Now that minicamp officially over due to bad weather, we've learned...

[sago1]

Realize that DMN's Tim McMahon intends to post some stuff left over from first 2 days of practice. Still wanted to go over those players who've reportedly had pretty good camp (including OTAs as necessary). Happily some of these players are same ones many on this board have said they'd like to see step it up. Despite what we've heard so far, we also gotta remember this was only a minicamp. There's plenty of time in TC/preseason games for other players to step forward but also for some players who played well in the minicamp not to perform as well. But heck better looking good in minicamp then not cause it gives us more to talk about. Notice I haven't included starters like Romo, Witten, James, etc. cause I expect them to be pretty good. Also it seems to me that more defensive players stepped up then did offensive players but maybe that just means more of them needed to.

Also included a section where a few players haven't received mention & hope they step it up in TC.

Offense:

1. Felix Jones: he's made some catches; dropped a few but looks good overall. On at least one occasion he and MBIII were in backfield together; expect to see more of that in regular season.
2. Miles Austin had a good minicamp which followed a pretty good OTA as well. Showed good hands, got separation & showed his speed..
3. Sam Hurd also had a good minicamp & also goodin OTAs. Showed good hands & got separation.
4. Isiah Stanback had flashes where he looked very impressive (crossing across the middle) but looked lost in deep patterns (hasn't figured out where he suppose to be in relation to what defense is doing).
5. Danny Amendola didn't stand out in OTAs but had at least 1 good play in minicamp.
6. RB Latimore (Ray Lewis' brother) had a pretty good run the other day.
7. Despite talk he's slow to pick up the playbook, he made at least 1-2 good
catches.

Defense:

1. Tank Johnson really coming on & could challenge Ratliff at NT except his play could allow Cowboys to give Ratliff more snaps at DE but Ratliff also looking good at NT.
2. Marcus Spears made a few pretty good plays minicamp.
3. Bobby Carpenter been all around the field making plays both in the OTAs and the minicamp.
4. Spencer looked good in OTAs but not much mention in minicamp.
5. Canty made some good plays.
6. Courtney Brown looking pretty good.
7. Adam Jones made some good plays but also showed a little rust.
8. Ball looking pretty good
9. Jenkins looking pretty good
10. Scandrick made a good play

Special Teams:

Nick Folk has looked good in FG kicks but also really kicking them deep into the end zone. Way to go Nick.

Those not receiving any mention but could have missed/forgotten them; hope they step it up:

Tashard Choice
Eric Weldan
Bowman
Hatcher
Free
McQuistan
Marten
Mark Bradford, WR out of Stanford
Curtis
Proctor
Berger (he was the OL who replaced Bigg when he got too much heat)

BTW: I'll add anybody else whose name I come across as well as seeing what tidbits McMahon has to say.

Finally, I read an analysis of our OL which is considered one of the top by many analysts. Most of us see Kosier as the biggest weakness but an analyst cited Marc Colombo as the biggest weakness (wonder if that result of his ankle injury against the Packers).

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We Are Going To The Sb

 

[LeonDixson]

Finally, I read an analysis of our OL which is considered one of the top by many analysts. Most of us see Kosier as the biggest weakness but an analyst cited Marc Colombo as the biggest weakness (wonder if that result of his ankle injury against the Packers).

In watching some of the replays from last year, I've noticed that Columbo wasn't always good on his run blocks. Several times I noticed that the guy he was blocking was the one who made the tackle right at the los or a yard downfield.

 

[sago1]

Colombo has one year left on his contract & he wanted a new contract; it's not going to happen. Hopefully McQuistan can really challenge Colombo this year & really show he's ready to start soon. Love Colombo's nasty streak but younger OTs (Free/McQuistan) need to start stepping up their game in TC/preseason in preparation to take over for Colombo soon & Adams in another 2 years.

 

[Yeagermeister]

We Are Going To The Sb

Going to the Silver Bear? I don't get it.

 

[cowboyjoe]

now thats a good post sago,

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I really hate how we are hogtied to the media for reporting because its piss poor.

Our training camp reports are always spot on and that is one of the big reasons I prefer San Antonio because more people go.

One great example of this is Bennett. Bennett said that he was not used to the amount of input he was given compared to what he saw at A&M. This got twisted into him having difficulties like hes stupid or something.

To me that is about the opposite of what i would conclude. i would conclude that he is a rookie and TE is one of the most difficult positions to learn period seeing that he needs to know blocking schemes blitz protections and route combinations.

Unfortunately we are beholden to turds like McMahon who are pretty awful when it comes to reporting football.

Really this whole thing has been described as a 'media circus' and we are given rehashed stories about Pacman Jones and Terrell Owens over and over again.

With this type of access all I can say is that is some piss poor journalism we've gotten.

Oh and sago excellent post brah.