Today I wanted to take a look at a player that was on the Cowboys' practice squad for the majority of the 2011 season and someone that you will be seeing quite a bit when the team gets into preseason games along the defensive line.
The Cowboys signed Robert Calloway on Sept. 8 after he spent the summer with the Detroit Lions. I was able to view him against the Bengals, Browns and Patriots. Calloway lined up as a defensive tackle playing as the one and three technique over the guard. For the Cowboys, he will line up as a nose.
Did a nice job of getting up the field on his pass rush, but doesn't have much change of direction. He can work up field but when he gets free, really struggles to adjust to the quarterback or the ball carrier. Is a straight-ahead player. Played with more quickness and power than he did with pass rush moves. Good effort when on the move on the inside charge. Was able to work the guard back in all three games I viewed. Really fights to hold the block at the point of attack in the running game. Has impressive upper body strength. Fights to play past the tackle box. Just doesn't sit in one place. Doesn't get moved off the spot. Will close down the hole inside and split the double team. Will fight the scoop and reach blocks. Tries to keep his feet moving.
Plays with great effort but the longer he went, the more gassed he got. Will need to better his conditioning if he has to play extended plays. When he got tired, he would play too tall allowing blockers to get inside on him and he would struggle to get off those blocks. All power on the pass rush, has no counter moves or real pass rush moves. Will see if he is able to develop some this summer.
Will be in a battle with Josh Brent for a spot as the backup nose man to Jay Ratliff. Is like Brent in that he has nice size and strength. Brent played better later in the season after he came back from injury. Calloway will get plenty of opportunity this summer to see if he can make this squad as one of the 53.
The Cowboys kept him around all of 2011 to see if he can.
