get the first chance to see top rookies Byron Jones, Randy Gregory and La’el Collins work with the veterans.

Garrett’s message since April 20 has been to forget the success of 2014.

“This is the start of it,” tight end Jason Witten said. “We’ve had a good offseason of workouts so far, but there’s nothing like going to the field and taking those practice reps and getting better. I think that’s the best thing we did last year. We eliminated all the noise and worked our tails off.”

 

[BipolarFuk]

Sean Lee.....imminent.

 

[Cotton]

Laurence Gibson out with broken finger

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys rookie tackle Laurence Gibson might have to wait until training camp to make a first impression.

Gibson had surgery to repair a broken left finger after the rookie minicamp and is expected to miss the three weeks of organized team activities and the June 16-18 minicamp.

He was one of the Cowboys’ three seventh-round picks. He started 13 games at left tackle his senior year at Virginia Tech after starting six games as a junior at right tackle.

The Cowboys are set with starters Tyron Smith and Doug Free at tackle, and they drafted Chaz Green in the third round to compete for the swing tackle job with Darrion Weems. The Cowboys also added La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent, but he could play guard as a rookie. Gibson will have the chance to get into backup tackle mix in training camp.

 

[Cotton]

RB battle, rising rookies among the five Cowboys offseason practice storylines to follow today

Brandon George / Reporter
Published: May 26, 2015 10:00 am

The Dallas Cowboys began the third phase of their offseason Tuesday at Valley Ranch with the first of 12 voluntary practices (three each over the next four weeks). The Cowboys’ offense will finally get to go against the defense in 11-on-11 practices.

The first nine practices over the next three weeks are classified as organized team activities. The Cowboys will hold a mandatory full-squad mini-camp June 16-18 at Valley Ranch.

Here are five storylines to follow over the next month with a dozen offseason practices slated for Valley Ranch:

* Who emerges as the lead running back?: As I wrote about today, the Cowboys begin their search for their next lead running back today after league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray bolted in the offseason for a big payday with Philadelphia. Expect Joseph Randle to get the initial shot with the first-team offense in practices, but veteran offseason addition Darren McFadden will have his chance to win the starting job if he can stay healthy and show the Cowboys he still has something left in his tank after seven lackluster seasons in Oakland.

* How does Greg Hardy fit in on the field and in the locker room?: The Cowboys added controversial defensive end Greg Hardy this offseason to help a defense that lacked much of a pass-rush a year ago. Hardy has appealed a 10-game suspension for his involvement in a domestic violence investigation out of North Carolina. The Cowboys expect Hardy to start at right defensive end when he’s eligible to return to game action, and he’s expected to get plenty of work there during offseason practices so Dallas can gauge where he’s at after playing in only one game in 2014. It’ll also be interesting to see how Hardy fits into the Cowboys’ locker room after an early run-in with fellow defensive lineman Davon Coleman during conditioning drills.

* Can this year’s talented rookie class provide immediate impact?: The pace will pick up for the Cowboys’ rookies this week as they mix in with the veteran players who know what’s going on. Which rookies will fit in and look like they belong and which ones will struggle to keep up with the pace set by the veterans? The Cowboys added three players with first-round talent in cornerback Byron Jones, defensive end Randy Gregory and offensive lineman La’el Collins. How quickly will those three step up and begin to solidify more of a role with this year’s team? Jones will be playing cornerback in practices but does give the Cowboys some depth because he can also play safety. Gregory needs to bulk up some and show that he can compete against Cowboys Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. Collins should push for a starting job at left guard, where Ron Leary has been a mainstay the last two seasons.

* Which wide receivers will step up and begin to push for a final roster spot with No. 1 WR Dez Bryant still absent?: With No. 1 wideout Dez Bryant having still not signed his franchise tag tender and still not practicing with the team while looking for a long-term contract extension, other receivers will get more opportunities in practices to begin their push for a final roster spot. Terrance Williams will again be the Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver with Cole Beasley at No. 3. But the Cowboys’ fourth and fifth receiver spots on the final roster appear up for grabs. Devin Street, the Cowboys’ fifth-round pick in 2014 out of Pittsburgh, is a player who intrigues coaches but he’ll need to show more than he did his rookie season to win a final roster spot. The Cowboys signed five receivers who weren’t among the 35 drafted and will give them a shot to win a job or two as part of the offense and return game: USC’s George Farmer, Baylor’s Antwan Goodley, Houston’s Deontay Greenberry, Kansas’ Nick Harwell and Florida Atlantic’s Lucky Whitehead. And, on Tuesday, the Cowboys signed 2012 first-round pick WR A.J. Jenkins to the roster to compete with the five undrafted players signed for a final roster spot.

* Can linebacker Sean Lee stay healthy and how does he look in his new spot?: A year ago, Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee tore his left anterior cruciate ligament the first week of organized team activities that sidelined him for the season. The Cowboys will likely protect Lee from himself this week and not have him involved in as many first-team repetitions in practice, allowing him to slowly work himself back into the mix. And, Lee will be shifting to the key weak-side linebacker position in the Cowboys’ Tampa 2 scheme. Lee will be put in a position this season where he should again lead the Cowboys in tackles because he’ll be protected by the 3-technique defensive tackle in the Cowboys’ scheme, allowing Lee to quickly get to the ball and make impact plays. It’ll be interesting to see how Lee and middle linebacker Rolando McClain work together on the field and how that dynamic duo looks in practices. And who will emerge as the Cowboys’ starting strong-side linebacker in a crowded competition?

 

[ravidubey]

Expect Joseph Randle to get the initial shot with the first-team offense in practices, but veteran offseason addition Darren McFadden will have his chance to win the starting job if he can stay healthy and show the Cowboys he still has something left in his tank after seven lackluster seasons in Oakland.

The Cowboys spin machine looks to already be dialing back the D-Mac hype.

Nothing new here except Randle being touted as first in line with McFadden only if "he still has something left."

 

[NoDak]

I must have missed where the Cowboys spin machine was hyping up McFadden. I mean, they must have been if they are now dialing it back.

 

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