Dallas Cowboys: 3 players who thrive with contact and live action

It’s been a slow start for some Dallas Cowboys, but with the contact picking up and live action on the horizon, these three players are expected to shine

Cowboys Camp is a roller-coaster, of sorts. One day a player shines, the next day he fades into the background. On day he’s a lock to make the Dallas Cowboys final roster. The next his spot is in jeopardy. Fans and media love to make mountains out of mole hills and training camp offers that kind of topography on a minute by minute basis.

What many of us overlook in our constant analysis and ever-present speculation is that practice is not real. It’s not just a time for experimentation and learning, but it’s also at limited speed and effort. For some players who play a more physical brand of football, it’s a completely different game.

Three players in particular are at a decided disadvantage when the action isn’t live. We’ll discuss those players today

Randall Cobb, WR

Replacing Cole Beasley in the slot this year is long-time Green Bay Packers receiver, Randall Cobb.  The former Pro Bowler came to camp with quite the reputation, but to many Dallas Cowboys fans, he’s failed to live up to it.

Those expecting Cobb to come in and be Beasley 2.0, have been disappointed. That’s because Beasley, being the water bug he is, is one of the shiftiest most illusive slot men in the NFL. He get’s separation at will and in low contact 7-man passing drills, he thrives.

Cobb is a completely different animal. He’s built like a running back and uses his body and athletic ability to make catches in traffic. He’s simply not going toachive the seperation Beasley did. Cobb’s athletic build, together with his low center of gravity, are what allows him to gather yards after the catch.

It’s also what allows him to be a more consistent weapon downfield. In coming practices and games, Cobb will be able to show what he offers when the action goes live and the contact becomes real.

Donovan Wilson, S

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Wilson was drafted to be the enforcer. In much the same role the Dallas Cowboys hoped for Kavon Frazier, so are the expectations for Wilson. Wilson’s game isn’t about finesse, but rather power.

Early in camp, Wilson has yet to shine and much of that is because the game the Dallas Cowboys are playing in camp isn’t the same game Wilson’s expected to play on the field. In full contact situations, Wilson should shine – and hopefully claim a roster spot in the process.

Mike Weber, RB

Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are getting all the headlines (for opposite reasons), but none of us should be sleeping on Mike Weber. Weber, the rookie running back from Ohio State, is built for live action. It’s not that he’s big and physical, per say, but rather his skills revolve around his contact balance and patience – two things that don’t show up in limited contact practices.

When the hits are real, Cowboys Nation finally get a real look at Weber. Does he have the vision of Zeke? The patience of Alfred Morris? Can he pass protect as good as his college film says he can? Is he as slippery as advertised?

None of those questions can be answered until the contact is live and the game becomes real.

As we move into the preseason games and witness the game take on a more physical nature, these players are likely to finally start shinning and show the Dallas Cowboys that they are ready for some real football.

• Published on 08/09/2019 at 11:00 AM
• Last updated at 08/09/2019 at 06:32 AM