Camp Battles

[DBOY3141]

Can't wait for July to see some good training camp battles. I've listed a couple that should be interesting if things go as they have and everyone has to earn what they get.

WR: Stanback vs Ogletree/Johnson. I think the first 4 are set, Williams, Austin, Crayton, Hurd. Hurd offers good ST play and has shown some chemistry with Romo not to make the team. Stanback has been a project for two years, can't stay healthly, and was Ireland's pet cat, not JJ. I'm leaning towards Ogletree making it as the 5th WR.

OG/C: Proctor vs Islander/Bright. Kosier, Davis, Holland, Gurode are locks. I hear they are playing Brewster at RT, so I did not include him in this, even though I see him moving inside. That leaves Proctor, Islander, Bright battling it out. Islander has the most potential, but I don't know if he can play center. I would love for one of these guys to beat out Proctor. Proctor has no chance of ever competing for a starting job, it's time to move on.

CB: D. Smith vs ball vs vet. Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Mikens are locks. Coaches love Ball and he has shown improvement in his first two years. Will see if D. Smith can play CB in the NFL or if he is strictly a FS. I see a vet being signed, since Newman has shown a sign of breaking down the last couple of years.

TE: Hannah vs Phillips. Hannah is more athletic but can he block. Our third TE plays 25 plays a game. Phillips isn't great at one thing, but he is a quality all around TE. I think with Witten/Bennett being exceptional receivers, we go towards having another quality blocking TE over an "athlete" which gives the spot to Phillips. We saw just how good Curtis blocking was last year in the Arizona game, so blocking from our third TE is important.

 

[Dayton Cowboy]

Don't forget about Wilson at the other WR slot. I thought I remembered reading awhile back that the coaching staff was high on Wilson.

 

[theogt]

WR: You should definitely include Hurd in that group. He's not a lock at all. He has no more upside than what he's already shown and that's not much at all.

OG: They were only playing Brewster at tackle during the rookie mini-camp.

CB: Ball better start packing his bags. He doesn't have a chance.

 

[punit328]

CB: D. Smith vs ball vs vet. Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Mikens are locks. Coaches love Ball and he has shown improvement in his first two years. Will see if D. Smith can play CB in the NFL or if he is strictly a FS. I see a vet being signed, since Newman has shown a sign of breaking down the last couple of years

I think theyre gonna move D. Smith to FS, so he'll probably be battling with Courtney Brown and/or Pat Watkins.

 

[DBOY3141]

I think theyre gonna move D. Smith to FS, so he'll probably be battling with Courtney Brown and/or Pat Watkins.

I think his primary position will be FS, I'm wondering if he can play CB in the NFL, if so , it saves us a roster spot. If he can't play CB, then we have to sign a vet. S. Smith easily beats out Brown/Watkins. They've shown they can't play safety in the NFL and can only play ST. Time to move them out.

 

[unionjack8]

5. Carpenter vs Hodge vs JWilliams vs Stewart
I think 2 of these guys make it at ILB behind Bradie & Brooking. Dont see Stewart making the team despite his connections to Wade, he's not played in 3 years.I'd love to see the two rookies make it butCarp no matter what you say has experience .JWilliams makes the team as the top pick but Hodge IMO can be a real diiff maker on ST. Intersting to watch.

6. Ellis vs BWilliams vs VButler vs Rogers
Ellis is in same situation as Carp IMO but is more of a lock to make the team. It'll be tough to keep 2 rookie OLBers on the team.

Look for Ellis and/or Carp to be traded at some point in TC .

 

[Rampage]

only camp battle i'm interested in is Miles Austin vs Patrick Crayton for the #2 wr spot

 

[Oh_Canada]

I think Hannah is set to suprise.

 

[Khartun]

I think theyre gonna move D. Smith to FS, so he'll probably be battling with Courtney Brown and/or Pat Watkins.

Not much of a battle for him, imo.

 

[Cowboys22]

I don't think Hurd is a lock at all. The main reason is his $1.5 million salary. If Johnson, Ogletree, or Wilson are just as good, they may get the spot. Hurd is good on special teams but is probably replacable with one of the rookies we just drafted. They may be able to save over $1 million against the cap by going with one of the young guys.

 

[Doomsday101]

I can't say I'm pulling for one guy over another, right now I hope everyone who is in a battle for a roster spot the best of luck and may the better man win.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

only camp battle i'm interested in is Miles Austin vs Patrick Crayton for the #2 wr spot

I'm interested to see what some of the new LB'rs bring to the table.

 

[EPL0c0]

Can't wait for July to see some good training camp battles. I've listed a couple that should be interesting if things go as they have and everyone has to earn what they get.

WR: Stanback vs Ogletree/Johnson. I think the first 4 are set, Williams, Austin, Crayton, Hurd. Hurd offers good ST play and has shown some chemistry with Romo not to make the team. Stanback has been a project for two years, can't stay healthly, and was Ireland's pet cat, not JJ. I'm leaning towards Ogletree making it as the 5th WR.

OG/C: Proctor vs Islander/Bright. Kosier, Davis, Holland, Gurode are locks. I hear they are playing Brewster at RT, so I did not include him in this, even though I see him moving inside. That leaves Proctor, Islander, Bright battling it out. Islander has the most potential, but I don't know if he can play center. I would love for one of these guys to beat out Proctor. Proctor has no chance of ever competing for a starting job, it's time to move on.

CB: D. Smith vs ball vs vet. Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Mikens are locks. Coaches love Ball and he has shown improvement in his first two years. Will see if D. Smith can play CB in the NFL or if he is strictly a FS. I see a vet being signed, since Newman has shown a sign of breaking down the last couple of years.

TE: Hannah vs Phillips. Hannah is more athletic but can he block. Our third TE plays 25 plays a game. Phillips isn't great at one thing, but he is a quality all around TE. I think with Witten/Bennett being exceptional receivers, we go towards having another quality blocking TE over an "athlete" which gives the spot to Phillips. We saw just how good Curtis blocking was last year in the Arizona game, so blocking from our third TE is important.

Yes, me, lobbying for a UTEP guy,

I think Jamar Hunt could make it. he is a good run/pass blocker, has good hands, But unfortunately he's not as athletic as Witten, Bennett or even Hannah at TE.

But, he's also a deep snapper. L.P. has done a good job, but I think having a guy that can fill multiple-roles and save a roster space is a good thing and allows depth elsewhere too...that could be an interesting go.

 

[DallasEast]

I'm interested to see what some of the new LB'rs bring to the table.

Agreed. The heart of a 3-4 defense is its linebackers. If Spencer can fully take the reins of outside linebacker opposite of Ware, and if the rookies can be successfully rotated into games during certain situations, linebacker play this season may go up a full notch over last season.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Agreed. The heart of a 3-4 defense is its linebackers. If Spencer can fully take the reins of outside linebacker opposite of Ware, and if the rookies can be successfully rotated into games during certain situations, linebacker play this season may go up a full notch over last season.

That's what i'm hoping also and some of the crap can be rotated out (ellis & carp) for starters.

 

[DallasEast]

That's what i'm hoping also and some of the crap can be rotated out (ellis & carp) for starters.

Ellis can still be counted on to be solid against the run, but I'm hoping that Spencer will finally step up and cement himself as a starter. Ellis would be a great situational substitute in my opinion--especially during run downs. He may not think so though.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Ellis can still be counted on to be solid against the run, but I'm hoping that Spencer will finally step up and cement himself as a starter. Ellis would be a great situational substitute in my opinion--especially during run downs. He may not think so though.

I dislike ellis I think he should go somewhere. I think the first time he cries this off season he should be cut. I also think he will be beaten out by someone younger than him he should know it also it's the nature of the beast that's the NFL. We don't draft 2 OLB and keep the oldest guy on the time who's role keeps diminishing and diminishing plus what we pay him hell to the no should we continue to keep him at that price for limited play.

 

[DallasEast]

I dislike ellis I think he should go somewhere. I think the first time he cries this off season he should be cut. I also think he will be beaten out by someone younger than him he should know it also it's the nature of the beast that's the NFL. We don't draft 2 OLB and keep the oldest guy on the time who's role keeps diminishing and diminishing plus what we pay him hell to the no should we continue to keep him at that price for limited play.

Ellis' whining gets on my nerves also, but he's very business-like while on the field. There's one thing to keep in mind in my opinion. Wade Phillips may have a shaky head coaching resume, but he's one of the best defensive coordinators in my book. If he doesn't believe that we don't have anyone who can surplant Ellis as the outside linebacker opposite Ware, then I'm not going to argue the point very much. That doesn't mean that I won't like the decision though.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I dislike ellis I think he should go somewhere. I think the first time he cries this off season he should be cut. I also think he will be beaten out by someone younger than him he should know it also it's the nature of the beast that's the NFL. We don't draft 2 OLB and keep the oldest guy on the time who's role keeps diminishing and diminishing plus what we pay him hell to the no should we continue to keep him at that price for limited play.

I'm with you, he's been with the team for a decade and they have never won a playoff game with him, frankly what do they have to lose? I am tired of him putting himself in front of the team anyhow...buh bye.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Ellis' whining gets on my nerves also, but he's very business-like while on the field. There's one thing to keep in mind in my opinion. Wade Phillips may have a shaky head coaching resume, but he's one of the best defensive coordinators in my book. If he doesn't believe that we don't have anyone who can surplant Ellis as the outside linebacker opposite Ware, then I'm not going to argue the point very much. That doesn't mean that I won't like the decision though.

This is the same coaching staff that couldn't find a replacement to surplant Proctor or a back up better than Brad Johnson. So I still question their decision making.