As camp breaks, Cowboys still hounded by questions
By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
1. Are the Cowboys and T.O. on the same page?
This relationship remains a work in progress. Terrell Owens missed 14 consecutive practice days with a strained hamstring. He is behind in learning the offense and has yet to develop any continuity with quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Owens' relaxing training camp also provided a glimpse of the media glare shining on the Cowboys because of his arrival. Was he faking the injury? Was coach Bill Parcells going soft? Was this the beginning of a season full of controversies? It's been much ado about nothing so far. Owens is back on the field, though he missed Saturday's afternoon practice, and should be up to speed by the season opener. No one questions that he is one of the league's most talented playmakers and will provide a boost to the offense. But will everyone get along? What's certain now is that there won't be any dull moments on or off the field.
2. Is the offensive line settled?
The Cowboys went into the off-season looking to improve the line, but after the first week or so of camp, it looked as if things might have gotten worse. Left tackle Flozell Adams was slow to recover from knee surgery. Free-agent guard Kyle Kosier made no one forget Larry Allen, and the right tackle candidates were so bad the Cowboys held open auditions. Adams should return to form, and Kosier will be adequate, although he is being pushed by Cory Procter. Andre Gurode could prove to be an upgrade at center over Al Johnson. Right tackle, however, remains in flux. Incumbent Rob Petitti has taken a back seat to Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo in the battle for the starting role. Rather than someone stepping up, the decision might come down to who's the best of a poor lot. That's not good news for the immobile Drew Bledsoe.
3. How does Greg Ellis' role and mind-set affect the defense?
Surprise, surprise. Greg Ellis has simply been the same team guy he always has been since joining the Cowboys in 1998. He didn't like being moved to linebacker from defensive end. As a result, he didn't want to be with the Cowboys. But Ellis complied, and in the end the move might be the best thing for him and the team. His smooth transition to linebacker has been the highlight of training camp for coach Bill Parcells. His size will help the Cowboys against the run while keeping another pass-rushing threat on the field to pair with linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
4. Who are the team leaders?
Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is the leader on offense, but he will be joined by tight end Jason Witten, whose six-year contract extension solidifies his status. Marco Rivera is the leader on the offensive line. Defensively, Greg Ellis' move to linebacker has been leadership by example. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson has stepped up on the line. The torch on defense also has been passed to middle linebacker Bradie James. James makes all the calls and will be looked upon by players and coaches to provide whatever needs to be said or done. James has embraced the role.
5. What's the status at free safety?
Free safety remains a work in progress, but that's no longer a negative. Keith Davis had a solid camp. He still has a bullet lodged in his thigh, but the shooting incident before camp seemingly has been forgotten. Davis has not had a problem performing. He would be the starter if the season began today. However, he is being pushed by rookie Pat Watkins, one of the "big" surprises of training camp. Standing 6-foot-5, Watkins gives the team a true ball-hawking center fielder in the secondary. He has all but assured himself a role in the nickel defense. Veteran Marcus Coleman is also a factor there.
Camp standouts
CB Terence Newman: Might be the team's best player. Should have made the Pro Bowl last year. Expect to see him in Hawaii in 2007.
LB Bradie James: Continued progress has made him the undisputed leader of a defense that might soon be called the James Gang.
S Roy Williams: The three-time Pro Bowler loves to hit. Anybody who loves football loves to watch him hit, except maybe his teammates in camp.
TE Jason Witten: The Big Easy, as Bill Parcells calls him, is on his way to becoming the best tight end in Cowboys history.
G Marco Rivera: Any concerns about the line don't include Marco Rivera. He is as solid as they come and looks to be the player the Cowboys thought they were getting last year.
Five surprises
C Andre Gurode: The fifth-year year pro is playing the best football of his career and gives the team more size and strength at center.
LB Greg Ellis: No longer disgruntled, Ellis' move to linebacker has been so smooth teammates are talking about him making the Pro Bowl.
S Pat Watkins: Nicknamed "The Praying Mantis," Watkins is the ideal free safety to pair opposite strong safety Roy Williams.
LB Kevin Burnett: Bill Parcells told Burnett before camp that the second-year linebacker has had more surgeries than tackles. Expect that to change in 2006.
QB Tony Romo: The Cowboys have big things in mind for Romo: He is the heir apparent to Bledsoe. And it could come sooner than later.
Five disappointments
T Jason Fabini: The Cowboys thought they could count on the veteran Fabini, but he hasn't impressed because of age and injuries.
WR Terrell Owens: He will be there when it counts. But his acclimation to the team and the offense has been set back by his 14-day absence.
K Mike Vanderjagt: Like Owens, he will be fine. But the Cowboys expected more in camp. He's been inconsistent on field goals and has yet to kick off.
Wide receiver depth: There is little depth behind starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn after Patrick Crayton's injury. The Cowboys are looking for help.
QB Drew Henson: Camp proved that Henson's tenure has been a disappointment. The Cowboys expected more by now and don't plan to wait much longer.
Rookie watch
LB Bobby Carpenter: Moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and is competing with Akin Ayodele for a starting role.
TE Anthony Fasano: Will have the easiest transition because he played in the same offense in college. Must improve blocking skills.
DE Jason Hatcher: Should make an immediate impact in the pass-rush rotation, but must improve against the run.
WR Skyler Green: Is very green as a receiver. Must make plays as a punt returner to make the roster.
S Pat Watkins: Will make immediate impact on special teams and will play safety in the nickel. He might make a run at the starting free safety spot.
NT Montavious Stanley: He is still trying to adapt to nose tackle after playing defensive tackle in college. Practice squad candidate.
T Pat McQuistan: A developmental prospect who has been much better than expected. A lock for the practice squad, at least.
WR Sam Hurd: An undrafted free agent who not only has made a run at a roster spot, but could see playing time at receiver.
Veterans on the bubble
DE Kenyon Coleman: It's not good news when the coach acknowledges you are being showcased as trade bait. Credit depth at defensive end.
LB Scott Shanle: What was said about Coleman goes double for Shanle, who is the odd man out at a crowded position.
FB Lousaka Polite: The two-tight end set has erased the fullback position from the offense. Polite is trying to find his way as an H-back/running back.
S Willie Pile: Has been replaced as the nickel safety by Pat Watkins, who also is a better special teams performer.
G Stephen Peterman: Time might be running out on this former third-round pick. It doesn't help when Parcells all but promises a spot to camp surprise Cory Procter.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
1. Are the Cowboys and T.O. on the same page?
This relationship remains a work in progress. Terrell Owens missed 14 consecutive practice days with a strained hamstring. He is behind in learning the offense and has yet to develop any continuity with quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Owens' relaxing training camp also provided a glimpse of the media glare shining on the Cowboys because of his arrival. Was he faking the injury? Was coach Bill Parcells going soft? Was this the beginning of a season full of controversies? It's been much ado about nothing so far. Owens is back on the field, though he missed Saturday's afternoon practice, and should be up to speed by the season opener. No one questions that he is one of the league's most talented playmakers and will provide a boost to the offense. But will everyone get along? What's certain now is that there won't be any dull moments on or off the field.
2. Is the offensive line settled?
The Cowboys went into the off-season looking to improve the line, but after the first week or so of camp, it looked as if things might have gotten worse. Left tackle Flozell Adams was slow to recover from knee surgery. Free-agent guard Kyle Kosier made no one forget Larry Allen, and the right tackle candidates were so bad the Cowboys held open auditions. Adams should return to form, and Kosier will be adequate, although he is being pushed by Cory Procter. Andre Gurode could prove to be an upgrade at center over Al Johnson. Right tackle, however, remains in flux. Incumbent Rob Petitti has taken a back seat to Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo in the battle for the starting role. Rather than someone stepping up, the decision might come down to who's the best of a poor lot. That's not good news for the immobile Drew Bledsoe.
3. How does Greg Ellis' role and mind-set affect the defense?
Surprise, surprise. Greg Ellis has simply been the same team guy he always has been since joining the Cowboys in 1998. He didn't like being moved to linebacker from defensive end. As a result, he didn't want to be with the Cowboys. But Ellis complied, and in the end the move might be the best thing for him and the team. His smooth transition to linebacker has been the highlight of training camp for coach Bill Parcells. His size will help the Cowboys against the run while keeping another pass-rushing threat on the field to pair with linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
4. Who are the team leaders?
Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is the leader on offense, but he will be joined by tight end Jason Witten, whose six-year contract extension solidifies his status. Marco Rivera is the leader on the offensive line. Defensively, Greg Ellis' move to linebacker has been leadership by example. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson has stepped up on the line. The torch on defense also has been passed to middle linebacker Bradie James. James makes all the calls and will be looked upon by players and coaches to provide whatever needs to be said or done. James has embraced the role.
5. What's the status at free safety?
Free safety remains a work in progress, but that's no longer a negative. Keith Davis had a solid camp. He still has a bullet lodged in his thigh, but the shooting incident before camp seemingly has been forgotten. Davis has not had a problem performing. He would be the starter if the season began today. However, he is being pushed by rookie Pat Watkins, one of the "big" surprises of training camp. Standing 6-foot-5, Watkins gives the team a true ball-hawking center fielder in the secondary. He has all but assured himself a role in the nickel defense. Veteran Marcus Coleman is also a factor there.
Camp standouts
CB Terence Newman: Might be the team's best player. Should have made the Pro Bowl last year. Expect to see him in Hawaii in 2007.
LB Bradie James: Continued progress has made him the undisputed leader of a defense that might soon be called the James Gang.
S Roy Williams: The three-time Pro Bowler loves to hit. Anybody who loves football loves to watch him hit, except maybe his teammates in camp.
TE Jason Witten: The Big Easy, as Bill Parcells calls him, is on his way to becoming the best tight end in Cowboys history.
G Marco Rivera: Any concerns about the line don't include Marco Rivera. He is as solid as they come and looks to be the player the Cowboys thought they were getting last year.
Five surprises
C Andre Gurode: The fifth-year year pro is playing the best football of his career and gives the team more size and strength at center.
LB Greg Ellis: No longer disgruntled, Ellis' move to linebacker has been so smooth teammates are talking about him making the Pro Bowl.
S Pat Watkins: Nicknamed "The Praying Mantis," Watkins is the ideal free safety to pair opposite strong safety Roy Williams.
LB Kevin Burnett: Bill Parcells told Burnett before camp that the second-year linebacker has had more surgeries than tackles. Expect that to change in 2006.
QB Tony Romo: The Cowboys have big things in mind for Romo: He is the heir apparent to Bledsoe. And it could come sooner than later.
Five disappointments
T Jason Fabini: The Cowboys thought they could count on the veteran Fabini, but he hasn't impressed because of age and injuries.
WR Terrell Owens: He will be there when it counts. But his acclimation to the team and the offense has been set back by his 14-day absence.
K Mike Vanderjagt: Like Owens, he will be fine. But the Cowboys expected more in camp. He's been inconsistent on field goals and has yet to kick off.
Wide receiver depth: There is little depth behind starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn after Patrick Crayton's injury. The Cowboys are looking for help.
QB Drew Henson: Camp proved that Henson's tenure has been a disappointment. The Cowboys expected more by now and don't plan to wait much longer.
Rookie watch
LB Bobby Carpenter: Moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and is competing with Akin Ayodele for a starting role.
TE Anthony Fasano: Will have the easiest transition because he played in the same offense in college. Must improve blocking skills.
DE Jason Hatcher: Should make an immediate impact in the pass-rush rotation, but must improve against the run.
WR Skyler Green: Is very green as a receiver. Must make plays as a punt returner to make the roster.
S Pat Watkins: Will make immediate impact on special teams and will play safety in the nickel. He might make a run at the starting free safety spot.
NT Montavious Stanley: He is still trying to adapt to nose tackle after playing defensive tackle in college. Practice squad candidate.
T Pat McQuistan: A developmental prospect who has been much better than expected. A lock for the practice squad, at least.
WR Sam Hurd: An undrafted free agent who not only has made a run at a roster spot, but could see playing time at receiver.
Veterans on the bubble
DE Kenyon Coleman: It's not good news when the coach acknowledges you are being showcased as trade bait. Credit depth at defensive end.
LB Scott Shanle: What was said about Coleman goes double for Shanle, who is the odd man out at a crowded position.
FB Lousaka Polite: The two-tight end set has erased the fullback position from the offense. Polite is trying to find his way as an H-back/running back.
S Willie Pile: Has been replaced as the nickel safety by Pat Watkins, who also is a better special teams performer.
G Stephen Peterman: Time might be running out on this former third-round pick. It doesn't help when Parcells all but promises a spot to camp surprise Cory Procter.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:47 AM
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