DC: Scout's Notebook: All Eyes On The Defensive Backs, Battle For 3rd RB; More

[jobberone]

Scout's Notebook: All Eyes On The Defensive Backs, Battle For 3rd RB; More
Monday, July 31, 2017 11:17 AM CDT

By Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout @BryanBroaddus

OXNARD, Calif. – Sunday might have been our most noteworthy practice so far, in terms of impressive plays. The offense and defense both seem to be finding their rhythm and giving each other a tough challenge.

Here are some of the best notes I took while watching it all play out on the practice fields:

Read

Byron Jones continues to show the range in these practices the coaches are looking for in games. Playing out of the middle of the field, he was able to read Dak Prescott’s eyes looking toward Dez Bryant on a vertical route to the left sideline. Even before Prescott pointed his left shoulder in that direction, Jones was out of his pedal and heading in Bryant’s direction. Nolan Carroll had Bryant locked up and the NFL official to that side was letting him get away with it. The ball from Prescott was a little short and Jones, like he had done the previous practice, was able to lay out, extending his arms and once again high-point the ball in the end zone.

Noah Brown, like Byron Jones, put together back-to-back practices to serve notice that he wants a spot on this roster and just not on the practice squad. His touchdown catch over Chidobe Awuzie reminded me of the catch he made last season while at Ohio State against Wisconsin. With the ball on the 20-yard line going in, Brown executed a perfect fade route to the right corner of the end zone, getting just enough separation in order for Kellen Moore to have the space to fit the ball in over the top. Awuzie was late getting his head around to find it, while Brown was able to track it the entire time. When Brown put his hands up, I initially thought he didn’t have a chance but he was able to make the adjustment. By extending his hands, he was able to secure the ball and get both feet down in the end zone to complete the play.

If you are looking for positive signs from Taco Charlton, he was able to draw a holding call on Tyron Smith during the team portion of practice. It might not be much, but his rush on the snap put Smith in a poor blocking position -- which translates into a good surge off the line and breaking him down with technique. I am not asking Charlton to win every time against Smith or Zack Martin, but if you can see him win one out of every four times, then he’s making progress.

***SNIP***


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...k-all-eyes-defensive-backs-battle-3rd-rb-more

 

[jobberone]

Optimistic but realistic as well. Rookies will make mistakes. Some will fade and some will be injured.

 

[Sydla]

LG is worrying me a bit.

 

[Stash]

"Another day of pitch and catch for Dez Bryant and Dak Prescott. Bryant was able to do some damage to the defense once again on a crossing route, which has been a staple of these practices. Earlier in the practice, Bryant and Prescott hooked up outside the numbers during blitz period when Bryant was able to drive Orlando Scandrick back out of his pedal, then curl inside. Prescott, once again from the middle of the pocket, threw a strike to Bryant -- who was waiting with separation. "

This is not a knock on Tony Romo, but I never thought that crossing routes were a strength of his throwing the football. And that's why they never used those patterns as much as I would have liked.

I'm hopeful to see more slants and crosses used in the passing game with Prescott as I think he does that well.

 

[jwooten15]

We're gonna have to be very fortunate to compete for a SB this year.

The defense has so many question marks. I have hope for the line as well as the secondary, but I worry that we got too young, too quick and will have to endure some growing pains before we really see results.

BUT, you never know. *fingers crossed*

 

[Jstopper]

LG is worrying me a bit.

Cooper is doing well there from all reports. No reason to worry imo

 

[Stash]

Cooper is doing well there from all reports. No reason to worry imo

Same here. I'd be more worried if Green was far ahead and winning the job only for this injury stuff to come up yet again. That's what I didn't want that guy starting.

 

[jazzcat22]

Good stuff from Broaddus. When he leaves his scouting hat off, and it is a bad scouting hat, he reports some good stuff.

I like what he says about Noah Brown and Rod Smith. I been saying all year, draft Brown, and use Smith as the 3rd RB.
They need to keep both of these players on the 53.

 

[bodi]

•Noah Brown, like Byron Jones, put together back-to-back practices to serve notice that he wants a spot on this roster and just not on the practice squad. His touchdown catch over Chidobe Awuzie reminded me of the catch he made last season while at Ohio State against Wisconsin. With the ball on the 20-yard line going in, Brown executed a perfect fade route to the right corner of the end zone, getting just enough separation in order for Kellen Moore to have the space to fit the ball in over the top. Awuzie was late getting his head around to find it, while Brown was able to track it the entire time. When Brown put his hands up, I initially thought he didn’t have a chance but he was able to make the adjustment. By extending his hands, he was able to secure the ball and get both feet down in the end zone to complete the play.

I like

 

[Jstopper]

Same here. I'd be more worried if Green was far ahead and winning the job only for this injury stuff to come up yet again. That's what I didn't want that guy starting.

This line has the potential to be scary. 5 legit 1st round talents.

 

[erod]

Cooper is doing well there from all reports. No reason to worry imo

Actually, he's not doing that great at all. Green was significantly outperforming him.

 

[Jstopper]

Actually, he's not doing that great at all. Green was significantly outperforming him.

I've seen multiple reports from different reporters on different days all saying he has looked good.

 

[erod]

I've seen multiple reports from different reporters on different days all saying he has looked good.

We'll see. I've heard both. It's hard to tell because they're playing against teammates. Somebody has to get beat, and neither is good for us.

 

[Teague31]

Think both Rod Smith and Noah Brown make the 53

 

[big dog cowboy]

LG is worrying me a bit.

Offense is super bowl ready.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

"Another day of pitch and catch for Dez Bryant and Dak Prescott. Bryant was able to do some damage to the defense once again on a crossing route, which has been a staple of these practices. Earlier in the practice, Bryant and Prescott hooked up outside the numbers during blitz period when Bryant was able to drive Orlando Scandrick back out of his pedal, then curl inside. Prescott, once again from the middle of the pocket, threw a strike to Bryant -- who was waiting with separation. "

This is not a knock on Tony Romo, but I never thought that crossing routes were a strength of his throwing the football. And that's why they never used those patterns as much as I would have liked.

I'm hopeful to see more slants and crosses used in the passing game with Prescott as I think he does that well.

I'm not sure why Romo and Dez weren't very good at crossing routes, but TO did plenty of damage with crossing routes when he was here. Perhaps it has more to do with Linehan's philosophy.

 

[gimmesix]

Same here. I'd be more worried if Green was far ahead and winning the job only for this injury stuff to come up yet again. That's what I didn't want that guy starting.

My hope was that they would both be about equal on a high level so that maybe together they can make it through the year without any fall-off. I want the best player to start for however long he can start, but we better off obviously if they are just both really good, especially since whoever doesn't start will be our depth anyway.

 

[jobberone]

Offense=good++
Defense=suspect

SB depends on takeaways, PPG scored esp needs to be 30+, and PPG given up needs to stay 20 or below although that is suspect. We get above 30 PPG scored then we can get away with an average defense esp if takeaways are good as are pressures and pass defense. Tall order.

 

[FLcowboy]

We're gonna have to be very fortunate to compete for a SB this year.

The defense has so many question marks. I have hope for the line as well as the secondary, but I worry that we got too young, too quick and will have to endure some growing pains before we really see results.

BUT, you never know. *fingers crossed*

Youth does bring some questions, but the youth in the defensive backfield were the cream of the crop, and that should make up for some of their mistakes. However, the d-line hasn't shown much progress, and the suspensions are going to hurt.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I have Rod Smith over Morris right now

Brown will make this roster

I have White winning that 6th and final corner spot

Upset pick Woods beating out Heath