Dallas Cowboys Blogger

Archive for May, 2007

One of the hottest trends in the NFL is the dual running back system. Last season, four of the top five rushing teams in the league featured at least two dynamic runners, including running quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Vince Young.

OH - Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)- Jonathan Stewart*-RB-Oregon-The Cowboys might be looking to grab a running back in the draft especially if Julius Jones ... 2008 NFL Mock Draft, Never Too Early The Football Expert
TAGS: running back, Julius Jones, Football, NFL, Dallas Cowboys, Cowboys

LINK: 2008 NFL Mock Draft, Version 1.0 The Football Expert from Google News

Hotel Reservations

Flozell Adams, you love him or you hate him. You love when he blows people off the line and you hate when he goes over the line offsides. The Cowboys find themselves in a interesting position at LT this year and for free agency in 2008. In 2008, Adams becomes an unrestricted free agent and you can bet there's going to be a big market for Adams.

Looking ahead at the market for 2008 and even 2009, there aren't any marquee names at LT, and LT is a difficult position to solidify, teams draft very high to fill the LT spot. A few year's ago the Raiders tried to fill LT with Robert Gallery and he's being moved around that line with no identity - a virtual bust. The Browns drafted OT Joe Thomas, #3 pick overall to block Brady Quinn's blindside. Next year's draft offers two top seniors at OT in Michigan's Jake Long and USC's Sam Baker, but like any year, it's a risk. With Adams available in '08 there's not much risk for teams. Teams are very willing to roll the dice on a LT.

Was this offseason's big free agent payouts an aberition or will this be the norm? If you're Flo its gonna be another player's market and moreover for Adams since he will be atop several teams looking for a LT.

I'm predicting Adams will make his run for the big pay day with a solid season and another Pro Bowl nod. The Cowboys know that if Adams has a solid year, he will be a hot commodity for other teams. The reality is that other teams will target Adams in 2008. We may put some offers on the table, but I suspect Adams will be looking for "Bigg" money as in our very own free agent signing, Leonard Davis ($49.6 million/7yrs) and that's not going to happen.

Adams is going to be virtually unsignable for our taste, and not that we don't have some spending taste, but I think the Cowboys have put themselves in a good position with young guys like McQuistan, Marten, and Free. These are big guys, and I look for all three of these guys to be in the starting lineup as Garrett is bringing Big Back, that is the overall plan.

Its a win-win for Adams and the Cowboys. Expect Adams to be that true Pro Bowl player from a few years ago, run blocking, pass blocking, and blowing people up, too bad we only get this high level of play during contract years. Next offseason, teams could be setting reservations with Hotel Adams for free agency 2008.

Mark Cuban to Compete with Jerry Jones?

Dallas Mavericks owner is poised to establish a professional football league that will compete with the NFL. Cuban is looking to launch the UFL (United Football League) in August 2008.

Cuban went on to say(FOX Sports):

"(Former NFL coach) Bill Walsh used to tell me that the last 20 players cut from every team were almost interchangeable with the last 20 players to make the team," Hambrecht says.

So far, the UFL has decided to put teams in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Cuban, unsurprisingly, is considering buying the team in Vegas, according to the report.

Like gimmick leagues from the past, this will be a failed venture, see XFL, USFL.

Happy Memorial Day

I want to wish all of our soldiers past and present, at home and overseas a happy and safe memorial day. The bravest of the brave lay it on the line each day to help protect this great nation, which we should all be grateful for. Thank You.

Not much news today, but I did find this cool article from HOFMag.com named "He Shut Up and Played" by Lessley Visser. Its a good read on Aikman.

Excerpt:
"For as long as I can remember," said Troy, now the lead analyst at Fox, "all I wanted to do was play professional sports. I was able to live that dream, I know very few get the chance. Norv would often remind me, when I'd lost or been sacked a million times, 'This is the job you always wanted'. To win three World Championships and be selected to the Hall of Fame, I am humbled."

Enjoy and Continue supporting our troops!

Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East. Sports Blog - The FanHouse: Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys' first-round pick is having a marvelous minicamp/OTA. This could mean everything ... or it could mean absolutely nothing.
TAGS: NFC East, Cowboys

LINK: Greg Ellis Might Want to Start Worrying by Ryan Wilson The FanHouse - NFL from Google Blogs

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To Be a Two Back System or Not To Be

| You can say the Cowboys started this revolution in 2005, when we added Marion Barber III to the backfield. The Cowboys drafted Julius Jones the year before. In 2005, we drafted MB3, and some thought he would be used as a possible back up to Julius Jones, but those weren't the plans. Parcells planned on using a two-back attack, and the Cowboys one of a few teams that paved the way for other teams going to a two back system.

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli suggests that the two back system is on its way out. Pasquarelli points out several teams getting away from the two back system, such as Indianapolis and a few other former two back systems:

Addai, who led all rookies in rushing yards in 2006 despite not starting a regular-season game, also figures to tote a significantly heavier load in the offense this year.

Dominic Rhodes, the nominal starter in 2006, is gone, having defected to Oakland as an unrestricted free agent

Other top contenders that have moved away from the two back system are New England and the Bears. Corey Dillion was released from the Patriots, and is about to retire, the Bears opted to trade Thomas Jones to the Jets. Basically these teams have not moved away from this system, but have been forced to rely on a #1 RB due to player attrition via release, trade, and free agency. There's going to be attrition every year, and teams would like the luxury of having a two back system, but there are all these variables that will come into play. In addition, some players in a two back system aren't going to be happy because in some cases one of the two backs wants to be the #1 and only starting back.

More:

Just when it seemed the pendulum was swinging toward teams that preferred a two-back system, a practice that would have been anathema not too many years ago, the momentum seems to have shifted again. General managers who were justifiably concerned over the effects of wear and tear on their No. 1 tailbacks, and thought that they had found a viable solution by spreading the carries around, suddenly find themselves fretting again about a lack of distribution in the running game.

The system does work well, but when you have two good running backs, one of the two will eventually want the chance to be the #1 sole starter for another team. Its the idea that doesn't work well with young talented players that inherently want the spotlight, recognition, and accolades - its natural, its competition. Everyone wants to be the next Emmitt, Walter, or Barry.

There are still some top contending teams that utilize the system like The Cowboys (Jones & Barber), the Saints (McAllister & Bush) ,the Chargers (Tomlinson & Turner), and Jacksonville (Taylor & Maurice-Drew). With these teams, we'll probably see some attrition with the Cowboys and Chargers, eventually the Saints in a year or two. This doesn't mean the system is dead or does it?. If the Cowboys choose not to extend Julius he'll be a free agent next year, but the Cowboys may already have their eyes set on a few other RBs to come in. The Chargers are going to lose Turner next year, so we'll see what their plans are, Norv's background employs a one back system for the most part, so they may be done with the two back system after this year.

So in the end, its not whether teams want a two back system, teams do want the system, but its more of a "short term luxury" than a need. There are great benefits for a two back system. Your offense is more balanced, you have fresh legs in the game at all times, and the wear and tear is diminished a bit on the running backs. The majority of the teams in the playoffs this year employed the two back system - they had that luxury last year. Will we see these teams return to the playoffs with their loses at RB? We will see.

Isaiah Stanback is an excellent athlete as he stands 6′2″, 215 pounds and he runs a 4.4 40.  Look for the Cowboys to use him as a WR and KR as a rookie.  Still, it’s possible that Stanback could wow the Cowboys into letting him play some quarterback in the Pros as Tony Romo is no sure thing to be the Cowboys QB of the future.  In 37 games (23 starts) at Washington, Stanback completed 269 of 523 (51.4%) passes for 3,868 yards with 22 TD passes and 12 interceptions.  It’s possible that Stanback could develop into a Seneca Wallace type of QB if the Cowboys allowed him to.  But it’s more likely that he will follow in Michael Robinson or Brad Smith’s footsteps and be an all-purpose WR/KR type that throws an occassional pass in the form of a trick play.

Calvin Watkins, of the Dallas Morning News, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Isaiah Stanback (foot) may not participate in practice until training camp after having foot surgery. Stanback wants to be completely healthy before he returns to practice.
TAGS: training camp, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Cowboys

LINK: Stanback may not be ready until training camp by The Gryphon Gryphon on the Dallas Cowboys from Boxxet Collection

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A story about how an upstart sports blog compares with its more mature counterparts.

Yes, my fellow Cowboys fanatics, I have returned from a brief but restful vacation to write again. I appreciate those who popped by while I was out and to all those who have added this site to their favorites or bookmarks. It is sincerely appreciated. So as I sit here, staring at a blank screen and [...]

Mark Feb. 6 on all of your 2011 calendars and start saving your money, because the face value of a ticket for Super Bowl XLV in Dallas is $900. That's just the face value. Most will have to buy their tickets through ticket agents who can raise the price of the ticket based on demand. So in four years, you could buy two tickets to the Super Bowl or use your money on a down payment for a car or a boat.

Solidifying a Backup QB

It was no surprise when the Cowboys released Drew Bledsoe, but during free agency the question remained as to who was going to backup starter Tony Romo. The Cowboys opted to sign a seasoned veteran in Brad Johnson. Seems like a logical fit.

Move forward to mini camp and there are reports that Johnson looked average at best and lacked zip on his passes. Nothing to be too concerned about I guess, but what if Johnson looks bad in camp and in preseason? For now, let's just hope this won't be an issue once the pads come on.

So you figure Johnson is here for a year, maybe 2 at the very most. The QB to watch is Matt Baker. Baker went undrafted last year, and ultimately out played Drew Henson who was released early. Baker was liked by Coach Parcells, but Parcells opted to just keep two active QBs last year; however, it looks like he could have a place on this team now and the future.

Baker has been working diligently mentally and physically, and appears to be the guy to beat for the #3 QB spot this year, and probably for #2 next year.

Baker remembers how it felt last year, being the odd man out from the active roster:

"It was tough being out there (last year) as the third guy," Baker said. "I prepared every week like I had to be ready to play. That's the way you had to look at it and learn. You go through everything with the team and then not being there in gameday and not exposed to all of that was hard."(DMN)

Physically, Baker spent time working hard under the watchful eye of conditioning guru Joe Jurasek. Baker's arm is stronger and he's exhibited in during this recent mini camp and practices:

"I can make the same throws as last year as I can this year, but it's just being comfortable in taking risks and knowing when to take risks," Baker said. "I have a better feel for the speed of the game."(DMN)

Its early, but as of right now, Baker is making the right decisions on the field and is making his mark at the backup position. Whether or not the Cowboys carry three QBs is too hard to predict right now, but I would say Baker is the guy to beat. Undrafted QBs Matt Moore and Richard Bartel are very raw and green and are probably looking for a practice squad position at best. Baker doesn't mind the competition:

"You've got to compete with anyone, but I was hoping they wouldn't draft one early because in my position it's not too often you let an undrafted guy from the year before compete with a top draft pick,"(DMN)

Is Keyshawn Canton Bound?

There will be those who believe that Keyshawn is HOF worthy and some that won't, but the truth is that Keyshawn Johnson will probably be nominated sometime soon after he is eligible for the Hall of Fame. Is Johnson a lock or a shoe-in? Not likely, but as Cowboy fans, we know that all to well with Drew Pearson still out there uninducted and with Irvin taking 3 attempts to get in.

For me, Keyshawn has already taken the first step by staying active in the sports arena by signing a deal with ESPN. Keyshawn will stay fresh and upto date in football, he's a likable personality in the booth and he'll make some relationships with other media pundits who ultimately vote people into the HOF. So this is the first step.

Statistically speaking, he has the numbers and the accolades. Let's take a look at Keyshawn's numbers vs. Irvin's numbers vs. Andre Reed:

Keyshawn Johnson
3-time Pro Bowler: 1998, 1999, 2001
1 Super Bowl Victory
167 games Rec 814 yrds 10571 y/r 13.0 TDS 64

Michael Irvin
5-time Pro Bowler: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
3 Super Bowl Victories
159 games Rec 750 yrds 11904 y/r 15.9 TDS 65

Andre Reed
7-time Pro Bowler: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
0 Super Bowl Victories
227 games Rec 951 yrds 13198 y/r 13.9 TDS 87

Michael Irvin is a Hall of Famer after 3 attempts, Andre Reed made it to the finals, but did not get in this year, statistically speaking Keyshawn's numbers are close to Irvin's. So, based on this, would it be so far fetched to think Keyshawn would not be inducted? He's got the Super Bowl victory, the Pro Bowls, and solid numbers, pretty well balanced career when you compare him to Irvin and Reed.

If Keyshawn stays in major media sports broadcasting, and keeps his personal life in-check, then its my estimation that Keyshawn has a legitimate chance of being a hall of fame nominee/inductee.

From hotel rooms to golf courses, plenty of numbers are included in North Texas' winning Super Bowl bid made public Wednesday.

But by the looks of it, the $1 billion the Cowboys spent on their new stadium is probably the number that swayed NFL owners most.

The sleek, state-of-the-start facility promises to seat at least 93,221 fans for Super Bowl XLV and provide the chance for a record $93 million in ticket sales, according to the lengthy proposal bid submitted by the North Texas Super Bowl Committee.

The proposal was earlier distributed to NFL owners, who selected Arlington on Tuesday to host the Super Bowl in 2011, two years after the Cowboys op...

"Gather your butt up -- we're going to have a Super Bowl." That's how Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck that his city would be hosting Super Bowl XLV.

The 2011 Super Bowl will be played at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, where the NFL will be able to fit thousands more fans into the stadium for its showpiece game.

Click here to see the press conference where the official announcement was made.
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