Minicamp/OTAs Thread...
- Thread starter Cotton
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,221
A good day for Cowboys' WRs to open minicamp
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- Weather permitting the Dallas Cowboys will have their second minicamp practice at their Valley Ranch facility but with heavy rain in the forecast they could head over to AT&T Stadium for their workouts.
But what happened on Day 1 of the Cowboys' minicamp? Glad you asked.
Terrance Williams spent most of the day as the X receiver, Dez Bryant's position, and seemed to have one of his best days. He caught Tony Romo passes on back-to-back plays, slicing through the zone defense for a good pickup over the middle and Romo seeking him out for a first down on the next throw. In the two-minute drill, he caught a pass on an in route from Romo but Brandon Carr was able to break up a possible touchdown pass along the back line of the end zone forcing the offense to settle for a tying field goal.
It was a good day for a number of receivers but it was the first time George Farmer stood out. Perhaps it had something to do with the camera crew following him around for an “Undrafted” segment. It was a slow start with a drop on a slant early in team drills, but he rebounded strong with some good combinations with Brandon Weeeden. He ended the session with a touchdown on a bullet of a back-shoulder of a throw. Truth be told he might have scored on the previous play when he battled through Joel Ross to corral a tipped pass at the goal line.
Sticking with the wide receiver theme, Lucky Whitehead, Antwan Goodley and Deontay Greenberry also had some good moments. This could become an interesting battle for the final spot among the receivers.
Safety Barry Church led the Cowboys in tackles last year but he didn't seem as impactful as he was in 2013. Some of it might have been the things he was asked to do. When he has to attack the line of scrimmage, he's a player. That was on full display when he beat Joseph Randle to the edge on a weak-side toss play. Randle was able to get outside Greg Hardy, but Church closed quickly.
J.J. Wilcox did not practice on Tuesday because of a foot injury. It's not considered serious, but what I thought was interesting wasn't just that Jeff Heath took turns with the first-team defense in Wilcox's absence. It's that Corey White seems to be getting the most of his snaps these days at safety. White has the look of a possible steal with what he's done this spring. He is athletic enough to cover the slot but he also has shown range to possibly be an every-down safety. There are miles to go before a decision is made but it's worth noting what the Cowboys are trying to do with players at different positions.
He's not in the mix as a tailback, but fullback Tyler Clutts got some work with the second-team offense in the two-minute drill at the spot. Why? The Cowboys are working Darren McFadden back into the mix after he missed a few weeks with a hamstring strain. Ryan Williams has battled a swollen knee and didn't take team drills and Lache Seastrunk has not been around long enough to know the two-minute package. Clutts actually had a pretty nifty run up the middle thanks to some solid blocking.
With Anthony Hitchens not taking any team snaps, Jasper Brinkley worked the entire time with the first-team defense. Given the uncertainty that always seems to surround Rolando McClain, Brinkley could be a valuable piece to the defense. Keith Rivers, another veteran linebacker signing, had an interception of Weeden in seven-on-seven drills.
I'm not sure if this was the first time it has happened this offseason or the first time I noticed, but running back Lance Dunbar took some turns returning punts on Tuesday.
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- Weather permitting the Dallas Cowboys will have their second minicamp practice at their Valley Ranch facility but with heavy rain in the forecast they could head over to AT&T Stadium for their workouts.
But what happened on Day 1 of the Cowboys' minicamp? Glad you asked.
Terrance Williams spent most of the day as the X receiver, Dez Bryant's position, and seemed to have one of his best days. He caught Tony Romo passes on back-to-back plays, slicing through the zone defense for a good pickup over the middle and Romo seeking him out for a first down on the next throw. In the two-minute drill, he caught a pass on an in route from Romo but Brandon Carr was able to break up a possible touchdown pass along the back line of the end zone forcing the offense to settle for a tying field goal.
It was a good day for a number of receivers but it was the first time George Farmer stood out. Perhaps it had something to do with the camera crew following him around for an “Undrafted” segment. It was a slow start with a drop on a slant early in team drills, but he rebounded strong with some good combinations with Brandon Weeeden. He ended the session with a touchdown on a bullet of a back-shoulder of a throw. Truth be told he might have scored on the previous play when he battled through Joel Ross to corral a tipped pass at the goal line.
Sticking with the wide receiver theme, Lucky Whitehead, Antwan Goodley and Deontay Greenberry also had some good moments. This could become an interesting battle for the final spot among the receivers.
Safety Barry Church led the Cowboys in tackles last year but he didn't seem as impactful as he was in 2013. Some of it might have been the things he was asked to do. When he has to attack the line of scrimmage, he's a player. That was on full display when he beat Joseph Randle to the edge on a weak-side toss play. Randle was able to get outside Greg Hardy, but Church closed quickly.
J.J. Wilcox did not practice on Tuesday because of a foot injury. It's not considered serious, but what I thought was interesting wasn't just that Jeff Heath took turns with the first-team defense in Wilcox's absence. It's that Corey White seems to be getting the most of his snaps these days at safety. White has the look of a possible steal with what he's done this spring. He is athletic enough to cover the slot but he also has shown range to possibly be an every-down safety. There are miles to go before a decision is made but it's worth noting what the Cowboys are trying to do with players at different positions.
He's not in the mix as a tailback, but fullback Tyler Clutts got some work with the second-team offense in the two-minute drill at the spot. Why? The Cowboys are working Darren McFadden back into the mix after he missed a few weeks with a hamstring strain. Ryan Williams has battled a swollen knee and didn't take team drills and Lache Seastrunk has not been around long enough to know the two-minute package. Clutts actually had a pretty nifty run up the middle thanks to some solid blocking.
With Anthony Hitchens not taking any team snaps, Jasper Brinkley worked the entire time with the first-team defense. Given the uncertainty that always seems to surround Rolando McClain, Brinkley could be a valuable piece to the defense. Keith Rivers, another veteran linebacker signing, had an interception of Weeden in seven-on-seven drills.
I'm not sure if this was the first time it has happened this offseason or the first time I noticed, but running back Lance Dunbar took some turns returning punts on Tuesday.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 122,809
Amputation imminent.
Landry
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2013
- Messages
- 679
Let Jerry see the x-rays first.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 122,809
Scout's Eye: 12 Thoughts On The Younger Players To Close Out Minicamp
Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:16 PM CDT
By Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
@BryanBroaddus
IRVING, Texas – A lot of the veterans took to the sidelines for the final day of Cowboys’ minicamp – which is plenty of fun for football junkies like me.
With the big names out of the way, we got a chance to watch some of the lesser-known guys trying to make this roster. It was exactly the type of practice that’s good to see on the last day of work before training camp.
Here are my final impressions from minicamp before we head off to Oxnard, Calif.
1. It was a vacation day on the practice field for Tony Romo while the other quarterbacks took the snaps in his place. I continue to be interested in the development of Dustin Vaughan, and each time that he gets an opportunity under center, it has my attention. There are always those throws where he looks confident throwing the ball, especially underneath, then others where he has to execute the touch pass to Lance Dunbar down the field and the ball is completely out of reach. I thought it was a mixed bag for Vaughan on Thursday, which was disappointing considering the number of extra snaps that he took. I am still hopeful that it will all come together for him in Oxnard.
2. No Devin Street meant that Cole Beasley received more work as an outside receiver in the base packages with Terrance Williams. As much as I want to believe that Beasley can line up and play wherever they ask him, he will never be as productive as he is inside playing out of the slot. The less chance he has to use his quickness and awareness as a route runner, the more it makes him just another receiver. Beasley is never going to punish a defense down the field like he does when he runs those inside routes
3. For not having many snaps together, La’el Collins and Tyron Smith did a really nice job of passing twist stunts during practice. Smith showed a great deal of confidence in Collins by shoving Greg Hardy hard down inside and to Collins, who was right there ready to pass his man off to Smith and make the exchange. The rookie guard showed some really nice awareness throughout the day.
4. I wish that Davon Coleman played hard on every play. There is so much talent there not to get his best. He can be a difficult rusher to block when he wants to be. There is size, quickness and power, but not always the desire. This was his best practice of all that we have had the opportunity to observe.
5. Byron Jones continues to practice like he has been in this league for five years. Not only does he have physical talent, but mental talent as well. In the red zone, he made a veteran play on a ball by jamming Terrence Williams on the line, realizing Williams was going nowhere and then adjusting his coverage by dropping back and making Brandon Weeden have to throw the ball over the top of him to Cole Beasley. Weeden was unable to get it there and the pass fell incomplete. Just a really nice heads up play by Jones.
6. I never get to write much about backup tackle R.J. Dill, but I have to say that there were three or four snaps where he did a really nice job blocking DeMarcus Lawrence off the edge. Lawrence had a difficult time dealing with Dill, who was technically sound on his pass sets. It was a nice day for him.
7. If there has been a defensive linemen that has been steady throughout these practices in his effort and results, that guy has be Lavar Edwards. We have written plenty about Lawrence, Hardy and Gregory, but Edwards has become somewhat of a forgotten man -- and that really shouldn’t be the case. Edwards has won his share of battles no matter who he has faced across from him. He has been playing as a right end and giving this defense some juice off the edge.
8. I was disappointed to see Nick Harwell with a drop in the red zone during the team period on Thursday. Harwell has really done a nice job of getting open in these practices, because he is not the faster or quickest receiver on this team. But the one thing he can do is finish. I really like what I have seen from him, Lucky Whitehead and Deontay Greenberry.
9. Still waiting to see something from Chris Whaley inside at defensive tackle. Here’s hoping that when the pads come on, he will make more plays. Right now he is playing too high and being controlled along the line of scrimmage.
10. Just my opinion, but Darrion Weems has a chance to be a much better player than what the Cowboys got from Jermey Parnell as that backup tackle. Weems is a better athlete and his football intelligence is improving with every snap that he is receiving. I also believe that he is a more consistent performer than Parnell, who could be too up and down. He’s stable.
11. It was once again great to see Dez Bryant on the field, even though he wasn’t practicing. The fact that he and Jerry Jones got to spend time together I feel is a positive situation. I know from experience that when both of those men speak to you, they are looking right into your eyes. I guarantee that was the case on that sideline. Just my two cents, but I feel that this deal will get done once the two parties get together. Both sides are well-represented at the table and that should give you hope.
12. I am off to a fishing boat in East Texas. Be good to each other.
Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:16 PM CDT
By Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
@BryanBroaddus
IRVING, Texas – A lot of the veterans took to the sidelines for the final day of Cowboys’ minicamp – which is plenty of fun for football junkies like me.
With the big names out of the way, we got a chance to watch some of the lesser-known guys trying to make this roster. It was exactly the type of practice that’s good to see on the last day of work before training camp.
Here are my final impressions from minicamp before we head off to Oxnard, Calif.
1. It was a vacation day on the practice field for Tony Romo while the other quarterbacks took the snaps in his place. I continue to be interested in the development of Dustin Vaughan, and each time that he gets an opportunity under center, it has my attention. There are always those throws where he looks confident throwing the ball, especially underneath, then others where he has to execute the touch pass to Lance Dunbar down the field and the ball is completely out of reach. I thought it was a mixed bag for Vaughan on Thursday, which was disappointing considering the number of extra snaps that he took. I am still hopeful that it will all come together for him in Oxnard.
2. No Devin Street meant that Cole Beasley received more work as an outside receiver in the base packages with Terrance Williams. As much as I want to believe that Beasley can line up and play wherever they ask him, he will never be as productive as he is inside playing out of the slot. The less chance he has to use his quickness and awareness as a route runner, the more it makes him just another receiver. Beasley is never going to punish a defense down the field like he does when he runs those inside routes
3. For not having many snaps together, La’el Collins and Tyron Smith did a really nice job of passing twist stunts during practice. Smith showed a great deal of confidence in Collins by shoving Greg Hardy hard down inside and to Collins, who was right there ready to pass his man off to Smith and make the exchange. The rookie guard showed some really nice awareness throughout the day.
4. I wish that Davon Coleman played hard on every play. There is so much talent there not to get his best. He can be a difficult rusher to block when he wants to be. There is size, quickness and power, but not always the desire. This was his best practice of all that we have had the opportunity to observe.
5. Byron Jones continues to practice like he has been in this league for five years. Not only does he have physical talent, but mental talent as well. In the red zone, he made a veteran play on a ball by jamming Terrence Williams on the line, realizing Williams was going nowhere and then adjusting his coverage by dropping back and making Brandon Weeden have to throw the ball over the top of him to Cole Beasley. Weeden was unable to get it there and the pass fell incomplete. Just a really nice heads up play by Jones.
6. I never get to write much about backup tackle R.J. Dill, but I have to say that there were three or four snaps where he did a really nice job blocking DeMarcus Lawrence off the edge. Lawrence had a difficult time dealing with Dill, who was technically sound on his pass sets. It was a nice day for him.
7. If there has been a defensive linemen that has been steady throughout these practices in his effort and results, that guy has be Lavar Edwards. We have written plenty about Lawrence, Hardy and Gregory, but Edwards has become somewhat of a forgotten man -- and that really shouldn’t be the case. Edwards has won his share of battles no matter who he has faced across from him. He has been playing as a right end and giving this defense some juice off the edge.
8. I was disappointed to see Nick Harwell with a drop in the red zone during the team period on Thursday. Harwell has really done a nice job of getting open in these practices, because he is not the faster or quickest receiver on this team. But the one thing he can do is finish. I really like what I have seen from him, Lucky Whitehead and Deontay Greenberry.
9. Still waiting to see something from Chris Whaley inside at defensive tackle. Here’s hoping that when the pads come on, he will make more plays. Right now he is playing too high and being controlled along the line of scrimmage.
10. Just my opinion, but Darrion Weems has a chance to be a much better player than what the Cowboys got from Jermey Parnell as that backup tackle. Weems is a better athlete and his football intelligence is improving with every snap that he is receiving. I also believe that he is a more consistent performer than Parnell, who could be too up and down. He’s stable.
11. It was once again great to see Dez Bryant on the field, even though he wasn’t practicing. The fact that he and Jerry Jones got to spend time together I feel is a positive situation. I know from experience that when both of those men speak to you, they are looking right into your eyes. I guarantee that was the case on that sideline. Just my two cents, but I feel that this deal will get done once the two parties get together. Both sides are well-represented at the table and that should give you hope.
12. I am off to a fishing boat in East Texas. Be good to each other.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 52,949
Dunbar is a receiver playing RB. His only use from the position is having him run routes.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 122,809
Biggest Offseason Surprise? DallasCowboys.com Writers Weigh In
Friday, June 19, 2015 3:00 PM CDT
By DallasCowboys.com Report
IRVING, Texas – Workouts, OTAs and minicamp are history. After two months of offseason work, the players and coaches get a few weeks of rest and relaxation before the team boards the plane to Oxnard, Calif., in late July for training camp.
The pads won’t come on until then, but in non-contact drills we’ve gotten a glimpse of the 2015 Dallas Cowboys.
So, as Valley Ranch slows down for the start of summer, the DallasCowboys.com staff will give our impressions of the offseason and a look ahead to camp over the next few days.
Biggest Surprise
Nick Eatman: This might have been a big surprise to me, but not really to this coaching staff. But before any of these offseason practices, I would’ve thought Lance Dunbar would be fighting for a roster spot. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Dunbar probably won’t be the starting running back, but his role as the No. 2 back, playing on third downs and even used as a slot receiver at times doesn’t appear to change. Just listen to some of the things Jason Garrett says in his press conferences and it’s easy to see that Dunbar will undoubtedly have a big role in this offense. That’s a surprise to me because as he enters his fourth season with the team, I just don’t exactly see why the Cowboys put so much stock in his game. He’s making $1.5 million this year and the production doesn’t just jump off the page. But, he’s a versatile back who can be dynamic in the open field. He’s just got to be consistent and healthy enough to make a difference. I thought Darren McFadden is a bigger, more accomplished version of Dunbar who would unseat him and his role. That’s not happening. McFadden can make a difference on this team but it doesn’t appear to be at Dunbar’s expense.
Rob Phillips: The Cowboys expected a healthier Tony Romo this offseason, but it was a pleasant surprise he really didn’t take or appear to need any breaks in the middle of nine OTAs and three minicamp days. Physically able to participate in the entire offseason program after basically watching the last two years due to his back, Romo has gotten to a point where he’s actually regaining power through his workouts. Previously he could only maintain strength or strengthen areas around his back. That’s a credit to him and the athletic training staff. His only rest day of sorts was the final minicamp practice Thursday, and I’d say he earned it. He looked relaxed and decisive in practice, and his rhythm with Terrance Williams was evident. As good as he played last year, the restricted preseason workload clearly affected his timing in Week One. Had the Cowboys won the opener, they might’ve had homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. We’ll see if he has more of a pitch count during training camp, but seeing your franchise quarterback get healthy reps in the spring and summer is a good sign for the regular season.
David Helman: No offense meant to Darrion Weems, but I’m surprised at just how much he impressed me through these offseason practices. When OTAs started, his name was kind of one that you glanced over on the roster – especially considering the Cowboys brought in La’el Collins and Chaz Green, both of whom play his position. Fast forward a month, and I feel pretty confident that Weems has a shot to be this team’s swing tackle. He’s got an automatic leg up on Green, who just had surgery on a hip injury, and he’s helped by the fact that Collins looks likely to stay at guard when training camp begins. With Doug Free recovering from his ankle injury, Weems took the vast majority of the first-team reps at right tackle, and he looked good doing so. Who knows what the future holds for the two rookies, but Weems is definitely making his case for playing time in 2015.
Bryan Broaddus: My biggest surprise was that I felt like we didn’t see the real Darren McFadden until the final three practices before the break. Once these practices started I expected him to be in shape and ready to roll but it just didn’t work out that way. He got nicked and Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar took advantage of the situation. I believe that these coaches would like to see McFadden win this job but he is going to have to find a way to stay on the field and compete for it. Of all the backs on this roster he by far is the most talented and capable of delivering the same type of performance that DeMarco Murray was able to accomplish, but these coaches are not just going to hand him this job. He is going to have to earn it, and how he starts in Oxnard will determine that.
Friday, June 19, 2015 3:00 PM CDT
By DallasCowboys.com Report
IRVING, Texas – Workouts, OTAs and minicamp are history. After two months of offseason work, the players and coaches get a few weeks of rest and relaxation before the team boards the plane to Oxnard, Calif., in late July for training camp.
The pads won’t come on until then, but in non-contact drills we’ve gotten a glimpse of the 2015 Dallas Cowboys.
So, as Valley Ranch slows down for the start of summer, the DallasCowboys.com staff will give our impressions of the offseason and a look ahead to camp over the next few days.
Biggest Surprise
Nick Eatman: This might have been a big surprise to me, but not really to this coaching staff. But before any of these offseason practices, I would’ve thought Lance Dunbar would be fighting for a roster spot. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Dunbar probably won’t be the starting running back, but his role as the No. 2 back, playing on third downs and even used as a slot receiver at times doesn’t appear to change. Just listen to some of the things Jason Garrett says in his press conferences and it’s easy to see that Dunbar will undoubtedly have a big role in this offense. That’s a surprise to me because as he enters his fourth season with the team, I just don’t exactly see why the Cowboys put so much stock in his game. He’s making $1.5 million this year and the production doesn’t just jump off the page. But, he’s a versatile back who can be dynamic in the open field. He’s just got to be consistent and healthy enough to make a difference. I thought Darren McFadden is a bigger, more accomplished version of Dunbar who would unseat him and his role. That’s not happening. McFadden can make a difference on this team but it doesn’t appear to be at Dunbar’s expense.
Rob Phillips: The Cowboys expected a healthier Tony Romo this offseason, but it was a pleasant surprise he really didn’t take or appear to need any breaks in the middle of nine OTAs and three minicamp days. Physically able to participate in the entire offseason program after basically watching the last two years due to his back, Romo has gotten to a point where he’s actually regaining power through his workouts. Previously he could only maintain strength or strengthen areas around his back. That’s a credit to him and the athletic training staff. His only rest day of sorts was the final minicamp practice Thursday, and I’d say he earned it. He looked relaxed and decisive in practice, and his rhythm with Terrance Williams was evident. As good as he played last year, the restricted preseason workload clearly affected his timing in Week One. Had the Cowboys won the opener, they might’ve had homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. We’ll see if he has more of a pitch count during training camp, but seeing your franchise quarterback get healthy reps in the spring and summer is a good sign for the regular season.
David Helman: No offense meant to Darrion Weems, but I’m surprised at just how much he impressed me through these offseason practices. When OTAs started, his name was kind of one that you glanced over on the roster – especially considering the Cowboys brought in La’el Collins and Chaz Green, both of whom play his position. Fast forward a month, and I feel pretty confident that Weems has a shot to be this team’s swing tackle. He’s got an automatic leg up on Green, who just had surgery on a hip injury, and he’s helped by the fact that Collins looks likely to stay at guard when training camp begins. With Doug Free recovering from his ankle injury, Weems took the vast majority of the first-team reps at right tackle, and he looked good doing so. Who knows what the future holds for the two rookies, but Weems is definitely making his case for playing time in 2015.
Bryan Broaddus: My biggest surprise was that I felt like we didn’t see the real Darren McFadden until the final three practices before the break. Once these practices started I expected him to be in shape and ready to roll but it just didn’t work out that way. He got nicked and Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar took advantage of the situation. I believe that these coaches would like to see McFadden win this job but he is going to have to find a way to stay on the field and compete for it. Of all the backs on this roster he by far is the most talented and capable of delivering the same type of performance that DeMarco Murray was able to accomplish, but these coaches are not just going to hand him this job. He is going to have to earn it, and how he starts in Oxnard will determine that.