Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Dc.com: Quick Observations From Tuesday OTA Practice

Posted by jellis at 6/9/2009 1:57 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

It's looking like a busy day at DallasCowboys.com and here on the blog after the final media availability day of OTA practices. Here's what we'll be discussing . . .

* First, the attendance report. Not practicing were Igor Olshansky (back), Isaiah Stanback (knee), Mike Jefferson, Kyle Kosier (foot), Brandon Williams, Stephen Hodge, Justin Rogers, Rodney Hannah, Nick Folk (hip), Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Travis Wilson (knee) and Ken Hamlin, who is out this week on personal business.

* Wade Phillips said Travis Wilson's knee issues may need surgery, and team doctors are currently assessing the situation.

* Just five receivers were at practice, the position decimated by injuries. Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton were the only veterans, working with rookies Manuel Johnson, Kevin Ogletree and Julian Hawkins.

* Last week it was Crayton, but this week Tashard Choice was taking the snaps in the 'Razorback' offense, with Felix Jones coming in motion. The Cowboys split Tony Romo out wide, and had him circle behind the play as if to fake a reverse. The Cowboys showed the formation maybe three times.

* For the most part the defense got the better of the offense during team drills. The defense was blitzing, which threw off the offense's timing. Defensive backs were making plays all over the field, especially Alan Ball and Courtney Brown.

* With Hamlin gone Ball took some reps at free safety with the first-team defense. The Cowboys want Ball, Brown and DeAngelo Smith to be flexible enough to play either safety or corner, so Ball is getting most of his work at safety, and Brown is getting more at corner.

* Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick continued to split first-team reps.

* Roy Williams had a nice catch on a route over the middle, sticking up one hand to knock the ball into his chest and corralling it in the open field.

* Jason Garrett continued to replace offensive players who blew the snap counts, subbing out Jason Witten and Montrae Holland. Robert Brewster was running in to take Marc Colombo's spot, but the veteran simply pushed the rookie out of the huddle.

* With center-quarterback exchanges a problem for much of the day, those two positions stayed after practice for extra work, and Wade Phillips said they would work on snapping more before OTAs conclude Wednesday.
Much more to come.

-Josh Ellis