Cowboys Announce Training Camp Schedule

Football season is almost here, the Cowboys are reving up for training camp. Here is the Cowboys training camp schedule:


Friday, July 28
Noon - Jerry Jones/Bill Parcells Opening Press Conference
Saturday, July 29

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Sunday, July 30
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Monday, July 31
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Tuesday, August 1
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Wednesday, August 2
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Thursday, August 3
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Friday, August 4
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Saturday, August 5
TBA Walk-through
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Sunday, August 6
** PLAYERS OFF **
Monday, August 7
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Tuesday, August 8
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Wednesday, August 9
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Thursday, August 10
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Friday, August 11
TBA Walk-through
TBA Depart For Seattle
Saturday, August 12
9:00 p.m. (CDT) Kickoff at Seattle
Sunday, August 13
** PLAYERS OFF **
Monday, August 14
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Tuesday, August 15
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Wednesday, August 16
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Thursday, August 17
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Friday, August 18
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Practice
Saturday, August 19
TBA Walk-through
2:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Practice
Sunday, August 20
TBA Walk-through
TBA Depart For Shreveport, La.
*** BREAK CAMP ***
Monday, August 21
7:00 p.m. (CDT) Kickoff vs. New Orleans in Shreveport, La.
Return to Dallas following the game
Tuesday, August 22
** PLAYERS OFF **

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES --
Saturday, August 26
7:00 p.m. (CDT) Kickoff vs. San Francisco
Tuesday, August 29
Cut to 75 players
Thursday, August 31
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (CDT) Kickoff Luncheon
7:00 p.m. (CDT) Kickoff vs. Minnesota
Saturday, September 2
Cut to 53 players

Cowboys Sign Undrafted Free Agent Rookies

Here's the latest rookie free agent signings, these undrafted rookies will get their opportunity to make a name for themselves at the Cowboys Rookie Mini-Camp which will be held this weekend (May 5-7)

QB Jeff Mroz (Yale)
LB John Saldi (Texas Tech)
WR Sam Hurd (Northern Illinois)
S Darrell Brooks (Arizona)
WR Miles Austin (Monmouth)
ILB Oliver Hoyte (North Carolina State)
QB Nick Noce (Arkansas State)
OLB Kai Parham (Virginia)
OT Dennis Roland (Georgia)
CB Marcus King (Missouri)
CB Quincy Butler (TCU)
DT Steve Williams (Northwest Missouri State)
RB Demetrius Summers (South Carolina)

My take on the 2006 draft for the DALLAS COWBOYS
By Howard Cox

I like their first pick because it gives them another solid player on the outside. Singleton will start but he has shown injury problems the last 2 seasons and Carpenter gives them size and talent to not worry about that. He gives the team another "punch" on the outside opposite last years bonus pick DeMarcus Ware. Burnett will also play into the rotation to give the defense a solid second teir of players.

As for the second round pick I am still wondering where that came from. They seem to be going to get rid of the fullback position altogether which is alright but they seemingly already had enough TE's to fill the blocking scheme. I guess another target for Bledsoe isn't a bad idea but I will have to wait and see on this one.

Round three pick I also like because it is a talented player that isn't going to be expected to start but will be able to learn and play his way into the rotation, much like Canty and Spears did last season. This is a good thing also considering he has the size to move inside in a 4 man front.

Don't let the WR beside Green's name fool you he was brought in mainly to serve as a KR for the special teams. I would be surprised to see him listed higher than 5th on the depth chart, maybe 4th but that would be about it. Thompson's got some competition on the return game and likely will lose that portion of his duties. I like this pick because nothing can spark a team more than a good return for great field position or a quick TD from special teams.

Here, IMO, is going to be the steal of the draft for the Cowboys. They have needed a good "cover" safety and Watkins could very well turn out to be just that. His size and speed should allow him to patrol the backfield and give Williams the freedom to roam up near the line, something he hasn't had since Woodson retired. Wait and see on this one, he should turn out to be a very good one.

The rest of the picks were adding depth to the respective positions. Stanley will give them another "plug" in the middle behind Ferguson. Johnson showed promise last season and Stanley is the right size to get in there and shore up the middle. McQuistan and Whitley will compete for roster spots as depth behind the starting 5 up front on offense. I like all three choices for doing just that, and you never know they just may surprise and be playing a lot of time by the middle of the season, most likely Stanley.

Our Cowboys Draft Grade

1st round OLB Bobby Carpenter - Ohio State
Carpenter WILL be the starting OLB in our 3-4 scheme. Carpenter will bring his blue collar smashmouth gridiron football skills to the field every gameday
Grade: A

2nd round TE Anthony Fasano - Notre Dame
Fasano brings a very solid addition to the TE position and will help elevate the offensive game plans. We will see a true 2 TE set. This means we have eliminated the FB position. The TEs will block, and Fasano can catch the ball, looks for contact, big and strong smashmouth TE. Good pick
Grade: B+

3rd round DE/DT Jason Hatcher - Grambling
I strongly feel fans are going to like this pick alot once the season comes on. Jerry Jones said, "Can you say Leon Lett?" This is the plan for Hatcher, he will be expected to add some mass, and he WILL contribute at DE, and DT in the 4-3 alignment. Adds instant depth.
Grade: B-

4th round PR/WR Skyler Green - LSU
Green is a true specialist, and his job will be defined as such. Green will come in as our return specialist. We may see him in some reverses and other trick plays. Good pick, and a need in the return game.
Grade: B

5th round FS Pat Watkins - Florida State
Watkins was projected to be a 1st day pick. We got some major value here, 1st day talent in the 5th round. Watkins could be a steal here. We'll see him on special teams, nickel, and will be in the thick in the FS spot.
Grade: B+

6th round NT Montavious Stanley - Louisville
We saw many of the big NT taken in the later round, and Stanley is coming from a productive defense. Stanley is ready to get going after the QB. Another solid pick for this late day pick
Grade: B+

7th round LG Pat McQuistan - Weber State
Could compete for a roster spot, I'm not sure these last two picks make the roster. Hopefully I'm wrong, but we'll see. Pat does have some impressive size, and could be a ultra sleeper pick
Grade: D

7th round C/OG EJ Whitley - Texas Tech
Could compete for a roster spot, I'm not sure these last two picks make the roster. Hopefully I'm wrong, but we'll see. Whitley was drafted due to his major versatility.
Grade: D

Final Grade: B

Final Bold Mock Draft

01. Houston – DE Mario Williams – NC State (The Texans pass on Bush, Casserly to retire)

02.San Francisco – RB Reggie Bush – USC (49ers trade both 1st rounds and more to get Bush)

03.Tennessee – QB Vince Young - Texas (In interviews Fisher sure sounds like he loves Young here)

04. NYJets – OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson - Virginia (The Jets take the tackle here)

05. Green Bay – LB AJ Hawk – Ohio St. (Green Bay needs a playmaker on defense, Hawk is that answer)

06. New Orleans – TE Vernon Davis – Maryland (Payton needs a good TE in his offense, Davis is the pick)

07. Oakland – FS Michael Huff – Texas (Davis loves to draft defensive backs, and Huff could be the target)

08. Buffalo – DT Broderick Bunkley - FSU (Buffalo will take the DT or trade down)

09. Detroit – LB Ernie Sims - FSU (The Cards need more defense and better LBs a LB could be the position pick here)

10. Arizona – QB Matt Leinart – USC (The Cards need Leinart to make a playoff run, Warner is washed up)

11. St. Louis – CB Jimmy Williams – VTech (Most likely a CB or LB will be drafted here)

12. Cleveland - DT Haloti Ngata – Oregon (Crennel nabs Ngata to anchor the 3-4)

13. Baltimore – CB Antonio Cromartie - FSU (Cromartie could be a star for the Ravens in the secondary)

14. Philadelphia – OT Winston Justice – USC (Philly loves offensive line players and Justice could be the pick)

15. Denver – WR Chad Jackson – Florida (An instant impact starter in Denver this year)

16. Miami – DE Kamerion Wimbley – FSU (The versatile DE will be an instant impact starter in Miami)

17. Minnesota – RB DeAngelo Williams – Memphis (Childress sees Westbrook in Williams & may be the guy)

18. Dallas – LB Bobby Carpenter – Ohio St. (Carp is versatile, can play the run and would be an instant starter)

19. San Diego – CB Jonathan Joseph – S.Carolina (Chargers traded Davis and need a premier CB)

20. Kansas City– CB Tye Hill– Clemson (KC needs to upgrade the defense with a CB)

21. New England – WR Santonio Holmes – Ohio St (The Patriots are thin at WR and Holmes will bolster the WRs)

22. New Orleans* – OT Marcus McNeil - Auburn (Instant upgrade at OT, and will help in the running game)

23. Tampa Bay – FS Donte Whitner (Offensive tackle or DB could be the pick late here)

24. Cincinnati – TE Leonard Pope - Georgia (The Bengals want more options on the offense Pope is a great add)

25. NYGiants – DT Gabe Watson – Michigan (CB or DT would be choices for NYG to look at here)

26. Chicago – FS Jason Allen - Tennessee (Chicago is light at DB, and DB should be the pick here)

27. Carolina – LB Demeco Ryans – ‘Bama (LBs are thin in Carolina, and could see a top notch LB taken here)

28. Jacksonville – TE Marcedes Lewis – UCLA (Jags could take TE, but LB is another need for them)

29. NYJets* – QB Jay Cutler – Vanderbilt (Mangini will get a possible steal here with Cutler free falling)

30. Indianapolis – RB Laurence Maroney–Minnesota (With James gone Indy needs RB help to make it in ‘06)

31. Seattle – OG Max Jean-Gilles - Georgia (This is a no-brainer for Seagirl fans, OG needs to be addressed)

32. Pittsburgh – WR Maurice Stovall – Notre Dame (Local product and instant starter with great hands)

Final 1st Day Draft Predictions

The draft almost never happens like fans would predict, but like past years I will give my final 1st Day Draft Predictions, they could be way off and most likely will be, but here it goes:

#18 - OLB Bobby Carpenter - Ohio State
#49 - DT Rod Wright - Texas
#80 - OG Charles Spencer - Pittsburgh

or
#18 - DE/LB Kamerion Wimbley - FSU
#49 - CB Ko Simpson - S.Carolina
#80 - DT Dusty Dvoracek - Oklahoma

There's no doubt we need a DT somewhere in this year's draft we are thin at DT, OLB is also a concern, Burnett could be a miss from last yrs draft and his injury history may continue, we need someone solid and someone that can come in a play, Carpenter is that player, lets take him.

We signed Marcus Coleman for a one year deal, I believe this means we WILL be looking at a DB early on.

Offensive line will probably be taken in the 3rd or on Day 2.

There's a big fall off in this year's draft from Day 1 and Day 2. I would not mind trading down or completely out of the 1st if we could pick up some 2nd and 3rds, the value seems really good in the 2 and 3rd round this year. Whatever the Cowboys do, I'm sure we will make the right picks that can contribute in our playoff run in 2006 and beyond!

Go Cowboys!

Cowboys Dependence On TO Has Begun?

Do you want to get your fix of TO? Do you want to be dependent on TO? Well, the Cowboys may have already begun the process of becoming a TO dependent team. Personally, I think we can make a run to the Super Bowl without TO, but some may beg to differ and that's fine. One thing we know about TO, is that he will manipulate his status and his offensive explosiveness from the field to the business table. Once you are dependent on one player to get you over the hump, (ie.) TO, then you have become a TO dependent team, (ie.) The Eagles. So, what I'm saying is this: We have indeed begun the process of becoming a TO dependent team. How? Well, look at the position we're in as of RIGHT NOW. We have signed two mid-level free agents, and have not signed any high-level free agents (not something we need anyway), but the fact remains that we have been very-very quiet and slow throughout the free agency season.

Virtually all the quality impact players we've wanted are all but gone, there's not much out there and look what the Cowboys do...they cut Keyshawn Johnson. Keyshawn did not want to play for $2.0 million a year, but states he believes he's a $2.5 million receiver. That's modest considering players who I consider sub-par have been giving semi-lucrative deals.

Ok, so we release Keyshawn, well who do we replace him with? We no longer have a #1 WR, and there are ZERO #1WRs out there worth going into the season with, EXCEPT for TO.

Will the Cowboys "Dance with the Devil?" - the answer is yes, they are, and here's why:
If the Cowboys do not sign TO, we're still out a #1WR, and if Keyshawn signs somewhere else, we are screwed, this changes the whole draft scheme, and the whole dynamic of the offseason. Keep in mind we have not signed a legitimate kicker, and those are all but gone as well, except for a very few high priced kickers. So, if we don't want to get a legitimate kicker, we better have an explosive offense where we wouldn't have to rely on critical field goals.

Let's examine a worst case scenario:
*If TO signs elsewhere and Keyshawn signs elsewhere, we have a glaring hole at WR, and do you want to draft a WR at #18? Perhaps Chad Jackson, Santonio Holmes, Sinorice Moss, or Maurice Stovall? This is very risky.

*And so if WR is a draft day priority, where does FS, LB, OT, DT fall into the picture.

Many questions yet to be answered; for instance, was Kosier signed to play that RT spot, if so, this will rule out releasing LA, either way though. Releasing LA would be disastrous at this time. If Kosier was signed for RT, the we wont be drafting RT This leaves our next glaring hole to be FS, if we do not address this soon, FS has to be a top priority, even if we were to sign a Marcus Coleman type player, he's old, we need to stay young, so I think we still need to draft FS somewhere.

We can keep going and going, but you know where we're going with this. The signing of TO will change the rest of the draft strategy eitherway. If we don't sign TO, we better have something up our sleeve come draft day, I'm not impressed with what we've done in free agency thus far. I like who we've signed for sure, but the lack of signing other people is a great concern at this point.

We're dancing with the devil, and we could be a TO dependent team.

Free Agency Reality

So, Free Agency is underway and we managed to sign offensive lineman Kyle Kosier from the Lions, and we re-signed our own player in Andre Gurode. What does the signing of Kosier mean?
At first glance, you ask yourself, "who?" then you ask yourself "what position is he going to play on the line?"

Kosier is a mid-level free agent who has played on every position on the offensive line except for center. Last season Kosier played LG, so once you know this you may be asking yourself, "Is he going to replace Larry Allen?"

Right now, I would say no, and this is why: Larry Allen is the best at his position and our running backs are going to run behind him and Flozell. Sure we may have some designed plays to run to the right, but who's on the right side right now? There's uncertainty with the center position, Marco Rivera had a very average year last year, and Rob Petitti is still young and gets beat on a regular basis.

SO, logic would dictate you would want to keep Larry Allen at LG. We can afford him this year, and the cap increases even more next year, so we can keep Allen around.

I've said this before, and here's the main this about the Kosier signing: He gives us options on the offensive line. Right now, I'd pencil-in Kosier as the starting RT, he would battle it out with Petitti, but would win obviously. In addition, how sure are we that Flozell has fully recovered and how sure are we that he will stay healthy this season coming off his knee surgery, do you want Tucker over there again? Tucker is ok, but Kosier is definitely an upgrade to Tucker at LT and Petitti at RT. This is all possible because of Kosier's versatility on the line and he gives us all these options should something go wrong during camp, and the regular season.

I would feel better going into the season with Flo, LA, Gurode, Rivera, and Kosier as the starters, than I would with Flo, Kosier, Gurode, and (?? Petitti, Rogers, Rookie)

Before free agency starts we want the high-end proven free agents; the Bentleys, Mawaes, Hopes, and the Petersons, but its not looking like that's going to happen this free agency season.

At this point, I think we could expect to see more low key names brought into the mix. Let's hope for the best and hope that we can get some decent people in here, we have a lot of work to do.

Free Agent's I'd Take

Unlike last year we don;t have the full luxury of going on a big spending spree this free agency season; however, I would like to nab at least 1 or 2 of the following free agents available:

LeCharles Bentley - C/G - New Orleans Saints
Bentley has been solid for the most part, and has been a force to deal with. The attractive part of signing Bentley is his versatility. He excels at guard and at center. Center is a big question mark for us going into the 2006 season. Al Johnson never got on track and seemed to be overcome and overpowered by larger NT/DTs all year long. Andre Gurode actually faired better then Johnson, but are either of these two the answer, and is the rotation of the two the answer. I would say no for now. Bentley would be a great fit, but he will be highly seeked since quality offensive lineman this free agency season is quite light on talent.

Jason Fabini - OT - New York Jets
At 31 he is getting up in age, but would be a upgrade to Rob Pettiti at RT. Fabini was a player that Parcells liked while he was with the Jets. A reunion and "Parcells Guy" return could be in the making here. Taking care of RT before the draft would give us more room to draft another position player that we need like LB, FS, DT.

Adam Vinatieri - K - New England Patriots
Not much needs to be said about Vinatieri, he is Mr. Clutch as far as kickers go. Rarely misses, and in games where FGs decide games, Vinatieri would be the difference maker. Last season, we could have won at least 3 games decided by FGs, and missed FGs. Let's get him signed, sealed, and delivered!

Chris Hope - FS - Pittsburgh Steelers
Hope would be a real upgrade for the FS, Hope is more the prototypical FS we need next to the hard hitting Roy Williams. Hope plays well in coverage, makes good reads, and has great gametime experience playing against some of the NFLs best offenses. Let Davis return to ST fulltime and bring in Hope to complete the secondary.

Other players I'd like to consider:
Matt Bryant - K - Tampa Bay Bucs
Ryan Longwell - K - Green Bay Packers
Julian Peterson - OLB - San Fran 49ers

Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame, Again...

You know the drill, its that time of year when the anti-Cowboys biases are validated. Today at 1PM CST we will find out if any of our Cowboys Legends get inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. We all know who votes, and its a extremely flawed and illogical way to vote in NFL players.

Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Rayfield Wright should all get in, unfortunately, I'm predicting that Aikman will be the only one inducted; however, I would not be surprised if none were inducted, as outrageous as that may sound it is a possibility. NOTHING is guaranteed today. Let's hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

From NFL.com>>> Charged with the vital task of continuing to be sure that new enshrinees are the finest the game has produced is the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 39-man Board of Selectors (see list below).

The Board consists of one media representative from each pro football city with two from New York, inasmuch as that city has two teams in the National Football League. A 33rd member is a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America and there are six at-large delegates. (Read More)

Players get "voted in" by the media...Here's the official list of HOF voters:

Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors
Arizona	Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Atlanta	Furman Bisher, The Atlanta Journal
Baltimore	Scott Garceau, WMAR-TV
Buffalo	Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
Carolina	Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
Chicago	Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune*
Cincinnati	Chick Ludwig, Dayton Daily News
Cleveland	Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dallas	Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News*
Denver	Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Detroit	Jerry Green, The Detroit News*
Green Bay	Cliff Christl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Houston	John McClain, Houston Chronicle*
Indianapolis	Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star
Jacksonville	Sam Kouvaris, WJXT-TV
Kansas City	Bob Gretz, KCFX Overland Park, KS
Miami	Edwin Pope, Miami Herald*
Minnesota	Sid Hartman, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
New England	Ron Borges, Boston Globe
New Orleans	Pete Finney, Times-Picayune
New York (Giants)	Vinny DiTrani, Bergen Record
New York (Jets)	Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated
Oakland	Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange
Philadelphia	Paul Domowitch, Philadelphia Daily News
Pittsburgh	Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
St. Louis	Bernie Miklasz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
San Diego	Jerry Magee, San Diego Union Tribune*
San Francisco	Ira Miller, San Francisco Chronicle*
Seattle	John Clayton, ESPN/ESPN Magazine
Tampa Bay	Ira Kaufman, Tampa Tribune
Tennessee	David Climer, The Tennessean
Washington	Len Shapiro, Washington Post*
PFWA	David Elfin, Washington Times
At Large	Jarrett Bell, USA Today
At Large	Dave Goldberg, Associated Press*
At Large	Peter King, Sports Illustrated
At Large	Bob Oates, Los Angeles Times
At Large	Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
At Large	Mike Wilbon, Washington Post

Troy Aikman - Quarterback - 1989-2000 Dallas Cowboys
Harry Carson - Linebacker - 1976-1988 New York Giants
L.C. Greenwood - Defensive End - 1969-1981 Pittsburgh Steelers
Russ Grimm - Guard - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Claude Humphrey - Defensive End - 1968-1978 Atlanta Falcons, 1979-1981 Philadelphia Eagles (injured reserve - 1975)
Michael Irvin - Wide Receiver - 1988-1999 Dallas Cowboys
Bob Kuechenberg - Guard - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins (injured reserve - 1984)
John Madden - Coach - 1969-1978 Oakland Raiders
Art Monk - Wide Receiver - 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Warren Moon - Quarterback - 1984-1993 Houston Oilers, 1994-1996 Minnesota Vikings, 1997-1998 Seattle Seahawks, 1999-2000 Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Thomas - Linebacker - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Thurman Thomas - Running Back - 1988-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Miami Dolphins
Reggie White - Defensive End/Defensive Tackle - 1985-1992 Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1998 Green Bay Packers, 2000 Carolina Panthers
Rayfield Wright - Tackle - 1967-1979 Dallas Cowboys
Gary Zimmerman - Tackle - 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos

If I had a vote, I would vote these six players into the HOF:
• Troy Aikman
• Michael Irvin
• Rayfield Wright
• Reggie White
• Warren Moon
• John Madden

I predict the HOF will vote these six players:
• Troy Aikman
• LC Greenwood
• Art Monk
• Reggie White
• Bob Kuechenburg
• John Madden

and the HOF voters could also be pussies and only vote in 4 players as they did last year, which would not surprise me either

Good Luck Cowboys, either way, you know where you stand in Dallas Cowboys lore.