Mini-Camp Wrap Up

[dargonking999]

Mini-Camp Wrap Up

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• The Roundup

— Will Parchman @ 4:19 pm
Today the Cowboys’ full-team mini-camp came to an end and for the most part I was very, very pleased with the things I’ve heard and seen. It seems as if a lot of the players who needed to get in shape did, and a lot of guys came into camp with skills they didn’t have in December. Larry Allen, Kurt Vollers and Quincy Morgan all showed up this weekend significantly bigger and in better shape. The Cowboys’ off-season conditioning program has become somewhat infamous for being more intense than the league average… 1st round pick Marcus Spears dropped 13 pounds between Draft Day and Friday.


Henson showing his new throwing style earlier todayIn his press conference earlier today when asked about the Henson-Romo battle, Parcells had this to say:

“I think I see some improvement… but this is going to be simple. It’s going to play itself out this summer. That’s going to be one of the easier things to decide because we’re going to give him so many reps… they’re not going to be behind from a practice opportunity standpoint, so you’re going to see it… I think Tony is more advanced from Drew in knowing what’s going on with running the offense. He is a little ahead.”

Parcells has never been one for pleasantries and it showed in his attitude with this QB battle for #2 on the depth chart.

The ‘Pete Hunter Saga’ also continued this weekend when Pete offered up this gold nugget:

“A lot of that stuff was blown up, guys saying this and saying that,” said Hunter, who signed a one-year tender for $656,000. “I never said I wouldn’t play safety. I said I wanted to play corner. If they need me at safety, I’ll play that. Wherever, man. I’m so far past that. I’m just happy to be out here.”

What a tool. Honestly. Not only did he say “I haven’t lost a step so I’m not playing safety,” but now he’s pulling a Bill Clinton “how do you define the word IS?” move. Why this guy is still on this team I don’t know. He is not a good player, period. I have never seen him play safety so maybe we’re missing something decent, but he’s just gone into damage control mode now which is sad. Not only is Hunter not needed at CB anymore, but I would go so far as to say this: the Cowboys don’t need him at FS either. I’d like to see Justin Beriault get some snaps back there and become the beast in waiting I know he is. He has the speed (4.5 40) and the tackling ability, he just needs to polish his coverage skills, which only comes from PT. As far as I’m concerned, Pete Hunter is dead to this team.

Marcus Spears has been lining up across from Greg Ellis thus far in camp as the second starting DE… should be interesting to see if Spears can start there on Week 1, or if La’Roi Glover will be moved somehow. Glover has made it know that he isn’t liking the way his new role in the defense is shaping up. He stated that he wants to start the opening defensive series on Sept. 11 against the Chargers, but Parcells has made it known that he is the one calling the shots.

“I want to play him 60 percent of the time,” Parcells said of Glover. “He’ll certainly be in our nickel. That’s half the plays right there. To me, I’m not worried about what anyone thinks about their roles or playing time. I don’t care.”

Lastly, Reggie Love is beginning to transition over to LB from basketball and WR. If he can contribute and learn the 3-4 before the season starts, he is a gigantic boost to the depth of this young developing linebacking squad.

[JackMagist]

Originally Posted by dargonking999

What a tool. Honestly. Not only did he say “I haven’t lost a step so I’m not playing safety,” but now he’s pulling a Bill Clinton “how do you define the word IS?” move. Why this guy is still on this team I don’t know. He is not a good player, period. I have never seen him play safety so maybe we’re missing something decent, but he’s just gone into damage control mode now which is sad. Not only is Hunter not needed at CB anymore, but I would go so far as to say this: the Cowboys don’t need him at FS either. I’d like to see Justin Beriault get some snaps back there and become the beast in waiting I know he is. He has the speed (4.5 40) and the tackling ability, he just needs to polish his coverage skills, which only comes from PT. As far as I’m concerned, Pete Hunter is dead to this team.

Ok so a guy can't be forgiven for having a reaction to a situation that he didn't like. Obviously he wants to play CB and didn't like losing his starting job to injury and an offseason signing...I can't blame him for that. Now he's had time to think about it and realizes that this is his best shot and he better take what he can get so he offers up an Olive Branch. But screw that, he overracted in the heat of the moment so throw him and his 4.3 40 and 212 lbs and natural talent out for a shorter and slower (4.5 40) rookie who is a natural Strong Saftey.

Sorry but that makes no since to me. If he had come to camp still having that same attitude I would be with you but it sounds to me like he has gotten his head on straight but everyone wants to take is earlier overreaction personal or something. The guy wants to be here and he wants to do whatever they ask him to do. What they hell else do you want?

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree Jack.

I've always liked Hunter. While I didn't like the "pop-off" I don't think that should mean the guy is given no chance.

[LaTunaNostra]

Originally Posted by dargonking9990

As far as I’m concerned, Pete Hunter is dead to this team.

I'm sure Bill Parcells will be taking that breath-takingly analytical opinion under advisement.

This guy should be writing for the soaps, or at least a Geico commercial.

[DanTanna]

I can see Glover's point of view. Its just his ego talking a little. But he will be a BEAST with tons of energy if he plays 60% of the plays! And he'll play 3 more years in the league. Thats got to be worth a few million right there.

If Petey still runs a 4.3-4.5 more power to US!!!

[big dog cowboy]

Last year at this time we were all rooting for Pete Hunter. My what a difference 12 short months can make.

[Chuck 54]

Originally Posted by JackMagist

Ok so a guy can't be forgiven for having a reaction to a situation that he didn't like. Obviously he wants to play CB and didn't like losing his starting job to injury and an offseason signing...I can't blame him for that. Now he's had time to think about it and realizes that this is his best shot and he better take what he can get so he offers up an Olive Branch. But screw that, he overracted in the heat of the moment so throw him and his 4.3 40 and 212 lbs and natural talent out for a shorter and slower (4.5 40) rookie who is a natural Strong Saftey.

Sorry but that makes no since to me. If he had come to camp still having that same attitude I would be with you but it sounds to me like he has gotten his head on straight but everyone wants to take is earlier overreaction personal or something. The guy wants to be here and he wants to do whatever they ask him to do. What they hell else do you want?

If Pete Hunter ever ran a 4.3 in his life, I'll kiss your butt and his.

Even coming out of college, while he wasn't invited to the combine, he was listed as a safety in Kiper's draft report and his spring timing in college was only a 4.55 forty. I have a handwritten note in my book that shows a 4.45 in parenthesis, but I don't know where I got that unless it was reported on the Cowboys site when he was drafted, playing it up a bit.

One thing's for sure, Pete Hunter has never run anything close to a 4.3....if you think you have evidence to the contrary, please share it.

ON the other hand, while I would not jettison Pete over his reaction to the question about safety, I don't expect him to win any playing time to speak of, and he will indeed struggle to make the team, but he deserves to compete. When you hear Parcells say there's no plan to move him to safety, you should breath a sigh of relief because tackling is definitely the weakest part of his game...he is not a strong tackler which is a liability at safety.

[junk]

Although I don't think Pete is the sharpest knife in the drawer, I still like his upside and potential. I think he is a bit slow picking up the nuances of a position, but I thought he came on and played well after the Ross release.

We just didn't get a chance to see the kid last year because of injury. Heck, people on here were willing to give a marginal QB prospect at least 4 years to prove himself and he played all the time. I would love to see what Hunter can do if he can stay healthy.

Its not like it costs much to keep him around.

[JackMagist]

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

If Pete Hunter ever ran a 4.3 in his life, I'll kiss your butt and his.

Even coming out of college, while he wasn't invited to the combine, he was listed as a safety in Kiper's draft report and his spring timing in college was only a 4.55 forty. I have a handwritten note in my book that shows a 4.45 in parenthesis, but I don't know where I got that unless it was reported on the Cowboys site when he was drafted, playing it up a bit.

One thing's for sure, Pete Hunter has never run anything close to a 4.3....if you think you have evidence to the contrary, please share it.

Ok so I rounded off .04 seconds or I'd be telling you to pucker up. This is from DC.com player profiles:

PRO: As the Cowboys fifth round draft choice (168th overall) in 2002, Pete Hunter is looking to capitalize on the experience he gained during his rookie season to become a regular in the Cowboys secondary. His combination of outstanding size (6-2, 212-pounds), speed (4.34 40-yard dash) and smarts (honor student who graduated with a degree in criminal justice) helped him turn into a versatile playmaker at Virginia Union. Hunter is also a commodity on special teams units, recording 10 career blocked punts, field goals and PATs during his college career.

I'd have to say that 4.34 is close to 4.3 not to mention that his speed was widely reported in the media last year.

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

If Pete Hunter ever ran a 4.3 in his life, I'll kiss your butt and his.

Even coming out of college, while he wasn't invited to the combine, he was listed as a safety in Kiper's draft report and his spring timing in college was only a 4.55 forty. I have a handwritten note in my book that shows a 4.45 in parenthesis, but I don't know where I got that unless it was reported on the Cowboys site when he was drafted, playing it up a bit.

One thing's for sure, Pete Hunter has never run anything close to a 4.3....if you think you have evidence to the contrary, please share it.

.

I dont know what WR Steve Smith of Carolina runs, but he's regarded as a blazer by most, and Hunter caught him from behind

I'm not a Hunter supporter either, but before the knee injury he definitely had good speed

David

[bert]

In most peoples books anything from a 4.30 to 4.39 is what is considered as having 4.3 40 speed. So, perhaps you should go ahead and tell him to pucker up . LOL I for one like Hunter and think he has good potential.

[parchy]

Originally Posted by JackMagist

Ok so a guy can't be forgiven for having a reaction to a situation that he didn't like. Obviously he wants to play CB and didn't like losing his starting job to injury and an offseason signing...I can't blame him for that. Now he's had time to think about it and realizes that this is his best shot and he better take what he can get so he offers up an Olive Branch. But screw that, he overracted in the heat of the moment so throw him and his 4.3 40 and 212 lbs and natural talent out for a shorter and slower (4.5 40) rookie who is a natural Strong Saftey.

Sorry but that makes no since to me. If he had come to camp still having that same attitude I would be with you but it sounds to me like he has gotten his head on straight but everyone wants to take is earlier overreaction personal or something. The guy wants to be here and he wants to do whatever they ask him to do. What they hell else do you want?

If you can't be diplomatic about something, I don't understand why you would say anything in the first place... go ahead, be unhappy about it, but don't put your foot in your mouth, you know? As long as Hunter is still on the team (which he and his agent have already tried to back out of) you play hard on the field and keep your name out of the headlines... I thought what La'Roi Glover said in response to his diminished playing time was very appropriate... we were all able to read between the lines in what he was saying, but he didn't say anything that could possibly get him in trouble... Hunter just wasn't smart with his wording, and no, I don't think anybody should have to forgive actions like that... if you can't react in the heat of the moment when there are microphones in your face, I don't want you playing when the Cowboys are 8-6 and fighting for a playoff spot...

Regarding him suddenly being okay with being safety, I don't buy it... the only reason he is doing it is because he realized he isn't good enough to play CB in any set other than the Dime... if he really wanted to be in Dallas, why was his agent shopping in New York for a possible trade?

[Nors]

I think Tony is more advanced from Drew in knowing what’s going on with running the offense. He is a little ahead.”

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by Nors

I think Tony is more advanced from Drew in knowing what’s going on with running the offense. He is a little ahead.”

I would hope so. He's been here a year longer. This is drew's first full offseason.

[SuspectCorner]

hunter has every tool - except the "team first" attitude. under the column "potential", include the words "disruptive roster presence"... right now it's just too easy for me to picture this guy whining about a lack of PT at CB.