Training camp thread...

[Cotton]

W2W4: Cowboys training camp: Day 15

August, 12, 2013

​

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com


OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys enter the homestretch of training camp on Monday.

Defensive injuries: The Cowboys lost three defensive players to injuries and one more to a personal matter. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is minus four players: Sean Lissemore, Eric Frampton, Ernie Sims and J.J. Wilcox. The injuries have left the Cowboys thin at the safety position because Frampton (hamstring) and Wilcox (personal matter) missed the team portions of Sunday's practice and second-year safety Matt Johnson (foot) won't practice this week. The defensive line was already missing two players, Anthony Spencerand Jay Ratliff, to injuries and add Lissemore to the mix and the Cowboys are down to 12 linemen on the 90-man roster.

Offensive line getting better: The more snaps Ronald Leary, the left guard, and Mackenzy Bernadeau, right guard, are getting the better the offensive line is becoming. Leary and Bernadeau missed practice time due to injuries early in camp, but each has looked good in the last four training camp practices. The team is still waiting for Brian Waters to make a decision regarding signing with the team. If he doesn't the Cowboys will stick with Leary and Bernadeau as the first-team guards for now.

Armstrong building a case: The Cowboys might keep five wide receivers, but Anthony Armstrong is putting in work to maybe force the team to add a sixth one. Tim Benford andJared Green are also in the mix for a possible sixth spot, but Armstrong is the leader in the clubhouse because he's running good routes, catching tough passes and doesn't have mental mistakes. He's also doing a good job on special teams, something that the sixth receiver is going to do regardless.

Running backs becoming welterweight champs: Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar are not Floyd Mayweather, considered the best fighter, pound-for-pound, in boxing. Yet, in the last couple of practices, Dunbar and Tanner have gotten into scraps. Tanner on Sunday and Dunbar last week. The best position group on the team could be the running back position where Dunbar, No. 2 behind DeMarco Murray and Tanner, No. 3, in front of rookie Joseph Randle, are running to contact and showing great vision. The Cowboys are expected to keep four running backs, but it could drop to three if Tanner struggles on special teams, which he's not. So expect four on the roster.

 

[boozeman]

Per Archer the Cowboys are working out DE Travis Chappelear and may sign him. He was in Bengals and Patriots camp this year.

 

[ravidubey]

Per Archer the Cowboys are working out DE Travis Chappelear and may sign him. He was in Bengals and Patriots camp this year.

6'5" 270 implies a frame to get bigger, though he's already 24. 4.78 40 yard dash, 34 bench press reps (another article says 38), and 37” vertical also are perfect for a 4-3 DE (roids?). But it's his third camp after being a UDFA and he keeps getting caught in a numbers game. Bengals cut him in May to sign a DT and Pats cut him after less than a full day in camp to start August. For perspective, the Pats signed Lavasier Tuinei the day they released Chappelear.

 

[boozeman]

Darrion Weems injured when he drops bench-press bar on his chest



Offensive tackle Darrion Weems missed practice Sunday after dropping the bench-press bar on his chest. Weems, who has a injured thumb, couldn't get a good grip on the bar, and 325 pounds fell on him.

"He was lifting weights, and he dropped the 325-pound bench press bar on his chest," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "So that's what he is dealing with right now. He has a thumb issue where he can't put his thumb around the bar, so it's kind of an open hand and the thing just kind of rolled off on him. So that's the issue there. We will see how he is day to day. We don't think he is going to practice today."

The injury could have been far worse. Former USC running back Stafon Johnson nearly died in a weightlifting accident. He needed several surgeries after the dropped bar ruptured Johnson's larynx.

"I’ve certainly seen it before in the weight room," Garrett said. "Sometimes that happens or sometimes they have to throw the weight off of one side or throw the weight off the other side or whatever.

"We think he’s going to be back, but I’m sure it’s pretty painful."

Defensive tackle Sean Lissemore (groin), linebacker Ernie Sims (groin) and defensive back Eric Frampton (hamstring) will be out at least a few days, Garrett said, after the three defenders left Sunday's practice.

Linebacker Alex Abright (back) still is not ready to return.

"I’m not so sure it’s Cincinnati for all of them [to return]," Garrett said. "It might be Houston [for the final preseason game]. Some of them might practice toward the end of this week. We’ve just got to see how they respond to stuff."

Cornerback Morris Claiborne (knee) will miss another day of practice, though Garrett remains hopeful Claiborne can return sometime this week. Claiborne called it a minor injury when he hurt himself Tuesday, but he now has been out a week.

-- Charean Williams

 

[boozeman]

 

[bbgun]

Claiborne called it a minor injury when he hurt himself Tuesday, but he now has been out a week.

nothing's ever minor in Dallas. i half expect Beasley to have his foot amputated.

 

[Cotton]

 

[1bigfan13]

I really hope the Saints defense is just as bad as it was last year.

Right now that fat SOB is in a lucky situation. The Saints were historically bad on defense last year so even if the new DC were a blind, brain dead, deaf-mute they'd likely see some improvement compared to the 2012 season.

 

[boozeman]

Weird.

So...why would we sign a second long snapper if we didn't need someone due to Ladouceur being hurt? So I guess he's okay and has been okay all along?

F it. I give up trying to make our roster moves fit logic.

 

[boozeman]

Cowboys' defense works on the zone read

August, 12, 2013

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys defense worked on defending the zone read offense during Monday's walk-through practice.

During the 2013 season, the Cowboys face two teams, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles, that feature mobile quarterbacks who use that offense. In the Cowboys' second preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, quarterback Terrelle Pryor beat the Cowboys on a few runs with the zone read.

The zone read quarterback for the Cowboys offense was wide receiver Dwayne Harris, who took the snap from under center and in the shotgun formation.

"I think we're going to see if from a lot of different people," coach Jason Garrett said. "Certainly the teams that have done it and it's been effective for them, they will probably have the same type of package and they will grow their package. As you know, it's a copy cat league in a lot of ways so other teams certainly will make it part of what they do on offense. So, we have to be ready for it. This is a good week to do that, last week, as you know we played Sunday in Canton and turned around and played Oakland on Friday night. So it was a short week in terms of instillation and working on any new stuff. This is a longer week for us and it gives us a chance to work on some of those things that will show up on the season on both sides of the ball."
--------------

Good. After schlub Pryor made us look stupid the other night, the work was needed.

 

[boozeman]

 

[boozeman]

Scout's Eye: Armstrong's Case For The 53; Cohen Impressive

Posted 1 hour ago

Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout








Some observations from the film room in Oxnard:
•If you are looking for an area of improvement from Dez Bryant in this camp, his willingness to become a strong point-of-attack blocker is noticeable. He has really taken pride in his ability to get that big body on these cornerbacks and move them out of the way. One of his best blocks of the day came when he was the lead blocker on James Hanna's red zone screen. Hanna went out the gate and up the sideline because of Bryant’s desire not to get beat with the ball behind him.
•What makes DeMarco Murray a complete back is his ability to stand in there and take on Sean Lee one-on-one during a blitz pickup. In my favorite drill of camp, Murray and Lee went at it toe-to-toe, with Murray getting the better of the linebacker several times. Murray's technique is outstanding in his ability to hit square but also fire his hands inside to control the rusher. Murry’s ability to do that is an underrated skill, but he is outstanding at completing the task against a physical, relentless rusher.




•I do not believe this club will keep six wide receivers just because of some numbers at different spots. But if there is a case to be made for one, Anthony Armstrong is that guy. Where Armstrong has shined is making the contested catch. On Sunday, he snatched the ball at the highest point over the corner on a beautiful pass from Kyle Orton. Later in the period, Armstrong ran a little option route along the goal line and Orton was able to find him again. It has not mattered where Armstrong has run his routes -- he has shown the ability to consistently make plays for a staff that is looking for that type of player that could also be a factor on special teams.
•I had my concerns about Kyle Orton from what I had observed in the OTA's and the minicamps. But in this camp, he has been nothing short of outstanding in the way in which he has handled his opportunities. He has been accurate with his throws, but he has also been rock solid with his decision making. His ball has had pace, and when he has been asked to make the tough or tight throw, he has come up big. His work in the red zone -- the way he has moved the ball around --has been very impressive. His throw to Cole Beasley in the Oakland game was put in the perfect spot and then on Sunday, he came back with another throw to Armstrong that couldn't have been placed any better. There is no longer doubt in my mind that Kyle Orton would be ready if called on, whereas before, I was not so sure I could have said that.


•Defensive tackle Landon Cohen is a veteran player that honestly, I knew very little about. I remember visiting with Will McClay about him when he was signed and McClay was excited to not only have him on the squad but to potentially see what he could bring to the camp. McClay was worried about him getting in football shape, but that never appeared to be a problem. Cohen has come in and given these defensive coaches an explosive inside player that has shown the ability to be disruptive when he is in the game. When you see him live or on tape, he generally is the first man off the ball, and that doesn't matter if it’s run or pass. He is extremely active and can be hard to block when he gets that jump off the ball. This scheme is all about getting players up the field and into the gaps with quickness and so far, Cohen has given these coaches a reason to pay attention.

 

[Cotton]

Weird.

So...why would we sign a second long snapper if we didn't need someone due to Ladouceur being hurt? So I guess he's okay and has been okay all along?

F it. I give up trying to make our roster moves fit logic.

It's comical to say the least.

 

[ravidubey]

Why would Danny Coale make the roster over Armstrong? Oh yeah, he was drafted. Silver lining: Barring a rash of injuries to Coale and Armstrong Cole Beasley is history.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Why would Danny Coale make the roster over Armstrong? Oh yeah, he was drafted. Silver lining: Barring a rash of injuries to Coale and Armstrong Cole Beasley is history.

And the fact that Armstrong is 30 years old. I don't really see the point of having a 5th or 6th WR or whatever that is 30 years old. Those roster spots should be used on guys on the upside of their career. It's a spot you reserve for a WR you are trying to develop.

 

[Cotton]

Scout's Notebook: OT Free Playing With More Confidence

Posted 17 minutes ago

Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout

OXNARD, Calif. – Here are some thoughts from the practice field in Oxnard:

• Just a guess from my experiences in this league but I expect if in fact that the Cowboys made an offer to Brian Watters, I do not expect a quick decision from him. If he does decide to play, my gut he tells me that he will do everything in his power not to take part in this training camp until he absolutely has to put those pads on. Veterans hate training camp with a passion, I see this situation being no different.

• On the practice on Sunday, Doug Free had a rep in one-on-one pass rush where he's technique reminded me of some of his plays from the last two seasons. He was just flat smoked off the edge on his very first rep of the day which made me take notice because I was concerned that was he going to let that rep bring him back into those bad habits and technique issues. To Free's credit, he didn't hang his head or appear as he was lacking confidence. His next rep was a much better kick away from the line and his hands were in much better position to deal with the rusher. Free was able to build off that rep and carry it into the twist period when working withMackenzy Bernadeau they were able to successfully pass two stunts but also single block one-on-one. Free then went into team period and once again working with Bernadeau to his side, were productive when blocking for the run but also handling the pass protections as well. There was a side of me that believed that if Free struggled he would revert back to his old habits but that wasn't the case at all. Free has been very consistent on the positive side in the way he has handled these practices and two games.

• It was the first time on the practice field for Jermey Parnell and Demetress Bell, who returned in an attempt to work their way back into more full time work. What was disappointing about the Parnell injury was that I believed that he could have pushed Doug Free for that right tackle job but now he is going to once again be reduced to the swing tackle and if something were to happen to Smith or Free, then he would see action. Parnell was not terrible in the work that he showed last season which actually helped Free as well because of the time off the field, I thought it refocused him. The front office has always had a plan for Bell to get him in shape and use him in these preseason games as a veteran player to give a steady effort for the evaluation of the offense but also to help these young quarterbacks in protection. There were no huge costs in bringing in Bell and this front office hopes that this move might help him once again play to the form he showed in Buffalo.

• Very curious this week if Alex Tanney gets the majority of the reps against Arizona likeNick Stephens did against Oakland. Once Stephens settled down, I was impressed in which he carried himself in this past game. Tanney might have more talent overall but Stephens has not been a disaster from my point of view. I have always preached that these young quarterbacks can either help you evaluate your squad or they can leave you scratching your head. This might be Tanney's week to shine or lose ground to Stephens in potentially a practice squad spot.

 

[boozeman]

I think Tanney has deserved a shot to come in after Orton next time. If for nothing else to see if he's capable of stepping up.

 

[boozeman]

6'5" 270 implies a frame to get bigger, though he's already 24. 4.78 40 yard dash, 34 bench press reps (another article says 38), and 37” vertical also are perfect for a 4-3 DE (roids?). But it's his third camp after being a UDFA and he keeps getting caught in a numbers game. Bengals cut him in May to sign a DT and Pats cut him after less than a full day in camp to start August. For perspective, the Pats signed Lavasier Tuinei the day they released Chappelear.

Well, it looks like he can chase people.

 

[boozeman]

Marinelli, Garrett impressed by Hatcher pressure from defensive tackle spot against Raiders



Defensive tackle Jason Hatcher has shown he can rush the passer. He has 8.5 sacks over the past two seasons.

But that was from defensive end.

The Cowboys this year are asking Hatcher to rush from defensive tackle. Judging from one small sample last week against Oakland, Hatcher is going to be able to do it. He knocked the ball loose from quarterback Matt Flynn to produce an early turnover for the first-team defense.

“Very athletic guy. Very good feet, good movement, loose in the hips, all those things,” defensive line coach Rod Marinelli said. “Good solid rush there, too. Hit that edge. Did what he was supposed to do.”

Hatcher smiled about it.

“Yeah, I knocked it out. Just a great play,” he said. “We played well together for the first four plays that we played. But I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to look when we play 30 or 40 plays.”

Hatcher’s work has impressed coach Jason Garrett, also. He said Hatcher has embraced the new defensive system.

“It’s great to see, because he’s played a few years in this league,” coach Jason Garrett said of the eight-year veteran. “To see a guy who has his experience continue to get better because of the work that he puts in in the offseason, on the practice field, he just grows before your eyes.”

-- Carlos Mendez
---------

He has been playing pretty well.

I hope we don't shove him off and around when Ratliff returns trying to make him the focal part of the line like they kept pretending Ratliff was going to be all offseason.

Put him at the best DT spot for his skills and leave him alone. Let the old gimp get what's left. He is clearly the better player right now.

 

[ravidubey]

Well, it looks like he can chase people.

He's definitely a natural DE, though he loves him some horse-collar tackling.