Post by heavyg on Mar 13, 2007 0:09:26 GMT -7
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer Are the Cowboys ready to listen to offers for running back Julius Jones?
The Philadelphia Daily News says they are, which must mean new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has seen enough film of last season to believe hard-nosed Marion Barber should get the bulk of the carries in 2007.
Perhaps new head coach Wade Phillips has also chimed in with something along the lines of, “That kid reminds me a bit of Earl Campbell.”
I like Barber, but I’m not ready to give up on Jones, especially with Leonard Davis lining up at right guard next season. Too many times in 2006, Jones had nowhere to run because Marco Rivera couldn’t clear a path.
Jones had less than 70 carries in the final six regular-season games last year, but he still finished with 1,084 yards and gained 112 on 22 attempts in the playoff loss to Seattle.
But the Cowboys have told teams that have inquired about him that the former Notre Dame star is for sale for the right price, according to the Daily News. Even though I think Jones has many good days ahead of him, I’d be inclined to bid him farewell if a proposed deal included another first-day pick, especially a second rounder.
The Cowboys have 10 picks in the draft, including No. 22 overall (first round), No. 53 overall (second round) and No. 87 overall (third round). With three picks in the first two rounds, the Cowboys could put themselves over the top if they hit home runs with each selection.
And let’s not forget that Tyson Thompson, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October, is waiting in the wings should Garrett need another back to shoulder the load with Barber.
Now on to this week’s questions:
Do the Cowboys have any plans to upgrade their pass rush?
– Ronnie Scott, San Antonio
Just like with safety, the Cowboys believe they already have the necessary ingredients for a strong pass rush.
Phillips likes what he’s seen on tape of young linebackers Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter and thinks he can get more out of them than Bill Parcells and Mike Zimmer did, mainly because the defense will use a more aggressive version of the 3-4 next season.
Phillips will also find ways to get outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis (if he’s healthy) into the backfield. Expect the same to be true of ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. In Phillips’ 3-4 alignment, the ends aren’t just asked to stop the run.
Add it all up, and the Cowboys should have a much better pass rush in 2007.
When will training camp start?
– Claudia Escobar, Corpus Christi
I wish I could tell you, but nothing has been announced yet.
I’ve heard the Cowboys, who are returning to San Antonio after three years in Oxnard, Calif., can’t set the dates until they find out how many preseason games they will play.
With four exhibition games scheduled last season, camp started in late July.
What kind of a role do you think receiver Sam Hurd will have on the team next season?
– Ryan Becker, Boise, Idaho
Pretty much the same kind of role he had last season as a rookie.
Hurd earned his stripes with solid special teams play. Hurd’s versatility as a receiver is also a plus.
But with Terry Glenn, Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton expected to return as the team’s top three wideouts, the former Brackenridge standout must once again earn a spot on the team by excelling at doing the dirty work.
Express-News Staff Writer Are the Cowboys ready to listen to offers for running back Julius Jones?
The Philadelphia Daily News says they are, which must mean new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has seen enough film of last season to believe hard-nosed Marion Barber should get the bulk of the carries in 2007.
Perhaps new head coach Wade Phillips has also chimed in with something along the lines of, “That kid reminds me a bit of Earl Campbell.”
I like Barber, but I’m not ready to give up on Jones, especially with Leonard Davis lining up at right guard next season. Too many times in 2006, Jones had nowhere to run because Marco Rivera couldn’t clear a path.
Jones had less than 70 carries in the final six regular-season games last year, but he still finished with 1,084 yards and gained 112 on 22 attempts in the playoff loss to Seattle.
But the Cowboys have told teams that have inquired about him that the former Notre Dame star is for sale for the right price, according to the Daily News. Even though I think Jones has many good days ahead of him, I’d be inclined to bid him farewell if a proposed deal included another first-day pick, especially a second rounder.
The Cowboys have 10 picks in the draft, including No. 22 overall (first round), No. 53 overall (second round) and No. 87 overall (third round). With three picks in the first two rounds, the Cowboys could put themselves over the top if they hit home runs with each selection.
And let’s not forget that Tyson Thompson, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October, is waiting in the wings should Garrett need another back to shoulder the load with Barber.
Now on to this week’s questions:
Do the Cowboys have any plans to upgrade their pass rush?
– Ronnie Scott, San Antonio
Just like with safety, the Cowboys believe they already have the necessary ingredients for a strong pass rush.
Phillips likes what he’s seen on tape of young linebackers Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter and thinks he can get more out of them than Bill Parcells and Mike Zimmer did, mainly because the defense will use a more aggressive version of the 3-4 next season.
Phillips will also find ways to get outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis (if he’s healthy) into the backfield. Expect the same to be true of ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. In Phillips’ 3-4 alignment, the ends aren’t just asked to stop the run.
Add it all up, and the Cowboys should have a much better pass rush in 2007.
When will training camp start?
– Claudia Escobar, Corpus Christi
I wish I could tell you, but nothing has been announced yet.
I’ve heard the Cowboys, who are returning to San Antonio after three years in Oxnard, Calif., can’t set the dates until they find out how many preseason games they will play.
With four exhibition games scheduled last season, camp started in late July.
What kind of a role do you think receiver Sam Hurd will have on the team next season?
– Ryan Becker, Boise, Idaho
Pretty much the same kind of role he had last season as a rookie.
Hurd earned his stripes with solid special teams play. Hurd’s versatility as a receiver is also a plus.
But with Terry Glenn, Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton expected to return as the team’s top three wideouts, the former Brackenridge standout must once again earn a spot on the team by excelling at doing the dirty work.