There wasn't a lot of news from camp yesterday, but our morning news post is filled to the brim anyway, and we kick things off in style with something that will never get old for Cowboys fans:
You've gotta practice these things pic.twitter.com/6WXqdvIDaa
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 22, 2015
Cowboys have the most improved defensive line - NFL.com
Bucky Brooks ranks the top five most improved defensive lines, and has the Cowboys at the top of his list.
Hardy, in particular, is a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher with a knack for getting to the quarterback. He posted 26 sacks over a two-year period (2012-13) before sitting out 15 games a season ago due to his misconduct off the field. [..]
Although he fell to the 60th overall pick, Gregory has already flashed big-time potential in Dallas and is impressing evaluators with his Simeon Rice-like traits as a pass rusher. If he quickly develops as a situational player and DeMarcus Lawrence continues to grow as a young pass rusher, the Cowboys suddenly have a deep and talented rotation that will strike fear in the hearts of quarterbacks around the NFL.
Jerry Jones Expects Romo To Play Sunday, But Not Sure For How Long | David Helman, Dallas Cowboys
With as many as eight starters on offense sidelined for the weekend, Jones, is unsure when and for how long Tony Romo will play.
"Under certain circumstances. He will, and I want to see him play – under certain circumstances," was Jones’ response when asked whether Romo would take the field this weekend.
That’s likely going to depend on how much Romo’s fellow starters intend to play – a fact that Jones acknowledged.
"A lot of that has to do with who we’ve got up there, by the time we get there, that are playing in front of him, and who is in his supporting cast – what we think we can do out of the backfield, what we think we can do with the running game. In other words, the whole picture," Jones said.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is concerned with 49ers field for Sunday’s game | Jon Machota, Dallas Morning News
Field conditions in San Francisco are so bad that the 49ers have canceled six of eight training camp practices scheduled for Levi's Stadium, according to the Sacramento Bee. For city known for the quality of its grass, and a stadium that claims to be the most technologically advanced in the country, it's a major embarrassment.
We’re going up here to a great new stadium where we’re going to have the Super Bowl, and we’ve got field problems," Jones told G-Bag Nation on KRLD-FM 105.3 in Dallas on Friday. "And this field is really causing us to have to look at what we’re going to do during the game because of the challenges of this turf not taking hold."
Mid-Day Report: Top Three Running Backs Expected To Play vs. 49ers | Nick Eatman, Dallas Cowboys
On Thursday, PFT Ran a headline reading "Bills are missing their top five running backs for tonight’s game." From all the woe-is-me articles about the Cowboys running backs, you'd expect something similar in Dallas, but that's not the case. At all.
After the Cowboys sat out their top three running backs last week in the preseason opener in San Diego, those same three are expected to play Sunday in San Francisco in the second exhibition contest.
JUST CHILL: 10 Thoughts from Friday’s Cowboys practice | Clarence Hill, The Star Telegram
Hill gives us a heads up on who will start at linebacker against the 49ers.
The starting linebacker for the 49ers game will be Damien Wilson at weak side, Andrew Gashkar at strong side and Kyle Wilber in the middle. This is a huge test for Wilber who was moved from strong side linebacker in the past week. It also could mean a short stay for Jasper Brinkley, who might not last the season once Anthony Hitchens and Rolando McClain are ready to play.
Broaddus: Swaim's Progress, Coleman's Strong Play Highlight 12 Thoughts | Dallas Cowboys
Broaddus offers his "biggest impressions" from Thursday's practice, and since Swaim and Coleman seem to be the two biggest, we'll look at those here.
Geoff Swaim continues to find ways to get open in practice and finish plays. His stick-nod route in the red zone would have made Jason Witten proud with the way it was executed.
Davon Coleman continues to turn heads with his play in the middle of this defense. Coleman, working in the team period, was able to get enough penetration up the field and with the presence of mind to stick his hand up right at the perfect time to knock a ball away that was going to an open Antwan Goodly on the slant.
JUST CHILL: 10 Thoughts from Thursday’s Cowboys practice | Clarence Hill, The Star Telegram
Hill comes up two thoughts short of Broaddus's total, but offers some interesting observations anyway:
Kyle Wilber is getting more and more comfortable at middle linebacker. He was moved there last week from strong side linebacker. Wilber has played end and outside linebacker. He has never played in the middle. The Cowboys think he could be a good fit in the middle because of his size. Rod Marinelli likes big, tall middle linebackers in his scheme. Wilber, previously known mostly as a pass rusher, showed promise in coverage by batting down a ball from Jameill Showers to Ben Malena.
Receiver A.J. Jenkins had his best day in camp. Maybe it’s because he is getting ready to see his former team on Sunday in the San Francisco 49ers or because he has seen the Cowboys cut three receivers already in camp and knows he could be next if he doesn’t step up.
Something to consider about Dallas Cowboys injuries - Todd Archer, ESPN
In the latest edition of his Cowboys mailbag Archer counsels some perspective when talking about injuries in camp.
I think there’s one thing we often miss when it comes to injuries in training camp: The team purposely holds guys back now but if this were the regular season they would be playing. Every part of training camp is geared to Sept. 13 and the New York Giants. They don’t need to see Tyron Smith practice or play very much in the preseason.
Now, to me, there are some players they do need to see at least a little bit. I think Sean Lee needs to get some game action because he has not played in a game since December 2013. I’m not trying to minimize the importance of training camp, but if there is any question on a player’s health, the Cowboys will be cautious. What the absences have done is give some players a chance to prove -- or not prove -- they are worthy of a spot.
Dez Bryant To Handwringing Columnist: "You Are A Sucky Writer" - Deadspin
David Moore of the Dallas Morning News wrote an article in which he discussed how maybe Dez Bryant's passion being extolled as a virtue could lead to Bryant thinking he can do whatever he wants. Deadspin and Bryant both take umbrage with that line of thinking.
We could point out how silly it is for Moore to use a fight that involved dozens of players as a jumping off point for singling out Bryant, or that Bryant’s supposedly problematic passion has never resulted in him harming the team in any meaningful way during a real game. But let’s skip that, because Dez saw the column, and he’s not having Moore’s crap:
[From a since deleted Bryant tweet]: "@DavidMooreDMN you are a sucky writer.... You know damn well I didn't start the fight... I'm defending my teammates and I'll do it again"
Dallas vs. San Francisco: Cowboys' Preseason Week 2 Preview - Joey Ickes, Bleacher Report
Joey has taken his talents to Bleacher Report.
Cowboys sign defensive tackle Carlif Taylor - Big Blue View
Seems like Taylor was something of a fan favorite in New York.
The New York Giants had originally signed Taylor as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Connecticut earlier in the offseason.
The athletic and infectiously upbeat rookie quickly captured the attention of the local media. After hearing his story and seeing his attitude, as well as hearing tales of his upside, some fans began to root for him as a potential under-the-radar candidate to force his way on to the Giants' roster.
The Giants, however felt differently. Taylor was waived earlier this week when the Giants put in a waiver claim on former Seahawks' defensive tackle Jimmy Staten.
Romo, Witten growing 'old' while seeking title for Cowboys - USA Today
Romo and Witten aren't getting any younger, but that just increases their resolve to get a title.
"When you're in the NFL and you're young, it's all about yourself," said Romo, the franchise leader in yards passing (33,270) and touchdowns (242) — ahead of Hall of Famers Aikman and Super Bowl winner Roger Staubach. "And as you get older and you create the relationships that you have, through a Jason Witten and other people, you want to share those moments. Playoff games. Super Bowl."
Video: Dallas Cowboys: Seth Rollins says Jerry Jones is the worst owner - SI.com
The TMZ-ification of the sports media continues - who the heck is Seth Rollins, and why does he get airtime on a former sports site?
RG3 and the Dumbest Team in Football - Grantland
Their words, not mine.
So, we all just have to watch one of the most electrifying rookie quarterbacks the NFL’s ever seen get run further and further into the ground. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most depressing sports stories of my lifetime.
Giants of the NFL’s Disabled List - Grantland
Bill Barnwell delivers a State of the Union for the Giants, and the central themes are injuries, bad drafting, bad personnel decisions, and a coach who'll likely be asked to retire after the season.
Even if you count on Manning and Beckham playing at a high level, it’s easy to see this team struggling to patch up its holes elsewhere. The defense is an enormous question mark at just about every position, especially if Pierre-Paul isn’t around to serve as a primary pass-rusher. The health concerns surrounding the team seem unlikely to subside, even if it doesn’t necessarily produce the league’s most-injured squad for the third year in a row. The offensive line, a weakness now for several seasons, is already riddled with injuries. If they’re going to be healthier in 2015, they haven’t exhibited many signs of that in the preseason.
Why Your Team Sucks 2015: Philadelphia Eagles - Deadspin
I chuckled.
This offseason, Kelly was handed full control over the Eagles roster and promptly nuked it into oblivion. I have a 3-year-old child, and the remarkable thing about a 3-year-old is not that they make a huge mess, but that they can make a mess so QUICKLY. Just a wave of my son’s arm and an entire train set will be in shambles on the floor. That’s what Chip Kelly has done to the Eagles. It took just one offseason for him to turn the entire organization into a game of 52-card pickup. HE NEARLY TRADED FOR DION JORDAN! This man has gone mad from syphilis.