Dallas Cowboy Central Season Preview Part Three

[L.T. Fan]

Dallas Cowboy Central Season Preview Part Three
State Of The Team

DT

La'Roi Glover - When the Cowboys brought Glover into the fold in 2002, they expected to get a premier pass rusher in the interior. What they did not expect is the superior run support Glover has provided. While the lack of talent around him, as well as age, has affected La'Roi's sack totals, his leadership and excellence in this area has made that investment a wise one. Now on the wrong side of 30, the days of double digit sack totals are a thing of the past but Glover can still be extremely effective for a number of years providing the Cowboys can work him in a rotation.-------------------Grade – 8

Willie Blade - The erratic but gifted Mississippi St. product began to show, in 2004, why the Cowboys used a 3rd round pick in the 2001 draft to obtain his services. Blade wore down as the year progressed but can be a dominator in the middle when properly motivated and in shape, as he showed the first half of last season. The question with Willie Blade is...how much does he want it?----------------Grade – 6

Daleroy Stewart - Another in a plethora of young raw DL the Cowboys have on the roster. Daleroy, when in shape and motivated, can be our best run support player. He can win the battle at the line of scrimmage and provide decent push in the middle. Stewart can be a very effective rotation guy who can be more than that if he improves his work ethic.----------Grade – 5

Leonardo Carson - The fifth year pro and Marcellus Wiley's former teammate in San Diego has found a home in Dallas and a place as a Parcells favorite. Leo came with a ton of baggage but thus far has been a very sound pickup for the Cowboys. Carson will never be a terror to opposing QB's but he gives the Cowboys another effective 300 pounder to work into an increasingly deep DT rotation.-------------Grade – 5

Jermaine Brooks - A late season pickup in 03, the former Arkansas Razorback played very sparingly for the Cowboys. An undersized DT but not a quick gap penetrator to make up for it. He has his work cut out for him in terms of making the final roster.---------Grade – 3

Shaun Smith - Short (6'2") compact (320lbs) DT capable of helping out in run support as a 9th or 10th defensive linemen. A fringe player, looking to turn some heads in camp.---------Grade - 2

Cedric Hilliard - The undrafted rookie FA from Notre Dame is more of a nose tackle type prospect. Many of the draft publications projected Hillard as a better fit in a 3-4, and even at that, the excitement was lukewarm at best.--------------Grade – Incomplete

Analysis/Prediction

This unit is relatively deep and has the benefit of a year of training to be able to improve. That improvement has to come quickly as Glover’s skills are eroding and he may not be able to play effectively without being spelled. Most of the returning players are gap penetrators in the same mold as Glover and the team may need a true nose tackle in the very near future if Willie Blade does not develop into that role.-------------------Overall Grade - 6

OLB

Dexter Coakley - Coakley is entering his seventh year as the Cowboys' weak-side LB, having started 111 games out of a possible 112. He is also a multiple pro bowl performer, making him one of the most decorated LBs in Cowboys history. While his production and durability are not in question, his future as a starter might be. Parcells has made it clear that multiple positions are up for grabs, and Coakley may find himself on the bench if the younger, bigger Bradie James proves himself worthy in training camp. However, Coakley has the experience, and should fend off the youngster (for at least this season) and begin his eighth season as the Cowboys' weak-side backer and make yet another Pro Bowl appearance.----------Grade – 8

Al Singleton - Singleton is a steady player signed as a free-agent from Tampa in 2003. He is the type who rarely makes either a mistake or a big-play. Coach Parcells has stated that he doesn't require much coaching, and dubbed him "the Milkman," because he always delivers. In other words, he is very dependable, but in the overall scheme of things, nothing special. He is probably the least talented of the Cowboys' LBs, but still plays an important role on this team and was a factor in helping the defense become the best statistically in the league last season. While Singleton may never receive much recognition, he should continue to provide a consistent presence on the strong side this season.----------Grade - 7

Bradie James - James, a former standout at LSU, was drafted by the Cowboys in the 4th round in 2003. He was one of the best ST players on the team last season, with 12 tackles and a forced fumble/recovery. With Dexter Coakley being one of the smaller OLBs in the game, James' size (6'2", 243 lbs) and potential are expected to push the veteran for playing time. He has worked in the off-season to improve his strength, and if he outplays Coakley in the pre-season, may even start. As of right now, however, he is an unknown, and cannot be expected to replace Coakley at this time. The future appears to be bright for James, and should at least give the team some much-needed depth, as he can back-up at both the weak-side and middle LB spots. ----------Grade – 6

Markus Steele - Steele started 10 games his rookie season, but has only started one game since after the team signed Kevin Hardy in 2002 and Al Singleton in 2003 to play his position. What he does offer is someone with starting experience should Singleton go down with an injury. Unless that happens, he will have to contribute on special teams.------------Grade – 4

Scott Shanle - Shanle is a second-year player who was picked up off of waivers from the Rams and did not play in a game. Shanle has a great story of persistence, going from a walk-on at Nebraska to a three-year starter to NFL player. Unfortunately, he was also found guilty of violating the league's policy on steroid use and was suspended for four games last year. With one strike against him, unless he impresses on special teams, he will probably not make this club.----------Grade - 2

Kalen Thornton - A rookie free-agent from the University of Texas, Thornton will attempt to make the transition to LB after being a DE in college. Given his change of position and his lack of a draft pedigree, it is hard to see him making the team, at least as a linebacker. He may be tried back at DE if he shows any skill as an edge rusher.----------Grade - Incomplete


Keith O'Neil 0 Special teams player and alleged favorite of Parcells. Will have an inside track to make the club, but will still have to fight for a job in training camp.----------Grade - 2

Analysis/Prediction

Competition at this spot will likely be intense as even an All Pro like Coakley will have to fend off Bradie James. Singleton is steady, but the team would like for Steele to be able to step up if needed. Look for James to shine in camp competition and see the field a lot.-------------------Overall – 7

MLB
Dat Nguyen - Nguyen is coming off of his best season, playing in 16 full games after missing 8 games in 2002. In 2003, Nguyen led the team in tackles, had 11 passes defensed, and forced two fumbles. Drafted in the third round in 1998, Nguyen has successfully shed the label of "too small" at the MLB position, as his speed and quickness make up for any perceived lack of size. He is starting to receive mainstream accolades, as he was dubbed by Peter King as "the best player on the field" after his 15 tackle performance against Tampa Bay. That, coupled with having been an integral cog on a playoff team, Nguyen should be recognized as one of the best MLBs in the game and earn his first Pro Bowl berth.----------Grade - 8

Jamal Brooks - Brooks' contributions will have to come on special teams, if at all, as Brooks did not play in a single game last season. He was an important member of the Cowboys' ST unit in 2001, but was on IR for the 2002 season, and was cut before the 2003 season. He was re-signed late in the season, but was inactive. He will probably battle Keith O'Neil for a ST spot.----------Grade – 2



Analysis/Prediction

Nguyen simply must stay healthy. If he does, he could have an impact similar to Zach Thomas. If he succumbs to injuries as he has done in the past, the Cowboys may be forced to scramble and either plug James or Steele into the middle or sign a free agent as Brooks is not athletic enough to fit the position -------------------Overall – 7

CB

Terence Newman - A consistent defensive presence, and surefire starter, Terence has not been a great playmaker so far, though his lack of highlight reel material is often attributed in part to the scheme employed by Zimmer. He did have 76 tackles, fourth on the team. It must be recalled, too, that in 48 collegiate games, he had just 10 interceptions, though his 32 passes deflected are pretty good. His principal assets are his speed and balance, which latter attribute allows him to change direction and stay with receivers.----------Grade - 9

Pete Hunter - He's big (the biggest CB on the roster) fast (4.34-second 40-yard dash) intelligent (an honor student at Virginia Union) and versatile (also played safety in college). He's athletic, has good instincts and plays great special teams - 10 career blocked punts, field goals and PATs at VU. These are good reasons to keep Pete Hunter on the roster, but are they good enough reasons to have him start opposite Newman? He has all the tools, and the staff is taking a gamble on this boy. For the sake of the defense, it better pan out.----------Grade - 5

Donald Mitchell - A five-year veteran, and a Texas man - his wife, Nikki Leenders, worked as a reporter for WTVF-TV in Nashville - Donald's role is clearly defined. He is the nickel back, a role he filled with the Titans. Can he start if Hunter fails? Even before we ask that, has he recovered fully from his ankle injury? Remember, this is a young man who has lost two seasons already (2000 and 2003) to poor health. If he's ready to go, he'll see the field a lot, especially as he'll play a great deal on special teams. Should do well if he's healthy.----------Grade - 6.

Andrew Davison - Newman is the only really known quantity; Hunter and Mitchell have a history; after that, it's a bit of a morass. Last year, Davison sustained an ankle injury and was cut by the Jets, with whom he signed in 2002 as a free agent rookie. The former Jayhawk star saw little action in 2003, and he's more of a nickel and dime guy. A high school sprinter, he knows that this year he will have to fight just for a spot on the 53-man roster, especially given that he does not have the special teams presence of some of the rookies.----------Grade - 4.

Jameel Powell - Powell was claimed off waivers from Detroit as a rookie last year (replacing Woody Dantzler). Jameel has not played much, but Bill Parcells seems to like him. He played three NFL games, and had one tackle. At Cal, he was an all-PAC 10 punt returner (12.2 average in 2002) and he had five picks his senior year. He does possess very nice size, but (like Davison) he will realize that he is in a serious fight for a roster spot.-----------Grade - 4

Jacques Reeves - The defensive equivalent to Randal Williams, Reeves possesses fantastic speed and athleticism in an NFL-ready physique. A track star with the Boilermakers, he is a leaper, and a playmaker, but perhaps not at this level. Tackling and his ability to read and react are his weaknesses, and he will be exploited in the NFL. He lives in Texas, where he went to high school, so he'll bust his hump trying to make this team. At the age of 21, though, he holds a degree in Law, so it's not like he does not have options. PS is a possibility.----------Grade - Incomplete

Bruce Thornton - If a guy at this level had been brought in to any position where there were entrenched personnel, he'd have to be considered little more than a camp body. As is, young Thornton will compete with Nate Jones for kickoff/punt returner, which would really be his primary responsibility; he would see CB action only in emergencies. Bruce averaged 18.4 yards per return at UGA. His speed is fine, and at 24, he's reasonably mature. This will be one of the battles to watch in TC, as these are guys who feel they have a shot at a vulnerable position.----------Grade - Incomplete

Nathan Jones – Thornton is a very similar player to Jones, but in this case... Jones is a little better. At least, he was in college, averaging 28.3 yards per return in 2002. He put up a gaudy 25.7-yard average last year, in the Big East. He plays corner, but if he makes the roster, it's going to be as a return man. He was third on the Bulldogs with 73 tackles in 2003, and tied for the team lead with two picks.-----------Grade – Incomplete

Analysis/Prediction

This is the one position, more than any other, that concerns casual observers. But the coaching staff and management appears unperturbed, content with what they have on the roster. Zimmer has said that he expects someone to emerge, so has Parcells. One hopes that these guys know what they are doing, because even if one of these unknowns becomes an NFL CB, the franchise still has to worry about depth, of which there is precious little. Of note is the difference between the attitude to CB and, say, RB. As soon as George became available, contract talks were underway. Otis Smith, Mike McKenzie and a host of others have been available as options, but there's been no visible action from the front office. They're either financially strapped, exceedingly confident, or really dumb.----------Overall Grade – 4