News: Top 5 Cowboys veterans who could shock everyone at training camp

CCBoy

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Top 5 Cowboys veterans who could shock everyone at training camp

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...ns-who-could-shock-everyone-at-training-camp/


1. Cole Beasley
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Beasley?? Yes, Beasley. With all the talk about whether or not Brice Butler can unseat Terrance Williams to line up opposite Dez Bryant, maybe the diminutive Beasley should be getting all the press instead. Beasley ran 353 of his 408 routes out the slot last year, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be Romo’s second option after Dez. Beasley is normally the most sure-handed receiver on the team, is lightning quick and difficult to get a hand on. It’s not inconceivable that he becomes a 60+ catch guy as future Hall-of-Famer Jason Witten slows some.

There was plenty of talk of Beasley’s ascension last offseason, but not much of it to this point in 2016. Fans shouldn’t be surprised if training camp features a lot of talk about the offenses reliance on the slot guy.

2. Alfred Morris
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Morris was the team’s answer to the running back question when he was signed to a very friendly two-year deal in the later phase of free agency. After changing their run scheme to suit Darren McFadden in 2015, Morris’ zone acumen was the hope prior to drafting Ezekiel Elliott. Morris’ production dipped in Washington as they moved to more of a power man scheme under Jay Gruden. While Elliott will get the lions share of carries in the regular season, Morris will get the chance to earn the backup role; though he doesn’t have the pass catching ability to be the third-down specialist. If he shows out during camp, he could give Dallas one of the league’s most potent 1-2 punches at the position.


3. Brandon Carr
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Carr took a paycut over the offseason of over $3 million, a move made to show his commitment to helping the Cowboys win. It was also a concession that his last two seasons, void of interceptions, were not played to the level of his contract. In the final year of his deal, don’t be surprised if “contract year bump” comes into play for the ninth-year vet. Carr will face competition from the newly bulked up Morris Claiborne to line up opposite Orlando Scandrick. All eyes will be on the right side, where Carr was placed after spending the last four seasons stationed on the left. Carr played on the right in Kansas City, where he played well enough Dallas offered him a five-year, $50 million deal. No comment on why it took so long to return him, but watch out for a potential rebirth...
 

CCBoy

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Man we need #5 the most!!!

5. Terrell McClain
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McClain has been on the Cowboys roster for the last two years, but don’t blame fans for barely noticing. The defensive tackle was lost for the year in Week 2 last season due to a toe injury. This was on the heels of missing parts of camp with other injuries. When he was on the field though, some observers thought that he was the Cowboys best defensive lineman, making a huge jump from the 2014 version of himself. Dallas went out and signed Cedric Thornton to bolster the interior of the line, but don’t be shocked if McClain makes his presence known and forces snaps in his direction once the lights come on for the regular season.

Mix him in with Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton, and Maliek Collins...well, things do tend to get more interesting, inside.
 

lwehlers

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5. Terrell McClain
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McClain has been on the Cowboys roster for the last two years, but don’t blame fans for barely noticing. The defensive tackle was lost for the year in Week 2 last season due to a toe injury. This was on the heels of missing parts of camp with other injuries. When he was on the field though, some observers thought that he was the Cowboys best defensive lineman, making a huge jump from the 2014 version of himself. Dallas went out and signed Cedric Thornton to bolster the interior of the line, but don’t be shocked if McClain makes his presence known and forces snaps in his direction once the lights come on for the regular season.

Mix him in with Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton, and Maliek Collins...well, things do tend to get more interesting, inside.

mcclain is waste of a roster spot. the guy does just enough to get a paycheck and then gets hurt and takes the rest of the season off to heal. we need players that we can count on.
 

CCBoy

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mcclain is waste of a roster spot. the guy does just enough to get a paycheck and then gets hurt and takes the rest of the season off to heal. we need players that we can count on.

Glad to see someone is beyond wrong in declaring the heart of an athlete...that happens to also be a Cowboys player.
 

lwehlers

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Glad to see someone is beyond wrong in declaring the heart of an athlete...that happens to also be a Cowboys player.

the guy has been on this team two years now and both seasons has ended in season ending injuries. I might be wrong in saying he is just here for a paycheck but I cannot believe that this year will be any different with him. he is injury prone and not worth the roster spot. I bet he gets hurt after the first four games and he does not play much after that.
 

nathanlt

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Shouldn't this headline read, "
Top 5 Cowboys veterans who could shock everyone at training camp, you won't believe #3!!

I'm just sayin' ... it's from the internets after all...
 

Kaiser

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Man we need #5 the most!!!

We definitely need McClain to step up. DT depth is my biggest position worry.

But of the players on this list, I think Brandon Carr is the best bet to have a good season. He will be covering lesser WRs with Scandrick back and he will be in a contract year.
 

StarBoyz83

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We definitely need McClain to step up. DT depth is my biggest position worry.

But of the players on this list, I think Brandon Carr is the best bet to have a good season. He will be covering lesser WRs with Scandrick back and he will be in a contract year.

Dt depth is your biggest worry when we have no de's no de depth or a mlb and no lb depth? I know t Crawford isnt great but him and the eagle cast off should be decent.
 

CCBoy

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Until the arrival of Lawrence and Gregory, this does looking interesting as a start:

Defensive end (Benson Mayowa): Signed as a restricted free agent from the Oakland Raiders, the Cowboys are betting that with more playing time will come more sacks. He is coming off knee surgery before minicamp but should be ready to go and win the job during Randy Gregory's four-game suspension.

Defensive end (David Irving): With DeMarcus Lawrence out the first four games because of a suspension, Irving and Ryan Russell will get the chance to win this job. Russell took most of the turns in the spring with Irving limited with a wrist injury.

Defensive tackle (Tyrone Crawford): He signed a five-year, $45 million deal last summer and posted a career-high five sacks. He knows the Cowboys need more, especially with the suspensions of Lawrence and Gregory.

Defensive tackle (Cedric Thornton): The Cowboys' biggest free-agent signing at four years, $17 million, the Cowboys are looking at him as a solid run defender with some pass rush ability. They need him to occupy blockers to help Crawford.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/pos...zekiel-elliott-to-start-and-have-a-big-season
 

starfrombirth

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Glad to see someone is beyond wrong in declaring the heart of an athlete...that happens to also be a Cowboys player.

Just wondering.... have you seen something to the contrary?? To my recollection, he has been injured the majority of his time here.
 

CCBoy

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Just wondering.... have you seen something to the contrary?? To my recollection, he has been injured the majority of his time here.

Oh, let's be blind...

he's still be kept around, and the starter for the past few years, was released.

Then there is the strong showing when he wasn't injured...but who's paying attention.

And by the way, he would inherit a rotational role, unless he showed very strongly in Camp. Clearly, Crawford and Thornton are the projected starters.

But when someone hangs their 'insight' upon not having proven themselves at top shelf levels...then Mayowa, Irvin, Gregory, and Lawrence would have to be thrown on that pile as well...so?
 

jazzcat22

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the guy has been on this team two years now and both seasons has ended in season ending injuries. I might be wrong in saying he is just here for a paycheck but I cannot believe that this year will be any different with him. he is injury prone and not worth the roster spot. I bet he gets hurt after the first four games and he does not play much after that.

So how often has Romo got injured?....Is he just collecting a paycheck also?
 

darthseinfeld

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No one knows enough about McClain to question his heart. He is just fragile.

Looney is more important than people realize. Bernadeau logged starts as a backup each of the past 3 seasons, with 2013 having him start most of the year
 

CCBoy

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No one knows enough about McClain to question his heart. He is just fragile.

Looney is more important than people realize. Bernadeau logged starts as a backup each of the past 3 seasons, with 2013 having him start most of the year

Good observations...
 

darthseinfeld

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Good observations...

Now Ive been in favor of trading Leary if we can get solid assetts in return. But it is important to keep in mind that we have utilized that backup OG spot the past few years. A fact I dont think is lost on the FO. Looneys presence does allow us to make a deal if a good one presents itself
 

CCBoy

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Now Ive been in favor of trading Leary if we can get solid assetts in return. But it is important to keep in mind that we have utilized that backup OG spot the past few years. A fact I dont think is lost on the FO. Looneys presence does allow us to make a deal if a good one presents itself

Valid.

I just can't shake loose from the point of both a great unit and great depth. I'm very interested to see how the picture with Chaz Green plays out. The team made a concerted effort towards the future, by taking him in the 3rd round.
 

CalPolyTechnique

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I'm not holding my breath, but I'd add Mo Claiborne to that list; when you've set the bar so low, any improvement would be welcomed.
 
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