Broaddus Blog: Carter in the 4-3, and other OTA thoughts

[jchap2k]

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• Travis Frederick[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] is getting a real taste what it is like to block a linebacker that is one of the best reactionary players in the league. Sean Lee[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] is making life difficult for Frederick who as soon as he snaps the ball and takes his first step play side, he is already two steps behind Lee who is moving very well coming off the toe injury. I feel it’s a good thing for Frederick to have to deal with Lee when he is in there because if you can get your head across to block him, then you can block the majority of the Mike linebackers in the league. It’s really amazing to watch Lee when the ball is snapped because there is no wasted movement or motions to the ball. He has an unreal ability to find creases or gaps when the line starts their zone blocks and he is in the backfield for a tackle for loss. There appears no ill effects from the injury of last season.

• I believe this 4-3 defense will make Bruce Carter[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] a star in this league. It’s a perfect fit for his ability to make plays from the backside. Like Lee you see a player that once he sees what is happening to him scheme wise, he is gone to the ball. Where Carter is going to surprise people will be his ability to rush off the edge and cause problems. Where these defensive coaches are going to take advantage of Carter is rushing him with either Ware and Spencer. There have been times where Carter has been a terrible matchup for a back to have to deal with because of his size and power but also he has shown some wiggle to avoid the blocks. In clear air, Carter has really been impressive because of his high closing rate on the quarterback. He is going to be a problem for offenses off the edge on several fronts.

• I really believe that Terrence Williams is going to have to have a great training camp to beat Dwayne Harris[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] out of a job for this third receiver spot. I know there is going to be a competition for the spot but these offensive coaches really like to use Miles Austin[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] in the slot and Dez Bryant[URL="http://www.dallascowboys.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif"] [/URL] opposite on the outside so that leaves the receiver next to Austin and right now, I believe that guy appears to be Harris. I honestly believe that Harris along with Bryant has made the biggest jump as a receiver in the terms of route running and catching the ball. We all have seen what he does in the open field with the ball in his hands on punt returns and the feel he has for reading blocks plus pound for pound he is the best blocking receiver they have on this squad. I do not see Harris’ height as a limitation to him because I feel like he turns that into a strength for him. Williams is a talented player but he really is going to have to fight to win that job.

I enjoyed the read, and agree with him on both Frederick and Carter. Didn't really see much to nit pick or complain about, but I'm sure someone will take that honor.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm so looking forward to seeing how this goes.

 

[Idgit]

I thought this was interesting....

Of the down the line offensive linemen that is trying to work his way into the mix is Kevin Kowalski who has yet to line up at center but when taking the majority of the reps at right guard. We all tend to forget that some of Kowalski’s finest moments as a Cowboy has been against quality competition like the 49ers and Giants. Where Kowalski has stepped up in this zone scheme is in the way he moves to position himself as a blocker in the running game by working his head across his man and securing his block. He has also been a difficult guy to drive back when the team has thrown the ball. He has been square with a nice base and moving along the line without struggling at all. There have been plenty of plays where I thought things would probably fall apart for his but he has been very steady.

Heresy, I know, but Kowalski was one of the reasons I wasn't as concerned about OG going into last season's camp. From what little I've seen of him, he looks like the kind of gamer you can plug into a ZBS and have a Kosier-style career in this league for a long while. Moves well, and can hold up ok when he needs to sit. It's not unheard of that we might get lucky and find a starter along the OL at some point here. Between him and Leary, it sure would be nice if one of them developed.

Nagy, too, on top of improvement from Costa was a possibility last season. Man, we really got tubed on those interior OL injuries early. And we never really recovered until too late in the season.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I enjoy Broadus and his insight.

But he needs an editor because most of the people on this site write more clearly than that.

Safety seems to be a problem again if this is how the team gores into the first game.

Allen is a special teamer?

More than anything else save for Romo's seasonal performance I hope Lee and Carter are healthy and show the league what they are.

Which may be a pair of the top linebackers in the NFL.

 

[jnday]

I thought this was interesting....



Heresy, I know, but Kowalski was one of the reasons I wasn't as concerned about OG going into last season's camp. From what little I've seen of him, he looks like the kind of gamer you can plug into a ZBS and have a Kosier-style career in this league for a long while. Moves well, and can hold up ok when he needs to sit. It's not unheard of that we might get lucky and find a starter along the OL at some point here. Between him and Leary, it sure would be nice if one of them developed.

Nagy, too, on top of improvement from Costa was a possibility last season. Man, we really got tubed on those interior OL injuries early. And we never really recovered until too late in the season.

Kowalski is not that big for an interior lineman. He would fit best at center. If they was running a true zone blocking scheme, he could make it at guard, but he is going to have trouble moving a 330lb DT on man blocking plays. I have always liked him better than Costa, but I don't think either one will start at center over Frederick.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I enjoy Broadus and his insight.

But he needs an editor because most of the people on this site write more clearly than that.

Safety seems to be a problem again if this is how the team gores into the first game.

Allen is a special teamer?

More than anything else save for Romo's seasonal performance I hope Lee and Carter are healthy and show the league what they are.

Which may be a pair of the top linebackers in the NFL.

Well put. Love Broaddus and his insight as well, but yes, he is a very poor writer. I am shocked at how many of the slip by the editor. No way he is given free reign to post without edits.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Well put. Love Broaddus and his insight as well, but yes, he is a very poor writer. I am shocked at how many of the slip by the editor. No way he is given free reign to post without edits.

But it sure seems he edits his own work.

 

[NextGenBoys]

But it sure seems he edits his own work.

If that's the case, who is doing the hiring in the media dept for the Cowboys?

He doesn't have a journalism background, why would they allow him to edit his own work?

Regardless, poor quality of work.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Good stuff from Broaddus again. Can't wait to see Carter and Lee play this year.

Also glad to hear about Kowalski looking good so far. I've always liked him since that 2011 season and i hope he can start or at least back up all the interior line positions for us this season. Hopefully, its bye bye Costa.. though i doubt it.

Looks like the T-Will/Harris debate from a week ago has a new twist. Seems most on here thought that Harris couldn't play on the outside, but it seems the coaching staff has different thoughts on the matter. Good for him, i liked him as a rookie and im glad he's developing into a solid player for us. He's been our best return guy for a few years now, and looks like he's developing into a reliable receiving threat now, too.

 

[CyberB0b]

I hope Green will beat out Williams. Williams does nothing for me.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

I hope Green will beat out Williams. Williams does nothing for me.

Yes, I can see how the NCAA leader in reception yards can do "nothing" for someone. Good call.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I hope Green will beat out Williams. Williams does nothing for me.

Is this a joke? Yeah I want the practice squad player to beat out my 3rd pick who was the nations leading WR. He does nothing alright

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Is this a joke? Yeah I want the practice squad player to beat out my 3rd pick who was the nations leading WR. He does nothing alright

Who cares if he beats him out? I like Williams alot and i think he'll be a great player for us eventually, but if another guy off the street beats him out for a job, clearly he must have played really well to do so. What's wrong with wanting the players who perform the best to stick on this team, instead of the players with the biggest trophy case?

..and honestly, so far in OTA's, from what we've heard, Green has been the more impressive player, while T Will has had an early case of the dropsies.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Who cares if he beats him out? I like Williams alot and i think he'll be a great player for us eventually, but if another guy off the street beats him out for a job, clearly he must have played really well to do so. What's wrong with wanting the players who perform the best to stick on this team, instead of the players with the biggest trophy case?

..and honestly, so far in OTA's, from what we've heard, Green has been the more impressive player, while T Will has had an early case of the dropsies.

There is a difference between hoping Green steps up and hoping Green beats out Williams because Williams "does nothing for [him]." The former is rooting for a player, whereas the later is rooting against a player.

 

[dmq]

Yes, I can see how the NCAA leader in reception yards can do "nothing" for someone. Good call.

His hand size doesn't project well to the NFL.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

His hand size doesn't project well to the NFL.

Oh for crying out loud...

 

[CyberB0b]

Yes, I can see how the NCAA leader in reception yards can do "nothing" for someone. Good call.

Being NCAA leader in reception yards really doesn't mean anything in the NFL. Look:

2011: Jordan White
2010: Greg Salas
2009: Danario Alexander
2008: Austin Collie
2007: Michael Crabtree
2006: Chris Williams
2005: Mike Hass
2004: Roddy White
2003: Larry Fitzgerald

The only guys in that list you have heard of were 1st rounders. There is a reason why Williams wasn't taken in the 1st round. There is a lot I don't like about him. There is a reason why he was in the 3rd. Hopefully, I am wrong. I like Green's potential more than Williams'.

 

[skinsscalper]

His hand size doesn't project well to the NFL.

Neither did Jerry Rice's 40 time. Go figure.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Being NCAA leader in reception yards really doesn't mean anything in the NFL. Look:

2011: Jordan White
2010: Greg Salas
2009: Danario Alexander
2008: Austin Collie
2007: Michael Crabtree
2006: Chris Williams
2005: Mike Hass
2004: Roddy White
2003: Larry Fitzgerald

The only guys in that list you have heard of were 1st rounders. There is a reason why Williams wasn't taken in the 1st round. There is a lot I don't like about him. There is a reason why he was in the 3rd. Hopefully, I am wrong. I like Green's potential more than Williams'.

Care to explain why you don't like Williams, are you just going to continue to be purposefully cryptic?

 

[CowboyStar88]

Who cares if he beats him out? I like Williams alot and i think he'll be a great player for us eventually, but if another guy off the street beats him out for a job, clearly he must have played really well to do so. What's wrong with wanting the players who perform the best to stick on this team, instead of the players with the biggest trophy case?

..and honestly, so far in OTA's, from what we've heard, Green has been the more impressive player, while T Will has had an early case of the dropsies.

The point is I want the guy who the team invested resources in to make the roster. I wouldn't say I hope the PS player beats him out because he does nothing for him. I would love to see green make the roster. Heck I would love to see DEZ MILES HARRIS WILLIAMS GREEN as the WR that make the roster as I think there is a lot of talent in. That group.