DMN Archer: Observation deck: Praise for Ellis (Notes)

[WoodysGirl]

11:20 PM CDT on Thursday, August 3, 2006


By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News


• Greg Ellis admits he doesn't feel comfortable at linebacker, but he earned kudos from coordinator Mike Zimmer after sticking to Sean Ryan in a one-on-one drill. Ryan made the catch, but Ellis was in the right position.

• New Cowboys radio analyst and former safety Charlie Waters has arrived at training camp. He boldly watched practice from "inside the ropes," using the former player card along with Jay Saldi, a former teammate and father of linebacker John Saldi .

• A set of officials were on hand for Thursday's workout. Each year, a group works with a team at training camp and talks to players about points of emphasis in the upcoming season.

• Miles Austin had a solid workout, making a number of catches, including a one-handed grab of a Drew Henson pass. J.R. Tolver, on the other hand, had two drops and heard it from receivers coach and passing game coordinator Todd Haley.

• Quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer has the quarterbacks working on their accuracy by having them try to hit different color flags on poles from 15 yards away. At one point, Palmer said, "The object is to hit the target," after a number of misses.

• Linebacker Oliver Hoyte blocked a punt in special teams drills. New punter/kickoff specialist Tyler Fredrickson had a slow delivery that led to the block.

• Mike Vanderjagt was back on the field and made three of four kicks. It was by far the kickers' best day. Vanderjagt, Shaun Suisham and Fredrickson were a combined 8-of-10.

• Rookie safety Pat Watkins worked with the first-team nickel defense Thursday, but he didn't get his hands on any balls for the first time in two days.

• Drew Bledsoe, Tony Romo and Henson had all three touchdown passes during the inside-the-20 portion of team drills. Terry Glenn made a terrific snare of a bullet from Bledsoe, while Romo had his best throw in a few days, hitting tight end Tony Curtis in stride at the goal line. Henson's touchdown went to Patrick Crayton .

• For the first time in camp, rookie quarterback Jeff Mroz was not part of the rotation in seven-on-seven or team drills.

• Safety/cornerback Marcus Coleman had the interception of the day, ranging far to his left and leaping to pick off a Romo pass that appeared to be deflected.

[Woods]

Looks like over the past several days M. Coleman is starting to come on.

[ZeroClub]

Good for Charlie Waters! Somehow I doubt Babe L. gets "inside the ropes."

[CrazyCowboy]

Thanks for the read...

[Jarv]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

11:20 PM CDT on Thursday, August 3, 2006


By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News


• Greg Ellis admits he doesn't feel comfortable at linebacker, but he earned kudos from coordinator Mike Zimmer after sticking to Sean Ryan in a one-on-one drill. Ryan made the catch, but Ellis was in the right position.

• New Cowboys radio analyst and former safety Charlie Waters has arrived at training camp. He boldly watched practice from "inside the ropes," using the former player card along with Jay Saldi, a former teammate and father of linebacker John Saldi

Won't it be funny if Greg turns out to be a great OLB'er...lol. I'm pulling for him.

Doesn't it sound like Todd is a little jealous of Charlie...Since Charlie is inside the ropes.

[dmq]

I can't understand why we didn't start this experiment with Ellis last year. He is gonna be a liability in coverage this year.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by ZeroClub

Good for Charlie Waters! Somehow I doubt Babe L. gets "inside the ropes."

So glad to see Babe out of the mix.
I'm glad to hear Watkins inserted into the starting Nickel defense. It's just a matter of time before he makes his presence known. Glad to hear Vandy had a solid day.
Nice read, thanx.

[EndGame]

Originally Posted by dmq

I can't understand why we didn't start this experiment with Ellis last year. He is gonna be a liability in coverage this year.

Probably because Canty wasn't ready to start at the beginning of the season last year.

[aikemirv]

Originally Posted by dmq

I can't understand why we didn't start this experiment with Ellis last year. He is gonna be a liability in coverage this year.

I really don't think he will be in coverage very often - it is just the different looks and such that BP wants to present so the QB will not know who is rushing - Ware or Ellis.

[MONT17]

if they can learn how to Block punts like Jimmy's teams this will be a fun year...


Sounds like with Ellis the Boys will try to dictate to the offense more to avoid putting ELIIS in coverage!!!

when is BABE going to go back to the SKINS? every time I see him at BILLs PC I want BILL to remind BABE of the 90 season!

I bet Mike SHula would hire Babe!!!

[ravidubey]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

• Greg Ellis admits he doesn't feel comfortable at linebacker, but he earned kudos from coordinator Mike Zimmer after sticking to Sean Ryan in a one-on-one drill. Ryan made the catch, but Ellis was in the right position.

I have no idea why Dallas is taking so many reps away from players who need the time. Ellis is not a LB and he never will be. He's a weakness in coverage, and not just because Ryan caught this one pass in practice, but because Ellis is a lumbering defensive lineman! For God's sakes he's a LINEMAN!

Originally Posted by aikemirv

I really don't think he will be in coverage very often - it is just the different looks and such that BP wants to present so the QB will not know who is rushing - Ware or Ellis.

Uhh, Ellis wil ALWAYS be rushing because he CAN'T COVER! Remember why so many defenses dumped the Zone Blitz?

[Iago33]

Did I miss something? It says Ellis covered Sean Ryan well, but Sean Ryan hasn't practiced since the second day of camp?!?!?!

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by ravidubey

I have no idea why Dallas is taking so many reps away from players who need the time. Ellis is not a LB and he never will be. He's a weakness in coverage, and not just because Ryan caught this one pass in practice, but because Ellis is a lumbering defensive lineman! For God's sakes he's a LINEMAN!



Uhh, Ellis wil ALWAYS be rushing because he CAN'T COVER! Remember why so many defenses dumped the Zone Blitz?

Well, to be honest, we don't really know how well he will do in coverage yet. I have to say that I am extremelly encouraged by what I've been reading about Ellis at OLB but we really won't know till the real bullets start flying. I too was very worried that Ellis would not be able to cover well enough. It would be a nice surprise to find out that my fears were completely uncalled for.