PonyFans.com

Fourth cornerback is an interesting position
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys
June, 24, 2010 Jun 249:57AM CTEmail Print Comments By Calvin WatkinsWhen the Cowboys released five players on Tuesday the biggest name of the players released was kicker Conner Hughes.

It meant the team is going to give David Buehler every chance to win the field goal job.

But there was another name on that list that also gave some clarity to what the final 53 man roster will look like. Cornerback Marquis Floyd, a man of two year's of NFL experience, was released by the Cowboys. Floyd was competing with three other players to become the fourth cornerback on the roster.

As of now, and we assume when the season starts, the top three corners are: Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.

But the fourth corner, a who gets more playing time on special teams than in passing situations, is up in the air.

The candidates have been reduced to three: Cletis Gordon, Jamar Wall and Bryan McCann.

Secondary coach Dave Campo said he likes the speed of all three, Gordon has the most experience, five years, but Wall and McCann have the most upside, seeing they are rookies.

Campo like Wall's toughness during one-on-one drills during offseason practices and Gordon is going to get a look on returning kicks. If Gordon excels in the return game, he has an edge to make the team over McCann and Wall.

McCann is fast and still learning, but he also has a good shot at making the team.

Who the Cowboys select here will be interesting because you would expect Gordon to have an advantage because of his experience. But Campo said whoever performs well on special teams can make this team.

Sounds like McCann could at least make the Practice squad of the Cowboys and increase his knowledge and make the team next year.

McCann has a lot of upside in the return game as well. Plus he's cheaper than a 5-year veteran.

I have been to a lot of the Cowboys' OTAs and mini-camps this spring, and Bryan McCann has looked pretty good. He clearly does not feel intimidated out there, and several teammates have told me they think he belongs. A few, including first-round draft pick Dez Bryant, have expressed genuine surprise that McCann wasn't drafted. Secondary coach Dave Campo has lauded McCann for his speed and his smarts, and said that the fact that he played a year of safety at SMU increases his chances because it shows he's smart enough to learn multiple positions, and willing to play wherever his team needs him.

Thanks for the update, Pride!

Jamar Wall was drafted late — sixth or seventh round, I believe.

I assume Bryan signed for the league minimum, because he was an undrafted free agent. Does anyone know how much Wall is likely to make? Hopefully if it comes down to a battle between the two, Jerry won't let a few bucks be the determining factor. Surely the salaries would be pretty close, wouldn't they?

I'd like to see McCann just make the team this year — whether it's defense or special teams that gets him there. If he has to sit on the practice squad for a year, fine (not ideal, of course, but better than nothing). Then spend a year learning and perfecting what they teach, and tear 'em up next year.

As a Cowboy fan, I hope the coaches take a hard look at McCann at free safety.

Don't see it happening. They already have Alan Ball, who played there last year and they apparently liked him there enough that they worked him there this spring in OTAs and mini-camps, and they drafted Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and immediately said he is playing free safety, rather than cornerback, which is where he played in college. Plus, if they get really desperate, Pat Watkins has played a little free safety in that defense although he plays mostly strong safety).

Cornerback and special teams are going to be what get Bryan a crack at making the team.