cowboyjoe
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Quick dip into pre-camp Mini Mailbag
July, 23, 2010 Jul 2310:30AM CTEmail Print Comments By Calvin WatkinsThere is just one draft pick left to sign, second rounder Sean Lee, and all indications point that he will sign his deal this morning.
The Cowboys have to report to their downtown San Antonio hotel on Friday afternoon, check-in, make some phone calls, rest and then get some sleep before the first practice on Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome.
And with all this happening today we decided to do a pre-training camp practice mailbag. We took the five best questions and here are the responses.
Q: One thing Dallas receivers have been criticized on is route running. When the Cowboys got Roy Williams, it was said that neither he nor [Terrell] Owens were good route runners, so the trade didn't really upgrade the receiving corps. How do Dez Bryant and Miles Austin grade in this area? Do the Cowboys have a receivers coach capable of developing this skill? Daniel Moore ( Fort Worth)
A: Owens was probably a sloppy route runner and a guy who liked to freelance a little bit during his route. The Cowboys' offense need receivers to run sharp crisp routes. Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, when they were together, were good route runners as is Jason Witten. Williams is OK on his route running, he could get better with his technique, however. Austin and Bryant are good route runners. Austin runs an excellent slant and is sharp at doing double-moves to free himself from defenders. Bryant, from what we saw during minicamps, is also good at running routes, but needs to work on his technique in terms of getting out of the break. Ray Sherman, the receivers coach, is very good at developing the wideouts, after all he's the man that helped Austin get to the Pro Bowl last year.
Q: Hi, I imagine you may been asked this before, but I would like to know your opinion about this year's offensive line. Do you think that on a similar situation they might protect Tony Romo better than what they did in Minnesota last year? Thanks,Carlos Navarro (San Salvador, El Salvador)
A: Man, I've never been to El Salvador. I've seen some boxers from El Salvador and that's it. But back to the question at hand, I do think the offensive line is more athletic this year. Flozell Adams was good at his job as the left tackle, but age and durability became a factor for him toward the end of the season which is just some of the reasons why the Cowboys decided to dump him. Doug Free brings a youthful athletic look to left tackle, and a healthy Marc Colombo on the right side improves the offensive line. Center Andre Gurode, despite reaching the Pro Bowl, had a Ok 2009 season. If he plays with a little more finesse in 2010 he might get back to an elite status.
Q: Is it possible Jerry might make a move to get T.O. back here in Dallas? Fred (Mesquite)
A: Fred, have you been drinking this morning. If so, you need help. No way the Cowboys bring Terrell Owens back to the organization. Fred, please, please, show some faith in the current corps of wide receivers.
Q: Are the Cowboys going to get Miles Austin signed to a long term deal? Thank You, A. Lane (Church Hill, Tenn)
A: I was thinking about Miles and his contract when Stephen Jones was talking to the media at Valley Ranch on Thursday evening. It looks like Austin is next in line to get paid. But I don't expect that to happen until later in the season when the Cowboys can see that Austin is for real. The issue with Austin is what do you pay him? Does Austin get an average salary of $8 million a year? How about $10 million?
Q: What are we going to do when one of our cornerbacks gets hurt? Ryan Lay (Arlington)
A: It depends on who it is. If it's Terence Newman or Mike Jenkins, then I would say Orlando Scandrick moves into the starting lineup. If Scandrick gets hurt, the Cowboys have some options there. Whoever wins the fourth cornerback spot most likely will take over for Scandrick. Then again, Alan Ball, who was drafted as a corner, could move to Scandrick spot, if the coaches don't trust the No. 4 cornerback.
July, 23, 2010 Jul 2310:30AM CTEmail Print Comments By Calvin WatkinsThere is just one draft pick left to sign, second rounder Sean Lee, and all indications point that he will sign his deal this morning.
The Cowboys have to report to their downtown San Antonio hotel on Friday afternoon, check-in, make some phone calls, rest and then get some sleep before the first practice on Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome.
And with all this happening today we decided to do a pre-training camp practice mailbag. We took the five best questions and here are the responses.
Q: One thing Dallas receivers have been criticized on is route running. When the Cowboys got Roy Williams, it was said that neither he nor [Terrell] Owens were good route runners, so the trade didn't really upgrade the receiving corps. How do Dez Bryant and Miles Austin grade in this area? Do the Cowboys have a receivers coach capable of developing this skill? Daniel Moore ( Fort Worth)
A: Owens was probably a sloppy route runner and a guy who liked to freelance a little bit during his route. The Cowboys' offense need receivers to run sharp crisp routes. Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, when they were together, were good route runners as is Jason Witten. Williams is OK on his route running, he could get better with his technique, however. Austin and Bryant are good route runners. Austin runs an excellent slant and is sharp at doing double-moves to free himself from defenders. Bryant, from what we saw during minicamps, is also good at running routes, but needs to work on his technique in terms of getting out of the break. Ray Sherman, the receivers coach, is very good at developing the wideouts, after all he's the man that helped Austin get to the Pro Bowl last year.
Q: Hi, I imagine you may been asked this before, but I would like to know your opinion about this year's offensive line. Do you think that on a similar situation they might protect Tony Romo better than what they did in Minnesota last year? Thanks,Carlos Navarro (San Salvador, El Salvador)
A: Man, I've never been to El Salvador. I've seen some boxers from El Salvador and that's it. But back to the question at hand, I do think the offensive line is more athletic this year. Flozell Adams was good at his job as the left tackle, but age and durability became a factor for him toward the end of the season which is just some of the reasons why the Cowboys decided to dump him. Doug Free brings a youthful athletic look to left tackle, and a healthy Marc Colombo on the right side improves the offensive line. Center Andre Gurode, despite reaching the Pro Bowl, had a Ok 2009 season. If he plays with a little more finesse in 2010 he might get back to an elite status.
Q: Is it possible Jerry might make a move to get T.O. back here in Dallas? Fred (Mesquite)
A: Fred, have you been drinking this morning. If so, you need help. No way the Cowboys bring Terrell Owens back to the organization. Fred, please, please, show some faith in the current corps of wide receivers.
Q: Are the Cowboys going to get Miles Austin signed to a long term deal? Thank You, A. Lane (Church Hill, Tenn)
A: I was thinking about Miles and his contract when Stephen Jones was talking to the media at Valley Ranch on Thursday evening. It looks like Austin is next in line to get paid. But I don't expect that to happen until later in the season when the Cowboys can see that Austin is for real. The issue with Austin is what do you pay him? Does Austin get an average salary of $8 million a year? How about $10 million?
Q: What are we going to do when one of our cornerbacks gets hurt? Ryan Lay (Arlington)
A: It depends on who it is. If it's Terence Newman or Mike Jenkins, then I would say Orlando Scandrick moves into the starting lineup. If Scandrick gets hurt, the Cowboys have some options there. Whoever wins the fourth cornerback spot most likely will take over for Scandrick. Then again, Alan Ball, who was drafted as a corner, could move to Scandrick spot, if the coaches don't trust the No. 4 cornerback.
