Six takeaways from Cowboys training camp: Early tells for who makes the 53-man roster

[waving monkey]

Tyrone Crawford dominated the headlines yesterday, and we eventually got word that his injury doesn't look as bad as initially feared, and that he may even be back in time for the season opener.

In the meantime, here are some takeaways from what else happened at camp on Tuesday.

1. No more kings of the Go route?
A Go route is simple route where the receiver runs straight upfield towards the end zone. There are two objectives of such a route: Outrun any defensive backs for an uncontested TD pass, or clear out space to create mid-range passing opportunities to a TE, WR, or RB. In 2014, Romo's last full year with the team, the Cowboys used the go route more than any other team for their outside receivers.

Here are the Go route numbers for 2014 from ProFootballFocus, showing that Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant were kings of the go route, despite the Cowboys having the second fewest pass attempts in the league with 476 attempts that year.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...ls-for-who-makes-the-53-man-roster-dez-bryant

 

[Daillest88]

Tyrone Crawford dominated the headlines yesterday, and we eventually got word that his injury doesn't look as bad as initially feared, and that he may even be back in time for the season opener.

In the meantime, here are some takeaways from what else happened at camp on Tuesday.

1. No more kings of the Go route?
A Go route is simple route where the receiver runs straight upfield towards the end zone. There are two objectives of such a route: Outrun any defensive backs for an uncontested TD pass, or clear out space to create mid-range passing opportunities to a TE, WR, or RB. In 2014, Romo's last full year with the team, the Cowboys used the go route more than any other team for their outside receivers.

Here are the Go route numbers for 2014 from ProFootballFocus, showing that Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant were kings of the go route, despite the Cowboys having the second fewest pass attempts in the league with 476 attempts that year.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...ls-for-who-makes-the-53-man-roster-dez-bryant

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! Please more Dig routes for Dez!!

Good to hear Collins and Green are back in practice. As I said in another post he's giving Martin's problems, our defense really could suprise people this year

 

[jrumann59]

Damn how many years have fans been asking to have Dez running more west coast style routes that take advantage of his running style.

 

[Daillest88]

Damn how many years have fans been asking to have Dez running more west coast style routes that take advantage of his running style.

This is huge!!! This can really wear down a defense. There's no book on this! This is exactly what they need to do, switch the go routes with dig routes with Dez. Give the go routes to Butler.

 

[casmith07]

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! Please more Dig routes for Dez!!

Good to hear Collins and Green are back in practice. As I said in another post he's giving Martin's problems, our defense really could suprise people this year

Dez destroys DBs on the dig route. It's like an automatic first down with a chance to run for more after the catch. I'm all for it.

Maliek Collins is going to make himself a lot of money. I think he's going to be the best player on the defensive line this year.

 

[Stash]

Damn how many years have fans been asking to have Dez running more west coast style routes that take advantage of his running style.

Just one fan's opinion, but I don't think we ran them enough because throwing them wasn't one of Romo's best qualities.

 

[jazzcat22]

Could never figure out why they didn't use Dez in that play more often, seems it always worked for a big gain or TD. Also the slant pass, need to get that in more. With any of the WR's. Or heck, use Rod Smith too for it.

It will be interesting to see what wrinkles and plays they come up with that works well with Dak. The excuse that there is a year of film on Dak may hold some truth, as it does with all rookie QB's. But with Dak they have the talent to utilize new things.

I told a friend, that RG3 would not be as good in his 2nd year because of a year of film. But because of his style, and taking off and running, because he is not as big of a threat as a pocket passer. So it would be easy to use that reasoning against Dak, but it does not apply here IMO.

 

[big dog cowboy]

6. Anthony Hitchens is the real deal
Hitchens doesn't have much of a standing among Cowboys fans, but has quietly started 36 of a possible 48 games in three years, and is entering his contract year this year. From everything I've seen in camp, 2017 will easily be his best year. In fact, he'll probably be so good that he'll price himself straight out of Dallas.

Very underrated and under appreciated by the fans. He played pretty well the 2nd half of last season. I hope he stays long term.

Lee, Smith, Hitchens, Wilson, Nzeocha and Wilbur. It's easy to see why the Cowboys didn't draft a LB. Especially when they only run their base defense about 30% of the time.

 

[Stash]

Very underrated and under appreciated by the fans. He played pretty well the 2nd half of last season. I hope he stays long term.

Lee, Smith, Hitchens, Wilson, Nzeocha and Wilbur. It's easy to see why the Cowboys didn't draft a LB. Especially when they only run their base defense about 30% of the time.

I can't help but to wonder about Wilson's situation?

The team appears to be playing him as if he'll be available for week one, but one would think that he was facing a suspension for certain based on his arrest.

And, of course, the league will do the team no favors in letting the player and team know in advance of the upcoming season...

 

[jazzcat22]

I can't help but to wonder about Wilson's situation?

The team appears to be playing him as if he'll be available for week one, but one would think that he was facing a suspension for certain based on his arrest.

And, of course, the league will do the team no favors in letting the player and team know in advance of the upcoming season...

true, the NFL screws up a lot, but I think they will hit until the court does it things, as to the actual charges.
This may go well into the season. I bet he is suspended for the playoffs.

 

[waving monkey]

21`

Very underrated and under appreciated by the fans. He played pretty well the 2nd half of last season. I hope he stays long term.

Lee, Smith, Hitchens, Wilson, Nzeocha and Wilbur. It's easy to see why the Cowboys didn't draft a LB. Especially when they only run their base defense about 30% of the time.

Rising Star appreciates Hitchens

 

[aikemirv]

Dez destroys DBs on the dig route. It's like an automatic first down with a chance to run for more after the catch. I'm all for it.

Maliek Collins is going to make himself a lot of money. I think he's going to be the best player on the defensive line this year.

I understand everyones excitement of Dez getting the ball more on dig routes but Dez has to be smarter in his YAC. Dez is so strong that when he fights for more yardage he opens himself up to lower leg injuries. He needs to know when to go down!

 

[Stash]

I understand everyones excitement of Dez getting the ball more on dig routes but Dez has to be smarter in his YAC. Dez is so strong that when he fights for more yardage he opens himself up to lower leg injuries. He needs to know when to go down!

That's true as well.

 

[jobberone]

Very underrated and under appreciated by the fans. He played pretty well the 2nd half of last season. I hope he stays long term.

Lee, Smith, Hitchens, Wilson, Nzeocha and Wilbur. It's easy to see why the Cowboys didn't draft a LB. Especially when they only run their base defense about 30% of the time.

On the nosey. Still miss him! Risen thinks Hitchens is just another guy (JAG) but he's starting material in this league. He's not a star but he's a solid starter and at all three positions. Valuable roster player. One of the less experienced guys needs to step up a few games at least. I want to see two cover guys and I think we have Lee and Wilson there already with Smith a big question mark, Hitchens as ok, and Nzeocha as a bigger question there as well as inexperienced at it.

 

[mahoneybill]

Just one fan's opinion, but I don't think we ran them enough because throwing them wasn't one of Romo's best qualities.

Agree. At least to me , a lot of Tony's interceptions were from LB's. They would be the first ones in the line of defense for this type of route.

 

[Common Sense]

I'm not sure why the writer thinks we'd let Hitchens walk when he could easily take over at Will once Lee retires.

 

[Corso]

21`

Rising Star appreciates Hitchens

Looking at your avi reminds me of Clint Eastwood's very first acting role. A cameo, being a bumbling scientist who lost his mouse in a Creature From the Black Lagoon sequel opposite John Agar. Possibly the most annoying actor of 50's B movie sci-fi's.
I had to look at him several times before figuring out Hey! That's a really young Clint!

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

My reaction when I see that Green is back at practice.

Oh Cool Green is back practicing!.............aaand he's hurt again

 

[casmith07]

I understand everyones excitement of Dez getting the ball more on dig routes but Dez has to be smarter in his YAC. Dez is so strong that when he fights for more yardage he opens himself up to lower leg injuries. He needs to know when to go down!

I do agree with this. All players need to do it.

 

[Alexander]

If camp is anything to go by this year, the Cowboys (and Dez Bryant in particular) could become the Kings of the Dig Route.

Interested to see what is quantifiable from practice that suggests we will be running more digs and fewer go.

I will believe it when I see it.