StarMan2112
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Defensive end Chris Canty, who fell to the fourth round because of knee and eye injuries, had successful surgery to remove scar tissue from his left eye. Although he won't participate in the club's minicamp this week (May 27-29), owner Jerry Jones thinks he has an opportunity to be ready for training camp. The scar tissue is the result of surgery he had earlier in the year to repair a detached retina that occurred when he was hit in the eye with a glass bottle during a bar fight in Phoenix, where he was preparing for the draft. . . .
Owner Jerry Jones said he's not upset with second-round pick Kevin Burnett or the player's agent after he had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his hip without informing the club first. Burnett had a slight issue with his groin that was diagnosed at the scouting combine in February, but it didn't cause the Cowboys any concern, and he participated in the three-day rookie minicamp without any problems three weeks ago. After rookie camp, he went to see the doctor to check on the groin. They did some additional evaluation and decided to remove some bone spurs. Burnett will not participate in drills during the three-day veteran minicamp, which begins next Friday. But Jones said he expects Burnett to be ready for the start of training camp, and the surgery will have no impact on his contract negotiations. . . .
Coach Bill Parcells says he's still not sure what the Cowboys' base scheme will be, but they will spend their minicamp using the 3-4 as their primary defense. Parcells said he will use the 3-4 and the 4-3 this season, but he wants to see how the offseason parts fit into the 3-4. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys use LaRoi Glover, who's undersized in the 3-4, and Jason Ferguson, who received a $9 million signing bonus, because each is a nose tackle in the 3-4.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cowboys are designing their defense for Roy Williams to be a force again. Injuries forced Williams to play free safety, and the coaching staff's lack of confidence in their cornerbacks forced him 15-20 yards off the line of scrimmage so he could help against the deep ball. Williams, who has been to the past two Pro Bowls, is best when he's near the line of scrimmage and can be a disruptive force against the run. He has excellent instincts and is physical enough to take on blockers and still make plays. He's a devastating hitter, capable of changing the complexion of a game with one play. He's not as good in coverage because he has average speed and can be fooled on play-action because of his desire to make plays against the run.
POSITION BATTLE: The most hotly contested position in training camp will probably be free safety, especially because Dallas has passed on a couple of veterans the past three weeks. Lynn Scott started nine of the past 10 games at free safety, but he's going to have to compete with Keith Davis for the starting job. The Cowboys have moved Davis from strong safety to free safety, giving him a chance to earn a starting job. Davis excelled on special teams last season and changed coach Bill Parcells' perception of him in the process. Davis, entering his third season, has never started a game, but the Cowboys like his instincts, tackling and big-play potential. Scott is another good special teams player who understands the defense and has ability to make big plays.
SAFETY ANALYSIS: Grade: D. This grade has nothing to do with Roy Williams, who is a star. But there is no proven starter at free safety and no depth behind Williams. An injury to Williams would be catastrophic.
Owner Jerry Jones said he's not upset with second-round pick Kevin Burnett or the player's agent after he had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his hip without informing the club first. Burnett had a slight issue with his groin that was diagnosed at the scouting combine in February, but it didn't cause the Cowboys any concern, and he participated in the three-day rookie minicamp without any problems three weeks ago. After rookie camp, he went to see the doctor to check on the groin. They did some additional evaluation and decided to remove some bone spurs. Burnett will not participate in drills during the three-day veteran minicamp, which begins next Friday. But Jones said he expects Burnett to be ready for the start of training camp, and the surgery will have no impact on his contract negotiations. . . .
Coach Bill Parcells says he's still not sure what the Cowboys' base scheme will be, but they will spend their minicamp using the 3-4 as their primary defense. Parcells said he will use the 3-4 and the 4-3 this season, but he wants to see how the offseason parts fit into the 3-4. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys use LaRoi Glover, who's undersized in the 3-4, and Jason Ferguson, who received a $9 million signing bonus, because each is a nose tackle in the 3-4.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cowboys are designing their defense for Roy Williams to be a force again. Injuries forced Williams to play free safety, and the coaching staff's lack of confidence in their cornerbacks forced him 15-20 yards off the line of scrimmage so he could help against the deep ball. Williams, who has been to the past two Pro Bowls, is best when he's near the line of scrimmage and can be a disruptive force against the run. He has excellent instincts and is physical enough to take on blockers and still make plays. He's a devastating hitter, capable of changing the complexion of a game with one play. He's not as good in coverage because he has average speed and can be fooled on play-action because of his desire to make plays against the run.
POSITION BATTLE: The most hotly contested position in training camp will probably be free safety, especially because Dallas has passed on a couple of veterans the past three weeks. Lynn Scott started nine of the past 10 games at free safety, but he's going to have to compete with Keith Davis for the starting job. The Cowboys have moved Davis from strong safety to free safety, giving him a chance to earn a starting job. Davis excelled on special teams last season and changed coach Bill Parcells' perception of him in the process. Davis, entering his third season, has never started a game, but the Cowboys like his instincts, tackling and big-play potential. Scott is another good special teams player who understands the defense and has ability to make big plays.
SAFETY ANALYSIS: Grade: D. This grade has nothing to do with Roy Williams, who is a star. But there is no proven starter at free safety and no depth behind Williams. An injury to Williams would be catastrophic.
