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

[Plankton]

Very promising.

Charles Tapper looked like an edge rusher in this practice. There were several snaps in 1-on-1 where he was off the ball before the tackle had a chance to react. What was even more impressive was the way Tapper was able to finish his rush. He showed power, along with pass rush moves (spin) in order to free himself to get to the level of the quarterback. Tapper was also able to get up the field in the running game, where he had a tackle for loss during Team Period and was able to later retrace his steps in order to get back to the ball.

Tapper was completely miscast at Oklahoma as a 5T DE. Playing head up on an offensive tackle completely negated his first step quickness and ability to take the edge on the rush. He will need some technique work, but there is a lot to work with in Tapper.

 

[jazzcat22]

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.

They did do an MRI, so you would think they would seen if it was a herniated disk.
Also you should be very well aware of the Garrett speak..."have a plan" is typical even for a hangnail....

But I do understand what you are saying, as I am tired of the "day to day" speak...just tell us a dang time table...LOL...

 

[Plankton]

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.

Back injuries are also a little more scary when you're talking about someone who is absorbing blows from 300 pound linemen down in and down out. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

 

[Craig]

Ill be optimistic about claiborne if he ever gets through camp healthy. Until then ill expect another mediocre year.where hes favoring a leg or shoulder or whatever.

 

[Daillest88]

Tapper did well vs Tyron Smith I heard. That's good to hear . Especially fir full day in pads

 

[Denim Chicken]

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

The have a plan for 14-15 guys. It's just precautionary, but i do understand the skepticism of this FO's injury comments.

 

[DallasDomination]

Blah blah blah... Morris Claiborne looks legit. Ok now I'm interested.

 

[gimmesix]

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.

Yes, I would much rather see them at least win a few battles against Smith, Frederick and Martin than none at all. That gives us some reason to hope.

As long as we remember that the drills aren't the same as games, we'll keep our expectation level from rising too high. For instance, one-on-ones allow defenders to try anything they can to get around or through an offensive lineman, so they favor the defense. During a game, you've got to work within the scheme and if you take too wide a path or throw in too many moves, you are simply not going to get to the QB before he passes the ball.

 

[gimmesix]

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.

Mo was quite good at the start of last year and I'd rather focus on him building on that or at least playing the same than throw him on special teams and risk injury taking away our third-best corner.

I know fans are rightfully disappointed with his career so far, but I'd rather build on the positives than focus on his previous failures. He was a better than Carr last year when healthy and I'd like to see us nurture that player.

He's not going to contribute enough on special teams IMO for it to be worth risking him to injury. He needs to be given every chance to prove he has worth as a corner this year.

 

[gimmesix]

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.

Again, I thought he played like a starting-caliber corner at the start of last season before losing time to injury again. He clamped down on some pretty good receivers in those first few games especially.

I'm glad to hear that he continues to improve himself physically and is showing that kind of form again. Some players take a while to get it, and injuries have done their part to set Claiborne back. If he can avoid those injuries, maybe he can play at least near the level expected of him when he was drafted.

 

[jwitten82]

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.

We hear that every year, and he alwaus disappoints. He's going into his 5th year and he has proved to be average

 

[Daillest88]

We hear that every year, and he alwaus disappoints. He's going into his 5th year and he has proved to be average

Everyone last year wrote him off. Including me. He showed some growth last year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We hear that every year, and he alwaus disappoints. He's going into his 5th year and he has proved to be average

He has shown to be better than ever. Last year was his best and it sounds like he is healthy and in better shape than ever. No reason to believe he won't build on his best year.