tr1
July-14th-2007, 05:23 AM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?contentType=5&id=C1DBB881-ECC8-89D3-779A4B045EF7D9D3
Ollie Taylor, Greensboro, N.C.: I know there is no right or wrong choice for the Mr. Indispensable award. Still, it's a fun topic to debate. I agree that DeMarcus Ware and Terence Newman should be the two finalists. However, I think the award belongs to Ware. Pressure is key in any defense. At this point we don't know whether Bobby Carpenter, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Spencer or a post-injury Greg Ellis can consistently get to the quarterback. How well did our defense fare last year with a healthy Newman and an injured Ellis? Once Ellis was injured and we only had one consistent pass rusher, our defense was shredded. If Ware goes down this year we may not have any consistent pass rushers.
Mickey: No arguments here. You make a very compelling case for Ware, who just might be the most valuable player on the team, but to me is a tad different than Mr. Indispensable. To me, Mr. Indispensable is a guy you have very few alternatives to replace, and at least the Cowboys have some first-round draft choices to filter into Ware's spot. With Newman, there aren't any first-round picks just hanging out doing nothing in the secondary.
Matt Morrow, Keller, Texas: I agree with your pick for T-New as Mr. Indispensable. I think he is one of the top three corners in the NFL. He just doesn't get much national attention because of his low interception totals each year.
Mickey: Numbers, numbers, numbers. Maybe with a better pass rush, quarterbacks will make a few more rash decisions throwing the ball - like throwing more to Newman's side - which can lead to interceptions. But you are right, unless Newman gets some picks, he'll never earn a Pro Bowl invite even though he's playing every bit as good as those Pro Bowls - if not better. To me, he'd be a hard guy to replace on this team.
Mark Garza, Mercedes, Texas: Terence Newman? Are you serious? I've always studied this player's coverage techniques and they're terrible. The only thing he somewhat has that helps him is some speed, and even that isn't all that it's made up to be. The biggest and constant issue Newman has is every time any receiver makes a cut move, Newman literally spins around to position himself with the receiver. And you want to claim he's all that? Heck, I could outplay this chump!
Mickey: Yes, I'm serious, more serious than I know you are about outplaying a first-round pick. That's pretty laughable, isn't it? OK, I'm sure you were trying to be cute. You were, weren't you? So if his coverage is so bad, why don't quarterbacks just throw to his side every time? Why do they throw so many times to the other side? Guess those quarterbacks don't know much nor the offensive coordinators calling plays. There isn't a corner out there who stops every receiver on every play. Do you realize the opponents ran 5,165 plays last season against the Cowboys, and that they have NFL quarterbacks and receivers out there? Nobody shuts down an entire league. Now I'm sure you are gonna say Deion Sanders, and I'm gonna say go watch Michael Irvin toast him in that 1994 NFC title game again.
John Cothern, San Diego: I would have to say that I disagree with your analysis. I like Newman, but I think that if Jason Ferguson goes down, then our season goes with it. He has backups in name only. The other guys just aren't nose-tackle ready. I hope that those guys hear about this note and take it personally for motivation to prove me wrong should the chance arise.
Mickey: Well, let's hope they read Mick's Mail as they should be, right? I agree the backup to Ferguson is unproven and that the Cowboys have their fingers crossed some. But as was my argument about eliminating Jason Witten from consideration, there would not be a team out there claiming they didn't have a winning season because they lost their starting nose tackle. Please. If nose tackle was so important, why aren't those guys drafted like in the top five all the time?
Amari Harris, Charlottesville, Va.: First of all, let me applaud you for choosing T-New as Mr. Indispensable. However, I only slightly agree with your other candidates. What about Andre Gurode? Pro Bowl center with practically no backup.
Mickey: Good catch there. I probably should have at least mentioned him since there really isn't a proven backup to Gurode now that Al Johnson is gone. But I think it's far easier to find an acceptable center off the veteran scrap heap if Cory Procter is unable to handle the backup spot than it is to find a top-notch corner in the nick of time. Just consider the difficulty of playing both positions.
William Chance, Schertz, Texas: I am familiar with the Mr. Indispensable "award," so before I read your article, I stopped to make my own conclusion - which was DeMarcus Ware. After reading the article, I liked your opinion better than my own opinion. Just thought I would share that with you.
Mickey: Not sure we could have gone wrong with either choice. Ware is pretty good, and I'm guessing he's going to be even better this year. He seems a more relaxed and confident player heading into his third season. Plus, I like the idea he'll be lining up on the weak side all the time, meaning getting away from the tight end.
David Chatzky, New Britain, Conn.: When it comes to Mr. Indispensable for the Cowboys, I've got to go with Greg Ellis. The defense was excellent with him and poor without him. He can make plays and with him in the game, the opposing offensive line has a lot more decisions to make in protecting the quarterback. Pressure on the quarterback makes the secondary's job easier.
Mickey: No question about that, and we did see how valuable Ellis was to the team last year, unfortunately, after he went down. But my thought here is, hey, if you use a first-round pick on a guy who plays the same position then he'd better be able to step right in. Anthony Spencer must be the answer to that void, because let's face it, the Cowboys basically drafted him as insurance against Ellis not being ready to play or being the same guy. And like I said, if not, well then you're got another first-rounder out there, Bobby Carpenter, and a second-rounder, Kevin Burnett.
Ernesto Olivarri Jr., Alice, Texas: Why is Greg Ellis penciled in as the starter? Greg Ellis is a good player and he unfortunately got injured last year, but shouldn't he have to prove that he can play at the same level he was at prior to the injury before he is named the starter?
Mickey: Of course, and he will have to, especially to a new coach and especially after the new coach was just handed, mostly thanks to his influence, a first-round draft choice who is being groomed to play the same position. I think you answered your own question when you said "penciled in." Graphite can be erased, and that's what will happen to Ellis if he is not as effective on the strong side once Spencer knows what he's doing. And as for the main reason he's "penciled in," look no further than Wade Phillips' comment when asked where Ellis fits into his defense, saying, "He's my starting outside linebacker."
Chaze Gilley, Saginaw, Texas: There's obviously a plethora of linebackers for the Cowboys going into the year. So, will there be room for Kevin Burnett? He seems to be more vocal than ever showing his displeasure with his role to date. I think we could trade him for a third- or fourth-round pick. Thoughts?
Mickey: Absolutely not. Way too soon to turn a second-round pick into a fourth-round pick. Come on. The guy basically has been healthy for one full season, and did show some signs last year of the play-making ability the Cowboys thought they were getting when drafting him in the second round in 2005. He can be a valuable nickel linebacker because of his versatility, and don't forget he tied for second last year with 16 special teams tackles. Don't worry about what he's saying. That's just talk.
Phil Farrar, Frisco, Texas: It seems to me we are stockpiling a lot of talent at many positions - so much so that we are going to have to cut some NFL starting-level talent when it comes time to trim back to 53 players. In your opinion, who is the most talented player on the bubble that might have to be cut due to too much superior talent ahead of them in the pecking order at their position?
Mickey: A head coach would basically tell you to hush your mouth, because it never fails. Every time you think you have a surplus of talent at one position, injuries pile up. But I understand what you're saying. The most legitimate battles for spots on the 53-man roster likely will occur at wide receiver, cornerback and maybe a little at running back. The talent might dictate keeping six wide receivers this year, and someone who is cut will have a chance to make another team's roster. Could be the same at cornerback, especially if the Cowboys decide to go young there with their seventh-round picks. And at running back, well, this Jackie Battle sure looks like a player and so does fullback Deon Anderson, which does not bode well for either Oliver Hoyte or Lousaka Polite. Oh, and let's keep an eye on the kicker, too, because if sixth-round pick Nick Folk should have an outstanding training camp and the Cowboys decide to go that route, guarantee you the first team to suffer an injury grabs Martin Gramatica.
Eric Roulston, McDonough, Ga.: I've noticed an increase in draft pick signings by teams this year compared to last year. I know Dallas tends to wait up until camp starts to sign its draft picks. But why is that? Why not start signing them now?
Mickey: Well, because there is no need, and even agents don't want to jump the gun, preferring to let the dominos fall so their guy, who might sign out of order, doesn't get short-changed. The Cowboys should start signing guys next week, with the final couple - probably the top guys - getting done the Monday or Tuesday before the first practice on July 25. Plus, don't know about you, but me, I don't like paying my bills two weeks before the due date. I normally wait until a couple days before the deadline to send in my payment. And I'm not dealing with thousands of dollars, and in the case of signing Spencer, millions. I'd hold onto my millions until the last second. You, you might like giving your bill collectors a two-week loan.
Bo Nelson, Dallas: There seems to be some doubt about Miles Austin making the roster. I like the idea of Tyson Thompson and Miles Austin receiving the kickoffs. With those two back there who do you kick to or away from? I understand if he does make the team it would likely mean someone gets squeezed out possibly from another position.
Mickey: Like your thinking, and you know, when I asked Bill Parcells about who would return kicks when Thompson came back, Austin or Thompson, he said both. And when I asked, who would block, he said, whichever guy didn't have the ball if he wanted to play and make the team. That would be a dynamic duo back there, but you are right, keeping Austin just to return kicks or Thompson just to return kicks could be roster expensive. They each better display talent at their respective positions to help their cause.
Brendan Raybuck, Tucson, Ariz.: I have a two-part question about Jason Hatcher. Being that he was so raw last year, how does he look physically now? Does he look stronger, bigger or faster? Also, with Ware, Ellis, and Spencer as your outside rushers, does that slow his progress or is he moving from pass rusher to a true 3-4 base end?
Mickey: I like it. Good stuff. To me, Hatcher appears as if he's gotten bigger and stronger. That makes him a legitimate candidate to play defensive end in this 3-4 defense and possibly get some snaps at nose tackle. And then on the nickel, remember, he played some inside last year and wasn't all that bad at it, so no, his skills won't erode. I mean, you could very well have a nickel front consisting of, from left to right, Spencer, Ellis, Hatcher and Ware. And if not Hatcher, the most likely candidates would be Chris Canty or Jay Ratliff.
Erich Brown, Renton, Wash.: Do you know if the Cowboys plan to have a scrimmage this year? I know we have practiced against teams like Oakland and Houston in the past, and neither one of those teams are on our schedule this year. This would be a good opportunity to get some pre-season practice against some different looks.
Mickey: Well, there isn't a scrimmage planned, but the Cowboys do plan to practice against the Denver Broncos twice a day on Aug. 15 and 16, prior to the Aug. 18 preseason game at Texas Stadium. At this point, those practices are planned for out here at The Ranch, which would mean they wouldn't be open to the public.
Chris Graham, Bushkill, Pa.: Who's the best interview on the roster right now? Not the guy who draws the biggest crowd or the player who may have constant gripes (and subsequent sound bites, wink, wink). Who's the guy you look for when you need a story, or an angle, and it's a slow news day?
Mickey: Here's winking back at you, and I'm not sure you-know-who's interviews are all that interesting and informative anyway. Let's see. You know, Tony Romo is very good, and especially after the crowd retires from around him. Get him one-on-one, and he's really informative. Same with guys like Newman and Aaron Glenn. Same with Bradie James, Ferguson, Ware, Ellis and Marcus Spears. But you know what's a little-known secret? One of the best interviews on the team is Terry Glenn, it's just that he doesn't make himself available too much. But his insight and the way he expresses himself is a writer's dream.
Stacy Collins, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.: Since discovering a new stadium was getting built, I have been trying to find out what will happen to Texas Stadium and am unable to find an answer. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots. The reason I ask is that I grew up in Irving and Texas Stadium holds a lot of memories for me; I worked there during high school and have met the likes of Roger Staubach, Tom Landry and Hollywood Henderson. I had my high school graduation there, too. There are so many happy memories there that I wonder what its fate is going to be after the new stadium opens.
Mickey: Well Texas Stadium's fate rests in the hands of the City of Irving, and from the looks of things, those aren't real safe hands right now. It just sounds as if the city will get out of the football business, and either convert the stadium into something else or even tear it down all together to build some sort of retail and residential development on the land. If I was you, and the stadium is as special to you as you have indicated, I'd get myself to a ball game either this year or next for old-time's sake.
Ollie Taylor, Greensboro, N.C.: I know there is no right or wrong choice for the Mr. Indispensable award. Still, it's a fun topic to debate. I agree that DeMarcus Ware and Terence Newman should be the two finalists. However, I think the award belongs to Ware. Pressure is key in any defense. At this point we don't know whether Bobby Carpenter, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Spencer or a post-injury Greg Ellis can consistently get to the quarterback. How well did our defense fare last year with a healthy Newman and an injured Ellis? Once Ellis was injured and we only had one consistent pass rusher, our defense was shredded. If Ware goes down this year we may not have any consistent pass rushers.
Mickey: No arguments here. You make a very compelling case for Ware, who just might be the most valuable player on the team, but to me is a tad different than Mr. Indispensable. To me, Mr. Indispensable is a guy you have very few alternatives to replace, and at least the Cowboys have some first-round draft choices to filter into Ware's spot. With Newman, there aren't any first-round picks just hanging out doing nothing in the secondary.
Matt Morrow, Keller, Texas: I agree with your pick for T-New as Mr. Indispensable. I think he is one of the top three corners in the NFL. He just doesn't get much national attention because of his low interception totals each year.
Mickey: Numbers, numbers, numbers. Maybe with a better pass rush, quarterbacks will make a few more rash decisions throwing the ball - like throwing more to Newman's side - which can lead to interceptions. But you are right, unless Newman gets some picks, he'll never earn a Pro Bowl invite even though he's playing every bit as good as those Pro Bowls - if not better. To me, he'd be a hard guy to replace on this team.
Mark Garza, Mercedes, Texas: Terence Newman? Are you serious? I've always studied this player's coverage techniques and they're terrible. The only thing he somewhat has that helps him is some speed, and even that isn't all that it's made up to be. The biggest and constant issue Newman has is every time any receiver makes a cut move, Newman literally spins around to position himself with the receiver. And you want to claim he's all that? Heck, I could outplay this chump!
Mickey: Yes, I'm serious, more serious than I know you are about outplaying a first-round pick. That's pretty laughable, isn't it? OK, I'm sure you were trying to be cute. You were, weren't you? So if his coverage is so bad, why don't quarterbacks just throw to his side every time? Why do they throw so many times to the other side? Guess those quarterbacks don't know much nor the offensive coordinators calling plays. There isn't a corner out there who stops every receiver on every play. Do you realize the opponents ran 5,165 plays last season against the Cowboys, and that they have NFL quarterbacks and receivers out there? Nobody shuts down an entire league. Now I'm sure you are gonna say Deion Sanders, and I'm gonna say go watch Michael Irvin toast him in that 1994 NFC title game again.
John Cothern, San Diego: I would have to say that I disagree with your analysis. I like Newman, but I think that if Jason Ferguson goes down, then our season goes with it. He has backups in name only. The other guys just aren't nose-tackle ready. I hope that those guys hear about this note and take it personally for motivation to prove me wrong should the chance arise.
Mickey: Well, let's hope they read Mick's Mail as they should be, right? I agree the backup to Ferguson is unproven and that the Cowboys have their fingers crossed some. But as was my argument about eliminating Jason Witten from consideration, there would not be a team out there claiming they didn't have a winning season because they lost their starting nose tackle. Please. If nose tackle was so important, why aren't those guys drafted like in the top five all the time?
Amari Harris, Charlottesville, Va.: First of all, let me applaud you for choosing T-New as Mr. Indispensable. However, I only slightly agree with your other candidates. What about Andre Gurode? Pro Bowl center with practically no backup.
Mickey: Good catch there. I probably should have at least mentioned him since there really isn't a proven backup to Gurode now that Al Johnson is gone. But I think it's far easier to find an acceptable center off the veteran scrap heap if Cory Procter is unable to handle the backup spot than it is to find a top-notch corner in the nick of time. Just consider the difficulty of playing both positions.
William Chance, Schertz, Texas: I am familiar with the Mr. Indispensable "award," so before I read your article, I stopped to make my own conclusion - which was DeMarcus Ware. After reading the article, I liked your opinion better than my own opinion. Just thought I would share that with you.
Mickey: Not sure we could have gone wrong with either choice. Ware is pretty good, and I'm guessing he's going to be even better this year. He seems a more relaxed and confident player heading into his third season. Plus, I like the idea he'll be lining up on the weak side all the time, meaning getting away from the tight end.
David Chatzky, New Britain, Conn.: When it comes to Mr. Indispensable for the Cowboys, I've got to go with Greg Ellis. The defense was excellent with him and poor without him. He can make plays and with him in the game, the opposing offensive line has a lot more decisions to make in protecting the quarterback. Pressure on the quarterback makes the secondary's job easier.
Mickey: No question about that, and we did see how valuable Ellis was to the team last year, unfortunately, after he went down. But my thought here is, hey, if you use a first-round pick on a guy who plays the same position then he'd better be able to step right in. Anthony Spencer must be the answer to that void, because let's face it, the Cowboys basically drafted him as insurance against Ellis not being ready to play or being the same guy. And like I said, if not, well then you're got another first-rounder out there, Bobby Carpenter, and a second-rounder, Kevin Burnett.
Ernesto Olivarri Jr., Alice, Texas: Why is Greg Ellis penciled in as the starter? Greg Ellis is a good player and he unfortunately got injured last year, but shouldn't he have to prove that he can play at the same level he was at prior to the injury before he is named the starter?
Mickey: Of course, and he will have to, especially to a new coach and especially after the new coach was just handed, mostly thanks to his influence, a first-round draft choice who is being groomed to play the same position. I think you answered your own question when you said "penciled in." Graphite can be erased, and that's what will happen to Ellis if he is not as effective on the strong side once Spencer knows what he's doing. And as for the main reason he's "penciled in," look no further than Wade Phillips' comment when asked where Ellis fits into his defense, saying, "He's my starting outside linebacker."
Chaze Gilley, Saginaw, Texas: There's obviously a plethora of linebackers for the Cowboys going into the year. So, will there be room for Kevin Burnett? He seems to be more vocal than ever showing his displeasure with his role to date. I think we could trade him for a third- or fourth-round pick. Thoughts?
Mickey: Absolutely not. Way too soon to turn a second-round pick into a fourth-round pick. Come on. The guy basically has been healthy for one full season, and did show some signs last year of the play-making ability the Cowboys thought they were getting when drafting him in the second round in 2005. He can be a valuable nickel linebacker because of his versatility, and don't forget he tied for second last year with 16 special teams tackles. Don't worry about what he's saying. That's just talk.
Phil Farrar, Frisco, Texas: It seems to me we are stockpiling a lot of talent at many positions - so much so that we are going to have to cut some NFL starting-level talent when it comes time to trim back to 53 players. In your opinion, who is the most talented player on the bubble that might have to be cut due to too much superior talent ahead of them in the pecking order at their position?
Mickey: A head coach would basically tell you to hush your mouth, because it never fails. Every time you think you have a surplus of talent at one position, injuries pile up. But I understand what you're saying. The most legitimate battles for spots on the 53-man roster likely will occur at wide receiver, cornerback and maybe a little at running back. The talent might dictate keeping six wide receivers this year, and someone who is cut will have a chance to make another team's roster. Could be the same at cornerback, especially if the Cowboys decide to go young there with their seventh-round picks. And at running back, well, this Jackie Battle sure looks like a player and so does fullback Deon Anderson, which does not bode well for either Oliver Hoyte or Lousaka Polite. Oh, and let's keep an eye on the kicker, too, because if sixth-round pick Nick Folk should have an outstanding training camp and the Cowboys decide to go that route, guarantee you the first team to suffer an injury grabs Martin Gramatica.
Eric Roulston, McDonough, Ga.: I've noticed an increase in draft pick signings by teams this year compared to last year. I know Dallas tends to wait up until camp starts to sign its draft picks. But why is that? Why not start signing them now?
Mickey: Well, because there is no need, and even agents don't want to jump the gun, preferring to let the dominos fall so their guy, who might sign out of order, doesn't get short-changed. The Cowboys should start signing guys next week, with the final couple - probably the top guys - getting done the Monday or Tuesday before the first practice on July 25. Plus, don't know about you, but me, I don't like paying my bills two weeks before the due date. I normally wait until a couple days before the deadline to send in my payment. And I'm not dealing with thousands of dollars, and in the case of signing Spencer, millions. I'd hold onto my millions until the last second. You, you might like giving your bill collectors a two-week loan.
Bo Nelson, Dallas: There seems to be some doubt about Miles Austin making the roster. I like the idea of Tyson Thompson and Miles Austin receiving the kickoffs. With those two back there who do you kick to or away from? I understand if he does make the team it would likely mean someone gets squeezed out possibly from another position.
Mickey: Like your thinking, and you know, when I asked Bill Parcells about who would return kicks when Thompson came back, Austin or Thompson, he said both. And when I asked, who would block, he said, whichever guy didn't have the ball if he wanted to play and make the team. That would be a dynamic duo back there, but you are right, keeping Austin just to return kicks or Thompson just to return kicks could be roster expensive. They each better display talent at their respective positions to help their cause.
Brendan Raybuck, Tucson, Ariz.: I have a two-part question about Jason Hatcher. Being that he was so raw last year, how does he look physically now? Does he look stronger, bigger or faster? Also, with Ware, Ellis, and Spencer as your outside rushers, does that slow his progress or is he moving from pass rusher to a true 3-4 base end?
Mickey: I like it. Good stuff. To me, Hatcher appears as if he's gotten bigger and stronger. That makes him a legitimate candidate to play defensive end in this 3-4 defense and possibly get some snaps at nose tackle. And then on the nickel, remember, he played some inside last year and wasn't all that bad at it, so no, his skills won't erode. I mean, you could very well have a nickel front consisting of, from left to right, Spencer, Ellis, Hatcher and Ware. And if not Hatcher, the most likely candidates would be Chris Canty or Jay Ratliff.
Erich Brown, Renton, Wash.: Do you know if the Cowboys plan to have a scrimmage this year? I know we have practiced against teams like Oakland and Houston in the past, and neither one of those teams are on our schedule this year. This would be a good opportunity to get some pre-season practice against some different looks.
Mickey: Well, there isn't a scrimmage planned, but the Cowboys do plan to practice against the Denver Broncos twice a day on Aug. 15 and 16, prior to the Aug. 18 preseason game at Texas Stadium. At this point, those practices are planned for out here at The Ranch, which would mean they wouldn't be open to the public.
Chris Graham, Bushkill, Pa.: Who's the best interview on the roster right now? Not the guy who draws the biggest crowd or the player who may have constant gripes (and subsequent sound bites, wink, wink). Who's the guy you look for when you need a story, or an angle, and it's a slow news day?
Mickey: Here's winking back at you, and I'm not sure you-know-who's interviews are all that interesting and informative anyway. Let's see. You know, Tony Romo is very good, and especially after the crowd retires from around him. Get him one-on-one, and he's really informative. Same with guys like Newman and Aaron Glenn. Same with Bradie James, Ferguson, Ware, Ellis and Marcus Spears. But you know what's a little-known secret? One of the best interviews on the team is Terry Glenn, it's just that he doesn't make himself available too much. But his insight and the way he expresses himself is a writer's dream.
Stacy Collins, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.: Since discovering a new stadium was getting built, I have been trying to find out what will happen to Texas Stadium and am unable to find an answer. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots. The reason I ask is that I grew up in Irving and Texas Stadium holds a lot of memories for me; I worked there during high school and have met the likes of Roger Staubach, Tom Landry and Hollywood Henderson. I had my high school graduation there, too. There are so many happy memories there that I wonder what its fate is going to be after the new stadium opens.
Mickey: Well Texas Stadium's fate rests in the hands of the City of Irving, and from the looks of things, those aren't real safe hands right now. It just sounds as if the city will get out of the football business, and either convert the stadium into something else or even tear it down all together to build some sort of retail and residential development on the land. If I was you, and the stadium is as special to you as you have indicated, I'd get myself to a ball game either this year or next for old-time's sake.