OBSERVATION DECK
• Wednesday was a big blitz day for the offense and defense. As for the running backs, some of it was good, some of it needed some work. Anthony Spencer walked fullback Deon Anderson back to the quarterback. Tashard Choice stopped Justin Rogers on a blitz. Felix Jones was a little late on a pickup of Kevin Burnett.
• Add James Washington to the list of former players to make a visit to camp.
• While working on kickoffs, the wind played havoc with some of Nick Folk's kicks, and the return team did not seem to handle the short ones too well. One bounced past an on-rushing Adam Jones. Not sure what this means, but Jones caught a kickoff with one hand. Add that to the five balls he held while catching a sixth punt the other day, and he's got some tricks.
• With the punt team lining up in the end zone, Patrick Crayton lined up as the punter to take a safety. Makes sense so there's no issue in catching the snap.
• During tight red-zone drills, Adam Jones broke up a Tony Romo throw to Terrell Owens in the end zone with a late close. Romo used a perfect play-fake to sucker the defense, but Jones was on Owens' hip the whole time.
• Second-year safety Courtney Brown leaped high for a pick of a Romo pass in the back of the end zone to Crayton. It sort of looked like Romo was forcing the ball in there because it was a practice, not a game, but after practice he gave Brown a ton of credit for the interception.
• Marion Barber lined up at fullback for a few snaps with Felix Jones at tailback. Jones had some nice runs out of spread formations. Once he gets through the line, it seems like he can kick it up a gear.
• Defensive player of the morning: linebacker Kevin Burnett. He had three pass deflections. The runner-up would be Spencer.
• Keep an eye on Keon Lattimore. The rookie free-agent running back has something to him. I'm not sure I've seen him drop a pass out of the backfield, and he hits the hole hard. It'll be an uphill fight for him to make the roster, but there's something there.
Todd Archer
Two-minute drill: RT Marc Colombo, singer/guitarist for rock band Free Reign
How did this band come together?
Cory [Procter] was a drummer. I played in a band in Chicago. We just got in my attic and started writing some songs.
How would you describe your sound and style?
Rock, heavy metal, punk. You know, we play some light acoustic songs, too. Just good, all-around fun.
Is this something you're pretty serious about and could see as a post-football career?
Yeah. I've been playing in bands for a long time, and it'd be fun to do something like that after football.
Can you compare the feeling you get performing on stage as opposed to what you do out here?
It's similar. It's a lot more easygoing on stage, but both feelings are awesome.
You're a guitar guy. How many of those things have you broken? You ever gone crazy and put on a guitar-smashing show?
Nah, I treat my guitars with the utmost respect. If I buy them, I make sure they stay intact.
So you get all your aggression out on the field, huh?
Exactly.
Tim MacMahon
Special-teams watch
Wednesday's afternoon practice was mainly focused on special teams. Nick Folk made eight-of-eight field goal attempts.
There were three sets of kickoff return units with Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback on the first team. Felix Jones and Danny Amendola were on the second team, followed by Adam Jones and Mike Jenkins.
The punt returners are still Jones, Patrick Crayton and Terence Newman.
Calvin Watkins
And in this corner ...
Brett Favre has sent in his reinstatement letter to the NFL, and he met with Green Bay officials to discuss his situation Wednesday. As we know, Tony Romo grew up in Burlington, Wis., a fan of Favre's.
What's his take on Favre's unretirement?
"You know, I think he did the Rocky Balboa thing," Romo said. "He's got a little bit left in the basement. He wants to come out and finish it up."
Todd Archer
Injury report
Player Pos. Injury Comment
Alan Ball CB Ankle Missed afternoon practice
Terence Newman CB Groin Expected to miss at least three weeks
Quincy Butler CB Hamstring Missed third straight day of practice
Tearrius George LB Knee Missed fourth straight day with bone bruise
Daniel Polk WR Hamstring Missed second straight day of practice
