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Dez Bryant vs. Orlando Scandrick at top of training camp battles
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
After a three-week break, the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is back and maybe not better than ever. But at least it’s back.
In it we discuss:
Training camp battles
Lance Dunbar
Dwight Freeney
Away we go:
Joshua @Jrick84
@toddarcher #cowboysmail best battle your looking forward to heading into camp? LB RB WR?
12:08 PM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: I don't see a lot of starting spots open. It's my belief Justin Durant was signed to be a backup linebacker, not a starter. I don't think Terrance Williams loses his receiver job to Brice Butler. I don't know what kind of running back battle people were expecting. Defensive end has the most uncertainty, but the battle is between Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper, Ryan Russell and David Irving. That's vital, clearly, but not exactly exciting. But I want to take this answer in a different direction but still being a training camp battle. I'm looking forward to seeing Dez Bryant going against Orlando Scandrick. They're both healthy and want to prove they're back. I want to see Jason Witten against Byron Jones. In the spring, Witten won a lot. Can Jones close the gap on the veteran? I want to see Sean Lee against Ezekiel Elliott. A few years ago the Lee-DeMarco Murray battles were pretty epic. Elliott will have to bring it against Lee.
BBQ_Beef_Balboa @street_brice
@toddarcher if Dunbar is close to returning, backfield is crowded. How many RB's do you see the 'Boys carrying? Who's the cut? #cowboysmail
11:47 AM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: That Dunbar could be ready some time in training camp is surprising to me. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn patellar tendon. I thought for sure he would open the season on the physically unable to perform list and miss the first six games. That still might happen, but the backfield could be crowded. I believed the Cowboys would carry four running backs (tailbacks and fullback) but if Dunbar could be ready by the third game of the year, then maybe they carry him on the 53-man roster to start the year. I don't believe Alfred Morris would be in any danger. Darren McFadden's broken elbow likely hurt any trade chances later this summer. I believe sixth-rounder Darius Jackson has a chance. Dunbar's return could impact if they keep either Rod Smith or Keith Smith at fullback. I think they try to put Jackson on the practice squad and go without a fullback if other roster spots aren't impacted by injury.
Jon @Jo_Mart5
@toddarcher is there any consideration of bringing in Dwight Freeney for veteran depth? #cowboysmail
1:05 PM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: I've asked around on this a few times and the Cowboys want to see what they have in their younger players before traveling down the veteran path to a player like Freeney. I understand their thought process, but I don't know if I agree with their plan. Freeney can roll out of bed and get six sacks in a season, even at his age. The Cowboys don't have somebody like that even if they had Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence for a full season. They run a risk in waiting to sign Freeney because other teams might be more desirable. But there is also this to consider: Does Freeney want to take part in a full training camp? He might be willing to play but not have to go through the grind of a camp. I don't know that to be the case, but he might not be in a rush to sign either.
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
After a three-week break, the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is back and maybe not better than ever. But at least it’s back.
In it we discuss:
Training camp battles
Lance Dunbar
Dwight Freeney
Away we go:
Joshua @Jrick84
@toddarcher #cowboysmail best battle your looking forward to heading into camp? LB RB WR?
12:08 PM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: I don't see a lot of starting spots open. It's my belief Justin Durant was signed to be a backup linebacker, not a starter. I don't think Terrance Williams loses his receiver job to Brice Butler. I don't know what kind of running back battle people were expecting. Defensive end has the most uncertainty, but the battle is between Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper, Ryan Russell and David Irving. That's vital, clearly, but not exactly exciting. But I want to take this answer in a different direction but still being a training camp battle. I'm looking forward to seeing Dez Bryant going against Orlando Scandrick. They're both healthy and want to prove they're back. I want to see Jason Witten against Byron Jones. In the spring, Witten won a lot. Can Jones close the gap on the veteran? I want to see Sean Lee against Ezekiel Elliott. A few years ago the Lee-DeMarco Murray battles were pretty epic. Elliott will have to bring it against Lee.
BBQ_Beef_Balboa @street_brice
@toddarcher if Dunbar is close to returning, backfield is crowded. How many RB's do you see the 'Boys carrying? Who's the cut? #cowboysmail
11:47 AM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: That Dunbar could be ready some time in training camp is surprising to me. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn patellar tendon. I thought for sure he would open the season on the physically unable to perform list and miss the first six games. That still might happen, but the backfield could be crowded. I believed the Cowboys would carry four running backs (tailbacks and fullback) but if Dunbar could be ready by the third game of the year, then maybe they carry him on the 53-man roster to start the year. I don't believe Alfred Morris would be in any danger. Darren McFadden's broken elbow likely hurt any trade chances later this summer. I believe sixth-rounder Darius Jackson has a chance. Dunbar's return could impact if they keep either Rod Smith or Keith Smith at fullback. I think they try to put Jackson on the practice squad and go without a fullback if other roster spots aren't impacted by injury.
Jon @Jo_Mart5
@toddarcher is there any consideration of bringing in Dwight Freeney for veteran depth? #cowboysmail
1:05 PM - 21 Jul 2016
@toddarcher: I've asked around on this a few times and the Cowboys want to see what they have in their younger players before traveling down the veteran path to a player like Freeney. I understand their thought process, but I don't know if I agree with their plan. Freeney can roll out of bed and get six sacks in a season, even at his age. The Cowboys don't have somebody like that even if they had Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence for a full season. They run a risk in waiting to sign Freeney because other teams might be more desirable. But there is also this to consider: Does Freeney want to take part in a full training camp? He might be willing to play but not have to go through the grind of a camp. I don't know that to be the case, but he might not be in a rush to sign either.
