(Editor's Note: Throughout the duration of training camp, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer look at several different position battles, analyzing the depth chart and projecting the overall outlook at some of the most intriguing spots on this year's roster.)
Offensive Tackle (8/18)
Free Gets Practice With First Team
Every now and then, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips rests his starting tackles. For Tuesday's afternoon practice, he did that with left tackle Flozell Adams. Running with the first team in Adams' place: third-year tackle Doug Free. Last year and the year before, the Cowboys' immediate replacement at either tackle position would have been fourth-year veteran Pat McQuistan. McQuistan is still playing right tackle with the second team, but Free is Adams' primary backup on the left side. In fact, McQuistan was supposed to work at guard in training camp, but when rookie Robert Brewster suffered a pectoral tear before camp opened, the Cowboys were forced to switch him back to tackle. On Tuesday, the starting offensive line, including Free, ably protected quarterback Tony Romo, who had a ton of time to throw on several reps. Most of the time Free had some help blocking the likes of DeMarcus Ware or Anthony Spencer, though, although any tackle would rarely take on Ware one-on-one.
- Zach Buchanan
Cornerback (8/17)
Brown Shows Improvement At New Position
All the Cowboys need right now is a fifth corner, and that's where Courtney Brown has been practicing all camp. But all camp, he has not looked good. He played safety for his first two years in the league, and only switched positions this off-season, and had an especially bad practice Sunday morning that drew the ire of fans. But Monday was a different story. Brown broke up two passes and nabbed one interception, and didn't noticeably get beat in between. Two of those plays -- one pass deflection and the interception -- came against the starting offense. On the other, Brown ran with wide receiver Miles Austin step-for-step on a deep pass on the right sideline. Since the Cowboys cut corner Michael Hawkins on Monday just as Hawkins was getting healthy, Brown is probably the last player on the depth chart at that position. If he keeps up the level of play he showed Monday, he might make the team. If he doesn't, the team may look elsewhere for a fifth corner.
Roy Williams' wrist sprain (day-to-day) may be a blessing in disguise if it doesn't last too long. With Williams' missing Sunday's afternoon practice, every receiver on the depth chart was bumped up a spot. That means Crayton was the No. 1, with Hurd and Austin splitting No. 2 duties. For the Cowboys' youngest receivers, it meant a chance to catch passes from Jon Kitna instead of rookie Stephen McGee. If whoever wins the fifth receiver spot ever sees regular-season game action, they'll have a better chance of catching passes from Kitna than McGee, so for seventh-rounder Manny Johnson and undrafted rookie Kevin Ogletree, getting second-team looks Sunday was a big deal. Isaiah Stanback and Mike Jefferson might be ahead of both rookies for that last spot, and Jefferson did make a handful of impressive catches Sunday, but any opportunity to run with the twos is a good one for those guys.
- Zach Buchanan
Defensive Tackle (8/15)
Anderson's Release Clears The Picture Some
What had been a three-way battle to win a job at nose tackle behind Jay Ratliff has been reduced to two finalists, as the Cowboys waived sixth-year pro Tim Anderson Saturday morning. As has been the case throughout the off-season the leader appears to be 30-year-old Junior Siavii, who continues to run with the second team. Jonas Seawright, a 6-6, 303-pounder is currently the third-team nose tackle. Anderson started training camp on the active Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) while rehabbing a toe injury, and was activated Aug. 5. He got into Thursday's preseason opener in the second half for a while, but Wade Phillips said the Cowboys wanted to trim their defensive line numbers from 10 to nine, giving them an even three units up front.
- Josh Ellis
Wide Receiver (8/12)
Young Receivers Could Turn Heads Against Oakland
The Cowboys' top four receivers are set -- Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin. Third-year receiver Isaiah Stanback might occupy the fifth, and likely final receiver spot, but his hold on the spot could be a weak one given his unfamiliarity with the position (he played quarterback in college) and his injury history. Thursday's game against Oakland represents an opportunity for someone to take that spot with him. When asked who could step up and turn heads in the game, Williams identified two rookies -- Kevin Ogletree, undrafted out of Virginia, and the Cowboys' seventh-round pick Manuel Johnson of Oklahoma. Ogletree has been the most impressive of the rookies throughout OTAs and minicamp, although Johnson has made some impressive catches the past few days in camp. Also in the mix for that final spot are Mike Jefferson and Willie Reid. An impressive performance in the game could vault any of them to the fifth wide receiver spot.
- Zach Buchanan
Punt Returner (8/11)
Crayton Not Flashy, But Makes Few Mistakes
One of the things Adam "Pacman" Jones was supposed to bring to the Cowboys last year was his home-run ability returning punts. He had that ability, but he muffed more punts than he made electric returns on. Wide receiver Patrick Crayton won't return a punt for a touchdown too often, if ever, but he'll catch it and get a positive gain every time. That's why Crayton figures to be the lead punt returner in 2009. Cornerback Terence Newman has been used there in the past, but with his recent injury history, the Cowboys may not want to use him in that capacity. Rookie safety DeAngelo Smith returned punts in college, and could potentially create a role for himself there if he performs well in the preseason games. Also returning punts in practice are veteran receiver Willie Reid and receiver Isaiah Stanback. Running back Felix Jones return some punts early in camp and during OTAs, but has continued to have trouble fielding them.
- Zach Buchanan
Outside Linebacker (8/10)
Rookie Butler Making Up For Lost Time
Victor Butler, a rookie out of Oregon State, missed all of the Cowboys' off-season activities, including all of the OTAs where most of the teaching is done. But now that he's in training camp, he's progressed quite quickly, and has taken advantage of absences of others at his position. Butler and fellow rookie Brandon Williams, out of Texas Tech, are both transitioning from college defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker. Williams didn't participate in team drills during Monday afternoon's practice, and while he sat on the sideline, Butler took advantage, taking reps with the second team and blowing by Doug Free for a sack on Jon Kitna. He has also proven to be a capable rusher from both sides of the line. First-year veteran outside linebacker Steve Octavien was initially running with the second team ahead of Butler, but Octavien has been out since Saturday with a groin injury. Third-year 'backer Justin Rogers has taken both second- and third-team snaps as a result. The starters at the position, of course, remain DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.
- Zach Buchanan
Wide Receivers (8/9)
Stanback Makes Catches, Withstands Hits
Third-year receiver Isaiah Stanback isn't giving up on his roster spot just yet. After returning to practice Friday after missing 11 sessions with a hamstring injury, Stanback made a few impressive catches during Sunday's afternoon practice. More importantly, he took a couple of hard hits that sent him to the ground, and got right back up no worse for the wear. After being drafted in the fourth round in 2007, Stanback has dealt with numerous injuries while transitioning from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver. Stanback must prove, after only two full years at the position, that he is currently a better receiver than rookie Kevin Ogletree and first-year veteran Mike Jefferson. So far, Stanback has the edge, having resumed his spot with the second-team offense. Now he must make it to the regular season unscathed.
- Zach Buchanan
Cornerback (8/8)
Injuries Give Young Guys More Reps
With the injuries to Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman, the only full-time corner who played the position at all for the Cowboys last season is Orlando Scandrick. Courtney Brown spent his first two years at safety before switching to corner this off-season, and Mike Mickens is a rookie. Since the the team has no plans to bring in another corner, all three will get a lot more reps, especially as long as corner Michael Hawkins remains out with a bruised patella. And those three won't be the only ones getting reps. Rookie safety DeAngelo Smith has already started taking corner reps with Hawkins out, and now without Jenkins and Newman, Alan Ball, who played corner his first two years before switching to safety this off-season, will take some reps there as well. The Cowboys hope the extra work will solidify who the team's final two or three corners will be.
- Zach Buchanan
Safety (8/7)
Watkins And Ball Playing Ahead Of Rookies
The Cowboys used two of their draft picks to add depth to the safety position, taking both Mike Hamlin (Clemson) and DeAngelo Smith (Cincinnati) in the fifth round. But so far, both seem to be at the bottom of the safety depth chart behind veterans Alan Ball (who switched from corner this off-season) and Pat Watkins. Watkins and Ball have taken all the second-team reps behind starters Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh during camp. Mike Hamlin has taken third team snaps, although not with Smith, who has been temporarily moved back to his college position, corner, with Michael Hawkins out with a knee injury. So Ball has taken double reps with the third team as well. Whether that pecking order holds up once Smith and Mike Hamlin become more familiar with the playbook is anyone's guess, but one would think the Cowboys drafted both for a reason.
- Zach Buchanan
Quarterback (8/6)
Carpenter's Thumb Set Back His Already Slim Roster Chances
Rookie free agent Rudy Carpenter doesn't have much chance to make team anyway. Tony Romo is the hands-down starter, and the Cowboys traded cornerback Anthony Henry to Detroit for a more athletic veteran backup in Jon Kitna. On top of that, the Cowboys drafted Texas A&M's Stephen McGee in the fourth round to groom for the future. Carpenter was just brought into camp so the Cowboys didn't overwork their quarterbacks. But now the quarterbacks have been a little overworked anyway, as Carpenter missed some reps the last couple of days with a sprained thumb that prevented him from gripping the football. Carpenter practiced some Thursday, but he temporarily lost the chance to impress the coaches, or even get some press to levy a deal with another team.
- Zach Buchanan
Tight End (8/5)
Rookie Phillips Ahead Of Pack
It's no secret that the Cowboys are planning on using more two-tight end sets, and it's also no secret that those two tight ends will be Jason Witten and second-year player Martellus Bennett. But the Cowboys will keep more than two tight ends on the final roster, and with Tony Curtis' free agency departure, that third spot is up for grabs. Or is it? Sixth-round draft pick John Phillips has taken the majority of the third team snaps over two-year practice squadder Rodney Hannah and third-year veteran Scott Chandler. Phillips has also been utilized in an H-back role, motioning into the backfield, a role Curtis filled in 2008.
- Zach Buchanan
Offensive Tackle (8/4)
Free and McQuistan Key Reserves
Starting offensive tackles Flozell Adams (left) and Marc Colombo (right) took Monday's afternoon practice off, allowing their backups, Doug Free and Pat McQuistan, respectively, a chance to run with the first team. Head coach Wade Phillips said both did well, also saying Free had an especially good day. Free is likely capable of being a swing tackle, the guy who would come in if either Adams or Colombo were injured. With draft pick Robert Brewster possibly out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, the Cowboys only have one more healthy tackle on the roster after those four -- rookie Andre Douglas, signed on Monday after the Cowboys waived another rookie tackle, Michael Turkovich. Starting guard Leonard Davis has taken a few snaps at left tackle sporadically, although both he and Phillips said that was only to keep him fresh in case of an emergency need at the position.
- Zach Buchanan
Running Back (8/3)
Choice Understands Numbers Game
The Cowboys have not decided a firm rotation between Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice (at least not publicly). But head coach Wade Phillips recently said Barber and Jones would get the bulk of the touches because they are "Pro Bowl-caliber guys that we have to utilize first." Choice is still expected to get some opportunities during the course of the season because the Cowboys think he's a pretty complete back, but he's third in the rotation behind Barber, a two-year starter, and Jones. "It's competition," Choice said. "If they're playing good and whatever the role is, I've got to live with it. That's just the position I'm in. So I've just got to continue to play hard and continue to fight and try to get my way on the field somehow, some way." All three have looked explosive and efficient during the first week of practice. Barber and Jones each worked with the first-team offense in Monday's afternoon practice; Choice took second-team reps.
- Rob Phillips
Kicker (8/2)
Buehler Carving Out Special Role
Nick Folk is still the Cowboys' best kicker. He's just not the Cowboys' best kick-offer. That's why they drafted David Buehler out of USC in March. Buehler was reputed as having one of the strongest legs in the draft, which he proved during Sunday morning's practice session as the team worked on kickoff coverage. As he and Folk alternated kickoffs, the difference in leg strength became apparent. Buehler's shortest kickoff went to about the two-yard line. The rest were in the end zone for touchbacks. Folk got his inside the five, but never into the end zone. Buehler, who is rather athletic for a kicker, is also working in other non-kicker roles on special teams. Folk is in no danger of losing his roster spot or even field goal duties, but if Buehler keeps this up (and his kicks have a lot of hangtime, too), he'll secure a roster spot.
- Zach Buchanan
Wide Receiver (8/1)
Hurd Not To Be Forgotten
Sam Hurd and Miles Austin each missed time last season with injuries, and going into the 2009 season, much of the attention has been focused solely on Austin. But it's Hurd who's turning heads in training camp, making what seems like acrobatic catch after acrobatic catch. Austin's done good too, but the budding chemistry between Hurd and Romo is becoming increasingly obvious. The coaches seem to have the two alternate running as the third receiver when the Cowboys go three-wide, and the competition is more about playing time rather than making the squad at this point. Patrick Crayton currently is working as the second receiver opposite Roy Williams. As for the fifth receiver spot, that appears up in the air with Isaiah Stanback missing both of Saturday's practices with a hamstring injury, and subsequently leaving the door open for any receiver on the roster to fill his void.
- Zach Buchanan
Nose Tackle (7/31)
Siavii Working With Second Team
Jay Ratliff is the unquestioned starter at nose tackle, and probably would have been even if he didn't make the Pro Bowl last season. The question, though, is who comes in if he goes down? So far into camp, that person seems to be fourth-year defensive lineman Junior Siavii. Siavii spent last year's training camp with the Cowboys and has familiarity with their system, but lost out to the since-departed Tank Johnson. One thing might affect his chances to make the roster, and no, it's not current third-stringer Jonas Seawright. It's Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky, who have both received a few reps at the position. The Cowboys have more talent at defensive end than defensive tackle, which gives them the flexibility to move a guy like Spears or Olshansky over if need be and not leave as much of a void behind them. Siavii's proabably safe, and Spears and Olshansky are likely entrenched as the starting ends, but it's something to watch for. Tim Anderson (toe) was signed to compete with Siavii, but his toe surgery might keep him sidelined until the third or fourth preseason game, according to head coach Wade Phillips.
- Zach Buchanan
Outside Linebacker (7/30)
Williams, Butler Adjusting to New Position
In April, the Cowboys drafted a pair of college defensive ends, Brandon Williams of Texas Tech and Victor Butler of Oregon State, with the intention of switching them to outside linebacker. Now with veteran Greg Ellis gone, one would assume those two would be the last line of defense behind starters DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. That assumption would be half-true. Williams is playing on the right side with the second-team defense, but instead of Butler opposite him, first-year Nebraska product Steve Octavien is running with the second team. Butler and third-year linebacker Justin Rogers are manning the third team so far. While Williams received praise from head coach Wade Phillips on Wednesday for improving throughout the team's off-season activities, Butler missed many of those OTA and mini-camp sessions due to OSU's late graduation. Once he's back up to speed, he'll likely overtake Octavien.
- Zach Buchanan
Left Guard (7/29) Kosier Hops Back Onto First-Team
Kyle Kosier's left foot seems to be just fine. After missing all of the Cowboys' OTAs in the offseason, the eight-year veteran settled back into his normal spot between starting tackle Flozell Adams and starting center Andre Gurode during the team's shorts-and-helmets first practice of training camp . . . There was some speculation that seventh-year guard Montrae Holland, acquired at the end of the 2008 preseason in a trade with Denver, might challenge for the spot. Holland worked with the second team, though, and even some center with the third team, although he botched a snap that landed him on the sideline for a while . . . Rookie free agent Greg Isdaner, out of West Virginia, worked at left guard with the third team . . . Head coach Wade Phillips said at his press conference that Kosier would continue in the starting lineup when the team puts on pads for tomorrow's two-a-days. If Kosier comes through all the pushing and shoving involved with a full-contact practice unscathed, he can be considered officially back.
- Zach Buchanan
Right Cornerback (7/29) Jenkins Gets First Look At Right Corner
Mike Jenkins took the first starting reps at right cornerback of training camp Wednesday afternoon, lining up opposite Terence Newman in a 7-on-7 drill. Orlando Scandrick took those first-team reps the next time out, and at his post-practice press conference Wade Phillips said the job wasn't necessarily Jenkins' to lose at this point, though he did stress the importance of having at least three good cornerbacks . . . Maybe the biggest standout defensive back of the first practice was fourth-year free agent addition Michael Hawkins, who had one interception of Jon Kitna, and tipped a deep ball from Tony Romo intended for Miles Austin, which led to a diving interception by safety Michael Hamlin.
- Josh Ellis
Wide Receiver (7/29) No First-Day Surprises At WR
While the wide receiver position will be heavily eyeballed here at training camp, the first practice in San Antonio didn't provide any real surprises. As expected, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton handled all of the first-team reps, while the club didn't work much on three-wide sets. The second unit consisted of Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, while Isaiah Stanback - back from a knee injury that kept him out all summer - worked with the third-team offense, alongside Mike Jefferson . . . The Cowboys will likely use a healthy combination of both Hurd and Austin when the offense goes three-wide.
- Nick Eatman
Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS
