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Archer observations (8/24): Tony Romo shows frustration; David Buehler improves
11:19 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 24, 2010
• After going through a no-helmet practice in the morning, players were back in pads for the afternoon workout.
• Patrick Crayton does not run fast but he does get open, and he can get open deep. He has a knack for faking a defensive back out by acting nonchalant when the ball is heading his way. That's how he was able to deke cornerback Bryan McCann on a long throw from Tony Romo.
• Miles Austin's versatility was evident when he caught a bubble screen on one play and a deep drag on the next as the defense bit on a fake reverse. On the screen, Austin was able to weave his way through traffic for a big gain and on the second route he ran away from the safety.
• David Buehler made six of seven field-goal tries. His miss was wide left from 33 yards. He made kicks from 20 (twice), 31, 35, 38 and 39 yards. It was a much better performance than that of last Thursday, when he missed his last four kicks.
• During the last team session for the first unit, Romo was upset with the protection, calling out, "Let's go!" after Brandon Williams penetrated the line. He completed his last two passes after that: an underneath route to Roy Williams and a flat pass to Felix Jones.
• Mike Hamlin's first foray with the No. 1 defense went OK. He showed great range to tip an out route from Jon Kitna to Terrell Hudgins and nearly had an interception to close the team period against the No. 2 offense.
• On one play, three players – Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware and Orlando Scandrick – had a shot at sacking of Kitna before he could even set up to throw. On the next play, Kitna was pressured by McCray and Bradie James.
• Kitna's best throw of the day was an out route to Sam Hurd in which he was able to get just enough air under the pass to get it over Ware but not so much that it would have allowed Mike Jenkins to come up with the interception.
• New tight end Martin Rucker is getting work with the No. 2 offense in a hurry. He did a good job of locking up linebacker Steve Octavien on a pass rush. Octavien is an active rusher, but Rucker stalemated him.
• Last season the Cowboys received excellent work from gunners Pat Watkins and Alan Ball on the punt team. With Ball taking over as the starting free safety, he will no longer cover punts. On Tuesday Watkins and Danny McCray handled the gunner job. McCray has a chance to be very good at it. His first tackle last week came as a gunner from the opposite side of the field.
Injury report
Pos. Player Injury Status
LB Keith Brooking Shoulder Expected to play Saturday
WR Dez Bryant High ankle sprain Out at least two more weeks
OL Marc Colombo Knee Out for remainder of preseason
OL Kyle Kosier Knee Expected to miss 4-6 weeks
TE John Phillips Knee Out for season
S Gerald Sensabaugh Shoulder Expected to miss 3-4 weeks
DL Marcus Spears Knee sprain Out at least one more week
LB Stephen Hodge Knee Physically unable to perform list, return unknown
• • •
11:19 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 24, 2010
• After going through a no-helmet practice in the morning, players were back in pads for the afternoon workout.
• Patrick Crayton does not run fast but he does get open, and he can get open deep. He has a knack for faking a defensive back out by acting nonchalant when the ball is heading his way. That's how he was able to deke cornerback Bryan McCann on a long throw from Tony Romo.
• Miles Austin's versatility was evident when he caught a bubble screen on one play and a deep drag on the next as the defense bit on a fake reverse. On the screen, Austin was able to weave his way through traffic for a big gain and on the second route he ran away from the safety.
• David Buehler made six of seven field-goal tries. His miss was wide left from 33 yards. He made kicks from 20 (twice), 31, 35, 38 and 39 yards. It was a much better performance than that of last Thursday, when he missed his last four kicks.
• During the last team session for the first unit, Romo was upset with the protection, calling out, "Let's go!" after Brandon Williams penetrated the line. He completed his last two passes after that: an underneath route to Roy Williams and a flat pass to Felix Jones.
• Mike Hamlin's first foray with the No. 1 defense went OK. He showed great range to tip an out route from Jon Kitna to Terrell Hudgins and nearly had an interception to close the team period against the No. 2 offense.
• On one play, three players – Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware and Orlando Scandrick – had a shot at sacking of Kitna before he could even set up to throw. On the next play, Kitna was pressured by McCray and Bradie James.
• Kitna's best throw of the day was an out route to Sam Hurd in which he was able to get just enough air under the pass to get it over Ware but not so much that it would have allowed Mike Jenkins to come up with the interception.
• New tight end Martin Rucker is getting work with the No. 2 offense in a hurry. He did a good job of locking up linebacker Steve Octavien on a pass rush. Octavien is an active rusher, but Rucker stalemated him.
• Last season the Cowboys received excellent work from gunners Pat Watkins and Alan Ball on the punt team. With Ball taking over as the starting free safety, he will no longer cover punts. On Tuesday Watkins and Danny McCray handled the gunner job. McCray has a chance to be very good at it. His first tackle last week came as a gunner from the opposite side of the field.
Injury report
Pos. Player Injury Status
LB Keith Brooking Shoulder Expected to play Saturday
WR Dez Bryant High ankle sprain Out at least two more weeks
OL Marc Colombo Knee Out for remainder of preseason
OL Kyle Kosier Knee Expected to miss 4-6 weeks
TE John Phillips Knee Out for season
S Gerald Sensabaugh Shoulder Expected to miss 3-4 weeks
DL Marcus Spears Knee sprain Out at least one more week
LB Stephen Hodge Knee Physically unable to perform list, return unknown
• • •