PonyPride's Report from Cowboys Camp

[ponyboy]

Please forgive the repost. An excellent report that deserves its own thread.
*****

Cole Beasley has, at times, been impossible to defend. Veterans can battle with him, while undrafted rookies are having as much success staying with him as you and I would. You still have to think three WR spots are locked up with Austin, Bryant and Williams, and maybe a fourth for Harris, who was the team's top punt returner last year. That leaves Beasley fighting for one or two final WR spots. I asked a Cowboys' staffer if he thought Beasley will make the team, and got this response: "Oh yeah - absolutely. The coaches love him. Romo loves him. He catches everything and he plays special teams." Beasley is never going to muscle the bigger DBs around, but he is enjoying some real success in escaping tight coverage with his route running. As mentioned in the story on the PF.com home page, he is working to become more comfortable at the outside receiver spots. During Tuesday's drills, he beat a CB down the left sideline, but the pass (from someone named Nick Stephens) was behind him - Beasley got a hand on it as it sailed out of bounds, but the pass was awful .... high and behind him. Through three OTAs and the first two days of mini-camp, that was the only pass I have seen him touch and not catch.

Sterling Moore has looked good, too - really good. He has covered guys on the outside and in the slot. Lots of media have focused on the yap session he and Dez Bryant got into Tuesday, but it wasn't hateful - playful trash talk between teammates/friends. He has shown excellent ball skills (secondary coach has sung Moore's praises in position drills, and in team (11 on 11) drills. His hands look great, but more impressive is the way he has tried to muscle up against Bryant, who's a lot bigger (four inches taller and 20 pounds heavier on the roster that has been issued to media). Moore has the same problem Beasley has: he plays a crowded position. Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne are guaranteed locks, and because of his ridiculous contract, Orlando Scandrick probably is, too, and so far, the team seems to love B.W. Webb, the CB drafted out of William & Mary. So then it becomes a matter of how many corners the team will carry. Just as Beasley is helped by his ability to play special teams, Moore also is helped by his versatility. Remember, when Dallas signed him last year, he joined the team on a Friday and played two days later ... as a safety. Dallas cut Gerald Sensabaugh over the offseason, and has Barry Church and Danny McCray back there (Church tore an Achilles tendon last year, and McCray is hobbling a little this spring, but not seriously). Jerry Jones seems to think Matt Johnson is Darren Woodson Part 2, and rookie J.J. Wilcox is getting a lot of praise (as he prepares for what would be just his second season as a defensive back). The same staffer who said he thinks Beasley making the team is something of a forgone conclusion also said Moore has a "very good chance" to make the team, saying the coaches also really like his versatility, unappreciated athleticism and his high football IQ.

Taylor Reed is harder to judge, if only because he hasn't gotten nearly as many reps as his former SMU teammates. During the rookie mini-camp on the weekend after the draft, he and DeVonte Holloman were widely thought to be the two best LBs in camp. In the OTAs and this week's mini-camp, his role has been limited. Normally, rookies would get a few more reps, but the veterans are learning, too, as new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is implementing his 4-3 defense with a team that has operated in recent years out of a 3-4 as its base alignment, so presumed starters like Sean Lee and Bruce Carter are getting as many reps as needed to have them comfortable in the system when the team heads to Oxnard, Calif., for training camp. At the moment, Reed is third on the depth chart at the middle linebacker spot behind Lee, the leader of the defense, and 2012 draftee Caleb McSurdy. Reed is faster and better in coverage than McSurdy, who can look a little stiff at times, but McSurdy is a solid run stuffer, and has taken a few snaps as a lead-blocking fullback, giving him a versatility element that only can help his chances. Reed is one of those guys who practices better in pads, so some expect him to shine more when the pads go on in Oxnard. In the meantime, LBs coach Matt Eberflus has said he is impressed with Reed's ability to adapt to the 4-3 and with Reed's ability to drop into coverage.

[ojaipony]

I'll be in Oxnard, head to toe in pony gear. So excited with have more and more ponies on the roster now. I went last year, but picked the day that Cole went MIA -- so disappointed, had my family with me and everything. This year, I'll be pulling hard for all of them especially for my favorite pony in years: TReed.

[PSCA]

PF:

I had heard from an SMU coach that they moved T-Reed out to Will LB-spot ... did you see or hear anything to that? I think TR might be better suited for that in the 3-4. No doubt, TR needs the pads to come on and the physicality to p/u up to really show his worth. Wishing he, Cole and Sterling the best.

[well travelled pony]

Sterling Moore has posted some nice photos on his Facebook page. Great pick and running with the ball. He looks strong.

Go Ponies!

[SMU 86]

PonyPride does a solid job for the Dallas Cowboys' Ranch Report. Here is his most recent Cowboys report.

http://dal.scout.com/2/1299120.html