West-Coast wondering: Key camp questions for the Dallas Cowboys
11:54 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
The Dallas Cowboys are returning to California for training camp starting Friday. The team hasn't won a playoff game since 1996 but expects to contend for a Super Bowl championship. Like any NFL team, the Cowboys have plenty of issues to address.
Staff writer Calvin Watkins takes a look at seven key questions the team must answer in camp.
1. How much time will Roy Williams spend on the field?
Williams might play less as Adam Jones and Anthony Henry see more time in pass coverage. Henry worked at safety during off-season practices, where he covered tight ends, formerly Williams' responsibility.
Williams expressed concern with his role in the defense. He said he wants to make impact plays and move closer to the line of scrimmage. But over the last several years, Williams has moved farther from the line. An off-season meeting with defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie eased Williams' concerns about where he fits in. But Williams needs to have more of an impact on the game.
2. What impact will Adam Jones have?
Plenty, assuming commissioner Roger Goodell lifts his suspension. By trading for Jones, the Cowboys added speed in the return game, and on defense they got a player who can shut down one side of the field. Jones has returned four punts for touchdowns in two NFL seasons. That's more than the Cowboys have had in the last five seasons.
With Terence Newman on the other side, the Cowboys would have one of the fastest starting cornerback tandems in the league. Jones can cover wide and in the slot. His leaping ability also allows him to knock down passes when battling taller receivers.
3. Have Terry Glenn and Zach Thomas overcome their injuries?
If Glenn can come back from two surgeries to his right knee, he can add veteran depth to the receiving corps. But he's at odds with the team, which has threatened to cut him if he doesn't sign a split salary agreement.
Problems associated with concussions limited Thomas to five games for Miami in 2007. When healthy, the veteran is one of the NFL's top inside linebackers. He'll play with a bigger helmet this season to soften the blows.
4. Can Wade Phillips handle all the egos?
He did last season. Phillips got on the team when a few players arrived late for a walkthrough in training camp, he cut tight end Andy Thorn for missing curfew, and during the season he made players sign a statement pledging to not commit any after-the-play penalties. Phillips is not a pushover. Most of the players like him and have worked out any problems by speaking with him.
5. Will Hard Knocks be a distraction?
The HBO series will chronicle the Cowboys' camp, meaning cameras will be in the meeting rooms, locker rooms, dorm rooms, practice fields and maybe in the streets of Oxnard. The last time HBO invaded the Cowboys' training camp, the team finished 5-11. With the Cowboys' cast of campers – Adam Jones, Jerry Jones, Terrell Owens and Tony Romo among them – the network won't have a shortage of personalities to record.
6. Which rookie could have an impact in training camp?
Keep an eye on Orlando Scandrick, a cornerback from Boise State whom the Cowboys picked in the fifth round. Scandrick can play either man-to-man or zone. His speed makes him a natural for special teams, and he can contribute on the dime package when needed.
7. What are the most interesting position battles?
The return game: Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins and Miles Austin will compete for the kickoff return job. Assuming Adam Jones gets reinstated, he will battle Terence Newman as the lead punt returner.
Starting right cornerback: Anthony Henry is solid, but Adam Jones is an upgrade because of his speed and athletic ability.
Starting defensive end: Chris Canty is in place on one side, no question. Can former first-round pick Marcus Spears hold off Jason Hatcher on the other side?
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
The Dallas Cowboys are returning to California for training camp starting Friday. The team hasn't won a playoff game since 1996 but expects to contend for a Super Bowl championship. Like any NFL team, the Cowboys have plenty of issues to address.
Staff writer Calvin Watkins takes a look at seven key questions the team must answer in camp.
1. How much time will Roy Williams spend on the field?
Williams might play less as Adam Jones and Anthony Henry see more time in pass coverage. Henry worked at safety during off-season practices, where he covered tight ends, formerly Williams' responsibility.
Williams expressed concern with his role in the defense. He said he wants to make impact plays and move closer to the line of scrimmage. But over the last several years, Williams has moved farther from the line. An off-season meeting with defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie eased Williams' concerns about where he fits in. But Williams needs to have more of an impact on the game.
2. What impact will Adam Jones have?
Plenty, assuming commissioner Roger Goodell lifts his suspension. By trading for Jones, the Cowboys added speed in the return game, and on defense they got a player who can shut down one side of the field. Jones has returned four punts for touchdowns in two NFL seasons. That's more than the Cowboys have had in the last five seasons.
With Terence Newman on the other side, the Cowboys would have one of the fastest starting cornerback tandems in the league. Jones can cover wide and in the slot. His leaping ability also allows him to knock down passes when battling taller receivers.
3. Have Terry Glenn and Zach Thomas overcome their injuries?
If Glenn can come back from two surgeries to his right knee, he can add veteran depth to the receiving corps. But he's at odds with the team, which has threatened to cut him if he doesn't sign a split salary agreement.
Problems associated with concussions limited Thomas to five games for Miami in 2007. When healthy, the veteran is one of the NFL's top inside linebackers. He'll play with a bigger helmet this season to soften the blows.
4. Can Wade Phillips handle all the egos?
He did last season. Phillips got on the team when a few players arrived late for a walkthrough in training camp, he cut tight end Andy Thorn for missing curfew, and during the season he made players sign a statement pledging to not commit any after-the-play penalties. Phillips is not a pushover. Most of the players like him and have worked out any problems by speaking with him.
5. Will Hard Knocks be a distraction?
The HBO series will chronicle the Cowboys' camp, meaning cameras will be in the meeting rooms, locker rooms, dorm rooms, practice fields and maybe in the streets of Oxnard. The last time HBO invaded the Cowboys' training camp, the team finished 5-11. With the Cowboys' cast of campers – Adam Jones, Jerry Jones, Terrell Owens and Tony Romo among them – the network won't have a shortage of personalities to record.
6. Which rookie could have an impact in training camp?
Keep an eye on Orlando Scandrick, a cornerback from Boise State whom the Cowboys picked in the fifth round. Scandrick can play either man-to-man or zone. His speed makes him a natural for special teams, and he can contribute on the dime package when needed.
7. What are the most interesting position battles?
The return game: Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins and Miles Austin will compete for the kickoff return job. Assuming Adam Jones gets reinstated, he will battle Terence Newman as the lead punt returner.
Starting right cornerback: Anthony Henry is solid, but Adam Jones is an upgrade because of his speed and athletic ability.
Starting defensive end: Chris Canty is in place on one side, no question. Can former first-round pick Marcus Spears hold off Jason Hatcher on the other side?
posted by The Gryphon at 6:18 PM
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