thevalleyranchreport
08-16-2007, 02:15 AM
Cowboys Still Looking for Ferguson's Backup Tackle
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com August 15, 2007 6:41 PM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/RAyodele_Den_330.jpg
Remi Ayodele (center) tried to continue his steady climb in Wednesday's practice against Denver.
IRVING, Texas - Every team in the NFL has strong competition for roster spots this time of year.
Some teams have uncertainties at key spots such as quarterback and running back.
For the Cowboys, they definitely have enough competition to go around, but should be thankful that none of the key battles are for starting spots. In fact, even some of the backup positions already seemed accounted for.
But that is not the case at nose tackle, where the Cowboys might just be thinnest from top to bottom of any position.
Sure, Jason Ferguson is the guy the Cowboys are counting on at nose guard. The 10-year veteran not only has the combination of experience and size (6-3, 312), but he's one of the defensive leaders expected to anchor this unit.
But behind Ferguson is where the concern lies.
And this isn't something that has suddenly crept up on the Cowboys. They knew all off-season they had inexperience at the position, but have held out hope that someone among the trio of Remi Ayodele, Montavious Stanley and Ola Dagunduro would come to the forefront.
So far, the Cowboys say progress has been made by all three. But yet, no one has distanced themselves from the pack.
If there is a leader from the group, it probably would be Ayodele, the younger brother of inside linebacker Akin Ayodele. The first-year tackle not only played with the second-team defense in Thursday's preseason win over the Colts, but made a difference, getting a strong push into Indianapolis' backfield.
Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers is hesitant to rank the three lineman just yet, but did commend Ayodele for even being in the race, considering he spent the entire spring playing in NFL Europa and went all the way to the World Bowl as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy.
"I still think it's pretty even right now," Rodgers said of the three tackles. "All three of those guys are working hard. I would say Remi has been a real surprise for us, considering he didn't go through mini-camps and OTAs with us. But all of those guys are working hard together and coach still wants to see all of them. And that's what we're going to do."
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has stated several times this off-season that he doesn't fit players into his scheme, but rather adapts the scheme to fit his players. And with that philosophy, he said it has taken some time to just figure out what these three young tackles do best.
"They've all done certain things well," Phillips said. "I think it's a learning process for all three of them. The way we play it is different for each one of them, depending on what they can do. We're trying to get used to what they can do, and then utilize that."
If Phillips doesn't sound too worried that none of the three will emerge quickly, it's because he isn't.
The head coach admits he has a fallback plan, and for now, it doesn't appear to include signing or trading for a veteran on another team such as Gerard Warren or Corey Simon or even Tank Johnson. But if the Cowboys get to end of preseason still unsure about their current backups, Phillips said he has no doubt that third-year defensive end Jay Ratliff could presumably slide inside to tackle.
"Well, I think Ratliff can play it," Phillips said. "I don't have any doubt he can play it. He has to play it a little different than Jason. We'd have to stunt him more, but he's good at that. But I think he can play it. And we will look at him at nose guard at some time. But we're hoping one of these young guys will develop. I'd like to develop a more nose-guard type."
And that's why these three guys still have a shot.
The most notable would be Stanley, a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 who was released at the end of the preseason. He went to Jacksonville and played in three games before returning to the Cowboys' practice squad. Stanley eventually made it back to the active roster, though he was inactive for the last six games.
But during the off-season, the Cowboys appeared to be higher on Dagunduro, a rookie free agent from Nebraska who displayed some power and quick feet in practice.
Unlike several undrafted rookies, Dagunduro said he arrived to Valley Ranch knowing he had a legitimate shot to make the roster.
"When I came here, they told me they needed some guys to back up Ferguson," Dagunduro said. "So that's what I'm here fighting for. And I think it's going pretty good right now. They're giving us all pretty much the same amount of reps. We've just got to keep competing."
And on Thursday, the Cowboys will continue competing against another team. The Broncos arrived Wednesday at Valley Ranch for two joint practices, and two more are scheduled for Thursday leading up to Saturday's preseason game at Texas Stadium.
The Cowboys' defensive tackles should get quite a challenge from Denver's offensive line, which has produced one of the league's finest running games over the last 10 years.
"We've all been looking forward to it," Dagunduro said. We know Denver has always had a good O-Line, but I think we're up for the challenge."
But it should be a different change of pace from what the tackles have been used to in practice. While Denver's front is usually made up of smaller, but quicker lineman, the Cowboys' interior line is quite the contrary.
With Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode standing 6-4, 316, and playing alongside 6-6, 354-pound Leonard Davis, these tackles are getting strong competition on a daily basis.
"He's definitely getting opportunities in practice," Akin Ayodele said of Remi. "I've told him, you're never going to get a tandem - a center and guard - with Andre and Leonard - that is that good, that big and that strong. And the more he goes up against them, he's going to get better."
It's no secret Akin Ayodele is pulling for his little brother during this competition. But at the same time, the starting inside linebacker will always want the best nose tackle on the field. And it has nothing to do with family.
"If we're not doing right, he'll get the bad end of it," Remi said of Akin. "When the defensive tackle misses his play, usually the linebacker has to take it on. And they don't like that at all. So if I mess up out there, I'm usually hearing about it from him."
But Akin Ayodele said whenever he talks to his younger brother, which is usually for a lengthy period of time every night, he has tried to explain to Remi not just the Xs and Os, but the overall importance of the nose tackle position.
"As good a job that (Ferguson) does, when he comes in, he is supposed to hold up to the same expectations," Ayodele said of Remi. "I let him know how important his job is. It's a vital position. Our defense really relies on how well our nose tackles play. His margin of error is so small. He knows that."
While you could never tell Ayodele, Stanley or Dagunduro their position is insignificant, the Cowboys aren't exactly hoping any of them are forced to play. That would likely mean something has happened to Ferguson, who without sounding too superior, admits he's hoping to keep those three guys off the field, too.
"For me, I don't really like coming out of the game either," Ferguson said, followed by his unmistakable joyful laugh. "I mean, they're all taking me after first and second down. But it's just a competitive nature. We all want to be in there, but (rotation) is good for the team.
"And I really try to help them whenever I can. Some of the hard blocks we take inside, sometimes I can see it before it happens. That's the biggest thing for a nose guard.
Remi has taken big strides to solidify that No. 2 spot right now. I still think Ola is making a push for him and Stanley is making a push, too. Right now it's competitive. It's going to be interesting to see how it comes out because it's a good competition."
And for now, the Cowboys don't mind the competition. Even if it's for just a backup spot.
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com August 15, 2007 6:41 PM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/images/RAyodele_Den_330.jpg
Remi Ayodele (center) tried to continue his steady climb in Wednesday's practice against Denver.
IRVING, Texas - Every team in the NFL has strong competition for roster spots this time of year.
Some teams have uncertainties at key spots such as quarterback and running back.
For the Cowboys, they definitely have enough competition to go around, but should be thankful that none of the key battles are for starting spots. In fact, even some of the backup positions already seemed accounted for.
But that is not the case at nose tackle, where the Cowboys might just be thinnest from top to bottom of any position.
Sure, Jason Ferguson is the guy the Cowboys are counting on at nose guard. The 10-year veteran not only has the combination of experience and size (6-3, 312), but he's one of the defensive leaders expected to anchor this unit.
But behind Ferguson is where the concern lies.
And this isn't something that has suddenly crept up on the Cowboys. They knew all off-season they had inexperience at the position, but have held out hope that someone among the trio of Remi Ayodele, Montavious Stanley and Ola Dagunduro would come to the forefront.
So far, the Cowboys say progress has been made by all three. But yet, no one has distanced themselves from the pack.
If there is a leader from the group, it probably would be Ayodele, the younger brother of inside linebacker Akin Ayodele. The first-year tackle not only played with the second-team defense in Thursday's preseason win over the Colts, but made a difference, getting a strong push into Indianapolis' backfield.
Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers is hesitant to rank the three lineman just yet, but did commend Ayodele for even being in the race, considering he spent the entire spring playing in NFL Europa and went all the way to the World Bowl as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy.
"I still think it's pretty even right now," Rodgers said of the three tackles. "All three of those guys are working hard. I would say Remi has been a real surprise for us, considering he didn't go through mini-camps and OTAs with us. But all of those guys are working hard together and coach still wants to see all of them. And that's what we're going to do."
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has stated several times this off-season that he doesn't fit players into his scheme, but rather adapts the scheme to fit his players. And with that philosophy, he said it has taken some time to just figure out what these three young tackles do best.
"They've all done certain things well," Phillips said. "I think it's a learning process for all three of them. The way we play it is different for each one of them, depending on what they can do. We're trying to get used to what they can do, and then utilize that."
If Phillips doesn't sound too worried that none of the three will emerge quickly, it's because he isn't.
The head coach admits he has a fallback plan, and for now, it doesn't appear to include signing or trading for a veteran on another team such as Gerard Warren or Corey Simon or even Tank Johnson. But if the Cowboys get to end of preseason still unsure about their current backups, Phillips said he has no doubt that third-year defensive end Jay Ratliff could presumably slide inside to tackle.
"Well, I think Ratliff can play it," Phillips said. "I don't have any doubt he can play it. He has to play it a little different than Jason. We'd have to stunt him more, but he's good at that. But I think he can play it. And we will look at him at nose guard at some time. But we're hoping one of these young guys will develop. I'd like to develop a more nose-guard type."
And that's why these three guys still have a shot.
The most notable would be Stanley, a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 who was released at the end of the preseason. He went to Jacksonville and played in three games before returning to the Cowboys' practice squad. Stanley eventually made it back to the active roster, though he was inactive for the last six games.
But during the off-season, the Cowboys appeared to be higher on Dagunduro, a rookie free agent from Nebraska who displayed some power and quick feet in practice.
Unlike several undrafted rookies, Dagunduro said he arrived to Valley Ranch knowing he had a legitimate shot to make the roster.
"When I came here, they told me they needed some guys to back up Ferguson," Dagunduro said. "So that's what I'm here fighting for. And I think it's going pretty good right now. They're giving us all pretty much the same amount of reps. We've just got to keep competing."
And on Thursday, the Cowboys will continue competing against another team. The Broncos arrived Wednesday at Valley Ranch for two joint practices, and two more are scheduled for Thursday leading up to Saturday's preseason game at Texas Stadium.
The Cowboys' defensive tackles should get quite a challenge from Denver's offensive line, which has produced one of the league's finest running games over the last 10 years.
"We've all been looking forward to it," Dagunduro said. We know Denver has always had a good O-Line, but I think we're up for the challenge."
But it should be a different change of pace from what the tackles have been used to in practice. While Denver's front is usually made up of smaller, but quicker lineman, the Cowboys' interior line is quite the contrary.
With Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode standing 6-4, 316, and playing alongside 6-6, 354-pound Leonard Davis, these tackles are getting strong competition on a daily basis.
"He's definitely getting opportunities in practice," Akin Ayodele said of Remi. "I've told him, you're never going to get a tandem - a center and guard - with Andre and Leonard - that is that good, that big and that strong. And the more he goes up against them, he's going to get better."
It's no secret Akin Ayodele is pulling for his little brother during this competition. But at the same time, the starting inside linebacker will always want the best nose tackle on the field. And it has nothing to do with family.
"If we're not doing right, he'll get the bad end of it," Remi said of Akin. "When the defensive tackle misses his play, usually the linebacker has to take it on. And they don't like that at all. So if I mess up out there, I'm usually hearing about it from him."
But Akin Ayodele said whenever he talks to his younger brother, which is usually for a lengthy period of time every night, he has tried to explain to Remi not just the Xs and Os, but the overall importance of the nose tackle position.
"As good a job that (Ferguson) does, when he comes in, he is supposed to hold up to the same expectations," Ayodele said of Remi. "I let him know how important his job is. It's a vital position. Our defense really relies on how well our nose tackles play. His margin of error is so small. He knows that."
While you could never tell Ayodele, Stanley or Dagunduro their position is insignificant, the Cowboys aren't exactly hoping any of them are forced to play. That would likely mean something has happened to Ferguson, who without sounding too superior, admits he's hoping to keep those three guys off the field, too.
"For me, I don't really like coming out of the game either," Ferguson said, followed by his unmistakable joyful laugh. "I mean, they're all taking me after first and second down. But it's just a competitive nature. We all want to be in there, but (rotation) is good for the team.
"And I really try to help them whenever I can. Some of the hard blocks we take inside, sometimes I can see it before it happens. That's the biggest thing for a nose guard.
Remi has taken big strides to solidify that No. 2 spot right now. I still think Ola is making a push for him and Stanley is making a push, too. Right now it's competitive. It's going to be interesting to see how it comes out because it's a good competition."
And for now, the Cowboys don't mind the competition. Even if it's for just a backup spot.