Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL/STRATEGICAL ANALYSIS
Terry Glenn will have a big decision to make next season -- it will determine his future. Glenn, who re-injured his knee during practice last week, can opt to have the cartilage repaired, which will probably force him to miss a month. Or he can have microfracture surgery, which could fix the problem completely, but could also end his career. Glenn is getting second opinions and weighing his options, in part, because he's a speed receiver. If he can't run, then he's going to be compromised as a player.
Without Glenn, the Cowboys will move Patrick Crayton into the starting lineup. Crayton has the best hands on the team, but he lacks the speed to threaten defenses. Because of that, it's unlikely he'll be double-covered, which means teams can use a safety to contain Terrell Owens. When the Cowboys use formations with three receivers, Crayton will move to the slot, and Sam Hurd or Miles Austin will become the outside receiver.
Dallas still doesn't know when outside linebacker Greg Ellis will return to the lineup, although there has been a lot of discussion that he will return to practice soon. He has been working hard during rehab and would like to get back on the field -- at least in individual drills -- this week. Without Ellis in the lineup, the Cowboys are going to start Anthony Spencer, their first-round draft choice. He has been OK in practice and in the preseason, but he's spending too much time thinking, as you would expect from a rookie, instead of relying on his athletic ability.
SCOUTING REPORT
LT Flozell Adams, who's entering a contract year, is one of the league's best run-blockers when he's properly motivated. This should be one of those years. At 6-7 and 340 pounds, he can engulf defensive ends. He also does a good job drive blocking. He's a good pass-blocker because he has long arms that allow him to keep defensive ends at a distance. But he has trouble with smaller speed-rushers because he's not quick off the ball.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Second-year linebacker Bobby Carpenter has regressed. The Cowboys can't find a spot for him and have been using him at inside and outside linebacker. He did a nice job during the last two games of last season, but he was unimpressive during training camp. He is not physical at the point of attack against the run and has not shown enough first-step quickness to be an effective pass-rusher off the edge. He is an excellent athlete with good versatility, but he needs to improve his production.
SOMETHING TO PROVE:
Julius Jones' starting position isn't in jeopardy, but he needs strong performances in the first month of the season to ensure he'll still get most of the workload. If he struggles early, then it won't take much to convince first-year coach Wade Phillips to give Marion Barber more work. That said, Jones is in great shape, and he's going to get the ball in more spread formations this season. Jones runs best in such formations.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL/STRATEGICAL ANALYSIS
Terry Glenn will have a big decision to make next season -- it will determine his future. Glenn, who re-injured his knee during practice last week, can opt to have the cartilage repaired, which will probably force him to miss a month. Or he can have microfracture surgery, which could fix the problem completely, but could also end his career. Glenn is getting second opinions and weighing his options, in part, because he's a speed receiver. If he can't run, then he's going to be compromised as a player.
Without Glenn, the Cowboys will move Patrick Crayton into the starting lineup. Crayton has the best hands on the team, but he lacks the speed to threaten defenses. Because of that, it's unlikely he'll be double-covered, which means teams can use a safety to contain Terrell Owens. When the Cowboys use formations with three receivers, Crayton will move to the slot, and Sam Hurd or Miles Austin will become the outside receiver.
Dallas still doesn't know when outside linebacker Greg Ellis will return to the lineup, although there has been a lot of discussion that he will return to practice soon. He has been working hard during rehab and would like to get back on the field -- at least in individual drills -- this week. Without Ellis in the lineup, the Cowboys are going to start Anthony Spencer, their first-round draft choice. He has been OK in practice and in the preseason, but he's spending too much time thinking, as you would expect from a rookie, instead of relying on his athletic ability.
SCOUTING REPORT
LT Flozell Adams, who's entering a contract year, is one of the league's best run-blockers when he's properly motivated. This should be one of those years. At 6-7 and 340 pounds, he can engulf defensive ends. He also does a good job drive blocking. He's a good pass-blocker because he has long arms that allow him to keep defensive ends at a distance. But he has trouble with smaller speed-rushers because he's not quick off the ball.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Second-year linebacker Bobby Carpenter has regressed. The Cowboys can't find a spot for him and have been using him at inside and outside linebacker. He did a nice job during the last two games of last season, but he was unimpressive during training camp. He is not physical at the point of attack against the run and has not shown enough first-step quickness to be an effective pass-rusher off the edge. He is an excellent athlete with good versatility, but he needs to improve his production.
SOMETHING TO PROVE:
Julius Jones' starting position isn't in jeopardy, but he needs strong performances in the first month of the season to ensure he'll still get most of the workload. If he struggles early, then it won't take much to convince first-year coach Wade Phillips to give Marion Barber more work. That said, Jones is in great shape, and he's going to get the ball in more spread formations this season. Jones runs best in such formations.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:34 PM
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