Cowboys Team Report for June 8, 2008
by Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Signing WR Terrell Owens to a contract extension ensures that Owens, who was entering the last year of his previous deal, will remain happy and won't be distracted as the Cowboys attempt to win a playoff game for the first time in 11 seasons. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones has awarded more than $190 million in contracts to Owens, LT Flozell Adams, CB Terence Newman, RB Marion Barber and LB Zach Thomas since the start of the offseason.
Normally it's bad business to pay older players because they tend to get hurt more often and take longer to recover. Owens, though, is coming off two of the best seasons in franchise history and has shown no sign of decline at 34, which is why the Cowboys felt comfortable giving him a long-term deal. Owens is known for keeping himself in phenomenal shape, and he says he wants to play another five or six seasons. . . .
OLB Greg Ellis, angry last week because the Cowboys reduced his playing time during OTA practices, met with coach Wade Phillips and resolved the issue. Ellis, who had said he would not attend any more voluntary practice sessions, has since changed his mind. . . .
The team is strongly considering using CB Anthony Henry at safety in their nickel and dime packages. Henry may match up better than S Roy Williams against the quality tight ends in the division -- Jeremy Shockey, L.J. Smith and Chris Cooley.
SCOUTING REPORT: Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur might be the most underrated player on the team. He has been flawless the past three seasons. K Nick Folk and P Mat McBriar talk about Ladouceur's consistency in snapping the ball with the same velocity and accuracy; that allows them to get in a rhythm and remove distractions. Ladouceur also uses his strong lower body to anchor himself and prevent people from rushing up the middle.
RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: The Cowboys have committed to Marion Barber, who gained 975 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry while splitting time with Julius Jones last season. Barber is a battering ram who can get the tough yards and close out games. The club is hopeful first-round draft pick Felix Jones can be a change-of-pace runner and a big-play threat. The team also grabbed Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, in the fourth round. FB Deon Anderson is an excellent blocker and an underrated receiver. Grade: B-plus. Pro Bowl-caliber players: Barber.
POSITION BATTLE: The competition between Henry and Pacman Jones at right cornerback will be intense. Henry is an excellent technician whose long arms allow him to get a lot of deflections. Jones, who is coming off a year's suspension, is a game-breaker. He has wonderful instincts and likes to gamble. He'll need to readjust to the speed of the game after so much time off. Regardless of who starts, both will play a lot because so many teams use multiple-receiver formations.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Signing WR Terrell Owens to a contract extension ensures that Owens, who was entering the last year of his previous deal, will remain happy and won't be distracted as the Cowboys attempt to win a playoff game for the first time in 11 seasons. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones has awarded more than $190 million in contracts to Owens, LT Flozell Adams, CB Terence Newman, RB Marion Barber and LB Zach Thomas since the start of the offseason.
Normally it's bad business to pay older players because they tend to get hurt more often and take longer to recover. Owens, though, is coming off two of the best seasons in franchise history and has shown no sign of decline at 34, which is why the Cowboys felt comfortable giving him a long-term deal. Owens is known for keeping himself in phenomenal shape, and he says he wants to play another five or six seasons. . . .
OLB Greg Ellis, angry last week because the Cowboys reduced his playing time during OTA practices, met with coach Wade Phillips and resolved the issue. Ellis, who had said he would not attend any more voluntary practice sessions, has since changed his mind. . . .
The team is strongly considering using CB Anthony Henry at safety in their nickel and dime packages. Henry may match up better than S Roy Williams against the quality tight ends in the division -- Jeremy Shockey, L.J. Smith and Chris Cooley.
SCOUTING REPORT: Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur might be the most underrated player on the team. He has been flawless the past three seasons. K Nick Folk and P Mat McBriar talk about Ladouceur's consistency in snapping the ball with the same velocity and accuracy; that allows them to get in a rhythm and remove distractions. Ladouceur also uses his strong lower body to anchor himself and prevent people from rushing up the middle.
RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: The Cowboys have committed to Marion Barber, who gained 975 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry while splitting time with Julius Jones last season. Barber is a battering ram who can get the tough yards and close out games. The club is hopeful first-round draft pick Felix Jones can be a change-of-pace runner and a big-play threat. The team also grabbed Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, in the fourth round. FB Deon Anderson is an excellent blocker and an underrated receiver. Grade: B-plus. Pro Bowl-caliber players: Barber.
POSITION BATTLE: The competition between Henry and Pacman Jones at right cornerback will be intense. Henry is an excellent technician whose long arms allow him to get a lot of deflections. Jones, who is coming off a year's suspension, is a game-breaker. He has wonderful instincts and likes to gamble. He'll need to readjust to the speed of the game after so much time off. Regardless of who starts, both will play a lot because so many teams use multiple-receiver formations.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:32 PM
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