DMN Camp Blog: Cowboys sign kicker, release 3, and TO thoughts *updated* - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 07-31-2006

Cowboys sign kicker

The Cowboys signed former Cal kicker Tyler Fredrickson today to a one-year deal.

Fredrickson worked out for the team after Sunday's practice, handling field goals, punts and kickoffs.

Fredrickson will probably kick off. Coach Bill Parcells wanted Mike Vanderjagt to do kickoffs, but that may have changed. Fredrickson, born in nearby Santa Barbara, was cut by Denver and Seattle the past two years.

Also today, the Cowboys released cornerback Byron Parker, linebacker JJ Horne and receiver Ahmad Merritt.

Posted by Calvin Watkins

at 11:09 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

T.O. thoughts

Here's some thoughts from Terrell Owens after Sunday's late practice.

T.O. on battling back from injuries: "The injuries are a part of the game. The injuries I’ve had are because of my running style and how hard I practice sometimes. You know, it takes coaches to taper back on my reps because I'm so competitive, and even if I have a nagging injury, I'm still going to force myself out there to try and make plays. This is what I've worked on in the offeseason, to try to cut back on those things."

T.O. on training camp: "I hate it, too. It's part of the routine. Training camp is good, especially for the younger guys so they can try and learn the offense and compete against some of the veterans."

T.O. on the type of throws by Drew Bledsoe: "He has a little velocity on the ball. It's no different. I've caught balls from left-handed quarterbacks, it's all the same. I just have to catch it."

Posted by Calvin Watkins

at 11:04 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Alexander · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Fredrickson will probably kick off. Coach Bill Parcells wanted Mike Vanderjagt to do kickoffs, but that may have changed.

I think unless he booms them all out of the endzone in preseason, this might not be a permanent move. I still have a hard time justifying a roster spot for a kicker who does nothing but handle kickoffs. We got Cortez last year over others because he supposedly was outstanding on kickoffs. I don't recall him booming them all out of the endzone either.

AbeBeta · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

I think unless he booms them all out of the endzone in preseason, this might not be a permanent move. I still have a hard time justifying a roster spot for a kicker who does nothing but handle kickoffs. We got Cortez last year over others because he supposedly was outstanding on kickoffs. I don't recall him booming them all out of the endzone either.

let's see, extra kicker or extra linebacker? wonder how Bill ends up going.

Alexander · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by abersonc

let's see, extra kicker or extra linebacker? wonder how Bill ends up going.

Extra tight end.

I would prefer an extra linebacker who could do more. I just think kickoff specialists are a waste, unless of course you are stacked two deep across the whole ballclub. We aren't to that level yet.

DallasEast · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

T.O. on training camp: "I hate it, too. It's part of the routine. Training camp is good, especially for the younger guys so they can try and learn the offense and compete against some of the veterans."

Training camp is good for everyone, including the all-pros. It helps establish coordination between the players and the coaches which eroded or didn't even exist during the offseason. The length of training camp/preseason is the main problem, imo. The regular season schedule is grueling enough. Cutting back on one or two preseason games would benefit the players' health over the long 16-game haul.

Jarv · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

Extra tight end.

I would prefer an extra linebacker who could do more. I just think kickoff specialists are a waste, unless of course you are stacked two deep across the whole ballclub. We aren't to that level yet.

How about an extra LB or TE that can kick off.

theogt · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarv

How about an extra LB or TE that can kick off.

Hannam (or was it ryan?) was working with the LBs. I'm sure it was just to have a body there, but hey, maybe he can do kickoffs as well.

AbeBeta · 07-31-2006

Could it be that Vandy is OLD and Bill doesn't want him getting worn out kicking off during the pre-season? It isn't like practicing kickoffs in exhibition games is going to do the guy any good at this point of his career.

The JJ Horne release highlights how you can't really put much stock in many of the "camp reports" -- Horne made a big INT -- but that's all we heard about him. What we didn't hear is that he probably was weak otherwise.

sago1 · 07-31-2006

Bringing in a kick off specialist is necessary more that just getting good kickoffs. When Vanderjagt last kicked off, he suffered some injuries to his leg. Cowboys didn't bring him in and paid him the most we ever gave a kicker just to see him hurt his leg trying to kick off. If Jerry Jones had been willing to sprang for Vinateri a kick off specialist wouldn't be necessary. Instead we use up 2 spots, one of which could be better used elsewhere, & also gotta pay the guy at least league minimum. Plus Vinateri is several years younger then Vanderjagt. Sometimes Jones is stingy when he shouldn't be--understand both Ireland, Stephen Jones and Parcells wanted to sign Vinateri but he wasn't prepared to pay that kind of money.

sago1 · 07-31-2006

BTW: Not surprised to see Merritt cut. The guy who posted on Vela's blog and give such a very thoughtful and rather long detailed report on practice said Merritt was awful and if a player needed to be cut it was Merritt; obviously Parcells thought same thing. Can't remember who the other player was who also rated same view.

Alexander · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sago1

Sometimes Jones is stingy when he shouldn't be--understand both Ireland, Stephen Jones and Parcells wanted to sign Vinateri but he wasn't prepared to pay that kind of money.

This is news to me.

DallasDW00ds0n · 07-31-2006

nnoooo Merritttttt

Wimbo · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sago1

BTW: Not surprised to see Merritt cut. The guy who posted on Vela's blog and give such a very thoughtful and rather long detailed report on practice said Merritt was awful and if a player needed to be cut it was Merritt; obviously Parcells thought same thing. Can't remember who the other player was who also rated same view.

It was Sean Ryan.

AbeBeta · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sago1

Sometimes Jones is stingy when he shouldn't be--understand both Ireland, Stephen Jones and Parcells wanted to sign Vinateri but he wasn't prepared to pay that kind of money.

Sometimes folks think that every FA is dying to come to Dallas.

Let's give a huge welcome to the winner of the 2006 version of Mike Wahle Award, Mr. Adam Vinateri!!!!!

AbeBeta · 07-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimbo

It was Sean Ryan.

Ryan will be here for a while. I believe Ryan is trying to pick up some play as an H-back -- I don't recall him doing much of that last year.