CBS11: Steve Dennis: Who do we think will be the big surprise guy in Cowboy's Camp?

[WoodysGirl]

DENNIS, ANYONE?

Posted by CBS11

July 25, 2009


---"FOOTBALL FIRST"...seems to be the "selling phrase" many Cowboys have settled on as they head to camp this month. I think it was "Finish" last year..."Who's all in"...sometime before that..."Why not us" before that. After what we witnessed at the end of last season, I would think a "TEAM FIRST" slogan would go over better this year.


---Who do we think will be the big surprise guy in Cowboy's Camp this summer? The newcomer who creates the most buzz? I am gonna go with cornerback Mike Mickens.

---Cowboys Running Back FELIX JONES told me this week he will be 100% when camp starts on Wednesday. Remember, Felix limped his way out of most OTA and mini-camp work this off season. He suffered a thigh bruise. He says all he has done this summer is re-hab and go home.

---PREDICTIONS....my official pre-camp call on the Cowboy's season....9 and 7 again. (I will update this call before the opener)....

See you from camp!

Steve Dennis
CBS11/TXA21 Sports

<snipped all non-Cowboys stuff>

 

[SDogo]

---PREDICTIONS....my official pre-camp call on the Cowboy's season....9 and 7 again. (I will update this call before the opener)....

Wade Phillips will be packing his bags. Anything less then 11 wins and at least 1 playoff win and it's going to be a VERY active off season at the Ranch and I'm not even sure that will save Wade. I almost believe Wade has to get this team to the big one in order to save his job.

 

[bayeslife]

Wade Phillips will be packing his bags. Anything less then 11 wins and at least 1 playoff win and it's going to be a VERY active off season at the Ranch and I'm not even sure that will save Wade. I almost believe Wade has to get this team to the big one in order to save his job.

We'll see. If the defense finishes in the top 3-5 in the league, he may be sticking around for another year. Infact, if the defense finishes that high and the team doesn't get the job done, it could be Garrett walking out the door. You don't have that good a defense and not have a high win %.

 

[SDogo]

We'll see. If the defense finishes in the top 3-5 in the league, he may be sticking around for another year. Infact, if the defense finishes that high and the team doesn't get the job done, it could be Garrett walking out the door. You don't have that good a defense and not have a high win %.

I cant see Jerry admitting he was wrong about the "next big thing" after all the money he gave Garrett. It will be much easier to use Phillips as a scapegoat despite what the defense does.

 

[CATCH17]

Ill say Jason Williams

 

[craig71]

We'll see. If the defense finishes in the top 3-5 in the league, he may be sticking around for another year. Infact, if the defense finishes that high and the team doesn't get the job done, it could be Garrett walking out the door. You don't have that good a defense and not have a high win %.

Stranger things have happened in the league.If Wade doesn't perform(to jerrys expectations) the gig is gonna be up for him I do believe.Will Garrett be the heir apparent,I don't know.Will Wade return as DC(under another HC) I don't know that either.

It does seem strange to get canned as the head coach only to return as a coordinator though.However didn't the Chiefs fire Cunningham(?) as the head coach only to have him return as a coordinator.Maybe it wasn't the same year but it was real close too it.Campo has made the return as a position coach,however some time has passed since that disaster.


Craig

 

[Deefens]

Ill say Jason Williams

That would be great if he comes along quicker than expected...he has exciting potential. Imagine this lb group with Ware, Spencer, James, and Williams...WOW. Each guy has the prototypical physical skills for their own postion in this defense.

 

[Woods]

Wade Phillips will be packing his bags. Anything less then 11 wins and at least 1 playoff win and it's going to be a VERY active off season at the Ranch and I'm not even sure that will save Wade. I almost believe Wade has to get this team to the big one in order to save his job.

Tell you the truth, I think Wade may have to get this team to at least the NFC Championship game to save his job.

The problem that Wade is going to have is that there will be several top quality coaches available in 2010. Guys who have Super Bowl wins under their belt.

 

[CATCH17]

That would be great if he comes along quicker than expected...he has exciting potential. Imagine this lb group with Ware, Spencer, James, and Williams...WOW. Each guy has the prototypical physical skills for their own postion in this defense.

I mean hes 240 pounds running that fast and has shown the ability to make plays at the college level, albeit not a high college level.


Once he catches on he'll be able to do some things.

Im guessing his weakness is going to be point of attack at first.

 

[EPL0c0]

Stanback... then he'll probably get hurt and/or fade into the background once the season starts... again.

 

[Spectre]

"Why not us?"

That one sucks.

almost as bad as Wade's, "it's not your fault, it's mine."

 

[BAT]

I mean hes 240 pounds running that fast and has shown the ability to make plays at the college level, albeit not a high college level.


Once he catches on he'll be able to do some things.

Im guessing his weakness is going to be point of attack at first.

I disagree. I think recognizing coverages will be his biggest obstacle. Jason is very physical and is used to playing ON or close to LOS, POA is one of his strengths IMO.

 

[TheCount]

Wade Phillips will be packing his bags. Anything less then 11 wins and at least 1 playoff win and it's going to be a VERY active off season at the Ranch and I'm not even sure that will save Wade. I almost believe Wade has to get this team to the big one in order to save his job.

He doesn't need both, I'd say 11 wins OR a Playoff victory would ensure his return. I don't think Wade's seat is as hot as so many of us think it is. Short of a disaster of a season, I think he'll be back as long as the defense improves.

Jerry would be foolish to blame him for the offense since he entrusted it completely to Garrett. Wade has more than done what was asked of him, considering the circumstances. And I'm not even a big Wade fan.

As far as the surprise player that creates the most buzz, wasn't it Amendola last year and he didn't even end up contributing at all. None of the rookies made a lot of noise last year before the season started.

 

[RamziD]

He doesn't need both, I'd say 11 wins OR a Playoff victory would ensure his return. I don't think Wade's seat is as hot as so many of us think it is. Short of a disaster of a season, I think he'll be back as long as the defense improves.

Jerry would be foolish to blame him for the offense since he entrusted it completely to Garrett. Wade has more than done what was asked of him, considering the circumstances. And I'm not even a big Wade fan.

As far as the surprise player that creates the most buzz, wasn't it Amendola last year and he didn't even end up contributing at all. None of the rookies made a lot of noise last year before the season started.

Agreed. Wade Phillips is a good coach. Our late season collapses the last few years have had as much to do with the players (if not more) as it has the coaches.

 

[Bizwah]

My surprise player will be Stephen Hodge.

I think he'll stand out on special teams. His experience at safety will help him to understand coverages. I think he may take over Burnett's role as the third down LB.

I like thinking out of the box.....I didn't want to choose the obvious guy.

 

[Jimz31]

Sam Hurd...but would that be a surprise?

 

[BARRYRAY]

It better be Roy Williams. They gave up my favorite --TO I am still mad and I think they were wrong .I live in Austin and I don't think Roy Williams is good enough to carry TO's jock. I don't buy that he was our problem..

 

[speedkilz88]

Sam Hurd...but would that be a surprise?

That was one I thought of but also thought would it be a surprise. He's up to 205.

 

[Plumfool]

Im going to guess Adams. Just because he was not very good last yr. And folks seem to think he is just about done.

 

[TheCount]

Im going to guess Adams. Just because he was not very good last yr. And folks seem to think he is just about done.

The question was buzz in training camp, linemen never create buzz during camp because it's near impossible to judge their talent during camp. If it were otherwise, we wouldn't have carried so many flops on the roster year after year only to watch them make fools of us and themselves on gameday.