Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
Leading receiver Terrell Owens, who's recovering from surgery to repair a torn tendon on his right ring finger, surprised his coaches and owner Jerry Jones by participating in the club's first offseason minicamp. Although his rehabilitation was going well -- he was catching tennis ball -- the Cowboys didn't expect him on the field until training camp. But he was cleared the day before the minicamp started and participated in all individual and team drills during the weekend. First-year offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said Owens has a good grasp of the playbook, something he didn't have last year, which limited the Cowboys ability to move him around the formation as well as use motion to get him favorable matchups.
SCOUTING REPORT: Jacques Reeves, entering his fourth season, remains a quality special teams player and a solid fourth cornerback. He made strides last year in his press coverage technique as well as his ability to properly track the flight of the ball on long passes and make a play on it without committing pass interference. The Cowboys like his speed and toughness, but want him to work on maintaining his focus to reduce his mental errors. He's unlikely to beat out Terence Newman, Anthony Henry or Aaron Glenn, but with Henry's injury history and the propensity of teams to use four-receiver formations, the Cowboys expect Reeves to have an important role.
POSITION BATTLE: DE Greg Ellis has said he's concerned the acquisition of LB Anthony Spencer, a first-round pick (26th overall) means the Cowboys are beginning to phase him out. Ellis, one of the club's top two pass-rushers, is rehabbing a ruptured Achilles' tendon that he suffered last October. The Cowboys maintain they intend Ellis to start with Spencer being the nickel pass rusher. The reality is owner Jerry Jones doesn't like spending big money on first-rounders who sit on the bench. He would probably like Spencer and Ellis to reverse roles by the end of the season
DEFENSIVE END ANALYSIS: C+ There is loads of potential among the Cowboys' defensive ends -- Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Jason Hatcher -- but they haven't come close to realizing it yet. Spears was a poor fit in Bill Parcells' scheme and has said he's going to have a breakout season in Wade Phillips' attacking defense because it gives him the ability to use his speed and quickness like he did at LSU. Canty has been solid against the run, but a nonfactor as a pass rusher. He's a good athlete and does a good job of maintaining leverage, but the Cowboys need him to be more dominant. Hatcher showed signs of being a fine pass rusher as a rookie. The Cowboys want him to hold up better against the run.
For Sporting News
Leading receiver Terrell Owens, who's recovering from surgery to repair a torn tendon on his right ring finger, surprised his coaches and owner Jerry Jones by participating in the club's first offseason minicamp. Although his rehabilitation was going well -- he was catching tennis ball -- the Cowboys didn't expect him on the field until training camp. But he was cleared the day before the minicamp started and participated in all individual and team drills during the weekend. First-year offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said Owens has a good grasp of the playbook, something he didn't have last year, which limited the Cowboys ability to move him around the formation as well as use motion to get him favorable matchups.
SCOUTING REPORT: Jacques Reeves, entering his fourth season, remains a quality special teams player and a solid fourth cornerback. He made strides last year in his press coverage technique as well as his ability to properly track the flight of the ball on long passes and make a play on it without committing pass interference. The Cowboys like his speed and toughness, but want him to work on maintaining his focus to reduce his mental errors. He's unlikely to beat out Terence Newman, Anthony Henry or Aaron Glenn, but with Henry's injury history and the propensity of teams to use four-receiver formations, the Cowboys expect Reeves to have an important role.
POSITION BATTLE: DE Greg Ellis has said he's concerned the acquisition of LB Anthony Spencer, a first-round pick (26th overall) means the Cowboys are beginning to phase him out. Ellis, one of the club's top two pass-rushers, is rehabbing a ruptured Achilles' tendon that he suffered last October. The Cowboys maintain they intend Ellis to start with Spencer being the nickel pass rusher. The reality is owner Jerry Jones doesn't like spending big money on first-rounders who sit on the bench. He would probably like Spencer and Ellis to reverse roles by the end of the season
DEFENSIVE END ANALYSIS: C+ There is loads of potential among the Cowboys' defensive ends -- Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Jason Hatcher -- but they haven't come close to realizing it yet. Spears was a poor fit in Bill Parcells' scheme and has said he's going to have a breakout season in Wade Phillips' attacking defense because it gives him the ability to use his speed and quickness like he did at LSU. Canty has been solid against the run, but a nonfactor as a pass rusher. He's a good athlete and does a good job of maintaining leverage, but the Cowboys need him to be more dominant. Hatcher showed signs of being a fine pass rusher as a rookie. The Cowboys want him to hold up better against the run.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:35 PM
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