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As the final day of the Cowboy’s first phase of 2019 OTAs wraps up, which players have made early impressions during the initial team sessions? Even with many projected starters not participating, the names who’ve stood out may raise some eyebrows, even this far out from training camp.
RB Tony Pollard
The Cowboys have long-been infatuated with the idea of integrating a weapon like Tony Pollard into the offense: an elusive, hybrid receiver/running back with game-breaking speed. Will their latest attempt to fill that void in Pollard finally be the answer they’ve been seeking?
He’s at least immediately turning heads, as Pollard was responsible for what sounds like the most electric moment of OTAs thus far.
One of the highlights of team drills today: Rookie RB Tony Pollard with a big run weaving in and out of defenders all the way to the end zone. Ezekiel Elliott was impressed, yelling and running about 50 yards to celebrate with Pollard
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 22, 2019
It was plain to see why Pollard was such a big-play machine at Memphis, as most observers couldn’t help but note just how quick Pollard seemed with the ball in his hands. Just exactly how Kellen Moore and Jason Garrett utilize him during the regular season remains to be seen, but with the RB2 position wide-open, Pollard may be getting first dibs.
Perhaps more encouraging than the big play however, was Pollard’s blitz pick-up, as Bryan Broaddus’s noted in his OTAs Day 2 recap. Broaddus remarked how well Pollard was able to pick up the blitzing corner off the edge (albeit without pads). Still, for someone with pass protection questions, at least Pollard is showing flashes of what can further developed by Cowboys coaches.
Jon’Vea Johnson
Nov 25, 2016; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Pass interference is called against Western Michigan Broncos defensive back Sam Beal (18) defending a pass intended for Toledo Rockets wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson (7) during the first half at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Overall team speed is definitely something which has stood out during OTAs, an area WR coach Sanjay Lal says the team has made an concerted effort to improve. And it’s not just Pollard who’s leaving a blazing trail on the practice field, but dark horse WR candidate Jon’Vea Johnson is making people take notice. Said Lal of Johnson to SportsDay Dallas:
The UDFA out of Toledo was one of the team’s 30 national pre-draft visitors, and he still definitely attention of the coaching staff. Johnson was also used on a reverse, taking a Mike White flip downfield while reading key blocks from Mitch Hyatt and Dalton Schutlz.
Kerry Hyder
One of Dallas’s more under-the-radar moves of the offseason, the initial reaction to the Hyder signing speculated he was a possible 3-tech option for the defensive line. But from Day 1, it appears he’s being moved back to a DE in the Cowboys’ base 4-3 scheme. Also according to Broaddus, Hyder is a different player rushing off the edge instead of battling inside:
If the early looks are any indication, Hyder could be an extremely useful player for the Cowboys, especially in the beginning of the season should versatile defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford miss any time due to his Panama City bar fight.
Randall Cobb
Dallas’s free agent addition with the most brand-name recognition is a man on a mission, which could be huge for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense. After his unceremonious exit from Green Bay, many questioned what the 28-year-old Cobb had left. But during these initial OTAs, he apparently looks right at home alongside speed demons like Pollard and Johnson.
Lal on Randall Cobb: I don't think he's lost a step. He has a chip on his shoulder cause people think he's washed up. Those are his words. So, he did great all offseason, training. We train hard here. …And he's all in on that stuff.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 22, 2019
Also telling was how Lal described Cobb’s role within the offense, which appears not to strictly designate him as the slot guy brought in to replace Cole Beasley.
Lal on being able to move Cobb around the field: Our formations allow us to put the "F" [receiver] wherever we want. Any guy. We can put the "Z" inside. So when you see Amari inside, he's not playing a different position, we just have a way to put him inside and the "F" outside.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 22, 2019
There’s a lot of pressure on first-year OC Kellen Moore and Prescott to successfully run an offense which has stagnated over the past two seasons. Being able to lean on the skills and experiences of a battle-tested receiver like Cobb can perhaps bring a stabilizing element to the Cowboys offense in 2019.
Continue reading...
RB Tony Pollard
The Cowboys have long-been infatuated with the idea of integrating a weapon like Tony Pollard into the offense: an elusive, hybrid receiver/running back with game-breaking speed. Will their latest attempt to fill that void in Pollard finally be the answer they’ve been seeking?
He’s at least immediately turning heads, as Pollard was responsible for what sounds like the most electric moment of OTAs thus far.
One of the highlights of team drills today: Rookie RB Tony Pollard with a big run weaving in and out of defenders all the way to the end zone. Ezekiel Elliott was impressed, yelling and running about 50 yards to celebrate with Pollard
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 22, 2019
It was plain to see why Pollard was such a big-play machine at Memphis, as most observers couldn’t help but note just how quick Pollard seemed with the ball in his hands. Just exactly how Kellen Moore and Jason Garrett utilize him during the regular season remains to be seen, but with the RB2 position wide-open, Pollard may be getting first dibs.
Perhaps more encouraging than the big play however, was Pollard’s blitz pick-up, as Bryan Broaddus’s noted in his OTAs Day 2 recap. Broaddus remarked how well Pollard was able to pick up the blitzing corner off the edge (albeit without pads). Still, for someone with pass protection questions, at least Pollard is showing flashes of what can further developed by Cowboys coaches.
Jon’Vea Johnson
Nov 25, 2016; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Pass interference is called against Western Michigan Broncos defensive back Sam Beal (18) defending a pass intended for Toledo Rockets wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson (7) during the first half at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Overall team speed is definitely something which has stood out during OTAs, an area WR coach Sanjay Lal says the team has made an concerted effort to improve. And it’s not just Pollard who’s leaving a blazing trail on the practice field, but dark horse WR candidate Jon’Vea Johnson is making people take notice. Said Lal of Johnson to SportsDay Dallas:
“Jon’Vea the last two days, his speed and athleticism and how smooth he is has shown up here almost a little bit earlier than we thought it would,” Lal said Wednesday, “because we think he’s going to process. Most young guys are thinking a lot. He’s done a good job of learning his plays and coming out here and showing what he can do.”
The UDFA out of Toledo was one of the team’s 30 national pre-draft visitors, and he still definitely attention of the coaching staff. Johnson was also used on a reverse, taking a Mike White flip downfield while reading key blocks from Mitch Hyatt and Dalton Schutlz.
Kerry Hyder
One of Dallas’s more under-the-radar moves of the offseason, the initial reaction to the Hyder signing speculated he was a possible 3-tech option for the defensive line. But from Day 1, it appears he’s being moved back to a DE in the Cowboys’ base 4-3 scheme. Also according to Broaddus, Hyder is a different player rushing off the edge instead of battling inside:
” . . . Kerry Hyder looks like a different man playing at end instead of head-up tackle. The coaching change in Detroit did him no favors last season . . . It appears that Hyder has his quickness back, but he also has some pass rush moves in his tool belt. I thought maybe they were going to use him as an under-tackle, but putting him back at end might be his best shot at making the roster.”
If the early looks are any indication, Hyder could be an extremely useful player for the Cowboys, especially in the beginning of the season should versatile defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford miss any time due to his Panama City bar fight.
Randall Cobb
Dallas’s free agent addition with the most brand-name recognition is a man on a mission, which could be huge for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense. After his unceremonious exit from Green Bay, many questioned what the 28-year-old Cobb had left. But during these initial OTAs, he apparently looks right at home alongside speed demons like Pollard and Johnson.
Lal on Randall Cobb: I don't think he's lost a step. He has a chip on his shoulder cause people think he's washed up. Those are his words. So, he did great all offseason, training. We train hard here. …And he's all in on that stuff.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 22, 2019
Also telling was how Lal described Cobb’s role within the offense, which appears not to strictly designate him as the slot guy brought in to replace Cole Beasley.
Lal on being able to move Cobb around the field: Our formations allow us to put the "F" [receiver] wherever we want. Any guy. We can put the "Z" inside. So when you see Amari inside, he's not playing a different position, we just have a way to put him inside and the "F" outside.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 22, 2019
There’s a lot of pressure on first-year OC Kellen Moore and Prescott to successfully run an offense which has stagnated over the past two seasons. Being able to lean on the skills and experiences of a battle-tested receiver like Cobb can perhaps bring a stabilizing element to the Cowboys offense in 2019.
Continue reading...