Broaddus Breakdown: Cornerbacks

[Alexander]

Wow. Seriously?

I knew after I typed that that it would taken as an endorsement of Proctor. No, that was not what I meant. A versatile C/G reserve. A Proctor who wasn't Proctor. We have had that in the past (Frank Cornish, for example). If Holland was that player, fine. He's not. So we are planning to go with a double switch.

At worst, if Kosier backing up is as bad an idea as you think it is, Bright will back up at center just like Procter did. And we know he won't be a worse player.

No, we don't know, that's where my paranoia starts. But wouldn't you feel better if there were indications that the team was looking at Bright that favorably? It would make a difference to me if he was Plan A and the Kosier move was plan B.

 

[cowboyjoe]

No unit on the field depends on chemistry more than the offensive line. I suppose people forgot what happened when Kosier went down. It was not just for the fact his replacements were poor, there were adjustments even than and that was simply at left guard.

If there is one unit on the field I would try to disrupt as little as possible it is the line, especially when it involves center. And particularly when the player has never ever played the position before. If Kosier had done it before, not a problem at all.

exactly, when kosier went down, we suffered, now just think when you move 2 people on the offensive line.

 

[percyhoward]

Terence Newman has really been up and down in recent years. He still can run, knows how to play tight man and has the ability to play the ball in the air. Tackling is not his strength.

Tackles
Newman 56
Sensabaugh 49
Scandrick 46
Jenkins 45
KHamlin 42

Missed Tackles
KHamlin 3
Newman 6
Scandrick 7
Jenkins 8
Sensabaugh 9

 

[Chocolate Lab]

No, we don't know, that's where my paranoia starts. But wouldn't you feel better if there were indications that the team was looking at Bright that favorably? It would make a difference to me if he was Plan A and the Kosier move was plan B.

I guess that's the difference here. I'm not sure they don't like Bright a lot. The fact that they haven't talked about these guys a lot doesn't mean they don't like them. I don't know of any team that talks about their fourth corner or their third safety or their seventh OL very much unless they're asked at a PC, and we know the press aren't going to ask about "boring" positions like that.

Training camp hasn't even started yet. A lot of this will be sorted out then. It's normal to not have every single thing decided the first week in July.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

No unit on the field depends on chemistry more than the offensive line. I suppose people forgot what happened when Kosier went down. It was not just for the fact his replacements were poor, there were adjustments even than and that was simply at left guard.

If there is one unit on the field I would try to disrupt as little as possible it is the line, especially when it involves center. And particularly when the player has never ever played the position before. If Kosier had done it before, not a problem at all.

That's precisely why I see backup Center (much more-so than FS/#4-CB) as Dallas' single-most biggest need. Add to that the fact that Gurode struggled mightily with middle rushes last season, and you realize how questionable the overal stability of Dallas' Centeer position really is.

 

[sonnyboy]

Tackles
Newman 56
Sensabaugh 49
Scandrick 46
Jenkins 45
KHamlin 42

Missed Tackles
KHamlin 3
Newman 6
Scandrick 7
Jenkins 8
Sensabaugh 9

I like Broaddus and I'm sure he knows better than I on most things Cowboys. But I think he's off the mark here. I always viewed Newman as a very willing and effective tackler. In fact I 'd go so far as to say he's a hitter. I've seen him bring it plenty of times and can hardly remember the last time I seen him whiff.

 

[jterrell]

I think the lack of a push to sign someone like Antogwe, or another vet essentially is a sign of confidence from the coaching staff.

Regarding the move of Ball to CB if one of the top 3 get injured, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. To me, that is just the team putting the best player available on the field.

In other words, the #2 safety would be better than the #4 corner, and Ball previously playing CB allows us the flexibility to make that move. I do agree with you that it is in our best interest for Hamlin to beat out Ball, just as like you I'd like to see plenty of Bright at center.

Yup. Best players on the field it is.

AOA and Ball are tweeners and Mike Hamlin isn't bad as a part-time FS.

If we did lose say TNew for a couple weeks... Jenkins and Scandrick start as does Ball at safety. In the nickel Hamlin come sin and Ball plays a CB spot with Scandrick covering the slot.

The Dallas FO isn't panicking like the fan base because they feel they have 4 guys capable of playing CB and 3 at safety. They also have 3 or 4 gusy who could emerge over a training camp and pre-season.

 

[jterrell]

I like Broaddus and I'm sure he knows better than I on most things Cowboys. But I think he's off the mark here. I always viewed Newman as a very willing and effective tackler. In fact I 'd go so far as to say he's a hitter. I've seen him bring it plenty of times and can hardly remember the last time I seen him whiff.

TNew is a very willing tackler but he also whiffs badly at times. Last year was far from his best as a tackler.

As good at Percy's stats are, Broaddus is probably using the actual coaching staff grades that include what tackles were missed and made.

I say this because we know he took their OL grades verbatim as he had explained previously what they were by player on espn 103.3.

At this point, Jenkins is the better athlete so he looked better last year as a tackler to my eyes.

TNew is a heck of a player and a very real luxury as your CB2 but at this point that's what he is for Dallas.

 

[jterrell]

That's precisely why I see backup Center (much more-so than FS/#4-CB) as Dallas' single-most biggest need. Add to that the fact that Gurode struggled mightily with middle rushes last season, and you realize how questionable the overal stability of Dallas' Centeer position really is.

Kosier has played all 4 OL positions other than Center and we've been told eh makes line calls at times from Guard.

I wouldn't worry about him at all unless eh has to face a big NT and then I am sure he gets help.

 

[percyhoward]

As good at Percy's stats are, Broaddus is probably using the actual coaching staff grades that include what tackles were missed and made.

Very tactfully said, and PFF has been wrong before.

But Broaddus' comment did surprise me. Based on memory, it seemed like Newman was as good a tackler as anybody in the secondary last year.

This one ought to be right up Adam's alley.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Kosier has played all 4 OL positions other than Center and we've been told eh makes line calls at times from Guard.

I wouldn't worry about him at all unless eh has to face a big NT and then I am sure he gets help.

Kossier has NEVER played center in the NFL, nor the other positions. Professionally, he's been exclusively a guard. It is well documented that this is the first time he is extensively practicing at the center position in a professional setting. Sorry, but to imply he'll be a capable C because he makes the occasional line call, or because he might once have played C or other positions in high school/college or something, is too much "suagar-coating with a side of blue cool-aid" for my tastes.

But hey, that's just me. I'm genuinely woried that he is our best plan at backup-C, because that indicates to me that there's no real good plan in place at the position. Gurode's shotty play last season only furthers my worry. This is the once clear achiles-heal of this team.

 

[Wood]

Broaddus Breakdown: Cornerbacks
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys
July, 2, 2010 Jul 212:15AM CTEmail Print Comments By Bryan BroaddusTenth in a series breaking down the Cowboys by position (previous entries):

Terence Newman has really been up and down in recent years. He still can run, knows how to play tight man and has the ability to play the ball in the air. Tackling is not his strength. At his age, you have to worry about his durability.

I disagree.....I saw Newman flash to line of scrimmage on toss outs more than ever last year. If there was one thing that suprised me last year and it was Newman closing speed to line of scrimmage for tackle. He was by far the best of DB at doing this.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I disagree.....I saw Newman flash to line of scrimmage on toss outs more than ever last year. If there was one thing that suprised me last year and it was Newman closing speed to line of scrimmage for tackle. He was by far the best of DB at doing this.

I know a lot of people don't like Deion Sanders around here (he gets on my nerves at times too) but when he discusses CBs I listen. With respect to Terrence Newman, I think I heard dein say a while back that he saw Newnam playing a bit hessitently last year and that he needs to go back to pressing more - his strength - to get more INTs. Makes you wonder what that's all about. was Newman playing with an undisclosed injury, or is he losing some quickness? Something's got to expalin whay he might have softened his coverae some.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I disagree.....I saw Newman flash to line of scrimmage on toss outs more than ever last year. If there was one thing that suprised me last year and it was Newman closing speed to line of scrimmage for tackle. He was by far the best of DB at doing this.

He's always been great at that on little slipscreens and sometimes on wide running plays, too.

Where I think he gets a knock isn't technically on his tackling, but on getting off blocks. Last year he was really bad about letting even smaller WRs ride him down the field while he failed to get off the block and make the tackle.

I think some of that comes from the coaches wanting him to stay behind the play and let the help come in, but still, he can't let Desean Jackson block him 15 yards down the field.

 

[rysko]

Are you trying to jinx us. A little birdie told me we will have no serious injuries this year. Rumor has it you shot the little birdie so NOW I DONT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

 

[Verdict]

The fact that Ball would be the third corner if a member of the established trio gets injured is precisely why depth IS a concern because then you have a potential hole at FS (if Mike Hamlin does not step up).

This is similar to the depth concerns at C, where Dallas has no true C behind Gurode. If Gurode goes down then Kosier fills in at C, only he has never played it and is now lerning how. And in that case, who plays LG?

In my estimation, the concern for depth (i.e. lack there of) lies more with the OL/C position than CB/FS, only because OL depth always seems to be consumate problem for Dallas, and because Dallas at least Has Mike Hamlin who can potentially fill in at S.

At least Mike Hamlin has a shot to win the starting FS job from Ball - who in that case would slot in nicely at the #4 CB. But on the OL, there is absolutely no backup linenan on this team who can say that they can challenge the starters at the C or G positions for the starting jobs. And at C there really is no true backup in place.

If things play out like I hope they will, we will probably be deeper and more versatile this year than in past years. I think that is part of the reason Flo is gone. It makes room for an up and comer who may not be there yet, but is more versatile long term. I'm thinking Travis Bright might help us out more than expected.

 

[gimmesix]

Yes, some do. What I do not see happening are many teams saying their fourth CBs are their starting FS and their backup Cs are their starting LG, who also happens to never have played the position before.

Right now, throwing up your hands and saying nothing can be done is pretty accurate. There is not anything that can be done now. But after the final cuts, there will be talent there and less excuse to go into the season with two pivotal areas counting on relief from other starting positions.

I'm not sure it's viewed by Dallas the same way you look at the depth issue.

With Ball, the Cowboys appear to be looking at the total package. Ball has proven to be a good fourth corner, so it really comes down to Dallas' belief in Mike Hamlin. Is the Ball at corner, Hamlin at safety package better than some fourth corner prospect Dallas could pick up?

As far as center goes, I don't believe Dallas is looking at Kosier as THE backup center, but as the GAMEDAY backup center. If you're only carrying seven linemen to the game, then one of those guys has got to be able to be a temporary Bandaid at center. The Cowboys want to carry Holland because they feel he's a better gameday backup than Proctor was, but know that he sucks at center. Kosier is the best option the Cowboys have among those seven players ... and if he can't do it, then Dallas will have to shelve Holland and probably carry Bright, who I believe is the real reason Dallas felt comfortable letting Proctor go.

 

[21Savage]

I'm not sure it's viewed by Dallas the same way you look at the depth issue.

With Ball, the Cowboys appear to be looking at the total package. Ball has proven to be a good fourth corner, so it really comes down to Dallas' belief in Mike Hamlin. Is the Ball at corner, Hamlin at safety package better than some fourth corner prospect Dallas could pick up?

As far as center goes, I don't believe Dallas is looking at Kosier as THE backup center, but as the GAMEDAY backup center. If you're only carrying seven linemen to the game, then one of those guys has got to be able to be a temporary Bandaid at center. The Cowboys want to carry Holland because they feel he's a better gameday backup than Proctor was, but know that he sucks at center. Kosier is the best option the Cowboys have among those seven players ... and if he can't do it, then Dallas will have to shelve Holland and probably carry Bright, who I believe is the real reason Dallas felt comfortable letting Proctor go.

Most important point in this thread so far IMO. They couldn't get Montrae to the games last year even though they felt he was one of their best 7 linemen.

 

[BAT]

Kossier has NEVER played center in the NFL, nor the other positions. Professionally, he's been exclusively a guard. It is well documented that this is the first time he is extensively practicing at the center position in a professional setting. Sorry, but to imply he'll be a capable C because he makes the occasional line call, or because he might once have played C or other positions in high school/college or something, is too much "suagar-coating with a side of blue cool-aid" for my tastes.

But hey, that's just me. I'm genuinely woried that he is our best plan at backup-C, because that indicates to me that there's no real good plan in place at the position. Gurode's shotty play last season only furthers my worry. This is the once clear achiles-heal of this team.

Could be much ado about nothing. The original Big Baby (Kennard?) was a back up guard who the Cowboys plugged in at Center when Donaldson (former pro bowler) went down and still went on to win the SB in 1995 (this was under Houck). Gesek was also the gameday center (slid over from his starting G/T spot) whenever Step got injured and Boys got along just fine in '92 and '93. Gesek must have played every OL position under Tony Wise w/the possible exception of LT. Even Nate and Gogan were versatile enough to sub at either G or T spots in pinches.

 

[Alexander]

Could be much ado about nothing. The original Big Baby (Kennard?) was a back up guard who the Cowboys plugged in at Center when Donaldson (former pro bowler) went down and still went on to win the SB in 1995 (this was under Houck). Gesek was also the gameday center (slid over from his starting G/T spot) whenever Step got injured and Boys got along just fine in '92 and '93. Gesek must have played every OL position under Tony Wise w/the possible exception of LT. Even Nate and Gogan were versatile enough to sub at either G or T spots in pinches.

Both Kennard and Gesek had played and started games at center in Phoenix and the Raiders respectively. You want versatility in your OL of course.

But that should be down the line in terms of plans when you start thinking about your primary backup never having played the position, anywhere, on any level before. We would never go into a season, for instance, with our backup tackle someone who never played there ever before. It should not make any difference at center either.