DMN Camp Blog: Storylines we'll continue to follow ... or start following - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 08-10-2006

Who's starting at free safety? I think Keith Davis may get the start in Seattle, but rookie Pat Watkins will win the job before the season begins. The friends that Parcells brought in to evaluate talent (the guys who aren't afraid to talk) are raving about the impact Watkins could have. He's obviously green, but day after day, you see him overcome mistakes with the way he covers so much ground. He could become the best 6-5 safety in club history! I know a guy named Charlie Waters seemed pretty impressed.

How good/bad can this OL be? Folks, this is the $25 million question right now. To put all this "firepower" in play, you have to give Drew Bledsoe time in the pocket. He won't say it, but this is Parcells' biggest concern right now. And the second concern isn't even close.

The good news is that Flozell Adams has sort of snapped out of whatever was holding him back early in camp. For this line to be successful, he and veteran right guard Marco Rivera have to have solid seasons. Rivera is a lot more important than we give him credit for because he's sort of a safety blanket for the two guys surrounding him.

Andre Gurode will start at center until he starts blowing assignments. And that will happen. The Cowboys want Rob Petitti to start at right tackle. I know I wrote a recent column on his transformation in the off-season, but he has to find a way to carry that work onto the field. He and Marc Colombo will battle for that spot, and look for Jason Fabini to be the odd man out.

Where's the depth, you might ask? It's a fair question. Cory Procter and Stephen Peterman will battle for the backup guard spots and you might even see Matt Tarullo in that mix. The seventh-round draft choice, Pat McQuistan, has impressed coaches with his athletic ability. He may end up backing up Adams at left tackle.

Has the kicking game improved? Well, you couldn't tell it by watching practice because Mike Vanderjagt has been wildly inconsistent. Not time to hit the panic button until he starts shanking kicks in preseason games, though. He hasn't been taking any turns kicking off lately. Those duties will probably belong to Shaun Suisham in Seattle.

Bold prediction of the morning: Mat "High Pants" McBriar will make a run at the Pro Bowl this season. He has a strong leg (ask Rocky Boiman about it) and all that Aussie Rules Football has helped him learn how to place kicks. Just keep him away from the Fosters and everything should be fine.

Much, much more to come!

Posted by Matt Mosley

at 11:39 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Your obligatory T.O. note of the morning..

This from my good friend Jaime Aron from The Associated Press: T.O. asked his mom to stop by discount clothing store, TJ Maxx, and pick him up some black socks Wednesday.

I don't know about you guys, but I always send my mom to Mervyn's for black socks. Just a little higher quality sock, although Maxx has the edge when it comes to Polo knockoffs. You know what I'm talking about. The shirts with the fox insignia.

Posted by Matt Mosley

at 11:28 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

diamond cutter · 08-10-2006

Quote:

Who's starting at free safety? I think Keith Davis may get the start in Seattle, but rookie Pat Watkins will win the job before the season begins. The friends that Parcells brought in to evaluate talent (the guys who aren't afraid to talk) are raving about the impact Watkins could have. He's obviously green, but day after day, you see him overcome mistakes with the way he covers so much ground. He could become the best 6-5 safety in club history! I know a guy named Charlie Waters seemed pretty impressed.

This really isn't saying much, is it since there has not been a 6-5 safety in club history?

CrazyCowboy · 08-10-2006

I would like to see Watkins manning center field on 3rd downs....maybe Moss don't score two tds in 3 min this yr

2much2soon · 08-10-2006

I love all the positive stuff about Watkins. Sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder for being drafter lower than he though he would be.
Big score for the 'Boys if they just snagged a future star FS in the 5th.

ddh33 · 08-10-2006

The Pat Watkins comments are very encouraging. His ability to recover and gobble up space while playing a centerfield type of safety make him an ideal pairing with Roy Williams. I'm hoping for the best...

The OL is an obvious concern. I tend to think that it will get itself sorted out. I have no illusions about this being the best OL in the business. If they can just be solid - and I think they can - this team will be able to put points on the board.

dmq · 08-10-2006

Who's starting at free safety? I think Keith Davis may get the start in Seattle, but rookie Pat Watkins will win the job before the season begins. The friends that Parcells brought in to evaluate talent (the guys who aren't afraid to talk) are raving about the impact Watkins could have. He's obviously green, but day after day, you see him overcome mistakes with the way he covers so much ground. He could become the best 6-5 safety in club history! I know a guy named Charlie Waters seemed pretty impressed

Maybe he should play a preseason game before we anoint him best anything.
I think Pat Could be the guy that starts swatting the ball out of the air and finally turn our secondary into an intercepting machine.

junk · 08-10-2006

If McBriar has such a strong leg, why can't he learn to kick off?