Dallas Thinks Safety First -- Finally

by Rafael Vela on Jun 25, 2009 1:36 AM CDT Comment 85 comments

Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo, here with rookie cornerback Mike Mickens (33) may have a top secondary in the works. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Browse more photos »

Improved Secondary Play Should Make the New Stadium Blitz City

In the last three years, I've probably devoted more lines to analyzing, and ripping the Cowboys mediocre safety play than I have on any other subject. How many spring pieces were devoted to safety draft options? How many people were content with the team's offseason moves there, given that it only signed the greatly overlooked Gerald Sensabaugh in free agency, and didn't spend a draft pick on the spot until the 5th round, when Michael Hamlin became a Cowboy?

I spoke to a trusted source today who has seen several of the team's recent workouts. He predicted the secondary would be a team strength this year and mentioned some unexpected names as reasons for optimism, at the safety position and for the secondary as a whole.

The source reinforced head coach Wade Phillips' claims that Sensabaugh can play. What's more, I was told that third-year D-back Alan Ball worked out at corner and safety and impressed at both spots. Courtney Brown also earned some praise, but Ball was singled out for his performances.

This news marks an incredible improvement in the quality and scope of Ball's play. Recall that just one year ago, Ball beat out veteran Evan Oglesby for the final cornerback slot. This caused some fans to howl i disapproval, since Oglesby had been an early star of the Oxnard workouts. Ball, however, showed that position coach Dave Campo's faith was well-placed. He was prepared when he was thrown into the Tampa Bay game and did not embarrass himself in later appearances.

The impressive showings by Sensabaugh, Ball and Brown mean Dallas could finally have depth, after two years where Ken Hamlin was the team's only dependable safety. If these three can carry their play into the summer and fall, Dallas will have four safeties with coverage skills, a welcome improvement from the Roy Williams, Keith Davis and Pat Watkins days.

The improved speed and range should give Wade Phillips the option to press more and to blitz more often. With the Dallas linebacker pass rush in questionable shape after Greg Ellis' departure, Phillips was likely to blitz more heavily anyway. Now, he may do so with greater confidence.

2 recs | Comment 85 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I appreciate the optimism but I'll believe it when I see it

I’ll stick to my common refrain with our “unproven” players — that is: I’ll believe it when I see it. There’s always plenty of praise for players now and during training camp. Then comes actual game time and the early risers never make it on the field and/or play exactly as the did the year before.

Didn’t we have a steal in FA Amendola last season? The next Welker. And wasn’t Courtney Brown once-upon-a-time turning heads during his rookie minicamp—specially since he transitioned from college corner to rangey FS in the pros? He was destined to become our center fielder.

by Eagles suck on Jun 25, 2009 2:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If by "when I see it", you mean

how practice translates to the regular season playing field, I agree. But the essence of the story is someone who is seeing it, close up and with knowledge of the game. From that perspective, I buy it. Raf’s sources have always been way, way better than JFEs…

My concern is always people getting derailed in their progress. Last year’s “guy to watch for” was Austin and injury delayed his debut as a solid 3 orr even 2 for the team.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i dont recall ANYONE saying that Amendola was the next Welker....

yeah he was small and he played at TT but he was a longshot to make this team as a special teams player and i cannot remember reading (on BSR) anything to the contrary

by McLovin9 on Jun 25, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There wasn't any of the writers that said that...

But there were some of the posters that thought that.

Alot of people are ready to name someone the next big thing way too soon IMO.

it was weird, I... I mean you probably didn't hear about it because I went under the name of Mike Honcho. But I just wanted you to know that. If you can hear me, if it got into your brain somehow. That I spread my buttcheeks as Mike Honcho.

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL...if you believe some of the posters here....

you would believe that Romo’s big @ss is due to lower body training regimen that he learned from Vinny Testaverde in 2004

by McLovin9 on Jun 25, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh

I like to form my own opinions from watching someone on the field and then making assessments anyways.

And I refuse to talk about another man’s ass unless he can catch a TD with it.

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha!

Don't believe everything you think.

Your causes are cute!!!

by stoproyce on Jun 25, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right

we should be tuned into your information inside, because it’s based on detailed, personal knowledge.

You ridicule people here for the same flaws in your arguments – lack of knowledge.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There were witers specualting about it

but maybe not GOOD writers..

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

its a natural comparison...especially with Welker being undrafted too

but i look at it this way…after Welker’s success – if Amendola had anywhere near the talent that Welker had then someone would have taken a flyer on him with a 6 or 7th rd pick

by McLovin9 on Jun 25, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

but Welker wasn’t highly thought of either, and really took a while develop. But that kind of niche player is a rarity.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again, sportswriters are lazy

“Look, a gritty, undersized Caucasian slot receiver. Let’s call him the next Wes Welker!”

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jun 25, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well he's from Texas Tech

that made the comparison inescapable. But he never was as shifty or quick as Welker. I hope him the best though. Welker had skills visible to me in college, a play maker, and reliable. Amendola was good but not like Welker

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being a TTU Alum

I wanted him to succeed (Amendola), but I never said he was the next Welker.

When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.

by GunsUp on Jun 25, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The amendola vs welker comparrison was a media driven angle from the metroplex. I do no remember

any of the coaches saying that he would be the next welker.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Jun 25, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amendola was never thouvght of as anything other than the next Welker. That wasnt based on anything other than little T.Tech WR. He didnt even make the team and

With the exception of OTAs I never heard anything other than HBO looking for a long shot to promote.

It beats the hell out of the secondary looks like no improvements again this year. This is campo second year and he is a proven DB coach.

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the goverment from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

by squidlo97 on Jun 25, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it all depends on who's giving you the info

this source has dependable eyes. He told me last year at this time that Scandrick was playing ahead of Jenkins and had a quicker learning curve. He was dead on. He also told me Bennett was a wild child who John Garrett was trying to break.

Two months later, everybody saw it on Hard Knocks and was ready to throw Bennett on a scrap heap.

This person wasn’t blowing any Amendola smoke. So take it as you will. But this guy knows his stuff.

by Rafael Vela on Jun 25, 2009 2:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What ever happenned to Donnyposner?

I remember him saying Ball would be a great player some day, and he was the first to say Romo was better than Bledsoe. Hey Raf, you still got his e-mail? See what he’s up to I miss his post.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 7:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

His posts were very very good.

He threw out too many opinions that have nothing to do with football though.

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

It got old really quick

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
-Winston Churchill

by HudBaby on Jun 25, 2009 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Courtney Brown, BTW,

was playing SS last year.

by Rafael Vela on Jun 25, 2009 2:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he wasn't even a FS? I guess they just threw the kitchen sink at the SS position

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you Mr. Vela..and I go on the side of young talent every day. This group does indeed have the markings of a very strong and long lasting secondary. That is a strength that Dallas just has not had since it long since early glory days. A complete group of starters and backups with enough real skills and quality speed to match any opponent’s arsenal. The box strength has improved as well, and has development behind them that are either turning to journeymen and gaining ‘backside’ strength or achieved by football skills before steppping into the NFL. This team has a lot of quality that should integrate much more in an aggressive defense. The large number of turnovers doesn’t need to be evaluated and listed yet again, to grasp that both money and tired legs departed.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing. GO COWBOYS!!

by CCBoy on Jun 25, 2009 2:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Same here on young talent

Dallas has not had much of a youth movement in the secondary until last year and this. There is a good mix of veterans (Sensabaugh, Newman, Hamlin) and kids (everyone else) that should make for a great year.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mix that safety group with this group of cornerbacks and they can run til the sun comes up again…now that I like.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing. GO COWBOYS!!

by CCBoy on Jun 25, 2009 2:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love what Courtney-Brown brings to the table in very top shelf speed…now he apparently has gained an NFL view of speed and development, right?

There is no right way to do the wrong thing. GO COWBOYS!!

by CCBoy on Jun 25, 2009 2:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good morning, Rafael!!

There is no right way to do the wrong thing. GO COWBOYS!!

by CCBoy on Jun 25, 2009 2:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

With the exception of Sensabaugh, we’ve all seen the other guys mentioned play and it’s all been kind of shaky. I keep hearing conflicting opinions on whether the secondary will be a strength or weakness.

2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6

by Grady90 on Jun 25, 2009 3:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You've wet my whistle

Glad to hear Ball is continuing to improve, and surprised to hear Brown earn praise. Did your source mention the rookie D. Smith? Is he working out at CB, S, both?
Thanks.

Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.

by APerfectStar on Jun 25, 2009 5:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and what about Mike Hamlin

How’s he look at SS?

Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.

by APerfectStar on Jun 25, 2009 5:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We were fooled by this

All the talk has been about Jenkins and Scandrick, and even Sensabaugh shoring up the D-backfield. To hear the backups are playing lights-out was a bit of a shock. Okay, so there were rumors coming out of OTA’s and Mini-camp that these guys were making plays. Actually Jerry and Wade have praised Ball right along. If these guys are for real, along with adding in 2 or 3 promising rooks to the secondary, this indeed could be a strength of the team. It’s been so long since we could really cover I wouldn’t even know what it looked like. Bring it.

Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.

Joe ThEEsman

by SB Six on Jun 25, 2009 5:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

I think we’re painting too bleak a picture. Even with injuries and uncertainty, last season’s secondary was far better than the year before. Barring injuries, I think it will be a very nice complement to the LBs and DL this year. and with Wade running the whole show, I think top 5 defense is a good possibility.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope we do generate constant preassure for opposing QB's, because

you might have the best secondary in the whole league, but if you give time no DBs can cover todays WRs

by dcfanz on Jun 25, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Lights out" might be a slight overstatement, considering it's June

But these early reports sound promising.

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jun 25, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what happens to Pat Watkins?

What does your source say about him? Do you think he will be gone? He never seems to have lived up to his rookie season potential.

by thepainster on Jun 25, 2009 7:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm confident the secondary will be a team strength as well

which if we remain relatively healthy, means our defense should go from being good to possibly elite.

Cowboys fans should be excited.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 25, 2009 7:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Terry, I'm curious

What exactly do you think this teams weakness is. Really think about it, if you were Andy Ried or Tom Caughlin how would you attack the weaknesses of this team? Really put some thought into it and you may see something a little diffrent than you do now.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

offensively, I see OL depth as a weakness. If one of our starters goes down, we have no real viable replacement.

Same at WR, if Austin or RW go down, we have no other speed to keep defenses honest.

Defensively, we have no real viable option behind Rat or our LBs.

If the Cowboys fail this season, it will be because of a lack of depth at certain positions.

When healthy, I think the best way to attack our offense is by blitzing a lot because our OL has not shown it can consistently handle the blitz.

I think the best way to attack our defense is to throw a lot on 1st and 2nd downs because James and Brooking aren’t the pass defenders.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 25, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to throw my 2 cents on this one

on defense thecorners are set, with Tnew, Jenkins and Scandrick manning the 3 DB positions, our LB core looks solid, the only question here is how will Spencer perform for an entire season. up front we are in good shape with Spears , Rat and Igor, the backups are decent here as well in Hatcher, bowen and Dixon, again the only question here is backup NT but again who has depth at every position. our safety play should be improved if any of the reports are right about Sensei, and I have faith in Brown , Ball and MHamlin to step up the game if one of the starters go down.

by DCowboy on Jun 25, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On offense

We should be ok as well, we have a good set of receivers (barring injury) and arguably the best set of TE’s in the game, we have 3 RB’s that should give defenses fits throughout the game, I do agree with Terry about the OL play, We’ll have to wait and see how they perform, but if Kosier returns to form or Holland plays like he did vs Pittsburgh we should be ok as well. Of course all those things can change in the blink of an eye with injuries, but same goes for any other team.

by DCowboy on Jun 25, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points

The lynchpin to the O line is Left Guard. I am very confident in each position. Especially Flo. He is still one of the better LTs in the game in spite of his false starts.

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
-Winston Churchill

by HudBaby on Jun 25, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Attacking the offense,

would include delayed blitzes early and often. Find what works and keep doing it. Our offensive line has never shown the ability to adapt. Attacking our defense I would go with screens and Short passes to the TE. If the Strong safety play has improved in Dallas, then I would make us prove it.

When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.

by GunsUp on Jun 25, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those screens better develop quickly

or Mr. Ware will be climbing up your backside.

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jun 25, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Injuries and Depth...

right on; one of the keys is going to be avoiding the injury bug as I think we may be one year away from being fully loaded at all positions. Injuries, more than anything, will be the deciding factor. I’ll take our starting 24 over anyone else’s. Hey, that would be good analysis…

"The Most Dangerous Man in the world is the one with nothing to lose"

by SaratogaRacing on Jun 25, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe Dallas' safety play will inevitably be better

the position no longer held hostage by Roy Williams and 2 projects who couldn’t get it done

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

That’s kind of what I’ve been saying.

I’m not looking for Ed Reed, just good safety play will be acceptable.

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

Mr. 8 yards off Ant Henry

by sublimezg on Jun 25, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

I know the players blamed the coaches but Henry was so far off on some plays he wasn’t even on the screen when his guy caught the ball.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AWWWWWWEEEEE!!!!!

I’ve been screaming at the T.V. the past two seasons every time I’ve seen the corners playing 10+ yards of the line, (gving this wideouts a clean release).

Demarcus Ware: The Beast of the East.
The L.A. Lakers are 2009 NBA Champions!

by gee-roj on Jun 25, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Henry against a one-armed, buckling over in pain Derrick Mason in the Baltimore game...

was absolutely painful to watch…..but at one time he was a very good FA signee….

by McLovin9 on Jun 25, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I forgot about that one

He made Mason a folk hero.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...i was in denial up to that point but after that game - he was dead to me...lol

by McLovin9 on Jun 25, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

know much about Sensabaugh but sure do like what I’m hearing. I’m hoping that this allows Hamlin to play better than he did last year. I agree that S is important but my big worry is to find someone (hello Spencer) that can get to the QB besides Ware. If Spencer can play, this alone will make our DB’s look better.

by tyler2 on Jun 25, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree on Spencer

but I liked what Wade did last season bringing James in on blitzes, as well as CBs. That has been a long time coming for Dallas.

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

by dunkman on Jun 25, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always considered the NFL a very efficient market...

…but I wonder sometimes. How does Chris Canty get a contract twice as large as Igor’s? How does Sensabaugh get almost totally overlooked on the market? How does Michael Boley only have one suitor (NYG)?

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jun 25, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Canty over Igor was pretty insane

I wouldn’t be surprised if Canty’s tide rose because of his association with the Dallas Cowboys. Seriously: more people had heard of him there fore he’s worth more money.

About the safety, people don’t usually pay a lot mind to the position, unless your players are absolutely awful.

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 4 teams that played in the Championship games

last year all had top flight safeties.

Besides the Giants I can think of to many teams that have won the Superbowl lately without a top flight safety.

by Sharksbreath on Jun 25, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I never thought of Rodney Harrison as a...

top flight safety. He was a good run stopper and did an adequate job against the pass but I don’t think of him as even in the same league as Troy P or Ed Reed.

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was really good though

maybe not elite, but definitely pro bowl material.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 26, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in the catagory of yeah but

Safeties still get over looked on the market. Who was the last big FA Safety?

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do you think sports are efficient markets?

It only takes one team to go crazy to make a big deal. Let’s look at Canty. Who were his biggest suitors? Washington, where Snyder always splashes insane amounts of cash, and New York.

New York won, and paid big money for more reasons:
1. The supply of young, available DTs was very small, which already inflated the prices;
2. Snyder’s interest, especially after he paid Haynesworth his huge deal, inflated the price even more;
3. Canty can rush the passer as a 4-3 DT. His best game the last couple of years can in the 20-8 Giants win in December, when he destroyed RIch Seibert. I’m sure the Giants overvalued that one game, because it came against them;
4. New York has a bigger need than advertised. It’s come to light the last month that both their starting DTs had microfracture knee surgery this offseason.

And there’s factor 5 — Igor had an awful ’08. The team switched DCs midseason and he was lost in the churn.

Add them up and voila, Canty gets $7 million a year and Igor gets $4M. Given the defense Dallas plays, that’s fine. The market worked very efficiently FOR THEM.

by Rafael Vela on Jun 25, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would also like to include how the Tommy Kelly deal from Crazy Al also set the bar

during the offseason, which is where the problem started, if not for that deal dallas could have had him for Igor money before the season started when they were negotiating with Canty and his agent.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Jun 25, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think sports are efficient markets

I think the NFL is an efficient market. And I think your explanation on Igor reassures me on that a bit.

The MLB is far from an efficient market, even post-Moneyball, and the NBA is only now coming into line due to a down economy.

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jun 25, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Canty went early

GM’s over spend the first week of free agency. The big names fill the big needs for big contracts. Then the cheap GMs decide which need to fill from a picked over free agent pool, and which need to fill in the draft.

Haynesworth set a high bar for DTs, the Giants jumped. There wan’t much of a market for 3-4 DEs. Jerry looks brilliant with paper. I hope Igor makes him look great for the length of the contract.

by birdness on Jun 26, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Canty had one dominating game last year

against the giants. Go figure

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes..

teams might put a premium on taking a good player away from a division rival. So, while you add to your stack, at the same time you directly draw down a division opponents stack. Add that to all the other criteria Raf mentioned and that’s why Canty gets a big payday.

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jun 25, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Canty Analysis

Raf – agree; I remember that Chris had some of his better games against the Giants. I thought he was consistent, but certainely not in that elite category. And I think he benefited from Ware being on his side as well. Good earlier post too.

"The Most Dangerous Man in the world is the one with nothing to lose"

by SaratogaRacing on Jun 25, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Very Cautious Optimism

Everything looks great until the secondary gets shredded in the first scrimmage or preseason game.

Remember the days when we were destroyed during the preseason, but you had to remember 75% of our starters were hanging out on the sidelines, chillin’? I miss those days… Frankly, I’d like to see Romo in all preseason games.

by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jun 25, 2009 12:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just remember

It was shorts and helmets.

Besides Roy Williams and Crayton the WRs were, well what they were.

The Qbs were also reported to be, not quite on there game.

Brown wasn’t asked to tackle anyone.

Still, I guess its good to be optimistic.

by bad knees on Jun 25, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You can either play in coverage or not...

… And you can see if someone can play coverage in shorts and helmets… Few WRs? Inconsistency between the QBs and WRs? The DBs still have to be around the WRs in man or scheme coverage. And they also have to take on the TEs and our team is loaded at the position.

The DBs looked good? That’s a change… We were getting used to hearing about moving Thong closer to the LOS and moving Henry to FS… Yes, it’s a change for the good…

Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jun 25, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you can tell

who will bite on Play action coverage after an offense has been pounding you with the run in shorts and pads.

If you say so sir.

by Sharksbreath on Jun 25, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I can't...

For starters, I haven’t been there watching.

But the coaches and defensive staff can, they know about the players asignements and they have seen their progression and every comment (including Rafael’s source) points in the direction of them doing well in coverage.

Are they going to keep up when the OLine has the pads on and coverage becomes more complex? We shall see, but that they’ve been doing well so far is a step in the right direction.

Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jun 25, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't recall Wade

blowing smoke at a player unless the guy really excelled. Last year he spoke well of Scandrick and Choice, he mentioned that Carp was doing better, and that he felt Carps development or lack thereof might be the coaches fault. Can anyone remember Wade talking up a guy during camp only to have that guy bomb during game play?

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jun 25, 2009 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you mean other than Carpenter?

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Jun 25, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was he bragging on Carp?

I honestly dont remember. The reason i brought it up was hopefully to point out that Wade praises when it’s earned and other wise says nada.

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jun 25, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember him hyping up Carpenter

by AirforceBat on Jun 25, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember praise for Carp either

I do remember a lot of praise for Spencer however, which is part of the reason I was so disappointed with his lack of play making in ’08.

Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.

by APerfectStar on Jun 25, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was reading the Football Outsiders Almanac on the giants

and found this little nugget:

Perhaps owing to the increased depth allowed
him by the free agent acquisitions, Sheridan has
said that he will move away from the Jim Johnson-influenced
subterfuge and employ simpler blitz schemes,
relying on fresher players to get past tired blockers.

Question: why would the Giants stop doing what works, which is the Jim Johnson style attack?
I think the Giants D is going to tank this year. A simpler blitz scheme will be simpler to pick up; not mentally fatiguing. Mental fatigue is worse than physical.

Almanac found here FOA

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmmmm

maybe they think they can dominate with just the front four?

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 25, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah maybe but the mental fatigue is also true

that Pats team had one weakness, they were unreliable running the ball. A good run team will smack a consistent 4 man rush around

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the article does explain that in the Superbowl win, the Giants D mostly rushed 4 and dropped 7 in to a mid range zone

by AustonianAggie on Jun 25, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has Campo lost some serious weight?

I remember him being more rotund when he was HC.

by jam0152 on Jun 25, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Campo in the weight room

Word is that Campo has been hitting the weights pretty hard with his defensive guys. Have you seen photos of him in his younger days? He had some pretty good guns on him – not like Hockely, but pretty good ones.

"The Most Dangerous Man in the world is the one with nothing to lose"

by SaratogaRacing on Jun 25, 2009 3:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs