Dallas Cowboys: What to Take Away From Minicamp

With minicamp in the books and five weeks until the Dallas Cowboys head to training camp, what can we take away from minicamp.

The Dallas Cowboys have completed another minicamp and are now waiting until the opening of training camp. After reading what both Todd Archer and Bryan Broaddus saw, there is some things that can be taken away, and some things that need to be looked at realistically.

Archer and Broaddus agreed on some things, but it’s minicamp, so take it all with a grain of salt. There are some definite takeaways from Dallas Cowboys’ minicamp, but it doesn’t paint a full picture.

First, let’s look at where they both agreed. Archer and Broaddus agreed more than they disagreed, however there were some slight differences. I’m not sure if they spoke before writing their articles, but it sure looks like they did. If not, then there are some glaring things that were very noticeable.

Rico Gathers

Both seemed to agree that Rico Gathers has a long way to make the roster. It seems everyone has been so high on him, however, in mini-camp Gathers did not show up like many thought. His routes apparently are still raw and he made several mental errors. It is likely they could stash him for another year on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the roster, but he has a lot to prove right now to make the 53 man roster.

This could mean a lot or a little once training camp starts. Gathers biggest issue looks to be his mental mistakes. He could take the next five weeks and focus on that part of the game. If he can’t overcome them, Broaddus suggested that he could gain some size and become a lineman. Interesting idea, but it will be something to watch when training camp opens.

Anthony Hitchens

Both Archer and Broaddus loved what they saw from Anthony Hitchens. In fact Archer loved it so much he makes a hinted statement that he could keep the starting spot over Jaylon Smith. While there is still a long way until the start of the season, the fact both Archer and Broaddus loved what they saw from Hitchens could allow for a little more recovery for Smith. This isn’t a bad thing and could help down the stretch later in the season.

It will be interesting to see what Hitchens and Smith look like in preseason. I don’t think the answer will come from training camp itself but rather how they play in real contact and game situations. This is a good situation if the Dallas Cowboys have four starting quality linebackers.

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Rookies

Both Broaddus and Archer agreed that some of the rookies looked quite strong but others didn’t show up like they wanted. Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie both showed up in minicamp as viable cornerbacks. Unfortunatly both also agreed Taco Charlton and Xavier Woods didn’t show up like they wanted.

Without contact it is hard to say if Charlton is what the Cowboys thought when they drafted him. Also, he does line up against the best left tackle in the NFL with Tyron Smith. Neither bodes well for Charlton looking strong in minicamp.

As for Woods, he just didn’t make a lot of plays on the ball like some wanted to see. He is a rookie, give him another five weeks to learn the playbook.

The fact Lewis and Awuzie showed up is good for the Cowboys. One of the biggest issues (next to the pass rush) has been a secondary that hasn’t made plays on the ball. If both can maintain their skills and Woods can step up, this could be a really great sign of things to come.

Damontre Moore

Moore impressed at minicamp. For a team like the Dallas Cowboys who have been lacking a consistent pass rush, Moore being better than advertised could be a great thing. Charles Tapper was mentioned, but it was Moore who looked strong. With a stronger pass rush and hopefully a good secondary, the defense could be better than it was last season.

The same thing that was said about Charlton’s poor performance can be said for Moore’s, it’s minicamp. There are no pads and this isn’t Moore’s first go around. While Moore might be better than his stats have been, no one will know much until the pads come on, and they start getting hit.

Conclusion

It is difficult to say from minicamp how players will perform in training camp, preseason, or regular season. It is a little easier to evaluate offensive players in some ways at minicamp over defense. Ryan Switzer looks strong and should perform fairly well in preseason. Dez Bryant is going to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Of course we all know Ezekiel Elliott will be a monster.

Defense, on the other hand, is hard to evaluate in minicamp. There are no pads and hitting isn’t really allowed. It is why usually cornerbacks and safeties look better in minicamp than linebackers or defensive linemen. This is why it was concerning that Austin Appleby couldn’t make it to training camp, he should have looked decent against a handcuffed defense.

Next: Cowboys Best Option at 3-Technique DT: Crawford or Collins?

Once training camp starts and the pads come on, we should get a better picture of this team. Whether Broaddus and Archer are correct in their assessments or if minicamp gave only part of a picture. Now we all wait for five weeks until camp starts and the real picture of the 2017 Dallas Cowboys comes into view.

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