<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>2007 season recap Peaking too early: The Cowboys went into last season with high hopes in coach Wade Phillips' first season, but they were not expected to post the best regular season in franchise history, necessarily. They got off to a scorching start and wound up doing just that, finishing 13-3. They struggled down the stretch, however, and were upset at home by the Giants, 21-17, in the divisional round. Training camp Location: Oxnard, Calif. Dates: July 25-Aug. 12 Official Site: www.dallascowboys.com For more: Training camp dates 2008 preseason schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 9 at San Diego 9 p.m. ET Aug. 16 at Denver 8 p.m. ET Aug. 22 Houston 7 p.m. ET Aug. 28 Minnesota 7 p.m. ET Key comings and goings Veteran additions Adam Jones, CB Cory Lekkerkerker, T Zach Thomas, LB Veteran departures Akin Ayodele, LB Keith Davis, CB Anthony Fasano, TE Jason Ferguson, DT Julius Jones, RB Jacque Reeves, CB » Free agency tracker | Transactions 2008 NFL Draft class Rd No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School 1 22 Felix Jones RB 6-0 200 Arkansas 1 25 Mike Jenkins CB 6-0 200 South Florida 2 61 Martellus Bennett TE 6-6 259 Texas A&M 4 122 Tashard Choice RB 5-11 215 Georgia Tech 5 143 Orlando Scandrick CB 5-10 192 Boise State 6 167 Erik Walden DE 6-2 238 Middle Tennessee State Key camp questions Will Adam Jones stay focused and earn reinstatement? He has dropped the "Pacman" from his name and used this offseason to rehabilitate his image. He convinced the Cowboys to trade a fourth-round pick for him and he persuaded Commissioner Roger Goodell to allow him to practice with his new teammates in Dallas, while he serves a suspension for violating the conduct policy. The real test, though, will come when he goes to training camp. If he can be on his best behavior and prove to Goodell and his teammates that he is indeed a changed man, he may have his suspension lifted and provide the Cowboys with yet another playmaker on defense and special teams. What is the status of Terry Glenn? A contractual conflict between Glenn and the Cowboys has put the team in a bind. Said executive vice-president Stephen Jones to NFL.com columnist Thomas George about Glenn, "We had a situation last year that no team in this league would find acceptable to just move forward on like it didn't happen." Jones is referring to the team paying Glenn $5 million despite the fact that a knee injury limited him to just four plays. Jones wants Glenn to sign a $500,000 waiver as insurance in case Glenn's surgically repaired knee breaks down again, but Glenn has refused to sign the waiver. Until this matter is resolved, Glenn's status will be a major camp question mark. He is the only proven receiver behind starters Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. If there is no resolution, the Cowboys need one of their young wideouts to shine in camp and seize the job. Can the team stay focused amid all the distractions? There are typically more eyeballs on "America's Team" than probably any other squad in the NFL, but this year the attention figures to reach new heights. The club is considered a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and the acquisitions of Adam Jones and veteran LB Zach Thomas have put an even brighter spotlight on the Cowboys. Add to that mix the presence of HBO's Hard Knocks which will document Dallas' camp for the second time and there will be no shortage of distractions. Whether the players can zero in on preparing for the season despite the incessant media coverage remains to be seen. Key position battle Anthony Henry vs. Adam Jones vs. Mike Jenkins: Henry had one of his best seasons as a pro last season, grabbing a career-high six interceptions, scoring a touchdown and finishing with 13 passes defensed in only 10 starts. Despite those numbers, the Cowboys still felt the need to bring in Jones and the rookie first-round pick Jenkins. With one of the game's best corners on the other side in Terence Newman, Henry knows the newcomers will battling him for a starting spot. He told the Star-Telegram that he would be open to a move to safety if the team decided it wanted to start Jones or Jenkins. This team is well established at almost every position and the starting corner spot opposite Newman may be the only one up for grabs in training camp. With teams likely to avoid throwing at Newman, whichever player wins the job will likely be put to the test early and often next season. Rookie spotlight RB Felix Jones: Former starter Julius Jones is in Seattle and Marion Barber takes over the lead role in the Cowboys backfield. Barber is not experienced as a feature back, however, and Jones will be counted on to be a productive change-of-pace back in relief of Barber. Player on the spot S Roy Williams: Williams was once one of the most popular players on the team. His hard-hitting, big-play style was a hit with fans and media alike and he became a mainstay in the Pro Bowl. After struggling some last season in new coach Wade Phillips' scheme, though, he is suddenly on the spot. An offseason in which he questioned his role and skipped some OTAs only made the situation more tense. Williams is under pressure to show he can adapt to Phillips' schemes in training camp and improve his coverage skills. Fantasy focus QB Tony Romo: Had it not been for Tom Brady’s record-setting season, Romo would have been fantasy football’s most valuable player in 2007. The Cowboys retained Jason Garrett and held the offense mostly intact, so Romo should find continued success. He’ll be a first- or second-round pick in most drafts.</div> http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=0...mp;confirm=true
Well, I couldn't let this fall of the first page.... I mean, the idea of the Cowboys not being the most recent activity is just appalling, quite frankly... I don't the CB position is going to be the great battle everyone expects. I think Henry has a pretty firm upper hand in this battle, I think the Cowboys will bring Adam Jones along slowly. Next year, it could get interesting, of course. I think what's going to be the most interesting battle is the DL and #3 WR.
I think it all depends on what kind of shape Jones is in. He should be a little rusty but going up against Terrell Owens should get him back in game shape quick. With having another excellent corner on the other side of the field, Jones should be able to match up with the 2nd option receiver and not be asked to do too much right away. at least that's how I hope it goes. Who knows maybe he'll come in and not have lost 'it' at all and be a very good CB. Hopefully he's determined to show he's still a very good one and comes in to camp totally ready.
Thing is, Henry is already a very good CB. Jones was a good CB in 06, but then sat out all of 07.... and he is with a new team (Dallas), new system (3-4), with new coverage looks. Meanwhile, Henry's been here for years, knows the scheme, and last year, was playing great until he got hurt.
sooo regardless there's going to be some very good talent on the bench. good to have if there are any injuries and really good in nickel,dime and prevent packages. Are any of the CB's very big? Could use one to cover some of the better TE's out there as it's near impossible for LB's to cover the very quick TE's
Henry is being used in subpackages to guard TEs (or he was, in minicamp). He has great size for a CB.
