Training Camp Update

This segment will not be loaded with numbers, it won't involve lots of football jargon, in fact at this point in time I don't even have an nfl.com tab open for statistical help...
This entry is just my top ten bullet points from my extensive coverage of training camp: a few things to look for this season, a few concerns, and a few things that are looking excellent.

1.) Bobby "Barbie" Carpenter has been moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker, which fits his skill set better, and since he was a first round draft pick 3 years ago, he needs to start producing.
From what I've heard he's been playing well and will be the third down nickel set linebacker, taking the roll of Kevin Burnett as a pass coverage linebacker, keep an eye on him in preseason games to see how he addresses blockers and contact, which has been his issue in years past


2.) Roy Williams and Tony Romo have been improving. At the start of camp they lacked flair, but as camp went on, their chemistry improved, and now they've been connecting for a few excellent plays a practice

3.) Wade Phillips has taken the defensive coordinator job, and will apparently pressure the quarterback like crazy, watch out for Demarcus Ware and this defense, they look good

4.) Patrick Crayton has taken the second receiver job in case you haven't heard. I like Crayton, but others have their doubts; he needs to earn this job and prove he belongs when the season starts to quiet his critics

5.) Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett are looking solid at Tight End, my tight end entry I wrote earlier seems to be coming true, I'm going to predict a very proficient, efficient offense this season. Not as high flying as years past, but just as terrifying to the opposition, o also did I mention the running game looks good? other teams beware

6.) There is great competiton at the cornerback position, if you watch the preseason games, watch the cornerbacks, their play in preseason play will carry a lot of weight in determining the starter opposite of Terrence Newman

7.) Depth at outside linebacker and defensive line is riddled with rookies, watch these players in the later quarters of the preseason games to see who shines and who falters to determine who will get some playing time this season

8.) The offensive line looks sound, but the depth is a concern: it's a little disconcerting to think what might happen if the offense, much less the team, does not stay healthy. Apparently John Kitna has looked good though, lest Brad Johnson still haunts your dreams

9.) The offseason defensive acquisitions look to be making an impact already, Igor Olshansky (the self proclaimed strongest man in the nfl) appears to solidify a defensive line that leaked a few to many running plays last year for my taste, Gerald Sensabaugh at safety appears to be just what the Cowboys needed, and their new linebacker Keith Brooking seems to have a little more quickness than his predecessor Zach Thomas, making him a better fit for this defense

10.) Special Teams got a new coach, and they are drilling it hard. This is a key part of the game that the team struggled with last year, but the new feel of it and the intensity surrounding it makes me believe the special teams play will be drastically improved next season. Also we drafted an awesome kicker (more about him in later entries)

Keep checking back to the blog for more updates, and keep an eye on the listed players and teams above, and maybe drop a name or two in conversation just to show how much you know about your beloved Cowboys. I mean if you're spending so much time reading this, you should get some sort of payout right?