I listened to the Wade Phillips press conference and read the stuff on the DMN blog. Kudos to the DMN blog for their camp coverage so far. This is what I’ve come away with so far.
Terrell practiced and caught everything thrown his way, including a long bomb for a TD to beat Terence Newman. He caught the ball earlier this week in Miami and his doctor’s said he could practice. Terrell knew the routes because he’s been here and is studying the offense.
Wade thought today was a good start but they have a long way to go. They showed a lot of effort but there were mistakes, too. They are taking baby steps right now.
The defense was a little ragged but the pass rush was fairly effective. The pass coverage was slow at the beginning but got better, and they will be adding more coverage packages on Monday.
Wade thought Anthony Spencer looked pretty good, he showed a lot of his natural ability that he had in college. They need to work on his technique some but was overall pleased with him. He also mentioned that of the four OLB’s practicing, three were rookies.
The teaching process goes like this: start with the stance, then the proper alignment, then knowing the assignment, then using proper technique and finally progress to the ball.
Romo had a good day according to Phillips. They worked on the timing of individual routes, of knowing where the receiver was supposed to be. To me, that sure sounded like shades of Norv Turner’s timing offense. Romo mentioned something about that a week ago, how important it was to know where the receivers would be on each route, and that everybody is working hard to get the proper spot on each play.
Marcus Spears was, in Wade’s words, markedly better today than what he had seen on film. He made several good plays that he didn’t see as much last year. Wade didn’t say it, but it was obvious he thought Spears wasn't making enough plays last year. He addressed the complaints by Spears about not being used correctly by saying sometimes players are right, sometimes coaches teach to scheme instead of talent. But he also said he's not saying this is true of Spears time under Parcells and that he doesn’t want players to make excuses.
News flash – DeMarcus Ware will rush the passer more this year.
Wade spoke about Julius Jones - he said he liked him as a back and thought he was productive. He said he’s best on draws, screens and runs to the edge where he can cut, and they would try to use him that way. He did sound a little concerned that JJ is working out in Arizona instead of at Valley Ranch and that he likes the team to be together, and that they have about 98% attendance at the voluntary workouts at the Ranch.
Gramatica and Folk are in competition, but a draft pick will have to come in and beat someone out, he won’t be handed anything.
From the DMN blog we learn some other interesting stuff. Isaiah Stanback was not in the receiver workouts but he is being used as a punt returner. They reported Stanback looked like a beginner early when judging the ball, but got better in the second practice. Joining him were Terence Newman, Patrick Crayton, Jamaica Rector and Quincy Butler.
Your second team offensive line: LT Doug Free, LG Pat McQuistan, C Cory Procter, RG Joe Berger, RT James Marten.
Lousaka Polite and Oliver Hoyte split time at FB, and Anthony Fasano was in on 2-TE packages, which they used as often as using a FB today.