Dallas Cowboys agree to terms with CB Orlando Scandrick

by Dave Halprin on Jul 17, 2008 9:41 PM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

One down, five to go. The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with fifth-round pick Orlando Scandrick.

Scandrick is expected to sign his four-year, $1.85 million deal on Friday, that includes a $185,000 signing bonus.

[snip]

With his top-rate speed, Scandrick might be in position to contribute right away on special teams, seeing that the Cowboys lost several key coverage players last year in Keith Davis, Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves, who all signed with other clubs in free agency.

Hat tip to Deke for the FanPost.

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Todd Archer has some training camp questions. But he ignored a biggie for me; will AJ unseat AH at CB?

[UPDATE] Todd Archer emailed me to let me know he didn't consider AJ vs. AH because these were under-the-radar questions. His bud Calvin Watkins will be writing an article about some of the bigger questions this week. Right on, looking forward to what he has to say on the issue. [END UPDATE]

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I guess it had to end some time; the Cowboys special teams unit was ranked #20 by Scouts, Inc. - breaking our Top-10 streak. Harsh.

The Cowboys field a very solid punter and place-kicker to handle their special-teams duties, but their coverage units can be inconsistent at holding field position. P Mat McBriar has a strong leg and can directional-kick and drop the ball inside the 20-yard line effectively. PK Nick Folk is coming off a successful rookie season in which he showed excellent accuracy inside the 50-yard line. Patrick Crayton is sure-handed and reliable at getting upfield as a punt returner but isn't explosive with the ball in his hands. A healthy Terence Newman also should elevate the return production in this area. Miles Austin is solid when returning kicks but isn't dangerous in the open field. First-round draft choice Mike Jenkins could bolster both return teams, and Adam Jones could change the entire complexion of the Cowboys' special-teams units if he's reinstated. Defensive reserves Pat Watkins, Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett are core special-teams standouts who give Dallas a good place to start when it looks to improve its coverage teams.

As good as McBriar and Folk are I would think we’d rate higher. And what’s up with not even mentioning the impact Felix Jones could have on kick returns?

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Looks like we’ll catch a mini-break in the opening game.

[Cleveland] Browns general manager Phil Savage told WTAM-AM Thursday that [Joe] Jurevicius likely will start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Jurevicius would miss at least the first six weeks of the season.

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Comments

I think we oughta keep 2 FBs.

Because The Cricket looks to be a special teams dynamo and whoever backs him up (Cruz) should be on a few of those units too.

Fullback is a brutal position. Just don’t know where we’d shave a roster spot from.

When is the NFL gonna increase the roster #s?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 17, 2008 11:59 PM CDT reply actions

I have a feeling that we are going to keep only 1 FB and do more 2 TE sets

by Zak on Jul 18, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

st

yeah, this is kind of last year’s special teams as far as the return game. the kicking part is already very good, both punts and place. plus folk was pretty accurate outside of 50 as well! with aj on punt returns and el gato on kick returns, the return part should be top 5. the question is the coverage, with davis gone, and hopefully some young fast talent combined with coaching can improve our standing there as well.

by scottmaui on Jul 18, 2008 4:41 AM CDT reply actions

blah....Scouts, Inc......what the heck do they know ????

I concur: Grizz-

And what’s up with not even mentioning the impact Felix Jones could have on kick returns?

Felix Jones – 2 time ALL AMERICAN KICK RETURNER- not even mentioned…..obviously relying on last years stats and results, and projected return men are way off the mark, this guy needs to do his homework….....Crayton will never sniff the ball during PR’s again, as long as AJ, MJ, and FJ are on this squad…..Folk and McBriar make up one of the best K tandems in the league…..This is a top 10 special teams unit if I’ve ever seen one.

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

by BoyzRback on Jul 18, 2008 6:03 AM CDT reply actions

I'd be surprised if Pacrat beats out Henry

Henry is better than most fans think, my feeling is that Newman, Henry and Pacrat will all be on the field a lot because so many teams run 3 wr sets anymore, but in traditional 2 wr sets, it will be Newman and Henry, at least in 2008 or until Henry gets hurt again.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 18, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions

+1

Yeah, I think the outside the Cowboys media feeds the team’s fans some stupid controversy about AJ beating out Henry. Won’t happen until Henry gets hurt. You can tell this coaching staff prioritizes team chemistry and benching a guy upsets that.
Instead, they just acquire more talent and put in different packages. Same thing with Roy.

This team needs Henry on the field. It makes sense to have some big CBs in this division instead of a bunch of smaller athletic guys. Plaxico, Reggie Brown, those new Redskins WRs need to get pushed around too.

6 Ints, usually leads the team in pass break-ups, and smashes on people That’s a corner I want starting.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 18, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I guess I'm the outside media

who feeds the stupid controversy because I, for one, believe that AJ could take over at corner at any time. Henry is a good corner who when healthy is a solid contributor. But he doesn’t have the special skills that AJ has and the Cowboys should put their most talented players on the field as often as possible. I don’t know how much rust AJ has until I go to camp and watch some preseason games, but AJ starting at some point this season is not a stupid controversy to me, it’s a possible reality.

by Dave Halprin on Jul 18, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

Plus they have different skill sets, so you have to imagine we will take advantage of that. Henry is the taller more physical corner, so he should be in coverage vs players like fitzgerald and Toomer. You can place AJ on the quicker, faster Wideouts, that henry struggles to keep up with.

No Joe J.? You might as well put Henry on Winslow all game.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 18, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions

That makes sense

to match them up according to their skills sets and the opposing WRs.

I do admit though, that AJ is the future lockdown and with what he’s been doing, that future is fast approaching. Maybe that’s why they’re grooming Henry in those Dime Safety situations.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 18, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

It makes a lot of sense... but

they never do that for some reason. Henry plays Plax like crazy but they never just let him have him all game.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jul 19, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, it's definitely a possible reality

based on AJ’s performance and upside during his pre-suspension days. When Henry is healthy (albeit that is a very conditional statement) he rarely gets beat and like you said, is a solid contributor. I just get annoyed, maybe for Henry’s sake, when the media buzz around AJ points directly at taking Henry’s starting position.
The recent influx of passing in this league combined with the coaching staff and the talent in the Cowboys secondary kind of makes the “starter” label something to just put down on paper. Is Burnett considered a “starter” on the nickel? Then, will Henry be “starting” over Roy in dime packages?
Nevertheless, it will be a very intriguing battle at that position and Dallas has needed competition there the past coupla years.
Wouldn’t it be great if Jenkins beats out everybody?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 18, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions

don't rule out scandrick!

Tar Heels football will surprise this year

by DalaiLuke on Jul 18, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

OH BOY IS THIS GREAT!!!!

you know it’s close to the fun starting when we start signing our draft picks…

by stephena on Jul 18, 2008 10:22 AM CDT reply actions

Awesome video MauiWowy.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 18, 2008 11:34 PM CDT reply actions

we have some secondary speed to burn. If we can get Courtney Brown, and Alan Ball to come around. Look out. Brown, Scandrick both 4.32 guys, Newman is a 4.37, a little deceiving since Newman is a big time sprinter champ, Adam Jones and Jenkins both young and sport 4.38 forty time, Hamlin, Henry, Watkins, and, Roy Williams, at 4.5. I think Ball was at 4.4. We should have plenty of pick-six this season. The big question mark will be tackling. We know these guys can catch and will be ready to run and score, but tackling will be the issue. We know Newman, Jones, Williams, Hamlin, Henry, and Jenkins can tackle, but what about the next wave

by GimmyJ on Jul 20, 2008 11:45 PM CDT reply actions