Scout's Notebook: Surprising Lineup Shuffles, Leary's Fitness; More

[RS12]

• Orlando Scandrick worked at left cornerback in the morning walkthrough and that carried over into the afternoon. Brandon Carr took snaps on the right side with Morris Claiborne working on both the left and sides. There is no question that the coaching staff is doing this in order to put Scandrick, their best playmaker, in position to make more plays on the ball.

• It was interesting to see Ryan Russell lining up at right defensive end with the first defense. Russell has been working exclusively on the left side, and with DeMarcus Lawrence being suspended, he would have a chance to start there. As the practice went on, I am just not sure how comfortable he was rushing from the right. Going against Tyron Smith is never easy, because he is going to eliminate any moves you try. Russell was unable capture the edge like he did during those practices at Valley Ranch. I need to keep an eye on his progress as he continues to get work there. I do think it’s good the coaches have the confidence that they could move him over there and give that a try.

• We have learned over these last two seasons how important it is to keepTony Romo upright with the best protection possible. Rod Smith learned that lesson during blitz period when he bounced too far to the outside trying to help Doug Free, instead of staying inside to protect the “B” gap.

Scout's Notebook: Surprising Lineup Shuffles, Leary's Fitness; More

 

[Cowboy06]

Glad that Leary is in good shape, seems to be a true pro. As for Rod Smith, glad he's learning, but I'm sick of people needing to help Doug Free. Then again I know Free is not horrible, but just seems to always be a weak link in the passing game.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

• Orlando Scandrick worked at left cornerback in the morning walkthrough and that carried over into the afternoon. Brandon Carr took snaps on the right side with Morris Claiborne working on both the left and sides. There is no question that the coaching staff is doing this in order to put Scandrick, their best playmaker, in position to make more plays on the ball.

Scout's Notebook: Surprising Lineup Shuffles, Leary's Fitness; More

To make more? How about just make at least 1.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I've had Ryan Russell as the one of the starting DE's week 1. He can play a little bit. Russell > Irving, Tapper, JCrawford. If Marinelli takes that much time to coach you up then you must have something. He's going to get every opportunity to be the starter at RDE.

 

[jrumann59]

Glad that Leary is in good shape, seems to be a true pro. As for Rod Smith, glad he's learning, but I'm sick of people needing to help Doug Free. Then again I know Free is not horrible, but just seems to always be a weak link in the passing game.

RT is usually the number 2 tackle on the team. Smith helping free could be as little as he misread the blocking hence why missed the inside guy. Being a RB sometimes you feel like you are doing something wrong when you are not blocking someone if that is what you are supposed to do call it over eagerness. RT usually always have help whether its RB or TE help. The DE over there are usually good run defenders.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I've had Ryan Russell as the one of the starting DE's week 1. He can play a little bit. Russell > Irving, Tapper, JCrawford. If Marinelli takes that much time to coach you up then you must have something. He's going to get every opportunity to be the starter at RDE.

Yeah they really seem to be fawning all over Russell - I'm praying they are right.

 

[Nexx]

so...... collins at right tackle and leary at guard? free as a backup makes sense at his age

 

[RS12]

so...... collins at right tackle and leary at guard? free as a backup makes sense at his age

Run blocking would be second to none. Not sure about Collins on the edge at this point. Romo not exactly durable these days.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I wouldn't mind seeing Collins at RT and Leary at OG. Need to find out so we can be done with OL for a few years

 

[LocimusPrime]

Free is going to need help when the Giants line Vernon on Tyron and JPP on free. JPP is quick. He's going to give Free trouble. Just saying.

 

[noshame]

Glad to see they're giving Russell a chance to practice against the best everybody else he faces in games will be a cakewalk

 

[Bullflop]

Our RT spot sorely needs someone able to step up and provide the pass protection needed to keep Romo upright. Free may not be the worst RT around in that respect but has also proven himself in the past to be far from the best. Here's hoping Chaz Green proves himself ready at some point to step up and be a guy at RT who is capable of more reliable pass protection.

 

[Silver N Blue]

so...... collins at right tackle and leary at guard? free as a backup makes sense at his age

He was a top T coming out of college last year and played it in college. Just my opinion but this line with Collins out right would be awesome.

 

[Satchel89]

I'm going to try and not overreact to the first day of training camp, But I do like hearing that Escobar was looking pretty good. I still think he has a chance to be a legitimate weapon. Maybe I'm just hoping too much

 

[Daillest88]

Andy Jones just needs more reps. I do like how he knows how to use his hands tho. Can't wait for some preseason games. Lol I need my fix

 

[speedkilz88]

I've had Ryan Russell as the one of the starting DE's week 1. He can play a little bit. Russell > Irving, Tapper, JCrawford. If Marinelli takes that much time to coach you up then you must have something. He's going to get every opportunity to be the starter at RDE.

I think he's playing RE only due to Mayowa's absence. He'll likely be back at LE at some point to compete with Irving for the starting spot while Lawrence is suspended.

 

[Hardline]

Collins will not be moved to RT.
The OL positions are set in stone.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Russell always profiled more like a pass rushing LDE to me. He seems like a guy that would be able to defend the run and set that strong side edge.

Out of the DE's we have drafted, Tapper seems more like a RDE to me. But I believe he is a year away from being in any starting convo.

 

[BigStar]

Glad to see they're giving Russell a chance to practice against the best everybody else he faces in games will be a cakewalk

I was almost feeling sorry for him in a sense. Let him get some confidence, etc. But I hear your logic 100%...give him a few reps against Free on the side first.

 

[BigStar]

"We have learned over these last two seasons how important it is to keepTony Romo upright with the best protection possible. Rod Smith learned that lesson during blitz period when he bounced too far to the outside trying to help Doug Free, instead of staying inside to protect the “B” gap. Anthony Hitchens would have had a clean run at Romo as Smith was too late to adjust back inside. Smith knew he was wrong as soon as he saw Hitchens there."


This confirms Free gets help inside on blitze protection and our OL doesn't run the standard (in football and the NFL) inside-out scheme for pass protection. This is to accomodate a lesser player in Free (in pass protection). Explains some of the free shots on Romo tbh. Free gets inside help, maybe Collins/Leary can run a standard blitz protection scheme? XWalker brought this up a couple of seasons back but was dismissed as irrelevant, etc.

Audibles to WRs are then shortened to accommodate, etc. That's not very Romo friendly (Free protection scheme) but understand we can't have 5 pro bowlers at every position. I'm excited they are experimenting and even starting camp that way. A slight upgrade would have gone a long way; we selected Chaz Green. Leary is a capable starter and if the Collins experiment doesn't work we have the Free scheme as plan B. win win