Scout's Notebook: Andy Jones & Zach Wood Stand Out Among Undrafteds

speedkilz88

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Sunday, August 07, 2016 12:38 AM CDT
Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
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I’ve been noticing in the offensive running game, an emphasis to get La’el Collins and Zack Martin out in space in front of the ball carriers. There were several snaps in the Run/Play Action period where Travis Frederick was able to capture the defensive tackle front side and Jason Witten was able to do the same with the defensive end. These blocks have set up Martin hooking the linebacker and Collins working on first support -- which is usually the corner. Alfred Morris has shown nice patience in allowing these blocks to develop before spilling the ball to the outside and around the corner. The finished results have been outstanding.

Andy Jones has been the best of the undrafted receivers to make his mark in this first week of practice. Jones has shown up so well that the coaches are using him in sets with the first offense. Jones made two outstanding plays in 1-on-1 of just going to get the ball. He is a physical player off the line, as well. On one snap, he just shoved Deji Olatoye aside and ran his slant inside to finish the play. I had a member of the front office tell me that Tony Romo has so much confidence in his ability that he is not afraid to throw him the ball in any situation. Clearly high praise for the young receiver.

With all the injuries to the defensive tackles on this squad, it has been undrafted Zach Wood that has been taking the snaps with the first defense in these practices. During the 1-on-1 portion of practice, it was the slippery Wood that was able to get a couple of nice rushes against La’el Collins. Wood was able to take advantage of Collins over setting on him and spin back to the inside for a pressure. On the next rush, it was Wood with straight quickness off the line, which caused Collins to lunge off balance and resulted in him reaching for air. Collins received a third shot at Wood and this time he was ready. Wood made the mistake of trying to take Collins down the middle and his hand placement and power were just too much for him to overcome. It is not surprising that Zach Wood has been running ahead of Rodney Coe, who hasn’t been nearly as consistent with his effort and finish as the coaches would like.
 

RS12

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ahead of Rodney Coe, who hasn’t been nearly as consistent with his effort and finish as the coaches would like.

Not a plus for a guy trying to impress the staff.
 

Bullflop

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ahead of Rodney Coe, who hasn’t been nearly as consistent with his effort and finish as the coaches would like.

Not a plus for a guy trying to impress the staff.

Very true -- and that means everything at the professional level. Guys can oftentimes get away with laziness in college, where the availability of capable talent is somewhat more limited. At the NFL level, a lack of effort will get you booted just as surely as anything else. Nice to see that there's some serious competition available for Coe in the person of DE, Zach Wood. Broaddus described him as "slippery"-- I like that.
 
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