Every year, Stephen Jones and Brad Sham do a one-hour conference call for season-ticket holders. Always interesting, but this year was especially so. Stephen is more forthcoming these days because of his prominence, I believe.
Among the very interesting points he made:
- Jonathan Cooper will start at left guard, and Lael Collins will be the right tackle. He didn't say that flat out, but he definitely implied it. He said they're looking at Collins hard at tackle, and that they had Cooper as a top 10 pick when he came out in the draft, and they think he fits this style.
- They will call Tony Romo if something happens to Dak. He said it frankly. He wasn't sure if Romo would be interested, but he had no qualms about calling McManus at CBS and letting him know of their interest. He thought McManus would eat up that kind of attention, too. I was surprised that Stephen was so open about this.
- Jaylon Smith's nerve is definitely regenerating. He said there is a tremendous buzz around the practice facilities because it looks like he's going to fully heal in time, maybe this season, and shed the brace altogether.
- Lucky Whitehead might as well pack his bags. Stephen said Ryan Switzer gives them a much shiftier returner, a more polished receiver, and a guy that can run the jet sweeps like Whitehead. He added that they want to package Switzer with Beasley in formations, and that Beasley's size has concerned them in terms of injury potential, so another receiver like him was crucial because he's so important to the offense and Dak. He referenced Edelman and Amendola as an example of how to use them both.
- Rico Gathers is improving. I hope I end up being dreadfully wrong about Gathers, and Stephen said he'd be very surprised if he didn't make the 53. He said he's totally committed to football, which is something they haven't always seen from players switching sports like this. He said Eberflus told him that Gathers was uncoverable in the red zone. Byron Jones can't cover his big frame.
- Ivie was entirely Rod Marinelli's pick. Stephen said that pick made Marinelli more giddy than any of the defensive picks because he loves powerful guys like Ivie that never take off a play.
- They chose Charlton over Watt primarily based on scheme, but they also think Charlton will be more impactful sooner than Watt. He said both have high ceilings, so it was a tough choice.
- He said the draft would probably have to be held at the stadium if the crowd was anything like Philly. The Star couldn't hold that many, he said.
I like that news...