Chief
"Friggin Joke Monkey"
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Had the privilege of being on the sidelines for the first three practices of training camp. I've been away for a few days since then to tend to other matters, so some of this may be old news or already discussed. Anyway ...
-- I've been to a few of these over the years, and I don't recall ever seeing a player, much less a rookie, come in and put on a show like Dez did. He looked like the fastest, most-athletic, most-charismatic athlete on the field. First one on the field the first day, was extremely patient with the media, and really embraced the fans. Whenever there was a roar, it was usually something he did.
-- Got to visit with our friend Chad Peters a couple of times. The second day we talked, the first words out of our mouths were about the performance of Bryant. "Wow." Chad was blogging during practice for the San Antonio Express-News.
-- This is a quiet, laid-back coaching staff, for the most part. The only real screamer is Reggie Herring. Campo barks a lot, but is not as loud.
-- After escorting Bum Phillips to the practice field on the first day, Jerry spent the other two practices watching from the sidelines with his sons. Occasionally, Wade would watch with them.
-- Marion Barber looks dramatically different this season than last. He is much quicker and that burst seems to be back. Ironically, the quiet man is one of the more vocal players on the field. He was really jawing with the defensive backs. After one nice run, a couple of the DBs jogged back to the sideline and Barber let 'em have it. "That's right, get off the field. Stay over there."
-- Jason Witten stays on the field after every practice for extra work. After the first practice, he did some blocking drills with another player or two. After the second practice, he went to the machines to catch some balls. After that, they have to drag him away from the fans who want autographs.
-- I almost didn't recognize Wade Phillips. The Incredible Shrinking Man is looking good.
-- Wade's body is probably better looking than Robert Brewster's. Brewster has real skinny calves and ankles and seems to carry most of his weight around his waist. He walks and moves a little bit like Jim Jeffcoat. He's a willing student, though, and really seemed to eat up Hudson Houck's hands-on coaching.
-- Leonard Davis looks good. Maybe he'll bounce back after what some considered a down year.
-- Montrae Holland looks overweight ... even for him.
-- Brandon Williams sat out at least one of the practices, but he is a big, thick kid who moves well.
-- Gil Brandt and Ed Werder were there for the first day only. The fans weren't allowed behind the sideline reserved for the media, so Werder was able to avoid the hecklers.
-- Baylor coach Art Briles also was there Saturday. He watched a little bit of practice, but spent most of his time doing interviews. Got a lot of exposure, which I'm sure is good for recruiting.
-- Nate Newton, Calvin Hill and Babe Laufenberg were the only ex-Cowboys I saw there. It's amazing how different Newton looks.
-- I've been to a few of these over the years, and I don't recall ever seeing a player, much less a rookie, come in and put on a show like Dez did. He looked like the fastest, most-athletic, most-charismatic athlete on the field. First one on the field the first day, was extremely patient with the media, and really embraced the fans. Whenever there was a roar, it was usually something he did.
-- Got to visit with our friend Chad Peters a couple of times. The second day we talked, the first words out of our mouths were about the performance of Bryant. "Wow." Chad was blogging during practice for the San Antonio Express-News.
-- This is a quiet, laid-back coaching staff, for the most part. The only real screamer is Reggie Herring. Campo barks a lot, but is not as loud.
-- After escorting Bum Phillips to the practice field on the first day, Jerry spent the other two practices watching from the sidelines with his sons. Occasionally, Wade would watch with them.
-- Marion Barber looks dramatically different this season than last. He is much quicker and that burst seems to be back. Ironically, the quiet man is one of the more vocal players on the field. He was really jawing with the defensive backs. After one nice run, a couple of the DBs jogged back to the sideline and Barber let 'em have it. "That's right, get off the field. Stay over there."
-- Jason Witten stays on the field after every practice for extra work. After the first practice, he did some blocking drills with another player or two. After the second practice, he went to the machines to catch some balls. After that, they have to drag him away from the fans who want autographs.
-- I almost didn't recognize Wade Phillips. The Incredible Shrinking Man is looking good.
-- Wade's body is probably better looking than Robert Brewster's. Brewster has real skinny calves and ankles and seems to carry most of his weight around his waist. He walks and moves a little bit like Jim Jeffcoat. He's a willing student, though, and really seemed to eat up Hudson Houck's hands-on coaching.
-- Leonard Davis looks good. Maybe he'll bounce back after what some considered a down year.
-- Montrae Holland looks overweight ... even for him.
-- Brandon Williams sat out at least one of the practices, but he is a big, thick kid who moves well.
-- Gil Brandt and Ed Werder were there for the first day only. The fans weren't allowed behind the sideline reserved for the media, so Werder was able to avoid the hecklers.
-- Baylor coach Art Briles also was there Saturday. He watched a little bit of practice, but spent most of his time doing interviews. Got a lot of exposure, which I'm sure is good for recruiting.
-- Nate Newton, Calvin Hill and Babe Laufenberg were the only ex-Cowboys I saw there. It's amazing how different Newton looks.
