The issue started in Monday’s practice when Rams corner Tremaine Johnson laid out Joseph Randle, breaking an agreed upon protocol that the players would not mete out big hits. The NFL Network camera showed Dez Bryant jawing with Johnson early in today’s practice but the real action took place later.
Today, the issues between the teams boiled over when a Kenny Britt screen saw a Cowboys defensive lineman rudely cut down. Safety Jeff Heath took a run at the Rams lineman Demetrius Rainey away from initial hit. That set off the first free for all. The dispute was broken up and practice resumed.
Randy Gregory beat Rams left tackle Greg Robinson on the ensuing pass play, knocking down Robinson and knocking off the tackle’s helmet in the process. The two made eye contact and Gregory looked ready to make a late run at Robinson, but thought better of it, and turned back to his huddle. Robinson leapt to his feet and took a long swing at Gregory with his helmet. Gregory saw Robinson swing and side stepped the blow. Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson, a major participant in the first fight also saw Robinson’s swing and took Robinson down.
At this point both teams entered the fray. Players came to the fight from far corners of the practice fields. Nick Fairley led the Rams charge, knocking down three Cowboys during this fight. A couple of Dallas players tried to blindside Fairley, but he managed to throw each of them to the ground.
At its height there was fighting going on in all corners of the far field.
This was round two. When the fighting worked its way to the fence, offensive line coach Marc Colombo jumped into the middle of the craziness and attempted to pull players apart. As people headed back to their previous position groupings, Todd Gurley and Tyler Patmon started round three. Though dressed in sweat pants, Gurley went after a fully dressed Patmon and three several punches at the helmet-less Patmon.
After round three each team retreated to a field, the Rams to the far field and the Cowboys to the near field, with each team’s fan group chanting in support.
