Dallas Cowboys rookie mini-camp starts today
by Brandon Worley on May 1, 2008 11:50 PM CDT
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PrintThe Cowboys' rookie mini-camp starts today, and the Cowboys have added two more UDFA's to the list of players joining the team. The camp is made up of draft picks, rookie free agents and one-year veterans who have not seen any time on the active roster. I can only imagine how crazy everything must seem to the rookies who went through the draft last weekend only to be whisked away to Valley Ranch for their first practices not five days later.
Felix Jones visited the Cowboys' facilities just a few weeks ago and left with the hope that he would be returning soon.
Jones, who was one of several rookies to previously visit the Cowboys either through the Dallas Day workout or the national prospect visits, said he envisioned himself returning to Valley Ranch once he left just two weeks ago.
"Yeah, I told my family when I left that I wanted to get back here and this is where I wanted to play," Jones said. "Just to be back here playing for the Cowboys is an honor - it's a dream come true. I'm just trying to take it all in. I'm just ready to play now."
The final list of players attending camp shapes up like this:
RB Felix Jones - Arkansas
CB Mike Jenkins - South Florida
TE Martellus Bennett - Texas A&M
RB Tashard Choice - Georgia Tech
CB Orlando Scandrick - Boise State
OLB Erik Walden - Middle Tenn. State
WR Danny Amendola - Texas Tech
TE Drew Atchison - William & Mary
WR Mark Bradford - Stanford
T Andrew Brecher - Harvard
FB Julius Crosslin - Oklahoma State
S Dowayne Davis - Syracuse
DE Marcus Dixon - Hampton
T Brandon Hale - Sam Houston State
LB Alain Karatepeyan - Tulsa
RB Keon Lattimore - Maryland
P Jay Ottovegio - Stanford
WR Daniel Polk - Midwestern State
DE Darrell Robertson - Georgia Tech
WR Joe West – UTEP
QB Richard Bartel
RB Alonzo Coleman
WR Mike Jefferson
TE Rodney Hannah
DE Marcus Smith
LB Tearrius George
CB Justin Phinisee
The Cowboys also invited Princeton QB Jeff Terrell to work out for the team during camp.
Jay Novacek (Wyoming) and Troy Aikman (UCLA) were elected to the College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Roy Williams was on Michael Irvin's radio show today and although I wasn't able to listen to it, Tim MacMahon over at the DMN blog was able to cite the finer points of the interview.
Dallas Cowboys fans have been asking themselves what happened to the Roy Williams we knew and loved his first few seasons in the NFL. A hard hitting, game changing all-pro has been replaced with a defensive liability who makes a tackle for loss about as often as a lunar eclipse. One theory for Roy's drop off of vicious hits is due to his new dedication to his faith and his church. Well, he all but confirmed that today.
"People will say Roy is really not making any big hits. Ever since I rededicated my life to God, OK, I haven't been making the big hits, but we got further than we ever did when I was living of the world. When I rededicated my life, you know what I'm saying, God showed me that you don't have to live of the world and I will bless you. He has basically overflown my cup. He has shown me so much.
"Please believe the hits will come as we get more comfortable with my defense, with the 3-4 and coach Phillips' way that he wants us to play. Please believe the hits will come. I mean, I'm going to have to get comfortable in this defense."
I can't find fault in someone devoting themselves to their religion in an effort to better themselves and the world around them. Everyone knows that Roy is one of the most prominent charity workers in the NFL. Unfortunately, when a strong safety loses his tenacity and willingness to dole out punishing hits he loses he effectiveness at the position. Another facet of Roy's game that is under even more scrutiny is his inability to cover the pass. Well, he knows that's a problem of his.
"I will admit that at times, when I had one-on-one situations and you're head up on a tight end or a receiver that can go left or right, it's tough," he said. "I mean, it's just tough. Sometimes you just hope they don't throw the ball your way, because sometimes you're like, if they go inside, you don't have any help; if they go outside, you don't have any help.
"That's why corners get paid the big bucks."
Well Roy, this year is your last chance to try and find that spark that you had your first few years in the league.
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Roy has blamed just about everyone (including God)
for his failings except himself. Its time for him to take responsibility for his suckiness.
I simply cannot believe that his skills have dropped off that significantly...
It seems that the explanation should go further. But just like a back that slows through the years, perhaps the same can be said of the punishment Roy’s body has taken.
As for the whole religion thing, whatever happened to making the most of your God-given abilities? Dedicating yourself to your faith also means making the most of your life.
I agree with Brandon that this is the pivotal year. If he continues to be a liability in coverage, then I think you’ll see changes even early in this year.
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
compassion for the opposing team
isn’t exactly the requisite mindset of a safety. I find it amazing he actually says he isn’t hitting as hard because of his religious outlook. Of course the goal isn’t to actually injure the opponent. But this is football, for God’s sake! (so to speak) You’ve all got pads on! Go make hits, dammit!
He’s fortunate that he’s likely to have a lot more help in coverage from other DBs this season, but I hope he’s serious when he says the hits will be resurrected.
Sometimes you hope they don't throw the ball your way.
You have got to be kidding me. His confidence sounds like it is shattered to me. If that is why corners are being paid big bucks he should redo his contract to a number that fits his ability a little better.
I thought the same thing
A guy with the competitive fire wants the ball coming his way every time.
I don’t care if he ever blows anyone up again. I just want to see sure tackling and good coverage. The explosive hits might get you on SportsCenter but they don’t win games.
I hate to hear Roy say that
He’s a good person, but wait until your career is over before you place religion ahead of football. Very disheartening, I think they should have made more of an effort to draft a SS with potential.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
HGH?
Grizz knows me as an old-timer and I’m not trying to stir something up here, but I’ve always wondered if Roy was using HGH and then had to stop when they starting coming under the spotlight.
It’s just speculation, but the timing to me is curious. And if there was something they helped your body recover quickly, Roy would have certainly benefited from it based on those wicken hits he used to lay on people.
I used to be a huge fan of Roy. Back when we were nothing, he was a nasty figure out there—a source of pride on those damaged Cowboy teams. After his rookie year, I even ponied up for my personalized Virginia plates: CWBY31. Even the Skins fans had to give respect.
I hope I’m wrong—but I think there’s more to it than just religion.
I think it's fair to wonder
Anytime an athlete drops off the way he has, one has to wonder the reason why. This hadn’t occurred to me, but it does make some intuitive sense. I think there are both physical and mental issues going on with Roy (he’s clearly lost his confidence and he used to play with a ton of swagger), and it’s hard to know the cause. I hope Campo can turn him around.
I didn't think of this either
but the timing does seem to work out.
How sad is it that any type an athlete falls off in performance, we have to question whether he was doping?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
UDFA
I liked this story on the “new Welker”.
I have no idea if Danny can do what Wes has done, but I have to say it’s something I’m intrigued by.
indeed
watching the highlight reel of Amendola, he really does move like Welker. the article really shows how many ways they are similar. pretty amazing. i’m excited about the prospect. he could be a great fit. while a deep threat would also be nice (hopefully glenn), having a quick, smart, soft-handed receiver coming out of the slot could complement our other weapons quite well. plus an outstanding punt returner! he’s definitely worth watching.
speaking of returner, has anyone compiled all the new special teams weapons we have? last year it was, what, crayton and austin? both just adequate at best in that role. austin had one good one that could have been a TD but got chased out of bounds by the kicker! but now we have adam jones, felix jones, jenkins, amendola, scandrick… who else am I missing? now we have depth on special teams and multiple quality players competing for the jobs.
Its a shame, but it seems as though
Roy has lost his football mentality to play the game. The passion and intensity seems to be lost and transfered to religion. This could very well be the last year we see Roy in a Cowboys uniform.
In Romo we Trust
UFA
Interesting! I was wondering which (if any) UFA has a chance of making the Opening Day starting roster? Make that which Undrafted Free Agent does the Cowboys need to make the roster?
On Amendola, it’s good that he can return punts, but if Pacman is in camp, I think Pacman gets that job.
I live and die with the Dallas Cowboys
Fewer and fewer are defending Roy
Everyone existing the Roy Williams Bandwagon, please watch your step getting off and take all personal items with you.
The much more larger, plush and luxurious Deke bandwagon for the purging of Roy Williams from this team will be pulling up shortly, space is becoming a premium. Please tip your Topless girls generously. Pac-Rat and his Posse has been banned from the bandwagon due to a make it rain incident…. and the fact that he’s a complete idiot anyway…
This was a hilarious post, Deke
But to be fair, Roy was the first one to exit his own wagon. The guy just kind of quit on us…
I hate to say this but I would trade or cut roy ASAP
He needs a wake up call. salary cap be damned. young players look up to all pro vets and he has a bad attitude. You don’t want that spreading. You can’t blame religion – just look at the best sack artist or leading runner of all time.
+1
Get rid of this guy. If JJ is serious about making the super bowl, cut Roy today, take the salary cap hit and move on. “That’s why the corners get the big bucks”? Are you freaking serious? Roy is getting plenty of big bucks. THis guy is a joke and I am very happy for him and his faith but he needs to work in a church if that’s what his priority is. There are too many people within the cowboys organization counting on him and his horrible play negates everyone’s hard work.
Totally agree BigE.....IF I owned this team, I'd cut him TODAY...
after hearing his mindset, his complete loss of confidence, and his inability to grasp a simple defensive scheme….and reviewing his last 2 seasons worth of work since he signed that extention…TAKE the HIT…..
SS Hamlin-Brown
FS-Henry-Jenkins-Watkins
CB1-Newman-Jones-Ball-Scandrick
CB2-Henry-Jenkins-Jones-Ball
CB3- Jones-Jenkins-Ball-Scandrick-Butler-Oglesby
let’s roll with it….
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
nah
it will give people a reason to root for 31 again
by WestTxHornFan on May 2, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I have to say it will be weird
seeing a player wearing #31 in a Cowboys actually covering receivers this season.
In Romo we Trust
If you're interested
Besides being a rabid Cowboys fan, I happen to also be a Southern Baptist pastor. I wrote an open letter to Roy Williams several days ago, in which I tried my best to make him see the error of his ways re: his religion and football.
intersting....hope and pray it works. :-)
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
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