Cowboys Corner

Ware Speaks the Truth

One of the other items DeMarcus Ware talked about today was this idea that the Cowboys are Super Bowl favorites, despite the fact they have had no playoff success to support such claims.
“Every year people think we’re the Super Bowl team. We haven’t won a Super Bowl or playoff game yet,” Ware said. “At the end of the day you can put a team on a high pedestal but you have to earn that. I feel like we haven’t earned that. We have the guys to get there but we have to get there before people start putting us up there.”

- Mac Engel

Ware Supports Ellis

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware did right by his teammate Greg Ellis today. Not that you'd expect anything less from Ware.
Ware was at a photo shoot today for Venom Energy Drink; he's one of the athletes who is endorsing the energy drink.
Ware was asked about Ellis, who once again appears may be one his way out of town with another round of linebackers being drafted.
"When I first came in he was a mentor to me and all the rookies. I’ve learned a lot from Greg," Ware said. "He’s a guy people leaned on. He’s also a guy that shows and leads by example. And then they brought - I’m not going to call any names - they brought a lot of guys in to take his position and you see how hard he works and nobody has been able to beat him out yet. He’s out there working hard and playing hard. I think he fits in our defense. I hope he’s here to stay."
Will such comments matter? Probably not ... but they're nice comments regardless.

- Mac Engel

Here Come the Undrafted Rookies

Having selected 12 players in the draft there wasn't going to be a huge need to load up on undrafted rookie free agents.
These lists usually bore people, but there are finds to be had after the draft. Remember - Tony Romo and Miles Austin were both undrafted as was Sam Hurd.
Right now, here are the rookies expected to sign with the Cowboys soon:

Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State
Michael Turkovich, OT, Notre Dame
Asaph Schwapp, FB, Notre Dame
Greg Isdaner, OG, West Virginia
Travis Bright, OL, BYU
Kevin Ogletree, WR, Virginia
Julian Hawkins, WR, Boise State
Jamar Hunt, TE, UTEP

The Cowboys may sign one additional rookie free agent, but this is probably the complete list.

- Mac Engel

Bobby Carpenter Has a Shot ... Really. Honest.

With the Cowboys having selected another supply of linebackers it appears that former first round pick Bobby Carpenter will be kicked to the curb soon.
Not so.
At least not if you believe coach Wade Phillips. Phillips has told Carpenter that it's a clean slate.
Carpenter will be given the chance to win Kevin Burnett's backup inside linebacker job, at least.
"That’s Bobby’s opportunity to step in because he’s that kind of athlete. We’ve challenged him to do that," Phillips said. "I think it’s finding his niche and going from there. It may be us not giving him enough opportunity. I told him that. It’s a new year this year. I wipe the slate blank. I said, 'Hey, whatever you can do and do really well I’m going to try to recognize that. If you show me you can do things to help us I’m going to get you in there.' He’s a worker. He’s going to work at it and give him every opportunity to be the player he thinks he is."
Right now, Carpenter will be trying for time behind expected starter Keith Brooking. Brooking has been a three-down linebacker before, and if he's the best player the Cowboys won't take him off the field. But there does appear to be an emphasis to at least give Carpenter an extended look, and try to create situations where Brooking doesn't have to play every down.
Said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, "I think you’ve got to put Bobby Carpenter on the field with his style of play. He runs good. He’s great lateral. You’ve got to maximize what he does best. He does a lot of good things. If he gets in the game he participates in some plays. I think we’ve got a good read and a good feel for his style of play. I’ve had it said he might have been more effective in a 4-3 because of his range and mobility. What we’re doing right now gives him a great chanceto play. I think this will be a good opportunity for him. It’s not a question you need to see something now or else. I have a feeling we know exactly what we’re going to see. My personal feeling is visiting with our staff and Wade it can be productive for us."

- Mac Engel 

Greg Ellis ... You're on the Clock (Again)

It's April, so it's time to assume that linebacker Greg Ellis is thinking of putting his house on the market again. Probably not a bad idea this time.
Demoted to a very limited, part-time role after Anthony Spencer returned from injury last season, Ellis' time with the Cowboys may finally be nearing an end.
The team selected three outside linebackers with their first four picks on Sunday - Jason Williams, Victor Butler and Brandon Williams. Williams is likely going to play inside. Draftee Stephen Hodge is listed as a safety, but they'll be moving him to linebacker soon, too.
Ellis' role right now is secure, but it's only going to be as long as any of these guys proves they can't play. If during training camp one of these players demonstrates he can play and rush the passer in a limited role off the edge, Ellis will finally be cut.

- Mac Engel

 

Stephen McGee ... wow

Aggie fans may not have been a big fan of their offense over the past few years, but the Cowboys now have the Stephen McGee-to-Martellus Bennett combination on their roster.
The Cowboys were expected to take a quarterback in this draft, but McGee is a bit of a surprise.

- Mac Engel

Good Seats Still Available

It's not the Cowboys fault the economy is in the toilet, but it is kind of funny that the team is having to run commercials trying to sell seats to their new stadium.
The first-year of a stadium is usually a slam dunk for sellouts, but the combination of high prices and a bad economy has made for a tough sell.

- Mac Engel

Why Not Jason Phillips?

The Cowboys decision to select Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams does address a future need, but a more immediate future need at the position exists.
The Cowboys need a linebacker now, but more of the inside variety. They lost Kevin Burnett in free agency, and right now veteran free agent signee Keith Brooking is at best a short-term solution in the middle next to Bradie James. TCU inside linebacker Jason Phillips may have been, or still could be, a solution.
Williams, however, does still fill a need on the outside.
Linebacker Greg Ellis has one more year with the Cowboys, at most. Anthony Spencer is still well thought of, but he hasn't had a real breakthrough just yet.
The Cowboys wanted a backup who can develop into a full-time player, and Williams would fit that category.

- Mac Engel

 

Another Linebacker? Really? That's What This Team Needs?

It's not quite the same as the Lions drafting a wide receiver in the first round for five straight years or however long, but the Cowboys really have the market cornered on drafting linebackers.
Since 2005, the Cowboys have spent their first draft pick on a linebacker now four times:

2005: DeMarcus Ware, 11th pick (kinda worked out)
2006: Bobby Carpenter, 18th pick (kind of a bust)
2007: Anthony Spencer, 26th pick (improving but still unknown)
2009: Jason Williams 69th pick (who knows?)

- Mac Engel

There is a reason there is so little Cowboys talk right now

The first two picks by the Cowboys have generated very little coversation from the talking heads for a pretty basic reason - no one knows very much about Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams or Ball State tackle Robert Brewster. Doesn't mean they are bad players, but mid-round picks from a Division I-AA school or a Mid American Conference school usually don't merit a lot of pre-draft research so the TVs of the world don't know a lot just yet.

- Mac Engel