My Take On Some Camp Battles: Starting Jobs

One of the big difference between this year and last is this year we have a few starting position's and many key roster spots up for grabs. Last year other than some guys at the bottom of the roster most of the spots were set.

Here is how i see some of the battles shaking out

Kyle Koiser VS. Montrae Holland for the starting LG spot

Holland is much more of a brute OG than Koiser and fits better in our man blocking scheme. But Koiser's value as a linecaller shown through when he was out last year.

Predicted winner: Koiser

With Gurode not a linecaller, having a person who can make line calls is vital

Miles Austin VS Patrick Crayton for starting WR

Patrick Crayton has started both the past two seasons as the #2 WR, but has not cemented himself as a quality starting WR. Miles Austin has a world of physical and has shown the ability to be a playmaker, but he is very unproven

Predicted Winner: Miles Austin

IMO it comes down to, Austin is an outside WR, not a slot guy. Crayton is one fo the better slot guys around, but it is generous to call him a mediocre outside WR

Mike Jenkins VS Orlando Scandrick for starting CB

On the surface this one looks obvious. Jenkins is the more rounded CB, capable of playing more styles of coverage, and Scan is the better Man to man CB, better suited to the Nickle. But Scan is a true gamer and will fight until Jenkins name is officially penciled in.

Predicted winner: Mike Jenkins

Jenkins is the more skilled CB, had a solid rookie year, and has the first round pedigree (ugly fact in the football buisness, but not to be downplayed)


Gerald Sensebaugh VS Mike Hamlin

Dont really know if this is an actual battle, but I dont think Sensebaugh is gonna just get handed the job, particularly if Hamlin has a lights out camp

Predicted Winner: Gerald Sensebaugh

Both are versatile S's that can play both spots and play reasonable well VS the run and pass, but Sensebaugh has the experience to diagnose plays and also has expirience in a Dave Campo secondary

Long shot camp battle

Keith Brooking VS Jason Williams

Its highly unlikely cespecially considering Brookings ties to Phillips) that Williams will push him for the starting job. But ideally Williams is a much better fit opposite a thumper like James, and if he proves to be ahead of where he was projected to be at this point, I hope the staff takes notice

Thoughts........Anything i missed you may want to add

 

I'm eager to see if Jenkins can take his game to another level.

 

far as I'm concerned, you pretty much nailed it on all accounts.

 

I agree with the Kosier pick. Holland to me is still a headcase. I think that Crayton will win the starting job. He has proven that he is able to do the job and he has some of the better on the team. I think that Austin will gain more playing time as the season goes on. I agree on the Jenkins part as well. I think he will be pushed by Scanrod to be a better CB than he would have been if he did not have someone to push him. I do not think that Hamlin was even being looked at as being a starter. WHAT you did not but Carpenter in your list of ILBs? LOL

Here are some other "Battles"

2TEs Vs 3WR

What formation will give us the best match ups in the passing game. Williams, Austin, Witten and Bennett in the 2TE formation or Williams, Crayton, Austin, and Witten in the 3WR formation. If you by into all the hype that Bennett has been getting that almost seems like it would be unstoppable.

Dixon Vs Backup NG
Marcus Dixon has been playing very well so for this preseason. I do not think it is all that likely that Dallas will trade one of there DEs, so if they want to keep Dixon they may not have room for a backup NG. Two years ago Dallas went into the season with only one NG and 5 DEs and they might do something like that again.

 

We have been dangling with the thought of 2TE Sets for years now. But have never even came close to executing it on the level where we can use it to our advantage on a consistent basis. I think motioning Bennett off the line of scrimmage more often may be what were going to seee.

 

I remember in 2007 with Fasano we would occasionally split both TE's wide

I think with Bennett and Felix this is something we need to look at bringing back. Kindof a "Big Spread" package with two TE's in the slot

 

zomg you totally forgot Kitna the bibleboy vs romo the choker
its an epic battle son

 

It should really be Rudy Carpenter

We also made a huge mistake not drafting 'insert QB that played collegiality in the state of Texas'

 

did anyone see marty b's black olympics....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS2ZIAQkVc0

 

Tellus is the man

He's been catching some crap for this

I say heck it, its all in fun. He isnt making blog's calling out teammates or btching about why he cant use twitter on the sideline

 

on a serious note:
whats your take on the RB situation:
are we gonna see Jones Start and then Barber player later, or vice versa?

 

Mrtellus is one of those family mebers that will do stupid pointless crap at gatherings that you just learn to sit back and enjoy

The freaking dude goes to Walmart and play's video games at the display


**********Automerged Doublepost**********

I like the thought of Choice "starting" games with barber playing the second half

Choice is the quicker and more agile back, wheras barber is more physical and can take advantage of tired defence's

Jones should be used through out IMO

 

I have been pimping the idea of Choice starting for a while now. I do not think it is going to happen and will go so far and say he will play the lest out of the three.

 

JJ, I totally agree with you

manster, i think you're right
I dont think Choice is gonna get the time he deserves

 

I don't really like the idea of using 3 running backs. 2 is more than enough, use Choice sparingly.

 

why not roy
keep all three of them fresh in case we get lucky and actually get to the playoffs

 

It is kind of funny but of the three Choice is the one that I think could handle getting the ball more often. I think that Felix and MB3 style leads to them less effective the more they play.

 

Remember the crap with Owens where we said we would get him x amount of touches, or we should get him x amount of touches each week. Well that's the way I see this ending up if we use all 3, I don't like hearing about so and so getting x amount of touches.

Manster you are probably right about that, however Felix has that knack to make a big play on any given carry, thus the more touches the more opportunities for huge 20+ yard runs. If he sees 10-15 carries he's still going to be fresh and have more chances to rack up the yards, as opposed to 5-10 carries and being extremely fresh. 10-15 carries for felix, and 15-20 carries for Barber and they'll be fine. Plus things get complicated when you have 3 backs and you are trying to all give them a fair share of touches, and if we don't start the season of well everyone will be complaining about us rushing the ball too much etc etc etc. But still I do believe Choice is an asset, and he can be used for the lone reason of fresh legs and get a few touches here and there or if the other RB's are struggling in any particular game. He's only a 2nd year player, Choice is fine and his current role doesn't need to be increased just yet.

 

I like the idea of Dash getting 10-15 TOUCHES a game. I do not that that he has to get hand-offs. I like the idea of getting him the ball in space, with his speed he will be a great mismatch if a LB tries to cover him.

 

I see your point.......but to me situation dictates

Certain players thrive in certain situations more than other's.

One thing about Barber that people dont talk about......he is a great clutch back. He has that " If we need it...I'll get it" knack. For that i see him as more suitable to play late in games when those 3rd and 3's can be do or die's

I see alot of Thurman Thomas in Choice, which makes since considering Choice kills on Thurman's Sig play (Shotgun Draw). He is quick and shifty, much more so that MB3. I think 1st and 2nd quarter when you are looking for that 7 yard run on 1st and 10 is where Choice would fit better than Barber.

I agree with the x amount of touch's.....I think that is a terrible way to run an offence. Your matchup's should dictate what you do. Say if we do roll with Choice in the 1st and 2nd, and we have an opponent who play's a more finness defence, say one of the smaller Tampa 2 teams, it would make sence to roll with barber, the stronger more physical back