DMN Blog: Pacman, Ratliff at DE, Special Teams, Hurd Wows 'em

[Mr Cowboy]

Some special teams work
12:40 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis E-mail News tips
Two special teams notes stick out from what little practice we saw before the Great Storm of `08 hit:

Kicker Nick Folk worked on his kickoffs off to the side with the rest of the specialists. Folk had only four touchbacks out of 94 attempts during the regular season. Going into his second year, you'd like to see him knock a few more into the end zone.

As one might expect, rookie Felix Jones was one of four players who worked on kick return. This seems like the one area where Jones can have the biggest impact immediately. His 652 kick return yards last season with Arkansas set a new school record.

"Special teams is something that I look forward to doing and I have fun with that," Jones said after practice. "I think I can come in early and contribute on special teams."


Sam Hurd was star of abbreviated practice
12:37 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
Practice didn't last long before the nasty weather hit Valley Ranch (not sure why we didn't go in the indoor facility), but Sam Hurd took advantage of the limited time this morning.

Hurd, who will get reps with the starters with T.O. tending to a personal matter, was outstanding during 1-on-1 drills against defensive backs. He got great separation on a pair of out routes against Pacman Jones. He also burned Anthony Henry on a post route, blowing by the veteran cornerback after a quick double-move.

It should be noted that the 1-on-1 drills strongly favor the receivers, since the QB doesn't have to worry about a pass rush and the CB obviously has to play man coverage. But it was still a heck of a showing by Hurd.

 

[dargonking999]

Jay Ratliff has been getting reps at DE

Jay Ratliff earned a multimillion-dollar contract after proving that he was a solid starting nose tackle, moving inside from defensive end when Jason Ferguson went down in last season's opener. Ratliff might play both positions this season.

Ratliff said he has been getting some reps at defensive end during the Cowboys' off-season workouts, though he's still spending most of his time at nose tackle. The coaches have not informed him of a plan regarding how he might split time between the positions.

Using Ratliff at defensive end would open up more playing time for Tank Johnson, who didn't make much impact after joining the Cowboys in midseason.

"We'll just see what happens," Ratliff said.

Ratliff considers himself a "team guy" who will do whatever is asked of him. His versatility adds to his value, and he's a rare player that can play every position in a 3-4 line.

"Nose is a lot more physical," Ratliff said. "Everything happens a lot faster in there. If you go from nose to end, you've got so much more space. But I think I've gotten used to working in tight quarters."


Pacman making 'good impression'
12:49 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis E-mail News tips

Todd noticed that Pacman Jones was the first player on the field this morning before practice. While the hoopla around his arrival has certainly died down, Jones is making a big impression with his teammates just a few weeks into it.

Check that. A good impression, according to receiver Patrick Crayton.

"Good impressions, real good impressions," Crayton said. "I don't think that was ever a question. Everybody knows he can play. He was what, the fifth or sixth overall pick?

"He's come in here and picked up the system pretty quickly. I haven't heard anybody repeat a whole lot to him. I think he's going to step in, and he's taking care of his responsibilities."

Here's my question: Should the Cowboys try to downplay Jones' impact early in training camp just to tamp down expectations? We all know that Jones is a big playmaker, he's got a ton to prove, etc. But can the Cowboys let Jones' play speak for itself and then quietly move him up the depth chart?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Jones is going to take some kicks to the house.

 

[DCBoysfan]

I wonder why they did'nt they go to the inside tent?...well at least it sounded like a good short practice

 

[TheCount]

Good news about Hurd, especially since seperation is his where he needs the most work. For what it's worth.

 

[Hostile]

June 17, 2008

Pacman making 'good impression'

12:49 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

Todd noticed that Pacman Jones was the first player on the field this morning before practice. While the hoopla around his arrival has certainly died down, Jones is making a big impression with his teammates just a few weeks into it.
Check that. A good impression, according to receiver Patrick Crayton.
"Good impressions, real good impressions," Crayton said. "I don't think that was ever a question. Everybody knows he can play. He was what, the fifth or sixth overall pick?
"He's come in here and picked up the system pretty quickly. I haven't heard anybody repeat a whole lot to him. I think he's going to step in, and he's taking care of his responsibilities."
Here's my question: Should the Cowboys try to downplay Jones' impact early in training camp just to tamp down expectations? We all know that Jones is a big playmaker, he's got a ton to prove, etc. But can the Cowboys let Jones' play speak for itself and then quietly move him up the depth chart?



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12:46 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Jay Ratliff earned a multimillion-dollar contract after proving that he was a solid starting nose tackle, moving inside from defensive end when Jason Ferguson went down in last season's opener. Ratliff might play both positions this season.
Ratliff said he has been getting some reps at defensive end during the Cowboys' off-season workouts, though he's still spending most of his time at nose tackle. The coaches have not informed him of a plan regarding how he might split time between the positions.
Using Ratliff at defensive end would open up more playing time for Tank Johnson, who didn't make much impact after joining the Cowboys in midseason.
"We'll just see what happens," Ratliff said.
Ratliff considers himself a "team guy" who will do whatever is asked of him. His versatility adds to his value, and he's a rare player that can play every position in a 3-4 line.
"Nose is a lot more physical," Ratliff said. "Everything happens a lot faster in there. If you go from nose to end, you've got so much more space. But I think I've gotten used to working in tight quarters."



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Categories: Defense

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12:40 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Two special teams notes stick out from what little practice we saw before the Great Storm of '08 hit:
Kicker Nick Folk worked on his kickoffs off to the side with the rest of the specialists. Folk had only four touchbacks out of 94 attempts during the regular season. Going into his second year, you'd like to see him knock a few more into the end zone.
As one might expect, rookie Felix Jones was one of four players who worked on kick return. This seems like the one area where Jones can have the biggest impact immediately. His 652 kick return yards last season with Arkansas set a new school record.
"Special teams is something that I look forward to doing and I have fun with that," Jones said after practice. "I think I can come in early and contribute on special teams."



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12:37 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

Practice didn't last long before the nasty weather hit Valley Ranch (not sure why we didn't go in the indoor facility), but Sam Hurd took advantage of the limited time this morning.
Hurd, who will get reps with the starters with T.O. tending to a personal matter, was outstanding during 1-on-1 drills against defensive backs. He got great separation on a pair of out routes against Pacman Jones. He also burned Anthony Henry on a post route, blowing by the veteran cornerback after a quick double-move.
It should be noted that the 1-on-1 drills strongly favor the receivers, since the QB doesn't have to worry about a pass rush and the CB obviously has to play man coverage. But it was still a heck of a showing by Hurd.

 

[dargonking999]

OH way to make us look likes Noobs hos

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120510

 

[Mr Cowboy]

1:52 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
T.O. is out because of a personal matter. Terry Glenn won't participate in minicamp because of contract issues.

That means the Cowboys' young wide receivers -- specifically Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback -- have a major opportunity this week.

Stanback, who basically redshirted after the Cowboys spent a fourth-round pick last year on the college QB, has to play catch-up to crack the receiver rotation. Hurd was the No. 3 with Glenn injured last season. Austin, the best size/speed combo of the bunch, has had an outstanding offseason.

"I have a lot of confidence in them," QB Tony Romo said of Hurd and Austin. "They've been out there and they've done it. It's not like they're coming into uncharted territories. They've been in games, they've played.

"Obviously, you always want to see a high level of production each time they step on the field, but they're young. Until they fully get thrown to the wolves every game, from a coaching standpoint and from the fans and media perspective, it's always up in the air. But I've seen them. They've produced when they had the opportunity, and I think they'll be fine."

 

[dcfanatic]

Just move Ratliff back to starting DE already and move Tank in as the starting NT and make Spears a rotational player at both positions.

 

[Hostile]

Just move Ratliff back to starting DE already and move Tank in as the starting NT and make Spears a rotational player at both positions.

Hatcher backing up Canty?

Hmm. I could live with this.

 

[dcfanatic]

Hatcher backing up Canty?

Hmm. I could live with this.

I think it's the plan, but Wade is just going to let it play out in training camp.

Any smart D coach, which Wade is, knows that he must get his best players on the field on first down.

 

[TheCount]

Just move Ratliff back to starting DE already and move Tank in as the starting NT and make Spears a rotational player at both positions.

Sure looks like that's where it's headed. Some of us hoped that would be the case late last year, but it never happened.

 

[jobberone]

Jones is going to take some kicks to the house.

Which one?

 

[EPL0c0]

Let's hope that Hurd can step up during the regular season. He has the potential, but just doesn't seem to have taken that next step.

Doesn't matter how much the team can try to downplay Jones' impact, it will be a media circus all season with the media (especially the good folks at BSpn) looking for ANY little incident to turn into a headline.

I hope he shuts them all up w/ good behavior and solid play.

 

[dogberry]

Folk was mentioned, but was he getting the ball into the endzone?

 

[Seven]

Some special teams work
12:40 PM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis E-mail News tips


"Special teams is something that I look forward to doing and I have fun with that," Jones said after practice. "I think I can come in early and contribute on special teams."

We'll see what 'ol Rog has to say about that..............or does #21 already know and this is the horse and pony show?