DMN Blog: Another special teams change

[WoodysGirl]

10:11 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Gerry Fraley/Reporter E-mail | News tips

The Dallas Cowboys shuffle of their special teams will likely result in linebacker Curtis Johnson losing his spot. Johnson has had three special teams penalties, two on blocks, in the last three games.

The other changes will be dictated by injury-driven switches in the starting lineup. With Alan Ball starting at free safety, reserve cornerback Orlando Scandrick will likely become the ``gunner,'' with outside coverage on punt-coverage teams.

In addition, offensive tackle Pat McQuistan is scheduled to be active for the first time this season and replace Doug Free as a wall blocker on kickoff returns. Free is starting at right tackle in place of the injured Marc Colombo.

 

[Alexander]

The Dallas Cowboys shuffle of their special teams will likely result in linebacker Curtis Johnson losing his spot. Johnson has had three special teams penalties, two on blocks, in the last three games.

Good. If Johnson can't even perform special teams duties at an acceptable level, I would as soon cut him loose.

 

[TheCount]

They are going to put our third corner on special teams... okay. Hope he doesn't get hurt.

Curtis deserved to lose his spot, he stinks. But this raises a very important question, why is the blue blazes did we keep him on the roster, through the injury and cut someone else that was busting their butt so he could be deactivated?

I figured he had some actual talent at OLB??

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

10:11 AM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Gerry Fraley/Reporter E-mail | News tips

The Dallas Cowboys shuffle of their special teams will likely result in linebacker Curtis Johnson losing his spot. Johnson has had three special teams penalties, two on blocks, in the last three games.

The other changes will be dictated by injury-driven switches in the starting lineup. With Alan Ball starting at free safety, reserve cornerback Orlando Scandrick will likely become the ``gunner,'' with outside coverage on punt-coverage teams.

In addition, offensive tackle Pat McQuistan is scheduled to be active for the first time this season and replace Doug Free as a wall blocker on kickoff returns. Free is starting at right tackle in place of the injured Marc Colombo.

Why play Scandrick at gunner? With the shortcomings in the secondary (Ball to Safety makes for one less CB) why risk Scandrick to injury on special teams? The Commanders are one man shoret at RB, and so they will likely lean on the WRs more, menaing Scandrick will be most likely playing in more nickel formations at CB than usual.

So why also tire Scandrick out on special team coverages, especially when Ogletree is just as capable to play the "gunner" and is faster than Scandrick? After all, the "gunner" needs to be the fastest man on that unit, and Ogletree is the team's second fastest runner behind Austin. What am I missing here?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Probably because Orlando is used to tackling... And I'm not at all sure Ogletree is faster than several other players on the team. Scandrick's 40 time at the combine was quite a bit faster.

 

[Alexander]

Probably because Orlando is used to tackling... And I'm not at all sure Ogletree is faster than several other players on the team. Scandrick's 40 time at the combine was quite a bit faster.

I also think Scandrick did this last year if I am not mistaken. Ogletree isn't nearly as experienced. It isn't just speed. I'd rather have the tackle made more than anything.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Why make any secondary player a gunner though? We lose Scandrick or any corner and that's it. Alan Ball is already at safety. Its going to cause a mess.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Safety Woodson always p[layed on the special teams and he was much more valuable to the team.

 

[CCBoy]

CLab...aren't we talking about both being recently timed in the 4.3 range? That is Scandrick and Ogletree...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

CLab...aren't we talking about both being recently timed in the 4.3 range? That is Scandrick and Ogletree...

NFL.com has KO at a 4.46...

 

[CCBoy]

Wasn't it Curtis Johnson that had good reviews and a longer termed projection for the outside linebacker's role of pass rushing? He is supposed to be up there in potential, along with Butler. Then we have a missing 'rook' MLB that hasn't shown back up since coming into practice as well?

 

[CCBoy]

You may be right, CLab...I had read in a discussion of his merits when training camp was bringing his talent to the front, that it was one of the attributes that elevated Ogletree. The time for Austin also wasn't in the low arena area for wide receivers, yet he has always received a 'faster' association in evaluations by talent evaluators. I'd be interested to be a fly on the wall of some of those evaluator discussions concerning Dallas players, lol.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

why don't they just put J-Will at gunner? dude is freakin' fast, not to mention he would be HUGE there

 

[Alexander]

Why make any secondary player a gunner though? We lose Scandrick or any corner and that's it. Alan Ball is already at safety. Its going to cause a mess.

You can't think that way though. Scandrick could get hurt just as easily defending a run or pass. Your best player should take the role, especially if the inexperience of the alternatives could surrender a score. For all we know, the gap between Scandrick and Ogletree is so significant that it tips the scales.

 

[Alexander]

why don't they just put J-Will at gunner? dude is freakin' fast, not to mention he would be HUGE there

Leonard Davis is big and strong, that doesn't mean he'd be a great backup nose tackle.

Just because Williams is straight-line fast doesn't mean he's cut out for the gunner responsibilities. These players also have to be in excellent condition to run up the field full speed and flexible enough to close in on a fast quick player to make a stop. That's why you see DBs or WRs in that role for the most part.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Leonard Davis is big and strong, that doesn't mean he'd be a great backup nose tackle.

Just because Williams is straight-line fast doesn't mean he's cut out for the gunner responsibilities. These players also have to be in excellent condition to run up the field full speed and flexible enough to close in on a fast quick player to make a stop. That's why you see DBs or WRs in that role for the most part.

I'm pretty sure that the Raven's top gunner for a couple of years was a LB by the name of Obeyando or something

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Scandrick plays what about 60% of the defensive snaps? If he cannot handle an additional 5 snaps per game then what are we going to do if he ever needs to start?

 

[WarDaddy]

Why not Watkins and Hurd as the gunners? I figure Watkins would probably be on the field less than Scandrick anyway since Ball is now the starter. I thought Watkins was a pretty good gunner in years past.

 

[Smith22]

I'm pretty sure that the Raven's top gunner for a couple of years was a LB by the name of Obeyando or something

Very solid on Special teams. He is out for the season this year. he got hurt about 4 weeks ago.