Scout’s Eye: First Impressions And OTA Leftovers

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Scout’s Eye: First Impressions And OTA Leftovers
Posted 4 hours ago

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Bryan Broaddus

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  • One defensive lineman that really showed up in the team periods, was tackle Terrell McClain. His quickness off the snap was impressive. When I studied his play with the Texans, he was totally out of place playing as the nose in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.

    What I projected him to play for the Cowboys was the one-technique, but with no Henry Melton, he took reps at the three-tech and was all over the place. The majority of the running plays for the offense were zone stretch plays, and there were several snaps where McClain was so quick off the snap that the offensive tackles had a hard time getting a hat on him. He was into the backfield and onto the ball. I still think he could be better as a one but he sure grabbed my attention as a three.
  • Just when you think Jason Witten is slowing down as a player, think again. Over the years, we have come to appreciate what Witten has done as a pass-catching tight end, but the area of his game that he has developed since the Cowboys have gone with this zone run scheme, is his blocking.

    Matter of fact, one of the main reasons that the offense was able to run the ball better in 2013 was that Witten and the tight ends became better point of attack blockers. What Witten has become is more of a crafty blocker in getting it done with positioning of his body instead of brute strength and power. What has been interesting to watch is when Witten and Tyron Smith work together to handle the end and linebacker on the second level.

    They are in perfect step when they come off the ball together. The idea is to not allow any space between themselves and they do this very well. When you see the ball get to the outside clean, it usually has something to do with a block that Jason Witten has delivered.
  • With George Selvie only working through drills in practice and not in team periods, it has given Tyrone Crawford the opportunity to get work on that left side at end. From what I was able to see with Selvie in the mix, when Marinelli went to nickel, Crawford will slide down inside to the one next to Melton and DeMarcus Lawrence at the right end. So the “Rushmen” would line up Selvie, Crawford, Melton and Lawrence. The appeared to be no issues with Crawford and the Achilles at all with his movement coming off the ball, taking on blocks or holding the point of attack.

    The trainers had him full-go and he responded very well. There were some snaps where his technique was a little rusty, but there were also times where he was in the backfield right off the snap. I believe we will see him continue to shuffle between tackle and end, not just focusing on one spot. He can help at either well in this system.
  • It was only OTA practice No. 1, but I really liked what I saw from running back Ryan Williams. The only real poor snap he had -- and this is going to be an issue for him -- is that he missed in helping tackle John Wetzel against Ben Gardner which resulted in a sack.

    But when it came to finding the holes, making a cut and showing some juice, he was at his best. This zone scheme seems to be a very good fit for him because it allows him to take the ball, use his vision and explode through the hole. There is some noticeable quickness to his game and he is one of those backs when you watch him run, you can feel him do it.

    He will attack the hole and he appears to be bigger than his listed size of 5-9, 207. I like the running style and have seen him catch the ball, but running backs coach Gary Brown likes to say “What are you doing without the ball in your hands?” This is where he is going to need his most work.
Read the rest: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-BryanBroaddus/-Scout’s-Eye-First-Impressions-And-OTA-Leftovers/4b2d9cb3-7f21-4ea5-9637-30aed7ed9e8c
 
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"Just when you think Jason Witten is slowing down as a player..." at some point, will Jason Witten slow down enough that he's actually moving backwards? How much slower can the guy get?

I don't know, ask all of the LBers and Safeties who still fail consistently to cover him.

Seriously I've never seen a guy who so often looks like he is running in molasses and yet is just open all the damn time.
 
Witten has never been remotely fast, but there are two things he does that are truly among the game's greats: route-running and flipping his hips.

I invite you to iso and watch him sometime on his routes - textbook every time. Doesn't hurt that Romo knows where to plug it each and every time.
 
Scout’s Eye: First Impressions And OTA Leftovers
  • One defensive lineman that really showed up in the team periods, was tackle Terrell McClain. His quickness off the snap was impressive. When I studied his play with the Texans, he was totally out of place playing as the nose in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.

    What I projected him to play for the Cowboys was the one-technique, but with no Henry Melton, he took reps at the three-tech and was all over the place. The majority of the running plays for the offense were zone stretch plays, and there were several snaps where McClain was so quick off the snap that the offensive tackles had a hard time getting a hat on him. He was into the backfield and onto the ball. I still think he could be better as a one but he sure grabbed my attention as a three.
Thanks for posting. Interesting news right there considering all I heard since we signed him McClain is that he is just glorified waterboy.
 
Nice to hear how guys like McClain and Crawford are drawing votes of confidence from guys like Broaddus and Romo. Hopefully, they'll manage to stay healthy throughout the season.

Of course, the real test comes with the pads on whenever the hitting begins but I think the impressions they've given in the past probably offers at least some justification for optimism.
 
just OTAs but still things related to the Dallas Cowboys Football Team....appreciate it
 
It's rare that I find myself rooting for a player to make the roster but Ryan Williams is an exception. The rushing talent s already there. Staying healthy and learning this offense, especially blocking schemes, must be his priorities. As a possible backup to Demarco Murray, he could be one hiccup away from being an unrealized, struggling second-rounder to NFL success story. It's all on him.
 
He did write about Lawrence. If not in this article, but in a diff one. But I def read a piece about d-Law

Found It thanks. Sounds like he didnt do to bad against smith. Its good he gets to practice against one of the best. It should just make him even better.
 
Broaddus writes some good stuff, but most of it is just "stuff." With no pads on, it is just a beauty contest.

Very true.

The defense always dominates in shirts and shorts as well as early on in training camp.

DL are usually the most annoying guys too with shirts and shorts on.
 

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