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Posted July 19, 2009 @ 11:20 a.m.
By Eric Edholm
DALLAS COWBOYS
Training-camp site: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
Training-camp report date: July 29.
Key veteran arrivals: LB Keith Brooking, QB Jon Kitna, DE Igor Olshansky, S Gerald Sensabaugh.
Key veteran departures: OG Joe Berger, OLB Kevin Burnett, DE Chris Canty, OLB Greg Ellis, CB Anthony Henry, QB Brad Johnson, DT Tank Johnson, CB
Adam Jones, WR Terrell Owens, LB Zach Thomas, SS Roy Williams.
Drafted rookies: (3) LB Jason Williams, OL Robert Brewster; (4) QB Stephen McGee, OLB Victor Butler, OLB Brandon Williams; (5) CB DeAngelo Smith, FS Michael Hamlin, PK David Buehler; (6) LB Stephen Hodge, TE John Phillips; (7) CB Mike Mickens, WR Manuel Johnson.
Offensive overview: Tony Romo will be without Terrell Owens, who was cut, but Jerry Jones and others believe this will be a good thing for his quarterback. TE Jason Witten remains a No. 1 option, and WR Roy Williams could be a good second chair, but the offense likely won't be as open as it was before. The team is hoping another key receiving option emerges, with WRs Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton and TE Marcellus Bennett the most likely candidates. Expect to see a heavier emphasis placed on the run game. At different times, Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have each shown terrific potential, and if healthy, the trio could be dominant. The offensive line is aging somewhat but also possesses the power to push around smaller defensive fronts. Romo's consistency will be a key story line to follow throughout the season.
Defensive overview: There will be changes, and Wade Phillips now is calling the shots with Brian Stewart gone, although Phillips actually took the reins of the defense midway through last season. This group can bring the pressure and actually led the NFL in sack percentage in 2008, but Ellis' departure means Anthony Spencer must be a presence across from DeMarcus Ware, who earns the attention of every opposing offense. DE Chris Canty and LB Zach Thomas also are notable losses, though Igor Olshansky and Keith Brooking are expected to take their spots, respectively. Look for Phillips to emphasize blitzing and slanting up front to get pressure on the quarterback, and that should help ease some shortcomings the secondary might have.
Battle to watch: CBs Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick will battle for the starting spot opposite LCB Terence Newman; the loser of the battle is expected to man the nickel position in the slot. Scandrick actually outplayed Jenkins in their rookie season, but the team appears to want to give Jenkins — a first-rounder — every chance to win the job. He has good speed but must get tougher.
Injury update: DE Jason Hatcher, WR Isaiah Stanback and rookie LB Stephen Hodge all had knee surgeries this offseason but are expected back for training camp. So is PK Nick Folk (hip surgery), but his kicking could be limited early in camp. The team drafted David Buehler as a kickoff specialist, and he could handle the early foot duties until Folk is cleared. Miles Austin missed OTAs and minicamp with a hamstring strain and should be back for camp, but he also missed valuable time — time he had designs on spending to get a leg up on a starting spot.
Fantasy sleeper: Felix Jones had only 30 carries and two receptions in six games as a rookie but showed explosive potential at 8.6 yards per touch from scrimmage and three TDs. He also added a kick return for a score and should be a multipurpose tool who totals at least 1,200 yards on offense, even if Barber is considered the lead back. Jones isn't too different from Reggie Bush, except he's a little sturdier and might have a touch more straight-line speed.
For the other NFC East previews, click http://profootballweekly.com/2009/07/19/nfc-east-training-camp-previews
By Eric Edholm
DALLAS COWBOYS
Training-camp site: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
Training-camp report date: July 29.
Key veteran arrivals: LB Keith Brooking, QB Jon Kitna, DE Igor Olshansky, S Gerald Sensabaugh.
Key veteran departures: OG Joe Berger, OLB Kevin Burnett, DE Chris Canty, OLB Greg Ellis, CB Anthony Henry, QB Brad Johnson, DT Tank Johnson, CB
Adam Jones, WR Terrell Owens, LB Zach Thomas, SS Roy Williams.
Drafted rookies: (3) LB Jason Williams, OL Robert Brewster; (4) QB Stephen McGee, OLB Victor Butler, OLB Brandon Williams; (5) CB DeAngelo Smith, FS Michael Hamlin, PK David Buehler; (6) LB Stephen Hodge, TE John Phillips; (7) CB Mike Mickens, WR Manuel Johnson.
Offensive overview: Tony Romo will be without Terrell Owens, who was cut, but Jerry Jones and others believe this will be a good thing for his quarterback. TE Jason Witten remains a No. 1 option, and WR Roy Williams could be a good second chair, but the offense likely won't be as open as it was before. The team is hoping another key receiving option emerges, with WRs Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton and TE Marcellus Bennett the most likely candidates. Expect to see a heavier emphasis placed on the run game. At different times, Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have each shown terrific potential, and if healthy, the trio could be dominant. The offensive line is aging somewhat but also possesses the power to push around smaller defensive fronts. Romo's consistency will be a key story line to follow throughout the season.
Defensive overview: There will be changes, and Wade Phillips now is calling the shots with Brian Stewart gone, although Phillips actually took the reins of the defense midway through last season. This group can bring the pressure and actually led the NFL in sack percentage in 2008, but Ellis' departure means Anthony Spencer must be a presence across from DeMarcus Ware, who earns the attention of every opposing offense. DE Chris Canty and LB Zach Thomas also are notable losses, though Igor Olshansky and Keith Brooking are expected to take their spots, respectively. Look for Phillips to emphasize blitzing and slanting up front to get pressure on the quarterback, and that should help ease some shortcomings the secondary might have.
Battle to watch: CBs Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick will battle for the starting spot opposite LCB Terence Newman; the loser of the battle is expected to man the nickel position in the slot. Scandrick actually outplayed Jenkins in their rookie season, but the team appears to want to give Jenkins — a first-rounder — every chance to win the job. He has good speed but must get tougher.
Injury update: DE Jason Hatcher, WR Isaiah Stanback and rookie LB Stephen Hodge all had knee surgeries this offseason but are expected back for training camp. So is PK Nick Folk (hip surgery), but his kicking could be limited early in camp. The team drafted David Buehler as a kickoff specialist, and he could handle the early foot duties until Folk is cleared. Miles Austin missed OTAs and minicamp with a hamstring strain and should be back for camp, but he also missed valuable time — time he had designs on spending to get a leg up on a starting spot.
Fantasy sleeper: Felix Jones had only 30 carries and two receptions in six games as a rookie but showed explosive potential at 8.6 yards per touch from scrimmage and three TDs. He also added a kick return for a score and should be a multipurpose tool who totals at least 1,200 yards on offense, even if Barber is considered the lead back. Jones isn't too different from Reggie Bush, except he's a little sturdier and might have a touch more straight-line speed.
For the other NFC East previews, click http://profootballweekly.com/2009/07/19/nfc-east-training-camp-previews
