DMN Blog: Todd Archer's training camp observations

[WoodysGirl]

11:26 AM Thu, Jul 30, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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I'm sure Tim covered some of this stuff in his chat during the practice, but I'm coming from a field perspective so maybe we'll have some different nuggets.

Here goes:

** Wade Phillips started the day off by getting Rowdy out of the team's stretching drills. The mascot that will not be mentioned here again was hamming it up with Rodney Hannah when he was told to leave.

** David Buehler worked through all of the special teams drills, which focused on punt coverage. It will be interesting to see how the kicker responds to multiple roles. The Cowboys point out he played safety in junior college.

** Patrick Crayton, Terence Newman and Willie Reid worked as the punt returners. Rookie DeAngelo Smith fielded some in pre-practice work.

** Deon Anderson had the hit of the morning workout and it left cornerback Terence Newman with a sore left hand. Working on covering a punt, Anderson collided with an unexpecting Newman, knocking the cornerback to the ground, which drew expletive-filled comments from special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and defenders Ken Hamlin and Bradie James. At one point in practice trainer Jim Maurer was examining Newman's hand.

** If this means anything Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice took the first three reps in inside run. I'm not sure it will be an equal split during the season.

** Pat McQuistan drove Marcus Dixon 5 yards off the line on a run. During the run drills, McQuistan looked pretty good to the untrained eye. I also liked the work of Julius Crosslin on Bobby Carpenter that opened up Alonzo Coleman for a run.

**Two snap exchange problems for Cory Procter and Jon Kitna on Thursday. They had their issues in the off-season workouts too.

** Tony Romo's first pass during team period to Roy Williams was broken up by Mike Jenkins. The only time the duo connected was on a stop in which Williams kind of boxed out Orlando Scandrick.

** Three times Jason Garrett yanked a player from the lineup for miscues. The first was a false start by Kyle Kosier. Jason Witten and Pat McQuistan jumped later. All of them sat for a play and went back in.

** Of the 21 plays during the team period run by Romo, eight were runs. He completed 10 of his 13 throws.

** Romo's prettiest throw was a fastball between the linebacker and safety to wide receiver Miles Austin. And Austin showed good awareness by dropping to the ground as he was catching the pass to avoid contact. Romo had a similar zip later to Martellus Bennett.

** Defensive end Marcus Dixon had an active team period, forcing an early Kitna throw after beating Ryan Gibbons and later he deflected a Romo pass to Patrick Crayton.

** DeMarcus Ware had a sack of Kitna after beating McQuistan. Earlier Ware hurried a Romo throw after sprinting around Flozell Adams.

** On back-to-back running plays against the first team, Bobby Carpenter had two would-be tackles after shedding O-linemen. Both earned the praise of Reggie Herring, the LB coach.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Nice to hear Carpenter is making plays.

 

[Doomsday101]

Nice to hear Carpenter is making plays.

Was it Bobby or Rudy? Just kidding! I hope B. Carpenter shows he can contribute to this team

 

[rockj7]

Nice to hear Carpenter is making plays.

He always makes plays in July and August we need him to make plays in the Fall and Winter months

 

[AdamJT13]

Nice to hear Carpenter is making plays.

In light-contact drills.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

My views from this morning at camp:

It was the Marty B and Tchoice show.........

Marty B was very impressive in his blocking in the middle drill and making some very nice catches, including a tremendous one handed catch along the sidelines.

Choice broke several delays and draws up the middle for long gains/tds. He has a really quick burst and maybe used more than expected.

MBIII and Felix had some nice runs as well, but they were stuffed in the back field or for short gains more often than not.

The screen is back, a couple of the were run, with Felix executing one for a would be TD, with Kozier leading him.

Barber fumbled once and would have been a TD return for Sensabough. Felix also let #57 poke the ball out from behind, on a run, it too would have been a TD for #57.

Didn't see a single interception, but did see Jenkins and Scandrick make good plays on the ball.

Marty B, did I mention him already, is too big for DBs to cover him and too fast for LBs........I expect a big year for him.

The offense clearly beat up on the defense in the running game.

#59 looks like a natural DWare type OLB, #53 looks too short, slow and bulky as a OLB. #58 looks good playing along side Barbie.

Lets hope that Flo goes injury free. We have no backup LT on the roster. Free is just about worthless as a blocker.

Newman got hammered trying to return a punt......it was is fault not the defenders. I'm surprised he didnt get injured.

Pics to come later.

 

[tchoice23]

** Of the 21 plays during the team period run by Romo, eight were runs. He completed 10 of his 13 throws.

Dont like this at all

 

[DCBoysfan]

Nice to hear Carpenter is making plays.

I would add Marcus Dixon to that list also.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

looks like McQuistan is making noise

 

[tchoice23]

looks like McQuistan is making noise

DeMarcus Ware blew past him twice

 

[superpunk]

Dont like this at all

I hate when the QB completes almost 80% of his passes, too.

 

[odog422]

Choice broke several delays and draws up the middle for long gains/tds. He has a really quick burst and maybe used more than expected.

MBIII and Felix had some nice runs as well, but they were stuffed in the back field or for short gains more often than not.

I know it's only the 2nd practice and the 1st contact....but I maintain that Choice is the best overall back we have. What he did against those defenses the end of last year was not a fluke. I truly hope the coaches go by what they see on the field.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

DeMarcus Ware blew past him twice

yeah, he tends to do that

 

[odog422]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

** Of the 21 plays during the team period run by Romo, eight were runs. He completed 10 of his 13 throws.

Dont like this at all

Me either.

 

[jazzcat22]

He always makes plays in July and August we need him to make plays in the Fall and Winter months

They need to put him on the field to able to do that. How can he make plays if not given the chance!

 

[dallasfaniac]

Dont like this at all

What don't you like? The 80% completion SP mentioned or the pass to run ratio?

 

[AdamJT13]

Barber fumbled once and would have been a TD return for Sensabough. Felix also let #57 poke the ball out from behind, on a run, it too would have been a TD for #57.

#59 looks like a natural DWare type OLB, #53 looks too short, slow and bulky as a OLB. #58 looks good playing along side Barbie.

53 Octavien, Steve LB 6-0 238 1 Nebraska
57 Butler, Victor LB 6-2 248 R Oregon State
58 Williams, Jason LB 6-1 238 R Western Illinois
59 Williams, Brandon LB 6-2 254 R Texas Tech

 

[tchoice23]

What don't you like? The 80% completion SP mentioned or the pass to run ratio?

The ratio of runs to passes. I was hoping JG was going to run this year.
8:13 is not good, according to me. I dont want Dallas to be a pass first team like philly. I want to pass only on 3 rd downs. So out of 21, i would like to have seen 5 throws. Barber was getting many first downs, today. No need to pass, on first down.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

A few more notes, McBriar was booming his punts, although he did shank one badly.

Lots of problems with the center/QB exchange between Kitna and Procter. At least two fumbled snaps, and one shotgun snap. Kitna was visibley upset.

Folk looked good kicking field goals, Buehler got to kick field goals from the same distance, and you could tell his were hit much harder and further. It was hard to tell the accuracy though.

As a matter of fact, Buehler kick one so hard, that the Alamodome now looks like Texas Stadium with a hole in the roof. The ball was kicked so hard it crashed into Jupiter last week, leaving a huge scar on the planet.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The ratio of runs to passes. I was hoping JG was going to run this year.
8:13 is not good, according to me. I dont want Dallas to be a pass first team like philly. I want to pass only on 3 rd downs. So out of 21, i would like to have seen 5 throws. Barber was getting many first downs, today. No need to pass, on first down.

we're not going to be 50/50 running and passing