Cowboys offseason Thread

[Dooby]

Originally posted by: chumdawg
I call 'em like I see 'em, Sike. Call 'em like I see 'em.

Of course, Chumdawg has a lazy eye, is color blind and wears bifocals, but he calls 'em like he sees 'em.

[dalmations202]

Originally posted by: Dooby

Of course, Chumdawg has a lazy eye, is color blind and wears bifocals, but he calls 'em like he sees 'em.

So he is like most of the officials in the Dallas-Houston series ? ? ? ?

[chumdawg]

Originally posted by: Dooby

Of course, Chumdawg has a lazy eye, is color blind and wears bifocals, but he calls 'em like he sees 'em.

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while!

Seriously, now...I will be extremely surprised if this Cowboys bunch does not make the playoffs. I will be at least mildly suprised if they don't win their first playoff game.

Anyone else have any early feelings?

[sike]

yes you do sir, yes you do.

[sike]

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while!

that's just something blind squirrels say to give themselves hope....false hope though it be.

[Ninkobei]

Originally posted by: sike

that's just something blind squirrels say to give themselves hope....false hope though it be.

False hope is better than no hope

[chumdawg]

Cowboys signed the A-train, Anthony Thomas, RB Bears.

[Jamisonite]

he could be a nice change of pace back...but nothing more

[Ninkobei]

nice pickup wow. I think he can play fullback too. or maybe i'm confusing him with the other A-train hehe. This offseason just keeps getting better and better.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Whoa. Nice pick up. Maybe I overrate him but this guy showed alot of promise two seasons ago. Coincidentally he went from backing up Julius' brother to backing him up now.

[ocelot_ark]

I know this is the Cowboys offseason thread, but I didn't want to start a new one. If you have an extra 5 minutes check out this highlight compiled by the Jaguars of Matt Jones. They've got some video from the senior bowl that I had never seen before. I am officially depressed that the Boys didn't find a way to get MJ.


Hope we don't regret it

[chumdawg]

I see no reason not to believe that Matt Jones will be an ultra-stud in the NFL. You'd love to take him in the second or third, sure. But if he ends up being one of the three or four best playmakers in the draft, I'd say you got a hell of a deal there at 21 (or whatever it was).

It may sound crazy, but I wonder what the guy could do at safety. One day a guy with his size will play that position, I'm sure. At any rate, doubtless he will at least be a special teams demon for the Jags.

[endtroducing]

I saw footage of the Senior Bowl practices on the NFL Network...Ware is unbelivably quick. as soon as the offensive lineman TWITCHED, he was in the backfield. crazy stuff.

[kingrex]

Originally posted by: endtroducing
I saw footage of the Senior Bowl practices on the NFL Network...Ware is unbelivably quick. as soon as the offensive lineman TWITCHED, he was in the backfield. crazy stuff.

I can't wait to see Ware and Spears in NFL pads to see how well they fare.

[capitalcity]

Originally posted by: kingrex

I can't wait to see Ware and Spears in NFL pads to see how well they fare.

I'm salivating. Years and years without a legit pass rusher... and just think... we may have 2 or 3 guys record double digit sacks in 2005.

...and the qb's we don't get behind the line will be flushed out into the open field for Roy to feast on!

[Frost]

any online highlights that we can view of Ware, Spears, etc?

[chumdawg]

JJones was just on with Norm. Norm said that one team had Ware #2 overall on their draft board, and a few others had him in the top five.

[sike]

a good question would be "Where did the boys have him on their board?"

[chumdawg]

EIGHT!

[sike]

nice.

[endtroducing]

is Terence Newman that good?

[Ninkobei]

I suppose Newman is the cowboy's version of a shut-down corner. Although he isn't quite that good yet I think he may develop to be that good

[chumdawg]

Put it this way: Newman got a lot better this offseason.

[kingrex]

And if the Cowboys can actually get a pass rush this year, then Newman will only look even better.

[Flip41]

Ed Reed isn't showing up for camp untill he gets a new contract according to SI.com truth and rumors. Man if we had Mr. Ed Reed the defense would be unbeleivable.

[Flip41]

Sorry this is what it says exactly. There is a MIGHT in there

Although Ravens coach Brian Billick said there could be some no-shows, he anticipated safety Ed Reed participating. There has been speculation that the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year might not show up at training camp on time if he doesn't get a new deal. He has two years remaining on his contract.

[Ninkobei]

Yah, but what are the odds that the Ravens don't re-sign him? I'm not sure Bill Parcells would want a player who holds out. I'm not saying I wouldn't him on the Cowboys. He would give us a Solid secondary, and would probably be the best free agent pickup of the offseason.

[Flip41]

I thought this was interesting.

Glover, Ellis: Unhappy campers?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by Jean-Jacques Taylor

The most interesting part of training camp and the early part of the season will be seeing how La'Roi Glover and Greg Ellis react to the 3-4 defense.

The early guess is that neither is going to be happy. The question is whether they can subjugate their egos – every professional athlete has an ego – to maintain peace and happiness in the locker room.

It's pretty clear that Glover, a five-time Pro Bowl performer, is not going to start. The Cowboys didn't give Jason Ferguson a $9 million signing bonus to bring him off the bench. Besides, it's pretty clear that Dallas is going to the 3-4 and he's a perfect fit.

Glover, who has been told he's going to play about 65 percent of the time, is fine with that percentage but has made it clear he wants to start and finish games. That simply isn't going to happen unless Dallas goes to the 4-3 like it should.

So Glover, the consummate professional, is not going to be happy. That could impact the locker room.

Then there's Ellis, who was so upset during minicamp that the normally affable defensive end politely declined comment about anything football-related.

Ellis is one of the hardest workers on the team. He is also a true professional.

But he's made it clear through some comments and body language that he doesn't want anything to do with the 3-4. That's understandable since it requires him to play head up on 330-pound tackles, which is not his strength.

He relies on speed, quickness and guile. All but his guile are neutralized when he plays head up on tackles, who outweigh him by 40-50 pounds.

Glover and Ellis will not run to the media with their complaints. They will probably give clichéd answers about how they fit into the defense.

The reality is that it's going to be hard for the Cowboys' defense to perform at a high level if their two defensive leaders are upset.

It's not too late for coach Bill Parcells to return to the 4-3 for one more season. But it isn't going to happen.

Stay tuned.

[Ninkobei]

Pure speculation. No quotes or anything. I don't see how he can argue this..

[Flip41]

I agree he's probably bored. There is not too much to talk about right now. Just thought I would post it to keep interest.

[Flip41]

Here is an interview with Rivera.

Rivera: I'm '100 percent' ready

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com

IRVING – Cowboys right guard Marco Rivera saw his nine-year NFL career flash before his eyes in March when he injured his back during a workout.

Rivera, 33, said he sat in a hotel room in Baltimore, where he was accepting an Ed Block Courage Award for his 2004 season with the Packers, with his face in his hands.

“In a couple of days, I went from thinking I would never play again to hearing I’d be back on my feet in six to eight weeks,” Rivera said Wednesday during an interview with DallasNews.com.

Rivera, who received a $9 million signing bonus when he signed a five-year, $20 million contract with the Cowboys in March, underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk March 10 and is declaring himself “100 percent” ready for training camp. The Cowboys’ first practice is July 30.

Rivera touched on a number of topics during the interview. The highlights:

Q&A WITH MARCO RIVERA

Q: Do you feel like you’ve been given a second chance?

Rivera: That’s exactly how I feel. I mean, I feel like one of the young guys all of the sudden. I truly feel like I’m in my fourth or fifth season at this point.

Q: Are there any restrictions on what you can do during training camp?

Rivera: None whatsoever. If camp started tomorrow, I’d be out there. I passed the run test recently, and I’m lifting the same weights that I was lifting before I was injured.

Q: Coach [Bill] Parcells has said that you just need to be ready for the opening game. How many preseason games does it usually take you to feel comfortable?

Rivera: I need two games just to get the feel. All the work is done in practice. When you’re in camp, the first and second teams are still rotating. You’re not in shape to play the entire game. The first game, we’ll probably play a little. The second game a little more, almost all of the third game and the fourth game, we’ll only be in there two or three series.

Q: What do you think about Larry Allen moving to right tackle?

Rivera: He can do it, but I don’t know how realistic it is. We have too many young guys who are quality players. It’s difficult to switch positions and play at a high level.

Q: Some of the coaches have talked about how good Allen looks this offseason. What have you noticed about him?

Rivera: I can only compare it to a guy like Brett Favre, who is older than me. I think, like Brett, Larry is having fun again. His body is feeling good. He’s in good shape. You know, in two or three years, our bodies are going to start falling apart. It’s the nature of the beast. He knows that and wants to take advantage of this time when he’s feeling good.

Q: How does this line compare to some of those you played with in Green Bay?

Rivera: I’m not sure we have better talent, but I think we have the right stuff. The right attitude. Nobody even took a vacation. You see 30 or 40 guys in there working out every day. And that’s why I think we’re going to turn 6-10 into 10-6.

Q: So no vacation at all?

Rivera: Bill [Parcells] said he needed me here in June and July because I started from behind. But I was going to do it anyway. I’ll probably take a weekend vacation with the family at some point.

Q: Where do you usually vacation?

Rivera: I built a house in Puerto Rico two years ago. It’s a house built on family land. I’ll probably end up there someday. But after I’m through playing, I’ll be playing Mr. Mom for quite a while.

Q: What do you think of some of the young guys on the line?

Rivera: [Guard] Stephen Peterman is a guy who works hard and never complains. I think he’s going to be a good player. And [tackle] Jacob Rogers and Dan Campbell are some other guys who work unbelievably hard. I tease Dan that he’s getting old and will fall apart soon. I’m not sure he likes that too much.

[chumdawg]

Pete Hunter traded to the Jets for a conditional draft pick. A sixth that could go as high as a fifth.

I didn't hear this at the time, but last month the Cowboys signed the old 'Poke Izell Reese.

Man, I'm ready for some football! Training camp can't get here fast enough.

[FilthyFinMavs]

This is Reese's second stop correct? Wondering is that the same Reese. Didn't he play some safety and corner for the Giants? Should be a good fit.

As far as the Hunter trade goes I mean I would've took a 7th rounder for the guy. He was one of those guys that was going to get cut anyway so might as well get something for him. If it could turn into a 5th rounder that would be great.

[dirno2000]

This is Reese's 2nd trip through Dallas. If nothing else he's a really good special teams player.

[alby]

I can't wait for the season to start. Anyone know how Terry glenn recovered / is recovering from his injury because he is a pretty vital part in our offense. That's where the cowboys began to significantly drop off last year, was after his season ending injury.

[chumdawg]

Good point about Glenn, alby. That, and the loss of Dan Campbell, were far more critical than I think most people give credit to. If Glenn stays healthy, I can't wait to see the turbocharged offensive attack we unleash on the NFC East.

I think this is really going to be a fun, fun season. I can't WAIT for training camp to start.

[Just211]

I can't wait to see Campbell and Glenn on the field at the same time as Julius. And also, it tends to slip peoples minds, but I can't wait to see Bledsoe. He used to be one of my favorites during his early Pat years, with Coates and MArtin. I hope he can regain that form with Witten and JJ

[alby]

i hope we're not going to be playing the same way as the early pats did.. setting passing attempt records and what not, yikes =\

[Flip41]

Here is an interview I stole from DCC that they stole from someone else.

Stolen from Chocolate Lab @ The Ranch...

Are you 100%? Maybe 99.5%.... No, not really, I'm 100%, or I will be by training camp.

Ok, you've been playing catch with Bledsoe for a while now: How is he? He looks good to me. Of course, we don't have a defense right now, but he looks like he still has his fastball. He's got good WRs and a great TE here... He always loved Ben Coates in New England. With a good O-line -- and Bledsoe was telling me just a few days ago that he hasn't had many good O lines like this -- and the running back -- shoot, I don't even have to say anything about that -- I think he's set up to succeed.

How ready are you to come back? I'm so raring to go I can't tell you. I've had a long time off and Joe Juraszec has made me a lot stronger and a little bigger, and I feel as good as I have in forever.

What happened last year? Besides you being hurt, I mean. Well, I'm a competitor so I think my being hurt had something to do with it, yes. But with all due respect to Eddie George, I don't think we had a good running game like we needed. I really feel like this is going to be a different football team this year.

The Cowboys didn't take a WR in the draft. Do you believe in the guys you have, especially Quincy Morgan? Yes I do. He's a competitor and that's the main thing you want. He can catch, and he can get open. The main thing I need is for him to follow along with what me and Keyshawn are about to do. (???)

So you're going to become more of a vocal leader this year? That's right, yes I am.

The team by all accounts had a great offseason. Do you as a player look at what the team does as far as making the effort to improve?Yes you do. You always hope they will make the right decisions, but I have faith that Bill and Jerry and Stephen will make the right calls, and it looks like they did.

What do you think about the horse collar rule? I think the NFL just did a great thing. I think the penalty might should be 20 yards. I've seen a lot of people really hurt that way, and even though Roy is on my team... Well, I think the NFL did the right thing.

[Flip41]

Here is another nugget.

Jean-Jacques Taylor: Ellis can't like what he sees


The fans think players should be loyal employees. What they seem to forget is that there's no loyalty in pro sports.

Don't forget Jerry Jones fired Tom Landry. Don't forget he cut Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. None of those moves was personal. They were all business.

When a player or coach is no longer of value to the organization, they get fired. It's really that simple.

All Greg Ellis wanted to know two months ago was where he fit into the big picture. After all, he weighs only 270 pounds and Bill Parcells wants him to engage in hand-to-hand combat with left tackles, who will routinely outweigh him by 50-60 pounds.

Of the teams playing the 3-4 defense, he will be the lightest right end by 15 pounds. So why is this getting skewered by fans?

Ellis is no dummy. He can see the writing on the wall. And even if he couldn't, former teammate Dexter Coakley, one of his good friends, would probably let him know since it happened to him.

Parcells tried to give Coakley's position to Bradie James. When James couldn't win it, Parcells made the players split time. Later, he met with Coakley and told him that his production had decreased, so the Cowboys weren't going to give him a $500,000 roster bonus and that he could remain with the club if he took a 50 percent pay cut.

Coakley opted to sign a lucrative deal with St. Louis. Look for Ellis to find a team that appreciates him next year.

It worked out well for Coakley.


COWBOYS Q&A

Q: What is the health status of Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson?

Mark Kronick, East Greenwich, R.I.

TAYLOR: Each is ready for the start of training camp, and if Dallas is going to do anything this season, they're going to have to play well and stay healthy. Glenn was having a terrific year last season before he tore ligaments in his foot in October, which cost him the rest of the season. Johnson broke his leg in the final game after a nice season. Drew Bledsoe is a veteran, so it shouldn't take either guy long to get on board and find a rhythm with Bledsoe.

• • •

Q: Any word if La'Roi Glover is just as concerned as Greg Ellis about his role? In this new scheme, Glover doesn't even start, does he?

Mike Davis

TAYLOR: At the last minicamp, Glover said he's not going to be happy if he doesn't start and finish games. I don't think he's going to be happy. If you ask me, he has a point. Name me another player who has been to five consecutive Pro Bowls who has been relegated to second-team status without actually losing the job. And when you name me that player, tell me if he was mad or not. Now, none of that really matters because Parcells has said he doesn't care what players think; he's going to do it his way. I don't really have a problem with that except that it implies that he hasn't been doing things his way, which is a joke.

• • •

Q: I'm hoping, like Ellis' agent is, that his situation turns out to be OK, but my gut tells me he will end up just like Dexter Coakley. What do you think?

Tim Rubio, San Jose, Calif.

TAYLOR: I think you're exactly right. He doesn't fit the scheme, and he doesn't want to hear any poppycock – I like that word – from Bill Parcells that he can excel in a spot where he's aligned head up against players who out outweigh him by 50-60 pounds on a regular basis. In his current position, there's a chance his production will drop and the Cowboys will decide next spring that he's not worth the $500,000 roster bonus and $2.25 million salary that he's supposed to receive.

• • •

Q: Is Greg Ellis fast enough and mobile and smart enough to make the transition to linebacker. This is a good football player with a high motor, and it would be a shame to lose him at the end of this season.

Howard Weinberg, Weirton, W.Va.

TAYLOR: Nope. Ellis played some linebacker in college when North Carolina used the 3-4, but he's not agile enough to cover running backs and tight ends and some of the other things that linebackers do. Don't forget that the game looks a lot different when you're standing up than it does when you have a hand on the ground.

• • •

Q: Did Richie Anderson completely screw up by not taking the job offer from Maurice Carthon to coach running backs in Cleveland? Was it that he thought he could actually come back from neck fusion surgery to make the team and contribute after age 35? Is he not looking for work at this time?

Kara McGregor, Austin, Texas

TAYLOR: Based on what I know, the timing wasn't right when Carthon asked Richie to join the coaching staff. Anderson, who has made his home in Dallas, wasn't sure he wanted to move his kids again, and there was some talk that he might rejoin the team as an assistant coach. Carthon needed an answer in a certain time frame, and I don't think Anderson could make a decision at that time. If he wants to coach next year, I wouldn't think it would be difficult for him to find a job.

• • •

Q: I think it's safe to say that other than Roy Williams, the 2002 draft class was a bad one. What do you think?

Brek Burgweger, Fairfax, Va.

TAYLOR: It certainly looks like another blown draft. Roy Williams has been to consecutive Pro Bowls and is a proven star. The rest of the class is filled with talented disappointments like Andre Gurode, who has been relegated to backup status, and Antonio Bryant, who was traded last year because the Cowboys grew weary of dealing with his attitude. Derek Ross is another talented player who couldn't stop the off-the-field antics that caused him to drop to the third round and Pete Hunter balked at moving to safety, hastening his departure. Tyson Walter is just a guy, so there you have it. Yet another wasted draft class. Is there any wonder why Dallas has struggled so much this decade?

• • •

Q: Dallas is seeking a free safety replacement for Darren Woodson so that Roy Williams can again move closer to the line of scrimmage, where he wreaked havoc two years ago. However, with the much-anticipated move to the 3-4, doesn't this change the role of the strong safety and his role as pass rusher?

Mike Bruce, Leesburg, Va.

TAYLOR: Not really. Roy will do some blitzing, but it's not like he's gotten to the quarterback that much when the Cowboys have turned him loose. He's playing close to the line this year so he can be a disruptive force against the run. If he excels in that role – there's no reason to think he won't – then the Cowboys will be more than happy with his performance.

• • •

Q: I have always been a Quincy Carter fan. I thought he had the potential to be a good NFL quarterback. Any word on him?

B.H. Prange

TAYLOR: Quincy is working out and preparing himself so he'll be ready when opportunity knocks. There's no doubt he has the talent to play in the NFL for a decade – Rick Mirer played nine seasons, so I don't want to hear any arguments – but he has to prove to teams that he can handle the off-the-field pressures. I like Quincy and wish him a lot of luck, but I don't know if any team is going to give him a shot this season.

• • •

Q: Don't you think the Cowboys' defensive players fit the 4-3 better than the 3-4?

Dennis Trook, Amarillo, Texas

TAYLOR: Yup. I've said that several times. I think Parcells should've tried to integrate it some this year and went full-fledged next year. That's because it would've given him another season to subtract personnel like Greg Ellis, La'Roi Glover and Dat Nguyen and add adequate replacements who are geared to the 3-4. Parcells always said he would let the personnel dictate the scheme, but he was so frustrated by the defense's performance last year that he decided to pull the trigger on the 3-4 a year early.

• • •

Q: What is your pre-camp projected starting lineup for the offense and defense?

Kirk Mathews

TAYLOR: I'll go one better. He's my 2-deep projection at each spot, though I'm entitled to change my mind once we get to training camp and I get a look at some guys up close and see how they perform in the preseason. Here goes:

Offense:

QB: Drew Bledsoe, Drew Henson

RB: Julius Jones, Marion Barber III

FB: Darian Barnes, Lousaka Polite

LT: Flozell Adams, Jacob Rogers

LG: Larry Allen, Ben Noll

C: Al Johnson, Tyson Walter

RG: Marco Rivera, Stephen Peterman

RT: Kurt Vollers, Rob Petitti

SE: Keyshawn Johnson, Patrick Crayton

FL: Terry Glenn, Quincy Morgan

TE: Jason Witten, Dan Campbell

Defense:

LDE: Marcus Spears, Kenyon Coleman

NG: Jason Ferguson, La'Roi Glover

RDE: Greg Ellis, Chris Canty

OLB: Demarcus Ware, Kalen Thornton

ILB: Bradie James, Scott Shanle

ILB: Dat Nguyen, Keith O'Neil

OLB: Al Singleton, Kevin Burnett

LCB: Terence Newman, Aaron Glenn

RCB: Anthony Henry, Lance Frazier

SS: Roy Williams, Lynn Scott

FS: Izell Reese, Keith Davis

• • •

Q: What are your thoughts on Newman and what you think Glenn can teach him?

Joseph F. Greenberg, Houston

TAYLOR: I think Newman's going to benefit tremendously from having secondary coach Todd Bowles, who's supposed to be a terrific teacher. Bowles will put him in position to be a playmaker, and then Glenn's experience will help him with some of the tricks of the trade that will help him become an elite player. The Cowboys need him to be a star – not just a good player.
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