Scout's Notebook: Maliek Collins' Power, Cooper Working At Guard; More

[bodi]

I LIKE

•The coaches continue to show confidence in John Lotulelei as the weak side linebacker when Sean Lee doesn’t practice. None of the other linebackers have shown up like he has

•Jonathan Cooper took the majority of snaps at left guard with the first offense. I didn’t notice any major problems technique-wise, but it did appear that he made a mental mistake during Team Period when he went the wrong way on a counter. Ezekiel Elliott took the ball to the right as all the blockers went down inside to the left -- with the exception of Cooper, who went to his right.

•Rookie Noah Brown showed up in this practice. His reception on a post with Ryan Switzer running a clearing route and Dez Bryant crossing behind was a thing of beauty in 7-on-7. Brown came back later in the practice during the two-minute drill with a sideline comeback against Sammy Seamster that was also well executed. Seamster was right there and had a chance, but it was a perfect pass from Kellen Moore to the outside -- which Brown caught with extended hands.

 

[LocimusPrime]

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article156250279.html

Cooper is the odds on favorite to win the guard position. No surprise here

 

[waving monkey]

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article156250279.html

Cooper is the odds on favorite to win the guard position. No surprise here

Is he healthy

 

[Silver N Blue]

Welp if Collins can give Zack Martin trouble, he should be able to give anybody trouble.

This team may very well have found this era's Russell Maryland....still one of my favorite picks from last year this kid looks to be legit!

 

[Risen Star]

Encouraged to hear how hard Dak has been working.

When you lack talent you have to work harder.

Quincy Carter used to be the last guy out in meetings. It just meant it took him longer to absorb everything. As much as that little melvin could.

 

[jazzcat22]

We need Collins and another young Dlineman to step up and provide us with a solid pass rush next season.

Yes, this was where I hoped T. McClain could stay on, but he had too many nagging injuries. He played well when he was healthy.

So this year, if they can get the pass rush going, and keep Crawford at DT, along with Thornton in his 2nd year in the scheme now, and the addition of Paea it may be better.
But this is where that 2nd young DT needs to step up is a year away, if at all. Ivie, and with Irving suspended the 1st 4 games, and they go long at DL. Then he may have a chance at getting in some snaps.

We will need to get that other young DT to pair with Collins next year in the draft, if they don't get it going this year. But a good pass rush will help the DT's, as well as the young secondary.
It is getting there though.

 

[jazzcat22]

When you lack talent you have to work harder.

Quincy Carter used to be the last guy out in meetings. It just meant it took him longer to absorb everything. As much as that little melvin could.

Or maybe he just did not realize the meeting had ended. Just offering some food for thought.

 

[LandryFan]

Completely random question.

I have an iPhone 6. Anyone else have trouble reading articles from the Cowboys site on their iPhones? I can't scroll down without it freezing.

I have the same issue on my ipad.

 

[DCreppinBoysfan]

Good to hear about Maliek. If he can be a poor mans Warren Sapp I'm thrilled

McFarland ain't walking through that door....

 

[RoboQB]

When you lack talent you have to work harder.

Quincy Carter used to be the last guy out in meetings. It just meant it took him longer to absorb everything. As much as that little melvin could.

Carter was just killin' time before meeting with his dealer.

 

[RoboQB]

McFarland ain't walking through that door....

It has been established on this board that Sapp was a force before Booger McFarland walked thru the door
in Tampa... but you're new here.

 

[Teague31]

When you lack talent you have to work harder.

Quincy Carter used to be the last guy out in meetings. It just meant it took him longer to absorb everything. As much as that little melvin could.

Only because it took him a bit to pack up all of his cocaine

 

[CowboyRoy]

The one guy that is able to give Zack Martin trouble is Maliek Collins. It’s rare that you see Martin get knocked off balance against power, but that’s what Collins was able to do during the Team Period. When Collins can get his hands inside first, he’s going to win because of his upper body power. Where Martin was able to counter Collins was with a powerful punch of his own, which forced him to have to restart his rush, limiting his ability to get to Prescott.

Jonathan Cooper took the majority of snaps at left guard with the first offense. I didn’t notice any major problems technique-wise, but it did appear that he made a mental mistake during Team Period when he went the wrong way on a counter. Ezekiel Elliott took the ball to the right as all the blockers went down inside to the left -- with the exception of Cooper, who went to his right.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...-power-cooper-working-guard-more?sf88709307=1

I think we can all see that Collins is the real deal. When players are good, they show it pretty quickly and you see it.

From what I have been reading thus far, it appears that Cooper is the guy with the inside track on the guard spot. Not sure where that leaves Green. Probably on the bench where he has always been.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It has been established on this board that Sapp was a force before Booger McFarland walked thru the door
in Tampa... but you're new here.

For anyone to say that McFarland made Sapp is just ridiculous.

 

[speedkilz88]

McFarland ain't walking through that door....

 

[diefree666]

I think we can all see that Collins is the real deal. When players are good, they show it pretty quickly and you see it.

From what I have been reading thus far, it appears that Cooper is the guy with the inside track on the guard spot. Not sure where that leaves Green. Probably on the bench where he has always been.

When Collins DOES IT for a COMPLETE SEASON then he is the real deal. Until then just another wannabe.

 

[gimmesix]

I also took note that Cooper is back with the starters at left guard. I fully expect that will be the lineup going forward into training camp. The time for experimentation and shuffling is over. Time to dominate.

It'll be interesting to see if any of the starting guard candidates only play guard at camp ... and probably pretty telling about our intentions. For example, if Cooper only lines up at guard while Green lines up at guard and tackle, I think it will be safe to assume that Cooper is being given first crack even if Green gets some first-team snaps there. If they split starting time at guard while also practicing at a second position, then it likely means Dallas hasn't settled on a starter. Hopefully, if that's the case it will because both of them are playing at a high level.

 

[diefree666]

It'll be interesting to see if any of the starting guard candidates only play guard at camp ... and probably pretty telling about our intentions. For example, if Cooper only lines up at guard while Green lines up at guard and tackle, I think it will be safe to assume that Cooper is being given first crack even if Green gets some first-team snaps there. If they split starting time at guard while also practicing at a second position, then it likely means Dallas hasn't settled on a starter. Hopefully, if that's the case it will because both of them are playing at a high level.

What I like is that all the candidates at LG are better athletes then Leary was - so we have the potential of being better there no matter who ends up starting.

 

[CowboyRoy]

When Collins DOES IT for a COMPLETE SEASON then he is the real deal. Until then just another wannabe.

LOL............well said. I am typically the voice of reason. He did a pretty good job last year. I am not ready to call the guy a pro bowler, but he was a great draft pick. I am willing to make that call here and now. And its not hard to imagine that if this guy can get any help at DE with a pass rush and this defense can ever get some acclaim the pro bowl wouldnt seem too far behind. But yah, proceed with caution for sure. One season is never enough.

 

[Stash]

It'll be interesting to see if any of the starting guard candidates only play guard at camp ... and probably pretty telling about our intentions. For example, if Cooper only lines up at guard while Green lines up at guard and tackle, I think it will be safe to assume that Cooper is being given first crack even if Green gets some first-team snaps there. If they split starting time at guard while also practicing at a second position, then it likely means Dallas hasn't settled on a starter. Hopefully, if that's the case it will because both of them are playing at a high level.

If you have the chance, check out the recent interview with OC Scott Linehan on dallascowboys.com. He essentially says that they've been experimenting along the offensive line but says that it's essentially over with and moving forward they're going to be playing guys at the positions they expect them to play.

He confirmed what myself and others felt that they were doing.