Todd Archer Great Blurbs on the 'Boys
More Canty props...he could be the surprise D-lineman this year; Witten to have career year; Ellis looking good
ARTICLE: '07 forecast: Witten could sizzle (Camp Notes)
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Cowboys Columnist: Todd Archer
05:10 PM CDT on Thursday, May 17, 2007
IRVING – The first minicamp is complete, so we have seen five practices without pads. Next week, the Cowboys will go through their first set of on-field teaching activities, and their second minicamp comes June 8-10.
With so much knowledge gained from the on-field work so far, what better time than to make some predictions for the 2007 season?
Jason Witten's yard per catch will be close to 14 this season.
In his first four seasons, Witten has averaged 11.3 yards per catch with a season-high 11.8 yards last season. Witten's work down the middle of the field was impressive during the minicamp. He didn't catch dump-offs to the flat. He was down the field, pressing the safeties and behind the linebackers. And Tony Romo was finding him. Jason Garrett had Randy McMichael the last two years in Miami and saw Jay Novacek in Dallas. Wade Phillips saw Antonio Gates up close the last few years in San Diego. They know what kind of weapon a tight end can be in an offense.
Greg Ellis will be the starting strong-side linebacker on opening night against the New York Giants.
Ellis can complain all he wants about his contract. Hey, he signed it. He took the gamble of signing during the season and then saw Grant Wistrom get $14 million from Seattle. And Wistrom is now retired. If he wanted to take the chance, he could've waited for the market to open.
But forget the contract, let's talk football. Watching Ellis work with associate trainer Britt Brown on the side was impressive. He looked like he was way ahead of schedule on his comeback from a torn Achilles' tendon. He had a little limp, but it wasn't too bad. Yes, the Cowboys drafted Anthony Spencer, but he's going to need to improve physically to win the job from Ellis. The veteran knows how to stand up against the run and get after the passer. Come September, he'll be fine.
The return of the fullback
Ah, yes, the fullback. Let's not get carried away here. The Cowboys don't have a Daryl Johnston on the roster. Of the 65 to 70 snaps an offense gets a game, I'll say the fullback (a true fullback) will get 18 snaps. Maybe.
Deon Anderson might become the starter because of his blocking skills, but neither he nor Oliver Hoyte is going to be a big factor in the passing game. And Lousaka Polite will have to become a killer lead blocker. Look for Anthony Fasano to have a solid second season as the second tight end/fullback/H-back.
Chris Canty will be more disruptive than Marcus Spears.
Spears was much improved during this minicamp than at any time last year, but Canty was more disruptive. The Cowboys will need both of these guys to be players, not just space eaters. They will be given more freedom to make plays in this 3-4 defense, but Canty will have the chance to make more plays
We won't hear John Madden talking about DeMarcus Ware's coverage skills.
Madden loudly wondered why Ware was dropping back in coverage in certain situations when the Cowboys needed to get after the passer. Offenses could take him out of the rush by motioning to his side of the field, which put him in coverage. This year, he will not be forced to drop into coverage if that happens. Just as we saw Shawne Merriman rush the passer on what appeared to be every play last year, we will see that with Ware. And just an aside, Ware is a more complete player than Merriman. Not saying better or worse, but more complete. His interception while in zone coverage in Monday's practice was just a freakish, athletic play.
If Brad Johnson has to play a bunch, the field will shorten in a hurry.
It's May, we know, but let's just say Johnson's ability to get the ball down the field is a huge question because we rarely saw him throw it down the field. There were lots of completions to backs and tight ends and shorter throws to the receivers. Defenses will dare the Cowboys to go deep if Johnson is their quarterback for a long spell. Wisely, the Cowboys are choosing to save Johnson's arm some during the off-season, which is part of the reason why they signed a fifth quarterback (Richard Bartel) for the next month if not longer.
ARTICLE: '07 forecast: Witten could sizzle (Camp Notes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cowboys Columnist: Todd Archer
05:10 PM CDT on Thursday, May 17, 2007
IRVING – The first minicamp is complete, so we have seen five practices without pads. Next week, the Cowboys will go through their first set of on-field teaching activities, and their second minicamp comes June 8-10.
With so much knowledge gained from the on-field work so far, what better time than to make some predictions for the 2007 season?
Jason Witten's yard per catch will be close to 14 this season.
In his first four seasons, Witten has averaged 11.3 yards per catch with a season-high 11.8 yards last season. Witten's work down the middle of the field was impressive during the minicamp. He didn't catch dump-offs to the flat. He was down the field, pressing the safeties and behind the linebackers. And Tony Romo was finding him. Jason Garrett had Randy McMichael the last two years in Miami and saw Jay Novacek in Dallas. Wade Phillips saw Antonio Gates up close the last few years in San Diego. They know what kind of weapon a tight end can be in an offense.
Greg Ellis will be the starting strong-side linebacker on opening night against the New York Giants.
Ellis can complain all he wants about his contract. Hey, he signed it. He took the gamble of signing during the season and then saw Grant Wistrom get $14 million from Seattle. And Wistrom is now retired. If he wanted to take the chance, he could've waited for the market to open.
But forget the contract, let's talk football. Watching Ellis work with associate trainer Britt Brown on the side was impressive. He looked like he was way ahead of schedule on his comeback from a torn Achilles' tendon. He had a little limp, but it wasn't too bad. Yes, the Cowboys drafted Anthony Spencer, but he's going to need to improve physically to win the job from Ellis. The veteran knows how to stand up against the run and get after the passer. Come September, he'll be fine.
The return of the fullback
Ah, yes, the fullback. Let's not get carried away here. The Cowboys don't have a Daryl Johnston on the roster. Of the 65 to 70 snaps an offense gets a game, I'll say the fullback (a true fullback) will get 18 snaps. Maybe.
Deon Anderson might become the starter because of his blocking skills, but neither he nor Oliver Hoyte is going to be a big factor in the passing game. And Lousaka Polite will have to become a killer lead blocker. Look for Anthony Fasano to have a solid second season as the second tight end/fullback/H-back.
Chris Canty will be more disruptive than Marcus Spears.
Spears was much improved during this minicamp than at any time last year, but Canty was more disruptive. The Cowboys will need both of these guys to be players, not just space eaters. They will be given more freedom to make plays in this 3-4 defense, but Canty will have the chance to make more plays
We won't hear John Madden talking about DeMarcus Ware's coverage skills.
Madden loudly wondered why Ware was dropping back in coverage in certain situations when the Cowboys needed to get after the passer. Offenses could take him out of the rush by motioning to his side of the field, which put him in coverage. This year, he will not be forced to drop into coverage if that happens. Just as we saw Shawne Merriman rush the passer on what appeared to be every play last year, we will see that with Ware. And just an aside, Ware is a more complete player than Merriman. Not saying better or worse, but more complete. His interception while in zone coverage in Monday's practice was just a freakish, athletic play.
If Brad Johnson has to play a bunch, the field will shorten in a hurry.
It's May, we know, but let's just say Johnson's ability to get the ball down the field is a huge question because we rarely saw him throw it down the field. There were lots of completions to backs and tight ends and shorter throws to the receivers. Defenses will dare the Cowboys to go deep if Johnson is their quarterback for a long spell. Wisely, the Cowboys are choosing to save Johnson's arm some during the off-season, which is part of the reason why they signed a fifth quarterback (Richard Bartel) for the next month if not longer.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:17 PM
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