Training Camp Thread...

[Cotton]

5 most interesting position battles to watch during Cowboys training camp

Jon Machota

Training camp will just be about finding DeMarco Murray’s replacement and then the Cowboys will be ready to start the season, right? Not quite.

Although their starting lineup will largely be the same as last season, there are some key positions to be filled and new talent to mesh with last year’s group.

From 1-53 the roster is deeper. That means some starting spots and key backup roles will be up for grabs. Which positions will have the most intriguing training camp battles? The top five are listed below.

“I don’t know that we’ve had this good of talent at any time over the last five or six or seven years,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last month. “That takes into consideration age. That takes into consideration the individual as a player, one that can really help our team win.

“Most of these guys got a chance last year to show that they can really contribute to a winning situation. They all had the chance to do it and in most cases they performed. So that makes you feel good.”

1.) Running back: This one was the most obvious. Does Joseph Randle run away with the No. 1 job or does a healthy Darren McFadden emerge as the best option? Or, do the two backs split the workload? Will Lance Dunbar see more opportunities? Will Ryan Williams make the final 53? All will be interesting to watch while the team spends a month in California. Nothing like some pads and preseason games to help sort everything out.

2.) Left guard: Ronald Leary was very solid at the position last year. He has started 31 games over the last two seasons. But the Cowboys didn’t sign La’el Collins to be a backup. The first-round talent will likely give Leary a run for his money in camp. Jason Garrett will start the better player, so may the best man win.

3.) Kick/punt returner: Dwayne Harris’ roster spot is available and the Cowboys signed five undrafted rookie free agent receivers to battle for it. Of that group, Lucky Whitehead might be the best returner of the bunch. But the Cowboys could also elect to go with veterans like McFadden or Cole Beasley as returners and fill Harris’ spot with the best pure receiver of that rookie bunch.

4.) Defensive end: Rod Marinelli’s group of rushmen look much deeper than they did at this time last year. Names like Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey immediately jump out at you. Those four should see the majority of snaps at DE during the season. But there’s also some good depth behind them with Jack Crawford, Ben Gardner, Ryan Russell, etc. How will the group look in drills against what should be the NFL’s top offensive line? Gregory occasionally beat Tyron Smith with some pass rushing moves during OTAs and minicamp, but the pads weren’t on. How will he perform when Smith has a chance to really get his hands on the rookie?

5.) Cornerback. Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick will most likely be the starters in the Cowboys’ base defense. First-round pick Byron Jones looks like he’ll be the next guy up when the team goes to its nickel and dime packages. But what about Morris Claiborne? If he’s healthy, could he push for more playing time? Don’t forget about Tyler Patmon. He ended up averaging over 20 snaps per game during the playoffs. And then there’s Corey White, the 2012 fifth-round pick who the Cowboys signed in March. There’s some depth there. How will they hold up against what should be one of the NFL’s top offensive units?

 

[ravidubey]

what should be one of the NFL’s top offensive units?

Running game is starting over without Murray. That's the only fair way to do it, and so the offense will be behind while its running game gets re-established.

I expect a net drop in the rushing attack, and not a whole lot of room for improvement in the passing game puts most of the pressure on the defense and ST's to pick up the slack.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

5.) Cornerback. Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick will most likely be the starters in the Cowboys’ base defense. First-round pick Byron Jones looks like he’ll be the next guy up when the team goes to its nickel and dime packages. But what about Morris Claiborne? If he’s healthy, could he push for more playing time? Don’t forget about Tyler Patmon. He ended up averaging over 20 snaps per game during the playoffs. And then there’s Corey White, the 2012 fifth-round pick who the Cowboys signed in March. There’s some depth there. How will they hold up against what should be one of the NFL’s top offensive units?

If by some miracle he is healthy and pushed for more playing time then you move Jones to safety and let him start there. From the early reports I have a hard time seeing Jones not being one of our 4 best DBs.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Running game is starting over without Murray.

You talk like there is only one component to a running game. We might be less talented at RB but it's not the same as starting over. You plug the new guy in and you do everything else exactly the same.

 

[boozeman]

You talk like there is only one component to a running game. We might be less talented at RB but it's not the same as starting over. You plug the new guy in and you do everything else exactly the same.

The line can block the same, the question becomes if the guy running has the same chemistry with them as Murray did. They knew how to block for him and he knew how to run behind them.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The line can block the same, the question becomes if the guy running has the same chemistry with them as Murray did. They knew how to block for him and he knew how to run behind them.

There is no real developmental curve though. The blocking will be there. The RB can either run through the holes or he can't. It's not something that's going to take time to develop.

 

[Cotton]

5 players to watch when Dallas Cowboys open training camp, including a couple rookies and a couple returning from injury

Jon Machota

Let me start off by saying that I will be doing my best to watch every player throughout the next month of Cowboys training camp in California.

With that said, there are some players I’ll be focused on more than others, especially during the opening week of practices, which get started next Thursday.

Obviously, everyone will be watching Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Greg Hardy.

But here are some others I’m interested to see.

Morris Claiborne. Entering offseason workouts, many believed Claiborne wouldn’t be much of a participant during the early part of training camp. The former first-round pick had surgery in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. But Claiborne was doing individual drills during minicamp and said he’d be ready to go for the start of training camp. Even if he isn’t a full-go right away, how much will Claiborne be able to do and how will he look?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last month during minicamp that Claiborne is going to surprise some people this season. Claiborne’s response: “Yeah. Y’all will see. I feel good. I feel real good.”

Randy Gregory. Needing to gain weight to be an every down player, the second-round pick has been fueling up on plenty of Raising Canes, Whataburger, barbecue and steak. He gained nearly 15 pounds from the time he was drafted until the end of minicamp. How much has he added over the last month and has it slowed him down? He looked pretty good against All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith during offseason workouts. How will he look when the pads are on and Smith is able to really get his hands on the rookie?

“It’s easy to see his talent, very easy to see,” Jones said of Gregory last month. “His willingness to take coaching from his teammates, as well as the coaches themselves – all of those things, you like. Those are intangibles. … He’s doing some good stuff. He’s been very responsible.”

Sean Lee. This will be Lee’s first training camp in two years. He missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Lee was doing individual and team drills during minicamp practices. Will he be limited to start camp? If so, how much will the coaching staff allow and when will he be a full-go? It will also be interesting to monitor how he progresses in his switch from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker.

“He’s not only a tremendous football player but he’s a leader,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said of Lee last month. “And that’s coming out quickly. It’s hard to be a leader when you’re not on the field. He’s certainly exhibiting that and he certainly looks like he’s ready to go.”

La’el Collins. Improving the offensive line didn’t seem like a glaring offseason need after the group paved the way for a record-setting rushing season. But any team would jump at the chance to sign a first-round talent immediately after the draft. Collins will open camp battling Ron Leary for the starting left guard spot. Collins was a standout left tackle at LSU, so the transition should be easier than moving him to the right side.

“His best games and his best practices or his best show is ahead of him at training camp with pads on,” Jerry Jones said last month. “Because that was one of his number one qualities was his physicalness out there.”

Doug Free. Free, 31, missed both playoff games and the final two regular season games because of foot and ankle injuries. He had surgery to repair the problem, preventing him from participating in offseason workouts. The Cowboys offensive line was at its best last year when Free was healthy. Jermey Parnell, who is now in Jacksonville, did a nice job filling in. If Free is limited during camp, who will play right tackle with the ones? It could be Darrion Weems, who the Cowboys re-signed in February.

“Any time you miss something you feel like you’re getting behind,” Free said last month. “But I’ve done the mental preparation as best I can and also the physical stuff I can do I have been keeping up with. I plan on getting into training camp fresher than maybe some other people.”

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys need to find leader of a committee

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

With training camp starting next week in Oxnard, California, we offer up a position-by-position preview.

RUNNING BACKS

Who’s back: Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams, Tyler Clutts

Who they added: Darren McFadden (free agent), Lache Seastrunk (street free agent), Ray Agnew (free agent)

Who’s gone: DeMarco Murray

Roster spots available: Four or five

Key question: Who will be the leader of the committee?

By not getting into the big-money sweepstakes to keep Murray, the Cowboys have cast their lot with their offensive line and scheme. There is no possible way to expect any of the runners to match Murray’s 392 carries for 1,845 yards and that’s not what the Cowboys will ask them to do. The Cowboys, however, believe they will still be able to run the ball well enough to keep some pressure off Tony Romo and the defense. Last year they ran for 2,354 yards as a team. Even if they rush for 2,000 yards as a team that would likely put them in the top 10 in the league.

McFadden is the only Cowboys’ runner with any real resume with his time in Oakland, but he had just one 1,000-yard season for the Raiders and has not averaged better than 3.4 yards per carry since 2011. Perhaps those numbers were a product of the environment rather than McFadden’s ability. At least that’s what the Cowboys hope.

Dunbar can help in bits and pieces but doesn’t have the build to be an every-down back. That doesn’t mean he won’t be vital to the offense in a third-down package. Williams spent last year on the practice squad and is something like a backup quarterback: everybody loves him because he hasn’t played. He faces a steep climb to make the roster.

Randle has the best chance to be the leader of the committee even if the team has off-field concerns because of his two arrests in the last year. His “meat on the bone” comment drew the ire of Jason Garrett, but he wasn’t altogether wrong on the yards Murray left on the field last year. Randle had 343 yards on 51 carries and three touchdowns last year, which was a good two-game span by Murray in 2014.

Randle has the best blend of vision and speed among the Cowboys runners and has a good feel for the zone scheme.

Randle’s statistics from 2014 are difficult to judge but the prevailing thought that he was able to pile up yards after Murray wore down defenses doesn’t tell the whole story. He had 11 first-quarter carries in 2014 for 100 yards. But that’s just not enough work to guarantee he can do what Murray did although it does offer some hope.

As the Cowboys open camp in Oxnard, California, he will be given the best chance to be the leader of the committee to start.

Quick thought: If the Cowboys are not 100 percent pleased with what they see in the preseason games from their current crop of runners, they will look at other teams that might have runners stockpiled. Veterans such as Ray Rice, Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene haven’t enticed them much at all and are declining players. Adding any of them would be akin to adding Eddie George in 2004 and that didn’t work out.

The Cowboys were linked to Adrian Peterson throughout the offseason, but that was more fantasy than reality. They were linked to all the top runners in the draft, but they did not select one. At some point people might believe the Cowboys’ offseason actions in seeing they like what they have at running back.

Finding runners is not difficult. Finding the right runner for the right scheme can be a little tricky.

 

[Clay_Allison]

Quick thought: If the Cowboys are not 100 percent pleased with what they see in the preseason games from their current crop of runners, they will look at other teams that might have runners stockpiled. Veterans such as Ray Rice, Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene haven’t enticed them much at all and are declining players. Adding any of them would be akin to adding Eddie George in 2004 and that didn’t work out.

Ray Rice is only 28 and coming off a year of resting his legs. Eddie George was 31 with a lot more miles on him. I think Ray Rice doesn't have a job because his name is synonymous with domestic violence. He had a bad year in 2013, but if Williams went down in preseason, I'd pick him up. At worst he's a vet who knows how to pass protect.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Ray Rice is only 28 and coming off a year of resting his legs. Eddie George was 31 with a lot more miles on him. I think Ray Rice doesn't have a job because his name is synonymous with domestic violence. He had a bad year in 2013, but if Williams went down in preseason, I'd pick him up. At worst he's a vet who knows how to pass protect.

I think it's dumb to just label all veteran RBs Eddie George. Very few guys had career where they took beatings like Eddie George. By the way Eddie George was never that great of a runner. Look at his YPC over his career. It may make you want to throw up. The dude almost went for 1,000 yards while averaging 3.0 YPC with the Titans.

 

[ravidubey]

Ray Rice would probably be rested enough to be effective in a committee.

But he'd be a PR disaster with Hardy already on the team. The story would always be about the "wifebeaters" coming to town, not the Cowboys.

 

[Cotton]

For Cowboys receivers, it all starts with Dez Bryant

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

With training camp starting next week in Oxnard, California, we offer up a position-by-position preview.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Who's back: Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, Reggie Dunn

Who they added: A.J. Jenkins (free agent), Lucky Whitehead (undrafted free agent), Nick Harwell (undrafted free agent), George Farmer (undrafted free agent), Deontay Greenberry (undrafted free agent), Antwan Goodley (undrafted free agent)

Who's gone: Dwayne Harris

Roster spots available: Four, five or six

Key question: How good can Dez Bryant be?

A week ago the key question might have been: How will this offense look if Bryant doesn't show up to training camp? But Bryant signed his five-year, $70 million deal before the franchise tag deadline, so that changes the biggest question.

The deal freed the Cowboys from their only potential camp-long headache. It also put more faith in Bryant not only financially but off the field. The Cowboys used the standard language in a player contract regarding forfeiture. They received assurances from Bryant's representation, Roc Nation, that there would be an off-field plan in place to make sure Bryant continues to avoid issues that cropped up his first two years.

All of it means Brant could have a monster season, even without the benefit of an offseason program.

We know Bryant will produce. He has had three straight seasons with at least 80 catches, 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the NFL last season with 16 touchdown catches. He is a nightmare for cornerbacks because of his size and strength. He can run through defenders. He can run by defenders. He has been everything the Cowboys had hoped he would be when they took him in the first round in 2010.

After signing a monster contract in 2011, Larry Fitzgerald had the second-most receiving yards of his career (1,411). After signing his monster contract in 2012, Calvin Johnson posted career highs in catches (129) and yards (1,964).

Bryant would need 94 catches, 1,383 yards and 17 touchdowns to surpass his personal bests in those categories in 2015.

Possible? Absolutely.

Quick thought: The coaches raved about the work Terrance Williams put in during the offseason with Bryant absent from the on-field work. They saw a committed player, who took on more of a leadership role for the entire group. He also played multiple positions, which should be a bonus as the Cowboys look to move Bryant around the formation more or if Bryant was hurt.

Williams caught 44 passes as a rookie for 736 yards and five touchdowns. Last year he caught 37 passes for 621 yards and eight touchdowns while starting every game.

How much more production can the Cowboys get out of Williams. With Bryant as the No. 1 receiver and Jason Witten always a factor in the passing game, putting up mega numbers as the Cowboys' second receiver is difficult. In 2012 Miles Austin caught 66 passes for 943 yards and six touchdowns. Those would be excellent numbers for Williams, but what Austin did came before the Cowboys showed a true commitment to the running game and the ascent of Cole Beasley.

It's quite possible that Williams can be a better player but only have modest statistics.

 

[ravidubey]

Quick thought: The coaches raved about the work Terrance Williams put in during the offseason with Bryant absent from the on-field work. They saw a committed player, who took on more of a leadership role for the entire group. He also played multiple positions, which should be a bonus as the Cowboys look to move Bryant around the formation more or if Bryant was hurt.

This has made me very hopeful. Williams taking the next step makes the whole team much better.

 

[Cotton]

One spot open on the Cowboys line

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

With training camp starting next week in Oxnard, California, we offer up a position-by-position preview.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Who’s back: Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Doug Free, Mackenzy Bernadeau, John Wetzel, Darrion Weems

Who they added: Chaz Green (third-round pick), Laurence Gibson (seventh-round pick), La’el Collins (undrafted free agent), Shane McDermott (undrafted free agent), Reshod Fortenberry (undrafted free agent), R.J. Dill (free agent), Ryan Miller (free agent)

Who’s gone: Jermey Parnell, Tony Hills

Roster spots available: Nine

Key question: Who wins the left guard spot?

When the Cowboys signed Collins to a guaranteed three-year contract as an undrafted free agent, it immediately brought Ronald Leary's job into question.

Collins had first-round grades but fell out of the draft because of an unfortunate situation. The Cowboys, however, were able to capitalize and add another huge talent to an already talented offensive line. In a way, Collins could be viewed as the fourth “first-round pick” the Cowboys have used on an offensive linemen in the last five years with Smith, Frederick and Martin.

The Cowboys gave Collins some work at tackle in the spring but settled him in at guard for most of the organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp.

In 2012, Leary was the big catch as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys guaranteeing him more than $200,000. He has started 31 of the last 32 games and been solid. He is strong and is good enough athletically to get to the second level in the running game. He won’t just give up his job.

In order for Collins to be the starter, he will have to win the job this summer. Leary got most of the first-team work in the spring but the coaches gave Collins a smattering of snaps.

It will be interesting to see how the coaches work the snaps in training camp to see just how much of a fight it will be between the two players.

Quick thought: The Cowboys did a smart thing in re-signing Free as a free agent. He solidifies a young offensive line and brings the group some guidance when necessary. But Free did not take a snap in the offseason as he recovered from surgery to a foot that kept him out of seven games, including the playoffs.

When the Cowboys start practicing, Free will take his normal spot at right tackle but he will be among the veterans the Cowboys monitor during camp so he avoids getting overworked.

There was no way the Cowboys could keep Free and Parnell and were not going to come close to giving Parnell the money he got to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it also left them with a hole at backup tackle. They drafted Green in the third round but he is recovering from hip surgery and won’t be ready for training camp. They drafted Gibson in the seventh round because of his athleticism. They had Weems take Free’s snaps in the offseason but he didn’t play last year because of shoulder surgery and has yet to play in a regular-season game.

You can’t have everything when it comes to building a roster, which is why the Cowboys need Free to stay healthy.

 

[dallen]

Does anyone else think Collins could be swing tackle if he doesn't beat out Leary?

 

[L.T. Fan]

Does anyone else think Collins could be swing tackle if he doesn't beat out Leary?

That is an option.

 

[Cotton]

2015 Dallas Cowboys training camp preview

By Todd Archer

The Dallas Cowboys open training camp July 30 at the River Ridge Residence Inn in Oxnard, California. Here’s a closer look at the Cowboys' camp, which wraps up on Aug. 28.

Top storyline: The Cowboys mostly ran their way to the NFC East title last season thanks to DeMarco Murray. He took his 392 carries and 1,845 yards to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. The runners looking to replace Murray -- Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams -- combined for fewer yards last season than what Murray had in seven games. Though the Cowboys boast one of the best -- if not the best -- offensive lines in the NFL, the runner matters, as Jason Garrett is fond of saying. The Cowboys appear headed to a committee approach to replace Murray, but they would like one of the runners to become the leader of the committee. Randle will enter training camp with the job and showed flashes of ability on the field, but also flashes of immaturity off the field. The Cowboys want to keep the same formula that has been tried and true over the years -- run the ball, control the clock, ease the quarterback’s pressure to do everything and protect the defense -- but they need to figure out if they have a capable runner on their roster. If not, they will look far and wide over the summer at other teams to see if they can come up with an answer.

Position battles: The running back position battle was covered in the top storyline, and there aren’t many starting jobs up for grabs on a team that returns so many regulars from last season's 12-4 edition. The Cowboys lucked into grabbing La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent, and he will compete with Ronald Leary for the starting left guard spot. Unlike first-rounders Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin, who were Day 1 starters, Collins will have to take the job away from Leary. Defensively, the suspension of Greg Hardy puts the defensive end spot up in the air for up to four games, with Jeremy Mincey, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory battling for the two spots. The Cowboys have options at linebacker with only Sean Lee a lock. Rolando McClain looked to be a lock before his suspension, but now the middle and strongside linebacker spots could have competitions. Jasper Brinkley was signed before McClain and can be a solid run-stopper. Anthony Hitchens showed last season that he can be a playmaker at any of the three linebacker spots. Hitchens, Kyle Wilber and Keith Rivers will be in contention for the strongside spot.

Veterans to watch: Lee missed last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, leaving the Cowboys without their best defensive playmaker. He is completely healthy, but will be making a position switch to the weakside linebacker spot. The adjustment should not be a big deal, but the Cowboys need Lee to return to form and remain healthy if the defense is to make a significant jump in 2015. Hardy was the Cowboys' biggest free-agent signing, but he will miss four games because of a suspension. When he returns to the field, the Cowboys need Hardy to be a difference-maker, and Hardy needs to put up numbers to help secure his future. He is on a one-year deal, with eyes on gaining a huge contract if he can return to form and stay out of trouble.

Rookies to watch: Despite having only one first-round pick, the Cowboys secured three first-round talents in Byron Jones, Gregory and Collins. Of the three, Collins might have the best chance to start Week 1 if we use the traditional definition. Jones and Gregory will play key roles in the sub packages early if they don’t start. Jones showed in the spring he can play outside and inside at cornerback, and there could be some occasions when he lines up at safety. Gregory’s skill as a pass-rusher could transform the defense. If he can avoid the struggles many rookie pass-rushers face, the Cowboys will have a versatile front four that can change the way they play on the back end.

Bubble watch: McClain was the Cowboys’ most productive defender in 2014, but he put himself in this spot by violating the league’s substance abuse policy and landing a four-game suspension. There is no doubt he is skilled, but the Cowboys have more linebacker depth this year than they had last season. The Cowboys needed McClain last season and had to live with his uncertainties. With the addition of Brinkley, the potential of Hitchens and the possibility of moving Lee back to middle linebacker, if McClain does not show dedication this summer he could play his way off the roster.

Same game plan: Despite losing Murray and not making major additions at running back, Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the Cowboys will rely on the run just as much this year as they did last season. That is an easy thing to say before the pads come on, but a difficult thing to do with questions in the backfield. Given their ability to throw the ball with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, can Linehan be willing to stick with the run even if it is not producing the way it did in 2014? The formula worked so well last season, the Cowboys will be as patient as possible.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Does anyone else think Collins could be swing tackle if he doesn't beat out Leary?

Not only do I think he can, I think he should be our swing tackle. It's easy to always move him inside to guard. I think his long term position may be out at RT anyway.

 

[dallen]

Not only do I think he can, I think he should be our swing tackle. It's easy to always move him inside to guard. I think his long term position may be out at RT anyway.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[ravidubey]

When Free was dinged early in OTA's I was hoping Collins would take his spot and never look back. Clearly he wasn't ready for that, but certainly you'd think he's the new swing tackle with Green's injury history.