2017 Roster

[DALLAScornhusker]

NFW! Are you kidding me???

David Irving facing four-game suspension for PEDs

 

[Earl Stevens]

Curse of Jerry

 

[Bmurph]

this team has too many guys that do real dumb shit

 

[Godstree]

Irving just got popped for PED.

I woke up to this from a text from my old man.

WTF!!!

 

[Godstree]

Cowboys TE Jason Witten: Rico Gathers has made 'unbelievable strides' | SportsDay
Rico Gathers info..l

I think he makes the roster this year. Very excited about this guy's potential.

If I had more hands I would give this more than two thumbs up.

 

[es4m11]

If I had more hands I would give this more than two thumbs up.

Everything I read on Gathers is extremely positive, he gets high praise from just about everyone. Mike Pope, who has coached quite a few pro-bowlers at TE, said Gathers is going to be a Pro-Bowler.

Stories came out of practice last year about how Romo would torch the defense on scout team with Gathers.

6'8", 280lbs !!

 

[jarntt]

"The issue stems from a supplement Irving had a marketing deal with"
Interesting

 

[DALLAScornhusker]

"The issue stems from a supplement Irving had a marketing deal with"
Interesting

If he gets cleared of this, next Randy Gregory will claim he's been marketing MJ.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

I been looking at Michigan games. Charlton can man LE . Charlton was extremely disruptive and had a high motor against Ohio State. If marinelli can light a fire and keep it lit the he is going to be real good. While watching those games it was hard to miss what Lewis was doing. Lewis is going to be a great player

 

[jarntt]

An in-depth report on why Cowboys are now so optimistic about Jaylon Smith's recovery

Injured Dallas Cowboys rookie outside linebacker Jaylon Smith works out during a morning walk thru at training camp in Oxnard, California, Monday, August 13, 2016. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

By David Moore, Staff Writer Contact David Mooreon TwitterDavidMooreDMN

Jerry Jones loves to say that Jaylon Smith's arrow is pointing up.

A more significant piece of information is that the linebacker can now flex his left toes up.

Optimism about Smith's return from a devastating knee injury continues to build at The Star. The next step in his long road back took place Tuesday when the linebacker went through his first practice since being drafted by the Cowboys 13 months ago.


Is it realistic to expect that Smith's nerve will regenerate 100 percent? How effective can he be if it doesn't? Does he open himself up to other injuries if he must play with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)?
Based on conversations with multiple Cowboys officials in recent weeks, here's a more concrete look at the reasons behind the club's growing confidence and what lies ahead for Smith.

Smith did more than rip his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. He damaged his peroneal nerve to the point it no longer functioned, leaving him unable to lift his left foot toward his shin.

It's true that the longer it takes the nerve to regenerate, the less likely it will come back completely. Since Smith is 17 months removed from the injury and the nerve has only partially regenerated, those who express skepticism that it ever will are justified.

The Cowboys know this and are prepared for that probable reality. But their optimism stems from what has taken place over the last two months.

Little to no regeneration was evident over the first nine months. That was followed by only incremental improvement.

But what has taken place over the last two months has been dramatic. One club official describes it as exponential. The pace of regeneration shows no signs of slowing.

Now, could that regeneration stop at any moment, leaving Smith to manage at that percentage for the remainder of his career? Yes. But there has been such significant improvement in recent weeks the Cowboys are encouraged it will continue.

Sensory perception has returned for Smith, a feeling not unlike water running downstream from his knee to his toes. Full range of motion hasn't returned, but he's now able to lift his toes toward his shin. Those who observe Smith walk without a brace will tell you he doesn't drag his foot the way he did even a few weeks ago.

That sensation is the precursor to improving his motor function. "Maximum potential'' is the phrase Smith repeats when asked if a full recovery is still possible.

The linebacker must continue to wear an AFO in practice. While his foot can now flex up partially, it can't slap down. The brace starts just above the left knee with a plate positioned under the foot. An assist spring makes the brace more flexible and dynamic.

For the sake of argument let's say the nerve only regenerates to 80 percent. The tension of the brace can be adapted to compensate for that percentage. If Smith experiences regeneration at say 60 percent, the brace would need to be stiffer to offer more support.

Again, those percentages are only thrown out as an illustration. No one knows yet to what level Smith's nerve will continue to regenerate.

Jones, always the optimist, has said he's not sure if Smith will need a brace to start the season. At this stage, it's best to assume that he will.

"It just depends on the growth of the nerve,'' said Smith, who has vowed that he will play in the opener in September. "Right now it's on the up and I'm playing with it now and looking tremendous, so I'm happy to be back out.

"I really am.''

A few doctors who once worked for NFL teams have speculated about the loss of speed and power Smith will endure. Dr. Thomas Gill, who worked for the New England Patriots through the 2013 season, has indicated if Smith returns with a brace he could be more susceptible to high ankle sprains.

Cowboys officials don't believe that's the case.

Smith understands the doubts of those who haven't seen him. He told reporters earlier this month that, "it's really just a matter of you guys getting out there and seeing.''

That won't happen Wednesday. Smith doesn't practice on consecutive days at this stage of his return. Since organized team activities began Tuesday, he will use Wednesday to concentrate on his rehabilitation before returning to the practice field Thursday.

Wednesday is the only day open to the media during OTAs. If the current schedule holds, the first time he'll practice in front of the media will be June 7 -- the final practice of OTAs -- and minicamp June 13-15.

The arrow is pointing up for Smith. How far up remains to be seen.

But there's reason for optimism

 

[tomodach10]

An in-depth report on why Cowboys are now so optimistic about Jaylon Smith's recovery

Injured Dallas Cowboys rookie outside linebacker Jaylon Smith works out during a morning walk thru at training camp in Oxnard, California, Monday, August 13, 2016. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

By David Moore, Staff Writer Contact David Mooreon TwitterDavidMooreDMN

Jerry Jones loves to say that Jaylon Smith's arrow is pointing up.

A more significant piece of information is that the linebacker can now flex his left toes up.

Optimism about Smith's return from a devastating knee injury continues to build at The Star. The next step in his long road back took place Tuesday when the linebacker went through his first practice since being drafted by the Cowboys 13 months ago.


Is it realistic to expect that Smith's nerve will regenerate 100 percent? How effective can he be if it doesn't? Does he open himself up to other injuries if he must play with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)?
Based on conversations with multiple Cowboys officials in recent weeks, here's a more concrete look at the reasons behind the club's growing confidence and what lies ahead for Smith.

Smith did more than rip his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. He damaged his peroneal nerve to the point it no longer functioned, leaving him unable to lift his left foot toward his shin.

It's true that the longer it takes the nerve to regenerate, the less likely it will come back completely. Since Smith is 17 months removed from the injury and the nerve has only partially regenerated, those who express skepticism that it ever will are justified.

The Cowboys know this and are prepared for that probable reality. But their optimism stems from what has taken place over the last two months.

Little to no regeneration was evident over the first nine months. That was followed by only incremental improvement.

But what has taken place over the last two months has been dramatic. One club official describes it as exponential. The pace of regeneration shows no signs of slowing.

Now, could that regeneration stop at any moment, leaving Smith to manage at that percentage for the remainder of his career? Yes. But there has been such significant improvement in recent weeks the Cowboys are encouraged it will continue.

Sensory perception has returned for Smith, a feeling not unlike water running downstream from his knee to his toes. Full range of motion hasn't returned, but he's now able to lift his toes toward his shin. Those who observe Smith walk without a brace will tell you he doesn't drag his foot the way he did even a few weeks ago.

That sensation is the precursor to improving his motor function. "Maximum potential'' is the phrase Smith repeats when asked if a full recovery is still possible.

The linebacker must continue to wear an AFO in practice. While his foot can now flex up partially, it can't slap down. The brace starts just above the left knee with a plate positioned under the foot. An assist spring makes the brace more flexible and dynamic.

For the sake of argument let's say the nerve only regenerates to 80 percent. The tension of the brace can be adapted to compensate for that percentage. If Smith experiences regeneration at say 60 percent, the brace would need to be stiffer to offer more support.

Again, those percentages are only thrown out as an illustration. No one knows yet to what level Smith's nerve will continue to regenerate.

Jones, always the optimist, has said he's not sure if Smith will need a brace to start the season. At this stage, it's best to assume that he will.

"It just depends on the growth of the nerve,'' said Smith, who has vowed that he will play in the opener in September. "Right now it's on the up and I'm playing with it now and looking tremendous, so I'm happy to be back out.

"I really am.''

A few doctors who once worked for NFL teams have speculated about the loss of speed and power Smith will endure. Dr. Thomas Gill, who worked for the New England Patriots through the 2013 season, has indicated if Smith returns with a brace he could be more susceptible to high ankle sprains.

Cowboys officials don't believe that's the case.

Smith understands the doubts of those who haven't seen him. He told reporters earlier this month that, "it's really just a matter of you guys getting out there and seeing.''

That won't happen Wednesday. Smith doesn't practice on consecutive days at this stage of his return. Since organized team activities began Tuesday, he will use Wednesday to concentrate on his rehabilitation before returning to the practice field Thursday.

Wednesday is the only day open to the media during OTAs. If the current schedule holds, the first time he'll practice in front of the media will be June 7 -- the final practice of OTAs -- and minicamp June 13-15.

The arrow is pointing up for Smith. How far up remains to be seen.

But there's reason for optimism

Thanks for good news. We need it!!

 

[jarntt]

Is it just me or does Switzer sound like a good kid? Right Kind of Guy?
Switzer Anxious to Play Alongside Beasley And “Create Mismatches”

 

[Manster7588]

Is it just me or does Switzer sound like a good kid? Right Kind of Guy?
Switzer Anxious to Play Alongside Beasley And “Create Mismatches”

I'm hoping those "He's cocky and arrogant" stories are a little (no pun intended) over blown.

 

[jarntt]

I'm hoping those "He's cocky and arrogant" stories are a little (no pun intended) over blown.

I need to Google a little. I don't remember hearing that

 

[Manster7588]

I need to Google a little. I don't remember hearing that

Cockiness is needed inbthe field, but when I kept hearing about it and some saying it made it hard to be around him it raised a little red flag in my mind.

 

[jarntt]

Found this. Only from one coach, but still something to keep an eye on I guess.

Anonymous coach RIPS "obnoxious" Cowboys WR Ryan Switzer

His tattoo is not an issue. I was friends with a girl in my 20's that had an "eat me" tattoo on the same spot on the inside of her lip

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Switzer will be humbled real quick when he finds himself way down the pecking order of guys on this team. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Manster7588]

Stuff like this is my biggest concern.
"One of his drawbacks though is that some of his own teammates were rumored to not like him according to a scout,"

Ryan Switzer Will Pump Up The Slot & Special Teams

However by all reports he's having a very nice camp so far.

Is attitude is probably a Napoleon Complex, nothing more.

 

[Manster7588]

Switzer will be humbled real quick when he finds himself way down the pecking order of guys on this team. I wouldn't worry too much.

The praise being placed upon him early will not humble him.

I like what im reading thus far.

 

[Manster7588]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...3rWIIExDZ_2IF3ywg&sig2=yjudXrXxRjRDLbUDPeVBdQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BVRPgfxAbnl89ZO4g&sig2=k-hFsKTGZoPNJ_llRAZ69w