From: mas@aero.org (Marcus A.Shaw)
Subject: Re: Cowboys' Rookies
Organization: The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 21:27:29 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.201533.64352@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu> aa05@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (ABDULMALIK A. ALHUSSEINI) writes:

>>First of all, camp has only been on for a week and it is still too
>>early to tell anything.  That is just truth.  Second of all, most of
>>the players you mention are or have been injured, so it is even less
>>likely that we will have any clue how good they are.  The pre and post
>>draft hype will have to last you...

>Thanks for the info....... other questions & notes:
>
>    Wow... Jimmy Smith broke his tibia... wouldn't that mean he 'll be out for
>    months instead of weeks?

I guess I said broken tibia, I meant fractured.  It is not a problem
as long as he rests it.  I am not sure if he is in a cast or not, and
he walked himself off the field after makeing a great catch!

>
>    Many people say that the secondary of the cowboys is their weakest unit. I
>    think the secondary is weak but the linebacker unit is the weakest. Can
>    you imagine that the LB's had no interceptions, few or none forced or
>    recovered fumbles, and -I think- no sacks. May be it is time for a change.

The secondary is the weakest unit, very easily.  Last years players at
LB were suited to exactly what they needed to do.  Norton is an up and
coming LB at either side, Vinson Smith played well except when he had
hepatitis.  Myles and Edwards were rookies and Del Rio did what every
Dallas MLB has done in the last 6 years, he tackled everyone that was
funnelled toward him and he racked up big numbers..  With R. Jones,
the linebacking corps still has a lot to learn, but the rookies from
last year are looking better and better..

Edwards is ahead of Myles..

>    Did Bernard Clark show anything worth mentioning now that he is surrounded
>    by his UM buddies? Is he gaining on R. Jones?

Unless R. Jones falls on his face, no.  Clark has a shot at the 6th
and final LB spot, but the other 5 are locks if they come back from
their holdout.

>
>    Now to the troubled secondary... If none of this year DB picks proved to b
>    an impact rookie (god forbids) are we going to be bombed like last year?
>    Does Holt look better?
>    Is Brown a long term solution?
>    Are Horton and Washington threatened by Woodson and Williams?
>    Any info. about Plan B's Garry Lewis & Brian Mitchell?
>
Yeah, now to the troubled secondary.  Last year, Brown was a rookie
and lent almost no run support.  Holt had a terrible year for what he
expects from himself, and Horton was apparently slightly uncomfortable
at his spot.  Washington was the only consistent performer there, as
the backups (Williams at CB, Albritton, Hendrix, and others) were all
non factors.  This year, Brown has bulked up and sped up, he now runs
a 4.33 down from a 4.4.  He has looked better on run support and is
looking (if you believe this) to make the pro bowl this year.  Holt
has been one of the hardest working Cowboys in the off season and is
ready to redeem himself.  I believe these two will be the starters as
the season starts.  At S, Williams is looking like a changed man, and
I don't believe Woodson can compete with Washington.  I don't believe
Gant or any of the others is ready to start, so I see Williams and
Washington there at the start.  Kevin Smith is looking like a first
round rookie, talented but green.  Holmes has been here and there just
like Smith.  The two newcoming veterans (Lewis and Mitchell) have been
non factors as well, and Lewis is requesting ANOTHER trade.  In his
first workouts againts the raiders, he was trying too hard and broke
his finger....he should be able to continue practicing.

other notes:

Newton is down to 294 and now can barely bench 380 (down from over 500
at one point last year).  This combined with Williams playing so well
has moved Nate out of the RT spot and back into a Gaurd spot.  He
would do much better to settle into one position.  Gesek has been
displaced at his expense and is facing a move back to center until
Stepnoski signs.  His future with the team is in peril.

Gogan has been the most consistent OL.

Harper and Martin have been starting at the WR spots.

Daluiso continues to kick the ball way left...left of George McGovern.
His teammates said he kicked a 77 yarder in practice during the
summer.

Hennings is still struggling, and may be moved back to tackle (don't
count on it with Dallas's depth at tackle).  He will improve though,
it will just be a long, tough mental process...

my thoughts on the roster:

DL: (most likely keep 8)
Can't be cut:  Maryland, Casillas, Tolbert, Lett
Very Tough cut:  Hill, Jones, Jeffcoat
Tough Cut: Hennings, Noonan
Need help:  Harris, Burch, Butts, et al.

LB: (keep 6)
Can't be cut:  Norton, R. Jones, Edwards
Very Tough cut:  Myles, V Smith
Tough Cut:  Clark
Need Help:  Crum, Cooper, Pruitt, et al (ST could matter here.)

DB: (keep 9)
Can't be cut: Smith, Washington, Brown, Holt, Woodson
Very Tough cut: Briggs (PUP), Holmes, Williams, Gant
Tough cut: Bates, Lewis, Mitchell, Horton
Need Help: Hall, Kirtman, and a cast of thousands

WR, TE, RB: (keep 11 or 12)
Can't be cut:  Smith, Johnston, Agee, Irvin, Harper, Novacek, Roberts
Very Tough Cut: J. Smith, C Richards, Ricky Blake (PUP)
Tough Cut:  Martin, Wright, Barlewski
Need Help:  Waccasey, Beasley, Weatherspoon, Sheppard, Alphin, Green,
et al

QB: (keep 2 or 3)
In: Aikman and Beurlein
Out: Garrett, Kupp, and one more

OL: (8)
Can't be touched:  Newton, Stepnoski, Gogan, Williams
Tough:  Brown, Cornish, Gesek, Tuinei, Myslinski, 
Help!!!: Veingrad, Milstead, et al

that's all, please reply....

Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro