C
Cr122
Guest
August 12, 2010
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Raiders tonigh in what will be there second preseason game, a couple of intriguing roster battles are starting to emerge where veterans could get pushed out by fresh faces. I know you have Dez Bryant and Roy Williams on the brain. But think smaller than that for now. Bryant is hurt and the threat of competition has resulted in a pretty good camp for Williams so far.
* Fullback Chris Gronkowski vs. Deon Anderson
Anderson will run through a wall for you. He is a head hunter and wedge buster. But as they say, what makes you laugh can also make you cry. Anderson's kamikazi style has endeared him to teammates but it takes a toll on his body. He routinely hurts himself as much as he hurts the opponent. Also his game has little subtlety and nuance, according to Cowboys insiders. He is not a good pass receiver and he doesn't always pick the best player to block in the running game.
Those are two areas rookie free agent Gronkowski has already caught the eye of the Cowboys. He is a very good pass receiver. He played H-back in college so he is versatile and can play fullback and H-back. According to owner Jerry Jones, he has a Daryl Johnston-like knack for picking the right and most dangerous defender to block in the running game.
Both could stick on roster because of the injuries woes at tight end but if the Cowboys go with just one fullback, don't be surprised if it's Gronkowski. That being said, there is nobody on the team you want to go to battle with more than Anderson cause he will leave it all on the field.
* WR Jesse Holley vs. Sam Hurd
Jesse Holley made the practice squad last year after winning a reality show to earn a training camp roster spot. One season later, it must be said: Holley is no gimmick. He is not here because of charity and publicity. He truly belongs here. He fits right into the group of receivers not named Bryant, Williams, Crayton, Austin and Ogletree.
Now the things that won him the reality show, heart and toughness, could earn him a real roster spot. Make that Sam Hurd's roster spot. The Cowboys are going to keep six receivers. Hurd is No. 6. But he is also their best special teams player. The question is how much that is worth, considering that Hurd is making $1.8 million this year. It is unlikely that the Cowboys will pay Patrick Crayton $2 million to be the fourth receiver and Hurd nearly $2 million to be the sixth receiver. Crayton went from a possible roster cut to a sure thing when rookie Dez Bryant sprained his ankle.
And as much as the Cowboys love Hurd and respect what he does on special teams, $1.8 million is a lot money to pay someone to cover kicks with no real future at receiver. This all brings us back to Holley, who is getting is a willing and able special teams performer at a fraction of the cost. Holley is not as good as Hurd on special teams. But he doesn't have to be. He just needs to show that he can do the job. He will get ample opportunity in the preseason to prove himself and possibly take Hurd's job.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Raiders tonigh in what will be there second preseason game, a couple of intriguing roster battles are starting to emerge where veterans could get pushed out by fresh faces. I know you have Dez Bryant and Roy Williams on the brain. But think smaller than that for now. Bryant is hurt and the threat of competition has resulted in a pretty good camp for Williams so far.
* Fullback Chris Gronkowski vs. Deon Anderson
Anderson will run through a wall for you. He is a head hunter and wedge buster. But as they say, what makes you laugh can also make you cry. Anderson's kamikazi style has endeared him to teammates but it takes a toll on his body. He routinely hurts himself as much as he hurts the opponent. Also his game has little subtlety and nuance, according to Cowboys insiders. He is not a good pass receiver and he doesn't always pick the best player to block in the running game.
Those are two areas rookie free agent Gronkowski has already caught the eye of the Cowboys. He is a very good pass receiver. He played H-back in college so he is versatile and can play fullback and H-back. According to owner Jerry Jones, he has a Daryl Johnston-like knack for picking the right and most dangerous defender to block in the running game.
Both could stick on roster because of the injuries woes at tight end but if the Cowboys go with just one fullback, don't be surprised if it's Gronkowski. That being said, there is nobody on the team you want to go to battle with more than Anderson cause he will leave it all on the field.
* WR Jesse Holley vs. Sam Hurd
Jesse Holley made the practice squad last year after winning a reality show to earn a training camp roster spot. One season later, it must be said: Holley is no gimmick. He is not here because of charity and publicity. He truly belongs here. He fits right into the group of receivers not named Bryant, Williams, Crayton, Austin and Ogletree.
Now the things that won him the reality show, heart and toughness, could earn him a real roster spot. Make that Sam Hurd's roster spot. The Cowboys are going to keep six receivers. Hurd is No. 6. But he is also their best special teams player. The question is how much that is worth, considering that Hurd is making $1.8 million this year. It is unlikely that the Cowboys will pay Patrick Crayton $2 million to be the fourth receiver and Hurd nearly $2 million to be the sixth receiver. Crayton went from a possible roster cut to a sure thing when rookie Dez Bryant sprained his ankle.
And as much as the Cowboys love Hurd and respect what he does on special teams, $1.8 million is a lot money to pay someone to cover kicks with no real future at receiver. This all brings us back to Holley, who is getting is a willing and able special teams performer at a fraction of the cost. Holley is not as good as Hurd on special teams. But he doesn't have to be. He just needs to show that he can do the job. He will get ample opportunity in the preseason to prove himself and possibly take Hurd's job.