DC: Mailbag: How Many Safeties Make The Team? La’el Collins’ Versatility?

[jobberone]

Mailbag: How Many Safeties Make The Team? La’el Collins’ Versatility?
Friday, July 03, 2015 9:27 AM CDT

DAVID WILKIE
SPARTANBURG, SC

With the position flex of first-round pick Byron Jones and free agent addition Corey White, could the Cowboys keep only three safeties on the roster and use Jones and White if needed back there since they can play both corner and safety? This frees up a roster spot to go long elsewhere.

Bryan: That is actually nice big-picture thinking on your part. With Jones and White playing safety you could carry an extra position player and you could also free up another roster spot if you believed that Dustin Vaughan could handle backup quarterback and move on from Brandon Weeden so that would give you two.

David: That’s a great point, and it’s part of the fun of determining the final roster. It’ll likely depend on how guys likeDanny McCray perform in training camp and the preseason, but you could potentially see it happen. It also depends on other positions. Will the fringe defensive linemen be impressive enough that the coaches want to go long? Will Dustin Vaughanprove himself worthy of a third quarterback spot? If they can get away with using fewer defensive backs, it might help the logjams at tight end and running back. Just another fun storyline to watch in training camp.

SEDDRICK BERRY
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX

I watched a clip of La’el Collins running downfield routes and he seems quite agile and athletic. Do you see a possibility maybe in goal line or short-yardage situations where he could line up at tight end and create an advantage having an extra lineman?

Bryan: Collins is very athletic in regards to moving down the field. We have yet to see him work at any other positions than guard and tackle but there is always the possibility of putting him as the end man on the line of scrimmage and going from there.

David: I’m not sure that an Instagram video of Collins outrunning Laurence Gibson is going to convince anyone that he should be playing tight end. But the Cowboys absolutely have the spare bodies on the offensive line to throw out some interesting jumbo packages. In goal line situations, I’d be interested to see how many of these guys they could throw out on the line.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...safeties-make-team-la’el-collins’-versatility

 

[xwalker]

Mailbag: How Many Safeties Make The Team? La’el Collins’ Versatility?
Friday, July 03, 2015 9:27 AM CDT

DAVID WILKIE
SPARTANBURG, SC

With the position flex of first-round pick Byron Jones and free agent addition Corey White, could the Cowboys keep only three safeties on the roster and use Jones and White if needed back there since they can play both corner and safety? This frees up a roster spot to go long elsewhere.

Bryan: That is actually nice big-picture thinking on your part. With Jones and White playing safety you could carry an extra position player and you could also free up another roster spot if you believed that Dustin Vaughan could handle backup quarterback and move on from Brandon Weeden so that would give you two.

David: That’s a great point, and it’s part of the fun of determining the final roster. It’ll likely depend on how guys likeDanny McCray perform in training camp and the preseason, but you could potentially see it happen. It also depends on other positions. Will the fringe defensive linemen be impressive enough that the coaches want to go long? Will Dustin Vaughanprove himself worthy of a third quarterback spot? If they can get away with using fewer defensive backs, it might help the logjams at tight end and running back. Just another fun storyline to watch in training camp.

SEDDRICK BERRY
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX

I watched a clip of La’el Collins running downfield routes and he seems quite agile and athletic. Do you see a possibility maybe in goal line or short-yardage situations where he could line up at tight end and create an advantage having an extra lineman?

Bryan: Collins is very athletic in regards to moving down the field. We have yet to see him work at any other positions than guard and tackle but there is always the possibility of putting him as the end man on the line of scrimmage and going from there.

David: I’m not sure that an Instagram video of Collins outrunning Laurence Gibson is going to convince anyone that he should be playing tight end. But the Cowboys absolutely have the spare bodies on the offensive line to throw out some interesting jumbo packages. In goal line situations, I’d be interested to see how many of these guys they could throw out on the line.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/07/03/mailbag-how-many-safeties-make-team-la’el-collins’-versatility

I think the obvious answer in regards to Collins playing TE in the Jumbo package would be another question. That question is whether or not he is active on the game day 46 man roster if he is not a starter. They only carry 7 OL on the 46 with 1 interior backup and 1 OT backup. They have to have a backup Center.

If Collins is the backup OT, then obviously he would likely get some snaps as a blocking TE; however, he can't get any snaps if he is inactive.

If they have him focused on Guard in training camp, then it will be difficult for him to be the swing OT during the season.


The question about keeping only 3 Safeties because White and Jones can play Safety was just a rhetorical question. The person asking the question already knew the answer. I remember back in college when certain people would always ask rhetorical questions in class just to get attention.

 

[jobberone]

There is enough flexibility to keep an extra CB with 1-2 who can play S. And keep in mind SPs where 5-7 DBs are needed. They need 8 DL and LBs and 9 DBs in general.

 

[conner01]

I think the obvious answer in regards to Collins playing TE in the Jumbo package would be another question. That question is whether or not he is active on the game day 46 man roster if he is not a starter. They only carry 7 OL on the 46 with 1 interior backup and 1 OT backup. They have to have a backup Center.

If Collins is the backup OT, then obviously he would likely get some snaps as a blocking TE; however, he can't get any snaps if he is inactive.

If they have him focused on Guard in training camp, then it will be difficult for him to be the swing OT during the season.


The question about keeping only 3 Safeties because White and Jones can play Safety was just a rhetorical question. The person asking the question already knew the answer. I remember back in college when certain people would always ask rhetorical questions in class just to get attention.

Great point on Collins. If he doesn't start then you have the backup guard who can play center and the swing tackle who plays both sides. Don't see him being ready to be the swing tackle. Wonder if he could be a backup center
Anyone know if he has ever played center?

 

[xwalker]

Great point on Collins. If he doesn't start then you have the backup guard who can play center and the swing tackle who plays both sides. Don't see him being ready to be the swing tackle. Wonder if he could be a backup center
Anyone know if he has ever played center?

I think Zack Martin might practice at Center in TC. If he could be the game day backup Center, then they could have a Guard-only as the backup.

 

[conner01]

I think Zack Martin might practice at Center in TC. If he could be the game day backup Center, then they could have a Guard-only as the backup.

That would be a good option
Hasnt he played some center

 

[jobberone]

That would be a good option
Hasnt he played some center

He started at LOT four years for ND. He played two games at RT his freshman year. IDK if he played G at ND or HS. He has been at C some during camp.

 

[chris1995]

Mailbag: How Many Safeties Make The Team? La’el Collins’ Versatility?
Friday, July 03, 2015 9:27 AM CDT

DAVID WILKIE
SPARTANBURG, SC

With the position flex of first-round pick Byron Jones and free agent addition Corey White, could the Cowboys keep only three safeties on the roster and use Jones and White if needed back there since they can play both corner and safety? This frees up a roster spot to go long elsewhere.

Bryan: That is actually nice big-picture thinking on your part. With Jones and White playing safety you could carry an extra position player and you could also free up another roster spot if you believed that Dustin Vaughan could handle backup quarterback and move on from Brandon Weeden so that would give you two.

David: That’s a great point, and it’s part of the fun of determining the final roster. It’ll likely depend on how guys likeDanny McCray perform in training camp and the preseason, but you could potentially see it happen. It also depends on other positions. Will the fringe defensive linemen be impressive enough that the coaches want to go long? Will Dustin Vaughanprove himself worthy of a third quarterback spot? If they can get away with using fewer defensive backs, it might help the logjams at tight end and running back. Just another fun storyline to watch in training camp.

SEDDRICK BERRY
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX

I watched a clip of La’el Collins running downfield routes and he seems quite agile and athletic. Do you see a possibility maybe in goal line or short-yardage situations where he could line up at tight end and create an advantage having an extra lineman?

Bryan: Collins is very athletic in regards to moving down the field. We have yet to see him work at any other positions than guard and tackle but there is always the possibility of putting him as the end man on the line of scrimmage and going from there.

David: I’m not sure that an Instagram video of Collins outrunning Laurence Gibson is going to convince anyone that he should be playing tight end. But the Cowboys absolutely have the spare bodies on the offensive line to throw out some interesting jumbo packages. In goal line situations, I’d be interested to see how many of these guys they could throw out on the line.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/07/03/mailbag-how-many-safeties-make-team-la’el-collins’-versatility

4 safeties make the 53

 

[guag]

With Jones and White playing safety you could carry an extra position player and you could also free up another roster spot if you believed that Dustin Vaughan could handle backup quarterback and move on from Brandon Weeden so that would give you two.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I wonder if Broaddus himself thinks that Vaughan might be able to handle backup QB this season. I feel like the fact that he even mentioned this at all means that he thinks its a possibility. I hope Vaughan makes strides in camp and is able to show us that he's capable... would be a very nice surprise.

 

[jobberone]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I wonder if Broaddus himself thinks that Vaughan might be able to handle backup QB this season. I feel like the fact that he even mentioned this at all means that he thinks its a possibility. I hope Vaughan makes strides in camp and is able to show us that he's capable... would be a very nice surprise.

He's due if he's done his homework and can do it under fire. Weeden is better than credited here but I'd like to upgrade at this point. Depends on what we see. He may be much better with a year in the system and a good OL with excellent targets.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Mailbag: How Many Safeties Make The Team?

With flex position players like Jones and White that really isn't a valid question.

 

[jobberone]

With flex position players like Jones and White that really isn't a valid question.

Yeah, I like the versatility of the defense.

 

[xwalker]

That would be a good option
Hasnt he played some center

He practiced at Center for a few snaps last year in TC. I don't think he played any games there in college, but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[jobberone]

He practiced at Center for a few snaps last year in TC. I don't think he played any games there in college, but I'm not 100% certain.

A few snaps at RT but mostly LT. I can't find any snaps at center either.