Inside Slant: Cowboys
USAToday: Inside Slant
The Cowboys answered some questions during their four week stay in training camp. But as is the case with any team, they still have some holes to fill as well.
The best news of camp was easily the transition of Greg Ellis from defensive end to linebacker.
Ellis moaned and groaned at the outset, not wanting to play the position and not wanting to be on the team.
He made the transition so well that his teammates and coaches were talking about him possibly making the Pro Bowl in his first year at linebacker.
He will be a force coming off the edge. And he and defensive end Marcus Spears will be quite a tandem on the left side of the Cowboys defense.
Other highlights of camp included:
—Cornerback Terrence Newman, who should have made the Pro Bowl last year and is ready to book a ticket Hawaii in 2007.
—Quarterback Tony Romo, who is officially the heir apparent to starter Drew Bledsoe. The move could come sooner rather than later depending on how the season goes.
—Linebacker Bradie James has assumed the role of the defensive leader. James had a breakthrough season last year and is ready to build on that. More than that, he is the undisputed leader on defense.
—Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is ready to become one of the top players in the league. A double digit sack season should be only the beginning. He has been unblockable in practice.
The lowlights of camp include the continued absence of receiver Terrell Owens, who has yet to learn the offense or create any chemistry with quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
The Cowboys have also yet to find an answer at right tackle. There remains a question as to whether the answer is even on the team. Rob Petitti, last season's failed starter, has taken a step back behind Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo. But Fabini and Colombo aren't world beaters either. Right now the decision will come down to the lesser evil, which is not good news for the much sacked and immobile Drew Bledsoe.
The Cowboys are also concerned about the depth receiver behind starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. With third receiver Patrick Crayton out a few weeks with a sprained ankle, that issue is even more acute. The Cowboys are actively seeking trades with other teams to fill the void.
The Cowboys answered some questions during their four week stay in training camp. But as is the case with any team, they still have some holes to fill as well.
The best news of camp was easily the transition of Greg Ellis from defensive end to linebacker.
Ellis moaned and groaned at the outset, not wanting to play the position and not wanting to be on the team.
He made the transition so well that his teammates and coaches were talking about him possibly making the Pro Bowl in his first year at linebacker.
He will be a force coming off the edge. And he and defensive end Marcus Spears will be quite a tandem on the left side of the Cowboys defense.
Other highlights of camp included:
—Cornerback Terrence Newman, who should have made the Pro Bowl last year and is ready to book a ticket Hawaii in 2007.
—Quarterback Tony Romo, who is officially the heir apparent to starter Drew Bledsoe. The move could come sooner rather than later depending on how the season goes.
—Linebacker Bradie James has assumed the role of the defensive leader. James had a breakthrough season last year and is ready to build on that. More than that, he is the undisputed leader on defense.
—Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is ready to become one of the top players in the league. A double digit sack season should be only the beginning. He has been unblockable in practice.
The lowlights of camp include the continued absence of receiver Terrell Owens, who has yet to learn the offense or create any chemistry with quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
The Cowboys have also yet to find an answer at right tackle. There remains a question as to whether the answer is even on the team. Rob Petitti, last season's failed starter, has taken a step back behind Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo. But Fabini and Colombo aren't world beaters either. Right now the decision will come down to the lesser evil, which is not good news for the much sacked and immobile Drew Bledsoe.
The Cowboys are also concerned about the depth receiver behind starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. With third receiver Patrick Crayton out a few weeks with a sprained ankle, that issue is even more acute. The Cowboys are actively seeking trades with other teams to fill the void.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:52 PM
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