Amping Up: Cowboys Late Report, August 4th
August 4, 2008
After two practices in shorts and shirt the Cowboys looked ready for some hitting this afternoon, working out in shorts and shoulder pads.
The defense set its practice tempo by practicing its interception return drill for three reps. When the defensive backs and linebackers broke into their positional drills, each began by practicing catching the football. Dave Campo told his charges, “I want to see you catch every ball!” The defense works on creating turnovers every day, either practicing stipping the ball, intercepting it or both.
After further positional drills the receivers and corners squared off in one-on-one drills while the the rest of the offense went 9-on-9. I focused on the larger scrum and compiled these notes:
– Tank Johnson blew up several inside runs, getting steady penetration into the backfield. He’s a bit streaky but can be very disruptive when he gets rolling.
– Bobby Carpenter was Johnson’s parter in crime on a couple of runs, stopping inside blasts cold.
– The Cowboys tight ends did a job sealing the perimeter. Both Felix Jones and Tashard Choice turned the corner with regularity.
– Choice shows great bounce to the outside, beating linebackers and safeties to the perimeter after starting his runs inside.
– Deon Anderson had the best sounding block, hitting Anthony Spencer and producing a heavy “thwack.” Batman and Robin would have been proud.
The team then held a field goal drill. Nick Folk made all but one of eight attempts by my count.
The team then held its first 11-on-11 and Tony Romo was sharp again, hitting 5 of 7 passes, many on three step drops. He floated a perfect fade down the left sideline into Miles Austin’s hands. Anthony Henry had near-perfect coverage but was helpless to prevent Romo’s perfect throw, which was in Austin’s hands before Henry even knew it was coming.
Brad Johnson took his turn and also beat heavy blitzing, finding Martellus Bennett on a hot route and Austin on a stop route, where Austin survived a Mike Jenkins‘ necktie tackle.
Johnson finished his sequence with a deep-in to Terrell Owens, who snuck into the rotation with the second team.
Richard Bartel then finished the drill, completing a deep seam to Jason Witten and a deep in to Isaiah Stanback. Both passes were in front of Roy Williams, who seemed to concede too big a cushion.
The backs and receivers then held a second one-on-one drill while the offensive and defensive linemen went two-versus-two in a twist drill. The starters held their own against the starters, though the backups also had their moments. Doug Free rode Demarcus Ware into the pile when the veteran tried crashing inside.
The offense then worked on running its two minute offense the length of the field against the starting defense, reprising the ending drill from this morning’s practice. Martellus Bennett capped the first team’s sequence with a TD catch between Zach Thomas and Bradie James, who pinballed the rookie. Roy Williams topped the defense’s play with a ferocious stop of a Alonzo Coleman toss play from the two. (The ball was placed according to a pre-determined script, not according to the performance of the previous play.)
Notes: Courtney Brown got lots of reps with the first and second units today. He also worked with the first team nickel, teaming with Ken Hamlin.
The kindly lion Tank Johnson stooped to move a snail outside the practice fence, so his teammates would not trample it during their drills.
Specializing In Special Teams: Cowboys Early Report, August 4th
August 4, 2008
The Cowboys continued their preparations in shorts and shirts this morning, bypassing hitting and stressing game speed, coordination and substitutions. There were lots of 11-on-11 drills, but no tackling.
On offense, the team worked on moving out of its own red zone, with Tony Romo and Brad Johnson leading drives that started inside the two. The team also worked on sequencing scripted plays; a chain crew was on the sideline for every series and the players were advised to know the down and distance every time they stepped onto the field.
It’s a bit difficult to discuss coverage, or one-on-one matchups when the defense was advised not to intercept any passes, but I can add these points from the practice:
– the Marcus Spears/Jay Ratliff rotation continues, with Ratliff back at DE and Spears at NT just a day after they had practiced back at their original positions.
– The defense had a mix of zone blitzes and press coverage packages in their half of the practice today. I don’t know how this will translate into games but the mix looked about 50/50 in the drills.
– If you’ve worried about Terence Newman, stop. He’s doing agility drills with a large bungee cable, which lets a trainer create resistance. He’s also running long, slow sprints at about half speed. I also saw him tossing the ball with a staffer and he turned and caught the ball with ease. His groin strain may have been “significant” but so is the pace of his recovery.
– James Marten is working up and down the line. I saw him take several reps at left tackle today.
– the kickoff return unit pairs this morning:
- Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback;
- Danny Amendola and Felix Jones;
- Adam Jones and Mike Jenkins.
I spoke to special teams coach Bruce Read today about his special teams leaders and the improved options in the return game. You can hear his responses below:
Drew Pearson Checking In with The Sports Doctors
August 4, 2008
We’re starting our final week of broadcasting The Sports Doctors on ESPN 1240, but that doesn’t mean we’re slacking off on the content.
We are pleased to have as a guest on tomorrow’s The Sports Doctors show Cowboys legend Drew Pearson, who will be fielding posted suggested by bloggers as well as those who call into the show.
Please post your questions for the Cowboys great here on this thread. Or if you’re rather get on the air, you can call in at 888-806-1661 between 5 PM and 6 PM Central time on Tuesday.
Pre-Breakfast Snack, Cowboys Camp, August 4th
August 4, 2008
Terence Newman loped across the practice field after the Cowboys’ practice Sunday, dressed in warmups. He smiled and moved easily. Granted, he was not trying to cut but moving forward did not seem to trouble him. I’d make a bullish estimate on his return.
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