Hello folks, and happy Friday!
As usual, here is a recap of today's segment on Jam Session:
1. Spent a lot of time working on the Earl Thomas situation this week. What's the real deal because there is conflicting information? You've got McCarthy who has expressed no interest at all in the subject, Jerry who has told everyone listening that national insiders "don't know what they're talking about", and Stephen who got on the flagship station himself and said that they do business quietly - as they did with Everson Grifffen. There are several issues with signing Earl - one is that his numbers took a dip last season. 49 tackles and 2 interceptions is not the Earl Thomas of old, and certainly not the Earl Thomas the Cowboys were willing to give up draft capital and an extension to grab in a trade with Seattle a few years ago. Another reason is that Earl's leg injuries and his increasing age has made him slower, and finally and most importantly, Earl was the least likable guy in the Baltimore locker room. They couldn't wait to find a reason to cut bait with him. The Cowboys, fortunately, have a drama free locker room. Those guys like each other, and they like playing with each other, and that's that. This is very important to Mike McCarthy, and not something that he is willing to sacrifice for the benefit of making some fans happy. JJT likes Earl, but really doesn't see him landing here. In other words, as we've heard over the years, "we like our guys."
2. CeeDee Lamb is not going through team drills today. Not sure if it's a big deal, or if they're giving his body a break. Had Thompson and Woods starting at the safety position, with Diggs and Brown at corner, and Worley running in the slot. Crawford and Poe, reasonably so, were in the DT position. JJT is a little worried about Crawford, but he's finally playing the position that the Cowboys extended him to play. He's been a good player for us, but not great. JJT is worried coming off a major injury, age, and getting pounded by centers and guards - that his body would be able to handle the rigor. The point of this discussion is Trysten Hill is going to have to get some reasonable reps during the season, whether the Cowboys want him to or not.
3. The Cowboys are practicing inside because they're waiting on the grass to be re-done. Probably nothing to make of this, because the Cowboys' stadium is somewhat indoors, but JJT doesn't understand why this wasn't done during the offseason and not during the middle of camp. Maybe they all thought they'd eventually wind up in Oxnard? Hard to tell.
4. Following the report last week, Trevon Diggs had a really good week of practice. JJT seems to think that because he's a rookie going into camp, there was some initial willingness to sit back and let some veterans take the more meaningful work, but with Jourdan Lewis and Chido Awuzie both nursing some injuries, the dude has no choice but to ball, and that's what he's done in the past week. He's made plays and has shown that explosiveness that we saw at Alabama. When JJT asked a source if he was that same guy flying to the ball like he was at Alabama, the source said "hell yes." JJT said to look for Diggs to take the ball away this year.
5. JJT is intrigued by Anae. Anae, in terms of raw pass rushing talent, could've been a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but his measurables caused him to fall to us all the way in the fifth. He has short arms, which is more or less a demand of the position. Demarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong, for example, have large, long arms. JJT joked that Anae's arms are "just as long as mine." JJT noted that Anae has been balling in camp, but hasn't had the opportunity to face quality OT's like La'el Collins yet. He's been going against mostly scrub/PS talent and dominating them and that's good, but they want to see where he stacks up. This is where not having a preseason can kill you. They could play him in the first or second quarter against starting tackles in the league to see where he stands, but without preseason - they're going to have to give him a lot of work and a lot of evaluation.
