DMN Blog: Rookie practice observations

[ZeroClub]

*Sixth-round ILB Stephen Hodge, who played safety at TCU, had trouble covering tight ends in his first day at his new position. I'll have more from him on that later. TE Rodney Hannah, who spent the last two seasons on the practice squad, beat Hodge badly twice. But Hodge showed his resiliency on one of those plays, chasing Hannah down 40 yards downfield and jarring the ball loose.

Could have used him against Baltimore last year ....

 

[CoCo]

Could have used him against Baltimore last year ....

I must be healed. I can laugh about that now.

 

[speedkilz88]

Transition to LB won't be smooth for ex-TCU safety Stephen Hodge
1:57 PM Fri, May 01, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Sixth-round pick Stephen Hodge shouldn't have any problems making an immediate impact on special teams. The transition to his new position on defense could be tough, though.

The Cowboys have Hodge, a strong safety at TCU, playing weakside inside linebacker. He readily admitted that his first practice at the new position was rough.

The 6-0, 234-pound Hodge, who thought he was going to be an outside linebacker until he reported to Valley Ranch yesterday, struggled in coverage against TE Rodney Hannah. While it seems like a converted safety wouldn't have such problems, Hodge is having to learn totally different technique.

"I got beat on two routes by the tight end because I opened up, and once you open up, your feet stop and he just went right inside of me," Hodge said. "At DB, you get to shuffle or backpedal, so you can gain ground."

Hodge is well aware that he have another huge challenge once the pads start popping: Learning how to take on or avoid offensive guards and tackles in the running game. He's being tutored by assistant LB coach Dat Nguyen, who played seven seasons for the Cowboys despite being undersized.

"It's just going to be a learning experience for me," Hodge said. "I'm trying just not to get too down on myself, because I know the type of player I am."

 

[NeonNinja]

Just continue to work hard Hodge, nobody expects you to perfect it on the first day of camp. I like his attitude and can't wait to see him light someone up on special teams.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I like Hodge, I watched a bunch of TCU games the last few years. I'm rooting for him to become a Special Teams Demon for us. I don't think he will make it as a safety or linebacker though. I just don't see him possessing the skills. I also understand that he is about to get NFL level coaching so hopefully they can help him.


I do think that with his speed/size combo and his willingness to hit someone he should consider a move to fullback (if linebacker doesn't work out). I really think he would make a nasty fullback that would blow up linebackers.
He would probably be one of the fastest fullbacks around as well.

 

[burmafrd]

IF anyone can show him the way, Dat can.

 

[Chief]

Could have used him against Baltimore last year ....

No kidding.

 

[Woods]

*Seventh-round CB Mike Mickens acknowledged that he was "real rusty," but he said his knee feels fine. He recovered after stumbling coming out of a backpedal on a deep route to undrafted WR Julian Hawkins and got turned around on a Manual Johnson crossing route.



That's the best news out of the practice session, IMO.

 

[Woods]

Oh, and I'm a big fan of Rodney Hannah. If he can block at all, I think he can be a real player. Guy is huge and a great athlete -- kind of like Martellus, but maybe faster. He just needed to bulk up and learn to block.

I think we could decide to keep 4 TEs this year no FBs on the 53 man roster.

IMO, Cricket, Hannah, and J Phillips are battling it out for one of the final roster spots.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think we could decide to keep 4 TEs this year no FBs on the 53 man roster.

IMO, Cricket, Hannah, and J Phillips are battling it out for one of the final roster spots.

:signmast:

 

[28 Joker]

Can someone please tell me why there would be "competition" for Cory Proctor's job when we all know he's going to get the $ 67 million dollar QB killed. He about did last year. There should be a replacement search, an urgent one.

There isn't anything like watching Shawn Rodgers plant Tony Romo after going right through Cory Turn Style Proctor.

If this guy can anchor, the Cowboys would be wise to keep him.

They know about Proctor. Proctor was an undrafted FA.

Can we please cut this guy?


The spin on Jason Williams is amusing.

He will get the job done.

Phillips can blitz him relentlessly if he wants to do so.

 

[speedkilz88]

Can someone please tell me why there would be "competition" for Cory Proctor's job when we all know he's going to get the $ 67 million dollar QB killed. He about did last year. There should be a replacement search, an urgent one.

There isn't anything like watching Shawn Rodgers plant Tony Romo after going right through Cory Turn Style Proctor.

If this guy can anchor, the Cowboys would be wise to keep him.

They know about Proctor. Proctor was an undrafted FA.

Can we please cut this guy?


The spin on Jason Williams is amusing.

He will get the job done.

Phillips can blitz him relentlessly if he wants to do so.

They need a guy to play guard and center to save a game day spot.

 

[tomson75]

I think we could decide to keep 4 TEs this year no FBs on the 53 man roster.

IMO, Cricket, Hannah, and J Phillips are battling it out for one of the final roster spots.

This wouldn't bother me. I love the FB position, and I love Cricket's personality, but his play is a different story. If they can get a solid blocker out of the group, by all means...

 

[TellerMorrow34]

LOL. I love how three players are already labled a bust by someone on the basis of one rookie mini-camp day.

Wow.

 

[Stash]

They need a guy to play guard and center to save a game day spot.

You know who would have been good at that?

Max Unger.

:bang2:

 

[Doomsday101]

LOL. I love how three players are already labled a bust by someone on the basis of one rookie mini-camp day.

Wow.

Some take a why wait and see approach.

There is little pro or con you can get from these rookie camps. Coaches want to give these kids a taste get a look at them in workouts and point out things they need to work on between now and the time training camp rolls around since some of them will not be able to participate in the mini camps due to NFL/NCAA agreements

 

[Seven]

1:05 PM Fri, May 01, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

*Ryan Gibbons (6-4, 318), who spent last season on the practice squad, is primarily playing center. He played tackle in college and has been used mostly at guard in the pros (NFL Europe, Jaguars practice squad, Cowboys practice squad). If Gibbons proves he has a pulse, he could challenge Cory Procter for a roster spot.

*Undrafted TE Jamar Hunt worked as a deep snapper after practice.

There. More truth to the piece....................

 

[Alexander]

How does he know this? I am sick of these bozos talking out of their smelly hole.

If you read Mosley and then McMahon they contradict each other.

Mosley said Hodge looked smooth and Johnson terrible and out of shape.

Read McMahon, Hodge is the bum and Johnson the steal.

Smelly holes indeed.

It makes you wonder which smelly hole stinks least.

 

[Alexander]

McMahon said Hodge got abused. Wade Phillips said he pitched a "shutout".

It is so nice to hear that we get accurate reporting on something so simple.

 

[silverbear]

My new 'hero'.....

ray:

Between Gibbons and Matt Spanos, one of 'em HAS to rid us of the Procter Curse...