The Cowboys' mini-camp precursor to training camp has ended -- prematurely, in fact, since head coach Wade Phillips replaced the final practice with a "Family Day" cookout here at Valley Ranch.

Based on reports from the four mini-camp practices, which players are you excited about? Which storylines are you expecting to follow in about a month when the Cowboys report to Oxnard, Calif.?

Pacman Jones vs. Anthony Henry

Tank Johnson vs. Jay Ratliff

Sam Hurd vs. Miles Austin vs. Isiah Stanback

Those appear to be the biggest camp battles.  Luckily, at least the first two seem to be due to an embarrassment of riches.

Adam Jones and Tank Johnson. We need these guys at their best and it will be interesting to see if Jerry Jones and company can keep them on the straight and narrow. They are looking good now, I hope they continue the paths they are presently on.

Zach Thomas Adam Jones and the rookie draft choices I want to see what the new guys bring to our team.Along with Austin Hurd and Stanback do we have a starter amoung these 3 ?Can the rookie cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Orlandro Scandrick contribute?Im gonna be watching a whole lot of stuff. This is going to be fun!

Main thing is keeping all the players together as a team as the depth chart is formed.  I know a few starters from last year will probably change causing mixed feelings.  Why don't players just except their roles and understand they are making far more money then a lot of us are.  LOL, I'd be a 3rd string player if I got paid 500k a year.  wow!

The Tank Johnson news was the best news this off season, I was hoping he came back bigger and stronger and it sounds like that's the case. The overall defense will improve drastically with Tank at DT and Ratliff and LE.

In the little that we've seen it looks like things are gelling.  Adam Jones seems to have matured thus far, Tank as well.  We are improved in defense, and the cowboys cut some folks who were not going to make it.  Hopefully Hamlin will eventually sign, hopefully things w/ TGlenn will get squared away, and hopefully everyone will behave for the next month until training camp.

Over all, things are looking good.  High anticipation this year.

Well I'm liking what I'm reading about Sam Hurd. And our whole recieving core for that matter. But to me it seems like more than a few players are really pushing the limits of winning a spot on the Team or overtaking a position. I hope that maybe, just maybe some Team leaders will emerge from this seasons practice sessions. I think although most of the same players will be on the field with the exception of a few we may just see a much more displined Cowboys squad that will get the job done !!

Im just waiting for Terry's contract thing to be worked out but i do like how our defense seems to be doing 

The real question is what story won't we be following. Anybody seen a 13-3 team with this much positive change in one season? We've got the 3 RBs, our FB is back, Romo seems to be "getting it" in the leadership role, our young WRs have all improved, we've added a proven vet and leader at LB, Tank is responding, improving and becoming a leader, we're scary deep at corner for the first time since 94, we added Campo and Houck, two ring bearers from our last dynasty and Jerry had his best draft as GM, without Parcells (that 2005 one is pretty special). For the first time ever, I will be following the O line closely with respect to run blocking and are Free, Marten and/or McQuistan ready to step up at RT or LG. I believe our season depends on the running game and our cap next year on whether we can let Columbo go. The one thing I will be watching during the season is how Crayton responds to getting the credit for our playoff loss, both on this site and in the local media. I don't think we have a player more anxious to get the season started.

I am so getting HBO this summer.  I can't afford to miss hardnocks .... too many storyline.  Personally, I like Miles Austin progress.  He has the right attitude entering this season.  He's not just considering himself as a special team player.  He wants to be on the field.  The last couple practice Sam Hurd ligned up as #1 WR, Austin as #2 WR, Crayton had the slot.  if this is any indication, i think Jcowboys dream will come true.  Crayton will be working the slot unless TO is motioned to the slot.  One of our young WR will be opposite of TO

kiwutajr:

I am so getting HBO this summer.  I can't afford to miss hardnocks .... too many storyline.  Personally, I like Miles Austin progress.  He has the right attitude entering this season.  He's not just considering himself as a special team player.  He wants to be on the field.  The last couple practice Sam Hurd ligned up as #1 WR, Austin as #2 WR, Crayton had the slot.  if this is any indication, i think Jcowboys dream will come true.  Crayton will be working the slot unless TO is motioned to the slot.  One of our young WR will be opposite of TO

 

I just hope our Young WRs are ready are the task...although it would be swell to have TG there 

PrimeTime00:

kiwutajr:

I am so getting HBO this summer.  I can't afford to miss hardnocks .... too many storyline.  Personally, I like Miles Austin progress.  He has the right attitude entering this season.  He's not just considering himself as a special team player.  He wants to be on the field.  The last couple practice Sam Hurd ligned up as #1 WR, Austin as #2 WR, Crayton had the slot.  if this is any indication, i think Jcowboys dream will come true.  Crayton will be working the slot unless TO is motioned to the slot.  One of our young WR will be opposite of TO

 

I just hope our Young WRs are ready are the task...although it would be swell to have TG there 

Prime,  I am so concern about TG.  Everything in me tells me that he will play this year for the cowboys but I don't think it will be for 16 Games + playoff run.  but It will be sweet to see him next to TO.  That will be one of the best WR combo in the league

kiwutajr:

PrimeTime00:

kiwutajr:

I am so getting HBO this summer.  I can't afford to miss hardnocks .... too many storyline.  Personally, I like Miles Austin progress.  He has the right attitude entering this season.  He's not just considering himself as a special team player.  He wants to be on the field.  The last couple practice Sam Hurd ligned up as #1 WR, Austin as #2 WR, Crayton had the slot.  if this is any indication, i think Jcowboys dream will come true.  Crayton will be working the slot unless TO is motioned to the slot.  One of our young WR will be opposite of TO

 

I just hope our Young WRs are ready are the task...although it would be swell to have TG there 

I was watching some plays from TG when Parcells was catch and the man is great and with our current system he could be outstanding but even still i do believe we need to groom our current young guys to be a solid starter just incase...we can't have a repeat of last season...that is unacceptable 

Prime,  I am so concern about TG.  Everything in me tells me that he will play this year for the cowboys but I don't think it will be for 16 Games + playoff run.  but It will be sweet to see him next to TO.  That will be one of the best WR combo in the league

 

PrimeTime00:

kiwutajr:

PrimeTime00:

kiwutajr:

I am so getting HBO this summer.  I can't afford to miss hardnocks .... too many storyline.  Personally, I like Miles Austin progress.  He has the right attitude entering this season.  He's not just considering himself as a special team player.  He wants to be on the field.  The last couple practice Sam Hurd ligned up as #1 WR, Austin as #2 WR, Crayton had the slot.  if this is any indication, i think Jcowboys dream will come true.  Crayton will be working the slot unless TO is motioned to the slot.  One of our young WR will be opposite of TO

 

I just hope our Young WRs are ready are the task...although it would be swell to have TG there 

I was watching some plays from TG when Parcells was catch and the man is great and with our current system he could be outstanding but even still i do believe we need to groom our current young guys to be a solid starter just incase...we can't have a repeat of last season...that is unacceptable 

Prime,  I am so concern about TG.  Everything in me tells me that he will play this year for the cowboys but I don't think it will be for 16 Games + playoff run.  but It will be sweet to see him next to TO.  That will be one of the best WR combo in the league

 

you are so right ... repeating the same mistake will be unacceptable.  The biggest mistake last year was Jerry and the coaching staff were too optmistic about TG return to the field.  I really think that they have taken a right approach this year and the young WR seem to be ready for the challenge.