gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
- Messages
- 40,008
- Reaction score
- 37,149
Kicker
WHO'S HERE Nick Folk
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Unless rookie punter Jay Ottovegio can also kick off, it would seem we need another body at this position for camp to keep from wearing down Folk. However, maybe since he's young Dallas wants to get him as much work as possible. Folk was very good overall as a field-goal kicker in his rookie season, and does a pretty good job of putting his kicks through the middle of the uprights. He also showed some nice poise, particularly in the Buffalo game, which probably earned him his Pro Bowl spot. The main area he needs to work on is his kickoffs as he wasn't consistent with their depth and didn't put many in the end zone. Hopefully, he is working on his leg strength and kickoff distance this off-season so he can do a better job getting them into the end zone or inside the 5.
Punter
WHO'S HERE Mat McBriar, Jay Ottovegio
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Statistically, McBriar didn't have as big of a season as the previous year, but there was really no drop-off in his play. Although he's good for a couple of miskicks each year, he still showed the ability to boom punts and used his flip-flop punt to effect inside the 20. It appeared that McBriar tried to do more directional punting last year, but I didn't see any evidence that he was real successful at it. Still, he's a Pro Bowl-caliber punter and Dallas is fortunate to have him. Because he is that good, Ottovegio is obviously on the roster to provide relief in the preseason.
Long snapper
WHO'S HERE L.P. Ladouceur
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Dallas locking up Ladouceur for five years should show what the Cowboys think of their long snapper. He's the best we've had since Dale Hellestrae and might be on the roster about as long as Hellestrae was. Ladouceur has good speed and accuracy on his snaps, and rarely is a slightly off-target. It seemed to me that he actually showed improvement last season on place-kicks. In 2006, Tony Romo did a good job of catching several snaps to the back of his forward shoulder. In 2007, I don't remember Brad Johnson having to do that.
Holder
WHO'S HERE Brad Johnson
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS If there is one job Johnson seems suited for as the backup quarterback, it's holding on place-kicks. Part of Nick Folk's success had to do with Johnson's operation as the holder, placing the ball down at the right angle and getting the laces turned. It's easy to overlook that, but it can be the difference between a good kick and an ugly one. That's not saying someone else couldn't be trained to do the job and do it well, but Johnson gets credit for doing it right and consistently.
Kickoff return
WHO'S HERE Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Adam Jones, Miles Austin, etc.
WHO'S GONE Tyson Thompson, Keith Davis, Anthony Fasano
ANALYSIS We lost a couple of blockers and a benched return man, but that shouldn't be too hard to replace. And it's relatively miniscule compared to what we've potentially gained. Felix Jones should take over as the primary return man. He has the skills to weave through traffic, switch lanes when one closes and just understands the nuances of kick returning, such as how to set up blocks. That's not a big knock on Austin, who has done a pretty good job of picking a lane and using a good burst to take advantage of it. The difference is Austin will go as far as his lane takes him. He has pretty good speed, but can't really make abrupt lane shifts that are sometimes necessary to pick up extra yards or break a return. He also shows the ability to bounce off a few tackle attempts, and will likely fight to line up next to Jones in the end zone. Jenkins, who also appears to be more of a one-lane return man with little cutback ability, and Scandrick likely also will be vying for that spot. Adam Jones could also be in the mix.
Punt return
WHO'S HERE Adam Jones, Terence Newman, Patrick Crayton, Danny Amendola
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS I have no doubt that if Newman was given as many opportunities to return punts as Adam Jones has been that Newman would have similar success, based on what we've seen (although Newman didn't take advantage of his few chances last year while playing hurt). But Dallas hasn't wanted to use Newman because of the risk. This year, the Cowboys have no need to put Newman at punt returner if Jones is reinstated. Jones is an electric return man who has shown the ability to score touchdowns and should rev up the position in comparison to Crayton, the regular return man who tries hard but doesn't have the burst or speed needed. However, if Jones isn't reinstated, I would expect Newman to be the regular return man because he is the best option and because of our improved depth at cornerback. Either way, we would have a true return threat at the position. Amendola would have an outside shot if he makes the roster.
Kick/punt coverage
WHO'S HERE Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins, Tashard Choice, Deon Anderson, Sam Hurd, Pat Watkins, etc.
WHO'S GONE Keith Davis, Anthony Fasano, Nate Jones
ANALYSIS Dallas lost the heart of its coverage teams with the departure of Davis. He didn't lead the team in tackles, but seemed to provide the attitude and lead the charge that made them better when he was on the field than when he wasn't. Anderson could provide those things this year with his take-no-prisoners mentality. He'll break up the wedge, but someone else will have be the finisher. That role could be taken by one of the speedy corners or even second-year players like Alan Ball or Courtney Brown, but a player to watch is Choice. He's a smart, tough player who is willing to do whatever is asked of him, and it wouldn't be a surprise for him to end up standing out on kickoff coverage. On punt coverage, Dallas needs for one of the young corners to step in as a gunner and they have the speed to get downfield and to the return man quickly. If Adams Jones isn't a starter, he should also be involved on the coverage teams, giving them even more ability to get people down the field in a hurry. Overall, these units should be enhanced by the infusion of speed and the development of a few second-year players. But I still have doubts about Bruce Read's abilities as a special teams coach.
OVERVIEW The kicking operation is in good hands, and the only area of it that absolutely needs to be improved is kickoffs. The return units should benefit from the draft and the trade for Adam Jones because both bring some high-quality returners to the team. The coverage units might miss Keith Davis, but the addition of several speedy players and return of Deon Anderson could make up for his absence. Being in the second year under Bruce Read hopefully will also help the players better understand their assignments and maintain their lanes, although the rookies will obviously have to learn.
WHO'S HERE Nick Folk
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Unless rookie punter Jay Ottovegio can also kick off, it would seem we need another body at this position for camp to keep from wearing down Folk. However, maybe since he's young Dallas wants to get him as much work as possible. Folk was very good overall as a field-goal kicker in his rookie season, and does a pretty good job of putting his kicks through the middle of the uprights. He also showed some nice poise, particularly in the Buffalo game, which probably earned him his Pro Bowl spot. The main area he needs to work on is his kickoffs as he wasn't consistent with their depth and didn't put many in the end zone. Hopefully, he is working on his leg strength and kickoff distance this off-season so he can do a better job getting them into the end zone or inside the 5.
Punter
WHO'S HERE Mat McBriar, Jay Ottovegio
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Statistically, McBriar didn't have as big of a season as the previous year, but there was really no drop-off in his play. Although he's good for a couple of miskicks each year, he still showed the ability to boom punts and used his flip-flop punt to effect inside the 20. It appeared that McBriar tried to do more directional punting last year, but I didn't see any evidence that he was real successful at it. Still, he's a Pro Bowl-caliber punter and Dallas is fortunate to have him. Because he is that good, Ottovegio is obviously on the roster to provide relief in the preseason.
Long snapper
WHO'S HERE L.P. Ladouceur
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS Dallas locking up Ladouceur for five years should show what the Cowboys think of their long snapper. He's the best we've had since Dale Hellestrae and might be on the roster about as long as Hellestrae was. Ladouceur has good speed and accuracy on his snaps, and rarely is a slightly off-target. It seemed to me that he actually showed improvement last season on place-kicks. In 2006, Tony Romo did a good job of catching several snaps to the back of his forward shoulder. In 2007, I don't remember Brad Johnson having to do that.
Holder
WHO'S HERE Brad Johnson
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS If there is one job Johnson seems suited for as the backup quarterback, it's holding on place-kicks. Part of Nick Folk's success had to do with Johnson's operation as the holder, placing the ball down at the right angle and getting the laces turned. It's easy to overlook that, but it can be the difference between a good kick and an ugly one. That's not saying someone else couldn't be trained to do the job and do it well, but Johnson gets credit for doing it right and consistently.
Kickoff return
WHO'S HERE Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Adam Jones, Miles Austin, etc.
WHO'S GONE Tyson Thompson, Keith Davis, Anthony Fasano
ANALYSIS We lost a couple of blockers and a benched return man, but that shouldn't be too hard to replace. And it's relatively miniscule compared to what we've potentially gained. Felix Jones should take over as the primary return man. He has the skills to weave through traffic, switch lanes when one closes and just understands the nuances of kick returning, such as how to set up blocks. That's not a big knock on Austin, who has done a pretty good job of picking a lane and using a good burst to take advantage of it. The difference is Austin will go as far as his lane takes him. He has pretty good speed, but can't really make abrupt lane shifts that are sometimes necessary to pick up extra yards or break a return. He also shows the ability to bounce off a few tackle attempts, and will likely fight to line up next to Jones in the end zone. Jenkins, who also appears to be more of a one-lane return man with little cutback ability, and Scandrick likely also will be vying for that spot. Adam Jones could also be in the mix.
Punt return
WHO'S HERE Adam Jones, Terence Newman, Patrick Crayton, Danny Amendola
WHO'S GONE No one
ANALYSIS I have no doubt that if Newman was given as many opportunities to return punts as Adam Jones has been that Newman would have similar success, based on what we've seen (although Newman didn't take advantage of his few chances last year while playing hurt). But Dallas hasn't wanted to use Newman because of the risk. This year, the Cowboys have no need to put Newman at punt returner if Jones is reinstated. Jones is an electric return man who has shown the ability to score touchdowns and should rev up the position in comparison to Crayton, the regular return man who tries hard but doesn't have the burst or speed needed. However, if Jones isn't reinstated, I would expect Newman to be the regular return man because he is the best option and because of our improved depth at cornerback. Either way, we would have a true return threat at the position. Amendola would have an outside shot if he makes the roster.
Kick/punt coverage
WHO'S HERE Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins, Tashard Choice, Deon Anderson, Sam Hurd, Pat Watkins, etc.
WHO'S GONE Keith Davis, Anthony Fasano, Nate Jones
ANALYSIS Dallas lost the heart of its coverage teams with the departure of Davis. He didn't lead the team in tackles, but seemed to provide the attitude and lead the charge that made them better when he was on the field than when he wasn't. Anderson could provide those things this year with his take-no-prisoners mentality. He'll break up the wedge, but someone else will have be the finisher. That role could be taken by one of the speedy corners or even second-year players like Alan Ball or Courtney Brown, but a player to watch is Choice. He's a smart, tough player who is willing to do whatever is asked of him, and it wouldn't be a surprise for him to end up standing out on kickoff coverage. On punt coverage, Dallas needs for one of the young corners to step in as a gunner and they have the speed to get downfield and to the return man quickly. If Adams Jones isn't a starter, he should also be involved on the coverage teams, giving them even more ability to get people down the field in a hurry. Overall, these units should be enhanced by the infusion of speed and the development of a few second-year players. But I still have doubts about Bruce Read's abilities as a special teams coach.
OVERVIEW The kicking operation is in good hands, and the only area of it that absolutely needs to be improved is kickoffs. The return units should benefit from the draft and the trade for Adam Jones because both bring some high-quality returners to the team. The coverage units might miss Keith Davis, but the addition of several speedy players and return of Deon Anderson could make up for his absence. Being in the second year under Bruce Read hopefully will also help the players better understand their assignments and maintain their lanes, although the rookies will obviously have to learn.
