Work starts now for championship run
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips offered his typical nervous chuckle in a February interview when he said that when the Super Bowl ends, the next season begins, and that the New York Giants were already last season's champion.
Coming off a 13-3 regular season and a crushing 0-1 postseason, the Cowboys are going to be expected to be this season's champion, and the work begins now with genuine on-the-field participation. The Cowboys' rookie minicamp opens today at Valley Ranch and runs through Sunday.
Having addressed nearly every off-season need but one -- wide receiver -- the Cowboys enter the spring/summer workouts brimming with the confidence that they can take another step toward the two things that have eluded them for more than a decade: a playoff win and a Super Bowl.
Five things to look for as the Cowboys start practice:
Defense upgraded
The addition of Zach Thomas to the inside linebacker position gives the front seven another playmaker, but it's the addition of first-round pick Mike Jenkins and Pacman Jones (league reinstatement pending, of course) in the defensive backfield that should allow the Cowboys to do even more. More man coverage and more ability to cover spread offenses, as well as the ability to rush the passer. "We have every reason to think the guys that got hurt [Anthony Henry and Terence Newman] have the chance not to be hurt, plus the new people, we have a chance to really improve that defense," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "That really fires me up."
Barber/Jones backfield
It's irrelevant now whether you were in favor of Felix Jones or Rashard Mendenhall. Just as last season, a Jones will complement Marion Barber, but the difference is Barber will start. The Cowboys hope Felix Jones is better than the Jones he replaces, Julius. If Felix Jones can average about 4.0 yards per rush, as well as provide good receiving hands, he is an upgrade. But Barber, for the first time since he was in high school, will be the man in the backfield. "We've improved at running back. That's not to take anything from Julius," Jerry Jones said. "We've just really improved at running back."
Who will be the rookie free-agent find?
The Cowboys have a recent history of finding players from rookie free agents such as Tony Romo, Keith Davis, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd. The obvious comparison from their current rookie free-agent signees is Texas Tech receiver Danny Amendola to former Red Raider-turned-New England Patriots pass-catching pest, Wes Welker. If Amendola can do half the things Welker can in the slot, the Cowboys have something. The most intriguing player is 6-foot-4, 294-pound Hampton defensive end Marcus Dixon. He spent 15 months behind bars on charges of aggravated child molestion and statutory rape. His conviction was overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2004. Dixon, who said the sex was consensual, was 18 at the time and the girl was 15. The case drew national media attention.
Who helps Terrell Owens?
Right now, it's probably Patrick Crayton, but the Cowboys prefer him in the slot as the No. 3 receiver. Unless the Cowboys can find a veteran to play opposite Owens, they will cross their fingers on Terry Glenn coming all the way back from knee surgeries that basically wiped him out of last season. They also hope that Sam Hurd develops into something more than a fill-in. The same for Miles Austin. There is intrigue with second-year pro Isaiah Stanback, who was limited in his rookie season because of injuries. "He's been doing everything, and he looks good," Phillips said. The team's second-best, or best, pass catcher remains tight end Jason Witten.
The Bobby Carpenter situation
This wouldn't be a big deal, except he was a first-round draft pick two years ago who never plays. When the Cowboys drafted defensive end Erik Walden in the sixth round, it sent yet another signal that Carpenter might not fit. Walden will be converted to outside linebacker, Carpenter's spot. Even the Miami Dolphins' off-season raid of the Cowboys didn't include Carpenter. He doesn't fit in a 3-4 scheme despite showing some potential near the end of his rookie season.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips offered his typical nervous chuckle in a February interview when he said that when the Super Bowl ends, the next season begins, and that the New York Giants were already last season's champion.
Coming off a 13-3 regular season and a crushing 0-1 postseason, the Cowboys are going to be expected to be this season's champion, and the work begins now with genuine on-the-field participation. The Cowboys' rookie minicamp opens today at Valley Ranch and runs through Sunday.
Having addressed nearly every off-season need but one -- wide receiver -- the Cowboys enter the spring/summer workouts brimming with the confidence that they can take another step toward the two things that have eluded them for more than a decade: a playoff win and a Super Bowl.
Five things to look for as the Cowboys start practice:
Defense upgraded
The addition of Zach Thomas to the inside linebacker position gives the front seven another playmaker, but it's the addition of first-round pick Mike Jenkins and Pacman Jones (league reinstatement pending, of course) in the defensive backfield that should allow the Cowboys to do even more. More man coverage and more ability to cover spread offenses, as well as the ability to rush the passer. "We have every reason to think the guys that got hurt [Anthony Henry and Terence Newman] have the chance not to be hurt, plus the new people, we have a chance to really improve that defense," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "That really fires me up."
Barber/Jones backfield
It's irrelevant now whether you were in favor of Felix Jones or Rashard Mendenhall. Just as last season, a Jones will complement Marion Barber, but the difference is Barber will start. The Cowboys hope Felix Jones is better than the Jones he replaces, Julius. If Felix Jones can average about 4.0 yards per rush, as well as provide good receiving hands, he is an upgrade. But Barber, for the first time since he was in high school, will be the man in the backfield. "We've improved at running back. That's not to take anything from Julius," Jerry Jones said. "We've just really improved at running back."
Who will be the rookie free-agent find?
The Cowboys have a recent history of finding players from rookie free agents such as Tony Romo, Keith Davis, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd. The obvious comparison from their current rookie free-agent signees is Texas Tech receiver Danny Amendola to former Red Raider-turned-New England Patriots pass-catching pest, Wes Welker. If Amendola can do half the things Welker can in the slot, the Cowboys have something. The most intriguing player is 6-foot-4, 294-pound Hampton defensive end Marcus Dixon. He spent 15 months behind bars on charges of aggravated child molestion and statutory rape. His conviction was overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2004. Dixon, who said the sex was consensual, was 18 at the time and the girl was 15. The case drew national media attention.
Who helps Terrell Owens?
Right now, it's probably Patrick Crayton, but the Cowboys prefer him in the slot as the No. 3 receiver. Unless the Cowboys can find a veteran to play opposite Owens, they will cross their fingers on Terry Glenn coming all the way back from knee surgeries that basically wiped him out of last season. They also hope that Sam Hurd develops into something more than a fill-in. The same for Miles Austin. There is intrigue with second-year pro Isaiah Stanback, who was limited in his rookie season because of injuries. "He's been doing everything, and he looks good," Phillips said. The team's second-best, or best, pass catcher remains tight end Jason Witten.
The Bobby Carpenter situation
This wouldn't be a big deal, except he was a first-round draft pick two years ago who never plays. When the Cowboys drafted defensive end Erik Walden in the sixth round, it sent yet another signal that Carpenter might not fit. Walden will be converted to outside linebacker, Carpenter's spot. Even the Miami Dolphins' off-season raid of the Cowboys didn't include Carpenter. He doesn't fit in a 3-4 scheme despite showing some potential near the end of his rookie season.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:46 AM
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