Broaddus: LB Shuffle, Tyron Smith's Absence Highlight 12 Thoughts

[RS12]

10) Starting to see more of Ryan Russell having success at defensive end as well as tackle. The decision by the coaches to move him inside appears to have helped his game overall. His technique has improved and you can definitely see that by improving in that one area, his production and confidence have improved, as well. He is doing a much better job of just cutting it loose and attacking the blocker.



11) With the way that Jason Garrett and this staff likes to take a look at different personnel combinations could we see La'el Collins take some snaps at tackle? Jerry Jones said while meeting with the media after practice that he realized thatDarrion Weems needed to improve and he was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt due to him having to switch from the right side to the left. But the question I have is: isn't that a swing tackles job? Initially I didn't think that Collins had the foot quickness to play and he still might not, but if I don't see technique improvement from Weems I might consider it an option just to see.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...=10154196438632814&adbpl=fb&adbpr=99559607813

 

[xwalker]

He is saying that Sean Lee practiced at Strong Side LB.

 

[RS12]

I'd love to see Russell become a nice rotational piece.

 

[Teague31]

He is saying that Sean Lee practiced at Strong Side LB.

I hope not. The WLB in this scheme seems tailor made for him

 

[Temo]

I hope not. The WLB in this scheme seems tailor made for him

They put him over the TE, which makes some sense given his coverage abilities. I wouldn't want him there in run situations though for sure.

 

[Bluefin]

2) Little bit of a different look at practice on Saturday with Sean Lee getting some work over the tight end. This group tends to like to shuffle their personnel around, especially at linebacker. What was interesting to observe was that the group on the field together was Lee, Anthony Hitchens and the rookie Damien Wilson. I like this combination due to the fact that all three can run and have a nose for the ball.

He is saying that Sean Lee practiced at Strong Side LB.

Multiple other reports had Damien Wilson taking reps as the SAM yesterday, but I trust Bryan Broaddus to know who is playing what by alignment more than those other guys.

7) We’re starting to see more of Lucky Whitehead in that Dwayne Harris role as the point of attack blocker in the running game. Whitehead lined up at the wing as Jeff Heath played him over the top. Whitehead exploded into Heath, and, in textbook fashion, put his face in his chest and drove his feet until Heath was out of the play.

Good job, Lucky Whitehead.

The biggest key to blocking is simply possessing the "want to" required to get the job done.

I also saw a tweet yesterday where Dez Bryant told the rookie receiver/returner that he was proud to see him forget about the fumbled punt in the game and have a big return the next time. Dez said you have to have a short memory and not dwell on the bad plays to where it makes you tentative
the next time the ball comes to you. That showed Dez that Lucky has what it takes to make it.

As for Jeff Heath, I'm glad he's a solid special teams player, that's his ticket to the 53, but I don't want to see him playing as a safety at all this season.

Not one snap.

Heath will be a restricted free agent following this season and I don't see him getting a tender from the team.

 

[BAZ]

They put him over the TE, which makes some sense given his coverage abilities. I wouldn't want him there in run situations though for sure.

Isn't that a really bad thing to say about your best linebacker?

 

[davey999]

Greenberry and Lucky need to bring their practice game to the actual games.

 

[Sportsbabe]

Isn't that a really bad thing to say about your best linebacker?

Another reason Jerry will do everything possible to get Ro on the field.

 

[speedkilz88]

He is saying that Sean Lee practiced at Strong Side LB.

You think it's just him following the 3 tech?

 

[Temo]

Isn't that a really bad thing to say about your best linebacker?

That he's not the ideal guy to put on the strong side on run plays? I mean we just have better guys to play that role is all.

 

[VACowboy]

Love hearing the stuff about Russell. He has size and athleticism that make him a prototypical 4-3 DE on the strong side. Didn't he play on a 3-4 front in college?

 

[big dog cowboy]

5) I believe that we are closer to seeing Morris Claiborne take snaps as a full-time player. In talking with him after practice, he said that this is the best that he has ever felt in a training camp since he has been with the team. In just watching him work you can see his movement is no longer limited and there is no limping after he takes a rep.

NFL Comeback Player Of The Year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

10) Starting to see more of Ryan Russell having success at defensive end as well as tackle. The decision by the coaches to move him inside appears to have helped his game overall. His technique has improved and you can definitely see that by improving in that one area, his production and confidence have improved, as well. He is doing a much better job of just cutting it loose and attacking the blocker.

My biggest concern, we try to stash him on the PS and then lose him. I thought Russell was a very good draft pick with some potential after a year in the system. Maybe he makes the final 53. All I know is I don't want us to lose him and watch him make it with another team.

 

[conner01]

Love hearing the stuff about Russell. He has size and athleticism that make him a prototypical 4-3 DE on the strong side. Didn't he play on a 3-4 front in college?

He is a smart player
In Thursday's game he sniffed out a screen and perfectly read a swing pass
Lots of young players just rush up the field and get sucked in by screens and passes behind them

 

[xwalker]

You think it's just him following the 3 tech?

Mickey and Broaddus mentioned him on the strong side in their latest video. They have Lee, Wilson and Hitchens on the field together. I think Wilson has played mostly WLB.

1. He could be following the 3tech.

2. Broaddus/Mickey could be confused.

3. They might want to see him at SLB for some reason. SLB does tend to be a taller player and Wilson, Hitchens are 6' while Lee is 6'2". Gachkar played some SLB and I didn't think he looked that good. I feel that Wilson might have already passed Gachkar and Brinkley on the depth chart. With RoMc out for at least the first 4 games, that would leave the starting lineup as Lee, Hitchens and either Wilber or Wilson. If there is an issue with Wilson playing SLB, then maybe the would consider have Lee do it for the ~34% of the snaps when the SLB is on the field. Regardless, I expect Lee and Hitchens to be the Nickel LBs, even if/when RoMc returns.

 

[xwalker]

He is a smart player
In Thursday's game he sniffed out a screen and perfectly read a swing pass
Lots of young players just rush up the field and get sucked in by screens and passes behind them

Good eye on that. I was impressed when he recognized that screen pass immediately.

 

[xwalker]

Multiple other reports had Damien Wilson taking reps as the SAM yesterday, but I trust Bryan Broaddus to know who is playing what by alignment more than those other guys.

It would make the most sense to see Wilson at SLB if he is on the field with Lee, which Mickey/Broaddus say was the case.

Good job, Lucky Whitehead.

The biggest key to blocking is simply possessing the "want to" required to get the job done.

I also saw a tweet yesterday where Dez Bryant told the rookie receiver/returner that he was proud to see him forget about the fumbled punt in the game and have a big return the next time. Dez said you have to have a short memory and not dwell on the bad plays to where it makes you tentative
the next time the ball comes to you. That showed Dez that Lucky has what it takes to make it.

As for Jeff Heath, I'm glad he's a solid special teams player, that's his ticket to the 53, but I don't want to see him playing as a safety at all this season.

Not one snap.

Heath will be a restricted free agent following this season and I don't see him getting a tender from the team.

Most people didn't notice, but there were a few times last season when Church was replaced by Heath in obvious passing situations. I originally thought Church was injured, but he came back on the field the next play for Special Teams on one of those occasions and I later heard that the coaches just thought Heath had more range.

 

[Bluefin]

Most people didn't notice, but there were a few times last season when Church was replaced by Heath in obvious passing situations. I originally thought Church was injured, but he came back on the field the next play for Special Teams on one of those occasions and I later heard that the coaches just thought Heath had more range.

Barry Church is reportedly looking better in coverage this year, but he was never the most fleet of foot. Bells is an in the box safety, a pretty reliable tackler and much more comfortable in underneath coverage than playing deep on a hash.

I just don't see any upside with Jeff Heath, he's a good special teams player and that's it.

The coaches have no interest in playing him as a safety, he's never going to challenge for a starting job. They are planning to use Byron Jones and Corey White as safeties in the sub packages and leave Heath on the bench.

The right of first refusal restricted free agent tender will increase from $1.542M this season.

I see no chance of Heath getting tendered next year.

Maybe they'll work out something for a smaller amount like when Danny McCray was a RFA, but I expect Heath will simply get churned.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

I read that Wilson had been working behind Lee but that he got first team reps on strong side.