AUSTIN WARD Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Friday, August 15, 2008 12:00 am
The passes seemed crisper.
The Wyoming outlooks were a little brighter.
Even Cowboys that hardly need an extra spring in their steps appeared to be moving quicker to UW coach Joe Glenn after he finally announced Dax Crum as his starting quarterback.
"(Devin Moore) made another one of those 'R2' (video game) cuts," Glenn said. "I thought D-Mo was really smiling, and I could feel the relaxation from the entire team.
"It was, 'Here's our guy, lets get behind him.' Let's get it on."
It's taken the better part of five months for the Cowboys to move on at quarterback, which has visibly taken a toll on everybody in the program.
After failing to make a decision in the spring, speculation spilled over into the summer and perhaps added to the pressure on Glenn and UW leading into fall camp.
The first two weeks of practice and a shaky scrimmage didn't do much to quell it either, though Glenn seems certain he has the right guy now.
Not to mention a more than capable backup in two-year starter Karsten Sween.
"We really needed to get to one guy and let him start getting the work," Glenn said. "It was pretty obvious in practice (Friday) that the edge was off, that they didn't have to make every pass perfect, and honestly Dax had a great practice.
"Karsten was on, probably didn't get as many reps as he normally does, but I just think we did the right thing."
He didn't get much argument from Moore, who's always given his full support to whomever takes the snaps.
The senior running back never took sides and put his faith in the coaching staff, stressing since spring ball that any of the quarterbacks on the roster could lead the Cowboys back to a bowl game.
"We're still behind every other quarterback, but Dax is our man," Moore said. "He gets 110 percent from us right now, that's for sure.
"We're very relieved to get it over with, we're happy about it. We think Dax is a great leader and can be the guy to step up and get things done."
The elevation of the junior college transfer to the top of the depth chart should make it easier for the rest of the Cowboys to get things done without answering too many questions about the quarterback situation.
At least for now UW has finally put the matter to rest.
"The kid will do a great job," Glenn said. "He has a lot of poise. He's got a much better command of what we're doing now than in the spring, and he's a dude, now. He'll be a great quarterback for us.
"By nature of the fact that he's now No. 1, I think Dax can also lead a little bit easier. He's got the keys to the car."
Everybody's ready to get on the road.
n DEPTH CHECK: Defensive coordinator Mike Breske had his own position battles to sort out, albeit with considerably less fanfare.
Most notably, Breske installed the Gipson brothers, Marcell and Tashaun, as his cornerbacks and moved senior Quincy Rogers to strong safety to make room for Buffalo native Chris Prosinski in the starting lineup.
On the offensive side of the ball, Donate Morgan, Brandon Stewart and Greg Bolling emerged from a crowded field to win the starting jobs at receiver.
n BUMPS AND BRUISES: Chris Johnson always seem to be battling something.
The senior receiver might finally be over his recurring thumb injury, but for the second time this week Johnson had to deal with a tender ankle that could keep him out of practice for a few days.
"He was gritting his teeth pretty hard," Glenn said. "It's tough to miss time right now when we're going through installation."
Contact sports reporter Austin Ward at (307) 266-0634 or austin.ward@trib.com.
Cowboys Tracker
FRIDAY: Wyoming continued practice during fall camp, but more important, finally tabbed a starting quarterback.
AND THE WINNER IS: Junior college transfer Dax Crum earned the nod over two-year starter Karsten Sween, ending a battle that's carried over from the spring nearly two weeks into camp.
HE SAID IT: "He'll be a great quarterback for us." - UW coach Joe Glenn.
UP NEXT: A morning practice today for the Cowboys.