FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys’ Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) kicked off at the Star as a full roster of rookies, draft selections, undrafted free agents, and veterans all underwent installation day one. The collection of players performed specific scheme drills and many new faces stepped on the field, including wide receiver, Randall Cobb.
Cobb is a fluid route runner and a highlight to his resume- his physicality after the catch. He is a versatile player that played quarterback in high school and his first year of college at Kentucky. During his Pro Football career, the 28-year-old has primarily been used as a slot receiver, but he can also line up wide. The scat back can also make an impact on special teams as a kick returner, and his flexibility as a player was on full display during practice.
The coaching staff used him in multiple formations on offense; lining him up in the slot for crossing routes, wide to catch deep darts from Dak Prescott in stride to the end zone, and on special teams as a kick returner.
“He is dynamic when the ball is in his hands, “ Jason Garrett commented, and it is evident that is what the Cowboys intend on doing; Utilizing his skillset in a variety of ways to keep defenses guessing in 2019.
Cobb spent the majority of his career as the go-to-guy for one of the most elite quarterbacks in the league, Aaron Rodgers. That prior relationship and his overall knowledge of formations from playing different positions will benefit developing QB Dak Prescott, and elevate Dallas’ offense as a whole.
On the opposite side of the ball, defensive end Robert Quinn has impressed. The power edge rusher will replace Randy Gregory in the defensive line opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, while Gregory faces an indefinite suspension. The Cowboys acquired Quinn in a trade with the Miami Dolphins to help seal the edge and his 69 career sacks are evidence of his ability.
Quinn will become another solid pressure point from the outside on opposing quarterbacks and he is eager to get rolling. He was all-smiles after concluding his first couple of OTA practices as a Cowboy, and I spoke with him on his excitement to learn from defensive wizard, Rod Marinelli, and how his skillset fits Marinelli’s base 4-3 defense.
“ [Marinelli] just allows guys to play fast, think as little as possible, and I guess to simplify it, get in the backfield…no matter if it’s a tackle for a loss or a quarterback sack, just disrupt. That’s what a defensive lineman is kind of made for. That’s just how from day one he instills in us- get off the ball and disrupt the backfield.”
The Cowboys have added two new pieces to the puzzle and both Cobb and Quinn are seemingly, the perfect fit!
