DMN Blog: Which Cowboys are you most looking forward to watching vs. San Diego?

[PosterChild]

Tim MacMahon

This idea is shamelessly stolen from superstar columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor. Check out his list of five players.

I won't repeat any of JJT's guys, so here's a list of five other players with a lot to prove in the preseason opener.

1. NT Tank Johnson -- We've discussed the possibility of Tank moving into the starting lineup with Jay Ratliff sliding to left end. That's likely to happen if Tank is as active in preseason games as he's been on the practice fields in Oxnard. He hasn't been getting any reps with the starters, but that's because the Cowboys brass wants him to earn a promotion the hard way. A dominant performance against the Chargers would be a big step.

2. CB Mike Jenkins -- The first-round pick will get significant playing time this season, manning the left corner spot in nickel and dime packages. He's had flashes of greatness and moments where he looked like a rookie during training camp. Jenkins arrived in the NFL with a rep for being a gamer. Let's see what he does once the lights are on.

3. LB Bobby Carpenter -- He's entering his third season, so it's certainly not too late to erase the perception that he's a first-round bust. He's consistently made plays all over the field during training camp. If he continues that trend in preseason games, the coaches might be forced to find a role for him in the defense, perhaps rotating with Bradie James at the strongside ILB.

4. RT Pat McQuistan -- He's the furthest along of the young offensive linemen, and the Cowboys need to figure out whether he's capable of being a starter on a Super Bowl contender. If that's the case, Marc Colombo will probably play elsewhere next season.

5. WR Danny Amendola -- He might be the best route runner on this team. The undrafted dude from Texas Tech runs precise patterns and gets in and out of break extremely quick, consistently getting open against Dallas' elite CB crew and leading to Wes Welker comparisons. He'll have to show he can help the Cowboys this season to justify keeping a sixth WR.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2008/08/which-cowboys-are-you-most-looking-forwa.html

 

[CATCH17]

Felix Jones for shizzle.

Is Bennett gonna play Saturday?

 

[reddyuta]

Tim MacMahon

5. WR Danny Amendola -- He might be the best route runner on this team. The undrafted dude from Texas Tech runs precise patterns and gets in and out of break extremely quick, consistently getting open against Dallas' elite CB crew and leading to Wes Welker comparisons. He'll have to show he can help the Cowboys this season to justify keeping a sixth WR.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2008/08/which-cowboys-are-you-most-looking-forwa.html

danny is better route runner than TO?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think Danny Boy is going to make it

he'll be deactivated on gamedays, but make it he shall

 

[Givincer]

The best route runner on the team?

Quite a statement.

Can't wait to see our best route runner at work.

 

[Stash]

5. WR Danny Amendola -- He might be the best route runner on this team. The undrafted dude from Texas Tech runs precise patterns and gets in and out of break extremely quick, consistently getting open against Dallas' elite CB crew and leading to Wes Welker comparisons. He'll have to show he can help the Cowboys this season to justify keeping a sixth WR.

So, we supposedly have another Wes Welker - who helped to redefine NFL passing offense last season, but he still might not make the team?

Sorry, but if he's everything these training camp reports claim, I think there's no way he doesn't make the team.

 

[Stash]

I think Danny Boy is going to make it

he'll be deactivated on gamedays, but make it he shall

I'd expect Stanback to be the steady gameday inactive this year.

Amendola can do the one thing that Stanback can't.

And do it well.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

So, we supposedly have another Wes Welker - who helped to redefine NFL passing offense last season, but he still might not make the team?

Sorry, but if he's everything these training camp reports claim, I think there's no way he doesn't make the team.

is he better than the 5 guys ahead of him?

if not, are we going to keep 6?

does he contribute at all on special teams to justify his roster spot?

that's a few reasons why he doesn't make it

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'd expect Stanback to be the steady gameday inactive this year.

Amendola can do the one thing that Stanback can't.

And do it well.

Stanback isn't going anywhere, his talent is just too great, and it appears that he's getting it

 

[Joe Realist]

We shall see about Danny A. I remember on year, Stepret Williams, a really precise route runner according to Troy Aikman, who really liked him. I think he led all preseason receivers on yards and was CUT.

 

[Stash]

is he better than the 5 guys ahead of him?

if not, are we going to keep 6?

does he contribute at all on special teams to justify his roster spot?

that's a few reasons why he doesn't make it

Reports like this one claim he's the best route runner on the team - already.

They're also stating he's getting open consistantly against even the team's best cornerbacks.

And Stanback is still a work in progress.

Amendola is a better receiver than Stanback right now and likely Austin as well.

I don't expect him to get ranked as the #3 or #4 in the pecking order, but I think he's more developed than Stanback is so I would 'rank' him at #5 at least.

And I don't think they'll give up on Stanback so I think they'll keep Amendola and call him #6.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Reports like this one claim he's the best route runner on the team - already.

They're also stating he's getting open consistantly against even the team's best cornerbacks.

And Stanback is still a work in progress.

Amendola is a better receiver than Stanback right now and likely Austin as well.

I don't expect him to get ranked as the #3 or #4 in the pecking order, but I think he's more developed than Stanback is so I would 'rank' him at #5 at least.

And I don't think they'll give up on Stanback so I think they'll keep Amendola and call him #6.

me too, but in no way is Amendola a lock, he has to do it in a game-like situations

he's beating corners in practice in situations that favor the offense

 

[Stash]

me too, but in no way is Amendola a lock, he has to do it in a game-like situations

he's beating corners in practice in situations that favor the offense

Completely agree.

We need to see him do what he's reportedly doing in practice in live action against opposing players.

But if all of these reports are accurate, I'm confident that he will.

 

[DallasDomination]

1. Stanback
2. Amendola
3. Felix Jones
4. Orlando
5. Jenkins

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Completely agree.

We need to see him do what he's reportedly doing in practice in live action against opposing players.

But if all of these reports are accurate, I'm confident that he will.

I think the reports are exaggerated though

he's a better route runner than Crayton and Hurd? who are very good route-runners, who are vets, who are in their 2nd year in the scheme?

not even to mention our All-Pro WR

 

[Kangaroo]

Sacamano[/left];2181306]I think the reports are exaggerated though

he's a better route runner than

Crayton​

and

Hurd​

? who are very good route-runners, who are vets, who are in their 2

nd​

year in the scheme?

not even to mention our All-Pro WR

Our all Pro

wr​

is not a great route runner he is a physical specimen that does not mean he is totally bad at it but his overall route running

ability​

is not that great

 

[Stash]

I think the reports are exaggerated though

he's a better route runner than Crayton and Hurd? who are very good route-runners, who are vets, who are in their 2nd year in the scheme?

not even to mention our All-Pro WR

I think comparing him to Owens in any way might be a stretch, but I have no probelm thinking that he could be better than Crayton or Hurd.

Route-running is the thing that has kept an otherwise average athlete in the game this long, so he'd better be great at it.

And it's not just reporters singing his praises. When Pacman mentions your name right after Owens', that's impressive to me.

But you're right, there's got to be some level of exaggeration.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Our all Pro

wr​

is not a great route runner he is a physical specimen that does not mean he is totally bad at it but his overall route running

ability​

is not that great

it's pretty good that he always manages to be open

remember how he completely turned PacMan Jones around?

I think comparing him to Owens in any way might be a stretch, but I have no probelm thinking that he could be better than Crayton or Hurd.

Route-running is the thing that has kept an otherwise average athlete in the game this long, so he'd better be great at it.

And it's not just reporters singing his praises. When Pacman mentions your name right after Owens', that's impressive to me.

But you're right, there's got to be some level of exaggeration.

Hurd and Crayton aren't great athletes either, Crayton was a 4.6 guy coming out, but those 2 make their names running precise routes, esp. Crayton

and they have been doing it in this offense longer than Amendola has

 

[Stash]

it's pretty good that he always manages to be open

remember how he completely turned PacMan Jones around?



Hurd and Crayton aren't great athletes either, Crayton was a 4.6 guy coming out, but those 2 make their names running precise routes, esp. Crayton

and they have been doing it in this offense longer than Amendola has

Maybe it's just me, but I don't equate experience in the offense with running great routes.

Knowing the routes maybe, but not running them.

 

[alby]

Practice is different from Sundays. Let's see if/how he plays during the real games first.