Upcoming scrimmage...
DMN Blog: uppcoming scrimmage 7 camp notes
Upcoming scrimmage...
The team will hold an intra-squad scrimmage next Saturday.
That's when the coaches can really start telling something about the fringe players.
DT Thomas "Pepper" Johnson came from nowhere to have four sacks in last year's scrimmage. Someone will emerge from next Saturday's scrimmage.
Two practices tomorrow. We'll be here for all of it.
Here's hoping you get absolutely no work done tomorrow. Talk soon.
m
Posted by Matt Mosley at 7:56 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)
Sunday's practice notes
I'm sure I'm reading way too much into this, but it sure looked like Terrell Owens had some bad body language going when the ball didn't go his way. Drew Bledsoe did not complete a pass to Owens all day and only threw one, which was a little off target and dropped.
After seeing the kickers struggle with field goals last year, the fans sure weren't happy to see Mike Vanderjagt miss on his first try of training camp from 30 yards. His second try, from 35 yards, was good but was an ugly, low kick. He made his final two attempts.
He may have been attempting to get away from Matt Mosley, but I saw owner Jerry Jones leap the fence behind the end zone. Not bad for a 63-year-old.
During individual teaching sessions, rookie running back Demetris Summers experienced the good and the bad of blocking blitzing safeties. He slipped on one attempt as Williams came in with a bull rush and was flattened, but stoned Williams the next time. He could learn from Marion Barber, who stoned Abram Elam.
The first camp skirmish went to tackle Marc Colombo and linebacker Kevin Burnett. After a Lousaka Polite run, the two exchanged small shoves before escalating into a tug-and-pull session that was broken up by teammates.
Linebacker John Saldi faces long odds of making the roster, but the son of former Cowboys tight end, Jay, had a nice moment in the running game, taking on guard Cory Procter and still being able to tackle Demetris Summers for a small gain.
Rookie Bobby Carpenter was working as an inside linebacker on the nickel defense.
For those of you who think Al Singleton won't have the starting role for long, Parcells had nothing but kind words for the veteran. Singleton is the type of player who goes unnoticed until he's gone. Carpenter will have to work to get the job away from him.
Tough day in the passing game when Drew Bledsoe was sacked (or as close to being sacked he can be in training camp) three times.
The Cowboys aren't sure if they will sign another tight end to replace Brett Pierce, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Parcells admits they are short at the position but there aren't many options available. Too bad for Pierce. It has to be gut wrenching. This is the third time he has torn his left ACL in his life.
We'll leave you now for some of Matt's witty comments.
Posted by Todd Archer at 7:46 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)
The Practice Report...
Linebacker Kevin Burnett and offensive tackle Marc Colombo were involved in a skirmish during the team scrimmage portion of practice.
Burnett tried to land a punch, but the 6-8, 320-pound Colombo didn't seem fazed. And just so you know, I've heard more than one coach describe Colombo as the toughest player on the team.
Back in the Flo: Flozell Adams returned to practice Sunday. He looked sluggish during 1-on-1 drills, but he came around during team drills later in practice. Adams completely neutralized defensive end Chris Canty on one play.
Play of the Day: Linebacker J.J. Horne, a free-agent rookie out of Pittsburgh, had a nifty interception during team drills.
CB Aaron Glenn deserves honorable mention for diving to knock a pass away from Terry Glenn toward the end of practice.
Mike Vanderjagt missed his first attempt from 30 yards Sunday. He then connected on kicks of 35, 40, 45 yards. At least having a kicker miss a 30-yard field goal is something the Cowboys are used to. Many of you have asked whether Vanderjagt will be able to handle kickoffs during the season.
He hasn't done it since 2003, but the Cowboys are going to give him a try.
Parcells said he's never had a true kickoff specialist on his roster. The only time he's ever carried an extra kicker is because of injury.
-Right tackle Rob Petitti continues to receive praise. He bounced back with a strong practice today after Parcells spent some of Saturday's first practice calling him "stupid."
It's probably a good sign for Petitti. Parcells has a reputation of being tough on the players he actually likes. Petitti dominated some of the younger defensive linemen Sunday and his confidence seems to be growing by the day.
Plan to ask Parcells about the center position tomorrow. Al Johnson has been working with the first team, but I know that some members of the organization are pulling for Andre Gurode. Gurode has always had a little more girth, though he's listed at 312 pounds (one pound more than Johnson).
Johnson is more versatile, but he gets knocked off the ball at times. Don't be shocked if Johnson gets some reps at guard before this camp ends. Parcells likes to experiment with his players and he desperately needs to create more depth at center.
Not a lot of chemistry between Drew Bledsoe and Terrell Owens today. I've not seen a defensive back stay close with Owens through the first two days. I did see CB Anthony Henry jam him at the line of scrimmage Saturday. Owens never got into his route on the play.
The infamous four-cone drill: Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Todd Haley runs the most entertaining drill at camp. Players have to make sharp cuts around the cones while catching balls. The fun part is that Haley's firing the balls as hard as he can from about eight yards away.
On Sunday, Haley appeared to take it easy on Owens. He took something off all four balls.
Is it safe for Rowdy to ride around the practice field with small children on the front of an ATV?
One DMN reporter spent some time signing autographs after Sunday's practice. Anything for the fans.
Upcoming scrimmage...
The team will hold an intra-squad scrimmage next Saturday.
That's when the coaches can really start telling something about the fringe players.
DT Thomas "Pepper" Johnson came from nowhere to have four sacks in last year's scrimmage. Someone will emerge from next Saturday's scrimmage.
Two practices tomorrow. We'll be here for all of it.
Here's hoping you get absolutely no work done tomorrow. Talk soon.
m
Posted by Matt Mosley at 7:56 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)
Sunday's practice notes
I'm sure I'm reading way too much into this, but it sure looked like Terrell Owens had some bad body language going when the ball didn't go his way. Drew Bledsoe did not complete a pass to Owens all day and only threw one, which was a little off target and dropped.
After seeing the kickers struggle with field goals last year, the fans sure weren't happy to see Mike Vanderjagt miss on his first try of training camp from 30 yards. His second try, from 35 yards, was good but was an ugly, low kick. He made his final two attempts.
He may have been attempting to get away from Matt Mosley, but I saw owner Jerry Jones leap the fence behind the end zone. Not bad for a 63-year-old.
During individual teaching sessions, rookie running back Demetris Summers experienced the good and the bad of blocking blitzing safeties. He slipped on one attempt as Williams came in with a bull rush and was flattened, but stoned Williams the next time. He could learn from Marion Barber, who stoned Abram Elam.
The first camp skirmish went to tackle Marc Colombo and linebacker Kevin Burnett. After a Lousaka Polite run, the two exchanged small shoves before escalating into a tug-and-pull session that was broken up by teammates.
Linebacker John Saldi faces long odds of making the roster, but the son of former Cowboys tight end, Jay, had a nice moment in the running game, taking on guard Cory Procter and still being able to tackle Demetris Summers for a small gain.
Rookie Bobby Carpenter was working as an inside linebacker on the nickel defense.
For those of you who think Al Singleton won't have the starting role for long, Parcells had nothing but kind words for the veteran. Singleton is the type of player who goes unnoticed until he's gone. Carpenter will have to work to get the job away from him.
Tough day in the passing game when Drew Bledsoe was sacked (or as close to being sacked he can be in training camp) three times.
The Cowboys aren't sure if they will sign another tight end to replace Brett Pierce, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Parcells admits they are short at the position but there aren't many options available. Too bad for Pierce. It has to be gut wrenching. This is the third time he has torn his left ACL in his life.
We'll leave you now for some of Matt's witty comments.
Posted by Todd Archer at 7:46 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)
The Practice Report...
Linebacker Kevin Burnett and offensive tackle Marc Colombo were involved in a skirmish during the team scrimmage portion of practice.
Burnett tried to land a punch, but the 6-8, 320-pound Colombo didn't seem fazed. And just so you know, I've heard more than one coach describe Colombo as the toughest player on the team.
Back in the Flo: Flozell Adams returned to practice Sunday. He looked sluggish during 1-on-1 drills, but he came around during team drills later in practice. Adams completely neutralized defensive end Chris Canty on one play.
Play of the Day: Linebacker J.J. Horne, a free-agent rookie out of Pittsburgh, had a nifty interception during team drills.
CB Aaron Glenn deserves honorable mention for diving to knock a pass away from Terry Glenn toward the end of practice.
Mike Vanderjagt missed his first attempt from 30 yards Sunday. He then connected on kicks of 35, 40, 45 yards. At least having a kicker miss a 30-yard field goal is something the Cowboys are used to. Many of you have asked whether Vanderjagt will be able to handle kickoffs during the season.
He hasn't done it since 2003, but the Cowboys are going to give him a try.
Parcells said he's never had a true kickoff specialist on his roster. The only time he's ever carried an extra kicker is because of injury.
-Right tackle Rob Petitti continues to receive praise. He bounced back with a strong practice today after Parcells spent some of Saturday's first practice calling him "stupid."
It's probably a good sign for Petitti. Parcells has a reputation of being tough on the players he actually likes. Petitti dominated some of the younger defensive linemen Sunday and his confidence seems to be growing by the day.
Plan to ask Parcells about the center position tomorrow. Al Johnson has been working with the first team, but I know that some members of the organization are pulling for Andre Gurode. Gurode has always had a little more girth, though he's listed at 312 pounds (one pound more than Johnson).
Johnson is more versatile, but he gets knocked off the ball at times. Don't be shocked if Johnson gets some reps at guard before this camp ends. Parcells likes to experiment with his players and he desperately needs to create more depth at center.
Not a lot of chemistry between Drew Bledsoe and Terrell Owens today. I've not seen a defensive back stay close with Owens through the first two days. I did see CB Anthony Henry jam him at the line of scrimmage Saturday. Owens never got into his route on the play.
The infamous four-cone drill: Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Todd Haley runs the most entertaining drill at camp. Players have to make sharp cuts around the cones while catching balls. The fun part is that Haley's firing the balls as hard as he can from about eight yards away.
On Sunday, Haley appeared to take it easy on Owens. He took something off all four balls.
Is it safe for Rowdy to ride around the practice field with small children on the front of an ATV?
One DMN reporter spent some time signing autographs after Sunday's practice. Anything for the fans.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:58 PM
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