Keep An Eye On Josh Ball This Preseason

[lkelly]

I only have so many eyes to spare.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Yeah they're gone keep the guys we just got

 

[TNCowboy]

Paraphrasing Nate Newton the other day, he said he knew that Ball and Waletzko weren't going to make it the first time he saw them practice (don't believe he named them, but it's obvious they were the 2 he was referring to). He said he knew Guyton and Beebe were going to make it the first time he saw them practice.

 

[jazzcat22]

I do ont excpect Ball or Waletzgo to make the 53. They may get to the PS though.
Some team, possibly Washington may claim them from waivers.

I don't think they can be traded though either, when teams know they will be released, unless they think they can eventually improve or are in need of OL.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Ball so dominated yet TJ Bass and Hoffman were the active depth on gameday and actually played some games. I don't think you know what that word means. Ball is going to be released when they cut down to 53. So will Waletzgo.

Just read an article about "4 Cowboys who aren't doing well" (or something like that) and Ball was one of them, along with Fehoko and two others.

I don't see him making the team, but could I guess depending on injuries....

 

[Rayman70]

Ball will be bounced outta here finally.

 

[gtb1943]

Ball will be bounced outta here finally.

amazing he has hung around this long. Should have been gone two years ago

 

[America's Cowboy]

Josh Ball, the guy who got played and dumped by a famous singer's daughter?

 

[jterrell]

Ball will get a chance to put some play on tape for the league as a whole this pre-season. Wish him all the best.

His main issue is Dallas has continued to invest in young OL and he has essentially run out of eligibility so to speak.
Bass has 2 years of contract for cheap then enters RFA.
Hoffman has only this year but is at least an RFA.

Any young OL in Dallas needs to spend what it takes to work with Duke and his group year-round.
Fine line between coaching HS football as an asst for 75K a year and getting a 4 years 20M contract as an NFL OL.


.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Fine line between coaching HS football as an asst for 75K a year and getting a 4 years 20M contract as an NFL OL.

I'm shocked high school assistants make that much money. What am I doing at my desk job.... I could be teaching 15 year olds how to run a Hank.

 

[JW82]

Dude is a dead man walking. Zero chance he makes the 53 barring injuries

Thought he was gone already.

 

[TheDank]

1. He’s really coming on, finally.
2. Moved up the depth chart in hopes he has a decent preseason outing so we can trade him for a 7th.

Late round pick or maybe someone else's bubble roster/PS level guy at edge/DT.

 

[_sturt_]

If you look at the new unofficial depth chart the Cowboys published, you will see Josh Ball listed as the primary backup RG, ahead of Beebe. He’s not even on the depth chart as a tackle anymore

Why?
1. Because he’s a terrible tackle (sorry Josh)

2. ALSO Because before he got hurt playing tackle due to injuries to Waletzgo in the last preseason game, he played RG in game 3 and absolutely dominated. I mean DOMINATED. McCarthy even mentioned him in the presser afterwards. In my analysis for game 3 he was my top rated OL for the game by a wide margin. Sadly, that was the only game he played OG, so small sample size.

Keep an eye out for him this weekend. He might be a random guy that impresses as an OG going forward. Then again…he’s injury prone

Um. No offense. But as someone who's been a consistent Ball advocate around here, so I notice these things... he's been at RG since last preseason. McCarthy let it be known that they were moving him to guard around draft time last year. And then, he played quite a bit in preseason at RG because of Martin's contract hold out.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/08/cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-addresses-g-zack-martins-holdout

 

[jterrell]

I'm shocked high school assistants make that much money. What am I doing at my desk job.... I could be teaching 15 year olds how to run a Hank.

Yea but that is doing full teaching duties plus coaching and often other tasks like driving the bus to/from games and we are talking guys with NFL /college experience.
Its a lot.

Once you make head coach a lot of that other stuff falls by the wayside, but assistants typically have it pretty rough.

Not that I mean it is bad work or a poor salary; just that it is a very real world thing whereas NFL salaries for vets are life altering.

 

[plasticman]

I've seen players come in as rookies and dominate game #1.

I've seen players take more than three seasons before having a breakout.

They all learn at different speeds. For multiple seasons I read "cut him!" and "trade him!" posts about guys like Dalton Schultz, Dorance Armstrong, and Jordan Lewis. it took a little more time but they are now contributors in the NFL.

Three fifths of the offensive line that won three Super Bowls in the 90's were guys that were considered bubble players and career backup, at the most.

Nate Newton was an undrafted free agent with an eating disorder.

Mark Tuinei, another undrafted rookie, was a backup DT his first seasons, even recording a sack. Then he spent a season as the backup center before becoming the starting LT for 12 seasons.

John Gesek was a 10th round pick of the Raiders and was a backup his first two seasons. Considered expendable, he was traded to the Cowboys and ended up starting in two Super Bowls.

Hopefully, Ball can help raise the level of competition for all of them and may the best players play.

 

[shabazz]

Bass > Ball

Ernest T Bass > Ball

 

[speedkilz88]

I've seen players come in as rookies and dominate game #1.

I've seen players take more than three seasons before having a breakout.

They all learn at different speeds. For multiple seasons I read "cut him!" and "trade him!" posts about guys like Dalton Schultz, Dorance Armstrong, and Jordan Lewis. it took a little more time but they are now contributors in the NFL.

Three fifths of the offensive line that won three Super Bowls in the 90's were guys that were considered bubble players and career backup, at the most.

Nate Newton was an undrafted free agent with an eating disorder.

Mark Tuinei, another undrafted rookie, was a backup DT his first seasons, even recording a sack. Then he spent a season as the backup center before becoming the starting LT for 12 seasons.

John Gesek was a 10th round pick of the Raiders and was a backup his first two seasons. Considered expendable, he was traded to the Cowboys and ended up starting in two Super Bowls.

Hopefully, Ball can help raise the level of competition for all of them and may the best players play.

Guyton, Richards, Ball, Hoffman, Thomas and Waletzko have all surpassed him. There is no room at the inn. He isn't a good player. Waletzko is probably on the outside looking in as well.

 

[plasticman]

Guyton, Richards, Ball, Hoffman, Thomas and Waletzko have all surpassed him. There is no room at the inn. He isn't a good player. Waletzko is probably on the outside looking in as well.

Would that include Edoga, listed as the starter?

If Edoga can be listed at the top of a depth chart then anything can happen for any player.

 

[McMicah]

Um. No offense. But as someone who's been a consistent Ball advocate around here, so I notice these things... he's been at RG since last preseason. McCarthy let it be known that they were moving him to guard around draft time last year. And then, he played quite a bit in preseason at RG because of Martin's contract hold out.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/08/cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-addresses-g-zack-martins-holdout

….Thats literally what I said in the OP…He played last preseason and did well, so keep an eye on him building on that…that was the actual OP

 

[Rayman70]

amazing he has hung around this long. Should have been gone two years ago

man I agree. We hear every offseason how much better he is, then he is always terrible then they stash him like hes some coveted player. Its really odd. But I think the clock will strike midnight soon for him. Times up. I think unless Waletzko is light years better and healthy, hes gone as well. I rather develop Bostick, Shepley, bass and Thomas. Invest in them. BTW, I am hearing some whispers that this Shepley kid has really had a nice camp, bettered himself. I cant wait to see what he looks like.