FOX: Cowboys team report
Team Report: Inside Slant
If it seems that coach Wade Phillips' new defensive scheme was designed with safety Roy Williams and linebacker DeMarcus Ware in mind, that's purely coincidence.
Phillips has been running his version of the 3-4 dating back to his days with the Oilers.
It is very different than the 3-4 that Pittsburgh uses or the one Bill Parcells has always employed because of its aggressive philosophy.
The thing Phillips has always emphasized is that he tries to put his playmakers in position to make plays. That's where Williams and Ware come in.
Although the two were Pro Bowl performers last year, there is no question they could have had a bigger impact. In terms of Ware, it was a situation where the team's best pass rusher wasn't always used to pass rush. There were times a team could to take Ware out of the pass rush and put him into coverage, depending on their formation.
That won't happen any more, as Ware's primary responsibility in 2007 will be to rush the quarterback.
It will not be unlike how Phillips used Shawne Merriman in San Diego. Merriman notched 27 sacks over the past two seasons.
Ware is shooting for a certain sack number but he believes he will get more than 11.5 he notched while rushing on a part-time basis last season.
Regarding Williams, no one disputes his status as one the league's top safeties. No one will also argue that Williams doesn't have his shortcomings in pass coverage.
Those shortcomings were even more evident the past two years when Williams played deep safety in the Cowboys' Cover 2. He was exposed in coverage repeatedly and beat for big plays.
Williams is at his best close the line of scrimmage where he can make plays in the backfield. That is where he will play under Phillips, who will limit his deep coverage responsibility, even on passing downs. Williams will play linebacker in the nickel defense.
"It does feel better knowing that I am going o be involved more in the defense," Williams said. "Coach Phillips said they are going to install some plays for me. I don't know about blitzing. I look forward to more tackles for losses."
Team Report: Notes and Quotes
--NT Jason Ferguson knows there is some concern as to how productive he will be without Bill Parcells. Some of Ferguson's best years have come under Parcells, partly because he responded favorably to the veteran coach's tough love. Parcells gave Ferguson a weight limit and rode him constantly in the off-season to stay in shape. Ferguson says he will undoubtedly miss Parcells but said there is no need to worry about him.
--LB Kevin Burnett is trying to make the most of his chance to work with the first-team defense. Burnett has gotten the reps in minicamp and the OTA workouts because starter Akin Ayodele is sidelined until training camp with a minor knee injury.
Burnett, who has been mainly a backup player and special teams performer since being made a second-round pick in 2005, has lobbied for more playing time.
"I am trying to take advantage of the opportunity," Burnett said. "Hopefully it can turn into something good."
--Fun is definitely back at the Cowboys headquarters now that Wade Phillips has replaced the demanding Bill Parcells.
The evidence is overwhelming, starting with how much fun the players are having in practice. Although the workouts are intense, there is a lot more chatter, trash talk and celebrating in practice.
"We are enjoying ourselves," safety Roy Williams said. "It's a new era. It's a new family vibe. We are enjoying ourselves and having a good time. We are going to make it fun. We are not going to stress."
More evidence was the cookout the Phillips threw for the team and their families on the final day of minicamp.
Families were not allowed in the locker room under Parcells.
And then there was this weekend's staff getaway to Las Vegas. Trips to Las Vegas were a staple of the Cowboys staff since the days of Jimmy Johnson. Parcells did away with the fun the past four years. But with Parcells gone, owner Jerry Jones has brought the tradition back.
The coaches, scouts and front-office personnel flew to Las Vegas on June 13 and returned June 16, in time for Fathers Day.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we've got a chance to go real deep. I think this team has a shot at winning the whole thing." -- Quarterback Tony Romo on the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run in 2007.
Team Report: Strategy and Personnel
--LT Flozell Adams underwent knee surgery last week that kept him out of the final minicamp. It was considered a minor deal and the Cowboys expect him to be ready for training camp. Nevertheless, the Cowboys are expected to scuttle their plan to move backup Pat McQuistan to guard. McQuistan has worked with the first team at tackle in place of Adams. As of now he will stay at tackle when the Cowboys start training camp. The Cowboys wanted McQuistan to push Kyle Kosier for the starting spot at left guard.
--QB Tony Romo said his agent Tom Condon has had preliminary talks with the Cowboys about a contract extension. Romo's deal is up after the 2007 season. He would like to get something done before the start of the season.
The question the Cowboys must answer is if they should do a deal now or wait until Romo proves himself again. Although he made the Pro Bowl last season, he has only 11 career starts. It's also true that he struggled at the end of the season after having a strong start. The Cowboys maintain that they believe in Romo and say he is their quarterback for the future.
Still it makes good business sense for the Cowboys to wait. If they sign him now and he fails, then they have to sign another quarterback and eat the contract. If they wait and he fails, then they can just draft the top quarterback next season. If they wait and he has a big season, they can franchise him or sign him as a free agent.
The price might be higher, but owner Jerry Jones has never had a problem paying his star players top dollar. Considering the windfall the Cowboys will get if the ever popular Romo is successful, Jones definitely won't have a problem paying him.
If it seems that coach Wade Phillips' new defensive scheme was designed with safety Roy Williams and linebacker DeMarcus Ware in mind, that's purely coincidence.
Phillips has been running his version of the 3-4 dating back to his days with the Oilers.
It is very different than the 3-4 that Pittsburgh uses or the one Bill Parcells has always employed because of its aggressive philosophy.
The thing Phillips has always emphasized is that he tries to put his playmakers in position to make plays. That's where Williams and Ware come in.
Although the two were Pro Bowl performers last year, there is no question they could have had a bigger impact. In terms of Ware, it was a situation where the team's best pass rusher wasn't always used to pass rush. There were times a team could to take Ware out of the pass rush and put him into coverage, depending on their formation.
That won't happen any more, as Ware's primary responsibility in 2007 will be to rush the quarterback.
It will not be unlike how Phillips used Shawne Merriman in San Diego. Merriman notched 27 sacks over the past two seasons.
Ware is shooting for a certain sack number but he believes he will get more than 11.5 he notched while rushing on a part-time basis last season.
Regarding Williams, no one disputes his status as one the league's top safeties. No one will also argue that Williams doesn't have his shortcomings in pass coverage.
Those shortcomings were even more evident the past two years when Williams played deep safety in the Cowboys' Cover 2. He was exposed in coverage repeatedly and beat for big plays.
Williams is at his best close the line of scrimmage where he can make plays in the backfield. That is where he will play under Phillips, who will limit his deep coverage responsibility, even on passing downs. Williams will play linebacker in the nickel defense.
"It does feel better knowing that I am going o be involved more in the defense," Williams said. "Coach Phillips said they are going to install some plays for me. I don't know about blitzing. I look forward to more tackles for losses."
Team Report: Notes and Quotes
--NT Jason Ferguson knows there is some concern as to how productive he will be without Bill Parcells. Some of Ferguson's best years have come under Parcells, partly because he responded favorably to the veteran coach's tough love. Parcells gave Ferguson a weight limit and rode him constantly in the off-season to stay in shape. Ferguson says he will undoubtedly miss Parcells but said there is no need to worry about him.
--LB Kevin Burnett is trying to make the most of his chance to work with the first-team defense. Burnett has gotten the reps in minicamp and the OTA workouts because starter Akin Ayodele is sidelined until training camp with a minor knee injury.
Burnett, who has been mainly a backup player and special teams performer since being made a second-round pick in 2005, has lobbied for more playing time.
"I am trying to take advantage of the opportunity," Burnett said. "Hopefully it can turn into something good."
--Fun is definitely back at the Cowboys headquarters now that Wade Phillips has replaced the demanding Bill Parcells.
The evidence is overwhelming, starting with how much fun the players are having in practice. Although the workouts are intense, there is a lot more chatter, trash talk and celebrating in practice.
"We are enjoying ourselves," safety Roy Williams said. "It's a new era. It's a new family vibe. We are enjoying ourselves and having a good time. We are going to make it fun. We are not going to stress."
More evidence was the cookout the Phillips threw for the team and their families on the final day of minicamp.
Families were not allowed in the locker room under Parcells.
And then there was this weekend's staff getaway to Las Vegas. Trips to Las Vegas were a staple of the Cowboys staff since the days of Jimmy Johnson. Parcells did away with the fun the past four years. But with Parcells gone, owner Jerry Jones has brought the tradition back.
The coaches, scouts and front-office personnel flew to Las Vegas on June 13 and returned June 16, in time for Fathers Day.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we've got a chance to go real deep. I think this team has a shot at winning the whole thing." -- Quarterback Tony Romo on the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run in 2007.
Team Report: Strategy and Personnel
--LT Flozell Adams underwent knee surgery last week that kept him out of the final minicamp. It was considered a minor deal and the Cowboys expect him to be ready for training camp. Nevertheless, the Cowboys are expected to scuttle their plan to move backup Pat McQuistan to guard. McQuistan has worked with the first team at tackle in place of Adams. As of now he will stay at tackle when the Cowboys start training camp. The Cowboys wanted McQuistan to push Kyle Kosier for the starting spot at left guard.
--QB Tony Romo said his agent Tom Condon has had preliminary talks with the Cowboys about a contract extension. Romo's deal is up after the 2007 season. He would like to get something done before the start of the season.
The question the Cowboys must answer is if they should do a deal now or wait until Romo proves himself again. Although he made the Pro Bowl last season, he has only 11 career starts. It's also true that he struggled at the end of the season after having a strong start. The Cowboys maintain that they believe in Romo and say he is their quarterback for the future.
Still it makes good business sense for the Cowboys to wait. If they sign him now and he fails, then they have to sign another quarterback and eat the contract. If they wait and he fails, then they can just draft the top quarterback next season. If they wait and he has a big season, they can franchise him or sign him as a free agent.
The price might be higher, but owner Jerry Jones has never had a problem paying his star players top dollar. Considering the windfall the Cowboys will get if the ever popular Romo is successful, Jones definitely won't have a problem paying him.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:22 PM
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