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There are a lot of players sitting on the sidelines for the Dallas Cowboys minicamp. According to word from Invictus XI, one of our friendlier enemies, the New York Giants have a very similar list of players out with injuries, so, although it is a small sample size, it does not appear that things are unusual at Valley Ranch.
But although missing practice can be an issue for players, there is a silver lining - for the players who get reps in their absence. For the Cowboys, this has meant players such as Phillip Tanner, Cole Beasley, Lance Dunbar, Bruce Carter, Pat McQuistan, Orie Lemon, Caleb McSurdy, Isaac Madison and Stephen McGee have all gotten extra reps at some point during the OTAs and minicamp, among others. Some have been in a chain reaction fashion, such as the case with Bruce Carter, who got reps because Dan Connor was out. Then Carter had to sit on the sidelines, and Lemon and McSurdy got their chances.
Of all the players who are getting some extra time to work, none may have more riding on it than quarterback Stephen McGee. The signing of Kyle Orton signaled that Stephen is going to be no more than third string for the Cowboys - if he is going to be with the team at all. He has indicated to the media that he is going to use the chances he is getting to help himself, whether it is with Dallas or another team.
But until Tuesday, when Orton was sidelined with a hamstring injury, those opportunities for McGee have been limited during offseason workouts -- much to his chagrin. In his final year of his contract, he has come to the realization that he is running out of time to prove himself.
"I think every chance I get in the preseason or practice is a resume builder," McGee said. "I would love to be in Dallas long term. There is no doubt about it. I am a Texas boy. I grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan. I hope I am here forever. I also know it is a business and you've got to put out a good resume. I am confident in my ability to play in this league for a long time and the coaches expressed that to me. So, I'll see what happens. Do I want to play well? Yeah, I want to play well. I want to show everybody in the league I can play so I have a chance to compete for a two-spot."
There has been a lot of discussion here about the team only keeping two quarterbacks. However, Jason Garrett has liked to keep three on the roster up to now, and McGee's efforts may pay off.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said McGee should remain encouraged.
"You can just see him grow," Garrett said. "He'll get a lot of reps in training camp. He'll get a lot of time in the preseason games."
As you'll see in the Twitter feed, McGee is doing his part.
Speaking of which, take the jump to see the tweets.
Someone complained in the comment thread for the Day 1 feed that there were very few comments about how the players were doing on the field, running plays. Looks like there is more meat on that particular bone today.
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Bryan Broaddus |
Looks like no Bruce Carter today with the hamstring so Orie Lemon, Caleb McSurdy and Aston Whiteside will get the work. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Nickel WRs with 2nd group is Radway Holmes and Beasley in the slot. Tanner is the RB. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Bruce Carter on the field with his helmet. Stretching. We'll see how much work he does. Orton has helmet and is throwing, |
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Josh Ellis |
Anthony Spencer not around as the Cowboys begin today's workout. We'll try and figure out what's keeping him from practice. |
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Todd Archer |
Anthony Spencer not at practice. Has a sore knee. Same absences as Tuesday. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Connor, albright, Jenkins, Felix, wilber headed for more side work. Kowalski not out here. Out all week in a boot. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Jay Ratliff working in a line drill without a helmet. Springing up out of his stance. Said a quick hello yesterday and said he was doing ok. |
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Josh Ellis |
Jerome Henderson has the DBs working in the end zone. However, the Cowboys don't have a Calvin Johnson, so we'll see if this works. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Bruce Carter has not taken his turn in a drill yet. He's with his group in helmet. Not working on the side. |
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Josh Ellis |
Knee soreness for Spencer. Nothing too bad, it sounds like. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Lissemore, Ratliff both hitting the sleds. No helmets. For guys with a neck (Rat) and rib cartilage (Liss), looks like good sign. |
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Rob Phillips |
Chargers claimed rookie OT Taylor Dever off waivers from the Cowboys. Was let go to make room for Pat McQuistan. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Orton is back to watching. Not throwing in the full speed drills. Tweak of the hammy, Garrett said yesterday. |
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Josh Ellis |
Very light work on the field for Mike Jenkins for the second straight day, now headed inside. |
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Josh Ellis |
RT |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Another one-hander for dez. Back of the end zone. Reached with left hand, pulled it to his left knee as he landed, secured. Dude is a show. |
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Josh Ellis |
Clearly my complaining about the heat yesterday was taken under advisement. A beautiful 77 degrees out here right now. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Lissemore running scout tailback. Scooting hard without a helmet. Getting plenty of kidding in mock wrapup from Sean Lee. Relaxed group. |
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Clarence Hill |
Cowboys agree to terms with defensive end Tyrone Crawford, now have four draft picks in the fold. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Good for Tyron Smith that he is getting this much work against Ware. He has done nothing but test his technique off the edge. |
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Rob Phillips |
Situational work now. Ball in the red zone, down by 4. |
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Josh Ellis |
First defense is killing the Romo's first offense in this red zone 11-on-11 drill. Five straight incompletions. |
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Rob Phillips |
Carr breaks up pass in the back of the end zone. Previous play, Tyron Smith held off D-Ware bullrush long enough, but throw incomplete. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Last week Radway ran a drag across the back of the end for a TD from Orton. Same route Romo tries to fit the ball in there. Carr there. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Big show for Carr in 1s vs 1s red zone. Shut down KO, harris, radway, miles on end zone passes. Two pbus. Two uncatchable. No room. |
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Clarence Hill |
improved secondary looking good in practice against Cowboys O, especially CB Brandon Carr, nicknamed "dollar dollar" for his big contract |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Haven't spoke much about Austin this off season but looks in outstanding shape. Routes been good and snatching everything in sight. |
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Rob Phillips |
Phillip Tanner showing some burst on a stretch play. He and Lance Dunbar really have that. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Nate Livings not know for his mobility in space but a real nice kick out block on Butler that allowed Tanner to get inside. |
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Rob Phillips |
Speaking of that, Dunbar just broke into the secondary. No tackling, remember. |
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Josh Ellis |
RT |
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Rob Phillips |
Converted WR Teddy Williams getting first-team reps at corner with Claiborne, Jenkins out. Scandrick in the slot in dime. |
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Josh Ellis |
We've seen Murray lose the ball a few times this summer. He just fumbled through the end zone for a touchback. Wasn't a fumbler last year. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Spears able to get outside on the screen to the right. Good job of playing off block and finding the ball. Looked active. |
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Rob Phillips |
Ware pulls inside move on Smith, but Romo gets the ball out quickly. |
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Rob Phillips |
McGee floats a perfect pass to Dwayne Harris, TD, from about the 15. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
Orie Lemon works in Carter's place at ILB. He and Lee have hands full with size of Witten, Phillips. |
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Todd Archer |
Cole Beasley appeared to hurt his right knee on crossing route in end zone. Just kind of collapsed as he went 4 ball. Was able 2 walk off. |
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Bryan Broaddus |
Have good package where they put Tanner and Murray in the backfield together but allowed Murray to slip out and Tanner block Good use there. |
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Nick Eatman |
Two picks in the team period for CB Isaac Madison .. Making most of opportunity with claiborne and Jenkins out |
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Josh Ellis |
Seems like Ogletree's having a nice day. If there were a game tomorrow, he's still your third. None of the other guys has really jumped out. |
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Rob Phillips |
Tyrone Crawford expected to sign his rookie deal...that leaves the Cowboys top three picks left, including Morris Claiborne. |
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Rob Phillips |
Stephen Jones said he would anticipate more getting done this week. Key to Claiborne deal is picks around him in top 10 getting done too. |
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Rob Phillips |
Offset language in those deals likely holding things up. |
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Josh Ellis |
Stephen Jones says Jenkins may not be ready for the start of camp. Could begin on Physically Unable to Perform list. |
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Carlos A. Mendez |
DB coach Henderson says S Barry Church jumping out on tape. Wants to find ways to get him on field. 'Now he's getting his opportunities.' |
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Clarence Hill |
The Cowboys have petitioned the NFL to open camp 3 days earlier because the Giants, their opening day opponent, opens camp 3 days earlier |
Now, we should always remember that we are not the only team doing minicamps and such. All the teams are deeply involved, and I thought you might like this inspirational tweet about what is happening at one of our rival's camps, brought to you by the writer most of us know as JimmyK, from his NFC East blog.
Martellus Bennett just ran the most uninspired route in 7 on 7's that I've ever seen. Barely jogged.
— Blogging the bEast (@Jimmy_Beast) June 13, 2012
Some things are just too good to pass up.