LarryCanadian
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That is why I hate pre-season. You basically know 50 of the 53 guys you want on your squad and by the time it's over, every team still doesn't know if their backups can completely fill in for their starters anway. So what's the use. I know that's a very general statement, but sheesh.
If Ellis needs more time for strength and flexibility (or mental confidence, which probably is the big thing for old Mr. Worry Wart) then FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, we have TWO, not one, TWO 1st Round picks that need to learn how to be not only starters but good players for this team. So play them. I'd give Spencer 2/3rds of Ellis's snaps and Carpenter the other 1/3. Carpenter might not have the talent but he would be a great all around LB backup and Nickel player. Let him learn both inside and outside and contribute that way.
Spencer should have the talent to learn by Trial by Fire so throw him to the wolves. If Ellis is better in 6 weeks then let him come back healthy.
Same for Terry Glenn. We have Crayton in a contract year no? Let him show what he's got. Hurd needs to step up, but, I'm sorry you can't tell enough in pre-season, bubble guys playing bubble guys. This is an opportunity to learn something about our backups. These are our future or not. Lets find out. If Austin has the wheels he's supposed to, put him in for a play or two as well. He's on gameday rosters anyway. I think Phillips will do this where Parcells was reluctant to play young guys and rookies. Frankly I think this hurt Carpenter. Sheesh, I thought Carpenter really came on last 2 games of last year. Give people a chance.
Newman, is tougher because he's less replaceable. He's a star, and should have been in probowl. But, don't we need to see if Reeves and/or Jones can do it as starters for at least 3 or 4 games stretches at least or as the 3rd or 4th db playing fairly regularly. These are guys entering 4th (or is it 3rd) season. Time to find out. If not we know we need to get a Free Agent or draft a corner or two and probably early anyway. Remember Newman isn't all that young. He came out pretty late. We'll need a talented young corner sooner than later. The same arguement that has been made about WR the last couple of years.
I think this is an opportunity early in the year to develop these young guys or guys that need to prove they are Playoff team calibre players. Dallas isn't a team trying to weather the salary cap and poor draft position anymore. If the players aren't gonna cut it, we need to upgrade. We have cap space and 2 1st rounders next year. Lets find out about the guys we have while not putting injured guys at risk by bringing them back too early out of desperation. Too early to be desperate and there could be many benefits to playing the younger guys anyway. Development and finding out if they can play against starters not being the least.
Larry Canadian
If Ellis needs more time for strength and flexibility (or mental confidence, which probably is the big thing for old Mr. Worry Wart) then FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, we have TWO, not one, TWO 1st Round picks that need to learn how to be not only starters but good players for this team. So play them. I'd give Spencer 2/3rds of Ellis's snaps and Carpenter the other 1/3. Carpenter might not have the talent but he would be a great all around LB backup and Nickel player. Let him learn both inside and outside and contribute that way.
Spencer should have the talent to learn by Trial by Fire so throw him to the wolves. If Ellis is better in 6 weeks then let him come back healthy.
Same for Terry Glenn. We have Crayton in a contract year no? Let him show what he's got. Hurd needs to step up, but, I'm sorry you can't tell enough in pre-season, bubble guys playing bubble guys. This is an opportunity to learn something about our backups. These are our future or not. Lets find out. If Austin has the wheels he's supposed to, put him in for a play or two as well. He's on gameday rosters anyway. I think Phillips will do this where Parcells was reluctant to play young guys and rookies. Frankly I think this hurt Carpenter. Sheesh, I thought Carpenter really came on last 2 games of last year. Give people a chance.
Newman, is tougher because he's less replaceable. He's a star, and should have been in probowl. But, don't we need to see if Reeves and/or Jones can do it as starters for at least 3 or 4 games stretches at least or as the 3rd or 4th db playing fairly regularly. These are guys entering 4th (or is it 3rd) season. Time to find out. If not we know we need to get a Free Agent or draft a corner or two and probably early anyway. Remember Newman isn't all that young. He came out pretty late. We'll need a talented young corner sooner than later. The same arguement that has been made about WR the last couple of years.
I think this is an opportunity early in the year to develop these young guys or guys that need to prove they are Playoff team calibre players. Dallas isn't a team trying to weather the salary cap and poor draft position anymore. If the players aren't gonna cut it, we need to upgrade. We have cap space and 2 1st rounders next year. Lets find out about the guys we have while not putting injured guys at risk by bringing them back too early out of desperation. Too early to be desperate and there could be many benefits to playing the younger guys anyway. Development and finding out if they can play against starters not being the least.
Larry Canadian
