Bledsoe has done well this preseason, but...
Does Bledsoe have "lasting power"? The media wanted to create some QB Contraversy when Romo played in an entire preseason game, but then Bledsoe started again, and dazzled fans and the media with his great passes. We all know Bledsoe is one the most prolific QBs in NFL history, and he's done a lot in this league, so this should not be a big surprise to everyone.
Last year, we saw the same production from Bledsoe early on, but as the season progressed his production topped off and declined. Could this be attributed to the offensive line being decimated by injuries, or is it Bledsoe's "lasting power"
Can Bledsoe keep the same good production from start to end? This year we will see. I think the good thing about this offseason, training camp, and preseason has been Tony Romo. Right now, this is definitely Bledsoe's team this year, but if Bledsoe's "lasting power" fails towards the critical part of the second half of the season we will be hearing the calls for Romo to jumpstart the offense. Whether or not Parcells would pull Bledsoe during the season would be something else. Parcells usually sticks with his guys, but at some point he could do this, depending on the situation.
I like what I see in Bledsoe, the young receivers corps, and the offense as a whole. We should be good. Let's see how this unfolds.
Welcome to Cowboys Blog Official.You will find Dallas Cowboys news updates throughout the year. Dallas Cowboys editorials, post game reviews, draft talk and breaking news. Established 2003
8/27/2006
8/23/2006
How's That 2004 Draft Class Doing?
Parcells has stated time and time again that you build your team through the draft. Let's take a look back at the Cowboys 2004 Draft Class and see how this crop is doing heading into the 2006 Season.
Day1
2 (11, 43) - Julius Jones, Notre Dame (starting RB)
2 (20, 52) - Jacob Rogers, USC (Injured,Cut,Bust)
3 (20, 83) - Stephen Peterman, Louisiana State (Cut)
DAY2
4 (25, 121) - Bruce Thornton, Georgia (Cut)
5 (12, 144) - Sean Ryan, Boston College (Injury Riddled, may not make the cut this year)
7 (4, 205) - Nathan Jones, Rutgers (Probably makes the cut)
7 (15, 216) - Patrick Crayton, NW Oklahoma State (#3WR)
7 (22, 223) - Jacques Reeves, Purdue (Probably makes the cut)
When you look at this draft class, you truly see an average to good crop here. RB Julius Jones headlines the group. Julius is in his 3rd year, and has yet to have that "magical" year, the type of Emmitt Smith year we have not had since the '90s. Jones has the potential, but he has been sidelined the last two years by bad luck.
Rogers was injured before we drafted him, and he never became anything but a complete and uttter BUST.
Parcells stuck by Peterman despite his injuries, unfortunately time ran out on Peterman. Cory Procter overcame him on the depth chart, and Peterman was released today.
Bruce Thornton had big potential coming out of college as the team captain of the Georgia Bulldog defense, unfortunately Thornton never developed into anything.
Sean Ryan is another player that has been given plenty of time to contribute and make the team, but this may be the year he is cut. Ryan has been on and off the roster the past couple of years. His days are numbered with the drafting of Fasano and the signing of Hannam.
Nate Jones is the man of mystery, he never gets any attention at all, good or bad, but Parcells recently stated that each year it becomes harder and harder to cut Jones. Jones will be cutting it very close this year. He may or may not make this team this year, we'll know in the coming days.
Patrick Crayton was the 2nd day gem in this draft class. Crayton came into camp and turned heads ever since. He has solid hands, and makes plays after the catch. As a former QB, Crayton knows where to position himself when he runs his routes. The only knock on Crayton is his durability. Patrick Crayton and Julius Jones share the same hardships, just wishing to complete a full season.
Jacques Reeves continues to make the team every year due to his committment to the game, he's a solid back up and a versatile player that Parcells likes in the secondary. Reeves should make the team once again.
Summary:
Day 1 is a near washout with the exception of Julius Jones. Day 2 is interesting, the last (3) picks were 7th rounders and all remain on the team, unlike the higher picks before them. If you remember Parcells made some trades to acquire those 7th rounders, once again applying his theory of being in the "Talent Acquisition Business" even during the NFL draft back in 2004.
Parcells has stated time and time again that you build your team through the draft. Let's take a look back at the Cowboys 2004 Draft Class and see how this crop is doing heading into the 2006 Season.
Day1
2 (11, 43) - Julius Jones, Notre Dame (starting RB)
2 (20, 52) - Jacob Rogers, USC (Injured,Cut,Bust)
3 (20, 83) - Stephen Peterman, Louisiana State (Cut)
DAY2
4 (25, 121) - Bruce Thornton, Georgia (Cut)
5 (12, 144) - Sean Ryan, Boston College (Injury Riddled, may not make the cut this year)
7 (4, 205) - Nathan Jones, Rutgers (Probably makes the cut)
7 (15, 216) - Patrick Crayton, NW Oklahoma State (#3WR)
7 (22, 223) - Jacques Reeves, Purdue (Probably makes the cut)
When you look at this draft class, you truly see an average to good crop here. RB Julius Jones headlines the group. Julius is in his 3rd year, and has yet to have that "magical" year, the type of Emmitt Smith year we have not had since the '90s. Jones has the potential, but he has been sidelined the last two years by bad luck.
Rogers was injured before we drafted him, and he never became anything but a complete and uttter BUST.
Parcells stuck by Peterman despite his injuries, unfortunately time ran out on Peterman. Cory Procter overcame him on the depth chart, and Peterman was released today.
Bruce Thornton had big potential coming out of college as the team captain of the Georgia Bulldog defense, unfortunately Thornton never developed into anything.
Sean Ryan is another player that has been given plenty of time to contribute and make the team, but this may be the year he is cut. Ryan has been on and off the roster the past couple of years. His days are numbered with the drafting of Fasano and the signing of Hannam.
Nate Jones is the man of mystery, he never gets any attention at all, good or bad, but Parcells recently stated that each year it becomes harder and harder to cut Jones. Jones will be cutting it very close this year. He may or may not make this team this year, we'll know in the coming days.
Patrick Crayton was the 2nd day gem in this draft class. Crayton came into camp and turned heads ever since. He has solid hands, and makes plays after the catch. As a former QB, Crayton knows where to position himself when he runs his routes. The only knock on Crayton is his durability. Patrick Crayton and Julius Jones share the same hardships, just wishing to complete a full season.
Jacques Reeves continues to make the team every year due to his committment to the game, he's a solid back up and a versatile player that Parcells likes in the secondary. Reeves should make the team once again.
Summary:
Day 1 is a near washout with the exception of Julius Jones. Day 2 is interesting, the last (3) picks were 7th rounders and all remain on the team, unlike the higher picks before them. If you remember Parcells made some trades to acquire those 7th rounders, once again applying his theory of being in the "Talent Acquisition Business" even during the NFL draft back in 2004.
8/22/2006
Inching Closer to More Roster Cuts
Aug. 29th - Cut down to 75
Sept. 2nd - Cut down to 53
Last night there were several players that did not play, and when you're not playing in a preseason game, you're in trouble - on the bubble.
Some notable players that did not play against the Saints were: OG Stephen Peterman, QB Drew Henson, QB Matt Baker, WR JR Tolver, LB Carl-Johan Bjork, TE Erik Jensen, and K Mike Vanderjagt.
Henson and Vanderjagt make the roster, but the same cannot be said about the rest of those guys. Most notable is OG Stephen Peterman, a former 3rd round pick. Peterman has been riddled with injuries, and this year it appears that Cory Proctor is poised to beat him out.
Marcus Coleman is going to be suspended for (4) games for violating the leagues illegal substance policy. He's going to be cut.
LB Oliver Hoyte is doing everything possible to stay on the team, he's been a tackling machine, and will at least make the practice squad. WR Miles Austin has done his part as well, and could be on his way to the practice squad as well.
WR Battle: Rector vs. Green
Rector has made some great catches, but he has also dropped a few passes during practice. Its a tight race between Rector and Green for one of the last WR spots. This is too close to call at this point, I honestly don't know which of these two makes the team.
Aug. 29th - Cut down to 75
Sept. 2nd - Cut down to 53
Last night there were several players that did not play, and when you're not playing in a preseason game, you're in trouble - on the bubble.
Some notable players that did not play against the Saints were: OG Stephen Peterman, QB Drew Henson, QB Matt Baker, WR JR Tolver, LB Carl-Johan Bjork, TE Erik Jensen, and K Mike Vanderjagt.
Henson and Vanderjagt make the roster, but the same cannot be said about the rest of those guys. Most notable is OG Stephen Peterman, a former 3rd round pick. Peterman has been riddled with injuries, and this year it appears that Cory Proctor is poised to beat him out.
Marcus Coleman is going to be suspended for (4) games for violating the leagues illegal substance policy. He's going to be cut.
LB Oliver Hoyte is doing everything possible to stay on the team, he's been a tackling machine, and will at least make the practice squad. WR Miles Austin has done his part as well, and could be on his way to the practice squad as well.
WR Battle: Rector vs. Green
Rector has made some great catches, but he has also dropped a few passes during practice. Its a tight race between Rector and Green for one of the last WR spots. This is too close to call at this point, I honestly don't know which of these two makes the team.
8/18/2006
8/17/2006
Cowboys Acquire Denver WR
The Cowboys traded a conditional 7th round pick to the Broncos for WR Charlie Adams. This is a camp body, he has some special teams experience, and I wouldn't expect much else out of this trade...
Additional Notes:
Position: WR
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Born: 10/23/1979
College: Hofstra
NFL Experience: 4
The Cowboys traded a conditional 7th round pick to the Broncos for WR Charlie Adams. This is a camp body, he has some special teams experience, and I wouldn't expect much else out of this trade...
Additional Notes:
Position: WR
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Born: 10/23/1979
College: Hofstra
NFL Experience: 4
Englewood, CO (Sports Network) - The Denver Broncos traded wide receiver Charlie Adams to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.
Adams played in all 16 games -- and two playoff contests -- for Denver last season. He totaled 21 receptions for 203 yards and also netted 351 total return yards in 2005.
Over the past several years, Adams has been up and down between the practice squad and the active roster before he finally became Denver's third receiver last season.
No news from the "Scout Swap" we had with the Patriots as of yet.
8/09/2006
Ask Coach Parcells
editor@dallascowboys.net
By DCW Staff
Q: Given his track record, do you have any concerns about Julius Jones and his health?
- Reggie Joseph, Allen,
A: I don't think concern is the right word. I would be concerned if I didn't see him working every day at a high level. I think he has something to prove to himself, as well. But I do see that, so I'm not as concerned about him. Durability is a big thing in the running back position. He had a little tough luck a couple of times, but I think things will get better for him. I do think that.
Running back is a tough position, and it takes a little while sometimes to get established there and learn how to do exactly right by it. I think he is a kid that has the mental capacity to understand it and is trying to do the right thing. He's not a big man, but I don't necessarily think that he's injury-prone. Injuries are not a problem for him; they are a problem for anyone in pro football.
Playing running back is one of the most demanding jobs in pro football. It is hard on a young kid starting out, and it's not something that you can easily explain to them what it is all about no matter how hard you try. I have a lot of experience doing it with some of these kids and it is still tough. You try to tell them this is what it's going to be like, and you tell them why they have to do the things that I am asking them to do.
I can tell them to believe me because I can point to specific players I coached and let our guys know that this worked for this guy, and this other guy and this other guy and it will work for them too. It's what I know to teach you to do and no matter how hard you try to do that, it takes a little while before they really get it.
The pressure on these runners is really difficult. They have to block the blitz, they have to catch the ball and they have to run the ball 25 times a game. That all adds up on these guys.
Q: What do you know about Bobby Carpenter based on your familiarity with his father, Rob?
- Jamar Thomas, Milford, Ohio.
A: I knew there would be discipline because that was in the family. I knew his mom, too. I knew that he would be taught right from wrong. He's probably been spoken to on a few matters. I have a very high regard for his father. His father was one of the key guys for me. I was fortunate to have him come along at the right time for me along with Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor and few of those to really get me started coaching in this league. I give him as much credit as I did several of those others that were kind of the nucleus for us. He was very good with young players when he was a veteran. He was a good player himself.
I know he has coaching experience. He coached all those years. He's got four boys, they're all playing football now too. Football was something that was really pretty important in that family. I kind of like that. I like the player as an athlete. He's a real pure linebacker.
Q. What concerned you the most going into camp?
- Ray Kuale, Tualatin, Ore.
A: There are several positions where we have a degree of uncertainty, a couple on the offensive line and maybe one position particularly in the secondary. We are going to have some transition at a couple of linebacker spots.
Every year is different. It always unfolds differently as you go through it. You don't know what is going to happen during the course of camp that could cause you problems. Right now, there are still a couple of places where I feel like we've got to get something done. I'm not sure what those answers will be just yet.
I do think I have a good class of kids on my team. Players that want to work hard. I think each year we have been here we have improved that. We have several young guys now who are really starting to come as real good players in the league. They have a couple of years in now, and that kind of encourages us. They have a pretty good ceiling to get to. They haven't gotten there yet, but a couple of them are headed that way.
Q: Terrell Owens has been in a West Coast offense his entire career. Do you change what you want to do because of that or do you work him into your system?
- Omar Hollard, Floresville, Tex.
A: We want to use the player's assets. We would be foolish not to try to do that. I have a general idea of what he does well from having played against him. But I have to see what he thinks about things like I would any player that's experienced. I need to learn what routes he likes. What he feels comfortable with and what routes he struggles with.
You know, they all have them. They don't just come in and say, "I can do anything you want me to do." We go over things and say, "How do you feel about this? How do you feel about that?"
I would do that with any player that was a veteran that we were trying to integrate into our scheme. I've done that over the course of my career. I remember vividly the day I got Shawn Jefferson. I said, "Shawn, what do you like?" He said, "Sevens, eights and nines, Coach." That's a tree route. Sevens, eights and nines. He said, "I can run those for you all day." I asked him, "Well, what about a four?" He said, "I can run a four." I said, "Well, what about a six?" He says, "I'm not in love with a six." So along the way I get an idea about what he can do, what he likes. I haven't had that conversation yet with Terrell.
editor@dallascowboys.net
By DCW Staff
Q: Given his track record, do you have any concerns about Julius Jones and his health?
- Reggie Joseph, Allen,
A: I don't think concern is the right word. I would be concerned if I didn't see him working every day at a high level. I think he has something to prove to himself, as well. But I do see that, so I'm not as concerned about him. Durability is a big thing in the running back position. He had a little tough luck a couple of times, but I think things will get better for him. I do think that.
Running back is a tough position, and it takes a little while sometimes to get established there and learn how to do exactly right by it. I think he is a kid that has the mental capacity to understand it and is trying to do the right thing. He's not a big man, but I don't necessarily think that he's injury-prone. Injuries are not a problem for him; they are a problem for anyone in pro football.
Playing running back is one of the most demanding jobs in pro football. It is hard on a young kid starting out, and it's not something that you can easily explain to them what it is all about no matter how hard you try. I have a lot of experience doing it with some of these kids and it is still tough. You try to tell them this is what it's going to be like, and you tell them why they have to do the things that I am asking them to do.
I can tell them to believe me because I can point to specific players I coached and let our guys know that this worked for this guy, and this other guy and this other guy and it will work for them too. It's what I know to teach you to do and no matter how hard you try to do that, it takes a little while before they really get it.
The pressure on these runners is really difficult. They have to block the blitz, they have to catch the ball and they have to run the ball 25 times a game. That all adds up on these guys.
Q: What do you know about Bobby Carpenter based on your familiarity with his father, Rob?
- Jamar Thomas, Milford, Ohio.
A: I knew there would be discipline because that was in the family. I knew his mom, too. I knew that he would be taught right from wrong. He's probably been spoken to on a few matters. I have a very high regard for his father. His father was one of the key guys for me. I was fortunate to have him come along at the right time for me along with Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor and few of those to really get me started coaching in this league. I give him as much credit as I did several of those others that were kind of the nucleus for us. He was very good with young players when he was a veteran. He was a good player himself.
I know he has coaching experience. He coached all those years. He's got four boys, they're all playing football now too. Football was something that was really pretty important in that family. I kind of like that. I like the player as an athlete. He's a real pure linebacker.
Q. What concerned you the most going into camp?
- Ray Kuale, Tualatin, Ore.
A: There are several positions where we have a degree of uncertainty, a couple on the offensive line and maybe one position particularly in the secondary. We are going to have some transition at a couple of linebacker spots.
Every year is different. It always unfolds differently as you go through it. You don't know what is going to happen during the course of camp that could cause you problems. Right now, there are still a couple of places where I feel like we've got to get something done. I'm not sure what those answers will be just yet.
I do think I have a good class of kids on my team. Players that want to work hard. I think each year we have been here we have improved that. We have several young guys now who are really starting to come as real good players in the league. They have a couple of years in now, and that kind of encourages us. They have a pretty good ceiling to get to. They haven't gotten there yet, but a couple of them are headed that way.
Q: Terrell Owens has been in a West Coast offense his entire career. Do you change what you want to do because of that or do you work him into your system?
- Omar Hollard, Floresville, Tex.
A: We want to use the player's assets. We would be foolish not to try to do that. I have a general idea of what he does well from having played against him. But I have to see what he thinks about things like I would any player that's experienced. I need to learn what routes he likes. What he feels comfortable with and what routes he struggles with.
You know, they all have them. They don't just come in and say, "I can do anything you want me to do." We go over things and say, "How do you feel about this? How do you feel about that?"
I would do that with any player that was a veteran that we were trying to integrate into our scheme. I've done that over the course of my career. I remember vividly the day I got Shawn Jefferson. I said, "Shawn, what do you like?" He said, "Sevens, eights and nines, Coach." That's a tree route. Sevens, eights and nines. He said, "I can run those for you all day." I asked him, "Well, what about a four?" He said, "I can run a four." I said, "Well, what about a six?" He says, "I'm not in love with a six." So along the way I get an idea about what he can do, what he likes. I haven't had that conversation yet with Terrell.
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