Mickey's Ranch Report

[InmanRoshi]

Parcells wanted to make a public example out of Larry Allen and set the tone for the training camp. Don’t you think its strange that Parcells said he had no doubt that Larry Allen could play the RT position, but he’s not in good enough shape to even start training camp? Do you think Larry Allen ever passed a conditioning test before? Back when the Cowboys were running the 100 yard sprints, which was Jimmy’s test, players who didn’t finish the sprints had to stay after practice and do extra running to make up for how many they couldn’t finish. Larry Allen and Flozell were always staying and running them. He may not be dominant anymore, but ask Julius Jones if there was a dominant defensive lineman on the other side of the ball who he would have blocking him if he could pick just one Cowboys offensive lineman and he would probably say Larry Allen. This wasn’t the same thing as two years ago, Larry Allen’s attitude is much better and he’s interacting with the coaches and players much more.

Parcells and Sporano are trying to create a sense of competition on the offensive line, and who knows how much of it is manufactured, but he’s got an open battle at RT. He’s sending Larry Allen a message to start camp. Now he’s having Al Johnson and Gurode share snaps with the first team.

Jacob Rogers was just not strong enough to play last year. Parcells said in one of his training camp press conferences last year that “One of my offensive linemen needs a red shirt year”, that was Rogers. He just wasn’t strong enough to play the position. The whole left tackle to right tackle thing was a euphemism. He looked pretty good out there yesterday playing with the 1st team. They also liked what they saw out of Peterman this week.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good stuff, the first of how Rogers has looked at RT that I know of...

[MichaelWinicki]

Very good post.

[Yeagermeister]

With the way Tucker is playing we need someone to step up at RT

[Crown Royal]

If Rogers steps up and plays well, that would be extra Christmas after this years draft. Suddenly, last year's would look a lot better too.

[TheSkaven]

My read is that Mick isn't as plugged in as he would have us believe. His take on Larry is wrong - Bill was not trying to make an example of him. They seem to have finally developed an understanding of each other, and I'm looking forward to seeing Larry dominate again this year.

[WoodysGirl]

Parcells and Sporano are trying to create a sense of competition on the offensive line, and who knows how much of it is manufactured, but he’s got an open battle at RT.


So if there's a question as to how much legit competition going on with the line, then could this hype for Gurode be fake? I think it's great if Gurode is really pushing Johnson. It brings high quality play to the line and we'd have legit depth if something ever happened to the starter.

But it seems every year, BP starts the hype machine for some player he's really pulling for only to release him at the end of TC. Can't wait til the first preseason so we all can get a really good look at what these guys are doing. Recaps are great, but I wanna see some action.

[TheHustler]

Jacob Rogers was just not strong enough to play last year. Parcells said in one of his training camp press conferences last year that “One of my offensive linemen needs a red shirt year”, that was Rogers. He just wasn’t strong enough to play the position. The whole left tackle to right tackle thing was a euphemism. He looked pretty good out there yesterday playing with the 1st team. They also liked what they saw out of Peterman this week.

That's great info. Sounds like Rogers kept busy while he was injured and in the offseason.

[InmanRoshi]

Some things about the Jacob Rogers mystery of how a player so good in college can be so bad a Pro are starting to become clear.

Rogers had the reputation of a finesse blocker who utilized angles and footspeed. This falls in line with someone who is lacking strength. When you read his draft bios and the listed positives almost always have to do with his foot speed, athleticism, smarts and technique. He only gave up 1 sack in two final two years of college, and he went up against some guys who had pretty productive college careers sack-wise… Terrell Suggs, David Ball, Will Svitek, Bill Swancutt, D.D. Acholonu, Reggie Torbor and Ryan Riddle. But all of those guys were outside speed rushers. In the NFL, especially playing on the right side, you’re going up against guys like Strahan and Peppers who can go through you as well as they can go around you. You can't hide your weakness at this level.

Rogers was a converted tight end coming out of high school (was a good enough athlete to be the punter) who put on 30 lbs. of weight rapidly to play the position in college. Who knows if he had settled into his frame or even if that weight was good weight or flab. Also, you read his medical history and it seems he was having minor surgery every offseason to get a shoulder or hip scoped and cleaned out. Nothing serious, but probably enough to keep him from participating in offseason workouts which puts him further behind the strength curve.

[rw54]

Some things about the Jacob Rogers mystery of how a player so good in college can be so bad a Pro are starting to become clear.

Rogers had the reputation of a finesse blocker who utilized angles and footspeed. This falls in line with someone who is lacking strength. When you read his draft bios and the listed positives almost always have to do with his foot speed, athleticism, smarts and technique. He only gave up 1 sack in two final two years of college, and he went up against some guys who had pretty productive college careers sack-wise… Terrell Suggs, Will Svitek, Bill Swancutt, Reggie Torbor and Ryan Riddle. But all of those guys were outside speed rushers. In the NFL, especially playing on the right side, you’re going up against guys like Strahan and Peppers who can go through you as well as they can go around you. You can't hide your weakness at this level.

Rogers was a converted tight end coming out of high school (was a good enough athlete to be the punter) who put on 30 lbs. of weight rapidly to play the position in college. Who knows if he had settled into his frame or even if that weight was good weight or flab. Also, you read his medical history and it seems he was having minor surgery every offseason to get a shoulder or hip scoped and cleaned out. Nothing serious, but probably enough to keep him from participating in offseason workouts which puts him further behind the strength curve.


Just from looking at the pictures, his body type seems to have changed. He doesn't look like a telephone poll with big arms anymore. He seems much more thick and powerful. I can't wait to see these guys in action.

[Chocolate Lab]

Plus, remember he hurt his shoulder in last year's camp, which I'm sure delayed his progress quite a bit. I think it's quite possible that he even kept the injury to himself for a while, knowing Parcells' stance on guys being hurt, but it still hindered him. Or maybe Parcells did know and it put him in the Dog Hotel.

He can do the job as long as he's healthy. I really think he can be a good one, especially in pass blocking. I'd sacrifice a little bit of run blocking for that considering the RT has to go against Strahan and Kearse in this division.