What's The Scoop:
The Cowboys are counting on Flozell Adams at left tackle. And they are hoping Rob Petitti can continue to progress and win the battle for the starting right tackle position.
But that's not stopping them from evaluating every potential option to get better at the tackle position.
So they welcomed former Raiders and Falcons offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy in for a visit here Tuesday morning at their River Ridge training camp facility with only one practice scheduled.
Kennedy, a 12-year veteran, has not played since the 2003 season, spending the last two years in retirement. The 35-year-old worked for NFL Network last year as a studio analyst.
"It went well," said Kennedy, who was quick to answer when asked if he missed the game. "I did. That's why I'm here doing this."
Kennedy said there were other teams interested and he might conduct even more workouts.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team has decided to move on, and did not even work out Kennedy, who recently was released from the Raiders reserve/retired list.
No wonder Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells was rather vague when asked about Kennedy during Tuesday's press conference.
"We're just going to look at him," Parcells said, seemingly downplaying the significance of the workout. "Really, that's all it is. We're just looking for players right now. That's all. I don't know what's going to happen."
A former first-round pick of the Falcons in 1993, Kennedy played three years in Atlanta before being traded to the Raiders, where he earned two Pro Bowl selections.
Adams, who missed 10 games last year with a torn ACL, spent the first day of training camp practice on active Physically Unable to Perform before returning to practice on Sunday.
With Adams expected to man the left side, Petitti has begun camp working with the first team at right tackle. He started all 16 games last year, but is expected to compete with veteran Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo. But Fabini has been less than impressive, and was working with the third team on Monday.
The Cowboys have also been impressed with seventh-round pick Pat McQuistan, who actually worked with the first-team offense Saturday in place of Adams and has been working with the second team.
Quick Shots:
- The Cowboys signed defensive end Jason Davis, who spent this past season in NFL Europe with the Berlin Thunder. Davis, who came out of West Virginia in 2003, also spent some time with the Houston Texans over the past two years on both the active roster and the practice squad. Davis (6-3, 320) could be suited for the 3-4 scheme at defensive end, but has played tackle as well.
- Parcells said he has been impressed with first-year wide receiver Jamaica Rector so far in camp, even comparing him to former Redskins wide receiver Gary Clark, a guy the former Giants coach called a "pain in my rear." While Parcells could only hope Rector develops into that caliber of receiver, he also pointed out the club might be able to use Rector at cornerback "in a pinch."
- Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones and several other members of the organization were stunned Tuesday morning to hear of the tragic death of Paul Eells, the longtime radio and TV voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Eells, 70, was killed in a car accident Monday night driving from Fayetteville, Ark., to Little Rock.
- Parcells said defensive end Marcus Spears is expected to return to the team's training camp Tuesday afternoon after undergoing successful arthroscopic surgery Sunday on the damaged meniscus in his right knee.
You Should've Seen:
While a few small fights and skirmishes are part of the game, Parcells isn't tolerating it during this camp. Near the end of Monday night's practice, tight end Sean Ryan and linebacker Junior Glymph traded a few punches after one play in team drills. After some teammates broke it up, Parcells made the entire team run to the fence in the end zone and then back to the middle of the field where he spoke to the team again before resuming practice.
Who's Hot:
Apparently, third-year wide receiver Patrick Crayton, is better than hot. "You're on fire, Pat. You're on fire!" shouted head coach Bill Parcells near the end of Monday night's practice. Crayton made several nice catches throughout the day, including a deep ball from Tony Romo where the receiver split the corner and safety in a 7-on-7 drill.
Who's Not:
Safety Justin Beriault was one of the bright spots of camp last year, but hasn't gotten off to the best start here this season. The second-year safety not only is trying to return from a unique knee surgery from last year, but suffered a mild concussion during Monday's morning practice, which will now likely keep him sidelined for the next three days.
Injury Update:
SS Justin Beriault, mild concussion - expected to miss next few days (7/31)
DE Marcus Spears, knee (meniscus) - MRI scheduled (7/29)
Missed Practice:
S Justin Beriault, (concussion)
Returned to Practice:
(None)
Transactions:
DE, Jason Davis, signed (8/1)
TE Brett Pierce, placed on injured reserve (7/31)
CB Byron Parcker, released (7/31)
WR Ahmad Merritt, released (7/31)
LB J.J. Horne, released (7/31)
K Tyler Fredrickson, signed (7/31)
LB Bobby Carpenter, signed (7/29)
T E.J. Whitley, placed on injured reserve (7/29)
T Flozell Adams, placed on active PUP (7/28)
S Darrell Brooks, released (7/28)
G Shannon Snell, released (7/28)
Top BILL-ing:
"I don't really know what we're dong with Ellis right now. I'm just trying to give some things that will increase the versatility of our defense. And not only the versatility of Greg Ellis, but also the versatility of DeMarcus Ware." - Parcells when asked how Ellis is adjusting to his occasional stand-up linebacker duties.
