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Dallas Cowboys training camp: Practice #2

 

The Dallas Cowboys came out in full pads for their second practice of the 2008 training camp. Under bright sunny skies they had a little more physical of a practice and went for the full two hours.

Early on they ran their regular routine of breaking up into positional groups and doing warm up drills. T.O., Jason Witten and Isaiah Stanback caught some deep passes against no defense that entertained the crowd briefly.

After that they ran some 1-on-1 drills with receivers and cornerbacks. Danny Amendola beat Alan Ball for a catch then T.O. got open but was a little miffed with the QB when he threw a poor pass. Patrick Crayton tried to go deep on Orlando Scandrick but Scandrick had pretty good coverage and Crayton couldn’t haul in the pass. Miles Austin totally abused Evan Oglesby for a catch and Sam Hurd got the best of Terence Newman on an in-and-out move. Then the big confrontation, T.O. lined up against Adam Jones; Jones was very physical with T.O. at the line but T.O. got free and ran a dig pattern and AJ had to get a pass interference call to stop him. Ball had good coverage on Stanback but Isaiah still managed to get the catch, Anthony Henry was all over Mike Jefferson giving him no chance and Mark Bradford beat Scandrick who had soft coverage. Quincy Butler had great coverage on Daniel Polk for an incompletion, Amendola beat Newman for a catch and Austin beat Oglesby. Crayton had success on Henry, Jefferson got the better of Scandrick and Hurd caught a short pass on AJ. T.O. and Newman squared-off on a deep fly pattern; T.O. had a step but an undethrown pass from Bartel allowed Newman to intercept it.

After that they broke off into special teams technique drills. They sat large “hula-hoops” on the ground and made players run around the edge of the circle simulating a gunner getting past the blocker. They were using Deon Anderson as the protector on the punt team while Crayton, AJ and T-New were fielding punts.

They came back together for a round of 11-on-11. Romo started with a handoff to MB3 but Spears clogged the hole. Romo threw a poor swing pass to MB3 incomplete, then hit Witten on a short pass. Tashard Choice took a run up the middle but Bradie was waiting for him. Romo attempted a pass that hit AJ in the hip, if he had seen it he might have picked it off. Brad Johnson came on and Choice ran a nice sweep, the T.O. abused Alan Ball but Brad threw a poor pass. Alonzo Coleman tried a run but Jason Hatcher ate him up. Coleman ran again and Ronnie Cruz got a nice block on Tyson Smith up the middle. Sam Hurd made a nice catch in a crowd of defenders. Bartel finished up the first round with a handoff to Keon Lattimore that didn’t get much then threw a dump pass to Lattimore.

Romo was back in and handed to MB3 on the left side. He connected with T.O. on a pass over the middle, then DeMarcus Ware jumped offsides. Choice then ran the ball but Bowen busted that up while Colombo and Ratliff got into a minor melee. Romo finished by hitting Witten for a completion but Ware would’ve had the sack. Brad was next and threw a hitch to Jefferson and then dumped off to Coleman who received a nice pop from AJ. He rolled out on the next play but Erik Walden was in his face the whole way and Brad threw it away. Bartel handed off to Lattimore then hit Polk on the sidelines.

Back to some more special teams drills. The offensive line was over on the side getting intense instructions from Hudson Houck on using the hands to pop a defender in pass protection and giving a little ground then hitting them again.

More 11-on-11. Romo tried a run with MB3 but Zach Thomas ate it up. Romo had to scramble on the next play under a heavy rush. Next he threw a bad pass, then tried a run to MB3 but Roy Williams closed it down nicely. Jason Hatcher batted down his next pass at the line and he finished with a draw but the defense sniffed it out. Brad tried a handoff and fell in the process but it didn’t matter as Tank was in the backfield swallowing up the running back. He then hit Austin on a short pass and AJ once again delivered a nice pop after the catch. After a dump to Coleman he hit Austin on a catch. Bartel handed to Lattimore but Junior Siavii got into the backfield. He finished with a dump to Lattimore.

Romo was back in and hit T.O. on a bomb for a TD beating Newman and Hamlin. Witten caught one between Ellis and Roy, MB3 caught a short pass but Zach was right there to stop him. Then Choice tried to get wide but Zach ran him down for no gain. Romo hit T.O. on a hitch and Witten caught a pass in front of Spencer. Brad had Stanback open after he beat AJ, but the pass was not the best and AJ recovered to break it up. Hurd caught a low pass over the middle but Hatcher had the sack on the play. Oglesby broke up a pass intended for Amendola and then they finished with a short run play. Jeff Terrell came on and tripped while backing out from the center for a busted play and finished the practice with a pass that was tipped in the air and eventually intercepted by Dowayne Davis.

That was it for the morning practice, I’ll have more later today from the afternoon session.

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nice

it’s funny reading things because it’s ilke you’re rooting for both sides. Every time somebody is making a play, someone else is getting beat, one way or the other.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 2:09 PM CDT reply actions  

I agree with one exception

I don’t want to read these words as often “Romo threw a bad pass to X.”

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 26, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

right

there’s really no upside to that one!

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

He's certainly an upgrade over Akin Ayodele

Just hope Zach isn’t susceptible to another concussion.

by Deke on Jul 26, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Me too

I was thinking that IF he can stay healthy, he is a definite upgrade.

But then, I am nervous about injuries to practical everybody this year!

by Philosopher on Jul 26, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

i just like

having a guy like that around.. he can really teach carp some things… hurt or not thomas defn will help this team or LB core atleast for the ebtter

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jul 26, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hurd

Sounded impressive. Beating Newman and AJ and was able to find the ball in that group of defenders. Nice.

by hiafex on Jul 26, 2008 2:25 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

Hurd is the most regular season ready Wr out of the young trio..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 26, 2008 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's kind of what I am expecting

and the early returns seem to show that he has worked a lot on getting separation.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 27, 2008 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

Hurd might be the one who blows up!!
“Let’s eat, baby,” Hurd said on his way to catch passes from a machine after practice. “All we do is talk about Terrell [Owens] carrying around a fork and I carry around a knife, talking about how we’re going to eat all day. I’ve got to be sharp.

“Terrell is just eating, eating, eating, because he’s been here and done his work and put his time in. He’s going to keep eating with that fork. I’ve got to be sharp. That’s what the knife is for. Just keep eating, man. ... When they call upon Sam, I’m going to be ready.”

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 27, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions  

I know its very early Grizz

Have Marcus Dixon or Erik Walden stood out on any play since we really dont know a hell of alot about Walden and Dixon is best known for a 10 year rape conviction that was eventually overturned.

by Deke on Jul 26, 2008 2:38 PM CDT reply actions  

couple notables from DMN blog

Timmy Mac had this…

DE Marcus Dixon pursued down the line of scrimmage and unloaded on RB Keon Lattimore.
LBs DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Erik Walden all would have had sacks.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey Grizz since the WR is the big battle going on in this year's TC

maybe you could do a continuously updated ranking of our WR corps from practice to practice to see where they all stand in your opinion.

by quincyyyyy on Jul 26, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply actions  

Miles

one thing I love to not hear is anything about Austin dropping a pass so far. Sounds like his hands are good so far. He is our biggest hope this year to be able to provide that speed threat opposite T.O. and now with Glenn out I so hope he can step up big. Hurd will be clutch, too, but Austin’s speed is what we need! As long as he can consistently hang onto the ball.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

how many WR positions?

via DCF, there’s some great stuff from Brad Sham on the WR situation:

I think the extreme depth they’re carrying in the secondary means they won’t carry six receivers. At least I think that’s what that means. They’ve got too many other good players at other positions, and seeing how much they’ll throw the ball to running backs and tight ends, I think it will be hard for more than five receivers to make the team.

And he discusses Stanback as the one who is on the bubble.

Owens, Crayton, Hurd, Austin…

I can understand what he means, there are only so many roster spots. So while seeing how Hurd and Austin perform in TC will be great as a preview of the season, they are pretty much locks on making the team, so the real position battle will be for that #5 spot if he’s right about that. Otherwise, if they do take 6, Stanback is likely #5 and the battle is for #6.

Like with OTAs, Amendola made a big impression on the first day, so it will be very interesting to watch as things unfold and see if he can keep it up, and how Polk, Jefferson and Bradford do.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

and Jerry bringing in another WR

via DC.com:

When both picks officially sign (they’ve both agreed to terms, and the pens will be put to paper later on Saturday), the Cowboys 80-man roster will stand at 79. Jerry Jones has stated his intention to bring in another receiver, and a Cowboys source said that the team is looking at a bunch of young free-agent receivers, with one expected to be signed soon.

You normally don’t bring in a receiver just as a camp body like you might a QB or kicker, do you? So it’s interesting that Jerry is thinking even with all these guys competing for that #5 and maybe #6 spots, he wants to add even one more to the mix.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why wr?

I hope Amendola gets the spot he has totally different skill set then the current Wr’s on the roster, but competition is important?

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 26, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Brad Sham in his infinite wisdom seems to forget

that we carried 6 CB’s and 6 WR’s after we moved Ball from the PS to the 53 man roster last year, so carrying 6 CB’s and 6 WR’s is certainly not out of the question. Moreover, he is off his rocker if he thinks we are going to cut Stanback after one season of playing WR.

by quincyyyyy on Jul 26, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

agreed

on both counts. I think we end up with 6 WRs, and I think Stanback is seen as having a huge upside and he’d have to have a really awful camp, and two of the other guys to have a really great camp, to get beat out. Ain’t gonna happen. So the real question is probably who’s the #6. Right now my money would be on Amendola, based on the reports so far.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Stanback reverse

Timmy Mac at DMN blog says

But the play by a young WR that most opened my eyes today was a reverse by Isaiah Stanback, the lone draft pick of the bunch. Stanback, a 2007 fourth-rounder still making the transition from college QB, showed excellent acceleration when he turned the corner.
[...]
Hurd and Austin are significantly ahead of Stanback in the battle to be in the regular receiving rotation. They’re simply more polished and prepared.

However, Stanback is the most dangerous of the bunch with the ball in his hands. Austin has great speed, but he isn’t as elusive as Stanback. Don’t be surprised if Jason Garrett comes up with a package of plays that put Stanback in position to show his ability to accelerate and make people miss.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

heck yeah

i feel a feeling running up my leg like Chris Matthews! lol.

by Tuna Helper on Jul 27, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions  

Do I hear 4 Wide?

Exicting..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 27, 2008 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions  

Again, I know it's early, however...

I’m gettin’ extremely jacked up to hear that my offensive pet cat - Austin - is doing well thus far.

And I’m also excited about Scandrick—my defensive pet cat.

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jul 26, 2008 3:23 PM CDT reply actions  

You've been warned on Scandrick

best case you can be Scandrick’s cat-uncle. Let’s not having any more of this SB5….

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 27, 2008 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions  

LOL

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 27, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

You'll see Dub-Mil

One day he’ll show up in your litter box. Silver-Blue is a sick little monkey and he needs to be stopped…

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 27, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bwuhahaha!!!

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jul 27, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

HA-HA. You're hilarious, Dunk!

"Jerry Jones offers more second chances than a tent revival." -- Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jul 27, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

One thing I don't like

Is how bad all the back up QB’s seem to be doing. If you know the defense won’t plant you in the turf and you still can’t make a decent throw…yikes. Hopefully they’ll get better as camp continues. How are these young WR’s going to get better if they can’t count on catchable passes.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Jul 26, 2008 5:11 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

I am not sold on Brad in the least.. We missed the boat on Gray..

I am not interested anyone else unless Culpepper is willing to come in and back up Romo, but he is waiting for a QB to go down before he signs..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 26, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

SOUNDS LIKE

The D is stuffing the run…

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 26, 2008 7:03 PM CDT reply actions  

obligatory training camp comment

I have to keep reminding myself that the Defense always looks much better initially than the Offense.

You have to watch for playmakers, mostly, and not how one side seems to be doing against the other. I mean, if our D always takes it our O, that could merely mean that our D is freakin’ awesome, and that our O will be that much better for having to practice against it.

by Incredifan on Jul 26, 2008 7:34 PM CDT reply actions  

O vs. D

that’s true in general, and it is also interesting to think about the specific matchups that will help each side. Like how much better do Ware and Flow make each other by both having the top notch guy across from them to push them and show them the tricks of their respective trades. Same for the DBs against TO, and the WRs against Newman and Henry and Jones. Having a roster chock full of pro-bowl players raises the level of the rest of the team by having them to go up against and learn from throughout camp.

by scottmaui on Jul 26, 2008 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

it's just the start...

there’s a lot of rust to knock off….but i’m stoked….

I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....

by hashishkabob on Jul 26, 2008 7:40 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

First day with full pads..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 26, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

gotta fix backup qb

that position cannot be the weakest spot! that has to be addressed, one practice and what little confidence i had about that position is allready gone. Help!
Lockdown Defense pitching shutouts!
our offense cant do nothing but get better goin up against that Defense daily, we”ll chew up other teams.

by bleedn blu on Jul 26, 2008 8:39 PM CDT reply actions  

why?

if backup qb is our weakest position, I’m loving it. I’ll take that kind of problem every year.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 27, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

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