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11:41 AM Thu, Jul 24, 2008 | Permalink
Aaron Chimbel
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Here are some of the top storylines to keep an eye out for during the Dallas Cowboys training camp:
1. Adam Jones. Will the suspended corner be reinstated and will he start?
2. Roy Williams. Will the oft-criticized safety be cut as former personnel guru Gil Brandt suggested could happen?
3. Anthony Henry. What will happen to last year's starter at cornerback, will he move to safety to replace Williams or keep his starting corner job ahead of Jones?
4. How will the running back duties shake out? See there is more than just secondary questions. Marion Barber is the starter and the Cowboys drafted Felix Jones in the first-round and Tashard Choice in the fourth. The team also likes Hampton free agent Alonzo Coleman, who was on the practice squad last year. Barber is the pounder, but has never been a lead back, Jones is the slasher, but also not experienced at carrying the load. Choice and Coleman are intriguing. Choice was a featured back at Georgia Tech and Coleman is elusive.
5. Will Terry Glenn agree to terms? The veteran receiver is coming off an injury and the Cowboys want him to sign an injury waiver so they won't have to pay him his more than $1.7 million contract.
6. Who among the young receiver will step-up? Terrell Owens is the clear leader of the wide outs. And Patrick Crayton is the incumbent #2. But who among the young crop of unheralded free-agents and mid-to-late draft picks will break out in camp. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin have been around, but lack many receptions and touchdowns. Isaiah Stanback was a project pick last year who has great athleticism, but virtually no experience catching passes. Danny Amendola is a rookie free agent from Texas Tech and has drawn comparisons to the Patriots' Wes Welker. A name that is getting some buzz is Mike Jefferson, who as on the practice squad last year.
7. How will Zach Thomas fit in and will he return to his Pro Bowl form? The Cowboys took a low-risk gamble to sign the former Miami Dolphin, who missed most of last season because of concussions.
8. How will the Cowboys replace Keith Davis on special teams? The former special teams ace is now playing in Miami and the Cowboys coverage units were suspect when Davis was out last season. Young players like Deon Anderson, Pat Watkins and Bobby Carpenter will be expected to fill the void. Expect someone surprising to make the team because of special teams contributions.
9. Who will start at nose tackle and what does that mean at end. Jay Ratliff may not end up the year starting at nose tackle, even after getting a $20.5 million, 5 year contract extension. Tank Johnson could end up starting, but that could be more of an indication of Marcus Spears at end being supplanted and replaced by Ratliff. Jason Hatcher could also battle Spears.
10. And finally, will Pro Bowl kicker Nick Folk do it again. As a rookie Folk became a hero, winning the game in Buffalo (twice) form 53 yards and making 26 of 31 field goal attempts. He has no competition in camp and kickers are notoriously head cases. But Folk is cocky, cocky in a good way, at least for a kicker. He is confident in his abilities and has a lot of ability.
So what are you looking for at camp?
http://www.beloblog.com/wfaasports/2008/07/dallas-cowboys.html
Aaron Chimbel
Here are some of the top storylines to keep an eye out for during the Dallas Cowboys training camp:
1. Adam Jones. Will the suspended corner be reinstated and will he start?
2. Roy Williams. Will the oft-criticized safety be cut as former personnel guru Gil Brandt suggested could happen?
3. Anthony Henry. What will happen to last year's starter at cornerback, will he move to safety to replace Williams or keep his starting corner job ahead of Jones?
4. How will the running back duties shake out? See there is more than just secondary questions. Marion Barber is the starter and the Cowboys drafted Felix Jones in the first-round and Tashard Choice in the fourth. The team also likes Hampton free agent Alonzo Coleman, who was on the practice squad last year. Barber is the pounder, but has never been a lead back, Jones is the slasher, but also not experienced at carrying the load. Choice and Coleman are intriguing. Choice was a featured back at Georgia Tech and Coleman is elusive.
5. Will Terry Glenn agree to terms? The veteran receiver is coming off an injury and the Cowboys want him to sign an injury waiver so they won't have to pay him his more than $1.7 million contract.
6. Who among the young receiver will step-up? Terrell Owens is the clear leader of the wide outs. And Patrick Crayton is the incumbent #2. But who among the young crop of unheralded free-agents and mid-to-late draft picks will break out in camp. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin have been around, but lack many receptions and touchdowns. Isaiah Stanback was a project pick last year who has great athleticism, but virtually no experience catching passes. Danny Amendola is a rookie free agent from Texas Tech and has drawn comparisons to the Patriots' Wes Welker. A name that is getting some buzz is Mike Jefferson, who as on the practice squad last year.
7. How will Zach Thomas fit in and will he return to his Pro Bowl form? The Cowboys took a low-risk gamble to sign the former Miami Dolphin, who missed most of last season because of concussions.
8. How will the Cowboys replace Keith Davis on special teams? The former special teams ace is now playing in Miami and the Cowboys coverage units were suspect when Davis was out last season. Young players like Deon Anderson, Pat Watkins and Bobby Carpenter will be expected to fill the void. Expect someone surprising to make the team because of special teams contributions.
9. Who will start at nose tackle and what does that mean at end. Jay Ratliff may not end up the year starting at nose tackle, even after getting a $20.5 million, 5 year contract extension. Tank Johnson could end up starting, but that could be more of an indication of Marcus Spears at end being supplanted and replaced by Ratliff. Jason Hatcher could also battle Spears.
10. And finally, will Pro Bowl kicker Nick Folk do it again. As a rookie Folk became a hero, winning the game in Buffalo (twice) form 53 yards and making 26 of 31 field goal attempts. He has no competition in camp and kickers are notoriously head cases. But Folk is cocky, cocky in a good way, at least for a kicker. He is confident in his abilities and has a lot of ability.
So what are you looking for at camp?
http://www.beloblog.com/wfaasports/2008/07/dallas-cowboys.html
