Camp in only a week old, but things are falling into place rather quickly and the weaknesses are obvious. THE GOOD: ? Be-Ware Rookie linebacker/defensive end Demarcus Ware is making the transition from college end to stand-up linebacker easier than expected. He is agile, fluid and fast. The Cowboys think he will be a difference-making pass rusher. He will get more help this week when the legendary Lawrence Taylor -- whom Ware is often compared to in playing style -- is expected to come to camp to offer him tips (I assume in football, not cutting powder). The linebackers run through a circle drill in which they are supposed to stay low and explode off the corner. Ware is just so smooth compared to the others who run through the drill. He keeps his feet going all the time and is at full speed in a matter of seconds. ? Glenn looking sharp Receiver Terry Glenn was in the midst of a great season -- probably his best since he was a rookie in New England -- when he went down with a foot injury last year. Any questions about whether he could regain his form because of his age have subsided. He has simply been spectacular. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe said Glenn is better than he remembers. Bledsoe should know. He was the Patriots' quarterback when Glenn caught 90 passes as a rookie. "Terry looks physically to me better than he was in New England," Bledsoe said. "If anything, he may be more explosive than before." Provided he can stay healthy, Terry Glenn will make a huge impact. His injury really hurt the Cowboys last year. Glenn and Drew Bledsoe have picked up where they left off in New England and that was a 79-catch, 963-yard, 6-touchdown season in 2000. (We don't count 2001 because neither really played for differing reasons). After one practice Bledsoe said, "I had a couple of, 'Oh yeah, I remember that guy,' moments." ? Julius Jones should have a monster season. Running back Julius Jones has set a goal of 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005. Don't know if he'll reach those numbers, but he could have a monster season if healthy. He is bigger than last season. He looks quicker and thicker. He is learning to trust his offensive line more and more and they are opening up some holes for him to get through. He has better understanding of the game. And he is still shifty and explosive. Just ask cornerback Jacques Reeves, who was left grasping at air in Saturday's scrimmage. ? No problems on the corner After rotating four starters at right cornerback last season, the Cowboys shouldn't have to worry about the position for years to come. That is now the home of Anthony Henry. With the Browns the past four seasons, he didn't get the attention of some other high-profile corners in the league. But he appears to be the real thing. With Terence Newman regaining his confidence at left cornerback, the Cowboys are set. The scary part is that third cornerback Aaron Glenn might be the team's best in coverage. We don't know who will be fourth. Bruce Thornton, a fourth-round pick last year who suffered a knee injury, needs to pick it up some. He's been beaten too often early on. Jacques Reeves has had his moments, as has Lenny Williams. ? Roy back to being a monster Strong safety Roy Williams is having fun again after a so-so 2004 season when he wasn't allowed to be himself. The concerns at cornerback forced the Cowboys to play Williams as a deep safety away from the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys made off-season upgrades at cornerback and changed the scheme so he can play close to the line of scrimmage and do what he does best. Williams has been laying licks all over the practice field. "I love these new schemes," he said. "Man, I'm in the mix. I can't complain at all. I'm down there where I want to be, and we're gonna make some things happen." ? Rogers bouncing back Jacob Rogers had taken a huge lead in the battle at right tackle with Torrin Tucker and Kurt Vollers. The Cowboys couldn't be more pleased, considering Rogers was a huge disappointment as a rookie second-round selection last season. Rogers had a strong off-season and has made significant progress in camp, working mostly with the first-team offense. Tucker, who started last season before being benched, was fine early but had a meltdown in the scrimmage Saturday. He allowed undrafted free-agent rookie Thomas Johnson to beat him for three sacks. Vollers has been out of the mix, working mainly as a backup at left tackle. He may be backup on the right side after the scrimmage. ? Hometown boy making good After watching rookie running back Tyson Thompson flash potential in Saturday's scrimmage the way he has in practice, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells told fourth-round pick Marion Barber, "That's your enemy over there." Aside from Julius Jones, Thompson has been the most impressive running back in camp. He has uncommon speed and big-play potential that has the Cowboys salivating. An undrafted free agent who was thought to be a practice squad prospect, Thompson now has a legitimate shot to make the roster and become the first Irving-born player to play for the Cowboys. ? Ferguson and the 3-4 Signing free-agent nose tackle Jason Ferguson was key to the Cowboys' switch to the 3-4. He is the run-stuffing wide body needed to shore up the middle of the defense. Parcells said Ferguson is better than he was when both were with the Jets. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said Ferguson is better than he anticipated. Considering the Cowboys' schedule, he will have to be. Among the running backs the Cowboys could face in 2005 are LaDainian Tomlinson, Clinton Portis, Priest Holmes, Tiki Barber, Brian Westbrook, Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and DeShaun Foster. ? Canty could be a steal At 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, Chris Canty might be a cross between Leon Lett and Ed "Too Tall" Jones. He is quick. He is angular.The Cowboys appear to have gotten a steal in the fourth round. Look for Canty to push Greg Ellis for playing time at right end, though he can also play tackle. He got a sack in Saturday's scrimmage when he leapfrogged guard Ben Noll. The injury concerns are not a factor now. ? OL Depth Guard Stephen Peterman has had a much better camp this year than as a rookie when he seemed to be on the ground every play. He is stronger and the nasty type of lineman Bill Parcells likes. His presence and Andre Gurode's work at center might make it difficult for Tyson Walter to claim one of the backup spots. ? Wheres Glover? La'Roi Glover might not be the prototypical 3-4 nose tackle but he is amazingly quick for someone 288 pounds. He gets a quick jump off the ball on every play, which catches the center or guard by surprise and he uses his hands tremendously well. ? Improved If you're looking for the most improved player award, look no further than Kenyon Coleman. He didn't quite fit the 4-3 scheme but he is a better fit for the 3-4. He is big and physical and is making plays he didn't make in camp a year ago. He might keep rookie Marcus Spears off the field longer than many thought. ? More WR The fourth and fifth receiver spots are up for grabs so keep an eye on Ahmad Merritt. He played for receivers coach Todd Haley in Chicago and he's made a ton of plays. He's small, but he or Jamaica Rector could sneak in for that final spot. Both would be helped if the Cowboys kept six receivers instead of five. THE BAD ? Kicking woes The kickers, Billy Cundiff and Brett Visintainer, have been inconsistent. Visintainer had a chance to push Cundiff after an impressive minicamp but the power doesn't seem to be in his leg. Cundiff's leg strength has been impressive, but he has missed a few field goals. He should keep his job though. Over the weekend, Jose Cortez was signed to compete, but he won't stick around. ? Free Safety? It took Bill Parcells only two days to figure out he might need a free safety? There's a sense that this position might hold the defense hostage like right corner did a year ago. Keith Davis should win the job, but Parcells admits he's more of a strong safety. With the number of vets available earlier in the off-season the Cowboys missed on a chance to protect themselves. ? Henson and Romo Struggle Not only is there a possibility that there is no starting FS on the roster today, there also may not be a starting QB. They claim its too early to draw any conclusions, but Henson has not looked good yet. Romo is consistent, but not quite strong enough to lead the team to the next level yet. Parcells has indicated that he has other options and knows who they are. It goes without saying that Henson's woes are the bigger deal. The Cowboys gave him $3.5 million in guaranteed money and traded a third-round pick to the Texans last year because they wanted to groom Henson to be the quarterback of the future. They spent a lot of time in the off-season working to change his release to make him a more accurate passer. Not only has Henson been off-target, but he has thrown passes reminiscent of the erratic Quincy Carter. It is still early, but Parcells said signing a veteran to be Drew Bledsoe's primary backup remains a possibility. "I'm just focused on improving and getting better," Henson said. "I'm not worried about what the other guys are doing. The first couple days [of practice] were tough, but I think things are coming along better. It's not always what you see out here. I've just got to stay positive and keep my confidence up."
