DC: Biggest Takeaway From The First Week Of Training Camp?

[waving monkey]

OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys are only four practices into training camp, including two workouts in pads, but there’s plenty to discuss about a roster with major competition at several spots.

The DallasCowboys.com staff shares their takeaways from Week One:

Bryan Broaddus: Going into the offseason, one of the areas Dak Prescott wanted improve on was his ability to throw the ball from the middle of the pocket. Why would he want to do that? Prescott knows that defensive coordinators have spent all offseason trying to figure out ways to limit his ability to play on the edges. When Prescott is throwing on the move, he's at his best, so he knows coordinators are going to play him differently. What I have been impressed with through these early practices is how well Prescott is making those tight-window throws from the pocket over the middle of the field. His accuracy has been outstanding as well as his pace. The offensive line has done a nice job of keeping things clean in front of him and the receivers have found separation. Other than the interception he threw to Mark Nzeocha, his hard work in the offseason has appeared to have paid off and defensive coordinators will likely be left going back to the tape to work on other ideas.

link/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...irst-week-training-camp-staff-writers-discuss

 

[Bullflop]

Well, on a positive note, at least Mark Nzeocha got himself a pick . . . how 'bout that? Baby steps!

Seriously, though, Dak is doing all he can to continue the torrid pace that he set last year. Thumbs up!

Also nice to see that DT Stephen Paea has a chance to become a factor in Marinelli's rushing scheme.

If that's not enough, our new defensive backs are setting a blazing pace with some picks in camp lately.

 

[rags747]

Man I love the idea of Collins becoming the 2nd coming of the Big E. Giants boards are all laughing and saying how our OL will be nothing but average this year.

 

[Proximo]

Giants boards are all laughing and saying how our OL will be nothing but average this year.

LOL, based on what? Genuinely interested in hearing this warped logic so I can have myself a laugh.

 

[Bullflop]

LOL, based on what? Genuinely interested in hearing this warped logic so I can have myself a laugh.

Little do they realize what a nightmare they're about to face with La'el stepping up the pace at RT.

 

[Biggems]

Man I love the idea of Collins becoming the 2nd coming of the Big E. Giants boards are all laughing and saying how our OL will be nothing but average this year.

We have 3 all pros. That alone makes us stellar. If Collins lives up to the hype, that gives us 80% of a dominant OL. Our weakest area is at LG, and that might be weak at all. Add Dak and Zeke to the mix and our OL is a DCs nightmare.

 

[Pants]

Love stuff like this from guys that are there. Here is what caught my eye:

Broaddus: "...I have been impressed with through these early practices is how well Prescott is making those tight-window throws from the pocket..."
Phillips: "Tapper’s quick first step off the edge is really impressive in these pass rush drills."
Helman: "Fellow rookie Marquez White is also off to a strong start, as he has looked physical and unafraid in one-on-one matchups as well as full-team repetitions."
Etman: "...my gut tells me La’el Collins is about to be a superstar in this league."

White is one of my pet cats (I am a HUGE fan of Awuzie and was thrilled with the pick - would have been ok with him being their first pick) and I am really excited to see Lewis get on the field now, but I think this White could make the team and be a contributor; I did get a chuckle when Helman mentioned veterans and then talked bout Brown - sure, he is not a rookie which technically makes him a veteran, but Brown is the guy that the rooks look up to? love it

 

[Stash]

"Nick Eatman: Since we’re calling this a true “Gut Feeling,” I don’t really mind putting this out there. But my gut tells me La’el Collins is about to be a superstar in this league. I really like everything I’ve seen from him, starting this offseason in the OTAs and minicamp and then of course, this first week here at camp. Remember when there was supposed to be a competition at right tackle? That was just a couple of months ago, and now, not only is he the starter on the right side, he’s one of the wealthiest right tackles in all of football and he’s never even played it in the NFL. I want to see more than just 1-on-1 pass blocking drills because that’s where you can tell how he’s handling the blocking assignment and blitz pickups. But for now, he’s a right tackle who is playing like a guard with his mean streak. Let’s see how his progress continues but for now, I think we’ve got a star in the making."

This sounds so awesome to me.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The biggest thing for me is the secondary. I won't be shocked to see a release/trade of a vet CB if we make it to September with no injuries. There's no way the brain trust will have Awuzie and/or Lewis on the bench struggling to find them snaps if they perform as expected throughout preseason. As well as Awuzie has practiced so far, the word is the team is actually higher on Lewis.

We already know they attempted to some degree to trade Scandrick. And they only signed Carroll as protection heading to the draft. My prediction is one of these guys will be gone before Week 1.

 

[Alexander]

Man I love the idea of Collins becoming the 2nd coming of the Big E. Giants boards are all laughing and saying how our OL will be nothing but average this year.

They would kill to have our worst starter with that clown show OL of theirs.

 

[Bullflop]

The biggest thing for me is the secondary. I won't be shocked to see a release/trade of a vet CB if we make it to September with no injuries. There's no way the brain trust will have Awuzie and/or Lewis on the bench struggling to find them snaps if they perform as expected throughout preseason. As well as Awuzie has practiced so far, the word is the team is actually higher on Lewis.

We already know they attempted to some degree to trade Scandrick. And they only signed Carroll as protection heading to the draft. My prediction is one of these guys will be gone before Week 1.

I have a feeling if the young CBs handle things as well as it seems they will, Carroll could be the one that the FO tries to trade. Of course, it's assuming another club might be willing to absorb his present contract. Marquez White is another reportedly being impressive lately in camp.

 

[ghst187]

The biggest thing for me is the secondary. I won't be shocked to see a release/trade of a vet CB if we make it to September with no injuries. There's no way the brain trust will have Awuzie and/or Lewis on the bench struggling to find them snaps if they perform as expected throughout preseason.

We already know they attempted to some degree to trade Scandrick. And they only signed Carroll as protection heading to the draft. My prediction is one of these guys will be gone before Week 1.

Carroll plus Scan plus a third to Seattle for Sherman.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

We have 3 all pros. That alone makes us stellar. If Collins lives up to the hype, that gives us 80% of a dominant OL. Our weakest area is at LG, and that might be weak at all. Add Dak and Zeke to the mix and our OL is a DCs nightmare.

Cooper (5th 1st round talent we have) will be better then Leary. I think health was always the issue and gong back to last season it seems he has over come that issue.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Man I love the idea of Collins becoming the 2nd coming of the Big E. Giants boards are all laughing and saying how our OL will be nothing but average this year.

They are about to get a major surprise. It will be better if Green can play to his ability and stay healthy.

Free flat sucked the second half of the year. Collins is going to make a great oline into a potentially devastating unit.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

They are about to get a major surprise. It will be better if Green can play to his ability and stay healthy.

Free flat sucked the second half of the year.

I have a line starting like this

Smith, Cooper, Frederick, Martin, Collins

All first round picks and the 5 best on the team. Some like Green but he brings most value in backing up 4 spots on the line. That's huge plus he can stay healthy by sitting. With suspensions and other injuries or what not the roster will take advantage of guys that can play multiple spots.

Cleary, Looney and possibly Skipper finished the OL. Carrying 7-9 OL would be amazing

 

[DFWJC]

I think Awuzie is the real deal.

He is the standout so far.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Scandrick and Carroll need to play lights out during camp. I don't see any way the Cowboys can stash Marquez White on the practice squad. Brown, Lewis, Awuzie, and White are locks, barring injury. That is 4 CBs. If the Cowboys keep only 5 CBs, it comes down to one position for Scandrick, McFadden, Seamster, and Duke. Carroll most likely will be suspended the first two games and the Cowboys will re-evaluate two weeks into the season whether to keep him and make a roster change.

 

[Trouty]

I think Awuzie is the real deal.

He is the standout so far.

He and Collins, for sure, JC.

 

[jobberone]

The biggest thing for me is the secondary. I won't be shocked to see a release/trade of a vet CB if we make it to September with no injuries. There's no way the brain trust will have Awuzie and/or Lewis on the bench struggling to find them snaps if they perform as expected throughout preseason. As well as Awuzie has practiced so far, the word is the team is actually higher on Lewis.

We already know they attempted to some degree to trade Scandrick. And they only signed Carroll as protection heading to the draft. My prediction is one of these guys will be gone before Week 1.

Don't forget our true base package is some sort of SP in nickel, dime, or big nickel or dime amongst others. We'll play 5-6 men up front as much or more than 7 so we need DBs. Look for 9-10 DBs and that's a minimum IMO. I expect 10 to 11 at the outside. What may play a role in that is injury though so we'll see.