News: DC: Sullivan: Random Thoughts From Raiders-Cowboys Practice

[NewsBot]

OXNARD, Calif. - Some of the thoughts that run through an oversized, bald head:

• This Raiders-Cowboys dual practice wasn’t the best of ideas. Makes sense, wanting to compete against other teams, but there are certain rules in life and right up there is when a small army of police (there were various reports how many, one estimate was as high as 95) is needed for a football practice, how about making other arrangements. Am guessing they could have been used elsewhere. Been there for a week and haven’t seen more than a few police, so this was quite different.

• The increased security was related to rival Ventura County gangs, one of which wears Raiders apparel, the other Cowboys. Seem to go somewhat smoothly outside of one fan swinging a helmet at Cowboys cornerback B.W. Webb.

• There were three on-field scuffles, not quite worthy of being called fights per say. These are to be expected when teams practice together, not much news worthy there. However, one of the singular highlights of my life occurred during the first one.

• There are two adjacent fields at the facility, and about 20 people, VIPs, were seated in chairs behind one of the end zones. Among them was Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who turns 87 in September, but still has some weight on him.

Continue reading...

 

[WoodysGirl]

He was right. These thoughts were random, but still overall cool.

 

[Seven]

He was right. These thoughts were random.

No kidding.

 

[WoodysGirl]

No kidding.

Sully's version of Peter King's MMQB. 10 things I think I think

 

[perrykemp]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

 

[The Natural]

Exciting stuff about Martin

First-round pick Zack Martin has been pancaking dudes left and right the last week and continued doing so against the Raiders linemen. He’s going to be a rookie only in name. I honestly think he has a legitimate chance at making the Pro Bowl.

Also interesting note on Magic Johnson being at camp and he being a big fan of Dez Bryant, similar infectious personalities the two of them

• The highlight for Magic, “I’ve met most of these guys before, but I really wanted to meet Dez so this was a great day for me.” The two took a photo together during practice. Magic Johnson wanted to meet Dez. Unreal stuff right there.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

See what happens today if they go one-on-one again. I'll bet Smith will have a better feel for Mack's game.

 

[TimHortons]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

I'm not in the NFL clearly, but I would say as a general rule of thumb Defensive players generally have the advantage over the offensive players in one on one drills, due to the fact that it negates the offenses major advantage of knowing the play that's called. Also, especially in pass rush drills, Defensive players can make whatever moves they want, whereas in a game situation many of those moves would probably have them running into the guard or other adjacent players. Still, surprising to read that

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Couple of other blurbs I liked...

Nate Newton
So I told Nate Newton the other day that I enjoyed the Sports Illustrated cover story on him in its “Where Are They Now?” issue. He said, “I didn’t read it.” We went back and forth for a few minutes, as just couldn’t believe that he didn’t read it, but in the end, he convinced me, saying, “I know what I said, so why do I have to read it?” He also was walking the sideline during the Raiders-Cowboys practice and upon seeing a young kid, maybe two, wearing a Raiders cap, he said, “Youngster, you’re off to a bad start in life.” Even the Raiders fans laughed at that one.

Zack Martin
First-round pick Zack Martin has been pancaking dudes left and right the last week and continued doing so against the Raiders linemen. He’s going to be a rookie only in name. I honestly think he has a legitimate chance at making the Pro Bowl. This year. He did a 20-minute interview with me the other day while the majority of his knuckles on his right hand were bleeding after practice. Didn’t say a word about it, just kept smiling and talking.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

Mack still needed about five seconds to shake free. And it was a one-on-one drill.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

hmmm


Doug Free – The veteran tackle enjoyed a nice practice, perhaps even better than camp standout Tyron Smith. The Raiders sent their three best pass rushers – Justin Tuck, Khalil Mack and Lamarr Woodley – against the Cowboys offensive line, and Free excelled. He stymied Tuck during his only rep of one-on-one drills, and he stuffed the explosive young Mack later on.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Liked this...

Don’t know a ton about Kenneth Boatright , the defensive end the Cowboys signed on Aug. 1, but he just keeps making plays. Like all the time. Definitely the surprise of camp for me. Can’t believe the Seahawks let him go. Have heard a few people in Oxnard drop the George Selvie comparison in terms of a guy coming out of nowhere, off-the-street, and making a real impact. Rod Marinelli loves having an eight-man rotation with his defensive linemen and at this point, I can’t imagine Boatright not being among that group.

 

[Bungarian]

Was shocked by this bullet:

"Oakland’s first-round pick, linebacker Khalil Mack, was dominating just about anyone he was up against in one-on-one drills, including Tyron Smith. That just doesn’t happen. Smith has been manhandling everyone for weeks, but Mack did a nice job with him. Kid is going to be special. Heck, both of them."

I saw that vid. Those one on one drills favor the defense. Plus he would have had a sack at about 6 seconds.

 

[Dwight]

Good news about the oline. If Dallas' dline can just be average that would help the team chances of winning the Division.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I saw that vid. Those one on one drills favor the defense. Plus he would have had a sack at about 6 seconds.

It would've been a coverage sack. And if it were our secondary out there, there is no way they could cover for six seconds.

 

[NJ22]

Sully's version of Peter King's MMQB. 10 things I think I think

I bust on Sully a lot and rightfully so. He should NEVER be in radio...obviously. And he should not right serious articles about giving coaches extensions. BUT I thought this article is right in his wheel house. A fluff piece that looks like a fan not an alleged knowledgable football guy wrote it. He is a fan and when he presents himself as such I think he does a good job.

 

[guag]

• Don’t know a ton about Kenneth Boatright, the defensive end the Cowboys signed on Aug. 1, but he just keeps making plays. Like all the time. Definitely the surprise of camp for me. Can’t believe the Seahawks let him go. Have heard a few people in Oxnard drop the George Selviecomparison in terms of a guy coming out of nowhere, off-the-street, and making a real impact. Rod Marinelli loves having an eight-man rotation with his defensive linemen and at this point, I can’t imagine Boatright not being among that group.

I think this is some of the best news of camp thus far (aside from R. McClain's resurrection). The big question though is: does he play RDE or LDE? lol

 

[Teague31]

Love me some zack Martin

 

[jobberone]

Great news about Martin, Free and Boatwright. Was there any news on Mack or Fred? Anything on the rest of the DL?

Edit: Sorry I missed the link. Went back and read it. Kool read. Nice to hear Lasorda there.

 

[CowboyMike]

I bust on Sully a lot and rightfully so. He should NEVER be in radio...obviously. And he should not right serious articles about giving coaches extensions. BUT I thought this article is right in his wheel house. A fluff piece that looks like a fan not an alleged knowledgable football guy wrote it. He is a fan and when he presents himself as such I think he does a good job.

Sully was born deaf. He doesn't have a lisp. I don't believe that should hold anybody back from being on radio. If anything, he should be admired for doing so.