CBS11 Blog: Bill Jones OTA Observation Deck

[WoodysGirl]

OTA Observation Deck

Posted by CBS11

Bill Jones

As Steve Dennis reports elsewhere on the website, the story of the day on the first day of Cowboys OTAs (organized team activities) at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton came early on. That's when assistant coach Joe DeCamillis led special teams drills, with a neck brace on and speaking through a bullhorn, just two weeks after back surgery.

Here's a position-by-position breakdown on who was doing what today:

QB - Tony Romo took 1st team reps, veteran backup Jon Kitna (#3) showed off a much stronger arm that his predecessor (but then again so did I), and Stephen McGee (#7) and Rudy Carpenter (#5) are the wide-eyed rookies.
RB - deepest position on team - Marion Barber (looks the same), Felix Jones (running well), Tashard Choice (most complete back, looked better catching the ball), Alonzo Coleman (flashed some quickness) and Keon Lattimore (scouts like him).

FB - Deon Anderson, Julius Crosslin, Asaph Schwapp (camp body).

TE - quality at the top with Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, rookie 6th round pick John Phillips was running 3rd TE ahead of perennial practice squadder Rodney Hannah and camp body Jamar Hunt.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WR - Roy Williams wearing #4 (don't understand why the NFL won't let a WR wear a single digit number in a game) looked winded early. Jason Garrett had to tell him to jump back in line to catch "one more from Romo" to finish off a drill with an uneven number of WRs....you'd just like to see your lead receiver not be the only player on the field having to take a knee with helmet off in the middle of drills. But maybe he wasn't feeling well. Williams and Patrick Crayton were paired with the 1's, 2) Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, 3) Isaiah Stanback and former Browns 3rd round pick Travis Wilson (#10 - Carrollton Creekview/OU), 4) Manny Johnson (#87), Kevin Ogletree (#85), Julian Hawkins (#83).

T--1) Flozell Adams (only 2 false starts) and Marc Colombo, 2) Doug Free and rookie 3rd round pick Robert Brewster (#79), Michael Turkovich (#66).

G - Kyle Kosier rehabbing from foot surgery so Montrae Holland joined Leonard Davis with 1st team; 2) Pat McQuistan moves inside from tackle and Ryan Gibbons, 3) Greg Isdaner and Travis Bright.

C - 1) Andre Gurode, 2) Cory Procter, 3) Matt Spanos.

DL - 1) Marcus Spears, Jay Ratliff, Igor Olshansky (#99), 2) Marcus Dixon (#92), Junior Siavii (#78), Stephen Bowen (Jason Hatcher nursing a minor injury as was free agent pickup Tim Anderson), 3) Jonas Seawright (#74) and Casey Tyler (#67).



OLB - DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis working 1st team, backed up by Steve Octavien (#53) and Anthony Spencer, who may have to earn 1st team reps after off-season indiscretion. Rookie 4th rounder Brandon Williams (#59 - Texas Tech/FW South Hills) ran 3rd team with Justin Rogers (SMU) while rookie 4th rounder Victor Butler can't work yet because Oregon State hasn't had graduation.

ILB - Keith Brooking sports #51 and plays alongside Bradie James, backed up by rookie 3rd rounder Jason Williams (#58) and Bobby Carpenter. Rookie 6th rounder Stephen Hodge (#55 - TCU) was running 3rd team alongside veteran free agent pickup Matt Stewart (#52).

CB - Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins (wearing Pacman's old #21) were starters, 2) Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick, 3) Michael Hawkins, the ex-Desperado, Packer, Sooner from R.L. Turner who grew up at times living on the streets, was teamed with Courtney Brown, who was getting more reps at CB than Safety. Rookie 7th rounder Mike Mickens can't work out yet because Cincinnati hasn't graduated.

S - Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh were starters, 2) Pat Watkins and Tra Battle, 3) veteran FA Jerome Carter, rookie 5th rounder Michael Hamlin (#36) and rookie 5th rounder DeAngelo Smith (#31), who is able to work out because he already graduated from Cincinnati.

P Mat McBriar looking good after surgery last fall, rookie 6th rounder David Buehler (#18) will get a ton of work until Nick Folk returns from hip surgery.

Our next chance to observe will be next Tuesday, May 26.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Thanks for posting.

Sounds like Roy has made great strides this offseason.

 

[Alexander]

WR - Roy Williams wearing #4 (don't understand why the NFL won't let a WR wear a single digit number in a game) looked winded early. Jason Garrett had to tell him to jump back in line to catch "one more from Romo" to finish off a drill with an uneven number of WRs....you'd just like to see your lead receiver not be the only player on the field having to take a knee with helmet off in the middle of drills. But maybe he wasn't feeling well.

This is really encouraging news. See, he is coachable. He got back in line after Garrett nudged him.

T--1) Flozell Adams (only 2 false starts) and Marc Colombo, 2) Doug Free and rookie 3rd round pick Robert Brewster (#79), Michael Turkovich (#66).

So the buzz about Brewster going inside was all talk?

 

[WoodysGirl]

This is really encouraging news. See, he is coachable. He got back in line after Garrett nudged him.



So the buzz about Brewster going inside was all talk?

Houck said after the 1st rookie minicamp practice is that they're putting him at RT to ease his learning process. Not throw too much at him, i think is what was said.

 

[The Realist]

Houck said after the 1st rookie minicamp practice is that they're putting him at RT to ease his learning process. Not throw too much at him, i think is what was said.

Houck also said on draft day you want to look at them from hardest position on down to easiest position (LT, RT, then OG). Don't want to automatically put someone at guard and never know if he could be a future starter at OT.

 

[Alexander]

Houck also said on draft day you want to look at them from hardest position on down to easiest position (LT, RT, then OG). Don't want to automatically put someone at guard and never know if he could be a future starter at OT.

I am aware that Houck doesn't want to throw too much at him, but it is very clear now that even after non-contact drills that Brewster is going to be looked at first as a right tackle reserve since McQuistin has moved to right guard.

From the early signs, it looks like we sink or swim with Holland and Proctor first, then McQuistin inside. Again, I was skeptical when they initially talked guard with him and it is looking less and less like that's an immediate option. We did the same sort of early projection talk with Doug Free (center) and James Marten (guard) and never moved either.

 

[The Realist]

I am aware that Houck doesn't want to throw too much at him, but it is very clear now that even after non-contact drills that Brewster is going to be looked at first as a right tackle reserve since McQuistin has moved to right guard.

From the early signs, it looks like we sink or swim with Holland and Proctor first, then McQuistin inside. Again, I was skeptical when they initially talked guard with him and it is looking less and less like that's an immediate option. We did the same sort of early projection talk with Doug Free (center) and James Marten (guard) and never moved either.

For this year, we were always going with Kosier and Holland at LG.

Free will be the swing tackle so don't read too much into Brewster playing RT right now.

McQ is probably 50-50 to make team.

 

[Alexander]

Free will be the swing tackle so don't read too much into Brewster playing RT right now.

I would actually be more secure with having two dedicated tackles and a swing C/G. Left and right tackle require different things and I am not sure Free is cut out for the run blocking we need on the strongside as he is more finesse. It is too bad about Unger, it would have helped out to have that utility type that could do most everything, but especially kick Proctor out of the way.

 

[The Realist]

I would actually be more secure with having two dedicated tackles and a swing C/G. Left and right tackle require different things and I am not sure Free is cut out for the run blocking we need on the strongside as he is more finesse. It is too bad about Unger, it would have helped out to have that utility type that could do most everything, but especially kick Proctor out of the way.

It would have been nice to have a center who knows the snap count, doesn't snap it over the QB's head or snap it too slow.....knowing the line calls would have been nice too.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I am aware that Houck doesn't want to throw too much at him, but it is very clear now that even after non-contact drills that Brewster is going to be looked at first as a right tackle reserve since McQuistin has moved to right guard.

From the early signs, it looks like we sink or swim with Holland and Proctor first, then McQuistin inside. Again, I was skeptical when they initially talked guard with him and it is looking less and less like that's an immediate option. We did the same sort of early projection talk with Doug Free (center) and James Marten (guard) and never moved either.

Looks like they might just keep Proctor as backup Center and possible 3rd-4th option at OG.

 

[Alexander]

Looks like they might just keep Proctor as backup Center and possible 3rd-4th option at OG.

Which is pretty much the same as last year. Continuity is a great thing.

 

[Staggerlee]

WR - Roy Williams looked winded early. Jason Garrett had to tell him to jump back in line to catch "one more from Romo" to finish off a drill

Ive been confident that we have good enough receivers to have a decent passing game this year and still am but this does leave me with an uneasy feeling. Lets hope its just because its the beginning of the year and he'll get back into shape as it goes on.

 

[AsthmaField]

We did the same sort of early projection talk with Doug Free (center) and James Marten (guard) and never moved either.

I don't remember hearing one single thing about Free playing center. Maybe I missed it, but he has the exact opposite body type from what you'd want in a center. He's more long and lanky than short and squat.

Brewster playing RT in the first few days of OTA's in May really doesn't mean much.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Which is pretty much the same as last year. Continuity is a great thing.

If there are no injuries.

But at some point if he can not show well as a backup center than they need to can his backside because he has proven he is not worthy of being a backup OG.

 

[Alexander]

If there are no injuries.

But at some point if he can not show well as a backup center than they need to can his backside

He has actually been better as a center. He did not look that terrible in 2007 when he filled in for Gurode for a few games late in the season.

because he has proven he is not worthy of being a backup OG.

The complete lack of competition we either acquired or are sending his way right now seems to speak to the fact that the staff thinks differently, why I have no idea. We wanted Unger supposedly, then do not bother otherwise. It is very bizarre.

 

[I LOVE ME SOME ME!]

OTA Observation Deck

Posted by CBS11

Bill Jones

As Steve Dennis reports elsewhere on the website, the story of the day on the first day of Cowboys OTAs (organized team activities) at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton came early on. That's when assistant coach Joe DeCamillis led special teams drills, with a neck brace on and speaking through a bullhorn, just two weeks after back surgery.

Here's a position-by-position breakdown on who was doing what today:

QB - Tony Romo took 1st team reps, veteran backup Jon Kitna (#3) showed off a much stronger arm that his predecessor (but then again so did I), and Stephen McGee (#7) and Rudy Carpenter (#5) are the wide-eyed rookies.
RB - deepest position on team - Marion Barber (looks the same), Felix Jones (running well), Tashard Choice (most complete back, looked better catching the ball), Alonzo Coleman (flashed some quickness) and Keon Lattimore (scouts like him).

FB - Deon Anderson, Julius Crosslin, Asaph Schwapp (camp body).

TE - quality at the top with Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, rookie 6th round pick John Phillips was running 3rd TE ahead of perennial practice squadder Rodney Hannah and camp body Jamar Hunt.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WR - Roy Williams wearing #4 (don't understand why the NFL won't let a WR wear a single digit number in a game) looked winded early. Jason Garrett had to tell him to jump back in line to catch "one more from Romo" to finish off a drill with an uneven number of WRs....you'd just like to see your lead receiver not be the only player on the field having to take a knee with helmet off in the middle of drills. But maybe he wasn't feeling well. Williams and Patrick Crayton were paired with the 1's, 2) Miles Austin and Sam Hurd, 3) Isaiah Stanback and former Browns 3rd round pick Travis Wilson (#10 - Carrollton Creekview/OU), 4) Manny Johnson (#87), Kevin Ogletree (#85), Julian Hawkins (#83).

T--1) Flozell Adams (only 2 false starts) and Marc Colombo, 2) Doug Free and rookie 3rd round pick Robert Brewster (#79), Michael Turkovich (#66).

G - Kyle Kosier rehabbing from foot surgery so Montrae Holland joined Leonard Davis with 1st team; 2) Pat McQuistan moves inside from tackle and Ryan Gibbons, 3) Greg Isdaner and Travis Bright.

C - 1) Andre Gurode, 2) Cory Procter, 3) Matt Spanos.

DL - 1) Marcus Spears, Jay Ratliff, Igor Olshansky (#99), 2) Marcus Dixon (#92), Junior Siavii (#78), Stephen Bowen (Jason Hatcher nursing a minor injury as was free agent pickup Tim Anderson), 3) Jonas Seawright (#74) and Casey Tyler (#67).



OLB - DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis working 1st team, backed up by Steve Octavien (#53) and Anthony Spencer, who may have to earn 1st team reps after off-season indiscretion. Rookie 4th rounder Brandon Williams (#59 - Texas Tech/FW South Hills) ran 3rd team with Justin Rogers (SMU) while rookie 4th rounder Victor Butler can't work yet because Oregon State hasn't had graduation.

ILB - Keith Brooking sports #51 and plays alongside Bradie James, backed up by rookie 3rd rounder Jason Williams (#58) and Bobby Carpenter. Rookie 6th rounder Stephen Hodge (#55 - TCU) was running 3rd team alongside veteran free agent pickup Matt Stewart (#52).

CB - Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins (wearing Pacman's old #21) were starters, 2) Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick, 3) Michael Hawkins, the ex-Desperado, Packer, Sooner from R.L. Turner who grew up at times living on the streets, was teamed with Courtney Brown, who was getting more reps at CB than Safety. Rookie 7th rounder Mike Mickens can't work out yet because Cincinnati hasn't graduated.

S - Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh were starters, 2) Pat Watkins and Tra Battle, 3) veteran FA Jerome Carter, rookie 5th rounder Michael Hamlin (#36) and rookie 5th rounder DeAngelo Smith (#31), who is able to work out because he already graduated from Cincinnati.

P Mat McBriar looking good after surgery last fall, rookie 6th rounder David Buehler (#18) will get a ton of work until Nick Folk returns from hip surgery.

Our next chance to observe will be next Tuesday, May 26.

Wow.lol

 

[dallasfaniac]

Ive been confident that we have good enough receivers to have a decent passing game this year and still am but this does leave me with an uneasy feeling. Lets hope its just because its the beginning of the year and he'll get back into shape as it goes on.

According to another report, Roy and Romo were already lined up when Garrett yelled at them to run it again, although maybe they are referring to different plays. This is the first I am aware that mentions Roy sucking wind, so who knows.

 

[Alexander]

This is the first I am aware that mentions Roy sucking wind, so who knows.

Obviously it is all part of the media dogpile on Roy Williams rearing its ugly head again.

 

[dogberry]

It would be nice to get confirmation from a second source on Williams being winded.

 

[Typhus]

So the buzz about Brewster going inside was all talk?

Somebodys got to be a Tackle.