Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ISSUES: The Cowboys are willing to part with DE Marcus Spears and LB Bobby Carpenter, if they can find any takers. The Cowboys don't mind moving Spears because Jay Ratliff could move to end and Dallas could use Jason Ferguson and Tank Johnson at nose tackle. Spears has started each of his first two seasons and has been solid, but he hasn't been the playmaker the Cowboys thought they were getting. Still, he's been a lot better than Carpenter, who has come nowhere close to getting on the field. He hasn't even solidified a role in the nickel or dime. The Cowboys think he would be better as a strongside linebacker in the 4-3, where he can be protected by the defense end and run to the ball. In the 3-4, the linebackers have to be physical and attack guards. Carpenter struggles in that aspect, which limits his effectiveness. ...
The Cowboys moved closer to finalizing their defensive staff by hiring linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who spent last season as Arkansas' defensive coordinator. He had been hired by Texas A&M to do the same job, but left for the Cowboys after a month. He's known as a coach who specializes in fundamentals, while using a lot of creative blitz combinations as a coordinator.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cowboys would like TE Anthony Fasano to become a bigger piece of the offense next season, even though Jason Witten is one of the game's best tight ends. The Cowboys would like for Fasano to play so well in the offseason minicamps and training camp that he forces offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to get him on the field. Fasano lacks the speed to be a downfield threat, but he has terrific hands and runs good routes. He needs to continue to improve as a blocker, especially when he's the H-back and has to block a moving a target.
DRAFT BUZZ: The Cowboys will be looking for a wide receiver, running back and cornerback with their first three picks in the draft. There has been a lot of talk about the Cowboys trading up with Miami to grab the No.1 pick in the draft, but that seems hard to fathom because the Cowboys' two first-round picks are both in the 20s -- and it's going to take considerably more than that to get the first overall pick. The Cowboys love Darren McFadden, but this is an excellent draft for running backs and the Cowboys could easily stay and grab a runner like Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart or Arkansas' Felix Jones. Dallas will probably wait until the second round to grab a cornerback because that's where the best value will be based on where they're picking.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ISSUES: The Cowboys are willing to part with DE Marcus Spears and LB Bobby Carpenter, if they can find any takers. The Cowboys don't mind moving Spears because Jay Ratliff could move to end and Dallas could use Jason Ferguson and Tank Johnson at nose tackle. Spears has started each of his first two seasons and has been solid, but he hasn't been the playmaker the Cowboys thought they were getting. Still, he's been a lot better than Carpenter, who has come nowhere close to getting on the field. He hasn't even solidified a role in the nickel or dime. The Cowboys think he would be better as a strongside linebacker in the 4-3, where he can be protected by the defense end and run to the ball. In the 3-4, the linebackers have to be physical and attack guards. Carpenter struggles in that aspect, which limits his effectiveness. ...
The Cowboys moved closer to finalizing their defensive staff by hiring linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who spent last season as Arkansas' defensive coordinator. He had been hired by Texas A&M to do the same job, but left for the Cowboys after a month. He's known as a coach who specializes in fundamentals, while using a lot of creative blitz combinations as a coordinator.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cowboys would like TE Anthony Fasano to become a bigger piece of the offense next season, even though Jason Witten is one of the game's best tight ends. The Cowboys would like for Fasano to play so well in the offseason minicamps and training camp that he forces offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to get him on the field. Fasano lacks the speed to be a downfield threat, but he has terrific hands and runs good routes. He needs to continue to improve as a blocker, especially when he's the H-back and has to block a moving a target.
DRAFT BUZZ: The Cowboys will be looking for a wide receiver, running back and cornerback with their first three picks in the draft. There has been a lot of talk about the Cowboys trading up with Miami to grab the No.1 pick in the draft, but that seems hard to fathom because the Cowboys' two first-round picks are both in the 20s -- and it's going to take considerably more than that to get the first overall pick. The Cowboys love Darren McFadden, but this is an excellent draft for running backs and the Cowboys could easily stay and grab a runner like Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart or Arkansas' Felix Jones. Dallas will probably wait until the second round to grab a cornerback because that's where the best value will be based on where they're picking.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:47 PM
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