Dfw | Camp Cowboys

[Bluefin]

CAMP COWBOYS


TOM CROWDER

39 DAYS TO KICKOFF

TUNA TALK

On the record with coach Bill Parcells

Parcells, explaining why he repeatedly yelled at rookie guard Stephen Peterman during Tuesday morning's practice:

"Well, it was mostly a rookie, but we really only have one or two scheme plays in on offense and that was one of them. There's a few moving parts on those scheme plays and if the defense changes, we have to make a call or two to adjust our blocking assignment and some of the young guys don't know what they're doing. They're just running around chasing cars."

SCOUTING ... Tom Crowder, SS

Years in the League: Rookie

Why he will make the team: The Cowboys gave him Bill Bates' No. 40 for a reason. Crowder is a potentially dominant special teams player. He didn't start on offense or defense in four years at Arkansas, but was arguably one of the Hogs' most valuable players because of his special teams play. The Cowboys gave him a $15,000 signing bonus, the second-highest of the team's rookie free agents, because they believe he has a chance to make a huge impact.

Why he won't make the team: Coach Bill Parcells has said you have to be able to do several jobs to make his team. And while Crowder is billed as a specials teams ace, he will likely give the Cowboys' regular defense nothing. He is going to be hard-pressed to become a serviceable backup in the NFL.

Outlook: Crowder has a chance because Parcells will make allowances for special players. If he performs on special teams in the NFL like he did in college, the Cowboys will give him a chance to be their next Bates. But he must do it immediately, when the lights come on in preseason games, and then continue to make plays on a weekly basis to justify being on the team.

THE BUZZ

Five-star "Hotel"

Asked if he was worried about left tackle Flozell "the Hotel" Adams being unable to duplicate last season's Pro Bowl performance, normally understated coach Bill Parcells said his expectations for Adams go far beyond the Pro Bowl.

"I'm not talking to Flo about being a one-year wonder. I want him to be the best guy in football," Parcells said. "He can be the best guy or certainly in the top two or three. I want him to be that. He gets it. He knows, he knows."

Play of the day

Free safety Keith Davis made a diving deflection of a pass from Tony Romo to tight end Jason Witten. Davis got up and signaled incomplete pass as his defensive teammates cheered him on.

What Jones thinks

Considering what he went through last year and in the off-season with Bill Parcells, Larry Allen's play at guard has been the most impressive so far in camp to owner Jerry Jones.

Along those same lines, Jones said Antonio Bryant's play in camp after his run-in with Parcells has been one of the early highlights.

Other players to catch his attention are: center Al Johnson, safety Keith Davis, cornerback Bruce Thornton, right tackle Torrin Tucker and linebacker Scott Shanle.

Tuesday's snapshots

• Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams showed improved ball skills in pass defense, stepping in front of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and nearly picking off a pass from Drew Henson.

• On consecutive plays, linebacker Bradie James tackled running back ReShard Lee for a loss and knocked the ball loose from fullback Darian Barnes after a reception.

• Rookie receiver/kick returner Patrick Crayton continues to boost his stock with impressive showings as a receiver. He made several nice catches, including a reception down the left sideline on cornerback Pete Hunter.

He said it

"Hey, Keyshawn, just give me the damn autograph,"

-- A random fan, trying use a play on receiver Keyshawn Johnson's biography to entice him to sign autographs

INJURY REPORT

SS Darren Woodson: surgery to repair herniated disk (July 27) ... Out 6-8 weeks

C Gennaro DiNapoli: ankle stress fracture (June) ... Out one month

RB Erik Bickerstaff: surgery to repair torn Achilles' ... Injured reserve

[Signals]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

CAMP COWBOYS

He said it

"Hey, Keyshawn, just give me the damn autograph,"

-- A random fan, trying use a play on receiver Keyshawn Johnson's biography to entice him to sign autographs

Now that's funny! Oh the web we weave.

[boysfanindc]

Someone should throw a jersey in AB's face and say sign it!