I guarantee things will be different this year with the Dallas Cowboys.
Not saying that, come December, they'll improve on consecutive, disappointing 8-8 seasons. But I'm alerting you that already - by this time tomorrow - you'll (not) see a different team.
As in, for the first time since I can remember, the media will not be allowed to cover the team's arrival at Point Mugu Naval Base to commence training camp in Oxnard, California. In the past
it's been all pomp and circus. This year, maybe it'll be low-key. About football, and only football. No owner Jerry Jones, as he did in 2012, proclaiming he wants "some glory hole" or promising to "kick the Giants' ass." Or ...
Oh, who are we kidding? The Cowboys will make their share of national news beginning with Jerry's State of the Union press conference Saturday at 10 a.m. and with the team's the first full practice Sunday afternoon at 2.
But there are football questions to be answered from now until they break camp Aug. 16 in preparation for the Sept. 8 season opener against the New York Giants.
For help in identifying issues and getting a head start on what to expect, I've enlisted the help of
former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus and his big football brain.
The Cowboys may headquarter in Frisco in 2014. But in 2013 what the what's going to happen ...
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Q: How will the defense be different with Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator, as opposed to Rob
Ryan?
A: From what I know
about this 4-3 scheme under Kiffin and what I saw with Ryan and his 3-4, is
that Kiffin is very consistent in the types of looks that he gives you. He puts
it on the players to make the plays and not the design of the defense. Under
Ryan there were too many times where the players had to adjust then adjust
again before the ball was snapped. This led to players being confused or out of
position to try and defend the play. Kiffin’s scheme is simple and more player
friendly when it comes to the mental side of the game. Confident players just
play better and Kiffin takes advantage of that.
Q: How will Bill Callahan calling the offensive plays manifest itself?
A: Having worked
with Callahan before, I honestly feel like he will do a nice job of calling
plays. Where he will be different from Garrett is that I believe you will see
him more committed to sticking with plays that he has had success with in the
game as they are working through it. The one time last season where I felt like
Garrett was committed to play calling consistency was in the Ravens game and it
was one of the better games as far as balance we saw. Callahan understands the
strengths and his weaknesses of his offensive line, which also should help him
put his players in the best positions to succeed.
Q: Are the
Cowboys counting on Travis Frederick to be their starting center, beginning Sept. 8
against the Giants?
A: Frederick has
been the starter since the first rookie practice, so the commitment is there.
As critical as I have been of Phil Costa, this zone blocking scheme is really a
nice fit for him. It will be very interesting if Costa has an outstanding camp,
would the coaches consider putting Frederick at guard? I believe that he will
get some work there while we are in Oxnard and should have an answer to the
outcome by the time the Arizona game is in the books.
Q: With
Lawrence Vickers cut, the Cowboys don't have a fullback on the roster. What's
the plan there?
A: Four tight ends
and Anthony Rosario playing as the role of a fullback when Callahan wants to go
with that package. It was very clear in the OTA’s and mini-camp practices that
Lawrence Vickers’ days on this team were done.
Q: With the
emergence of Dwayne Harris last year, are the days of Dez Bryant returning
punts over?
A: This is always a
tricky question because I love the dynamic side of Bryant with the ball in his
hands. As a former personnel man in this league, I never wanted to expose my
best players like Bryant to unnecessary risks because I cannot replace him if
he were to get injured. Harris should be the man going forward because of his
ability. He has a special knack as a punt returner and there is no reason to
remove him from that responsibility.
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Q: Are Sean
Lee and Bruce Carter 100% healthy headed into camp?
A: Carter and Lee
are both good to go. This 4-3 scheme is a great fit for them and I expect them
to have an outstanding season.
Q: What
rookie, other than Frederick, could jump up and make an immediate impact with a
prominent role this season?
A: I really do like
safety J.J. Wilcox and wide receiver Terrence Williams. Both of these guys have
to fight through the “Rookie Wall” in camp but the game doesn’t look too big
for either of them. Really keep an eye on Wilcox because when the pads come on,
that’s where I believe he will really shine.
Q: Will we
finally see a healthy Matt Johnson and is he the starting strong safety
alongside Barry Church?
A: Matt Johnson is
a good football player and he was when I studied him on college tape before
last season. He just couldn’t get away from the problems with the hamstring and
that was the story. He made it through the camps with no problems which was a
huge plus. He is smart, tough and he plays with nice awareness, I am very
interested to see how he takes advantage of this opportunity. He should be in
the mix.
Q: What do
you expect the impacts of last year's season-ending failure in Washington and the off-season
contract extension to have on Tony Romo?
A: I honestly
believe that there has always been a sense of urgency with Romo but it just
hasn’t always worked out for him. With all the injuries that this team suffered
last season, he played well enough to at least give them a shot at the division
title which is all you could have asked at that point. Romo understands the
pressure, he knows of the missed opportunities and talking to him, he has
always put a great deal of pressure on himself. Where Romo can benefit the most
this season is if DeMarco Murray were to stay healthy and this offensive line
managed to have success in this zone blocking scheme. Bryant, Witten and even
Austin will be major pieces in this offense but Murray and this line need to
get things done for this offense to really hum.
Q: This team has
been 8-8 the last two seasons and missed the playoffs. What's the main reason
for fans to be optimistic this year's team will be better?
A: I recently said on DallasCowboys.com that I thought this team could win 11 games if things fell
right injury-wise, but I also believe in the talent that is on this team in key
spots. I like the fact that Callahan is calling the plays because I believe it
will help Romo in the long run with balance and the defensive scheme change
with Kiffin takes the mental part out of the game for these players and it
allows them to be football players. But it's the talent on this team should give the
fans the most optimism for the coming season.
You avoided the most essential question-Who has the better comb-over, Kiffin or Trump?
ReplyDeleteDangit. Plenty of time to answer that one.
DeleteMeh. Still baseball season...
ReplyDeleteReading makes me sleepy. Can you gives us a podcast, Richie?
ReplyDelete