Nick Eatman gives out his primer for minicamp.
Some of the storylines that will start to unfold include Anthony Spencer.
Also, pay attention to where Spencer lines up in this defense. While the Cowboys will likely move him around at several spots, he's expected to begin at outside linebacker. And since it took Ware some time to adjust from college defensive end to this position, we'll get the chance to see how much of a transition this will be for Spencer.
I agree. I’m still under the impression that you don’t trade a third and a fifth-round pick to get back into the first round, only to use that pick on a situational pass-rusher as has been suggested. You don't do all that then only play him in a defensive formation that isn't used the majority of the time. No, you put him at his natural position, the one he's going to play the rest of his career in Dallas, and get the learning started. The Cowboys have to begin the transition to OLB for Spencer now, and I would expect that to start right away. Throw him out there and let him compete for the starter's role.
What I’m most interested in seeing though, is where they line up Bobby Carpenter and how they use him. I was disappointed that Eatman didn’t bring up that story line.
The Greg Ellis saga is also on Eatman’s mind. Ellis is only supposed to run and continue individual rehab during minicamp, but all eyes will be watching.
While Jones and Phillips said Ellis' injury was not the reason they drafted Spencer, there has to be some kind of doubt whether the 31-year-old Ellis can make a full recovery from an injury considered one of the hardest to overcome.
And before we all forget, we have a mercurial wide receiver who is coming off two hand surgeries. You guys remember T.O.?
As for Owens, who has been attending several throwing sessions with the offense here at Valley Ranch this off-season, it will be interesting to see just how much he'll be able to do, considering he's undergone two surgeries on his right ring finger this off-season. Owens has said he should be 100 percent for the start of training camp, but he could be involved in some capacity during the first of these two summer mini-camps, trying to get a better grasp of the new offense.
Yeah it’s just minicamp, but it’s still exciting. Well, compared to the two months of drudgery we have to suffer until training camp.