Some Of The Things I'm Keeping An Eye On During TC

[darthseinfeld]

- The young DE's.

With the suspensions of Lawrence and Gregory, we are going into the season with two unproven starters at DE (not that Gregory is all that proven). Im really interested in seeing how much the completion for those early season starting spots pushes the unproven DE's. Mayowa is interesting as a pure penetrating DE, Russell and Tapper both profile as rounded DE's, while Irving looked very good in a small role and has a very intriguing combo of size amd athleticism. Right now its anyones best guess as the who starts weeks 1-4, but the battle for those spots is going to be one to watch. Right now Im pulling for Tapper, because he has the upside to be a very good starting DE in both the pass and run.

- What Dak Prescott looks like playing the pro game.

To me if Dak wants to be the Cowboys QB of the future, he needs really look the part in TC and have a great preseason. Considering how serious the Cowboys were about getting a QB of the future and the fact the didnt land one, i think they will be even more serious about it next offseason. If Dal wants to change there mind, he has 1 shot at it. He needs a great camp

- The rookie DB's

Out of Brown and Frazier neither, will even earn rotational roles out of camp, but they might be thrust into one during the season. Considering our luck of late on the injury front that might be all bit certain lol. Long term however we need young DB's. These two players are guys to keep an eye on to see if they can press for large roles in the future. Brown got some pub post draft as a solid value pick in the 6th and he is a guy who if he plays with more disciple could develope into a top 3 CB on our roster in the future. Frazier has a good athletic SS build, much more so then Church. Like Brown he needs to work on his play discipline and taking better angles to the ball. As 6th round picks these two have a solid amount of upside but like I said both need to play more discipled to even get on the field. It is going to be interesting to watch in TC how they respond to pro coaching

- Who starts at LB and where?

I feel we have a solid awnser at MLB in Hitchens. However Damien Wilson's (whom I feel has better upside) progress bears watching. Wilson to be has the talent to play deep, sideline to sideline, and downhill. Ive never really been wowed with Hitchens as a downhill defender. Not that he is bad, just not much of a brute presence. Where Hitchens makes his money is that he is cerebral and assignment sound. This is why he has been able to log quality starts at all 3 LB spots. He is a player who is rarely out of position. He seems to work best sideline to sideline and while he isnt a TO threat in that three deep zone, he is a player that can see the play and get in position for a stop. While I dont think he has a chance to beat him out, I think Wilson has the chance to force himself on the field some at Mike with a solid camp and preseason. Wilson seems like a better bet for the Sam spot, where he will likely be battling Gachkar and SPARQ superstar Mark Nezeocha.

 

[dogunwo]

I really want to see Darius Jackson in the offense. If he sucks then fans will say we wasted a pick on a position where we're deep already. If he is pretty decent then fans will say "trade McFadden or cut Dunbar". If he is awesome then fans will say "see, we shouldn't have drafted Zeke because we can get a good back later in the draft!"

 

[darthseinfeld]

I really want to see Darius Jackson in the offense. If he sucks then fans will say we wasted a pick on a position where we're deep already. If he is pretty decent then fans will say "trade McFadden or cut Dunbar". If he is awesome then fans will say "see, we shouldn't have drafted Zeke because we can get a good back later in the draft!"

With Jackson I think his play on ST's os going to be a huge factor. If he can earn a role on the coverage units, McFadden might be gone. His actual running ability may even only play a small role in that

 

[big dog cowboy]

There seems to be someone to watch at almost every position this summer. Look anywhere on the practice field and you will see someone interesting to watch.

 

[darthseinfeld]

There seems to be someone to watch at almost every position this summer. Look anywhere on the practice field and you will see someone interesting to watch.

Good amount of intrigue this summer. Suspensions will really force us to go with unproven players at some positions. I think that has alot to do with it

 

[lwehlers]

I just want this team to stay healthy. I also want to see if Prescott can throw the ball down the field. if all he does is check down and throw short passes like weedon and the qb we had in McGee then he won't be worth wasting time with in the future.

 

[Idgit]

Good stuff.

There's very little chance Prescott delivers this early. He's got a lot to work on and it'll be next year in preseason at the earliest before we get a sense of what he might be if he develops. We're going to have to double up on young QBs unless Kellen Moore somehow gives us a Jeff-Garcia like bridge player.

At LB, if Wilson stops chasing cars he could be a fun 2nd year player to watch. Hitchens gets a bit of a bum rap in run support. There were plenty of times in short yardage and goal line where he brought the wood and made the stop. He's a good all around player once expectations for his athleticism are taken into account.

 

[Teague31]

On O looking at Chaz Green and Darius Jackson
On D it's Nzeocha and how Jones does at FS

 

[DFWJC]

I really want to see Darius Jackson in the offense. If he sucks then fans will say we wasted a pick on a position where we're deep already. If he is pretty decent then fans will say "trade McFadden or cut Dunbar". If he is awesome then fans will say "see, we shouldn't have drafted Zeke because we can get a good back later in the draft!"

Once you drafted after pick 200, I'm not so sure you can really have a serious "wasted pick". It's such a crap shoot at that point usually.
Barring an injury or a trade, I think it might be tough for Jackson to make the game-day roster.
Have to admit that I'm really curious though.

 

[CrownCowboy]

I also will be watching Tapper. I'm excited to see Irving get more opportunities as well. He's got the physical tools and has actually done some good things in meaningful football games. Hopefully he builds on that.

With that being said, these injuries over the last few years have been absolutely ridiculous. I realize it's part of the game and I'm not excusing the play of this team because of that, but hopefully we can actually field a professional football team this year instead of a medical ward.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Once you drafted after pick 200, I'm not so sure you can really have a serious "wasted pick". It's such a crap shoot at that point usually.
Barring an injury or a trade, I think it might be tough for Jackson to make the game-day roster.
Have to admit that I'm really curious though.

How many HBs do we usually have active? If he makes the 53 as the 3rd HB, I think it will have more to do with ST play. And if thats the case, he should be active

 

[DFWJC]

How many HBs do we usually have active? If he makes the 53 as the 3rd HB, I think it will have more to do with ST play. And if thats the case, he should be active

I said barring injury or trade, because I have ahrd time seeing him make the 53 ahead of Elliott, DCM, and Morris. But maybe they carry 4 and Dunbar is odd man out. Or maybe they trade someone.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

- The young DE's.

With the suspensions of Lawrence and Gregory, we are going into the season with two unproven starters at DE (not that Gregory is all that proven). Im really interested in seeing how much the completion for those early season starting spots pushes the unproven DE's. Mayowa is interesting as a pure penetrating DE, Russell and Tapper both profile as rounded DE's, while Irving looked very good in a small role and has a very intriguing combo of size amd athleticism. Right now its anyones best guess as the who starts weeks 1-4, but the battle for those spots is going to be one to watch. Right now Im pulling for Tapper, because he has the upside to be a very good starting DE in both the pass and run.

- What Dak Prescott looks like playing the pro game.

To me if Dak wants to be the Cowboys QB of the future, he needs really look the part in TC and have a great preseason. Considering how serious the Cowboys were about getting a QB of the future and the fact the didnt land one, i think they will be even more serious about it next offseason. If Dal wants to change there mind, he has 1 shot at it. He needs a great camp

- The rookie DB's

Out of Brown and Frazier neither, will even earn rotational roles out of camp, but they might be thrust into one during the season. Considering our luck of late on the injury front that might be all bit certain lol. Long term however we need young DB's. These two players are guys to keep an eye on to see if they can press for large roles in the future. Brown got some pub post draft as a solid value pick in the 6th and he is a guy who if he plays with more disciple could develope into a top 3 CB on our roster in the future. Frazier has a good athletic SS build, much more so then Church. Like Brown he needs to work on his play discipline and taking better angles to the ball. As 6th round picks these two have a solid amount of upside but like I said both need to play more discipled to even get on the field. It is going to be interesting to watch in TC how they respond to pro coaching

- Who starts at LB and where?

I feel we have a solid awnser at MLB in Hitchens. However Damien Wilson's (whom I feel has better upside) progress bears watching. Wilson to be has the talent to play deep, sideline to sideline, and downhill. Ive never really been wowed with Hitchens as a downhill defender. Not that he is bad, just not much of a brute presence. Where Hitchens makes his money is that he is cerebral and assignment sound. This is why he has been able to log quality starts at all 3 LB spots. He is a player who is rarely out of position. He seems to work best sideline to sideline and while he isnt a TO threat in that three deep zone, he is a player that can see the play and get in position for a stop. While I dont think he has a chance to beat him out, I think Wilson has the chance to force himself on the field some at Mike with a solid camp and preseason. Wilson seems like a better bet for the Sam spot, where he will likely be battling Gachkar and SPARQ superstar Mark Nezeocha.

Unfortunately, Wilson runs about as well as Wilber does. He is pigeonholed to a SAM and ST guy. I just don't see him playing either of the other two spots.

 

[bodi]

I can't wait and see the WR's fight it out Bulter - Andy Jones - Chris Brown - Vince Mayle

 

[Yuma Cactus]

There will be a poll up at cowboyszone.com tomorrow to decide who I will follow (video) for one entire practice.

 

[darthseinfeld]

There will be a poll up at cowboyszone.com tomorrow to decide who I will follow (video) for one entire practice.

I vote Cami Griffin

 

[jobberone]

Backup QB
2-3 RB
?FB
3-5 WR ?6WR
ST, backup interior esp C
DL
LB esp last two
CB 4-5
S 2-4

TE, LS, K, P only non-intriguing positions

 

[Bullflop]

I'll be anxious to see Zeke Elliott operating behind an OL that may well be improved for us this year.

Also cannot wait to see how well Dak is able to perform throughout preseason for his newfound team.

It should also be interesting see what Tapper, Mayowa and Ryan Russell have to offer at the DE spots.

I wonder if Hitchens, Neocha and Wilson will be proven worthy of replacing Rolando at the Mike position.

I'll also be hoping to see Mo Claiborne showing off his improved body transformation and better coverage.

 

[Longboysfan]

Backups along the O line.
Find out what we drafted at QB.

 

[Falco78]

DE is where my major focus will be followed by rookies and 2nd year players