July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Dallas Cowboys, Football, NFL, Preview/Prediction, Rudy Carpenter, Stephen McGee | Comments Off
Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo has been the full-time starter for two-and-a-half seasons but has yet to win a playoff game. Although he has set several team records, produced a 27–12 regular-season record, and had several big games statistically, Romo has not proven he can win the big game. In December and January, Romo is 5–10 in his career, including 0–2 in the postseason.
Dallas knew for two seasons it needed to upgrade its backup quarterback situation, and yet did nothing. Phillips admits it’s the reason the Cowboys missed the playoffs last season as they went 1–2, including a loss to the Rams, while Romo was out with a fractured pinkie.
That prompted change, as Dallas acquired veteran Jon Kitna in a trade with Detroit. But Kitna turns 37 in September, so the Cowboys drafted Stephen McGee in the fourth round.
DAL Quarterbacks Depth Chart: 1. Tony Romo, 2. Jon Kitna, 3. Stephen McGee, 4. Rudy Carpenter, 5. Brooks Bollinger
New York Giants
The Super Bowl honeymoon is over for Eli Manning. There are still times when he can carry the Giants with his arm, but too many times when they seem to win despite his struggles. That has become a particular problem late in the season when the cold wind starts swirling around Giants Stadium, as evidenced by his awful performance in the playoff loss to the Eagles.
Manning is still the unquestioned franchise quarterback, but if he wants to become elite, he must be more consistent and learn how to throw in the wind. The Giants will need him more than ever this season because he lacks a true No. 1 receiver. Meanwhile, the Giants are comfortable that David Carr can win a few games if necessary. Draft pick Rhett Bomar will likely edge out Andre’ Woodson for the No. 3 spot.
NYG Quarterbacks Depth Chart: 1. Eli Manning, 2. David Carr, 3. Anthony Wright, 4. Andre Woodson, 5. Rhett Bomar
Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb is the personification of this close-but-no-title era of Eagles football. He bears the brunt of criticism when things go wrong. McNabb, 32, experienced a career-low when he was benched at halftime of an ugly loss in Baltimore. He redeemed himself, though, by playing well in a surge to the playoffs and in postseason road wins against Minnesota and the rival Giants.
There's no doubt McNabb will open the season as the starter, but there is now doubt that Reid will stay with his first-ever draft pick through a prolonged slump. Kolb enters his third season as an enigma. Given chances to play last season, he showed a penchant for throwing back-breaking interceptions. Reid didn't add a young quarterback in the draft or free agency, suggesting he still believes in Kolb as the team’s future starter.
PHI Quarterbacks Depth Chart: 1. Donovan McNabb, 2. Kevin Kolb, 3. A.J. Feeley
Washington Redskins
Jason Campbell’s fire and intensity have been questioned during his four seasons in Washington. Some say he is too mild-mannered, lacking the in-the-huddle leadership qualities of players such as Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.
Maybe the Redskins’ offseason courtships of other quarterbacks will change that. After the team failed to acquire Cutler or Sanchez, Campbell should feel like he has something to prove. His contract will expire at season’s end, and considering the recent tumult, an extension seems unlikely.
Campbell is only 27, though, and has shown flashes of potential. His quarterback rating has increased in each of the last three seasons, and he should make it four in a row after having an entire offseason to digest Zorn’s West Coast-style offense. Second-year gunslinger Colt Brennan could take over the backup role from veteran Todd Collins. The Redskins also signed former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel as an undrafted free agent.
WSH Quarterbacks Depth Chart: 1. Jason Campbell, 2. Colt Brennan, 3. Todd Collins, 4. Chase Daniel
Carter's NFC East Quarterback Rankings/Prediction
1. Tony Romo (DAL): 4,000 yards, 28 TDs, 19 INTs
2. Donovan McNabb (PHI): 3,700 yards, 22 TDs, 11 INTs
3. Eli Manning (NYG): 3,200 yards, 21 TDs, 14 INTs
4. Jason Campbell (WSH): 3,000 yards, 14 TDs, 11 INTs
5. Jon Kitna (DAL): 200 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
6. David Carr (NYG): 90 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Dallas Cowboys, Football, NFL, Opinion, Preview/Prediction, Roy Williams (S) | Comments Off
There is one thing Roy Williams (the safety) was remembered for most towards the end of his tenure in Dallas. No, not the hard hits that he could lay on running backs breaking the line of scrimmage. It was how he got burned on almost every single coverage play to which he was assigned.
I am sure every Dallas fan remembers Santana "The Cowboy Killer" Moss streaking down the sideline, right by Roy Williams for a touchdown, who really had no chance of stopping the play.
Now, with Williams being released from the Cowboys' roster, a young talent from Jacksonville, Gerald Sensabaugh, has been brought in to sure up coverage at the safety position.
Last season he had four picks for the Jaguars in what could be called his breakout season. He tacked on 80 tackles and eight passes defended.
Jacksonville would have obviously loved to resign Sensabaugh to a new contract, but past injury issues and an off the field situation in which he was arrested for possession of a firearm slowed talks. Sensabaugh decided instead to not wait around and go straight to a team that has winning expectations, a team where he could be utilized straight away.
That team was Dallas.
With Sensabaugh now obviously pegged as the starter at the strong safety position, what can he bring to the table that Roy Williams did not?
Coverage.
Sensabaugh was credited in Jacksonville for the way he moved, and how they could match him up against slot receivers without any hesitation.
This has also been affirmed by the Cowboys' coaching staff, who have said that they love Sensabaugh's instincts, closing speed, and coverage skills.
Roy Williams was never praised for his coverage skills, and was usually hidden in zone coverage, causing the Cowboys' coaching staff to adjust their play calling.
With Sensabaugh, there is no need for extra zone coverages, as he can play man and play it well.
With better man coverage, the Cowboys can bring more pressure on the quarterback, resulting in more sacks, rushed passes, and interceptions.
Roy Williams was a feared hitter and a great run supporter, and with him now gone, questions have risen as to whether Sensabaugh can step up to the line of scrimmage and perform just as well.
Last season, Sensabaugh had 80 tackles but no forced fumbles. However, he was credited when coming out of college (North Carolina) for having above average tackling skills and being able to stop the ball carriers' forward motion. Forcing fumbles is great, as it creates a potential turnover, but in some situations, it can be a double edged sword.
Think back to the NFC championship game last season.
Larry Fitzgerald catches a long pass down the field. Brian Dawkins comes in and tries to place a big hit on Fitzgerald. He times his hit incorrectly, and Fitzgerald easily bounces off of him, running in for a touchdown.
This is just one example of how being overly aggressive and trying to strip the ball backfired on the defender.
If Sensabugh can live up to being an above average tackler, then there should be no loss, but a gain in the run support department; something the Cowboys are in great need of after two 70-plus yard runs in the week 16 loss to Baltimore.
Sensabugh is the X factor on this defense, more so than Mike Jenkins or Orlando Scandrick, who have already proven they can play at the NFL standard in the Cowboys' system.
If Sensabaugh can cover as well as he has been credited for and wrap up running backs before the first down marker, he will become the essential piece to the puzzle that the Cowboys desperately need.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
Eight months is gridiron eternity for an NFL football player, the equivalent of two full regular seasons.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
Last year, the initial goal was to make the team. Then it was to contribute on a regular basis.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
In last year's training camp, the Cowboys experimented with swapping starting defensive linemen Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff, moving Ratliff to defensive end and Spears to nose tackle. It lasted only a few days.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Dallas Cowboys, Football, NFL, Opinion | Comments Off
We have all heard that he is the team obliterator, a menace in the locker room, poison to team chemistry, a loud mouth, and simply an arrogant individual.
Who cares about any of that if Owen's delivers on the field! He is still a great player who defenses have to account for. Sometimes teams are putting a corner and a safety on him just to cover his deep threat ability.
Yes, he drops a lot of short passes but he catches the big 60-yard throws that count the most.
While statistically his numbers have gone down, he still opened up the field for Jason Witten, Marion the barbarian, and Roy Williams
No more deep threat now defenses can put eight men in the box and dismantle Barber when he touches the football.
All that drama you know dang well the media loved it. The Cowboys are a soap opera, it's their job to entertain us with those things being "America's team."
Do you remember how the Giants did very well until Burress had that incident in the night club and could not play? Eli Manning was in tears and was calling Plaxico to come back as he was getting sacked every minute without a deep threat.
Well, the same thing is going to happen to the cowboys.
Mark my words Jerry Jones, you will regret this come playoff time. You need a big time receiver. Let's see if the two draft picks you wasted on Roy Williams will pay off...
I doubt it.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
There's the infield at the Kentucky Derby or Texas Motor Speedway, the grounds passes at Wimbledon or the Pavilion at the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
Dallas Cowboys 2009 Training Camp: Practice #4
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Jul 31, 2009 6:37 PM
Full pads for today's affair. Stephen Hodge, Tim Anderson still rehabbing. One thing I like, DeAngelo Smith was out on the field 30 minutes before practice catching punts from the machine. Nice to see a rookie dedicated like that.
Started out with special teams drills again, and then went into some punts. Mat McBriar was crushing the punts today, high and far. Catching punts: Felix Jones, Terence Newman, Patrick Crayton, and Willie Reid. After team stretching they went into some FGs with both Nick Folk and David Buehler.
The defense then broke off and did drills that were all about fumbles. They did stations were the defensive groups rotated - they worked on falling on fumbles and properly wrapping it up, stripping the ball from the QB from behind, trying to punch the ball out of the ball-carrier's hands from behind and keeping a fumble in-bounds so another player could fall on it. Nice, we need turnovers this year.
While all that was going on, Buehler was practicing on-sides kicks. The guy was pounding them into the turf and having them pop up, they were going almost exactly 10 yards and right into the hands of Folk. His accuracy at getting the distance and keeping it in-bounds w\as uncanny, Folk rarely had to move to catch it.
The broke off into 9-on-9 on one side and WR vs. DB on the other. I followed the WRs/DBs. Jenkins had great coverage on Crayton for an incompletion, Austin caught a slant in front of Courtney Brown, then Scandrick had great coverage on Kevin Ogletree for an incompletion. Stanback made a very nice catch on Alan Ball, Jesse Holley cooked Mike Mickens on a bomb, Mickens had to commit pass interference to stop it. Mike Jefferson blew right by Newman for a bomb, Crayton made a great in and out move to lose Scandrick, and Willie Reid beat Ball for a tough catch.
Mickens had nice coverage on Hurd for an incompletion, T-New looked good against Austin, then Roy almost made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch on a bomb with tight coverage from Jenkins, but just couldn't hold on to it. Stanback beat Scandrick short, Scandrick gave him way too much room, then Jefferson cooked Mickens on a stop and go pattern deep. Julian Hawkins made a nice grab against T-New but ended up out-of-bounds. Austin caught a short one on Jenkins and Crayton abused Courtney Brown on a deep pass. Roy and Scandrick had a real physical battle on a short pattern to the sidelines with Roy winning the battle and making the catch. Manuel Johnson had and easy time with DeAngelo Smith, Reid caught a short one on Mickens and Hurd ran an excellent route to shake Brown.
D. Smith came back with nice coverage on a deep pass, then Scandrick got inside Reid on a dig route to break it up and Jefferson spun Brown around to make a short catch. Hawkins ran a good route to shake Mickens, then D. Smith was all over Austin on a deep pass. Crayton ran a route to the sidelines and got his hands on the ball up high but Jenkins recovered to knock it out of his hands before he could complete the catch. T-New had no problem covering Reid, Roy beat Scandrick on a short pass to the sidelines and Holley was able to shake C. Brown for a catch.
After that, they did 7-on-7 while the OL battled the DL. I followed the 7-on-7. Romo overthrew Witten on an out pattern, Bennett caught a short pass then Romo tried to hit Witten deep but Bradie James had excellent coverage. Hurd made a nice catch while simultaneously being hit from behind by Jenkins, Scandrick broke up a pass for Bennett and Roy caught one over the middle in front of C. Brown. Kitna threw a short pass to Scott Chandler, had a terrible throw to John Phillips, hit Ogletree in front of D. Smith and finished with and overthrow of and open Reid on the sidelines. McGee hit Hawkins in the hands but he dropped it and then connected with Philips on a short one.
Romo came back on and threw short to Witten, hit Austin in the flats, then just missed Austin on an out pattern. He tried to hit Bennett on a deep pass but Bennett's feet got tangled up with T-New and the ball was incomplete. He finished with a pass that had beautiful touch and floated softly into Jefferson's hands and then threw a swing pass to Felix. Kitna threw short to Bennett, then tried a pass over the middle but Mike Hamlin tipped the ball in the air then dove to make the INT. Kitna finished with short passes to Bennett and Hurd. Rudy Carpenter threw short to Keon Lattimore and then got picked-off by Scandrick.
Practice closed with a long session of 11-on-11. Wade was turning the defense loose as they blitzed often and they used nickel/dime coverages where they were putting two safeties near the line and only one linebacker. The defense got the better of the offense most of the day. Romo started by hitting Witten over the middle between Brooking and Sensabaugh, then Ratliff stuffed an MB3 run. Roy caught one on the sidelines in front of Scandrick, Felix caught a swing pass but Carpenter had good pursuit, then Felix tried a sweep but Brandon Williams fought the block and turned it into traffic. Kyle Kosier had a false start and was replaced and Romo hit Hurd on a deep pass that Hurd leaped high to get. Kitna rolled-out under pressure from Ocatvien and hit Phillips on a short pass. He tried to go deep to Reid but C. Brown and D. Smith had bracketed coverage. Choice caught a short pass but Jason Williams was right there for the stop. Anthony Spencer timed a rush to get good pressure forcing a dump-off, and Bennett caught a short pass but Brooking was all over him. McGee handed to Choice up the middle but Carpenter stuffed it. Lattimore caught a swing pass but Jerome Carter came up and accidentally decked him. Lattimore tried a run but had no room and then Brandon Williams got good pressure causing a throw-away.
Romo was back and immediately felt pressure from Octavien, he threw it to Crayton who dropped it. After a dump-off to MB3, he threw to Roy but Mickens was there, they both caught the ball and Mickens ended up with it. Witten got loose down the seam and Romo hit him in stride, they tried a pitch to Felix but Brooking and Bradie ate it up. They tried a reverse to Felix but he was forced to cut it back inside where Bradie was waiting. Kitna started out by overthrowing Reid on the sideline, next threw an incompletion after B. Williams applied pressure, and then threw the ball right to Ball who dropped the INT. Choice took and inside handoff and cut back outside for a long run followed by an Alonzo Coleman draw play that went for big yards. Rudy Carpenter threw a dump-off to Manuel Johnson, then pitched it to Coleman but Spencer disrupted the blocking and Bradie made the tackle. They tried a screen that had no chance as the blitz was on him before it could develop and finished by having Jenkins break up a pass.
That was that.
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
By Dave Halprin (Grizz)
It's only been three practices, but I see a lot of requests for a summary of what's happened so far. Being the type of blogger who likes to listen to his audience, I'll comply. I generally like to give practice reports as objectively as possible for two reasons. One, I want to give you guys the facts of what's going on at practice without a filter, hopefully it gives you a sense of being there and watching the practices for yourself. Two, I've found that if you post something like "Player X looked bad today" it leads to the inevitable extrapolation that the player sucks and that we're in big trouble. Remember, these are training camp practices, the Cowboys are trying new things out; they're putting players in positions to test their skill sets that may never be replicated in real games. Having said all that, here are some observations of mine through the first three practices.
The Cowboys, and Wade Phillips, have been true to their word and have changed things. They've changed up the drills they're running in the positional groups and to my eyes the drills are more attuned to real-game situations. Some of them I've mentioned, the fumble prevention drills, an extensive session on covering the bunch formation, the receivers are running the passing tree more than in the past, all kinds of things that are a little different from past training camps. The emphasis on special teams is clear by running those drills at the beginning of practice when the players are fresh and more likely to absorb new information.
Also, contrary to the meltdown I've seen in some media circles and on other Cowboys blogs and non-Cowboys blogs, the no-tackling rule is nothing new. Even when Parcells was here we rarely tackled, if at all, so it's not like much has changed in that respect. So when you see that kind of stuff, just ignore it.
Much more below.
OK, on to what a lot of people really want to hear, who is doing well and who is not. Remember to be a little skeptical of all this; for example, last year Bobby Carpenter had a great camp, he was making a lot of plays, but once the real season hit he was an afterthought. Also keep in mind, since we're practicing against ourselves, one player or unit doing well means that another player or unit was getting beat. So it's a glass half-full or half-empty scenario on all of this.
What I've liked so far:
The running game is performing well, in the 11-on-11's the line is opening holes and the backs are able to make quality runs for the most part. Tashard Choice looks as good as he did at the end of last year and seems particularly adept at wiggling through traffic. The Cowboys have stated they will depend on the running game more this season and they should, it's a strength of this team. Kyle Kosier is back and he looks to be in good form, this could help solidify an offensive line that had problems with consistency last year.
The play of Gerald Sensabaugh has been good. He's done well at diagnosing plays and then making the play by taking proper angles and working his way through traffic. I like what I'm seeing from him so far but I really haven't seen him tested deep over the middle that often.
I've thought of Brandon Williams and Victor Butler as twins since they were drafted close together and they play the same position. So far in camp, Butler has made the plays. He's had some good moments rushing the passer and just appears to be the more active of the two. In addition, little-known OLB Steve Octavien has been getting opportunities and has actually made a few plays. Who knows if he can sustain it, but he's been active so far.
Mike Hawkins is an unknown player who has made plays in camp. He's broken up a few passes, got an INT and generally stood out from the rest of the non-starting CBs. Will he make the team, probably not and this is the danger of reading too much into training camp practices, so take it for what it's worth.
Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware are doing exactly what you'd expect; they have been the dominating force on the defensive front seven and have caused havoc regularly. The secondary has been solid, not giving up as many big plays as they have in the past. I can probably count on one hand the number of deep passes they've given up in 11-on-11's.
Tony Romo has looked like Romo. I haven't seen much that is different from his play in other training camps. But then again, I wasn't really worried about his play in camp.
What I've had problems with so far:
None of the WRs have had a great impact on camp so far. It's not just Roy, it's the unit as a whole. Now there are some mitigating factors. It could speak to an improved secondary that is giving better coverage. Also, with Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett roaming the field, they present great targets for the QB's. Factor in that our pass rush can be very effective, meaning the QBs are dumping the ball short on occasion, further limiting the WRs effectiveness. Don't panic. By this time next week one or two receivers may be tearing up practices. Give it a little time.
I still greatly worry about the backup o-line. I've been a little down on Pat McQuistan for the past couple of years and he's done nothing in this camp to change my view. A lot of the rest of the guys, especially in the interior, haven't stood out in my opinion. Holland is getting some chances and maybe he will prove to be a guy we can rely on for a backup, and Doug Free has been serviceable so far. It's not that their awful, but I loved to see a little more punch out of these guys.
It's early, but I'm still waiting on Jason Williams to make a few plays. I heard all about his athleticism but it hasn't shown up yet. But, give him some time, he's a rookie learning a new position and it's only been a few practices.
The defense as a whole is still not getting a lot of turnovers. Kudos to Romo and Kitna for not throwing INT's, but last year not getting turnovers on defense was a big problem and I was hoping to see more of it happening in camp. Of course, if it did start happening, everybody would start complaining about Romo and Kitna! You just can't win when practicing against yourself.
There are still too many false start penalties and there have been some very visible cases of holding along the line that aren't called but easy to see. Clean up the penalties guys, it's important.
-------
Those are some things I've observed in practices. I'm always reticent to make these kinds of pronouncements because they tend to get extrapolated into bigger things and by next week the whole situation could be different. I've always tried to give training camp practice reports as objectively as possible so you, the reader, can make your own evaluations. But, since I was asked, I complied.
Hope you're enjoying BTB's coverage of training camp so far.
Next Page »