NFC East spicing up as training camp looms
So… whoa. Quite a weekend in this little division of ours, the one in which I both hate and love that the Cowboys play. The feeding frenzy in the NFC East was really born out of the perfect storm of events, and now it’s become perhaps the busiest group of teams in the NFL over the past half decade. Just take a look at the events that made all this mess possible, most of which center around Y2K:
Danny(boy) Snyder takes over as the Redskins owner in 1999 and vows to throw cash at anything that wears pads and moves, however slowly and ineptly … The Cowboys’ decline in power following SB XXX leaves a power vacuum in the division, which produced a number of nervous looks among the other three about who the next heir to the throne would be. The Eagles were it, buying shrewdly and producing a number of solid drafts to rocket their way (close) to the top … the Giants appear in SB 35, hiking up fan interest and expectation. They wouldn’t make a sizable impact again until this last February, but they’ve got plenty of ammo now.
Anyway, that’s all to say that these last two moves — Jason Taylor to Washington and Shockey to Nawlins — aren’t all that surprising. What does surprise me are the rumors regarding Favre possibly becoming a Deadskin. I know the Redskins’ personnel department has had some issues in the recent past, but giving up on your “starter of the future,” which cost you draft picks and games last year, seems like something to raise an eyebrow at. Even still, I’m not complaining. The fact that Snyder threw away a 2nd rounder for a guy in Taylor that might only be around one more season is just fine by me, and to be honest, it’s perfectly aligned with his past signing practices.
The Shockey trade is a little more concerning, because the Giants got the better end. Two draft picks, one of them being a 2nd-rounder, is small price to pay when you have a guy in Boss that proved his mettle when it mattered — in the playoffs. Shockey’s good, but he didn’t stand to make the Giants a whole lot better, and those draft picks will be great come next April. The Redskins lost out on their deal and the Giants won out on theirs, but neither moves should overly concern the Cowboys. The only thing that worries me is the fact that the Redskins are moving Taylor to the left side, which will mark him up with Marc Columbo, who handled lesser-known guys but struggled mightily against the better ends in the division, Strahan immediately coming to mind.
Onto some Cowboys matters…
Gil Brandt stated on Monday that should Roy Williams’ training camp be less than spectacular, which his often are, he has the distinct possibility of being axed with the Cowboys simply willing to eat the remainder of his contract. Brandt was citing unnamed sources, but due to his position now and his position “then,” I trust them to a degree. I also trust that Williams has an idea of where he stands, which makes me nervous. Traditionally, the more pressure you place on him, the more he crumbles, especially over the last two seasons. In light of these new revelations, well, let’s just say I’m hopeful. I doubt he actually does get cut, but I also doubt he looks like a world-beater in TC. We’ve heard about his weightless water training sessions and about he’s cut some weight, but we hear these things every year, and it’s yet to matter. Mark my words though: Williams will be in a Cowboys uni Week 1.
- Amazingly enough, as of Monday, the team is still unsure when (or if) Terry Glenn will make it to Oxnard. Glenn has continually stated how he’s uninterested in signing the Cowboys’ proposed waiver, which insures them against Glenn reinjuring his oft-injured body, which at his age is more likely than ever. The Cowboys need Glenn, there’s no question, but they simply can’t use him at anything less than 100%. We’ve seen what that looks like, and it’s not pretty. He relies so heavily upon separation and quickness that to deprive him of those talents, as would his injury, is to kill his effectiveness and effectively make him a huge, unnecessary burden against the team’s cap number, which increases with the signing of each star. The guys behind him aren’t ready, but he won’t be either if he’s rushed into action, and his declining to take the microfracture surgery almost guarantees him a short window of opportunity. He could very well miss it if he’s not careful
The most important thing in these cases, however, if often to gauge the feel of his teammates, and they seem to be of the opinion that he’ll show in Oxnard. Let’s hope he does, and let’s hope there’s still some more rocket fuel in those beleaguered jets of his.
- A few names to watch out for in training camp: WR Mark Bradford, CB Alan Ball, the cast of drafted rookies, Junior Siavii… personally, I’m geeked about the MBIII/Felix the Cat pairing, but the story at RB might just be Tashard Choice. Thanks for Felix’s drafting, Choice was about as under the radar as a RB that talented could possibly be. Allow me to point you to a video that should allay any fears about his leadership capabilities…
Let’s hope his legs can match up with his mouth.
There will be plenty more on training camp, which is aaaalmost here. The Cowboys leave for California on Thursday, and being that I’m not stationed too far away, I should be able to get out there for some first-hand analysis. In any case, expect plenty of updates and profiles in the coming weeks as Cowboys football is finally upon us.
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6 Responses to “NFC East spicing up as training camp looms”
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I can hardly leave the computer alone…every hour I’m within reach of the internet, I have to check all my perspective Cowboy sights for updates. I cannot wait for this season to begin. I just hope you make good on your “plenty of updates” comment.
Now onto your post. I think I’m with you on the Roy situation. If we had more depth or a player who could step in and play better, I would be more willing to believe that. Unless of course, they are strongly considering throwing Aaron Glenn in the equation, afterall. Then, I might be all for it…depends on which Roy we are dealing with.
Glenn - He might show, but I don’t expect he’ll do much in camp or preseason. I think he is just as afraid of his knees as Jerry Jones is. Healthy or not healthy, without confidence he’s as effective as he is injured.
What do you mean by “geeked about the MBIII/Felix the cat pairing?” Not to criticize…I’m pretty unsure about Felix’s ability to contribute in this level of play, as well. I was watching some of last years games and can see why his stats can be somewhat misleading. I mean, in that one set were McFadden lines up as QB, Felix would typically take the ball in an option and would do pretty well provided that the blocking got deep enough for him to do damage. He’s got pretty fast wheels, but I’m not sure he was the best RB available. Two things to consider in his success with that particular play: 1) Defenses were scared of what McFadden was going to do and 2) Arkansas ran the ball like 80% of the time, so many times the defense was worn out when big runs were accomplished by Felix. Felix will not have the luxury of blocks that deep down the field like he had in college, I don’t think. I don’t expect the Cowboys will want to employ him in too many 2RB sets, either. I don’t think he will be that effective of a blocker at this level and that is key in the pros - if your not getting the ball, you had better be able to block or you are just taking up space. Maybe a set were both MBIII and Felix set off in opposite directions for an option screen or flats, but other than that, I don’t see him lead blocking for Marion.
Now, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I have somewhat of a wish list, if you do in fact make it into camp (I would recommend getting there early, too, because with Hard Knocks being there, it’s going to be a circus). I really would like to know how MBIII looks. I’m still not convinced he’s #1 go to guy material I love him as the secondary option, the RB you use in that situation were you need those three yards and as a relief RB…but that main guy, I’m not so sure about. I really want him to be…it’s hard not to like him. He brings alot of spirit and energy to the game. He is a momentum changer. He has great explosion out of the backfield. His use of his hand to break tackles is legendary (then again, watch for teams to train against that this year). He plays with alot of heart. But the main guy? My question is what has he done to add to his ability to go the distance? To increase his speed? To improve his endurance running the length of the field, instead of running out of gas after 30 to 50 yards? Will, I’m asking you to take a good look at him and tell us if he looks lighter, stronger, faster…if you can note any difference from the guy we saw last year to this year, I really what to know. Because, I realize we have a potent attack, but if other teams key on MBIII of last year, we may have a problem with a one-sided attack this year.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:39 am
I typed out a full response to your comment Jonathan but my computer ate it, so I’ll try and reconstruct it as best I can. It’ll be more brief but I’ll try to hit the high points.
Whatever capacity he’s in, the Cowboys need Glenn at camp. The further his return dates are pushed back, the further he gets from finally seeing the field. Even if they’re ghost routes, he needs to be running them.
I can’t do much to allay your fears on Felix other than tell you that I think my opinion has gradually swung on him since the draft and that I think he’s better than you give him credit for. I once had your opinion, but from watching him run in his offense, I’ve started to come around. Yeah, his offense at Arky was tailored for that running game. And yeah, he wasn’t the understudy to just any RB. But their opponents knew exactly what they were doing on every play, and they did it anyway because of the complete lack of a passing game. He piggy-backed off the success of a talented starting RB and a solid o-line, which is exactly what he’ll have in Dallas… plus an added (and dynamic) passing game. Given that Houck has said the run blocking can’t be anything but improved, I’d be surprised if Felix’s YPC isn’t well over 5, especially given the amount of weapons opposing defenses have to deal with aside from him. He’s in Marion’s exact position in 2006… backing up a talented RB, he’s a semi-unknown but highly touted backup with a change-of-pace set. I’m quite optimistic, but I understand the viewpoint of those who aren’t. I was there once. Hopefully you’ll be in my place by the end of the season and not me in yours.
All points of your request have been heard, and trust me, Marion is one of my big-time interest points. I’ll touch more on this later, but I think MBIII is ready for the starting slot. I think the main reason you’re timid about handing the reigns to him is simply because you haven’t seen him much in that role, not necessarily because he can’t do it. His career will be shorter than most, but for the next 4-5 years? I think we can pencil him in as an 1000+, 10 TD running back, easy. And that’s not even counting his receiving skills (44 catches ly).
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 am
Thanks…I feel a little better. All very good points on both Felix and Marion.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I still cannot figure out why people questioned the picked of Felix Jones over Rashad Mendenhall. Listen guys, I live in Chicago(and attend Arkansas U) and he wasnt even that well known here. Please dont tell me that you knew who he was or how good he was either. Im betting many of you never even saw him play before. Dudes, he was good for ONE YEAR…give me a break. Stop reading all the Draft Guru’s garbage on these picks. All the care about is physical numbers (Weight, Height, 40 speed, yada, yada). Like Emmitt was supposedly a back who would have a tought time in the NFL…ummmm, they were wrong. Check out their success rate. These guru’s accuracy on these picks are horrible…Mandarich, Couch, etc. I could go on and on guys. On another note, just cause your considered the “back up” doesnt mean you cant be as good or better than the started…right Julius Jones??? Hey, wasnt Barry Sanders the back up for ummmm….THurman Thomas at OSU???
Just wait to you see Felix Jones…he was as good as McFadden. If you disagree, it means you probably never saw any of the games.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:43 am
How come Marc Columbo doesnt get any credit. I thought he played amazing last year. Who are the guys that beat him badly last year (known or hardly known)? I cannot recall. It wasnt Strahan…I know that for sure. he didnt do all that much, yet people seem to forget about Columbo. He has been as good or as solid as any RT we’ve had…ok..Erik Williams and thats about it!
July 25th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Will, For the record, talk about Favre to the Redskins came from the bloggosphere. It did NOT come from anyone running the Redskins. Also for the record, none of us at Hog Heaven liked the idea either. We were hoping you guys would pounce on Favre.
Nice to see more Cowboys commentary. Keep it up. And since I am a Redskins fan, I guess I should close with your sorry punk-a$$ team ain’t going anywhere this year.
I feel so much better now.
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