The 2012 Dallas Cowboys OTAs continued today and generated a number of stories and reports. So, to assist all of you in getting your daily fix of all things Cowboys, here is my recap of some of the more pertinent articles and my now traditional Twitter feed. (I have left some of the redundant tweets out today, usually lists of who is practicing and who isn't, since I figure there is not much interest in reading the same list of names four times.)
As always, one of the main topics during the first few tweets is who is and who isn't practicing.
Ware Taking Offseason Precautions With Neck | Rob Phillips | DallasCowboys.com
DeMarcus Ware turns 30 this August, but that shouldn't be taken as a sign that the two-time NFL sack king is slowing down. He remains arguably the most feared pass rusher in the game, still in the prime of his career.
As Ware has gotten older, he has adjusted his diet and training to keep himself at a high level. With the Cowboys' medical and athletic training staff, he's also monitoring the neck/shoulder stingers that have popped up at times since he was carted off the field during a December 2009 game against the Chargers.
It basically looks like a lot of caution and no real sign of any concerns for the season.
Mike Jenkins expected back next week | Calvin Watkins | ESPN DFW
Gerald Sensabaugh among Cowboys who miss practice | Brent Shirley | Ft Worth Star-Telegram
That's enough for the attendance report. Twitter feed and more stuff after the jump.
One thing I noticed today was that there was almost no negative commentary, just remarks about who is looking good. I don't know if the writers are feeling the good vibes, or the practice just went well. Read through the tweets and see what you think:
Bryan Broaddus |
Felix Jones carrying his helmet to practice so he could see some action today. Been out working on his shoulder. |
Josh Ellis |
Add Sensabaugh and Albright to the list of non-participants today, here but sitting out. |
Todd Archer |
DeMarcus Ware is at OTA. Missed last Wednesday. Gerald Sensabaugh on field but not practicing. |
Brandon George |
LB DeMarcus Ware in uniform for OTA practice and so is RB Felix Jones. |
Josh Ellis |
Also out are Spears, Lissemore, Ratliff, Coale, Bernadeau, Crawford, Connor, Wilber, Johnson, F. Jones and Claiborne. And Mike Jenkins. |
Bryan Broaddus |
Jones, Albright, Connor, Wilber and Claiborne all working with strength coach and Trainer. Thought that maybe we would see Jones, not case |
Bryan Broaddus |
AOA, Lionel Smith, Harris, Kemp working as your kick off return guys. |
Todd Archer |
Tight ends coach John Garrett is in walking boot but still coaching |
Rob Phillips |
I swear when Brandon Carr signed I didn't think he looked as big as his listed 6-0, 207. He does on the field. Stout, physical corner. |
Todd Archer |
FB Lawrence Vickers has not returned to field since leaving in special teams drills. Appeared to be holding his right arm close to side. |
Todd Archer |
And Vickers has returned. |
Bryan Broaddus |
We had a story up today on Cole Beasley, just made a nice adjusting catch in the red zone. Does things that gets him noticed. |
Rob Phillips |
Great leaping catch in the back of the end zone by Radway in passing drills. |
Josh Ellis |
Man, if you like position drills, today's been your day. |
Josh Ellis |
Scandrick isn't gonna make it on the outside if he's got to guard Dez every play. |
Rob Phillips |
(In reply to last tweet by Josh Ellis) In position, but 6-3 beat 5-11 on that play. |
Bryan Broaddus |
Bryant just took Scandrick vertical down the left sideline. OL held up well. Romo with a strike. Scandrick told by Henderson to keep running |
Bryan Broaddus |
Just my two cents but if I was with the Cowboys I would keep an eye on how Mat McBriar is working out. |
Josh Ellis |
Sean Lee with a pretty heavy pop on DeMarco Murray just now. Not him, Sean. |
Josh Ellis |
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Rob Phillips |
Touchdown, Andre Holmes. |
Bryan Broaddus |
Beasley again with a TD on a sprint right option. He has a knack for working himself open and a feel for how to run routes. |
Bryan Broaddus |
If Danny Coale plays like Cole Beasley right now, the scouts would be doing back flips. |
Tim MacMahon |
DeMarco Murray should call Roger Goodell right after practice. He's been popped pretty good twice. |
Josh Ellis |
Interested to see RB Lance Dunbar in pads. He's got some quicks. |
Bryan Broaddus |
Jason Garrett came out in a bunch formation which caused Rob Ryan some problems. He had to call time out during the drill to match. |
Bryan Broaddus |
Practice is over. On to the locker room and Garrett press conference. Thanks for hanging out. |
The following were tweeted later, but about the OTAs |
|
Charean Williams |
Kyle Orton called Cowboys "the right fit" which is why he signed here instead of going some place to try to start. |
Charean Williams |
DeMarcus Ware said his neck was checked out and is fine, but he still will have to deal with stingers every now and again in season. |
Charean Williams |
FB Lawrence Vickers briefly left practice after getting ants in his pants. He said he is allergic to them. |
Charean Williams |
Jason Garrett said he expects to see Mike Jenkins during mandatory minicamp next week. |
Charean Williams |
Jason Garrett said Morris Claiborne has done a good job "staying engaged" while rehabbing his wrist. |
Charean Williams |
But Garrett adds that Claiborne has a huge learning curve in front of him. |
Charean Williams |
Gerald Sensabaugh sat out practice with a sore knee. |
Charean Williams |
Dez chatted for 17 minutes today. |
Charean Williams |
Tyron Smith still is youngest player on the team. He said he is used to being the youngest. |
Charean Williams |
DeMarco Murray refuses to talk about his ankle or any other injuries. |
Matt Mosley |
I had a long visit with Cowboys DC Rob Ryan today. He's 55 pounds lighter (265) than when the season ended. Feels a million times better. |
Rob Phillips |
Danny Coale said he broke his left foot during a conditioning drill, of all things. Shooting for return by training camp. |
Josh Ellis |
Should we talk Cowboys and OTAs for a little while? What do you want to know? |
Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Bryan Broaddus |
(In reply to last Josh Ellis tweet) Nice call on Clifton Geathers. |
Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
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Josh Ellis |
Come on ... I need a good one to end on. |
Josh Ellis |
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I'll admit I liked what Ellis did with his Q&A session, which is why I put the whole thing in there.
Some additional information you may want to peruse:
About halfway through Wednesday's practice, fullback Lawrence Vickers ran off the field with what appeared to be a groin injury the way he was moving. Instead of a pulled muscle, Vickers had ants in his pants.
"I was doing the play," Vickers said. "I was running, and I was blocking someone. Then I walk off, and I'm like ‘oh snap.' And I pulled my pants down to see, and I saw ants."
You cannot make some of this stuff up. Seems this is something for Vickers to worry about, since he is allergic to the things.
All right, wipe the drool off your chin. You know who you are.
Garrett Warns Against Physicality In Practice | Josh Ellis | DallasCowboys.com
An obvious response to the Seattle Seahawks' little punishment and the collisions mentioned in the tweets - but I wonder if I am the only one that wants to scream "BUT IT"S FOOTBALL! YOU HIT PEOPLE!"
Jason Garrett will benefit from Bill Callahan's experience | Tim MacMahon | ESPN DFW
The Dallas Cowboys signed probable starters at both guard spots and fullback in March, but their most important offensive addition won't put on a pair of shoulder pads.
That would be offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Oh, please, let this be true.
"I don't want to say that I was in horrible shape but I feel like I wasn't at my best," Bryant said. "I feel like now I'm still not at my best, but it's way more better than last year and I feel like I'm still progressing and just doing my best."
Rob Ryan likes his secondary's confidence | Brent Shirley | Ft Worth Star-Telegram
And finally, here is a little something to give you a bit of the flavor of the day.
One great talking to another today at OTAs Charles Haley and @DeMarcusWare twitter.com/dallascowboys/…
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 6, 2012
That's it for this episode. Hope you had a fun read.
@TomRyleBTB, follow Blogging The Boys on Twitter or like Blogging The Boys on Facebook