SB Nation User Blog: Deke

Some good news

Deke — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:29:43 -0000

Although the Cowboys played poorly once again this past weekend, at least there is some good news surrounding this organization, Thee most annoying mascot in sports has been canned. Yes, Rowdy, that foam covered idiot standing behind the goal post signaling no good on fieldgoals that actually travel directly through the middle of the uprights or driving his four wheeler on the field is now gone. all I have to say, it's about time!!!!

My reaction: Hallelujah!
My reaction: Hallelujah!

It was the worst of mascots. It was the best of mascots.

Some news that will surely soften Broncos 17, Cowboys 10.

Would you believe: R.I.P., Rowdy.

Well, the obnoxious, foam, giant-noggin'ed Cowboys' mascot isn't exactly dead. But I heard over the weekend that at least we won't be subjected to his stupid shenanigans any longer at Cowboys Stadium.

I guess we were too distracted by Peasant Passes or JumboJerry or sex in restrooms or go-go dancers on platforms n' poles to notice, but when I started thinking about it, I don't remember seeing Rowdy at the first two games.

You?

Turns out Rowdy - a.k.a. Ted Ovletrea - will still make appearances for the team - pep rallies and hospital visits, etc. - but the mascot will no longer be part of the game-day presentation at home games in Arlington.

My reaction: Hallelujah!

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2009/10/cowboys_game_rowdy.php

Bruce read fired

Deke — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:12:44 -0000

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise but special teams coach Bruce Read has been fired.

Read's two years with the Cowboys were met with inconsistent to poor special teams play from the coverage units to the return game. It's believed he had a year left on his contract.

We'll have more on this in a bit.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/bruce-read-out.html

Now, what did Jerry Jones say last week, oh yeah, the coaches are in place....

Again, You can't believe one word that comes out of that man's mouth.....

This isn't really a big surprise though, only happens to be a year too late

Stanback goes on IR

Deke — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:14:24 -0000

WR Isaiah Stanback can go ahead and schedule the operation he needs on his shoulder. He was placed on injured reserve today.

TE Rodney Hannah was promoted off the practice squad to take Stanback's place on the 53-man roster. But that shouldn't be taken as a sign that Jason Witten's status for the regular season finale is in doubt.

Witten (ankle) is listed as probable. He will play. The question is whether he'll be effective.

OG Montrae Holland (ankle) is out. RB Marion Barber (toe) is questionable.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/isaiah-stanbacks-season-is-over.html

The one good thing for me about this move is that Dallas got Hannah signed to the 53 man roster. I think some teams might of been sniffing around trying to sign him off of our practice roster. I really like him and I think he'll take Tony Curtis spot next year on the roster.

Stanback cant seem to stay healthy enough to contribute, this year he'll need offseason surgery and unless he really steps up in training camp next year, he will be gone if dallas drafts another receiver next spring, which I think is a strong possibility. I don't see Hurd being brought back next year.

Montrae Holland is going to be out again, another Cory Proctor sighting, god help us!!! In next years draft, I better see a guard/center drafted, get Proctor off of this roster.....

If Barber can't give more than what he's shown the last two weeks, deactivate him for Sunday's game

The Offensive line

Deke — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:09:40 -0000

Is it too much to ask from this offensive line

Is it too much to ask from this offensive line to build on the way it played as a unit in the fourth quarter last week against Washington. We've seen small snippets this year of this Offensive lines potential dominance.

Is it too much to ask from this Offensive line to play with more consistency in the running game getting the push up the middle and keeping out of the third and long from which this team finds itself in too many times.

Is it too much to ask from this Offensive line, one of the biggest in the league, to play with more focus,intensity, urgency, toughness and HEART and start setting the tone early in games and imposing their will on defenses

Is it too much to ask this from this Offensive line to play with more discipline and stop taking the numerous penalties every week, especially Flozell Adams with his weekly false start penalties

Is it too much to ask from this offensive line to start to play up to its potential and start setting the tone for the rest of this team. For me, this offense is all about the offensive line, this is a power running team, not a finesse or throwing team. Controlling the clock by establishing a consistent power running game to set up play action and staying out of all these third and long is the key to this teams success and will keep our defense fresh and off the field. Trying to throw the ball all over the field more and trying to get it into the hands of T.O more is IMO, getting away from this teams strengths of a ball control power running team.

Can this offensive line put it all together today, building on how well this Offensive line played in the fourth quarter last week, I don't know, it's frustrating watching this team at times every week, they're so inconsistant along this line. They just need to start playing better now, impose their will and dominate the line of scrimmage early in games, hopefully that starts this week...Is it too much to ask???

Dallas 27 San Fran 20

Jefferson and Gibbons added

Deke — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:28:43 -0000

The Cowboys made official today the signings of wide receiver Mike Jefferson and offensive lineman Ryan Gibbons to the practice squad.

Jefferson was released Monday to make room for QB Brooks Bollinger after being called up to the active roster as an emergency for Sunday's game at Cleveland. He essentially takes the spot he held a week ago on the practice squad.

The Cowboys hoped James Marten would clear waivers and sign on to the practice squad but he was claimed by Oakland (and Chicago too but awarded to the Raiders because they had the worse record of the two in 2007).

Gibbons was among the Cowboys' final cuts in training camp. He can play all three line spots, which is a plus for practice squadders

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/mike-jefferson-ryan-gibbons-on-practice.html

Jefferson was pretty much a no brainer that if he cleared waivers that he would be resigned to the practice squad, and with Marten being picked up by the Raiders, chances were hgh that the cowboys were going to sign another Offensive linemen to the practice squad to protect themselves in case Kosiers Foot doesn't come along and if Holland has trouble picking up the line calls. Gibbon's was one of the final cuts and his versitility to play three positions on the O-line makes him intriguing to the organization to keep around to develop, athough Marten was their first choice to keep.

Marten Claimed by Oakland

Deke — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:21:09 -0000

The Cowboys hoped James Marten would get through waivers so they could put him on the practice squad, but that effort was thwarted by Oakland.

The Raiders claimed Marten, a third-round pick in 2007, and he will be on their 53-man roster.

Marten was inactive for every game last year as a rookie and was cut last Saturday so the Cowboys could call up receiver Mike Jefferson from the practice squad. He joins the list of high-round misses in the draft with Jacob Rogers (second round, 2004) and Stephen Peterman (third round, 2004).

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/james-marten-claimed-by-oakland.html

First Walden, now Marten. Looks like another draft pick that didn't work out for the cowboys. After moving marten from tackle to guard and then back out to tackle again, and the trade for Holland pretty much sealed his fate in dallas. They tried to get him through waivers to get him another year on the practice squad to see how things would work out, but it just didn't happen. I hope Holland can step up and really show his worth. Rogers, Peterman and now Marten, can we not hire some people to better evaluate offensive linemen because we cant continue to fill roles at the position on the offensive line through free agency. We've got to start developing our own linemen

Bollinger is signed. Bartel Released

Deke — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:51:45 -0000

Brooks Bollinger has been added to the 53-man roster and wide receiver Mike Jefferson will be released by the end of the day to make room.

Bollinger will receive $569,411 for the rest of the season as the prorated portion of the veteran minimum for a sixth-year player ($605,000). He also received a $40,000 signing bonus. He will wear No. 5, which was last worn by Clint Stoerner in 2002.

If Jefferson is not claimed, then he will be added to the Cowboys' practice squad. The Cowboys will find out today if guard James Marten was claimed after his release on Saturday. If he clears, they would like to add him to the practice squad.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/brooks-bollinger-is-official.html

Well this certainly cant be viewed as a surprise, a head scratcher for sure. I just dont see the logic in signing this guy, I dont see what this organization see's in him. i would not feel comfortable with Bollinger coming off the bench as a backup. This in my opinion isn't the upgrade backup I was looking for.

To make room Jefferson was cut, but if no one signs him, I'm sure he'll be back on the practice roster along with Marten and Bartel will be sent packing.

Update.....

bartel has been released. As I suspected, as soon as Bollinger was signed, there was no need to occupy a Practice squad roster spot on a QB. Marten's locker wasn't cleared out so He'll be resigned to the practice squad is no one signs him. Jefferson will probably make his way back to the practice squad tomorrow

Marten has been cut

Deke — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:09:00 -0000

I'm trying to escape New York before Hurricane Hanna hits the area, but wanted to update you on two Cowboys roster moves that just went down. Former third-round draft choice James Marten, who moved from tackle to guard, was released Saturday morning to make room for wide receiver Mike Jefferson, who's going to be activated from the practice squad.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast

With Stanback still suffering with a shoulder injury, it only makes sense that the cowboys activate Jefferson to the active roster. It's just not a smart idea to go into a game with only three receivers, with one still injured.

If Marten clears waivers, dallas will probably sign him to the practice squad

Here's the Practice roster

Deke — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:09:28 -0000

Here it goes.

Danny Amendola. One of the last cuts, could play at Cleveland.
Mike Jefferson. Started the last pre-season game, also could move up to active roster.
Marcus Dixon. Hurt all pre-season, team sees potential.

Rodney Hannah. Four tight ends. Yeah, Hannah is mainly special teams.
Julius Crosslin. Showed an ability to block like a fullback.
Alonzo Coleman. Improved from last season.
Tearrius George. Last pre-season game helped his cause.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/the-practice-squad.html

Like the 53 man roster, I should preface this practice squad as, FOR NOW!!!

Dixon, Hannah,Crosslin and Jefferson I like, the rest I dont see making it through the year.

Terrius George is on this practice roster because Jerry got cute once again and lost Welden to Kansas City.

Very happy we were able to get Hannah back, I liked his progress over the last year.

Crosslin is on the practice roster just in case Cricket goes down with an injury.

I'd rather have kept Lattimore over Coleman

Marcus Dixon is going to benefit greatly in the teams strength and conditioning program. This kid has alot of upside

I doubt Amendola or Jefferson will be on the practice squad much longer if we acquire another wide out or if Hurd,Stanback and Austin are back soon.

I suspect Bartel will be back unless Dallas signs another backup to the active roster

Witten sounds off on Bennett

Deke — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:35:46 -0000

Rookie TE Martellus Bennett recalls a rather harsh response after asking Jason Witten for help early in training camp: "I'm not going to be [beep] doing this all the [beep] time. You've got to know what the [beep] to do."

The message: Bennett better handle his business before he expects to get much help from the Pro Bowler at his position.

It's not like Witten, the game's best all-around tight end, is worried about the second-round pick cutting into his playing time or eventually replacing him in the starting lineup. Far from it. Witten wants Bennett to fulfill his potential, and he doesn't think babying the Aggie will help him.

It's the same way Dan Campbell, another Aggie tight end, treated Witten when he was a rookie. It's a tough love form of leadership.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/jason-witten-will-not-hold-martellus-ben.html

Martellus Bennett might take note of Witten's comments and start to take his job more serious. Witten does not seem very impressed with bennett's attitude and work ethic thus far.. Bennett has a great opportunity in dallas and has one of thee best tightends in the game to learn from, its time for bennett to grow up and take his opportunity by knowing his responsibilities and learn the finer points of the game from on of thee best tightends in the game in Witten, instead of acting like a know it all.