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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...las-cowboys-should-bring-in-for-training-camp
By Alex Hall(Featured Columnist) on July 10, 2012
Training camp is inching closer and closer for the Dallas Cowboys, who still have a few questions to answer on both sides of the football.
Bringing in a few veteran names during the dog days of summer for a look is typical of all NFL teams, and the Cowboys will likely pursue this route sometime in the near future. Let's take a look at some names owner Jerry Jones and company should invite to training camp.
WR Braylon Edwards
Considering wide receiver Braylon Edwards is the cover boy for this slideshow, we might as well start off with him.
His one-year rental with the San Francisco 49ers was uneventful to say the least, as he posted just 181 yards in nine games for Jim Harbaugh's team. That being said, Edwards is just one season removed from a near-1,000 yard season with the New York Jets.
All one has to do is take a look at Edwards' year-by-year totals to realize he's inconsistent and unpredictable in the production department, but he's worth bringing down for a week or two in camp.
Being a former first-round draft pick, No. 17 has never lived up to his hype when Cleveland selected him back in 2005, but perhaps Edwards is finally due for a breakout year.
Albeit that's an unlikely scenario, but the Cowboys need a third receiver and he has the potential to do more than the likes of Kevin Ogletree and company could.
OL Vernon Carey
Dallas' biggest weakness heading into the 2012 season is its offensive line, which could use the likes of Vernon Carey in a backup position.
Carey has started for the Miami Dolphins the last seven seasons either at right tackle or guard, which shows he is experienced and can play wherever the 'Boys might need him on the right side.
While he isn't one of the biggest names at his position, Carey has quietly been a useful lineman for the Dolphins for many years and could do the same for the Cowboys if he were to get an invite to training camp.
The Cowboys seem invested in the players they've already brought in through free agency and the players returning from 2011. That being said, Carey could shine if given the chance and could earn himself a backup position with the team.
DE Andre Carter
While he may be a former Washington Redskin, there's plenty to like about the idea of bringing defensive end Andre Carter into training camp.
The New England Patriots signed Carter to a one-year deal around this time last year, and he gave them 10 sacks in 14 games along with 52 tackles before an injury cut his resurgent season short.
While the end probably expected a larger payday coming his way this offseason, teams have been cautious on Carter considering the fact he still remains unsigned.
He's easily one of the most coveted names left on the market, and Dallas could use his services considering the lackluster play from Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher last year.
While the Cowboys have brought in some rookies to come shore up the position, perhaps Dallas could show enough to Carter on a visit to get a one- or two-year rental contract out of him.
Andre Gurode
It wasn't too long ago that center Andre Gurode was starting multiple Pro Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys, yet he now finds himself without a job after one season with the Baltimore Ravens.
While Cowboys fans realize that Gurode was often good for as many penalties as he was highlight reel-caliber blocks, he's still a better center than Phil Costa.
Head coach Jason Garrett doesn't appear to be focusing on any other names besides who they already have for the starting center job, but if Gurode were given an invite to camp he could easily win back his old position with the team.
Another thing to like about the former Cowboy is the fact he can play guard as well, which is primarily what Baltimore used him as last year.
Gurode knows the Cowboys coaches and their offensive system and can play better than the team's current starter. I'd say all that deserves a phone call and a paid flight to camp.
WR Plaxico Burress
While this isn't a case of saving the best for last, Plaxico Burress is an interesting name still left in the wide receiver market.
Burress infamously had to take a few seasons off due to serving jail time, but he produced better than expected in 2011.
The former Super Bowl champion posted over 600 receiving yards along with eight touchdowns in an offense lead by Mark Sanchez. Not too bad for a guy who hadn't seen an NFL field in two years.
While his age of 35 is a bit of a red flag, the third wideout position in Dallas is being fought out between Ogletree, Dwayne Harris and Danny Coale. Burress would be a good player to bring into camp to elevate the game of someone like an Ogletree and perhaps give a few pointers to youngsters Coale and Harris.
Burress is a player worthy of a training camp look-see based on his track record as a premier red zone threat and the fact the third receiver position is anyone's job to win right now.
Even if the team decided to go with their younger guys, those players might learn a thing or two after being around a veteran like Burress for a number of weeks.
By Alex Hall(Featured Columnist) on July 10, 2012
Training camp is inching closer and closer for the Dallas Cowboys, who still have a few questions to answer on both sides of the football.
Bringing in a few veteran names during the dog days of summer for a look is typical of all NFL teams, and the Cowboys will likely pursue this route sometime in the near future. Let's take a look at some names owner Jerry Jones and company should invite to training camp.
WR Braylon Edwards
Considering wide receiver Braylon Edwards is the cover boy for this slideshow, we might as well start off with him.
His one-year rental with the San Francisco 49ers was uneventful to say the least, as he posted just 181 yards in nine games for Jim Harbaugh's team. That being said, Edwards is just one season removed from a near-1,000 yard season with the New York Jets.
All one has to do is take a look at Edwards' year-by-year totals to realize he's inconsistent and unpredictable in the production department, but he's worth bringing down for a week or two in camp.
Being a former first-round draft pick, No. 17 has never lived up to his hype when Cleveland selected him back in 2005, but perhaps Edwards is finally due for a breakout year.
Albeit that's an unlikely scenario, but the Cowboys need a third receiver and he has the potential to do more than the likes of Kevin Ogletree and company could.
OL Vernon Carey
Dallas' biggest weakness heading into the 2012 season is its offensive line, which could use the likes of Vernon Carey in a backup position.
Carey has started for the Miami Dolphins the last seven seasons either at right tackle or guard, which shows he is experienced and can play wherever the 'Boys might need him on the right side.
While he isn't one of the biggest names at his position, Carey has quietly been a useful lineman for the Dolphins for many years and could do the same for the Cowboys if he were to get an invite to training camp.
The Cowboys seem invested in the players they've already brought in through free agency and the players returning from 2011. That being said, Carey could shine if given the chance and could earn himself a backup position with the team.
DE Andre Carter
While he may be a former Washington Redskin, there's plenty to like about the idea of bringing defensive end Andre Carter into training camp.
The New England Patriots signed Carter to a one-year deal around this time last year, and he gave them 10 sacks in 14 games along with 52 tackles before an injury cut his resurgent season short.
While the end probably expected a larger payday coming his way this offseason, teams have been cautious on Carter considering the fact he still remains unsigned.
He's easily one of the most coveted names left on the market, and Dallas could use his services considering the lackluster play from Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher last year.
While the Cowboys have brought in some rookies to come shore up the position, perhaps Dallas could show enough to Carter on a visit to get a one- or two-year rental contract out of him.
Andre Gurode
It wasn't too long ago that center Andre Gurode was starting multiple Pro Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys, yet he now finds himself without a job after one season with the Baltimore Ravens.
While Cowboys fans realize that Gurode was often good for as many penalties as he was highlight reel-caliber blocks, he's still a better center than Phil Costa.
Head coach Jason Garrett doesn't appear to be focusing on any other names besides who they already have for the starting center job, but if Gurode were given an invite to camp he could easily win back his old position with the team.
Another thing to like about the former Cowboy is the fact he can play guard as well, which is primarily what Baltimore used him as last year.
Gurode knows the Cowboys coaches and their offensive system and can play better than the team's current starter. I'd say all that deserves a phone call and a paid flight to camp.
WR Plaxico Burress
While this isn't a case of saving the best for last, Plaxico Burress is an interesting name still left in the wide receiver market.
Burress infamously had to take a few seasons off due to serving jail time, but he produced better than expected in 2011.
The former Super Bowl champion posted over 600 receiving yards along with eight touchdowns in an offense lead by Mark Sanchez. Not too bad for a guy who hadn't seen an NFL field in two years.
While his age of 35 is a bit of a red flag, the third wideout position in Dallas is being fought out between Ogletree, Dwayne Harris and Danny Coale. Burress would be a good player to bring into camp to elevate the game of someone like an Ogletree and perhaps give a few pointers to youngsters Coale and Harris.
Burress is a player worthy of a training camp look-see based on his track record as a premier red zone threat and the fact the third receiver position is anyone's job to win right now.
Even if the team decided to go with their younger guys, those players might learn a thing or two after being around a veteran like Burress for a number of weeks.
