After Twelve Practices These Are My Winners

[dcfanatic]

When I heard Coach Parcells talking about getting things in place rather quickly I was very happy. I am all for getting the guys you think are going to be the starters the most work on the first team units in training camp. Enough with the this guy one week and that guy the next week. So after twelve practices I am taking a shot at picking the winners of the following five camp battles.

Battle for the Center position: Andre Gurode vs Al Johnson

Gonna go with Gurode on this one. He has been practicing with the first team and doing very well. After having mental lapses in the past it seems like those days are over now. Coach Parcells said it himself, "He's doing well. I think this is the best I've seen Andre so far in my time here. I think I understand Andre pretty well now, and I think he understands me pretty well, so I can have pretty hard conversation with him at this point and he gets it. He's really trying to do what we are asking him to do." Al Johnson has added some weight to his frame, but it still looks like he can't be a rock at the point of attack. He has still been getting pushed around some in practice. He will still be a piece to this offensive line puzzle though, but it will be as a backup.

Battle for the Free Safety position: Keith Davis vs Marcus Coleman vs Pat Watkins

Hard choice, but I have to stick with Keith Davis. He's the best of the three at bringing solid run support on first and second down to the defense. That's the biggest reason I think he starts the game as the Free Safety. He may not be in the game when it's third and 12, but he will be when it's 1st and 10. Many of you would choose Pat Watkins right now because of the stellar things he is doing in training camp, but let me remind you of some things. He is a rookie, he is not very big and he's a rookie. Making plays in practice against the same offensive plays over and over again are very different from making those same plays against an opponent you have never seen before. Also consider that he is not at an ideal weight yet to be jumping into the path of some of these RB's when it's game time. He could see some time in the nickel and dime packages. As for Marcus Coleman, I think he is more of a Nickel/Dime Safety and will see extensive playing time in those situations this season.

Battle for the Right Tackle position: Rob Petitti vs Jason Fabini vs Marc Colombo

Surprise, surprise. Marc Colombo is going to win this battle in my opinion. Now it might not be a surprise today, but no one was thinking he would win heading into training camp. He was a first round draft pick so at one point it's safe to say someone thought this kid had a lot of talent. The knee injury is what put him on the unemployment line. That injury now seems to be completely healthy and he's playing very well from all reports out at camp. Rob Petitti spent the offseason transforming himself physically, but I still think his feet being slow were more of a problem than his body type. Petitti will still be a big part of this team as the 'swing' tackle though. Fabini is not playing well at all and he is still not even a lock to make the roster at this point. That's not good news because having his veteran leadership on this team would have been an added bonus.

Battle for the Backup Quarterback position: Tony Romo vs Drew Henson

This isn't even really a battle anymore. I heard about the stats from the scrimmage on Saturday and I am still giving it to Romo by a landslide. From the accounts of everyone that watched the scrimmage they were impressed by Romo, not Henson. We already know Coach Parcells wants to see what Romo has this preseason so the battle is officially over.

Battle for the Outside Linebacker position: Al Singleton vs Bobby Carpenter

Please don't ask why I did not include Greg Ellis' name in this battle. He is getting all these reps over there right now just in case there is an emergency and he has to play at that spot during the season. He will be the 4-3 defensive end when the season begins. Bobby Carpenter is going to win this battle. Before anyone says that he's a rookie and I said early, in the Free Safety battle, that a rookie can't start let me say this. The Free Safety is the last line of defense so if he makes a big mistake that usually means six for the opposing offense. If Carpenter makes a big mistake it might mean a first down, there's a big difference. Carpenter was chosen in the first round to come in here and make plays. He can't do that from the sideline. Al Singleton is a good player, but he's not a playmaker. He should get a few series here and there, because I also expect Bobby to be a nickel backer, so Singleton will be a solid contributor to the defense in 2006.

So that's who I am choosing to win these five battles. Am I right? No one knows just yet, but even if I am wrong I just hope that whomever wins these battles is the best man for the job. This way the Cowboys start the season very fast on the way to the 2006 playoffs.

 

[Teague31]

disagree on RT- i think BP is just giving Columbo time to see what he's got- come opening day my money is still on Rob to start.

 

[THUMPER]

disagree on RT- i think BP is just giving Columbo time to see what he's got- come opening day my money is still on Rob to start.

I agree, Petitti will be the starter.

 

[The30YardSlant]

People forget that Marc Columbo was once a 1st riound pick. If he starts living up to his potential, as he appears to be, well...it's been nice knowing ya, Rob

 

[theogt]

Strange that you think Columbo has taken the RT position because he's getting all the starts at RT with the first team, but Greg isn't in contention for the LOLB spot even though he is getting EVERY SINGLE REP with the first team. I get the feeling that, at least for this year, Greg's new home is at the LOLB position 1st through 3rd down.

 

[cwalk]

Strange that you think Columbo has taken the RT position because he's getting all the starts at RT with the first team, but Greg isn't in contention for the LOLB spot even though he is getting EVERY SINGLE REP with the first team. I get the feeling that, at least for this year, Greg's new home is at the LOLB position 1st through 3rd down.

 

[YoungBuck]

People forget that Marc Columbo was once a 1st riound pick. If he starts living up to his potential, as he appears to be, well...it's been nice knowing ya, Rob

People forget that Rob Petitti was considered a future first round pick, and was on the outland trophy watch list going into his senior year.

Arn't we lucky to have two first round talents competing for the RT position.

 

[theogt]

 

[tomson75]

When I heard Coach Parcells talking about getting things in place rather quickly I was very happy. I am all for getting the guys you think are going to be the starters the most work on the first team units in training camp. Enough with the this guy one week and that guy the next week. So after twelve practices I am taking a shot at picking the winners of the following five camp battles.

Battle for the Center position: Andre Gurode vs Al Johnson

Gonna go with Gurode on this one. He has been practicing with the first team and doing very well. After having mental lapses in the past it seems like those days are over now. Coach Parcells said it himself, "He's doing well. I think this is the best I've seen Andre so far in my time here. I think I understand Andre pretty well now, and I think he understands me pretty well, so I can have pretty hard conversation with him at this point and he gets it. He's really trying to do what we are asking him to do." Al Johnson has added some weight to his frame, but it still looks like he can't be a rock at the point of attack. He has still been getting pushed around some in practice. He will still be a piece to this offensive line puzzle though, but it will be as a backup.

Battle for the Free Safety position: Keith Davis vs Marcus Coleman vs Pat Watkins

Hard choice, but I have to stick with Keith Davis. He's the best of the three at bringing solid run support on first and second down to the defense. That's the biggest reason I think he starts the game as the Free Safety. He may not be in the game when it's third and 12, but he will be when it's 1st and 10. Many of you would choose Pat Watkins right now because of the stellar things he is doing in training camp, but let me remind you of some things. He is a rookie, he is not very big and he's a rookie. Making plays in practice against the same offensive plays over and over again are very different from making those same plays against an opponent you have never seen before. Also consider that he is not at an ideal weight yet to be jumping into the path of some of these RB's when it's game time. He could see some time in the nickel and dime packages. As for Marcus Coleman, I think he is more of a Nickel/Dime Safety and will see extensive playing time in those situations this season.

Battle for the Right Tackle position: Rob Petitti vs Jason Fabini vs Marc Colombo

Surprise, surprise. Marc Colombo is going to win this battle in my opinion. Now it might not be a surprise today, but no one was thinking he would win heading into training camp. He was a first round draft pick so at one point it's safe to say someone thought this kid had a lot of talent. The knee injury is what put him on the unemployment line. That injury now seems to be completely healthy and he's playing very well from all reports out at camp. Rob Petitti spent the offseason transforming himself physically, but I still think his feet being slow were more of a problem than his body type. Petitti will still be a big part of this team as the 'swing' tackle though. Fabini is not playing well at all and he is still not even a lock to make the roster at this point. That's not good news because having his veteran leadership on this team would have been an added bonus.

Battle for the Backup Quarterback position: Tony Romo vs Drew Henson

This isn't even really a battle anymore. I heard about the stats from the scrimmage on Saturday and I am still giving it to Romo by a landslide. From the accounts of everyone that watched the scrimmage they were impressed by Romo, not Henson. We already know Coach Parcells wants to see what Romo has this preseason so the battle is officially over.

Battle for the Outside Linebacker position: Al Singleton vs Bobby Carpenter

Please don't ask why I did not include Greg Ellis' name in this battle. He is getting all these reps over there right now just in case there is an emergency and he has to play at that spot during the season. He will be the 4-3 defensive end when the season begins. Bobby Carpenter is going to win this battle. Before anyone says that he's a rookie and I said early, in the Free Safety battle, that a rookie can't start let me say this. The Free Safety is the last line of defense so if he makes a big mistake that usually means six for the opposing offense. If Carpenter makes a big mistake it might mean a first down, there's a big difference. Carpenter was chosen in the first round to come in here and make plays. He can't do that from the sideline. Al Singleton is a good player, but he's not a playmaker. He should get a few series here and there, because I also expect Bobby to be a nickel backer, so Singleton will be a solid contributor to the defense in 2006.

So that's who I am choosing to win these five battles. Am I right? No one knows just yet, but even if I am wrong I just hope that whomever wins these battles is the best man for the job. This way the Cowboys start the season very fast on the way to the 2006 playoffs.

Just a few things to think about...

While i agree with the first three assessments, i have to disagree with the "he's a rookie, he's too small and he's a rookie" comment. While i agree he looks a bit frail out there compared to the prototypical safety, he is bigger than KD. The rookie part bodes well for this actually, in that he has some room to add bulk before, during, and after the season. But even if he doesn't add bulk, its not as if he was playing DIII ball at FSU, he delivered shots to some big RB's and TE's during his tenure there. I like the comparison to Randy Moss, whose stock in the draft not only fell because of off the feild issues, but also becasue of that bony arse frame. He notched out a fair career in the NFL. I do, however, agree that KD will be the starter for a few weeks into the season though.

As for RT, i also think Parcells is simply giving Colombo all of the snaps he can to "get it". It sounds like he's doing a decent job, but i've heard he is lacking in the pass blocking department moreso than Pettiti. This is still Pettiti's job to lose, and i haven't heard where he's done anything to warrant that. I think BP is going to give certain guys reps at both tackle positions to access who will be the swing guy, and who is relegated to practice squad...or jobless.

At LB, i'd really like to see Carp beat out Singleton and Ellis. But having read the transcripts from Parcells PC today, and the glaring fact that he's only played on the outside in the nickel, this doesn't seem the case. Parcells seems pleased with Ellis' transition thus far, and stated that Bobby may be better suited to the inside. I hope this isn't the case, as Ellis scares me in any pass coverage schemes.

 

[The30YardSlant]

People forget that Rob Petitti was considered a future first round pick, and was on the outland trophy watch list going into his senior year.

Arn't we lucky to have two first round talents competing for the RT position.

:laugh2:

Please cite your "source" claiming Petiti is/was a future 1st round pick?

Again :laugh2:

 

[YoungBuck]

:laugh2:

Please cite your "source" claiming Petiti is/was a future 1st round pick?

Again :laugh2:

Link

Read...

Petitti could've gone off to the NFL this year, but chose to come back to up his overall stock and fine tune his technique. With more hype and a few more dominating performances, he could work his way into the first round and be one of the first tackles selected. For now, he'll have to settle for being the Big East's top offensive lineman and the leader of a young, but talented, offense.

and...

Petitti's best game so far was ... in the 42-10 loss to Syracuse in 2001. It's always hard to put statistics to an offensive lineman since knockdowns and pancakes are always a bit subjective. It wasn't about the numbers that Petitti put up in the loss to Syracuse as it was about the numbers that didn't go up. A freshman playing in only the fifth game of his career, Petitti had to face All-America sack master Dwight Freeney. Thanks to Petitti, the future Indianapolis Colt star didn't register a sack marking the first time in 15 games that he didn't get to the quarterback.

and finally...

Why you should care about Rob Petitti ... It'll be difficult to receive too much national recognition as the team probably won't be as strong or as flashy as it was last year, but Petitti could end up being the best offensive tackle in the nation and a top candidate for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.

 

[tomson75]

:laugh2:

Please cite your "source" claiming Petiti is/was a future 1st round pick?

Again :laugh2:

Yeah, thats a little much. I think he may have meant 1st day.?


Pitt left tackle Rob Pettiti, 6-6, 330, could attract a team on the first day, though most projections for Pettiti are for the fourth round. Pettiti “stoned” Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka and Notre Dame's Justin Tuck last season, but Pettiti's stock fell hard in the postseason when he showed up at the Senior Bowl at 364 and left with an injury that also caused him to not work-out at the combine.

http://www.jaguars.com/Story/4255.asp

I remember hearing before that his draft stock fell considerably, but i hadly think anyone ever considered him first round material.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Link

Read...


and...


and finally...

First of all, there are what 35-40 players placed on each of those watch lists?

Second, not once in there does it mention anything about being a future 1st round pick

 

[YoungBuck]

Yeah, thats a little much. I think he may have meant 1st day.?


Pitt left tackle Rob Pettiti, 6-6, 330, could attract a team on the first day, though most projections for Pettiti are for the fourth round. Pettiti “stoned” Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka and Notre Dame's Justin Tuck last season, but Pettiti's stock fell hard in the postseason when he showed up at the Senior Bowl at 364 and left with an injury that also caused him to not work-out at the combine.

http://www.jaguars.com/Story/4255.asp

I remember hearing before that his draft stock fell considerably, but i hadly think anyone ever considered him first round material.

It did, I was talking about after his junior year. After his junior year the scouting reports said that if he continues to improve over his senior year he should be a 1st round pick.

The thing with petitti was that he was so talented he fell complacent. He gained 40 lbs and fell out of shape. He was eating bad foods, drinking too much, and not working out as well as he should.

Teams just saw another LenDale White. He may have had top talents, but his work ethic made them stray away. Had he worked hard and played up to his talents, he would have been a potential 1st/2nd round pick.

 

[YoungBuck]

First of all, there are what 35-40 players placed on each of those watch lists?

Second, not once in there does it mention anything about being a future 1st round pick

he could work his way into the first round

Petitti could end up being the best offensive tackle in the nation and a top candidate for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award

So it says he could "work his wan into the first round", and he could be "the best offensive tackle". So I think that shows that he could be a future 1st rounder.

 

[50cent]

This Columbo vs. Pettiti and Ellis vs. Carp thing reminds me of the old QC vs. Hutch debate. People (Mick) kept the BP wants Qc to hang himself theory going while Qc just kept working with the 1st team. I see this as the exact same scenario. I could be wrong, but you don't just keep getting 1st team reps especially after the coach himself says he wants to get his o-line gelling after the scrimmage,asap. If Columbo is working 1st team this week, I fully expect him to have won the job in BPs eyes. Its his to lose. He made his point with Flo, but inserted him back into the 1st team today with Columbo as his bookends. Thats telling to me.

 

[YoungBuck]

This Columbo vs. Pettiti and Ellis vs. Carp thing reminds me of the old QC vs. Hutch debate. People (Mick) kept the BP wants Qc to hang himself theory going while Qc just kept working with the 1st team. I see this as the exact same scenario. I could be wrong, but you don't just keep getting 1st team reps especially after the coach himself says he wants to get his o-line gelling after the scrimmage,asap. If Columbo is working 1st team this week, I fully expect him to have won the job in BPs eyes. Its his to lose. He made his point with Flo, but inserted him back into the 1st team today with Columbo as his bookends. Thats telling to me.

What about the fact that Colombo is coming off a serious knee injury and hasn't played serious time since 2002, the year before his injury. Ever since then he's been a back up and hasn't played a lot.

So when you have Petitti that started all 16 games last year, and Colmobo that hasn't played serious time in 3 years, I think Colombo is just geting his reps. It's just an attempt to get Colombo his work.

The thing with Ellis is he is switching positions. He's moving to OLB, so wouldn't parcells want to give him as much work as he could before throwing him in a game. I don't think I'd want Ellis to play in a game if he hasn't worked at that position very much.

Parcells knows what he has with Carpenter. Carp has played every position on the line and BP has aid that carp is a smart player and will be ready week one.

By Jax I expect Petitti to start at RT and Carp to start at OLB.

 

[Tristan]

Petti was absolutely regarded by some as a possible future first round pick after his Junior season. I still have the old issues of Ourlads, Street and Smith, Pro Football Weekly etc. NFL preseason magazines, each year they have a small section that provides an early prospectus on the next draft.

Like any draft preview that is a year in advance things change drastically during the college season, like this year, Rodrique Wright dropped way down after being proclaimed a sure fire first rounder by most of last years pre season annuals.

If Pettitti had played great his senior yea, and showed up at the combines in the condition he is in now, then he very well could have been a first round pick, more likely a second or third round pick, but the guy who brought this up is not off base at all.

 

[The30YardSlant]

So it says he could "work his wan into the first round", and he could be "the best offensive tackle". So I think that shows that he could be a future 1st rounder.

You said people were saying he was a future 1st round pick. ANYONE can potentially work their way into the 1st round if they do well nough their junior/senior seasons, so that really isnt saying much.

As for the best offensive tackle, well, looks like he whiffed on that one

 

[YoungBuck]

You said people were saying he was a future 1st round pick. ANYONE can potentially work their way into the 1st round if they do well nough their junior/senior seasons, so that really isnt saying much.

As for the best offensive tackle, well, looks like he whiffed on that one

Well it was talent and performance based. Had he come out after his junior year he was graded at about a 2nd/3rd round pick, most likely a 3rd round pick. So instead of coming out early he went back and tried to improve his stock and jump into the 1st round.

Many people, not just this article, thought if he continues to improve and exhibit that talent then he would be a favorite for the outland and lombardi trophys, and would probably be a 1st round pick.

So if he was graded as a 3rd round pick after his junior year, and expected to be a 1st round pick after his senior year, do you really think he has the talent of a 6th rounder?

His talent was 1st round quality
it's just his work ethic and conditioning was 6th round quality

Luckily for the cowboys he has improved his conditioning, parcells said he spends the most time in the weight room outside of Terrence Newman, and he's improved his bench press by 70 lbs. All signs show that he's dropped that poor work ethic label.

Look forward to seing the 1st round talent paired up with the 1st round work ethic. This should be a good season for him.