Hey Cowboy fans. I'm back after what seemed like a years worth of writing during the draft. I had to take a little vacation from writing and let's be honest, do you really want me to review the Gunner on the punt team all offseason? I don't believe in it so I only write during the season. As a huge sports fan I've had a great summer. The Rangers are playing great baseball, The World Cup was gripping, and I'm into the Tour de France. That said, my first love has always been football and as the Cowboys approach training camp starting Saturday in San Antone I'm getting those feelings of excitement. I'd like to do a weekly Q&A if any of you guys are up for it this season and am always looking for feedback for what you want to see content wise. Jeffrey has done a great job updating this site, and as part of the content staff I can say I'm excited to be a part of it and look forward to growth in the coming months. So tell your friends. Today we'll answer a few questions asked by some of the board's members on our forums.
USAFVET - Welcome back, Mike. Looking forward to your analysis on the team. The questions that I have probably won't be answered until we actually play a few (how will the line hold up this year without flo, how will Dez Bryant be a factor, etc). We may catch a glimpse of those things during camp and preseason, but it will be really difficult to tell. If we are basing merit on camp and preseason, Martellus should have been a beast.
You're right, we wont be able to answer those questions until we see it on the field, but that's not any fun to answer that way so I'll try to gaze into my crystal ball and see what I can see.
I think the people I've heard say they are glad Flo is gone better be careful what they wish for. While It's true Flozell was a penalty machine, drove fans crazy at times, and was easily beaten by the elite speed rushers, he was also an incredibly solid pro bowl level Tackle. The Offensive line should be pretty good provided there aren't injuries. The strength of this unit is the interior where Gurode, Kosier, and Big Leonard have solidified as a star group. Colombo is solid on the right side and has that nasty mean streak you like to see in your linemen. Let me say I liked the way Doug Free played last year but he is clearly the 5th best player on the line. I don't think it's a bad thing if he's your 5th best player, but I don't know if I want my left tackle as the 5th best player on the unit. I will say the job is Free's to lose but there is a position battle there. I was a fan of the Alex Barron trade and think he has a chance to really re-juvinate his career with a change of scenery. If Barron performs well enough to win the job that's a great thing because as I said Free is pretty solid and Barron will have to play at a high level to unseat him. Barron is also a little more of a prototype Left Tackle in body and skills. He has all the tools at his disposal, he just needs to put them to use.
As for Dez Bryant, I think that Wide Receiver is one of the most difficult positions for a rookie to transition to behind Quarterback and Offensive Line. Don't expect Dez Bryant to be on the field as a starter week 1 in my opinion. With Miles Austin as a true star and the benefit of the doubt that will be given to Roy Williams, Bryant will have to wait to make his mark. If Crayton does indeed stay on this team through the pre-season he's going to have to unseat either Roy or Crayton. The name of the game for Dez will have to be consitency and special teams. Dez will have a great oppurtunity to be the return guy this year and needs to make the most of that. He also must be consistent when he does get his chance with the regular offense. That means he will have to run his routes to perfection, block, catch the ball, and create plays. He has no credit with the NFL and needs to do whatever he can to build it. I'm on record as saying Dez Bryant is a bona fide playmaker and by mid season he will have forced his way into some playing time, but temper your expectations and allow for some growth.
Rumblebee - Good to see you back Mike. I think that some of the biggest questions going into training camp have to do with special teams. The biggest ? on the team has to be at kicker. Can David Buehler get it done at kicker, and if not where do we go to find a kicker? Also the return game could use a lot of help, Dez Bryant may be the answer there though.
Special teams are a huge question in my mind. I love David Buehler and his role as a kickoff specialist but have no hopes for him as a place kicker. When Nick Folk got the yips last year they could have gone to Buehler and instead pulled Suisham off the scrap heap. Now after an offseason I'm supposed to believe David Buehler can kick field goals? Let's assume Buehler is essentially a rookie place kicker, the last team that won a superbowl with a rookie place kicker was the 1996 Green Bay Packers in Ryan Longwell's rookie season. I'll say I'm not real confident in Buehler's ability to be a great place kicker. If I'm wrong then that is a great thing because he has fantastic leg strength. If I'm right then they will have to go to the veteran scrap heap when training camp ends. At that point you're probably looking at someone like Suisham. It's not a great prospect so cross your fingers and hope Buehler can indeed kick field goals. As for returners I like Dez Bryant and Ogletree in return roles. I'm not incredibly worried about those.
Pikkumatti - Is Barber going to be healthy and effective again? Asked another way: was he nicked up at the end of last year, or has he lost a bit, or did opponents just figure him out?
This is a great question and one I've thought about for a long time. I think the answer is a little of everything. First off he wasn't the same after his quad injury against The Giants where it looked like he was shot in the thigh by a sniper while running in the open field. He has probably lost a bit but not much because of the way he runs. You just can't run that recklessley 25 times a game for a 16 game season and be fresh. It's his trademark and the thing people love about him, but it's bad for him as a starter. It was alarming to me that he couldn't gain any short yardage when needed. My solution is one I've been banging the drum on for all of last season. I believe Tashard Choice is the most well rounded player in the backfield and should start the game. Barber should resume his role as 3rd down back for blitz pickup, goal line, and short yardage. Felix Jones should be brought in and moved around and find creative ways to get the ball into his hands. A creative Offensive Coordinator (ahem) should be able to get the ball to Jones and if you have to line him up in the slot, or go 2 back with him and Barber then so be it. Take the load off Barber, return him to the role he thrived in, and maximize the talent in your backfield.
Joeiaco17 - Good to have you back Mike. I looked forward to reading your blogs. The questions that I have mimic those of the others but I'd also like to ask you about the free safety position. How confident are you that the combo of Allan Ball and Mike Hamlin is an upgrade over Ken Hamlin?
The Free Safety position is definitely the most questionable on the defense but I liked the way Alan Ball played there. I don't know if I'd say it's an upgrade over Hamlin, but I don't think it will be a significant downgrade. I think the Cowboys would love to see Mike Hamlin win this job because of his size and the fact he's more of a natural center field Free Safety. As I said though, I like Allan Ball and think he can surprise some people. Free Safety, Left Tackle, and nickel linebacker positions should be the 3 biggest position battles. I'll also say I was never a big fan of Hamlin. I thought he was a solid tackler and player but was burnt alot and did not turn the ball over at all. This defense sorely needs a playmaker in the secondary who can really turn the ball over. We'll keep an eye on it but this is the battle I'm most looking forward to. Like the Left Tackle battle, if Mike Hamlin wins it then that is good because I think Ball is pretty solid and if Hamlin unseats him that means he's playing pretty well.
Thanks for your questions and we'll do this again soon.
The No Huddle Report