Dallas Cowboys: Training Camp Battles

The Dallas Cowboys don't have many camp battles on offense since they didn't lose any starters besides Terrell Owens. On defense there are some positions that are unknown however. Strong Safety and the No. 2 Cornerback are the most notable. Let's take a look at those two positions as well as others that could make camp intriguing without the cameras of Hard Knocks.

Strong Safety

Contestants: Gerald Sensabaugh, Pat Watkins and Tra Battle.

The Cowboys had a lot of problems with this position last season. Roy Williams started the season here but broke his forearm twice and missed 13 games. Tony Davis spent some time at the position but was needed on special teams more. Pat Watkins was also hurt with shoulder stingers and missed eight games.

The Cowboys signed Sensabaugh, who's spent the last four years starting in Jacksonville to challenge Watkins in camp. Sensabaugh has a solid 2008 with 70 tackles eight passes defended and four interceptions.

Watkins has never quite put it all together in his three years with the Cowboys being demoted in 2006 and not starting in 2007 or last season. Most coaches think a player has four years to become a solid starter so this is the season that Watkins has to show he's able to man his position.

Tra Battle saw action last season because of all the injuries at Strong Safety but didn't really make an impact except in the Cowboys last game of the season where they were routed by Philadelphia. Battle had seven tackles in that game.

No. 2 Cornerback.

Contestants: Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.

Both players were rookies and both got significant playing time last season. While Jenkins was drafted four rounds before Scandrick, it was Scandrick that had the better season.

Scandrick began playing in the slot and was moved to the second spot when Terrence Newman and Jenkins went down with injuries. Scandrick played solid throughout the season and finished with 36 tackles and four passed defended. He most likely will be kept at the slot position only because he had so much experience there from last season and did such a good job at it.

Jenkins had only 13 tackles and one interception during the season but only missed two games, a testament to his cover skills. His lone interception was returned for a touchdown against the Giants.

The job is likely Jenkins' to lose. As long as he doesn't perform horribly in camp and during the preseason the Cowboys will want to keep Scandrick in the slot. These two guys could be the future for the Cowboys defensive backfield for a long time as both have a ton of upside and did good last season after being thrown into the fire almost immediately.

No. 2 Wide Receiver.

Contestants: Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, and Patrick Crayton.

None of these guys are in danger of being cut or not playing significant time. This is mainly to see who will be in what slot. These guys are the reason the Cowboys cut Terrell Owens and will be counted on to team up with Roy Williams to provide Tony Romo with open opportunities.

Sam Hurd did not catch a pass last season while dealing with injuries but has a ton of potential and the Cowboys think not the he's healthy he'll be a great asset to the team and will have a huge impact on their offense.

Patrick Crayton is most likely to man this spot. He's spent the last two seasons as the Cowboys third receiver but had a slight drop off last season with only 39 receptions and four touchdowns compared to 50 receptions and seven TDs in 2007. Crayton is jack of all trades but a master or none. Still, if Roy Williams has the season the Cowboys want from him, Crayton will have a lot of opportunities to make plays and to have a career season.

Miles Austin also had career highs in catches, yards and touchdowns last season but his numbers were far from great. Austin is another player who has a lot of upside but hasn't has many opportunities. He did run back a kickoff for a touchdown in Dallas' wild card playoff loss 2006 but since hasn't seen much time at the position and missed four games last season.

Running Back.

Contestants: Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

This isn't as much a camp battle as an offensive coordinator's dream. Barber is the obvious starter and the Cowboys are excited to have Jones back after getting hurt in Arizona and missing the rest of the season. However after Barber came down with turf toe, Choice carried the load and did a good job at it. 

Marion Barber had a good season but not the season he wanted gaining only 885 yards on 238 attempts and seven touchdowns. Barber missed only one week due to his injury but had only 13 carries in the last three games of the season. He should be fine by now so expect him to keep being the barbarian that he's been in the past.

Felix Jones was one of the biggest reasons for the Cowboys drop in offensive production during the second half of the season. Jones had 266 yards on just 30 attempts and three touchdowns and one more by kick return. Jones can fly and showed his speed that his speed can hurt defenses.

Choice was the third option for most of the season but became the only option when Barber went down. He didn't disappoint with 23 rushes for 88 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers, nine rushes for 91 yards the next week against the Giants and 17 rushes for 90 yards against the Ravens. Because of his production you have to think that the Cowboys will find a way to get him in the game this season.

Most teams today have a two man running attack but considering what the Cowboys have in their arsenal you have to wonder how is offensive coordinator Jason Garret going to get all three involved in the offense. However that's a good problem for a coordinator to have.