DMN Archer: Cowboys roster analysis: QB, RB
IRVING – The off-season work is largely done, although the veterans have workouts through June and the rookies will be there through the middle of July.
Where are the Cowboys as they get ready for training camp in San Antonio? Wade Phillips does not see a true weakness on his roster, a spot where they absolutely must have a guy. He's probably right.
Over the next six weeks, we will analyze the roster, starting this week with the quarterbacks and running backs. The rest of the schedule will go as follows: tight ends/receivers (June 21), offensive line (June 28), defensive line (July 5), linebackers (July 12) and defensive backs and specialists (July 19).
Quarterbacks
Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Matt Baker, Matt Moore, Richard Bartel
Romo is the key to the Cowboys' season. He was stunningly good when he became the starter as the Cowboys won five of his first six starts and should have won all six if not for the fluke ending in Washington. His play down the stretch, however, was not as good although not as bad as has been portrayed.
For the first time in his fledgling career, Romo will have a new voice in his head. Gone are Bill Parcells and David Lee. And Romo had an excellent relationship with last year's QB coach, Chris Palmer. In are Jason Garrett and Wade Wilson. They played for the Cowboys. They know the demands of the position. They must stay on top of Romo, especially with his mechanics. He tends to get sloppy with how he holds the ball in the pocket.
During the open practices this summer, Romo showed the ability to get the ball down the field and he mostly stayed away from careless decision-making. That's good. For those worried about how he comes back from the playoff loss at Seattle, don't be.
The Cowboys signed Johnson to as an insurance policy as the backup. He has been a solid decision-maker, move-the-chain type in his career. He excelled under Norv Turner in Washington and will be running largely the same passing game under Garrett. He and Garrett are also good friends. That's the good news. The bad news is that Johnson did not show much arm strength in the open practices. If Romo struggles or gets hurt and Johnson is forced into action, then defenses will shorten the field in a hurry because they won't fear the deep ball.
Baker looked improved over his time last year. He showed a strong arm and got rid of the ball quickly. He has good size and awareness. He has the edge going into training camp to be the No. 3 quarterback. Moore was given a $15,000 signing bonus, but he missed almost all of the off-season because NFL rules did not allow him to be in Dallas while Oregon State still had classes. The size of the signing bonus could help him get to camp, but Phillips liked some of the things Bartel did. He made some mistakes, but he showed a strong arm. Bringing five quarterbacks to camp just doesn't make sense, so one of the young guys will be cut.
Running backs
Julius Jones, Marion Barber, Tyson Thompson, Jackie Battle, Alonzo Coleman, Oliver Hoyte, Lousaka Polite, Deon Anderson
Jones is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent when the season ends and needs a big year. While he worked out mostly in Arizona, he looked thicker and quicker. He also did a nice job catching passes out of the backfield. Will he join Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett as the next great Cowboys running back? Doubtful, but that's largely because Smith and Dorsett were once-a-generation players. Jones can still be a very good back and gain a lot of yards. He felt shackled by Parcells last year, unable to run with his instincts. The running plays are the same, but Jones said he will have more freedom this year to make plays on his own.
Barber is scheduled to be a restricted free agent when the season ends and if he continues to excel, the Cowboys will have to place the first-round tender on him or somebody will scoop him up. Can he be the full-time guy? The last time he was came in high school. He has such a hard-charging style that being able to last 16 games at 20 carries a contest would be difficult. He too is accomplished in the passing game, but where he separates himself is by the goal line. He runs with power, but he also has good feet. He needs to remind himself of time and situation when he runs. He can't always look for the big gain.
Thompson has added some bulk this off-season but hasn't lost his speed. His 2006 season ended early because of an ankle injury. He's healthy, but the emergence of Miles Austin as a kick returner could put him in for a fight for a roster spot with Battle and Coleman. Thompson has great straight-line speed but doesn't make too many people miss. Battle could be a real find, but he runs way too high and will get knocked around. Yet he showed a burst and vision that impressed and his size (6-2, 238) would give the Cowboys an option they don't have. Coleman has been bothered by an ankle injury most of the off-season but has not missed much work. He's shifty and could surprise when the pads come on.
Fullback could be the best competition and the minicamp work done by the three contestants means little because the pads were in the locker room. The expectation that the fullback will be used more might be premature. The tight ends could remain a big part of this group, like they were under Parcells, and the Cowboys do not have a Daryl Johnston type on the roster.
Oliver Hoyte converted from linebacker as a rookie and did a nice job, but he offers little in the passing game. Lousaka Polite has been on and off the roster the last three years. He won't make mistakes, but he is not a killer blocker. Anderson, a rookie, could be the best combination of both and if he can play special teams like he did in college then he has a big edge.
Where are the Cowboys as they get ready for training camp in San Antonio? Wade Phillips does not see a true weakness on his roster, a spot where they absolutely must have a guy. He's probably right.
Over the next six weeks, we will analyze the roster, starting this week with the quarterbacks and running backs. The rest of the schedule will go as follows: tight ends/receivers (June 21), offensive line (June 28), defensive line (July 5), linebackers (July 12) and defensive backs and specialists (July 19).
Quarterbacks
Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Matt Baker, Matt Moore, Richard Bartel
Romo is the key to the Cowboys' season. He was stunningly good when he became the starter as the Cowboys won five of his first six starts and should have won all six if not for the fluke ending in Washington. His play down the stretch, however, was not as good although not as bad as has been portrayed.
For the first time in his fledgling career, Romo will have a new voice in his head. Gone are Bill Parcells and David Lee. And Romo had an excellent relationship with last year's QB coach, Chris Palmer. In are Jason Garrett and Wade Wilson. They played for the Cowboys. They know the demands of the position. They must stay on top of Romo, especially with his mechanics. He tends to get sloppy with how he holds the ball in the pocket.
During the open practices this summer, Romo showed the ability to get the ball down the field and he mostly stayed away from careless decision-making. That's good. For those worried about how he comes back from the playoff loss at Seattle, don't be.
The Cowboys signed Johnson to as an insurance policy as the backup. He has been a solid decision-maker, move-the-chain type in his career. He excelled under Norv Turner in Washington and will be running largely the same passing game under Garrett. He and Garrett are also good friends. That's the good news. The bad news is that Johnson did not show much arm strength in the open practices. If Romo struggles or gets hurt and Johnson is forced into action, then defenses will shorten the field in a hurry because they won't fear the deep ball.
Baker looked improved over his time last year. He showed a strong arm and got rid of the ball quickly. He has good size and awareness. He has the edge going into training camp to be the No. 3 quarterback. Moore was given a $15,000 signing bonus, but he missed almost all of the off-season because NFL rules did not allow him to be in Dallas while Oregon State still had classes. The size of the signing bonus could help him get to camp, but Phillips liked some of the things Bartel did. He made some mistakes, but he showed a strong arm. Bringing five quarterbacks to camp just doesn't make sense, so one of the young guys will be cut.
Running backs
Julius Jones, Marion Barber, Tyson Thompson, Jackie Battle, Alonzo Coleman, Oliver Hoyte, Lousaka Polite, Deon Anderson
Jones is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent when the season ends and needs a big year. While he worked out mostly in Arizona, he looked thicker and quicker. He also did a nice job catching passes out of the backfield. Will he join Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett as the next great Cowboys running back? Doubtful, but that's largely because Smith and Dorsett were once-a-generation players. Jones can still be a very good back and gain a lot of yards. He felt shackled by Parcells last year, unable to run with his instincts. The running plays are the same, but Jones said he will have more freedom this year to make plays on his own.
Barber is scheduled to be a restricted free agent when the season ends and if he continues to excel, the Cowboys will have to place the first-round tender on him or somebody will scoop him up. Can he be the full-time guy? The last time he was came in high school. He has such a hard-charging style that being able to last 16 games at 20 carries a contest would be difficult. He too is accomplished in the passing game, but where he separates himself is by the goal line. He runs with power, but he also has good feet. He needs to remind himself of time and situation when he runs. He can't always look for the big gain.
Thompson has added some bulk this off-season but hasn't lost his speed. His 2006 season ended early because of an ankle injury. He's healthy, but the emergence of Miles Austin as a kick returner could put him in for a fight for a roster spot with Battle and Coleman. Thompson has great straight-line speed but doesn't make too many people miss. Battle could be a real find, but he runs way too high and will get knocked around. Yet he showed a burst and vision that impressed and his size (6-2, 238) would give the Cowboys an option they don't have. Coleman has been bothered by an ankle injury most of the off-season but has not missed much work. He's shifty and could surprise when the pads come on.
Fullback could be the best competition and the minicamp work done by the three contestants means little because the pads were in the locker room. The expectation that the fullback will be used more might be premature. The tight ends could remain a big part of this group, like they were under Parcells, and the Cowboys do not have a Daryl Johnston type on the roster.
Oliver Hoyte converted from linebacker as a rookie and did a nice job, but he offers little in the passing game. Lousaka Polite has been on and off the roster the last three years. He won't make mistakes, but he is not a killer blocker. Anderson, a rookie, could be the best combination of both and if he can play special teams like he did in college then he has a big edge.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:25 PM
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