Scout's Notebook: Russell Holds His Own, Tapper Shines; Other Thoughts

[gimmesix]

Take all of this stuff with a grain of salt. I've learned that over the years with these training camps.

It's just a matter of time before we get our big training camp fight and our annual WR that everyone loves that ends up never doing much.

Yes, there are plenty of drills that give players at certain positions an advantage, but when it's no longer one-on-one stuff, they disappear.

Now, I'm happy to hear they are doing well in the drills, but I don't take it to be an indication that they are going to do anything this year.

 

[gimmesix]

I want to be excited, but it's hard to get too pumped up about practice; feels like we've heard about how great Claiborne was in training camp before, only to be disappointed once the games roll around.

The main thing with Claiborne is he basically gets nicked up every year and never returns to the level he was playing at early in camp. Last year was one of the few times we got to see an uninjured Claiborne at the start of the season, and he was playing well.

 

[Sydla]

He is going to surprise a lot of people this year. I have no doubt he will be a Cowboy for a few more years.

From your lips to God's ears.

 

[RS12]

Take all of this stuff with a grain of salt. I've learned that over the years with these training camps.

It's just a matter of time before we get our big training camp fight and our annual WR that everyone loves that ends up never doing much.

This year that would be Andy Jones.

 

[jazzcat22]

Yes, there are plenty of drills that give players at certain positions an advantage, but when it's no longer one-on-one stuff, they disappear.

Now, I'm happy to hear they are doing well in the drills, but I don't take it to be an indication that they are going to do anything this year.

Well, do remember, these young DE's as well as the DT's are going against some of the best, if not the best OL in the game. They will learn. And then when they play against OL of lesser talent, we will see, or hope to see, how well they can do.
I say hope, because it remains to be seen. But for an indication as you say, about doing anything this year. I bet the odds are better they do than don't. Only because they practice against the best.
Drills or otherwise, it's still valuable practice.

 

[Section446]

The main thing with Claiborne is he basically gets nicked up every year and never returns to the level he was playing at early in camp. Last year was one of the few times we got to see an uninjured Claiborne at the start of the season, and he was playing well.

I'm certainly hopeful, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To this point, that pick has been nothing but a black eye on the organization.

 

[Section446]

Well, do remember, these young DE's as well as the DT's are going against some of the best, if not the best OL in the game. They will learn. And then when they play against OL of lesser talent, we will see, or hope to see, how well they can do.
I say hope, because it remains to be seen. But for an indication as you say, about doing anything this year. I bet the odds are better they do than don't. Only because they practice against the best.
Drills or otherwise, it's still valuable practice.

To be fair, our DL has been practicing against the best (or one of the best) OL's in the league for the past 3 years, and it hasn't amounted to much.

 

[AsthmaField]

Take all of this stuff with a grain of salt. I've learned that over the years with these training camps.

It's just a matter of time before we get our big training camp fight and our annual WR that everyone loves that ends up never doing much.

Impressive list of predictions.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm certainly hopeful, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To this point, that pick has been nothing but a black eye on the organization.

Yeah it has been a black off for the club… Having said that, he has never looked as good as he has so far. If he stays healthy he will help the team this year.

Morris has never been the smartest of players and I think it has just taken him a very long time to get comfortable mentally and to be healthy.

I'm not holding my breath but he does look good

 

[jazzcat22]

To be fair, our DL has been practicing against the best (or one of the best) OL's in the league for the past 3 years, and it hasn't amounted to much.

This is a different and better group. So Hayden, an injured McClain, an injured Crawford, and whoever else they thew out there vs. a healthy McClain, a healthy Crawford, Thornton and a better group of young DE's.
Forget the past years, this is a new year.

 

[jazzcat22]

I'm certainly hopeful, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To this point, that pick has been nothing but a black eye on the organization.

Black eyes heal...Mo is healed...

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm certainly hopeful, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To this point, that pick has been nothing but a black eye on the organization.

Every team has them. It isn't some kind of exclusive club the Cowboys belong too.

 

[Sydla]

This is a different and better group. So Hayden, an injured McClain, an injured Crawford, and whoever else they thew out there vs. a healthy McClain, a healthy Crawford, Thornton and a better group of young DE's.
Forget the past years, this is a new year.

Crawford isn't healthy.

 

[CCBoy]

To be fair, our DL has been practicing against the best (or one of the best) OL's in the league for the past 3 years, and it hasn't amounted to much.

Personnel has changed quite a bit over that period of time. If one is going to measure change, include all of it.

 

[jazzcat22]

Crawford isn't healthy.

Minor set back supposedly...but you know what I meant.

 

[Sydla]

Minor set back supposedly...but you know what I meant.

When the coach comes out and says they have a "plan" for him, when involving a back, it should perk up your ears.

Until I see him on the field and he's out there every single practice, I am going to think something might be amiss there.

 

[speedkilz88]

Sore back isn't quite like a torn rotator cuff or torn achilles

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Big fan of Tapper heading into the draft. He reminds me of a slightly smaller Fletcher Cox; versatile with the ability to flip inside on obvious passing downs.

 

[Sydla]

Sore back isn't quite like a torn rotator cuff or torn achilles

Well, if he just tweaked it getting out of bed, sure. But if it's more than that, it could be a bigger problem that could have similar effects to a torn rotator cuff.

Hopefully, all he did was tweak his back, a few days of rest and he's fine. But when Garrett came out and said they had a "plan" to deal with his back, that should raise your eyebrows. As mentioned in another thread, I had back problems in college and it ended up being a herniated disc and I required surgery to fix it. I had a "plan" too prior to surgery and all it did was help with pain here or there but eventually the only way to fix it was through surgery.

 

[jnday]

I don't like that they are using him on kick returns. He's been too fragile to put him in that role. Let him focus on being a good corner and keep him off special teams.

Since he has been a big disappointment at CB, I am fine with Mo contributing on special teams. They need to get the most playing time out of him that they can.