Updated: August 27, 2010, 1:53 PM
Wrapping Up
Staff Writers Reflect On Training Camp
DallasCowboys.com
OXNARD, Calif. - As the Cowboys break off this five-week camp that included stops in San Antonio and Oxnard, Calif., the team heads off to Houston for the fourth preseason game, followed by the finale against Miami on Sept. 2.
But before we focus completely on the regular season, the staff writers of Dallascowboys.com are taking one more look back at training camp, providing the highlights of the last three weeks and trying to figure out just where this team is with a little more than two weeks remaining before the season opener.
Camp Captain:
JOSH: I think if you look at the entirety of practice and the preseason, the one guy who seems to be making the most plays and been healthy the whole time is Bradie James. He's been the best player in the games, making several big plays. He's especially been impressive in coverage.
ROB: The stars all looked like themselves over the last five weeks, so I'm recognizing Wade Phillips' ability to navigate his team through a unique split camp. Through the extended travel, practices and games, the Cowboys got in the proper work and Phillips sensed how to manage his players' fatigue. There's a reason why the team is 9-2 in September under Phillips. It may not always show in preseason, but he knows how to get them ready.
NICK: This one wasn't that easy to call. In fact, it went down to the last day. But watching nose tackle Jay Ratliff take rookie guard/center Phil Costa to the side after practice and spend about 25 minutes with him working on moves, it just showed the leadership that he possess. The defense has been sharp in camp and it starts right in the middle with the All-Pro Ratliff.
Biggest Surprise Of Camp:
JOSH: I've got to say Josh Brent has gotten a lot of people to take notice, whereas a week before the San Antonio portion began none of us had even heard of him. But he's got great power and is doing a nice job even with that broken hand. He looks like a pretty good bet to stick around.
ROB: David Buehler shrugged off the skeptics at the start of camp. Privately, it fueled him. Although Buehler hasn't been handed field goal duties yet - his evaluation will continue in the last two preseason games - he has shown he's not just a kickoff specialist, making 6-of-7 in three games and really having only one bad practice day in five weeks.
NICK: The rookie emergence. From a team that finished 11-5 last year and had little offseason turnover, to think anywhere from eight to 10 rookies can make this team is amazing, especially when you consider there is no salary cap. Still, my count has about 4-5 draft picks and 4-5 more rookie free agents on this roster.
Best Draft Pick:
JOSH: Maybe if most of the other guys hadn't been hurt as well the answer wouldn't be Dez Bryant, but it is. In basically six days of practice he was the most exciting player on the field. People were taking bets about when he might surpass Roy Williams. As for a guy who has zero flash to him, I've liked Sam Young as well.
ROB: Only sixth-rounders Sam Young and Jamar Wall had full practice participation; the rest of the class dealt with injuries. First-rounder Dez Bryant was among that group, but his production in only seven practice days prior to the high ankle sprain was highly impressive. He looked every bit like the prospect who can immediately impact Jason Garrett's offense.
NICK: You'd like to find someone else who actually played more than a week, but even that is hard, too. No, the best draft pick this year is Dez Bryant. He might turn out to be the best draft pick in many years. This kid is going to be great right now. He'll eventually be the third receiver, then the No. 2 receiver and probably No. 1 before too long.
Best Undrafted Rookie:
JOSH: Danny McCray has stood out more than the others, even if it's been on special teams rather than anything spectacular defensively. That's fine, any undrafted who makes the roster is going to have to be superb in kickoff and punt coverage, and McCray has certainly been that.
ROB: Danny McCray is a great story. He wasn't a four-time all-conference selection like fellow undrafted safety Barry Church. McCray was a nickel guy at LSU, but he should earn a roster spot with terrific special teams ability and commitment. The Cowboys are trying to find a defensive niche for him, possibly as a hybrid linebacker in the nickel package.
NICK: Lots of good choices here, especially with guys like Barry Church and Phil Costa expected to make this team. But it has to go to Danny McCray. The rookie from LSU not only is making this team, but he's going to be an every-game contributor on special teams and has a chance to be one of the great ones.
Under The Radar:
JOSH: Junior Siavii has been pretty good in the games. He's not going to take a lot of snaps from Ratliff and he doesn't have the upside the younger Brent does, but he's been pretty tough in the preseason. I wonder if he could play nose tackle and end, because he has the right body if they need someone versatile.
ROB: Say what you want about the offseason rumblings regarding his future in Dallas, but Patrick Crayton is simply a football player. He's been as steady as any receiver on the roster, he's still a reliable punt returner and he even took some practice reps as the emergency long snapper. There's really nothing he can't do. The Cowboys need him.
NICK: OK, it's pretty hard to say a guy who is dating a celebrity and is all over the magazine covers is actually under the radar. But out here, what Miles Austin is doing on the field has flown under the radar. He's been better than good every day out in camp but gets overshadowed by the excitement of Dez Bryant and the constant criticism of Roy Williams. Quietly, Austin has put together another solid camp.
