*** 2015 Cowboys Training Camp Thread ***

[Midswat]

I feel like were a talented team but one or two injuries could really be problematic at a few spots.

 

[Dodger12]

JUST CHILL: 10 Thoughts from Wednesday’s Cowboys practice

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

chill@star-telegram.com

My 10 thoughts from Cowboys practice:

1.Quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten were given the day off. That put Brandon Weeden in charge of the first team offense. It was check down city all day as Weeden made most of his completions on underneath routes. Weeden also had the embarrassing play of the day when a pass he tried to throw away in the ground bounced off a defenders foot and was picked off by defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.

2. The Cowboys were already thin at running back with Darren McFadden on the physically unable to perform list. Lance Dunbar left midway through practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. The Cowboys don’t think it’s serious but it’s an example of how delicate the situation is at running back. Staying healthy is a factor for both McFadden and Dunbar.

3. With Dunbar out, McFadden out and no trust in inexperienced backups Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson, fullback Tyler Clutts took first-team snaps as the third-down back behind Randle in practice. The Cowboys needed someone who knew the blocking assignments in the passing game.

4. Rookie defensive Ryan Russell easily beat tackle Darrion Weems in a compete drill before the entire team. Good for Russell but it’s another example that the Cowboys’ swing tackle, who plays behind starters Tyron Smith and Doug Free, may not be on the roster.

5. Receiver Dez Bryant continues to put on a show in practice. He went high for a contest ball in the end zone over Brandon Carr, drawing gasps from the fans at practice. Bryant threw the ball down and screamed, “(Bleeping) Money!”

6. Reggie Dunn has been the most consistent of the unknown backup receivers. He had an incredible leaping catch in the end zone.

7. Linebacker Sean Lee participated in 7-on-7 drills for just the second day of camp and he made an immediate impact. Lee ripped the ball out the hands of running back Joseph Randle. Safety J. J. Wilcox was on the spot to pick it off for the interception.

8. Defensive end Greg Hardy beat tackle Tyron Smith in a pass rush drill for the first time in camp. Then on the next play, it was business as usual for Smith who easily kept Hardy at bay.

9. Third-string quarterback Dustin Vaughan continued his disappointing training camp with tough day passing the football. He did have a nice throw to Devin Street for a touchdown in team drills toward the end of practice. But, overall, Vaughan struggled.

10. Joseph Randle is a smooth and natural runner. He broke safety J.J. Wilcox’s ankles with a nasty cut in traffic during team drills.

Read more here: JUST CHILL: 10 Thoughts from Wednesday’s Cowboys practice | The Star Telegram

 

[dbair1967]

Which is pretty crazy. An average, way-overpaid vet many people thought would be cut before camp, a complete first round bust, a pretty good slot corner, a first rounder who we don't know can play yet, and two very average safeties.

No idea where he gets "loaded" for that bunch.

If Carr would play the way he did at the end of last yr and in the playoffs, we'd be fine with him.

Scandrick is reportedly struggling right now a bit but we know he should be pretty solid. I have no expectations for Claiborne at all and frankly will be surprised if he makes the team. Jones I do think is the real deal regardless of where they play him. Patmon I like a lot and think he could be a pretty good nickel/dime DB for us. Corey White has impressed so far from multiple accounts.

Ideally IMO it would be great if Carr and Scandrick could play decent enough to start at CB, Patmon and White man the 3rd and 4th CB spots, they move Byron Jones permanently to FS and then let Church and Wilcox battle for SS job.

 

[dbair1967]

@DMN_George: Jason Garrett said RB Darren McFadden is a day or two away from practicing for first time in camp. LB Rolando McClain a week or two away.

S Jones made some comment about people getting frustrated with McFadden.

 

[Midswat]

S Jones made some comment about people getting frustrated with McFadden.

I read where Stephen was talking about how they wanted to add a young back in the draft but the "situation didn't present itself" but the team felt like there were some older guys who had gas left in the tank and would add one if needed.

 

[Midswat]

3. With Dunbar out, McFadden out and no trust in inexperienced backups Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson, fullback Tyler Clutts took first-team snaps as the third-down back behind Randle in practice. The Cowboys needed someone who knew the blocking assignments in the passing game.

Wouldn't in practice against the back up QB not be a perfect time to teach lance or Gus the blocking scheme?

A lot of tweets of lance breaking decent runs.

 

[Midswat]

Vela tweeted that hardy is making Tyron sweat and that Gregory can't do anything against him. Which iirc is the exact opposite of what someone tweeted the other day. So who the fuck knows.
.

Calvin Hill:

8. Defensive end Greg Hardy beat tackle Tyron Smith in a pass rush drill for the first time in camp. Then on the next play, it was business as usual for Smith who easily kept Hardy at bay.


Rafael Vela:

@CowboysNation1: Hardy is the one RDE who has made Tyron sweat. Gregory hasn't done it yet.




Wtf???

 

[dbair1967]

Yeah somebody is full of shit

 

[dbair1967]

I read where Stephen was talking about how they wanted to add a young back in the draft but the "situation didn't present itself" but the team felt like there were some older guys who had gas left in the tank and would add one if needed.

I am reasonably sure if Gregory hadn't been there at our pick in round 2 we'd have picked the RB from Indiana instead

 

[Rock Slamdance]

Or a tight end or division 4 cb

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I think Hardy is still knocking off some rust.

 

[peplaw06]

Wouldn't in practice against the back up QB not be a perfect time to teach lance or Gus the blocking scheme?

A lot of tweets of lance breaking decent runs.

Exactly... or if you think these guys have no shot at the roster, then bring in a fucking vet to learn the system. If these injuries linger for Dunbar and McFadden and we go in to Week 1 with Tyler Clutts and a street vet who's had no time to get acclimated, that could be a disaster.

 

[peplaw06]

4. Rookie defensive Ryan Russell easily beat tackle Darrion Weems in a compete drill before the entire team. Good for Russell but it’s another example that the Cowboys’ swing tackle, who plays behind starters Tyron Smith and Doug Free, may not be on the roster.

Are they not working Collins out at tackle at all? He could be a backup guard and swing tackle. Looks like Leary isn't going to give up the LG spot to him this year.

 

[Omegasupreme]

I am reasonably sure if Gregory hadn't been there at our pick in round 2 we'd have picked the RB from Indiana instead

Agree.

I get that the running backs need to pass protect but there is this sense that Jason would sacrifice a very dangerous and talented runner if he wasn't a very good blocker for Romo while the patterns develop and the paint dries. I heard Jason's press conference today and he was asked how his coaching has evolved over the last few years and he told the reporter "We are always striving for excellence. None of us are where we want to be and always are trying to improve". I would love to see that "trying to improve" included trick plays, misdirection, and in game change of game plans. Of course he was just sidestepping a question about his weakness but to hear him say that somehow Jason's decisions that have singlehandedly wrecked seasons are really typical growing arcs for any coach is just silly.

"Reggie Dunn is the most consistent of the unknown backup receivers. He had an incredible leaping catch in the end zone."

By the way, Reggie Dunn is going to have a huge preseason. He has been in the offense for 2 years now and is more of the ideal speed and quickness wr for this offense than Streets or Williams. Would love to see an offense with Dez and a bunch of scattershot little WRs who can outrun anyone. Would love to see Dunn and Whitehead make the team.

 

[Midswat]

Jason how has your coaching evolved?

lol jerry limits my impact on gameday

 

[Omegasupreme]

Jason how has your coaching evolved?

lol jerry limits my impact on gameday

 

[Midswat]

@DMN_George: DT Terrell McClain (bone bruise, strained hamstring) expected to miss at least a week for Cowboys.

 

[Midswat]

@DMN_George: Lance Dunbar has a sprained ankle. MRI today for Dunbar. Cowboys don't believe it's serious but making sure

 

[Omegasupreme]

Rookie linebacker Damien Wilson continues to get first-team snaps as Sean Lee works his way back. On the first two plays of the play-action period, he drew what would have been a holding penalty on Zack Martin and was able to meet Joseph Randle in the hole for a stop

After Wilson was drafted, a friend of mine from Minnesota said that Wilson is really an average skilled player and will be cut before the season begins. Saw some highlights and seems indistinct and average, not sure why a draft pick was wasted on him. But watching the training camp video he seems like a gamer and gets to the ball very very quickly. He also is confident about the scheme. He seems to know where all the parts go. Changing my opinion of him.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

Frankly, I don't believe any of these reports, good or bad. I've seen too many cases over the years where reporters don't know what the hell they're looking at, or watch a play or two and act like it meant something. Anyone who's been to training camp probably knows what I'm talking about.

I would believe someone like a Nate Newton who played and actually pays close attention. Other than that I'll just believe my own eyes once preseason starts.

Not contradicting what you said, Omega, as you said you saw that yourself.