OTA notes from DMN

[dbair1967]

Cowboys OTA thoughts
9:13 PM Wed, May 21, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips
Sorry it has taken some time to get these up. It's been busy. Here are some quick-takes from the workout we were able to watch today. Don't get too carried away with the observations, and there won't be any details from line play since without the pads it's hard to figure out who's doing what.

** Some people are down him after the 2007 regular-season finale vs. Washington, but Miles Austin caught everything Wednesday. And by everything, we mean everything. He made several adjustments to throws behind him and hung on for the catch. This is a big year for Austin and I'm on record saying he has the most potential of the in-house receivers the Cowboys need to make a big jump in 2008.

** Most of the focus was on Marion Barber because of his new contract, but rookie Tashard Choice might some nice plays in the passing game. He displayed some good hands and ability to get up the field in a hurry. He's going to be a guy to watch when the pads come on because of his running style.

** We've talked before of Felix Jones "wiggle." We saw that Wednesday as he slithered through the line then did a hop-skip by some linebackers. It was an impressive stop-and-start type of move.

** With Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams missing, Pat Watkins and Courtney Brown were your starting safeties.

** Patrick Crayton made a nice diving catch on a Tony Romo throw during 11-on-11 drills while being blanketed by Terence Newman. The two had a nice hookup earlier in which Romo's throw barely snuck over DeMarcus Ware's outstretched arm.

** Mike Jenkins, the first-round cornerback, had a leaping breakup of a Brad Johnson throw to Isaiah Stanback. The other rookie draft pick, Orlando Scandrick, didn't practice because of an eye infection.

** Strangest drill - watching the middle linebackers weave through tackling dummies while doing their best not to touch them while simulating swim moves. I've never seen that before.

** Yahoo! reporter Jason Cole was on hand for the OTA. He had an interesting comment on Tony Romo's release, calling it a cross between Dan Marino's (Cole covered the Miami Hall of Famer for years) and Brett Favre's. I can see that. Maybe not the power, but the release.

**It will be difficult for this guy to make the roster, but just know that Jerry Jones is a fan of running back Alonzo Coleman, who spent last year on the practice squad.

** Greg Ellis did some side cardio work with associate trainer Britt Brown and assistant strength coach Tony Ollison. The reason? It had nothing to do with an injury. He just wanted to get more work in after Anthony Spencer took a lot of the early reps in practice.

** Only two rookies were absent - punter Jay Ottovegio and running back Keon Lattimore. They have to wait for their schools (Stanford and Maryland, respectively) to finish before they can take part in the off-season work. Wide receiver Mark Bradford (Stanford) is able to practice because he has already graduated.

** Just so you know, we have access one day a week for the OTA sessions until the mini-camp that will run June 17-19.

 

[dbair1967]

I know a lot of you were probably wondering, with all this bantering about organized team activities, about what OTAs really are. Or maybe you weren't.

Either way, we'll let the experts tell you.

"What we do is implement the things we're going to put in during training camp," coach Wade Phillips said. "We start teaching them now, getting the same progression now as we do when we start the 15 days before the first preseason game, except for goal-line, that kind of stuff. You're starting the process right now, you go through it and then when they come in, you go through it in pads."

Generally, the idea is to be able to get the team in a position to hit the ground running, with this work and the work at the full-squad minicamp, when the Cowboys get to SoCal in July. By nature, it's heavier on passing-game work, because they're not wearing pads, which is why - as Wade said - areas like goal-line are tough to drill.

The main thing here is getting the system installed and creating competition among the players.

"You got to make sure you install and you can try to install some new defenses, some new techniques, find different positions that you think might be a weakness where you can find somebody that's better and can enhance the defense," defensive coordinator Brian Stewart said. "For us, we've got a new defensive staff, so the players get used to the staff, get used to the adjustment. So there's a lot of things happening for us at these OTAs."

Here are some things we noticed ...

 Greg Ellis watched a good portion of the practice to the side. But don't worry, he's fine. The coaches wanted to get Anthony Spencer more time with the first team and, since Ellis is pretty seasoned veteran, his experience and know-how facilitated that.

 Mike Jenkins got plenty of reps with the starters, though he did also see action with the "2s". When the team went into its sub packages, and Terence Newman kicked down to the slot, Jenkins saw some time outside on the right side, opposite Anthony Henry. And he looked better today than a few weeks ago at the minicamp, though he did get beat badly down the field by Patrick Crayton once. Outside that, he showed an ability to stick with almost anyone he was faced with, and got his hands on the ball.

 As would be expected, and as was the case last year, the top three receivers were Terrell Owens, Crayton and Sam Hurd. Things haven't changed there. And for now, Tony Curtis is the second tight end, ahead of Martellus Bennett. Any surprises? Well, Mike Jefferson got a few first-team reps at receiver.

 With Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams absent, Pat Watkins and Courtney Brown were the safeties, and neither looked out of place. Watkins made an impressive pick on a Tony Romo ball, snatching a ball high above his head. I'm also hearing that the team has really liked what it's seen Brown recently, and he looked aware and aggressive on the back end of the field.

 It may not last, and the Cowboys are certainly going to mess with it, but right now, Zach Thomas is a three-down linebacker on the field. Thomas was in Roy Williams' linebacker spot in sub packages and at the 'Mo' in the base. A lot of people don't know how good a coverage 'backer was in his heyday, and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart evoked the name of Donnie Edwards in explaining Thomas' role. Edwards, whom Wade and Stew had in San Diego, is considered to be one of the best coverage linebackers of this era.

 Bobby Carpenter, meanwhile, was taking reps with the third group of linebackers, at the 'Mo', where Burnett was getting second-team reps.

 As far as the team's young tackles, it's worth noting that, on the second team, Doug Free was at left tackle and James Marten at right tackle.

 

[JohnL2288]

 Bobby Carpenter, meanwhile, was taking reps with the third group of linebackers, at the 'Mo', where Burnett was getting second-team reps.


:bang2: definitly not encouraging

 

[CrazyCowboy]

the young tackles on 2nd team--impressive

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Interesting that they're getting Spencer so many reps with the first team.

 

[theogt]

 It may not last, and the Cowboys are certainly going to mess with it, but right now, Zach Thomas is a three-down linebacker on the field. Thomas was in Roy Williams' linebacker spot in sub packages and at the 'Mo' in the base.

Well duh. Roy's not even there.

 Bobby Carpenter, meanwhile, was taking reps with the third group of linebackers, at the 'Mo', where Burnett was getting second-team reps.

Ugh.

 As far as the team's young tackles, it's worth noting that, on the second team, Doug Free was at left tackle and James Marten at right tackle.

I guess that means McQ is at guard? 3rd tackle?

 

[DaBoys4Life]

 Bobby Carpenter, meanwhile, was taking reps with the third group of linebackers, at the 'Mo', where Burnett was getting second-team reps.

wat i thought theogt was saying something about Carp being the backup this can't be right.....

 

[burmafrd]

Who is where on OTA's usually means very little. They try different combinations and see what happens.

 

[theogt]

 Bobby Carpenter, meanwhile, was taking reps with the third group of linebackers, at the 'Mo', where Burnett was getting second-team reps.

wat i thought theogt was saying something about Carp being the backup this can't be right.....

It doesn't say, but I'd assume Carpenter was getting 2nd team reps behind Bradie. It'd be hard for him to get 2nd team reps at both positions, no?

 

[ddh33]

Is McQuistan at guard then, if the two young tackles are staying?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I've been saying watch out for Miles Austin for awhile now

and I would not be mad at all if we didn't resign Hamlin, and Watkins was our starting FS

 

[DaBoys4Life]

It doesn't say, but I'd assume Carpenter was getting 2nd team reps behind Bradie. It'd be hard for him to get 2nd team reps at both positions, no?

but he was supposed 2 be the back up MO thats what yoou said and atleast.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I've been saying watch out for Miles Austin for awhile now

and I would not be mad at all if we didn't resign Hamlin, and Watkins was our starting FS

i agree 100% with this

 

[theogt]

but he was supposed 2 be the back up MO thats what yoou said and atleast.

Ms. South Carolina? Is that you?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Ms. South Carolina? Is that you?

hey, don't diss my home state

we tarred and feathered that ***** btw, and banned her from the state

 

[Hoofbite]

Some people are down him after the 2007 regular-season finale vs. Washington, but Miles Austin caught everything Wednesday. And by everything, we mean everything. He made several adjustments to throws behind him and hung on for the catch. This is a big year for Austin and I'm on record saying he has the most potential of the in-house receivers the Cowboys need to make a big jump in 2008.

I think so as well. Also why I think Austin will stick through camp and possibly bump Hurd off the roster if Amendola (sp?) can provide enough even though Im not counting on it.

 

[ddh33]

I'm pretty high on Brown too. I really like his potential.

 

[Hoofbite]

I've been saying watch out for Miles Austin for awhile now

and I would not be mad at all if we didn't resign Hamlin, and Watkins was our starting FS

Im with you on Austin but not on Hamlin. Hamlin played well last year and I don't want to go into the season praying that Watkins can match half of that production.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm pretty high on Brown too. I really like his potential.

Same here. He looked good in preseason last year if you ask me. And he's very smart, so he can make the secondary calls.

If he'll just tackle and be physical enough, he could be a player.

 

[cowboysfan31]

I thought that Marten did so horribly last year at RT that they put him back inside to G? Either way, I'm still excited to see much Free has progressed. He looked pretty good last year before going down with that knee injury.