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Roster Rundown
Scandrick Had 2nd-Half Turnaround
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is cornerback Orlando Scandrick.)
Name: Orlando Scandrick
Position: Cornerback
Height/Weight: 5-10/194
Experience: Three seasons
College: Boise State
Key stat: For Scandrick, it would be 41 - the amount of solo tackles he made in 2010. That was good for seventh on the defense, more than either starting safety, Alan Ball (34) or Gerald Sensabaugh (31). That's not always a good thing for a slot corner, showing that opposing teams weren't afraid to throw his way. But Scandrick has always been a solid and willing tackler despite his lack of size.
Contract Status: Signed through 2011.
2010 Impact: There were two sides to Scandrick's story last season. For him, it definitely had a better ending than beginning. The third-year cornerback struggled in early-season games having to play a difficult slot cornerback position. Whether it was just a coincidence or the light finally clicked on, Scandrick played much better in the second half of the season when Paul Pasqualoni took over as defensive coordinator for the dismissed Wade Phillips. Scandrick also had probably his career highlight when he picked off Indy's Peyton Manning and returned it 40-yards for a critical touchdown.
Where He Fits: There is always a place for young, gritty cornerbacks that play bigger than their size. That's the way Scandrick played in the second half of the season. Obviously, he was taking the field with much more confidence, something the Cowboys are hoping will carry over into the 2011 season. Regardless of what happens at the position - if the Cowboys decide to release Terence Newman, or if they draft a cornerback in the first round - Scandrick will likely have a place on the defense, likely as the third corner once again. But if he puts together another promising season, he could be in line to take over as the starting cornerback.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: When you look back to that 2009 training-camp battle between Scandrick and Mike Jenkins, who eventually won the job and had a Pro Bowl season, it was easy to see the confidence Jenkins played with that year. It might have had the opposite effect on Scandrick, who didn't play his best football in 2009 and early in 2010. That changed at the end of last year, when Scandrick was arguably the best defensive back on the field. Let's not forget this guy just turned 24. He's still young, although entering his fourth year, he's not exactly a young player. I'll take that combination all day long. This guy could easily develop into a starting cornerback for this team.
Rob Phillips: Scandrick has had his ups and downs over the last three seasons, but overall he's been a terrific find in the fifth round. You're going to get beat some playing the slot - it's an extremely difficult position to play because you're often facing the opponent's quickest receiver with no sideline as an aid - but Scandrick has done it pretty well. He's a very instinctive player, and when he's playing with confidence he's even better. Rob Ryan will like him because he's a physical tackler for a cornerback. This is a big year for him as he's a free agent after the 2011 season and wants to prove himself as a starting-caliber player - if not here, then somewhere.
Scandrick Had 2nd-Half Turnaround
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is cornerback Orlando Scandrick.)
Name: Orlando Scandrick
Position: Cornerback
Height/Weight: 5-10/194
Experience: Three seasons
College: Boise State
Key stat: For Scandrick, it would be 41 - the amount of solo tackles he made in 2010. That was good for seventh on the defense, more than either starting safety, Alan Ball (34) or Gerald Sensabaugh (31). That's not always a good thing for a slot corner, showing that opposing teams weren't afraid to throw his way. But Scandrick has always been a solid and willing tackler despite his lack of size.
Contract Status: Signed through 2011.
2010 Impact: There were two sides to Scandrick's story last season. For him, it definitely had a better ending than beginning. The third-year cornerback struggled in early-season games having to play a difficult slot cornerback position. Whether it was just a coincidence or the light finally clicked on, Scandrick played much better in the second half of the season when Paul Pasqualoni took over as defensive coordinator for the dismissed Wade Phillips. Scandrick also had probably his career highlight when he picked off Indy's Peyton Manning and returned it 40-yards for a critical touchdown.
Where He Fits: There is always a place for young, gritty cornerbacks that play bigger than their size. That's the way Scandrick played in the second half of the season. Obviously, he was taking the field with much more confidence, something the Cowboys are hoping will carry over into the 2011 season. Regardless of what happens at the position - if the Cowboys decide to release Terence Newman, or if they draft a cornerback in the first round - Scandrick will likely have a place on the defense, likely as the third corner once again. But if he puts together another promising season, he could be in line to take over as the starting cornerback.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: When you look back to that 2009 training-camp battle between Scandrick and Mike Jenkins, who eventually won the job and had a Pro Bowl season, it was easy to see the confidence Jenkins played with that year. It might have had the opposite effect on Scandrick, who didn't play his best football in 2009 and early in 2010. That changed at the end of last year, when Scandrick was arguably the best defensive back on the field. Let's not forget this guy just turned 24. He's still young, although entering his fourth year, he's not exactly a young player. I'll take that combination all day long. This guy could easily develop into a starting cornerback for this team.
Rob Phillips: Scandrick has had his ups and downs over the last three seasons, but overall he's been a terrific find in the fifth round. You're going to get beat some playing the slot - it's an extremely difficult position to play because you're often facing the opponent's quickest receiver with no sideline as an aid - but Scandrick has done it pretty well. He's a very instinctive player, and when he's playing with confidence he's even better. Rob Ryan will like him because he's a physical tackler for a cornerback. This is a big year for him as he's a free agent after the 2011 season and wants to prove himself as a starting-caliber player - if not here, then somewhere.
