Practice Report -- Thursday, August 18th

good work look forward to tomorrows report, nice job for the week rafeal. any word on merritt chances?

Very Nice Job really enjoyed the news from camp….Thanks.

again thank you….

Nice, thank you.

When they used 4WR’s, who was in?

Mike,

Merritt’s got a chance, with Morgan apparently pouting. But from what I’ve seen, I don’t know that he’s been any better than Jamaica Rector or Terrence Copper, who are also making some catches. I think it will come down to performance in the games.

Big Jim,

Keyshawn, Glenn, Crayton and Morgan

Phenomenal reporting. Really, abso-freakin’-lutely fantastic.

I really think you missed your calling as a sports reporter.

Oh yeah, Reggie Harrell is making some catches too. The first three spots are set IMO with Glenn, Keyshawn and Crayton, with the last two to be fought over.

These reports have been great. Glad to hear Bledsoe is coming around. He sounds like a great guy in interviews, but we also need him to perform.

reason i think we should keep merritt is for the fact hes been in the league has some good experience as a wr and a special teams player.

The first four receivers are no brainers in my opinion, KJ,Glenn,Crayton,Morgan, with Copper leading the rest since he played and was pretty good on special teams last year. Rector, harrell might be an option for the practice squad and for merritt to make the team, he better return some punts or kick returns in the next two games to the house.

Its good to hear bledsowe is looking sharp. I reaaly thought crayton would pull ahead. He shows sparks of big play ability. Thanks rafeal. This is good stuff. Is the blog set up different, or is my computer just being weird?

I’ve been away for the past few days so I missed alot. However, IMO the top 4 are set KJ, Glenn,Crayton,Morgan, and a toss up between Crowder and Copper, because they can both have a significant impact on ST. Give the inside edge to Crowder because he has a good relationship with the young QB’s as he was there target practice during the off-season.

Is crayton number 3 for sure? When did this occur? Or is it just looking good for him?

Just based on what ive seen of copper, i think he can compete. I would even give him the edge. Is crowder a good special teams guy? That could make a big difference.

I just stumbled across your site and it is fantastic. I’ll be back soon and often, go Cowboys!

Can hardly wait to see the boys in action Monday night. based on these reports it sounds like things are really coming together. My prediction for monday night is the silver and blue smokes some birds.

Rafael, Thanks. This is some of the best Dallas Cowboys coverage/reporting I’ve seen in yeaars. You put those paid columnist to shame.

Does Petitti look like he can handle the RT position as it now appears that Rogers is done for the year

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/081905cpcowbriefs.1d1eb8a1.html

Also want to thank you for the fantastic job you’re doing.

Dmn.com is reporting that Jacob Rogers needs surgery and is out for the season as per Jerry Jones.

Okay last game we had Bledsoe 29.7 QB rating,Romo 92.7 and Henson 39.9……..hope we have more production………

With Rogers down and probably not the type of guy to come back from this (or any) injury we are left with Pettiti, Tucker and Vollers. BP sure doesn’t seem to be as down on Tucker as we are so maybe he’s seeing something that we aren’t. As I see it there are 3 viable options; (1) Sign one of the RTs out there along with their baggage, (2) go with what we got and hope for the best for development of Pettiti and regained focus by Tucker or (3)shuffle LA to RT and backfill behind him. Of these options the one I hope for is 2. I don’t see us signing anybody released off another team that would improve our situation. If we are going to do the LA shuffle we need to do it now so the line has time to jell.

I found this site a couple of weeks ago and with the excellent reporting and good responses, it makes it by far the best Cowboys site out there. I’m think I’m already hooked on this site. Keep it up y’all.

Al Johnson came back from the same knee surgery. However, two season ending surgeries in a row is tough for an unproven guy that has yet to start a game. I would put him on IR and let him compete in training camp next year. Maybe by then he can get his shoulder stronger and fully healed and if the knee is ok. Too bad, the guy looked like he might have a shot at it and be the answer at RT.

Oh well.

Yeah, but consider this: we’re now into year three and Parcells still hasn’t filled the RT hole that was there when he signed up. Petitti is game and he’s got potential, but the question is does he have it right now?

I watch him and ask myself, could this guy go four quarters — RIGHT NOW — with Michael Strahan? The answer is no. Not without a lot of help from TEs and backs.

Rafael,

All eyes (at least those not glued to the quarterbacks) will be on right tackle during the Seattle game. My best guess would be that Scott Gragg will be in a Cowboys uniform by Wednesday.

It’s one thing to make sure your young players get maximum reps in training camp, and are given every opportunity to succeed. But, training camp will be over in a few days, and it’s time to make a decision at right tackle, so that the team can get ready for the regular season. So, unless someone steps up big time against the Seahawks, the Cowboys will be forced to look outside and quickly. My money’s on Gragg.

I agree Rafael and Mr. Bill,it’s time(now that Rodgers is outta the picture) to sign a vet to solidify that position.Pettiti is game but it’s just too much too soon for him!And i agree that it will probably happen early next week….

I love McBriar’s new nickname too….“thunderfoot”

rafeal
your right he cant go four quarters, but we have vollers wholl help out with that situation. i say give it to petitte, or bring in gragg. vollers and petitte very easily coud rotate that position like the d-line do. keep them fresh, that might work.

Crayton really sounds(and looks) like he’s coming along nicely!at 6ft 200lbs he has the size and talent to really help us this year…..Julius running,adding in a few sweeps for Thompson,Witten,Keyshon tearing up the middle,Glenn and Crayton racing down the open field……I’m ready for some football!!!!!! GO COWBOYS!!!!!!

there are very few RTs in the league that can contain someone like Strahan (at least as he was at his peak, which he no longer is). Those are the guys in the Pro Bowl (or should be). So that is not what the need is for RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW we need someone that can handle MOST of the DE’s that he will meet without letting them eat up the QB. Pettiti just might be that guy by the beginning of the season, or at least pretty close to it. THAT is what BP has to find out in the next week or so.

I’d love for Pettiti to become the answer, but history doesn’t bode well. Tuinei, Erik Williams, Newton, Flozell, and Rivera (as was highlighted in a recent article) all struggled in their first and most times second years. In fact, there are very few examples of an OL coming out of college and dominating. And almost every one of those was a high first round pick (i.e., Pace, Ogden).

I agree with MrBill that Gragg is the front runner for our RT spot.

But I’ve got an interesting theory that I’d welcome some feedback on. Ross Verba, signed to a one-year $5 mil or so contract to fill in for this year only.

Knowing that he’d be playing for a contract year, on an up and coming team, that would give him an opportunity to be perceived as a savior (although we all know it wouldn’t be true) just might be enough to put his ego in check enough to work with Parcells.

Whadya think?

Raf,
great job!!! If you could give your impressions of B.P. coaching
style.Also how is Ben Noll doing?
As for right tackle B.P. maybe waiting to see who other teams
cut before he signs gragg or verba.

5 mill for one single year? I don’t think so, not for a Right Tackle, that’s Left Tackle money… And we don’t need a LT, as far as I know we have 3, and I’m not counting Rogers anymore… at least for the year. If Rogers goes to IR, look for Gragg signed in the same day or so. Gragg is a good player, one that is good in pass protection and better in run blocks, and will make the roster in Rogers place.

i would like to wait on gragg which might or might not happen, im sure they are gonna let petitte play monday and go from there. i thought he did a good job last saturdy for someone who had basically a week to switch from the left to the right side. people get burnt it happens as long as it doesnt happen to often. we will see monday, petitte, ware and canty are the biggest 3 im gonna be watching monday night.

i mean kinda evaluate petittes play on monday and go from there, hes supposed to see alot of playing time.

What?,5 million for Verba, a tackle who wanted to test the free agent market and actually paid cleveland 450,000 to get out of his contract to do so and that was in early may and hasn’t had a sniff from another team. Can you say, league minimum, thats what he’s going to get, better at guard than tackle at that. I do think were probably going to bring in a vet, but not for 5 mill for anyone. I wonder if there is a team with alot of depth at tackle we could make a trade a conditional late rounder for. I thought at the time during free agancy that we should of went after Kareem mackenzie, coming back to bite us in the azz

You cannot fill every hole- you have to prioritize. I agree on where the money was spent this offseason. You have to gamble some- and there are times when you are lucky and times when you are not.

Burmafrd,

Whoever plays RT for the Cowboys will have to face Strahan twice this year. And you can bet the Eagles will slide Jevon Kearse over there if they sense a weakness. Look, I think Petitti has some real potential. From the work the coaches give him it’s clear. But when a green rookie like Demarcus Ware gives him fits and when he’s asking the tight ends between plays what to do, well, that’s a RIGHT NOW issue. Because one big mental blow up and Drew Bledsoe’s got a broken leg. And then this year is a repeat of last.

And who wants to go back there?

who is Gragg I don’t know anything about him, how old is he, has he been a pro bowler and will he be a locker room distraction.

Played with SF and a few other teams. 12 year vet. Made Pro Bowl in 2001. Will probably be available for near the league minimum.

The $5 mil number is not LT money…they’re pulling in $8-$10 per for top of the line. I agree that he’s an egoist and not worthy of a long term deal, but we’re asking for a stop-gap measure.

My first instinct is to let BP have his way and we’ll be OK. Campbell and Rivera sandwiching Pettiti would be adequate. It just takes away the ability to spread the field.

Gragg would be a good fill-in. I just think Verba would be a better stop-gap. He’s mean, experienced, and has the pro-bowls to back it up.

Would I want him for 4 years, no. 1 year, while waiting for Pettiti to mature, absolutely.

Hey, Rafael!

Get back to work!

If verba is getting no offers what so ever and why do you think that is?, why would you pay him 5 mil a year when you could get him for less and by the way he’s not good in the locker room either,if he’s an option, then why not pay him the minimum or why not wait until after week one and then his contract isn’t guaranteed

Fighter15
You are right I don’t know if people in here are going to remember when Erik Williams went down and they put Larry Allen in this spot. Larry Allen sucked he was getting beat all the time. Then the next year he just took off he was a different player.

One of the previous posters mentioned rotating Vollers and Pettiti at RT. Great idea, why not? It works for the DL. When we drafted Pettiti I had a feeling about the guy. Although I agree that right now it is too much-too soon for him. I would still dump Tucker though. I’m not for bringing in someone that no-one else seems to want.

James,

I dont think their is any doubt that as of right now that Vollers and Pettiti are going to rotate in and out on the right side until Pettiti can handle the job fulltime, but I still think a vet is going to be brought in for some help

Tucker sucks. Rogers might just need a new start somewhere else. I was happy to see us draft him because he went to my high school but I think he needs to go. This is not good for Happy feet Bledsoe. I think they should just let Pettiti do it as long as he shows improvement over the year it will be his job for a long time.

Derrick
I don’t think they are going to rotate because BP wants Vollers to be a back up to the O line he doesn’t want him a starter or a part time starter.

AW,

Right now, its a crap shoot at right tackle. I really like Pettiti, but I dont think he’s ready to start a whole 16 game season and the grind that goes with it. Tucker cant seem to get his head out of his azz, so the only really viable option is Vollers. I think your right when you think bill wants one guy to take charge at right tackle, but he might not have a choice but to rotate. I just hope things workout there in a hurry.

Derrick

I got this from the NFL.com site for those who wanted to know possible available Right Tackles. Also included is a list from Fox sports of available free agent Tackles

Fox Sports says:
 Ross Verba is a tweener between left guard and tackle, but is coming off a very strong season. Verba lacks ideal size and athleticism, but is very smart and plays with excellent technique. His history of injuries is troubling from the past. There is no question Chris Terry has a lot of talent and possesses the feet to play left tackle, but is reliable off the field. He’s also coming off an injury and hasn’t been committed towards his rehab. Kyle Turley is a very good athlete, but is coming off a herniated disc in his back and has lost a lot of weight. His future is uncertain. Scott Gragg is a natural right tackle with a lot of experience, but is nearing the end of his career. Marcus Price has some value as a reserve. Matt Willig is just a big body who has some experience. He has chronically bad knees and struggles in pass protection.
NFL.com shows these teams with four or more Offensive Right Tackles:
 
Cincinnati Bengals
Right Tackles
R. Tucker
J. Collins
J. Dunn
G. Randall
Denver Broncos
Right Tackles
G. Foster
A. Clement
D. Carswell
C. Green
Cleveland Browns
Right Tackles
W. Anderson
S. Andrews
B. Johnson
R. Hicks
Tampa Bay Bucs
Right Tackles
K. Walker
C. Colmer
S. Lightbody
J. Hatch
San Diego Chargers
Right Tackles
S. Olivea
L. Jordan
C. Joseph
C. Lekkerkerker
Kansas City Chiefs
Right Tackles
J. Black
K. Sampson
B. Williams
C. Bober
New York Giants
Right Tackles
K. McKenzie
B. Winey
J. Hilliard
M. Pears
New York Jets
Right Tackles
A. Jones
M. Cavka
M. Kracalik
I. Snell
Seattle Seahawks
Right Tackles
F. Womack
S. Locklear
W. Hunter
R. Willis
Tennessee Titans
Right Tackles
T. Williams
M. Roos
B.Swaggert B. Herrell
S. Rodgers
J. Bell

Thanks, tommy.

I’m sure the scouting staff are on the move to search for a viable right tackle as we type. I imagine their is going to be some cowboys scouts at the weekend preseason games specifically for that purpose. I’m sure by next wednesday that a right tackle will be signed or traded for.

do we gain much by outright cutting Rogers?

I mean if he has a year and comes back and beats out the other guys in practice isn’t that worth the risk, bad shoulder, then a bad knee, sounds like bad luck and maybe his is about to change in YEAR THREE. I think you give the kid a year to fix the knee.

Folks wanted to give up on Al Johnson and he turned out to be our starting C. Probably again this year too or at least an alternate at C and G. I hate to see 2nd rounder cut and then go blossom at Atlanta or somewhere else.

Oh well. Jimmy Smith still haunts me.

Jon
You are sooo right I guess he should get this third shot.

Jon.

I agree, it cost us nothing to keep him around one more year, get his knee and shoulder fixed, another good offseason workout and see what happens in training camp next year and if it doesn’t work out, then cut him lose.Too many knee jerk reactions here that could come back and bite us in the azz. We certainly dont have very good luck with our second round draft picks in regards to all these injuries to them

I’m glad to hear Crayton doing well because I’m tired of hearing about other teams finding a late round gem that turn into a star or at least contribute like Ward, Mason and Curry (before he got hurt last year he was having a good year). So hopefully we have something here.

Thanks Rafael,

Your reports have been very detailed and very well written.

Thanks again.

I’m also on the let’s-wait-another-year-for-Rogers bandwagon, the guy has the ability which has to count for something, and there’s also that Parcells law: “You have to show something by your third year” and it hasn’t come for Rogers.

I think Jerry and Bill are just posturing for the “no guts no glory” football mentality.

I remember seeing Jerry on HBO calling parents when a kid got hurt. I think Jerry has been a class act when a cuts a kid or during an injury. They are just griping to play the owner player relationship no guts no glory. You know Rogers could have decided to do the knee because the shoulder is not fully healed also. He figure take the plunge under the knife now and give the shoulder additional time to heal.

Here is the ultimate scoop on Gragg, grew up in Oregon, College ball at the U of Montana, drafted 2nd round by the Giants, after five years with the Giants played five years with The 49ers. Missed his first regular season start with a high ankle sprain, besides that has been injury free in his career. He is the ultimate team player and any team that gets him will be getting a RT that is ready to start and be a team leader from the time he gets off the plane in what ever city he ends up in. He has been training and is in great shape. Gragg has been in contact with several teams and has turned down several offers thus far. COWBOY FANS we need Gragg to hold down the right side and protect Bledsoe. Any Questions?

Oh and by the way, he played with and practiced against Strahan for 5 years and has shut him down on every occassion he played him while in San Fran, need I say any more?