Smoak: Five players who’ve impressed…

cowboyjoe

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Five players who’ve impressed…

2nd Aug, 2009As we head into Sunday’s practices, I started jotting down some names that have stood out to me since training camp started in San Antonio.

I’m not going to list the obvious playmakers like Ware, Ratliff, James, Witten, Romo and others…those guys must play well.

Here are five players or groups that have caught my attention—knowing as I’ve said before, you have to be very careful not to “reach” with an opinion about a player during training camp or even the pre-season.

(In no particular order)

1) Martellus Bennett, the Cowboys are lining up in what appears to be more double tight end formations, whether one tight end and an H-Back, but Witten and Bennett are a difficult twosome to handle and the Cowboys need to find ways to keep a constant double-team off Witten. Of course, the running game and wide receivers will have something to say about that too.

2) Orlando Scandrick/Mike Jenkins, there’s a lot of talk about who will be the other starting cornerback opposite Terence Newman. Well, these two are going to make that a difficult decision, but—all three will be on the field a lot. I think the coaches would like to see Jenkins win the battle for the second corner for obvious reasons, including Jenkins being a first-round pick and the money invested. But Scandrick is just a player with a constant chip on his shoulder.

3) RB by committee, I know Barber has been to a pro bowl, and Felix Jones is the people’s choice with his speed, but Tashard Choice just makes plays and is going 100% against other players or against air. Jones is so cat quick and there’s one specific play that he always seem to make big yardage, a counter to the right side with most all movement to the left. It’s like he’s 5-yards downfield before anyone can react. If he remains healthy, I think he’ll score on that play a couple of times. Barber is lighter, quicker, and probably healthier. He took a beating last season, and I’m sure he wants a bounce back season as much as anyone else. Those two, along with Choice gives the Cowboys a three-headed running back monster. It’s a position that will takes bumps and bruises, so you can never have too many good one’s.

4) Gerald Sensabaugh: There appears to be a confidence in the back part of the secondary that hasn’t been there in quite some time. I always thought OU-Roy took the bad rap too many times—but Sensabaugh seems to flow to the ball when it’s in the air…he’s fluid when the ball is in the air and should solidify an obvious concern in the Cowboys secondary. He’s also physical enough to play against the run when necessary.

5) Personality. I’ve been asked about this many times this week, but there is something different about this team. I don’t know if it leads to more or less wins, but other than the regular 2-3 “diva’s,” this team has a bunch of guys who just want to practice and play the game.

Again, I don’t think this team is as talented as in the past year or two, but we saw what that did in December.

The Cowboys rid themselves of those who talked more than they played, and I can’t help but think that’s a good thing.

I don’t know of one question I’ve asked or others have asked that’s been about something other than football.

Well, unless you had to listen to Jerry’s 28-minute barrage on the “party-pass” promotion.

David Smoak

Tags: Felix Jones, Gerald Sensabaugh, Marion Barber, Martellus Bennett, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Tashard Choice
Posted in Training Camp News by Smoaky
 

yentl911

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Personality. I’ve been asked about this many times this week, but there is something different about this team. I don’t know if it leads to more or less wins, but other than the regular 2-3 “diva’s,” this team has a bunch of guys who just want to practice and play the game.

I don't know about the rest of you but this is a breath of fresh air and is very, very good news.

I am hoping this can be a camp where the players can concentrate on getting better as football players and collectively as a team.

As much as I liked watching "Hard Knocks" last year, I doubt it did us any good. I am also glad JJ decided to clean out some of the riff-raff this summer. Much needed.
 

casmith07

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I hate the word "talented". It's become so overused by the media that it's basically used to describe if you've got a diva/superstar at the WR position. What we seem to be buildin is a team, not a "talented" grouping of individual players.
 

THUMPER

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casmith07;2863851 said:
I hate the word "talented". It's become so overused by the media that it's basically used to describe if you've got a diva/superstar at the WR position. What we seem to be buildin is a team, not a "talented" grouping of individual players.

Well said! I couldn't agree more. :starspin
 

Clove

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THUMPER;2863858 said:
Well said! I couldn't agree more. :starspin
I agree, as long as in December, we're competing for championships I'm on board.
 

MetalHead

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RB by commitee.
The Treacherous Three(Barber,Jones,Choice) are sure an asset.I love the possibilities.
 

dmq

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Who0 are the 2-3 divas that are left?
 

CF74

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I'm hoping Sheriff Red Garrett will tone down loud mouth Crayton this year as far as "Divas" are concerned. Cept he's no TO in the diva dept..:laugh2:
 

EPL0c0

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These guys offer up 3 different looks for defenses to worry about. The more they rotate in there the better off they'll be later in the season, which is more important than figuring out who should be the starter or who should get more carries.

That said, I think Choice should start with Barber 3rd down/short yardage guy. Felix is the wildcard because he can come in on almost any down and hit a big one.

No matter what, the question is, can Jason Garrett come up with a game plan to take advantage of all three of their individual talents/abilities.
 

CATCH17

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dmq;2863963 said:
Who0 are the 2-3 divas that are left?

If I had to guess Bradie James and Marcus Spears would be on that list of Divas.
 

DallasEast

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Judas;2863863 said:
I agree, as long as in December, we're competing for championships I'm on board.
So, if events do not follow your expectations, you'll jump ship.

With a username like yours, do you believe that your decision will surprise anyone?
 

Clove

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DallasEast;2864035 said:
So, if events do not follow your expectations, you'll jump ship.

With a username like yours, do you believe that your decision will surprise anyone?
I'm all for the team concept and all the warm feelings, the cozy friendship environment, the soft training camps, the easy feelings around the locker room, Romo playing Golf all summer, us not trying to beef up the WR position, drafting an additional kicker, all of that stuff.

I'm on board, as long as we're winning. If we're not winning, then none of that crap matters to me.
 

DallasEast

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Judas;2864038 said:
I'm all for the team concept and all the warm feelings, the cozy friendship environment, the soft training camps, the easy feelings around the locker room, Romo playing Golf all summer, us not trying to beef up the WR position, drafting an additional kicker, all of that stuff.

I'm on board, as long as we're winning. If we're not winning, then none of that crap matters to me.
Well, duh.
 

Bleu Star

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yentl911;2863833 said:
Personality. I’ve been asked about this many times this week, but there is something different about this team. I don’t know if it leads to more or less wins, but other than the regular 2-3 “diva’s,” this team has a bunch of guys who just want to practice and play the game.

I don't know about the rest of you but this is a breath of fresh air and is very, very good news.

I am hoping this can be a camp where the players can concentrate on getting better as football players and collectively as a team.

As much as I liked watching "Hard Knocks" last year, I doubt it did us any good. I am also glad JJ decided to clean out some of the riff-raff this summer. Much needed.

Great post. I agree 110%.
 

theWave21

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I'm trying to figure out how this team is less talented than in years past. Losing TO at wr is the only spot where the Cowboys aren't better off versus the last few seasons.
 
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