Jones no longer running like a robot
By Stephen Hawkins
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- Julius Jones isn't feeling robotic anymore for the Dallas Cowboys.
"I'm just running on my instincts pretty much," Jones said. "I'm just letting the line do what they do. I'm running to where I'm supposed to go, but after that I'm just letting it happen."
At times last season under former coach Bill Parcells, Jones has said he felt like he "was kind of running like a robot" and notreally able to use his instinctsbecause of where the coach was telling him to run. Jones still had his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
Even though Jones carried only 15 times for 53 yards the first two preseason games, he already senses a difference of having a new coach -- and had no problem being an instinctive runner again.
"It's always there," Jones said. "This coaching staff, they're alittle bit more comfortable with us doing that."
Kicking for a job: Martin Gramatica probably didn't expect to be in much of a fight for a job, not after getting a new two-year contract during the offseason.
But the Cowboys used a sixth-round draft pick on Nick Folk, and the rookie from Arizona is2-for-2 on field goals with a52-yarder. Gramatica is 2-for-3, his miss a 51-yarder. Both have had booming kickoffs into the middle of the end zone.
"I'm just doing what hopefully is enough to be here. I want to be here, I like it here," Gramatica said. "Nick's doing a great job kicking. I feel pretty good. You can't have eight years of experience and expect things not to go your
Coach Wade Phillips said Thursday that it's still possible that the Cowboys could keep both kickers.
Wide open: With Terry Glenn missing the preseason because of arthroscopic knee surgery, Patrick Crayton has been in a starting role. He has a team-high five catches in the first two preseason games and has been impressive in practice.
"He's run some routes where they've lost him or the guy falls down," Phillips said. "Some of it is because of him, being able to run the route correctly. He's made a lot of plays already."
Little prep needed: Greg Ellis still hasn't practiced while recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon sustained last November. But once Ellis gets back on the field, Phillips doesn't think it will take long for the linebacker to get into a game.
"A walkthrough on Saturday, I think he'll be ready. He knows what to do," Phillips said. "He's played outside 'backer, and we tell them to go get 'em. I know he's going to do that."
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- Julius Jones isn't feeling robotic anymore for the Dallas Cowboys.
"I'm just running on my instincts pretty much," Jones said. "I'm just letting the line do what they do. I'm running to where I'm supposed to go, but after that I'm just letting it happen."
At times last season under former coach Bill Parcells, Jones has said he felt like he "was kind of running like a robot" and notreally able to use his instinctsbecause of where the coach was telling him to run. Jones still had his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
Even though Jones carried only 15 times for 53 yards the first two preseason games, he already senses a difference of having a new coach -- and had no problem being an instinctive runner again.
"It's always there," Jones said. "This coaching staff, they're alittle bit more comfortable with us doing that."
Kicking for a job: Martin Gramatica probably didn't expect to be in much of a fight for a job, not after getting a new two-year contract during the offseason.
But the Cowboys used a sixth-round draft pick on Nick Folk, and the rookie from Arizona is2-for-2 on field goals with a52-yarder. Gramatica is 2-for-3, his miss a 51-yarder. Both have had booming kickoffs into the middle of the end zone.
"I'm just doing what hopefully is enough to be here. I want to be here, I like it here," Gramatica said. "Nick's doing a great job kicking. I feel pretty good. You can't have eight years of experience and expect things not to go your
Coach Wade Phillips said Thursday that it's still possible that the Cowboys could keep both kickers.
Wide open: With Terry Glenn missing the preseason because of arthroscopic knee surgery, Patrick Crayton has been in a starting role. He has a team-high five catches in the first two preseason games and has been impressive in practice.
"He's run some routes where they've lost him or the guy falls down," Phillips said. "Some of it is because of him, being able to run the route correctly. He's made a lot of plays already."
Little prep needed: Greg Ellis still hasn't practiced while recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon sustained last November. But once Ellis gets back on the field, Phillips doesn't think it will take long for the linebacker to get into a game.
"A walkthrough on Saturday, I think he'll be ready. He knows what to do," Phillips said. "He's played outside 'backer, and we tell them to go get 'em. I know he's going to do that."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:42 AM
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