Bobcats thrilled Anyama back on field at last
Senior linebacker excels in win over Houston Baptist.
A ruptured Achilles tendon prematurely ended Easy Anyama’s season last year after three games. After spending most of the offseason recovering, the senior linebacker made his comeback count last Saturday: two sacks, five tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in Texas State’s 20-11 victory over Houston Baptist.
Anyama earned the Sun Belt’s defensive player of the week.
“It felt really good to be back out on the field,” Anyama said. “I wasn’t trying to do anything outside of the job I was given by my coach to do. It just felt good to be on the field again.”
The Bobcats produced six sacks; that’s already only three away from last year’s total of nine.
While the defense put on a strong showing after the first quarter, Bobcats coach Everett Withers said there’s still a lot to work on leading up the Colorado game in Boulder this Saturday, especially offensively.
“Mechanics and timing on offense needs to be worked on this week,” Withers said. “We’ve got to be better on the perimeter blocking, which we worked on a good bit on Sunday.
“We’ve got to clean up some things up front. The timing of the run game wasn’t exactly like we wanted, but that is typical first ballgame issues that hopefully we can get corrected and be better at in week two.”
Damian Williams, the graduate transfer quarterback from Mississippi State, made his Bobcats debut. Withers said Williams, who missed the first three weeks of fall camp, needs to work on his mechanics, especially his footwork, but that he’s making strides.
“He spent a bunch of time on Sunday working on his own on some of those things before and after practice,” Withers said. “I think he’s aware of his footwork and things that have to be better in order for us to be more efficient in the passing game.”
Williams completed 65 percent of his passes for 135 yards, tossing one interception, while rushing for 43 yards and a score on 13 carries.
Junior linebacker Frankie Griffin left the game in the second half, but Withers confirmed it was due to cramping and expects him to play against Colorado this week. Griffin had a sack, six tackles and a forced fumble last Saturday.
Freshman safety Kordell Rodgers broke his hand against the Huskies and is expected to miss at least one week.
After starting fall camp at corner, Rodgers moved to safety two weeks ago and started against Houston Baptist, registering four tackles.
Sophomore corner J.T. Taylor is expected to make his debut this week after missing all of fall camp with a leg injury. He started four games last season.
Sophomore receiver Thurman Morbley also is expected to make his first appearance of the season after being suspended for the first game. Ohio declined to pursue. He appealed, sued the NFL and vowed that he is innocent of the league’s claims.
If the former Ohio State star serves the suspension, Elliott likely won’t repeat as rushing champ. But he should have plenty of time to help the Cowboys try to reach the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
Darren McFadden, the team’s leading rusher in 2015 before Elliott was drafted fourth overall, should get most of the carries when Elliott is out. Alfred Morris and Rod Smith also made the 53-man roster. Dallas opens at home against the New York Giants on Sept. 10.
“We feel good about that group of running backs if we have to go play,” executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said. “And that’s what we’re prepared to do.”
Some of the key storylines as the Cowboys seek consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since the last of six straight in 1996:
Suspensions galore: Besides the looming Elliott ban, three defensive ends are suspended to start the season. Randy Gregory won’t be eligible until the playoffs because of multiple substance-abuse violations. David Irving (performance-enhancing drugs) is out four games, and Damontre Moore (substance abuse) will miss the first two.
Cornerback Nolan Carroll and linebacker Damien Wilson faced suspensions over offseason incidents but are eligible for now.
Jaylon Smith: The former Notre Dame star, and Rod Smith’s younger brother, is set for his regular-season debut after a devastating knee injury in his final college game that sidelined him as a rookie. He isn’t expected to start at middle linebacker, and the Cowboys are closely watching how many snaps he gets.
The team and Smith say nerve regeneration is the biggest question with his injury. Therefore, they are optimistic he can eventually play at a level resembling what figured to make him a top 10 pick in 2016. Dallas gambled on him early in the second round.
Young defenders: Firstround pick Taco Charlton was the latest attempt to boost a lagging pass rush. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis were the next two choices, but both have seen limited preseason action due to injuries. The Cowboys believe these rookies have talent, and need to see it quickly for a defense that lacks much proven playmaking beyond All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee.