IRVING, Texas – The second week of Organized Team Activities don't begin until Tuesday, and we in the media won't be allowed to watch them until Wednesday. Despite that, it's never too early to look ahead.
Here's a handful of observations on what I'm expecting for Week 2 of OTAs:
- I don't expect we will see Rolando McClain this week, but there is a chance that we could see some more of Sean Lee. The plan was to continue to work him in the individual drills, then work him in slowly to the team portions of practice. I believe that working him these next two weeks, then giving him that final week of camp off before the month-long break would give him five full weeks of rest. In talking to Lee last week, he is anxious to get back on the field full-time, but he understands that these trainers have his best interest in mind. I will say that in the drills he has worked in, he looks comfortable and stable in his movements.
- Another week of on the field work for La'el Collins at right tackle, where he continues to get snaps while Doug Free is on the mend. It was nice to see Free working with the rookie on his technique in regard to his hand placement and how that needs to take place. Where Collins is going to need to improve in my opinion is with how quick his feet are. He is more than powerful enough to handle a rusher when he gets in position, but the key is getting there and that's where his struggle was last week. I am positive that Frank Pollack showed him in the post-practice tape the importance of not allowing those rushers to win off the edge. I also expect that we will see Collins get more snaps with the first offense, rotating with Darrion Weems.
- Last week was Joseph Randle's opportunity to work with the first offense while the other backs split time among the other two groups. I will be interested to see if Darren McFadden or Ryan Williams gets some snaps with the top group. Of the backs that worked, Williams in my opinion had the best burst to and through the hole. I need to also keep an eye on the blitz periods and any time one of these backs is put in a situation where they are asked to pass protect. On tape, McFadden is the most comfortable handling those snaps.
- Last week, I wrote about Ben Gardner and how he looked with his first extended work since going on injured reserve last season. Gardner did show some flashes, but I also want to point out a forgotten man along this line -- Lavar Edwards playing at end. If you remember Edwards' story, he was on and off the roster during his first season with the club and with all these new additions to the position his opportunities might be limited, but I wouldn't be one bit surprised if we get to training camp and he is pushing for a roster spot. Edwards has a feel for how to get to the passer and there were some snaps last week like Gardner where he flashed that edge rush ability.
