Scout's Notebook: Coping With Injuries Vs. Seattle, D-Line Rotation; More

[RS12]

• We haven’t seen Justin Durant play in these first two preseason games, but I wonder if that will change this week in Seattle. The staff has been very cautious in dealing with Durant due to the fact that he had no offseason program in order to get in shape. Since the team has returned from California, I am hearing that he has been getting more and more work as part of the defensive rotation and he has played well in the opportunities he has received.

• Tyrone Crawford’s absence on Monday is likely to be an opportunity forMaliek Collins, who has been lining up as the under-tackle or three-technique. I expect we’ll see plenty from Collins in Seattle in an effort to get him game ready for the season. Collins will be paired with Terrell McClain on the first defense and also Cedric Thornton – who is currently the backup. We haven’t seen it much during camp, but at some point I expect we will see McClain lining up at that under-tackle spot to work with Thornton as well.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ping-injuries-vs-seattle-d-line-rotation-more

 

[jazzcat22]

Broaddus has been much better this year, it seems. As he has been reporting more than evaluating too....LOL...
But he has been pushing more for Keith Smith over Rod Smith. And maybe there is something to it. We have not seen much of Rod Smith. And he was my offensive pet cat player. But I can't disagree with anything Broaddus has said about the FB's. I hope Rod is back and we see him the next few games, and has a good showing.

A bit confusing on what he said about Mayowa, and not being where he needs to be, but says his motor is running non-stop. Maybe he just needs more reps and some playing time.
Need to see Collins in there too.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Heath! He'll go out there and show why he should be out there every passing situation instead of church

 

[MichaelWinicki]

A bit confusing on what he said about Mayowa, and not being where he needs to be, but says his motor is running non-stop. Maybe he just needs more reps and some playing time.
Need to see Collins in there too.

I had to re-read that section of the article also because I found it confusing... Here's what was posted:

"Given that I no longer have the opportunity to study extensive practice reps, my understanding of Mayowa’s game is not where it needs to be."

It's Broaddus referring to his own understanding of Mayowa's game...

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I like Rod Smith but giving the situations at line backer maybe it's better to keep Keith Smith instead. He can play FB, LB and special teams. He looked decent last game I week be watching more of him tonight

 

[CCBoy]

I had to re-read that section of the article also because I found it confusing... Here's what was posted:

"Given that I no longer have the opportunity to study extensive practice reps, my understanding of Mayowa’s game is not where it needs to be."

It's Broaddus referring to his own understanding of Mayowa's game...

Wonder if he will have a problem studying for the return of a player such as Darren McFadden...as a scout?

 

[xwalker]

Heath! He'll go out there and show why he should be out there every passing situation instead of church

There were a few snaps last season in obvious passing situations where Heath replaced Church. When I saw it, I though Church was injured, but then Church was out there on special teams a few plays later.

 

[xwalker]

Broaddus has been much better this year, it seems. As he has been reporting more than evaluating too....LOL...
But he has been pushing more for Keith Smith over Rod Smith. And maybe there is something to it. We have not seen much of Rod Smith. And he was my offensive pet cat player. But I can't disagree with anything Broaddus has said about the FB's. I hope Rod is back and we see him the next few games, and has a good showing.

A bit confusing on what he said about Mayowa, and not being where he needs to be, but says his motor is running non-stop. Maybe he just needs more reps and some playing time.
Need to see Collins in there too.

Keith looks better than Rod, IMO. Also his ability to be an emergency backup LB could factor into their decision. Keith Smith has been a top special teams player in the games that he has played in the past.

 

[stilltheguru88]

There were a few snaps last season in obvious passing situations where Heath replaced Church. When I saw it, I though Church was injured, but then Church was out there on special teams a few plays later.

It should stay that way. Speed is needed on this team.

 

[jazzcat22]

Keith looks better than Rod, IMO. Also his ability to be an emergency backup LB could factor into their decision. Keith Smith has been a top special teams player in the games that he has played in the past.

This is why I can't argue against him making the team over Rod.
Rod does offer some of his own versatility though. He supposedly is a good ST's player, he can also line up at RB, has lined up as a receiver too. But we have depth at those positions.
However he has not shown that in PS, as he has been out with an infection. And when he was in, he didn't do anything that stood out, that I know of.
So I will have to give the nod to Keith Smith right now. And I do like Keith Smith, as he filled in at LB the last few years as needed. And he didn't do anything that went against him. He is willing to do what is asked of him to help the team. And that is good.

 

[xwalker]

This is why I can't argue against him making the team over Rod.
Rod does offer some of his own versatility though. He supposedly is a good ST's player, he can also line up at RB, has lined up as a receiver too. But we have depth at those positions.
However he has not shown that in PS, as he has been out with an infection. And when he was in, he didn't do anything that stood out, that I know of.
So I will have to give the nod to Keith Smith right now. And I do like Keith Smith, as he filled in at LB the last few years as needed. And he didn't do anything that went against him. He is willing to do what is asked of him to help the team. And that is good.

They can always keep Rod on the practice squad if they think he can further develop. I don't think another team would sign either one of them to their 53, at least not initially.

 

[Silverstar]

I'm not worried about our offense as we seem to be more or less stacked and have scored 58 points already. My focus on this game will be who plays DE and how much pressure they get...Mayowa, Tapper, Russell etc. Would like to see someone really break out in these next two games.