After slow start, DE Russell starting to make strides.

[RS12]

Ryan Russell has steadily improved through training camp so far. It wasn’t that he played badly initially, just that he didn’t particularly stand out. As camp has gone on, he’s started to gain confidence and make plays.

One of Russell’s biggest learning curves has been the scheme change, as he played in a 3-4 defense at Purdue. He admits that it’s challenging, but that he’s learning quickly.

“A little bit, but when I first started playing football, it was as a 4-3 defensive end, so I’m a little more familiar with that,” Russell said. “Right now, I’m playing a little inside as well, so that’s quite new for me, but Coach (Rod) Marinelli keeps everything pretty clear and clean-cut. We’re all on the same page so we can go fast.”

His biggest issue as a player is one that is made obvious by Rod Marinelli almost every day, when he yells at Russell to “get off the ball”. The frustrating thing is that he has flashed a few really nice speed rushes to beat blockers off the snap, but he lacks any sort of consistency in this area. Russell doesn’t mind the criticism, and he even agrees with Marinelli.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...r-slow-start-de-russell-starting-make-strides

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Not sure what's going to happen with RR. As a 4th (?) round pick, it'll be way too hard to stash him on practice squad, but it'll be very hard for him to make the 53 since they'll most likely keep only 8 or 9 lineman, and 7 or 8 of those are already probably taken up (Lawrence, Gregory, Mincey, Hardy*, Hayden, 2 Crawford's) then a battle between Bishop, RR, and the rest for the remaining 1 or 2 spots. Problem is he's not as good of a DE or DT as some of the other guys are at their position.

Makes having 3 qbs a luxury we can't afford. Especially if we need bodies for LB and WR/TE

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Not sure what's going to happen with RR. As a 4th (?) round pick, it'll be way too hard to stash him on practice squad, but it'll be very hard for him to make the 53 since they'll most likely keep only 8 or 9 lineman, and 7 or 8 of those are already probably taken up (Lawrence, Gregory, Mincey, Hardy*, Hayden, 2 Crawford's) then a battle between Bishop, RR, and the rest for the remaining 1 or 2 spots. Problem is he's not as good of a DE or DT as some of the other guys are at their position.

Makes having 3 qbs a luxury we can't afford. Especially if we need bodies for LB and WR/TE

Nate Newton was talking up Gardner so he might be in the mix as well. On Talking Cowboys, he said he wished Gardner had athleticism (or something like that) to go along with his high motor.

We know Lawrence and Gregory are locks but, with Hardy out the first four games, do they go with experience (Mincey) or do they go with youth (Russell, Gardner, or Edwards) at DE.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Nate Newton was talking up Gardner so he might be in the mix as well. On Talking Cowboys, he said he wished Gardner had athleticism (or something like that) to go along with his high motor.

We know Lawrence and Gregory are locks but, with Hardy out the first four games, do they go with experience (Mincey) or do they go with youth (Russell, Gardner, or Edwards) at DE.

Mincey is making the 53 regardless. Now, one of the younger guys could be on the 53 until Hardy returns. Hardy will still count against the roster so we'd have to go light at some other position the firsts 4 games if we want to keep an extra DE.

 

[Stash]

At this point, I think that Russell has moved past Gardner on the totem pole. The coaches see great potential in Russell and are coaching him really hard to maximize his potential. I think Gradner is a limited athlete with a great motor but not a huge upside.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

At this point, I think that Russell has moved past Gardner on the totem pole. The coaches see great potential in Russell and are coaching him really hard to maximize his potential. I think Gradner is a limited athlete with a great motor but not a huge upside.

I think your statement in bold is the general consensus concerning Gardner. He may turn into a La'Roi Glover-type player in the future but for now he is behind the eight-ball.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This guy would get a ton of preseason snaps for me because I'm not sure we can hide him on the PS. We need to know if he has "it" before final cuts.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Mincey is making the 53 regardless. Now, one of the younger guys could be on the 53 until Hardy returns. Hardy will still count against the roster so we'd have to go light at some other position the firsts 4 games if we want to keep an extra DE.

Players on the suspended list do not count towards the 53.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Players on the suspended list do not count towards the 53.

Oh ok. I thought it was only playing on PUP or IR. Okay well then never mind.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Mincey isn't going anywhere.

Broaddus reported that Russell was doing better at DT than at DE. I watched him in the one on ones against the Rams. He was one of the few that was getting beat almost every time. Broaddus said a couple times that he "didn't have a plan" as to what he was going to do when the ball was snapped. He was also very slow off the snap on multiple occasions. I think he has a long road ahead of him if he is going to have to make it at DT. You have Crawford, Hayden, Coleman, Bishop and J. Crawford ahead of him there, not to mention McClain.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think they go long at DL and he has no issues of making the team. They will go with 9 DBs and keep 9 or 10, possibly 11 DL. Then make adjustments from there, as well for when Hardy returns.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Mincey is making the 53 regardless. Now, one of the younger guys could be on the 53 until Hardy returns. Hardy will still count against the roster so we'd have to go light at some other position the firsts 4 games if we want to keep an extra DE.

Hardy and McClain wont count until their suspension is up

 

[darthseinfeld]

I think they go long at DL and he has no issues of making the team. They will go with 9 DBs and keep 9 or 10, possibly 11 DL. Then make adjustments from there, as well for when Hardy returns.

I think we go short at Safety with 2 CBs ( White, Jones) capable of play Safety

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Not sure what's going to happen with RR. As a 4th (?) round pick, it'll be way too hard to stash him on practice squad, but it'll be very hard for him to make the 53 since they'll most likely keep only 8 or 9 lineman, and 7 or 8 of those are already probably taken up (Lawrence, Gregory, Mincey, Hardy*, Hayden, 2 Crawford's) then a battle between Bishop, RR, and the rest for the remaining 1 or 2 spots. Problem is he's not as good of a DE or DT as some of the other guys are at their position.

Makes having 3 qbs a luxury we can't afford. Especially if we need bodies for LB and WR/TE

We are going to cut some talent on the DL. Hopefully we can get 6th or 7th round picks for them

 

[texbumthelife]

We are going to cut some talent on the DL. Hopefully we can get 6th or 7th round picks for them

Why would we get picks for cuts?

 

[jazzcat22]

I think we go short at Safety with 2 CBs ( White, Jones) capable of play Safety

That is why I say they only keep 9 instead of 10.
Carr, Scandrick, Claiborne, Patmon
Church, Wilcox, either Heath or McCray mostly for ST's
White, Jones

Unless one of the DL can replace Heath or McCray, or a LB for ST's

 

[Fletch]

Nate Newton was talking up Gardner so he might be in the mix as well. On Talking Cowboys, he said he wished Gardner had athleticism (or something like that) to go along with his high motor.

We know Lawrence and Gregory are locks but, with Hardy out the first four games, do they go with experience (Mincey) or do they go with youth (Russell, Gardner, or Edwards) at DE.

Newton said he wished Gardner had a "quick-twitch muscle" in his body. ...said he's all diesel.

I get it, but Gardner is smart and gives 100% every play. I love that about him. The Cowboys held on to him after his injury last offseason for a reason. He's going to make the team.

 

[Proximo]

This guy would get a ton of preseason snaps for me because I'm not sure we can hide him on the PS. We need to know if he has "it" before final cuts.

I like this thought.

And every year, there are inevitably some surprise cuts...so maybe there's a cut at another position altogether that frees up a spot. You never know.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

That is why I say they only keep 9 instead of 10.
Carr, Scandrick, Claiborne, Patmon
Church, Wilcox, either Heath or McCray mostly for ST's
White, Jones

Unless one of the DL can replace Heath or McCray, or a LB for ST's

Sounds good to me.

 

[crazyeddie]

I like Russell,he could be a good 3tech DT for us down the road.