CCBoy
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 45,513
- Reaction score
- 21,753
Dallas Cowboys depth getting tested early in camp
Dallas Cowboys depth getting tested early in camp
As bigger names nurse injuries or get early days off, the opportunity for lesser known players to improve the depth of the Dallas Cowboys roster grows daily.
Monday marked the end of the first week of training camp and already, the Dallas Cowboys depth is being tested.
Offensively, quarterback, Kellen Moore has been lost for likely the entire year and at minimum until December with a lower leg injury. Meanwhile, first round draft pick Ezekiel Elliott has had a tender hamstring for much of camp to start with, taking away reps at the running back position.
Anyone else of consequence has already had at least one, if not more, “veteran day’s” off.
Defensively, the line which already had major question marks has been severely limited. Two guys expected to contribute (Benson Mayawa and Maliek Collins) started on the physically unable to perform list and have yet to participate.
Sure to be starters Tyrone Crawford and Cedric Thornton have also missed multiple practices due to a back issue for Crawford and an illness for Thornton.
All of this is occurring with the future knowledge of edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence (four games to start) and Randy Gregory (maybe forever) not being available until October or later.
To say that the depth on this team is being tested early is an understatement.
Someone has to go out there and fill in the voids. Guys who may not even be on the final 53 man roster or may have limited roles if they do make the cut are taking this opportunity to impress.
Sunday’s Blue/White scrimmage featured a lot of fourth round draft pick of Dak Prescott and second year camper Jameill Showers putting these situations to use. Showers especially has shown improvements from last year.
These performances have continued to delay the pursuit of a veteran to back up for the time being.
Veteran running back Alfred Morris has showed the skills and talent that have gotten him to almost 5,000 yards in his brief four year career with Elliott missing and last year’s starter Darren McFadden still out after surgery last month on his elbow.
On the line, last year’s acquisition of edge rusher David Irving along with another fourth round selection, Charles Tapper, have been earning the bulk of the work and making the most of it.
Others not even expected to be on the radar such as Mike McAdoo and Lawrence Okoye have turned some heads early on and can build upon that with strong efforts in next week’s first preseason game with the Los Angeles Rams.
All of these “no names” will definitely get a chance to do just that this Saturday as guys like Tony Romo, Elliott, Mayawa, Crawford and Thornton all will almost certainly sit out.
Dallas Cowboys depth getting tested early in camp
As bigger names nurse injuries or get early days off, the opportunity for lesser known players to improve the depth of the Dallas Cowboys roster grows daily.
Monday marked the end of the first week of training camp and already, the Dallas Cowboys depth is being tested.
Offensively, quarterback, Kellen Moore has been lost for likely the entire year and at minimum until December with a lower leg injury. Meanwhile, first round draft pick Ezekiel Elliott has had a tender hamstring for much of camp to start with, taking away reps at the running back position.
Anyone else of consequence has already had at least one, if not more, “veteran day’s” off.
Defensively, the line which already had major question marks has been severely limited. Two guys expected to contribute (Benson Mayawa and Maliek Collins) started on the physically unable to perform list and have yet to participate.
Sure to be starters Tyrone Crawford and Cedric Thornton have also missed multiple practices due to a back issue for Crawford and an illness for Thornton.
All of this is occurring with the future knowledge of edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence (four games to start) and Randy Gregory (maybe forever) not being available until October or later.
To say that the depth on this team is being tested early is an understatement.
Someone has to go out there and fill in the voids. Guys who may not even be on the final 53 man roster or may have limited roles if they do make the cut are taking this opportunity to impress.
Sunday’s Blue/White scrimmage featured a lot of fourth round draft pick of Dak Prescott and second year camper Jameill Showers putting these situations to use. Showers especially has shown improvements from last year.
These performances have continued to delay the pursuit of a veteran to back up for the time being.
Veteran running back Alfred Morris has showed the skills and talent that have gotten him to almost 5,000 yards in his brief four year career with Elliott missing and last year’s starter Darren McFadden still out after surgery last month on his elbow.
On the line, last year’s acquisition of edge rusher David Irving along with another fourth round selection, Charles Tapper, have been earning the bulk of the work and making the most of it.
Others not even expected to be on the radar such as Mike McAdoo and Lawrence Okoye have turned some heads early on and can build upon that with strong efforts in next week’s first preseason game with the Los Angeles Rams.
All of these “no names” will definitely get a chance to do just that this Saturday as guys like Tony Romo, Elliott, Mayawa, Crawford and Thornton all will almost certainly sit out.
