Backups at CB Position

[sago1]

Don't know how many of you had chance to see Wade's PC today. He was queried on our backup situation at CB. Wade was okay with our starters of Newman/Henry/Glenn but lumped the rest (Reeves/Jones/Thomas/Ball/etc) all under one blanket and not yet distinguishable from each other. I think most of us have been lead to believe that Reevs & Thomas have best shot to win 4th & 5th CB slots, but who knows. I'm sure Cowboys checking the waiver wire & have discussed any FA CBs still available but presumably nobody of interest out there. I know there was a rumor a few days ago that we might be interested in trading away one of our LBs but I don't see that happening as it would weaken one of our areas of strength while we still don't know when/if Ellis can play. Oh, well maybe something will happen in next 2 preseason games which could help us but don't hold your breathe.

 

[zrinkill]

Newman has soreness ..... its not an injury

And the lack of proven depth is exactly why they are being overly cautious.

Wade is an old school coach who gets his messages to players without screaming in their face.

A few days ago he hinted that rushing the passer was not a strength of Carpenter ....... a day later he moved him to OLB and had him rushing the passer. Coincidence?

Today Wade says none of the young corners is distinguishing himself.

How do you think these guys are gonna practice tomorrow?

Now thats just my opinion.

 

[Big Dakota]

They may not be great, but they are gonna have to due. My best friend has been a Colts fan for 45 years so i know them well and can tell you they had a Gawd awful D in 2005 and for most of 2006, but turned it up and played well enough to win it all. My point being, ya can't have AP's at every possition and we may very well have to win with what we have. I mean, how many very good, or even good CBs are out there or available to trade for? Probably close to none, so IMHO all hands on deck and let's do the best we can to improve with what we got.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Wade was okay with our starters of Newman/Henry/Glenn but lumped the rest (Reeves/Jones/Thomas/Ball/etc) all under one blanket and not yet distinguishable from each other.

You bit at the bait. I wonder if any of our backup CB's did as well.

 

[TunaFan33]

Not trying to win any moral victories here, but even the laden-depth Eagles are thin in the secondary.

Pt being that not only do 99% have little depth at this position, but just as long as the front 7 consistently provides pressure, we'll be OK.

BTW-San Diego's secondary is pretty weak, to be frank.

 

[HopeCowboyFan]

Wade just made an honest assesment. He has a barrel full of JAGS there behind starters.

 

[eduncan22]

CB was last year's weakest unit. [4 ints? 24th ranked Pass Defense]

It's this years, also.

Once you get past Newman, there's not much to 'write home about.'

I had hopes for Joey Thomas, but after watching him in the Denver game, he looks rough.

With Brown moved to Safety, and smallish Alan Ball a nonfactor, it doesn't look like this unit is going to see much improvement from last year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

CB was last year's weakest unit. [4 ints? 24th ranked Pass Defense]

It's this years, also.

Once you get past Newman, there's not much to 'write home about.'

I had hopes for Joey Thomas, but after watching him in the Denver game, he looks rough.

With Brown moved to Safety, and smallish Alan Ball a nonfactor, it doesn't look like this unit is going to see much improvement from last year.

But of course.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wade just made an honest assesment. He has a barrel full of JAGS there behind starters.

Yep, he does.

I've never liked Nate Jones. He's the definition of JAG.

Jacques Reeves I liked from the start -- I thought a getting a wide-side CB and Big 10 100m champ was a great use of a 7th round pick. But IMO he's like how Wade described Courtney Brown -- more of a long strider without great hips and quickness. IMO we should have tried him at safety a while ago.

Thomas I don't trust at all. Cut by two very CB-needy teams. Blatently obvious penalties like the one vs. the Broncos that gave them the ball at the goalline are just unacceptable. I think he's fool's gold.

I still think Ball could be pretty solid, and he did a pretty decent job at gunner the other night. He might could be a Henry-type CB. But he's probably not quite athletic enough.

Anyway... No, I don't think this was Wade playing mind games with the backups. No prodding or barbing can get guys with mediocre ability to play like they're talented. But really, how many teams have great corner depth? It's a premier, expensive position, and no team has enough. Even Parcells said that.

One of the best draft picks of Wade's time at Buffalo was Antoine Winfield. I think we'll take a shorter, quicker guy like him next draft. Until then, we just have to hope Newman is okay and our health holds up. ray:

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Yep, he does.

I've never liked Nate Jones. He's the definition of JAG.

Jacques Reeves I liked from the start -- I thought a getting a wide-side CB and Big 10 100m champ was a great use of a 7th round pick. But IMO he's like how Wade described Courtney Brown -- more of a long strider without great hips and quickness. IMO we should have tried him at safety a while ago.

Thomas I don't trust at all. Cut by two very CB-needy teams. Blatently obvious penalties like the one vs. the Broncos that gave them the ball at the goalline are just unacceptable. I think he's fool's gold.

I still think Ball could be pretty solid, and he did a pretty decent job at gunner the other night. He might could be a Henry-type CB. But he's probably not quite athletic enough.

Anyway... No, I don't think this was Wade playing mind games with the backups. No prodding or barbing can get guys with mediocre ability to play like they're talented. But really, how many teams have great corner depth? It's a premier, expensive position, and no team has enough. Even Parcells said that.

One of the best draft picks of Wade's time at Buffalo was Antoine Winfield. I think we'll take a shorter, quicker guy like him next draft. Until then, we just have to hope Newman is okay and our health holds up. ray:

Ball may be the backup with the most upside but he is far from ready to contribute on a regular basis. It's looks like Dallas will have to keep either Jones or Reeves (but not both) and take their chances without going out and getting something better.

Thomas has shown nothing other than the ability to be close to the play. He teases ( so the beat writers say) in practice but he is unable to transfer any ability onto the field. I think he gets cut if he does not do a better job in coverage tomorrow against the Texans.

Maybe Quincy Butler is the answer but I would never depend on anyone named Quincy.

 

[zrinkill]

CB was last year's weakest unit. [4 ints? 24th ranked Pass Defense]

It's this years, also.

Once you get past Newman, there's not much to 'write home about.'

I had hopes for Joey Thomas, but after watching him in the Denver game, he looks rough.

With Brown moved to Safety, and smallish Alan Ball a nonfactor, it doesn't look like this unit is going to see much improvement from last year.

Henry and Glenn are playing great.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

CB was last year's weakest unit. [4 ints? 24th ranked Pass Defense]

It's this years, also.

Once you get past Newman, there's not much to 'write home about.'

I had hopes for Joey Thomas, but after watching him in the Denver game, he looks rough.

With Brown moved to Safety, and smallish Alan Ball a nonfactor, it doesn't look like this unit is going to see much improvement from last year.

I think you're a bit too negative.

 

[BouncingCheese]

From what I have seen in preseason Henry looks fine. He is slow as molasses but he is usually in the area which means that his instincts are right on the money. I really don't even think about Tnew messing up. If Henry can stay healthy, and the line does its job going after the qb, We are going to get a bunch of turnovers, which is much more entertaining and satisfying than simply ending a drive on a fourth and long.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Weren't we looking at some DB from Chicago last week who then was traded to NE last week?.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Dante Wesley was his name, found it on NFL.com.

 

[eduncan22]

From what I have seen in preseason Henry looks fine. He is slow as molasses but he is usually in the area which means that his instincts are right on the money. I really don't even think about Tnew messing up. If Henry can stay healthy, and the line does its job going after the qb, We are going to get a bunch of turnovers, which is much more entertaining and satisfying than simply ending a drive on a fourth and long.

Doesn't this sound like last year...and 2005.....

For $25 Million, we should be starting a player who we know can play.

 

[zrinkill]

Doesn't this sound like last year...and 2005.....

For $25 Million, we should be starting a player who we know can play.

Henry and Glenn are playing great.