A Little Info For An Absentee Fan....

[jem88]

In years past, not a training camp report nor a pre-season game would escape my attention as I scoured every available source for Cowboys info to prepare for the season at hand. I was a vital part of the Cowboy fan community (few posters will forget the exhaustive pre-draft research conducted several years ago.) Sadly, Jem88 appears to have slipped ever so slightly this summer. Yes, the unhealthy Ike Holt fixation remains and the quirky off-topic posts are still a delight to fellow readers, but the football punditry side has suffered. I won't bore you with the details as to why this has happened; instead I ask the serious posters to enlighten me on the following details:

Biggest surprises of camp/preseason; flat-out best player; biggest disappointment; any other information you may wish to share.

I'm particularly keen on knowing about the performances of the O-line (is Gurode truly ready to take the next step?) and the D-Line (Thomas Pepper Johnson- promising young talent? or charitably nicknamed camp fodder?)

Please tell all....

[Smith22]

Biggest surprises of camp/preseason; flat-out best player; biggest disappointment; any other information you may wish to share.


Hurd, Rector and Pat M. were some of the biggest surprises, along with Corey P. Ware and Ellis have been strong as usual, but everyone seems impressed with Ellis and his new role at LB'er. I guess henson would be one of the bigger disappointments.

[Zaxor]

Well as far as pleasant suprises go their is McQuistan, Watkins, Elam and Proctor though he was a bit of a gamble... sorry bad joke...

biggest disappointment I guess would be Drew Henson

[Smith22]

Almost forgot, Romo has done very well and seems much better than years past.

[jem88]

Proctor though he was a bit of a gamble... sorry bad joke...

Hey I just got that! Pretty good one...

[WoodysGirl]

I know you want first hand opinions, but if you want to do a little catching up outside of this thread, go to the Training Camp Zone. Lots of good info in there.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41

[jem88]

I know you want first hand opinions, but if you want to do a little catching up outside of this thread, go to the Training Camp Zone. Lots of good info in there.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41 Cheers for that. By the way, glad to see that you're keeping the spirit of Woodson alive. I don't know why, but I still feel like he's an active member of our team. I remember when there was that rumour that might come back last year; although it didn't come off, it wouldn't have really surprised me if he had suited up again. If not for injuries, I'd bet he could still play at a high level today.

Darren Woodson= Cowboy legend.

[ravidubey]

jem88, the chemistry on the OL seems to be improving. They are pass-blocking well as a unit and they can pull like we haven't seen a Cowboys line do in years, maybe a decade or so. Against SF we ran pitches from deep set formations and the guards and tackles ran all over the field.

Best players: Terry Glenn, Terence Newman, DeMarcus Ware, Drew Bledsoe, Marion Barber, Greg Ellis
Suprises: Romo, Watkins, Greg Ellis, Colombo, McQuistan, Procter, Hoyte
Disappointments: Henson, Owens, Petitti, Crayton (hurt again), Skyler Green, M. Stanley, Beriault, Peterman.

Stepping Up: Brady James, Andre Gurode, Raitliff, Canty
Solid: Roy, Witten, Davis, Henry, Ayodele
Lost a Step/Took a step back: Aaron Glenn, Petitti
Sleeper: Nate Jones
Comebacks: Ferguson, Rivera, Flozell, Fabini, Spears

Just OK: Kosier, Polite, Al Johnson, Al Singleton, Fowler

+ Backups: WR, OL, DL, and LB
- Backups: Secondary have to work harder, though we've seen flashes from Jones and Reeves.

[lurkercowboy]

Jem!

On the OL, the team is deep at tackle but thin at guard. Gurode is looking much better at center.

On the DL, I'm not that excited about any of the young DTs. But DE is a bright spot.

The biggest surprise for me is how well Ellis handling his new assignment at OLB.

[ravidubey]

Jem!

On the OL, the team is deep at tackle but thin at guard. Gurode is looking much better at center.

On the DL, I'm not that excited about any of the young DTs. But DE is a bright spot.

The biggest surprise for me is how well Ellis handling his new assignment at OLB.

What's up, Lurker? I agree we are not special at NT and I aslo hope our depth at DE can make up for it. Do you think Al Johnson could play guard in a pinch?

[lurkercowboy]

I don't know if he has the size. I just hope Rivera stays healthy. Otherwise I guess Gurode would have to move over and Johnson would play center. Speaking of DE depth, I am thinking that Ratliff might be an emergency DT.

Hey, this is turning into an Austin360 reunion with you, me, and Jem. All we need now is Sonny#1 to stop by. Remember that guy?

[ravidubey]

Man, Sonny#1, I hadn't used that portion of memory in a long time. CalCBFan, Tuls, and RP posted here for a while. te0002 posts here occasionally as well. I even spotted a couple of posts from DCkid some time ago. VA and WV Cowboy post regularly (if it's the same guys!).

[jem88]

Man, Sonny#1, I hadn't used that portion of memory in a long time. CalCBFan, Tuls, and RP posted here for a while. te0002 posts here occasionally as well. I even spotted a couple of posts from DCkid some time ago. VA and WV Cowboy post regularly (if it's the same guys!). Don't forget that clown Diego! I schooled him on a frequent basis. Those were the days; that was an old-school site.

[Bob Sacamano]

Jem, they already listed the suprises, and disappointments, so I'm going to throw that Pepper may be gone, BP just said that he probably won't keep both him and Stanley, my reasoning is that he also mentioned, for the upteenth time, that Ratliff could handle the move inside to DT, and he's a similar player as Pepper

[VA Cowboy]

Man, Sonny#1, I hadn't used that portion of memory in a long time. CalCBFan, Tuls, and RP posted here for a while. te0002 posts here occasionally as well. I even spotted a couple of posts from DCkid some time ago. VA and WV Cowboy post regularly (if it's the same guys!).


Can we get a group hug here? :D

Seems like old times. Now all we need is for JEM to log in as Diego and we'd be set. ;)
There are a couple of VA Cowboy's here, I think the other one posts a little more and runs his name together. I checked out the old site a few weeks ago and man is it dead. There are still posts on the page from last fall.

[baj1dallas]

Biggest surprises of camp/preseason: Parcells might say Greg Ellis' switch to OLB, fans would say the emergence of Romo or the possibility of Pat Watkins starting.

flat-out best player: The combination of Bledsoe and Terry Glenn. It's like they share the same brain sometimes.

biggest disappointment: Possibly Skyler Green whom we hoped might be an "electric" punt returner; may not even make the team. Henson to some who are always looking for the next Aikmen. TO I suppose for not playing

any other information you may wish to share: lots of rookies/late round picks to look out for over the season: Sam Hurd, Jamaica Rector, Pat Watkins, Jay Ratliff, Pat McQuistan

I'm particularly keen on knowing about the performances of the O-line (is Gurode truly ready to take the next step?): we won't know about Gurode until 2-3 games into the season because "the next step" is for him to come in and be an every down, every game type of player who doesn't make mistakes. Let's hope he is though.

and the D-Line (Thomas Pepper Johnson- promising young talent? or charitably nicknamed camp fodder?) somewhere in between...situational player who will have a chance to make an impact over the course of the season.

[lurkercowboy]

Can we get a group hug here? :D

Seems like old times. Now all we need is for JEM to log in as Diego and we'd be set. ;)
There are a couple of VA Cowboy's here, I think the other one posts a little more and runs his name together. I checked out the old site a few weeks ago and man is it dead. There are still posts on the page from last fall.

You would think that site would have been updated at some point. I think the basic layout and function is the same as in 1996.

Who could forget Diego? Anyone remember the Gay Asian?

[ravidubey]

Don't forget that clown Diego! I schooled him on a frequent basis. Those were the days; that was an old-school site.

Of course there's Doomsday and Viper and Ben (now banned) in Austin. I also remember flashback. Isn't DIEGO posting as Bach now?

[Doomsday101]

Of course there's Doomsday and Viper and Ben (now banned) in Austin. I also remember flashback. Isn't DIEGO posting as Bach now?

Been a longtime since I was at Austin360

[VA Cowboy]

You would think that site would have been updated at some point. I think the basic layout and function is the same as in 1996.

Who could forget Diego? Anyone remember the Gay Asian?

That site would've been fine but it was unmoderated. And yeah, who could forget the Gay Asian? How about Regi Star? I know some of those guys probably post here now, just under different aliases.

[lurkercowboy]

Regi Star with his "Regi Awards".

[VA Cowboy]

Of course there's Doomsday and Viper and Ben (now banned) in Austin. I also remember flashback. Isn't DIEGO posting as Bach now?

I think Ben's been banned from about every site on the net :laugh2:

As for Diego, I thought he was posting as JEM88

[ravidubey]

Been a longtime since I was at Austin360

At least 15025 posts ago (plus those from the Mazevo site)! Good to see you're old school and diehard royal blue and metallic silver as ever

[ravidubey]

I think Ben's been banned from about every site on the net :laugh2:

As for Diego, I thought he was posting as JEM88
:laugh2:

[Bob Sacamano]

That site would've been fine but it was unmoderated.

hmmm, unmoderated eh? I think I might've liked it over there :D

[lurkercowboy]

It was unmoderated all right. It could become quite chaotic at times. It was a great collection of fans though. The core group was very knowledgable.

[CoCo]

Ok Austin 360 vets I am offended. How quickly you all have forgotten me.:rolleyes:

Don't forget the Regi AwaRds also included the Dregi Awards.

A couple other names from that site.

Cowboy Fanatic was a great poster but I seem to recall that he lost touch with the site about the time he got a chance to become an insider at VR. He got some gig there - and he was very credible to boot.

Remember "Guru" who had the supposed scoop on Switzer replacements?

How bout "nhtr"? That guy just had a black cloud following him no matter the topic. One of the most unique cyber personalities I've ever met.

The Family aka BigD was a staple for years and one of the very last to stay active over there.

LT & RP (now Viper) still hang out at DCC. I think Bro.Greg has been seen around this site lately too.

[Doomsday101]

At least 15025 posts ago (plus those from the Mazevo site)! Good to see you're old school and diehard royal blue and metallic silver as ever

I don't know any other way. :laugh2:

[Doomsday101]

Ok Austin 360 vets I am offended. How quickly you all have forgotten me.:rolleyes:

Don't forget the Regi AwaRds also included the Dregi Awards.

A couple other names from that site.

Cowboy Fanatic was a great poster but I seem to recall that he lost touch with the site about the time he got a chance to become an insider at VR. He got some gig there - and he was very credible to boot.

Remember "Guru" who had the supposed scoop on Switzer replacements?

How bout "nhtr"? That guy just had a black cloud following him no matter the topic. One of the most unique cyber personalities I've ever met.

The Family aka BigD was a staple for years and one of the very last to stay active over there.

LT & RP (now Viper) still hang out at DCC. I think Bro.Greg has been seen around this site lately too.

Forget you? never, many times the voice of reason at Austin360.

[CoCo]

Forget you? never, many times the voice of reason at Austin360.

Thank you. :D

I knew you posted here a lot but until Ravi mentioned 15,000!!! Geez...

[Doomsday101]

Thank you. :D

I knew you posted here a lot but until Ravi mentioned 15,000!!! Geez...

I had a few things to say over the last 2 or 3 years.:laugh2:

[lurkercowboy]

Remember all the talk about the Brazilian girlfriend etc.?

[CoCo]

Remember all the talk about the Brazilian girlfriend etc.?

Yes, but was that Diego or JEM? Or are they the same, or ... :bang2:

ahhhh, it feels like home. ;)

[keds]

I'm another another former Austin360 poster crawling out of the woodwork.... JEM, Diego and DanTanna rule!!!

[jem88]

I'm another another former Austin360 poster crawling out of the woodwork.... JEM, Diego and DanTanna rule!!!
Cheers Keds! But let me set this straight once and for all: I am not Diego. I will confess something....Diego is my brother. I can also assure you that he isn't posting here. He's lost interest in the Boys. Sad actually and an indictment of what kind of fan he really was. Now he's more into Liverpool F.C., who I despise.

Good evening Doomsday and CoCo, good to see two proud alums posting here.

p.s. The Brazilian girlfriend was Jem's domain (of course!); however, I'm older and wiser and happily married to a lovely Venezuelan señorita. Just got back from a vacation there, hence the gap in my Cowboys knowledge.

[keds]

JEM... I posted for about 5 years at Austin360 under the name Cowboysfan until finding this site... there were some great political discussions there and I thought JEM and Diego offered a lot to the board with their diverse views.
DanTanna was my favorite though as he brought a lot of humor and of course a lot of intrigue with his claim of having an inside source.

[jem88]

JEM... I posted for about 5 years at Austin360 under the name Cowboysfan until finding this site... there were some great political discussions there and I thought JEM and Diego offered a lot to the board with their diverse views.
DanTanna was my favorite though as he brought a lot of humor and of course a lot of intrigue with his claim of having an inside source.
Isn't there a DanTanna posting on this site as well?

[CoCo]

Isn't there a DanTanna posting on this site as well?

Yes there is. I don't recall Dan Tanna claiming to have an inside source though.

I'm thinking I vaguely remember cowboysfan posting.

[keds]

If I remember correctly Dan Tanna claimed to have an inside source with the Carolina Panthers.... whether it was true or not I don't remember but Dan Tanna was always good for a few laughs...

[jem88]

Yes there is. I don't recall Dan Tanna claiming to have an inside source though.

I'm thinking I vaguely remember cowboysfan posting. And of course you remember Jem!

[ravidubey]

We need more threads like this one turned out! For a walk down memory lane: http://www.austin360.com/search/content/sports/pro/cowboys/makecall.html