Mailbag: Kevin Burnett possibly expendable?
DallasCowboys.com Report
August 15, 2008 1:18 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
SEDDRICK BERRY, ATLANTA, GA: Kevin Burnett has a been plagued by injuries during his career as a Cowboy. Although I like the guy, we can't re-sign everyone. Do you think Bobby Carpenter's emergence and Zach Thomas' ability to cover combined with Burnett's injury history will make Burnett expendable?
Rob: Depends on how Carpenter progresses and how Thomas performs on what amounts to a one-year deal. Burnett needs a productive, healthy year to get a big offer elsewhere next off-season. He wants a bigger role on defense but has used his range and athleticism to become a fixture in the substitution packages. That's technically not a starting job, but it's still valuable, and Cowboys special teams coach Bruce Read told me that Burnett also is emerging as the vocal leader Keith Davis once was for the coverage units.
Mickey: While Burnett has a long injury history, he hasn't missed that many games during his career, like three in three years, and all his rookie season. Let the thing play out, see how he plays compared to the other guys. Remember, while Carpenter's play during camp has been encouraging, he hasn't done it in a regular-season game much. And as for Thomas, he essentially signed what amounts to a one-year deal. No, you can't re-sign everyone to starter's pay, but let the market decide if the Cowboys can re-sign Burnett.
Nick: As it stands right now, I would be surprised if the Cowboys re-sign Burnett after the season. In fact, he's going to be looking to start somewhere and it's unlikely that would happen here. But with his injury history, including the surgery he will have Friday, he might have a hard time finding the contract he thinks he deserves
BEN GERGENS, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Can you shed some light on Keon Lattimore? Why didn't he play against San Diego? Will we see him against Denver? What are his chances of beating Choice for a roster spot.
Rob: Not good odds, Ben. Choice essentially sealed his roster spot with that 19-yard touchdown run against the Chargers. Assuming the Cowboys keep three backs, there's just no room for guys like Lattimore and Alonzo Coleman, another young guy the Cowboys like. Remember, Coleman only got one carry last Saturday. The "Hard Knocks" premiere didn't help Lattimore's reputation, but the rookie free agent has practiced better than he was portrayed. Maybe he'll get some second-half carries this time.
Mickey: Yes, I don't know, yes and not very good. How did I do? Wade Phillips was trying to get a good look at Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in that first game, along with Alonzo Coleman. There are only so many carries. Phillips and owner Jerry Jones said they'd like to get Lattimore some work in Saturday night's game against Denver. As for beating out Choice, at this point, I don't think so, but if he plays well in preseason appearances another team might notice him. And if he doesn't get much of a chance then the Cowboys might be trying to get him on the practice squad.
Nick: Don't count on that. The only way fourth-round picks are cut is if they just don't show anything in the preseason games. And it's too late because Choice played well in San Diego. Lattimore's value is there because he can play both running back and fullback. But don't count on him beating out anyone for a roster spot. I think practice squad is an ideal spot for him right now.
WILLIAM MARSHALL, PERRY, GA: I haven't read much about Marion Barber and his progress during training camp. He is our feature back, and often times it comes off like he is being overlooked. How is he doing?
Rob: No one's overlooking The Barbarian. He's had a great camp and maintains a strong work ethic; on those one-practice days in Oxnard, he hit the field two hours early for some one-on-one conditioning work with Cowboys strength coach Joe Juraszek. If Felix Jones and Tashard Choice can be as productive behind Barber as they were against San Diego, the Cowboys' running game should be much improved from last season.
Mickey: Who is he being overlooked by, the media? That is not an indication of what the team thinks of their feature back. Barber is doing just fine, as evidenced in that first preseason game. And remember, since he is highly reluctant to do interviews, it's pretty hard to hear much about him.
Nick: guess that means he's arrived. The same thing was said about Tony Romo and DeMarcus Ware, too. Barber has looked fine. The thing about practice is that you're not going to get the full effect on Barber because of the way he runs. It doesn't show up until the games. So it's hard to say how great Barber looked in practice because he was just running plays. In the games, he'll run over the defenders, stiff-arm others to the ground and pick up tough yards that didn't seem there. That's when we can see him in full force.
August 15, 2008 1:18 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
SEDDRICK BERRY, ATLANTA, GA: Kevin Burnett has a been plagued by injuries during his career as a Cowboy. Although I like the guy, we can't re-sign everyone. Do you think Bobby Carpenter's emergence and Zach Thomas' ability to cover combined with Burnett's injury history will make Burnett expendable?
Rob: Depends on how Carpenter progresses and how Thomas performs on what amounts to a one-year deal. Burnett needs a productive, healthy year to get a big offer elsewhere next off-season. He wants a bigger role on defense but has used his range and athleticism to become a fixture in the substitution packages. That's technically not a starting job, but it's still valuable, and Cowboys special teams coach Bruce Read told me that Burnett also is emerging as the vocal leader Keith Davis once was for the coverage units.
Mickey: While Burnett has a long injury history, he hasn't missed that many games during his career, like three in three years, and all his rookie season. Let the thing play out, see how he plays compared to the other guys. Remember, while Carpenter's play during camp has been encouraging, he hasn't done it in a regular-season game much. And as for Thomas, he essentially signed what amounts to a one-year deal. No, you can't re-sign everyone to starter's pay, but let the market decide if the Cowboys can re-sign Burnett.
Nick: As it stands right now, I would be surprised if the Cowboys re-sign Burnett after the season. In fact, he's going to be looking to start somewhere and it's unlikely that would happen here. But with his injury history, including the surgery he will have Friday, he might have a hard time finding the contract he thinks he deserves
BEN GERGENS, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Can you shed some light on Keon Lattimore? Why didn't he play against San Diego? Will we see him against Denver? What are his chances of beating Choice for a roster spot.
Rob: Not good odds, Ben. Choice essentially sealed his roster spot with that 19-yard touchdown run against the Chargers. Assuming the Cowboys keep three backs, there's just no room for guys like Lattimore and Alonzo Coleman, another young guy the Cowboys like. Remember, Coleman only got one carry last Saturday. The "Hard Knocks" premiere didn't help Lattimore's reputation, but the rookie free agent has practiced better than he was portrayed. Maybe he'll get some second-half carries this time.
Mickey: Yes, I don't know, yes and not very good. How did I do? Wade Phillips was trying to get a good look at Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in that first game, along with Alonzo Coleman. There are only so many carries. Phillips and owner Jerry Jones said they'd like to get Lattimore some work in Saturday night's game against Denver. As for beating out Choice, at this point, I don't think so, but if he plays well in preseason appearances another team might notice him. And if he doesn't get much of a chance then the Cowboys might be trying to get him on the practice squad.
Nick: Don't count on that. The only way fourth-round picks are cut is if they just don't show anything in the preseason games. And it's too late because Choice played well in San Diego. Lattimore's value is there because he can play both running back and fullback. But don't count on him beating out anyone for a roster spot. I think practice squad is an ideal spot for him right now.
WILLIAM MARSHALL, PERRY, GA: I haven't read much about Marion Barber and his progress during training camp. He is our feature back, and often times it comes off like he is being overlooked. How is he doing?
Rob: No one's overlooking The Barbarian. He's had a great camp and maintains a strong work ethic; on those one-practice days in Oxnard, he hit the field two hours early for some one-on-one conditioning work with Cowboys strength coach Joe Juraszek. If Felix Jones and Tashard Choice can be as productive behind Barber as they were against San Diego, the Cowboys' running game should be much improved from last season.
Mickey: Who is he being overlooked by, the media? That is not an indication of what the team thinks of their feature back. Barber is doing just fine, as evidenced in that first preseason game. And remember, since he is highly reluctant to do interviews, it's pretty hard to hear much about him.
Nick: guess that means he's arrived. The same thing was said about Tony Romo and DeMarcus Ware, too. Barber has looked fine. The thing about practice is that you're not going to get the full effect on Barber because of the way he runs. It doesn't show up until the games. So it's hard to say how great Barber looked in practice because he was just running plays. In the games, he'll run over the defenders, stiff-arm others to the ground and pick up tough yards that didn't seem there. That's when we can see him in full force.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:59 PM
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