Scout’s Notebook: Carroll’s Improvements, Taco’s Edge Power; More

[RS12]

• I still don't believe that Jonathan Cooper is better a better player than Chaz Green overall, but as a guard, he might be. Cooper has practiced better at the position in the ongoing struggle to find a starter for the spot. Green looks more comfortable at tackle, where it appears he has a better feel for how to play on the edge. As Nate Newton would say, Green is better in space. We need to get ready to see Joe Looney getting some work there as well here in the near future.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...carroll’s-improvements-taco’s-edge-power-more

 

[RS12]

• I didn't like what I saw from Darren McFadden picking up blitzers on Tuesday. McFadden whiffed on back-to-back plays blocking Robert Blanton and John Lotulelei where his technique wasn't up to par. In the past, he has shown the ability to step up square, take his man on and keep him from the quarterback. These attempts were nothing that resembled that.

Ugh.

 

[jobberone]

Don't trust Cooper or Chaz.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The good news:

Nobody has stepped up to take Nolan Carroll's job. The Cowboys drafted a lot of competition, but Carroll should be their starter opening day against the Giants. He has not been perfect, but he's been good enough for the coaches to stick with. All they're asking him to do is be better than Brandon Carr, and -- at least through these practices -- he has shown the ability to be just that.

And the bad news:

I didn't like what I saw from Darren McFadden picking up blitzers on Tuesday. McFadden whiffed on back-to-back plays blocking Robert Blanton and John Lotulelei where his technique wasn't up to par. In the past, he has shown the ability to step up square, take his man on and keep him from the quarterback. These attempts were nothing that resembled that.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Carroll should be on a short leash. But then again, Carr played well against Beckham and I think Carroll has as well.

 

[NEODOG]

Collins back at LG & Green at RT

Best 5 OL on the field together

 

[Nova]

Collins back at LG & Green at RT

Best 5 OL on the field together

I would go this route too. But I think the team is worried about Green's ability to stay healthy.

 

[Macnalty]

I agree I think Green is just a dilettante and cannot be trusted to hold down the position. I think he has talent but does not have the pro instinct to stay on track because of his susceptibility to injuries. Coaches will be so frustrated along with fans when he gets injured again and he will.

 

[Stash]

• I still don't believe that Jonathan Cooper is better a better player than Chaz Green overall, but as a guard, he might be. Cooper has practiced better at the position in the ongoing struggle to find a starter for the spot. Green looks more comfortable at tackle, where it appears he has a better feel for how to play on the edge. As Nate Newton would say, Green is better in space. We need to get ready to see Joe Looney getting some work there as well here in the near future.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/08/16/scout’s-notebook-carroll’s-improvements-taco’s-edge-power-more

That looks like a qualified flip-flop of opinion there.

All offseason, Broaddus has been touting Chaz Green for the left guard spot, over Cooper and anyone else. And now apparently he's changed his tune, with a qualifier of course. But I don't see how that's applicable when it's been he himself campaigning for Green at the guard spot.

He's right about Green being better in space, but that shouldn't be any revelation. One guy is a guard and the other a tackle, for a reason.

I can see why some have concerns and want to switch Collins back to guard, but I think it's a bit too soon to pull the plug on what they're doing, especially if it then means having to rely on Green's health. That's been proven to fail.

I think that they will play this out over the next several weeks and then make a decision. Let's see all of these projected starters in their roles together and see what that looks like. If it's not working? Then maybe you think about making changes, but not until then.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I agree I think Green is just a dilettante and cannot be trusted to hold down the position. I think he has talent but does not have the pro instinct to stay on track because of his susceptibility to injuries. Coaches will be so frustrated along with fans when he gets injured again and he will.

Its frustrating because he looked he can be a high quality starter when he filled in for Tyron last. He looked like a legitimate LT

 

[TheCount]

The good news:

And the bad news:

It's worth noting Broaddus hated Carr, so pretty much anyone is better in his eyes.

 

[Stash]

It's worth noting Broaddus hated Carr, so pretty much anyone is better in his eyes.

While that may be true, the Cowboys must agree because they've targeted Carroll as a possible Carr replacement for two seasons. Once in 2015 when they were leveraging Carr to get him to lower his salary, which he ultimately did, and now this year, when Carroll took the deal that Carr wouldn't.

If they don't view him as better, they at least see him as equal. Whether they're right? That remains to be seen.

 

[Sydla]

So who are the two starting outside CBs? Carroll and Scandrick?

Ewwww.

 

[Stash]

Its frustrating because he looked he can be a high quality starter when he filled in for Tyron last. He looked like a legitimate LT

It's definitely frustrating because the guy looks like he has ability. Light on his feet and I like his pass protection technique. But I think that this recent injury, along with Tyron's frequent rest, has relegated him to backup/swing tackle.

Injuries to Smith and Looney - as well as Green's own issues - has led to some shuffling of the line.

 

[Denim Chicken]

More good reports on Taco

I'm a tad worried about Heath in coverage.

 

[CATCH17]

Remember those reports early in camp about La'el dominating Taco?

Those reports are starting to swing the other way a little.

 

[Sydla]

I tend to like Broaddus' practice reports. Not so much his draft previews, etc.

But even in his practice reports, there can be some bias showing and he tends to overreact to small things. For example, for much of his career, McFadden has been a solid to good blocker. Broaddus even admits in the past, he's been fine. But suddenly two missed blocks in practice is of concern?

 

[Stash]

I tend to like Broaddus' practice reports. Not so much his draft previews, etc.

But even in his practice reports, there can be some bias showing and he tends to overreact to small things. For example, for much of his career, McFadden has been a solid to good blocker. Broaddus even admits in the past, he's been fine. But suddenly two missed blocks in practice is of concern?

I see your point, but in a small way I agree with him, in that, I haven't seen anything impressive from McFadden yet this entire offseason. Not in practice, nor in the preseason games. The guy looks disinterested, almost going through the motions.

 

[Teague31]

The number of guys sitting with hamstrings is ridiculous. I blame Miles Austin

 

[Stash]

The number of guys sitting with hamstrings is ridiculous. I blame Miles Austin

I'm especially eager to see Jourdan Lewis on the field already. He's missed a ton of camp already.