Recap: Scout's Eye: Obada Shows Up, Hitchens Shows Out & 10 Other Notes From OTAs

[guag]

IRVING, Texas – Just as suddenly as they arrived, the Cowboys’ OTAs have concluded at Valley Ranch. The team had its final day of open practices for the media to observe, and now we have a one-week wait for the start of minicamp.

Having gotten to watch my third full session from the practice fields, here are my top impressions from Wednesday’s action.

1) I continue to be impressed by the growth of Byron Jones as a player and how he has responded to every challenge these coaches have put in front of him. In three weeks, Jones has lined up at every position in the secondary. He has played both corners, slot and now safety. On Wednesday, he lined up deep and then two plays later moved down in the box as a linebacker in coverage. What I really liked about Jones' day is that when he was lined up deep you saw that confidence in his communication and reactions -- which you don’t always find from a rookie in the secondary.

2) This was the first practice where I noticed Jeremy Mincey lining up on the left side at end instead of his normal spot on the right. Mincey was paired withTyrone Crawford, Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory. I expect that we could see this rotation more in the future, but the most likely combination would beDeMarcus Lawrence rushing from the left end.


3) I wrote last week about my visit with Derek Dooley and how he is working with Terrance Williams to catch the ball in his hands instead of trapping it along his body. Williams had an outstanding hands catch where he was able to get separation from Brandon Carr on an "In" cut and Tony Romo was able to put the ball between Carr and a breaking J.J. Wilcox. There would have most likely been a big collision between Williams and Wilcox at the point of the catch, but Williams showed nice concentration and hauled the ball in.

Read the rest: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...-shows-hitchens-shows-out-10-other-notes-otas

 

[theogt]

2) This was the first practice where I noticed Jeremy Mincey lining up on the left side at end instead of his normal spot on the right. Mincey was paired withTyrone Crawford, Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory. I expect that we could see this rotation more in the future, but the most likely combination would beDeMarcus Lawrence rushing from the left end.

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

 

[big dog cowboy]

3) I wrote last week about my visit with Derek Dooley and how he is working with Terrance Williams to catch the ball in his hands instead of trapping it along his body. Williams had an outstanding hands catch where he was able to get separation from Brandon Carr on an "In" cut and Tony Romo was able to put the ball between Carr and a breaking J.J. Wilcox. There would have most likely been a big collision between Williams and Wilcox at the point of the catch, but Williams showed nice concentration and hauled the ball in.

Don't be so quick to write off TWill. He isn't going to conceed anything to Street just yet.

 

[Nova]

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

Don't know about that.

Gregory is a rookie, and an undersized one at that. I'm honestly not really expecting too much from him extensively. And it's not like Gregory was drafted high or signed for big money and the Coaching staff and FO feels obligated to have him on the field. Realistically, they should feel more obligatd to have Lawrence playing who was drafted higher and traded up for.

 

[TheCount]

Don't know about that.

Gregory is a rookie, and an undersized one at that. I'm honestly not really expecting too much from him extensively. And it's not like Gregory was drafted high or signed for big money and the Coaching staff and FO feels obligated to have him on the field. Realistically, they should feel more obligatd to have Lawrence playing who was drafted higher and traded up for.

Agreed, in my mind Gregory is a specialist right now until proven otherwise. Either way, it'll be a rotation so I don't know that any one guy is getting played "over" someone else.

 

[TheEnigma]

Don't be so quick to write off TWill. He isn't going to conceed anything to Street just yet.

One thing often overlooked about that "competition" is that Devin Street has done most of his work with the Cowboys in Dez's spot. I'm not saying that Devin is replacing Dez nor am I saying that he can't beat out Terrance. Just saying I don't think he is necessarily going to start of T-Will this year.

Also, concerning Hitchens, I don't think anybody would really be surprised if he finished the year the starter at MLB having earned the position going forward.

 

[guag]

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

Pretty much what I'm thinking, I know Gregory is a rookie but even as a rookie I think he might be a better pass rusher than Mincey. But maybe I'd only want him there on 3rd downs at least initially. I don't really like the idea of Gregory starting full time in Hardy's place to start the season (though who actually does play "full time" on this defense anyway? [Hayden])

Kind of interesting that if Mincey is in fact competing for the left side, both he and Lawrence will be new to the position, at least as far as I know anyway.

 

[Alexander]

1) I continue to be impressed by the growth of Byron Jones as a player and how he has responded to every challenge these coaches have put in front of him. In three weeks, Jones has lined up at every position in the secondary. He has played both corners, slot and now safety. On Wednesday, he lined up deep and then two plays later moved down in the box as a linebacker in coverage. What I really liked about Jones' day is that when he was lined up deep you saw that confidence in his communication and reactions -- which you don’t always find from a rookie in the secondary.

Very encouraging. It would be a boon to have a FS with range, but I think the CB depth problems are going to keep him out there. If anything, the staff needs to decide relatively soon and keep him from shuffling back and forth.

What I really liked about the play was the way that Romo was able to hold Wilcox in the middle of the field with his eyes.

For some reason, I do not think this was a horribly difficult task for Romo to do this to a player like Wilcox.

10) I wish Chaz Green and Laurence Gibson were not injured and missing these reps during practice. I just don’t want to see these guys getting behind and struggling when we get to training camp. La'el Collins is getting better each day just getting work with the second and third offense by practicing. There have been times where he has not been perfect, but there have been more positive snaps than negative ones. It’s a shame I can't say that about Green and Gibson.

We know that Gibson had a documented injury. What is Green's?

 

[visionary]

Don't know about that.

Gregory is a rookie, and an undersized one at that. I'm honestly not really expecting too much from him extensively. And it's not like Gregory was drafted high or signed for big money and the Coaching staff and FO feels obligated to have him on the field. Realistically, they should feel more obligatd to have Lawrence playing who was drafted higher and traded up for.

If Gregory is the top 5 talent he was reported to be, it will be tough to keep him off the field

Top 10 players on DL are starters that year

 

[Jenky]

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

I don't see it. Lawrence is the starter and it's a no brainer. He showed talent and produced in the playoffs, arguably, when it mattered the most. They have to build on that.

 

[Fletch]

If Gregory is the top 5 talent he was reported to be, it will be tough to keep him off the field

Top 10 players on DL are starters that year

Why some don't get this is baffling. If anything, they're rotating in and out, and showing different looks.

 

[jazzcat22]

Very encouraging. It would be a boon to have a FS with range, but I think the CB depth problems are going to keep him out there. If anything, the staff needs to decide relatively soon and keep him from shuffling back and forth.

For some reason, I do not think this was a horribly difficult task for Romo to do this to a player like Wilcox.

We know that Gibson had a documented injury. What is Green's?

I think this was the time to check out all his positions. for several reasons. but mainly to see his versatility and get him somewhat prepared for various positions if needed.
But agree, he will be kept at CB to begin with. Will be interesting to see more in next weeks mini camp. It may give us more of an idea as to what to expect in TC. I do not like all the moving around stuff, especially with a rookie.

Was thinking same, not to difficult for Romo to do that. And not a knock on Wilcox, as Romo can do that to many S's.

I can't recall what Green's injury was, but may have been a lower leg, ankle type thing. But was not considered serious. I think that was from college though.

 

[sideon]

Don't know about that.

Gregory is a rookie, and an undersized one at that. I'm honestly not really expecting too much from him extensively. And it's not like Gregory was drafted high or signed for big money and the Coaching staff and FO feels obligated to have him on the field. Realistically, they should feel more obligatd to have Lawrence playing who was drafted higher and traded up for.

If he doesn't test positive for weed he's gone by the 10th pick.

 

[xwalker]

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

I expect Mincey to be the starter for game 1 at RDE with Gregory getting most of his snaps in obvious passing situations.

When Hardy returns, he will replace Mincey at RDE and Mincey will be the backup LDE and play some DT.

 

[theogt]

I expect Mincey to be the starter for game 1 at RDE with Gregory getting most of his snaps in obvious passing situations.

When Hardy returns, he will replace Mincey at RDE and Mincey will be the backup LDE and play some DT.

I think they'll want to start Mincey given he's a veteran. But like I said, it's going to get hard for them to justify it on those terms because Gregory is simply a better player.

 

[xwalker]

I think they'll want to start Mincey given he's a veteran. But like I said, it's going to get hard for them to justify it on those terms because Gregory is simply a better player.

It's a good problem to have.

 

[erod]

Don't be so quick to write off TWill. He isn't going to conceed anything to Street just yet.

Street's taking Dwayne Harris' role in the offense, not Williams'.

 

[revospeed]

Also, concerning Hitchens, I don't think anybody would really be surprised if he finished the year the starter at MLB having earned the position going forward.

I agree. I have no faith in McClain to show up on gamedays. I expect the starting linebackers to be Lee/Rivers, Hitchens and Wilbur for the majority of the year.

 

[guag]

I agree. I have no faith in McClain to show up on gamedays. I expect the starting linebackers to be Lee/Rivers, Hitchens and Wilbur for the majority of the year.

I'm very lukewarm on Wilbur. Just a whole lotta "meh" to me. But then again he is one of the veterans at LB for us now.

 

[Stash]

This is the real battle -- Mincey vs. Lawrence. They are not going to be able to justify playing Mincey over Gregory, so it'll be a question of who is playing left end.

I was thinking more of Lawrence and Mincey being the early season starters with Gregory replacing Mincey on the outside in obvious passing situations.