junk
I've got moxie
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1. The linebacker battle.
The team definitely has numbers at LB. I think it will be one of the most hotly contested battles of camp. You can probably pencil in Ware and Nguyen as starters. The other two are up for grabs. You can probably pencil in Nguyen, Ware and Burnett as locks for the roster. Thornton, Shanle and James are more than likely on the squad. The rest are up for grabs. With the emergence of the 3-4, I would guess 6-8 rosters spots will be devoted to LBers.
Some particular players I will be watching:
Bradie James - I thought he played poorly last year. Seemed to miss assignments. He is one of the bigger LBers so his presence in the middle would be nice if he can "get it" this year.
Scott Shanle - Looked pretty good replacing Singleton last year, but it took a Singleton injury before he could crack the starting lineup. Not very big for an ILB (237), however he is probably better suited there than outside. Shanle or James will need to step up for the 3-4 to be successful IMO. I'll be rooting for them.
Goolsby/Cooper/Fowler/O'Neil - The backup types, I suspect one will emerge and make the squad. I am unabashedly rooting for COOPER!
Burnett - I expect him to start opposite Ware eventually. BP has publicly questioned the size at this position. I expect Burnett to add some weight next offseason, but will he be good enough to start this year? I hope so.
Singleton - Other than Dat, the only real vet on the team. Everybody hates him, but he is solid if unspectacular. Does he win a starting job? If not, does BP keep him around for the vet presence and backup ability? I wouldn't be surprised to see him cut, starting or backing someone up.
2. The #2 QB battle
Henson vs. Romo. No doubt Bledsoe is the starter this year. Romo has more recent experience and "moxie". Henson arguably has better skills and a higher upside. Should be a fun one to watch and will make the second half of preseason games interesting. Can't wait for the spin on this one from both sides.
3. How much 3-4 gets played?
Its obvious BP wants to go 3-4, but how much will he play it? Some of the best players are ill suited to a 3-4. Can the rookies transition to it successfully in training camp? Spears, Ware and Burnett were 4-3 guys first and have little experience in the 3-4. Other than Canty, most of the draft picks were guys that can play both. I expect the coaching staff to implement a 3-4 early and if it looks good stick with it although there will still be 4-3 looks. IMO, TC will determine if the team can run it this year and how much of the time.
4. The Right Tackle battle
Who emerges here? Candidates include Ben Noll, Jacob Rogers, Rob Pettitti, Torrin Tucker and Kurt Vollers. It would be nice to see the second rounder step up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tucker emerges the winner again. Whoever wins will benefit from Rivera and Campbell.
5. The Free Safety battle
This is a battle I want to watch with my hand over my eyes. Battle of the uglies. Whoever wins will benefit from a much improved secondary that added Glenn and Henry. I don't really have a clue here, but I would guess Reese or Davis. Heck, it could be someone not even on the roster. Damien Robinson? People tell me Ty Law might take a discount to play with BP again and move to FS.
6. The Returners
Who returns kicks? Who returns punts? I would guess Marion Barber probably is one of the guys on kickoff return. Crayton or Frazier on PR? This will be interesting just to see who BP lines up back there. A-Train was doing it in mini-camp.
7. Who plays where?
There are some guys that I am not sure where they will be playing this year.
Ryan Fowler - Inside is my guess. Anyone know for sure?
Jay Ratliff - Is he a DT or a DE? Does it depend on scheme?
Jermaine Brooks - See above.
Leo Carson - Where does he play in a 3-4?
Roger Cooper - Which LB spot is he playing? Doesn't matter, I still want him on the team.
Mike Goolsby - See Fowler.
8. Fullback
Does craptastic Darian Barnes make the team again? Or is the Repenter booted by Polite? I guess I am cheering for Polite. This is a battle I will watch, but doesn't excite me much.
Thoughts?
The team definitely has numbers at LB. I think it will be one of the most hotly contested battles of camp. You can probably pencil in Ware and Nguyen as starters. The other two are up for grabs. You can probably pencil in Nguyen, Ware and Burnett as locks for the roster. Thornton, Shanle and James are more than likely on the squad. The rest are up for grabs. With the emergence of the 3-4, I would guess 6-8 rosters spots will be devoted to LBers.
Some particular players I will be watching:
Bradie James - I thought he played poorly last year. Seemed to miss assignments. He is one of the bigger LBers so his presence in the middle would be nice if he can "get it" this year.
Scott Shanle - Looked pretty good replacing Singleton last year, but it took a Singleton injury before he could crack the starting lineup. Not very big for an ILB (237), however he is probably better suited there than outside. Shanle or James will need to step up for the 3-4 to be successful IMO. I'll be rooting for them.
Goolsby/Cooper/Fowler/O'Neil - The backup types, I suspect one will emerge and make the squad. I am unabashedly rooting for COOPER!
Burnett - I expect him to start opposite Ware eventually. BP has publicly questioned the size at this position. I expect Burnett to add some weight next offseason, but will he be good enough to start this year? I hope so.
Singleton - Other than Dat, the only real vet on the team. Everybody hates him, but he is solid if unspectacular. Does he win a starting job? If not, does BP keep him around for the vet presence and backup ability? I wouldn't be surprised to see him cut, starting or backing someone up.
2. The #2 QB battle
Henson vs. Romo. No doubt Bledsoe is the starter this year. Romo has more recent experience and "moxie". Henson arguably has better skills and a higher upside. Should be a fun one to watch and will make the second half of preseason games interesting. Can't wait for the spin on this one from both sides.
3. How much 3-4 gets played?
Its obvious BP wants to go 3-4, but how much will he play it? Some of the best players are ill suited to a 3-4. Can the rookies transition to it successfully in training camp? Spears, Ware and Burnett were 4-3 guys first and have little experience in the 3-4. Other than Canty, most of the draft picks were guys that can play both. I expect the coaching staff to implement a 3-4 early and if it looks good stick with it although there will still be 4-3 looks. IMO, TC will determine if the team can run it this year and how much of the time.
4. The Right Tackle battle
Who emerges here? Candidates include Ben Noll, Jacob Rogers, Rob Pettitti, Torrin Tucker and Kurt Vollers. It would be nice to see the second rounder step up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tucker emerges the winner again. Whoever wins will benefit from Rivera and Campbell.
5. The Free Safety battle
This is a battle I want to watch with my hand over my eyes. Battle of the uglies. Whoever wins will benefit from a much improved secondary that added Glenn and Henry. I don't really have a clue here, but I would guess Reese or Davis. Heck, it could be someone not even on the roster. Damien Robinson? People tell me Ty Law might take a discount to play with BP again and move to FS.
6. The Returners
Who returns kicks? Who returns punts? I would guess Marion Barber probably is one of the guys on kickoff return. Crayton or Frazier on PR? This will be interesting just to see who BP lines up back there. A-Train was doing it in mini-camp.
7. Who plays where?
There are some guys that I am not sure where they will be playing this year.
Ryan Fowler - Inside is my guess. Anyone know for sure?
Jay Ratliff - Is he a DT or a DE? Does it depend on scheme?
Jermaine Brooks - See above.
Leo Carson - Where does he play in a 3-4?
Roger Cooper - Which LB spot is he playing? Doesn't matter, I still want him on the team.
Mike Goolsby - See Fowler.
8. Fullback
Does craptastic Darian Barnes make the team again? Or is the Repenter booted by Polite? I guess I am cheering for Polite. This is a battle I will watch, but doesn't excite me much.
Thoughts?
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