SB Nation - Rodney Hannah

10 Training Camp Battles for the Dallas Cowboys

Dave Halprin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:35:03 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

One guy who won't be in a training camp battle is Tony Romo, although he's constantly battling expectations, his own and the public's.

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Looking forward to training camp, I put together a list of 10 training camp battles I'll be watching. Some are traditional battles - Player X vs. Player Y for a particular role. Some are more concept battles, or group battles. They're not just about who will make the roster or not, but who will play important roles and what they must do. They're sort of in order of importance, starting with the lesser battles.

TE vs. FB vs. Offensive Schemes

The Cowboys have been dabbling with more 2-TE sets in the recent OTA's and mini-camps, utilizing Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett. With two TEs it's usually a FB who gets sacrificed unless it's short yardage. Deon "Cricket" Anderson is the incumbent FB joined by contenders Julius Crosslin and Asaph Schwapp. How much will the FB be used and will they carry only one on the roster? They also have to consider what they want their third TE to be, is he going to be used out of the backfield as a blocker on a significant amount of plays? This could affect the battle between rookie John Phillips and holdover Rodney Hannah. What the offensive scheme is geared more toward in 2009 will help decide which of these guys make the roster and how they will be utilized.

David Buehler vs. The Endzone

They brought in Buehler to improve the kickoffs. They can't afford to keep him around and take up two roster spots with kickers if he isn't providing a serious upgrade in touchbacks and deep kicks. Nick Folk is as close to a lock as you can get for kickers to remain as the guy on FG's. In camp, Buehler has to prove he can consistently hit the endzone with his kicks. Only then, can they think about other special teams' roles for the rookie.

Eight more battles after the jump.

Manuel Johnson vs. The Rest

For argument sake, let's say the Cowboys keep six WR's. Roy Williams, Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton are locks. Sam Hurd has a very good chance at remaining and Isaiah Stanback is probably going to get another year to prove his worth. (Of course, injuries can always change this scenario). If those five retain their spots on the roster, then you have one open WR position. And a long list of unknowns ready to fill it. I separated Manuel Johnson out because he was drafted this year, meaning the Cowboys are intrigued enough to give him an opportunity. But this is really a battle between Johnson and guys like Mike Jefferson, Kevin Ogletree, Julian Hawkins, and Travis Wilson - and possibly a guy from 4^th and Long. Can anybody make an impression at camp?

Alan Ball vs. Courtney Brown vs. Pat Watkins

These guys represent a larger battle between guys who have been on the team, and some new faces, to grab some of the last spots in the secondary. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick are going to be the top corners. Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh are going to be the top safeties. After that, there's a mad scramble. Alan Ball and Courtney Brown have been tried at corner and safety. Pat Watkins is going to battle at safety. Throw into the mix draft picks Mike Mickens, DeAngelo Smith and Mike Hamlin, and you have a royal rumble to fill out the rest of the secondary. I give a little edge to the draft picks only because the other guys have had their time in Dallas and have yet to impress. The rookies will get to show their stuff and if they show potential, they could be kept over the veterans. Ball, Brown and Watkins all need to impress at training camp to remain with the Cowboys.

Kyle Kosier vs. Montrae Holland

I don't know if this is a true battle or a media-created battle given Kosier's absence from practices while still recovering from injury. I'll admit, I've bashed Kosier before for being the weak link along the line before. Last year opened my eyes - without him, we suffered. But, will Kosier be healthy and remain healthy? Montrae Holland is a big lineman, the kind Dallas prefers. Now that he's been with the team for a year, we'll get to see if he really is the better option at guard. Then again, this could be much ado about nothing; Kosier might walk right back into his place and not miss a beat.

Anthony Spencer vs. Offensive Tackles

The Cowboys have definitely thrown in their lot with Anthony Spencer. After releasing Greg Ellis, Spencer is the clear starter opposite DeMarcus Ware. So how will he perform? We've seen bits and pieces of his talent, but can he create the need for offensive coordinators to pay attention to him, thus lessening the attention to Ware. The Cowboys need a credible threat opposite Ware so teams don't start throwing two and three blockers his way on a consistent basis. Spencer has to be able to beat offensive tackles so that he will also demand chip blocks and occasional double-teams, in hopes of freeing up Ware.

Brandon Williams vs. Victor Butler vs. Rookie Expectations

The Cowboys are now depending on these two guys to make the transition from DE to OLB as the primary backups on the outside. While battling each other, they're also battling the need to be at least a credible players in that role. Either player could be one injury to another player away from getting significant playing time. Can a rookie making that transition fill that role? Is one, or both, capable of meeting the expectations being placed on them? We'll find out this year and our first real look will be at training camp.

Bobby Carpenter vs. The Rookies vs. His Reputation

Going into training camp, Carpenter will get the first look as the inside linebacker in the nickel defense. This is his last chance to create a home for himself with the Cowboys. Last year, Carpenter had a great camp but it didn't translate into serious playing time. This year, the Cowboys don't have Kevin Burnett to fall back on, so Carpenter is going to get his chance. But he'll also have to compete with rookies Jason Williams and Stephen Hodge. Can Carpenter turn around his bust reputation this year?

Patrick Crayton vs. Miles Austin

Who will be the starter? All signs point to Austin. Jerry Jones has talked about him enough this offseason and the offense could clearly use his speed on the outside. Patrick Crayton has been solid for the Cowboys outside of a couple of high-profile mistakes. Crayton is a known quantity, we know he can produce, his numbers will tell you that. But is he better off being the third WR and playing in the slot? That's what the Cowboys want, but Miles Austin has to finally get past the ‘potential' label and actually make things happen. If the Cowboys can get that out of Austin, they'll be very happy with their WR situation behind Roy Williams.

Mike Jenkins vs. Orlando Scandrick

One of them will start on the outside opposite Terence Newman, the other will be the nickel corner. Either way, they're both going to be playing significant minutes. But I'm intrigued to see which one comes out on top for the traditional second CB role. Both are clearly talented and showed a lot of potential last year. This year will be about building on that momentum for each player and carrying their good work over to a new season. The battle between them at camp to be the ‘starter' will be fun to watch, even though in the end both will be playing a lot.

Any battles you would add to the list?

The Valley Ranch Review: More Quick Hits from Yesterday’s Mini-Camp

Aaron Novinger — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:28:07 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, left, shakes hands with team owner Jerry Jones during minicamp.

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The Ranch Report has a great re-cap of yesterday's practice. A few highlights from their good coverage.

During stretching, FB Asaph Schwapp looked to be one of camp's most flexible players and made an acrobatic catch from Stephen McGee.
K David Buehler was seen participating in tackling drills and actually got to QB Rudy Carpenter. Buehler warmed up with the DBs and said he may be covering punts for the team.
Mini-camp observer, Michael Irvin, offered some pointers to Ogletree before moving on to help out WRs Manuel Johnson and Julian Hawkins.
The near-500lb. combo of T Robert Brewster and OG Travis Bright were working as the two-man wedge on kick returns, and ended up drilling Manuel Johnson.
McGee had nifty footwork and throws well on the run but Rudy Carpenter looks to have the the bigger arm. His deep passes had more power behind them than McGee's.
OC Jason Garrett was getting on the rookies yelling at them to pick up the tempo and for McGee to be more accurate after a low pass.
LBs Jason Williams and Stephen Hodge showed their speed. Both guys looked great in coverage and Hodge stripped TE Rodney Hannah of the ball after a catch and took off with it, to the delight of the rest of the players.

Although OL Robert Brewster could play guard, he is now slotted to learn RT.

Of the four Clemson players drafted last weekend, FoxSports writes that Cowboys' S Michael Hamlin will have the biggest impact.

In Dallas, he immediately steps into the backup strong safety role behind fifth-year pro Gerald Sensabaugh coincidentally, cousin to Clemson backup corner Coty Sensabaugh. Gerald, it should be noted, was signed to only a one-year deal, and Jacksonville made no effort to try to re-sign him. Hamlins greatest competition initially for the backup spot will be another 5th-round pick, Cincinnatis DeAngelo Smith, who played corner in college.

A lot of folks thought Hamlin projected as a situational player in their scheme, but Dallas employs the same ?quarters secondary coverage that Clemson used under Vic Koenning, so there should be an instant comfort there. Plus, if he simply doesnt bite on half the play-action passes, hell be beloved in comparison to the positions predecessor, Roy Williams.

In one year, it could be an all-Hamlin secondary, with Michael playing alongside free safety Ken Hamlin (no relation).

Here is the schedule for today and tomorrow's practice times:

Saturday, May 2

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Practice

12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Locker room open to media

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Practice

3:50 p.m. Wade Phillips available

Sunday, May 3

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Practice

12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Locker room open to media

The Valley Ranch Review: Miles Austin Signs and Jerry Jones is Confident in Roy Williams

Aaron Novinger — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:00:14 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

The Roy Williams trade is still being talked about but Jerry Jones has no doubts, he'd do it again.

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Barring some unforeseen trade, the Cowboys' absence in the first round this Saturday will continue the talk regarding the Roy Williams' trade. Jerry Jones said he'd do it again.

"I would do that trade again. The only fair way to look at that trade, at his age, is to give it the benefit of how and what it does as we go ahead over the next year or two."

He also spoke on RW's commitment this offseason.

"First of all, he's the first one here," Jones said. "And, secondly, he's lighting them up. He doesn't have any nicks. He's out there working with (receivers coach) Ray Sherman and those guys are elated. I'm not exaggerating, they are elated at the work he is getting in and what he is doing and his focus and his work habits and everything that he is doing. He had to make it happen, and he did it, and that's impressed everybody."

Here's another reason Jones thought giving up a first-rounder was worth it.

"One of the reasons we made the Roy Williams trade is to stay out of the first round," Jones said. "We were concerned as we went into this draft. Now I must tell you when we made the trade, I thought we would be at the bottom of the first round. We called on our scouting group and we projected out ahead, and we did think this was not the year, it's the year before going into an uncapped year, you've got different signing issues on picks than you had last year, and so, these are really going to be, this year, is going to be a real challenge in the first round."

Miles Austin signed his restricted free agent tender, but may have to show some of his expected potential to receive a long-term contract. Stephen Jones told DMN why he thought the Jets passed on committing to the wide receiver.

"On your second contract, you get paid off what you've done, not what you might do," Stephen Jones said.

[snip]

"I would have been surprised if they were the numbers that I was hearing," Stephen Jones said when asked if he was surprised the Jets didn't make an offer. "That's a lot of money to pay a guy who hasn't done it."

Jones declined to reveal the contract terms floated by Austin's camp, but he mentioned that a second-round pick would get "20 percent of that." Based on the contract of Jacksonville DE Quentin Groves, the 52nd overall pick last season, that puts the Austin camp's proposal in the four-year, $18 million range.

RB Alonzo Coleman and TE Rodney Hannah also signed their exclusive rights free agent contracts with the team.

Troy Aikman talks about how his background with baseball led him to purchasing a minority ownership in MLB's San Diego Padres.

Former Buffalo Bill and Texas Longhorn offensive tackle, Mike Williams, is making a comeback after sitting out of the game for two years. We've seen the Cowboys support and even sign these types of players. Could the former first-round bust pull a Marc Colombo?

Cowboys vs. Vikings: Offensive roster battles

Dave Halprin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:08:37 -0000

The last preseason game. After tonight, the next time our Dallas Cowboys hit the field it will be for real. Yes, we are that close to actually starting the 2008 NFL season. We aren’t there yet though, we still have the last preseason game to complete and for the top of the roster it’s an opportunity to play dress up and not actually do anything, but for the bottom of the roster tonight means everything. Soon the Cowboys will have to get down to the 53-man roster limit meaning tonight will be the last time we ever see some players in a Cowboys uniform.

So what’s tonight all about? Roster battles.

Offense

QB - Richard Bartel vs. the practice squad. The Cowboys are deciding between three QB’s or just two. Bartel will get the whole game to prove his worth. My estimation is he probably can’t do enough in this game to stop the inevitable. Dallas enters the season injured and unsure about when they will have full health. They need extra players elsewhere. They are banking that they won’t get Matt Moore-ed by another team and that they can move Bartel to the practice squad. An eye-opening game tonight may sway that opinion, but the odds are not in his favor to make the roster.

RB – I’ve always contended they’ll keep three and I still believe that. Keon Lattimore and Alonzo Coleman haven’t forced their hand, one will probably make the PS.

FB – Julius Crosslin is still hanging around but hasn’t shown enough to make the Cowboys keep him. They decide to go short at FB to open the season with only Deon Anderson.

WR – Now this is tricky. It all depends on what they really think will happen with Isaiah Stanback and whether they think Miles Austin’s injury is a four-week deal or six. They need six WR’s to start the year unless the news on Austin and Stanback is so good and absolute, that they can revert to the philosophy from the beginning of camp; they were going to keep five and a sixth would have to force their way on the roster. I don’t think that’s the case right now, so Danny Amendola and Mike Jefferson have an opportunity here. I still think a vet signing is going to happen after league cuts, so even if they kept both, one may be gone within a week or so. I have Amendola slightly ahead of Jefferson at this point, mainly because of special teams work. Amendola has been playing on a lot of the units and has shown a little something along with his mistakes. Jefferson as a receiver can get open, his problem is catching the ball consistently and he’s doesn’t contribute much besides being a WR. Todd Lowber is still too raw and a mythical creation of Hard Knocks. (Because I wrote that, he’ll catch two TD’s tonight, it’s a given).

TE – The only possible question is keeping Rodney Hannah as a fourth TE and going long at a position to supplement the lack of FB’s, or go with three like normal. I don’t think Hannah has shown enough, he’s not special on special teams and he probably can’t block out of the backfield or handle other important TE jobs. He’s tall and athletic, but young and inexperienced, and we already have that guy in Martellus Bennett, and his upside is higher and was a second round pick.

OL – All eyes will be on Pat McQuistan and Joe Berger. Tonight is the final interview for the job of replacing Kyle Kosier for the first quarter of the season. Cory Procter is also in the mix but I think its McQ or Berger. Figuring out who it will be is the most important thing tonight, but the Cowboys need to decide if they will keep nine or ten offensive linemen. We know the starting five when Kosier is back, and we pretty much know that McQ or Berger will fill-in with the other being kept just in case. That gives you seven. Doug Free isn’t going anywhere, that’s eight, and Procter is the only true backup center giving you nine. That leaves James Marten and I don’t think the Cowboys want to give up on him yet and with the shifting around of the line because of Kosier, they probably hang on to him for insurance at this point.