Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
THREE PRIORITIES
1. Keep the focus on the field.
CB Adam Jones needs to stay out of trouble, and he needs to stay healthy -- he has been out of football for a year. He has a good grasp of the defense but needs plenty of reps so he can compete with Anthony Henry to start alongside Terence Newman.
2. Make Anthony Spencer part of the defense.
Spencer, an outside linebacker, had three sacks in limited playing time last season, but the team would like to get more out of him. OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are good for double-digit sacks; the team wants Spencer on the field with them in obvious passing situations.
3. Get Zach Thomas comfortable.
The Cowboys acquired the veteran linebacker because they want his leadership and playmaking ability. Thomas, a career 4-3 defender, will have to make a quick adjustment to the 3-4, which forces him to be more physical. That's a lot to ask of a 34-year-old with a history of concussions.
PURE CAMP
with WR Patrick Crayton
Best prank: I can't tell you the player. But he was asleep during a meeting. He had his head down on the desk. Our coach told us to get real quiet, and then he threw a cup of water in his face. The dude thought he was drowning.
Biggest slacker: Tony Romo. He works as hard as anybody during practice, but when its time to do that weightlifting or conditioning, it always seems like his shoulder is just a little sore. As long as he's playing the way he does on Sundays, I guess it's OK. But it sure hasn't taken him long to take advantage of the benefits that come from being a star quarterback.
Most disgusting thing I've seen: Hands down, Cory Procter walking around naked like it's no big deal. And he wants to have a conversation with you when he's like that. It's not pretty.
For Sporting News
THREE PRIORITIES
1. Keep the focus on the field.
CB Adam Jones needs to stay out of trouble, and he needs to stay healthy -- he has been out of football for a year. He has a good grasp of the defense but needs plenty of reps so he can compete with Anthony Henry to start alongside Terence Newman.
2. Make Anthony Spencer part of the defense.
Spencer, an outside linebacker, had three sacks in limited playing time last season, but the team would like to get more out of him. OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are good for double-digit sacks; the team wants Spencer on the field with them in obvious passing situations.
3. Get Zach Thomas comfortable.
The Cowboys acquired the veteran linebacker because they want his leadership and playmaking ability. Thomas, a career 4-3 defender, will have to make a quick adjustment to the 3-4, which forces him to be more physical. That's a lot to ask of a 34-year-old with a history of concussions.
PURE CAMP
with WR Patrick Crayton
Best prank: I can't tell you the player. But he was asleep during a meeting. He had his head down on the desk. Our coach told us to get real quiet, and then he threw a cup of water in his face. The dude thought he was drowning.
Biggest slacker: Tony Romo. He works as hard as anybody during practice, but when its time to do that weightlifting or conditioning, it always seems like his shoulder is just a little sore. As long as he's playing the way he does on Sundays, I guess it's OK. But it sure hasn't taken him long to take advantage of the benefits that come from being a star quarterback.
Most disgusting thing I've seen: Hands down, Cory Procter walking around naked like it's no big deal. And he wants to have a conversation with you when he's like that. It's not pretty.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:09 PM
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