Training Camp Thread...

Cotton

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Tony Romo ends Cowboys practice better than he started
9:37 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- Saturday did not start out as one of Tony Romo's better practices. It finished much better.

Romo missed on the first four passes he threw in Dallas Cowboys team drills and was intercepted by Morris Claiborne to close one five-play period after he wasn’t able to connect with Dez Bryant. Had it been a live situation, Romo likely would have been sacked by Sean Lee before throwing the pass.

In the situational work to close practice, Romo completed all five of his passes, including a 20-plus-yard touchdown to Cole Beasley down the middle of the field. Beasley made a tremendous reach for the pass with two defenders underneath him, tapping his feet down before going to the ground.

On the day, Romo went 10-for-17 in team and 7-on-7 drills.

On to the observations:

Romo and Bryant hooked up on back-shoulder touchdowns in tight red zone work on Claiborne in one-on-one drills. But Claiborne was able to exact some revenge on the third rep when he was able to rip the ball free from Bryant for the breakup. Romo later hit Bryant across the back of the end zone for a touchdown in 7-on-7 work a play after Romo’s throw on a similar route was a tad early and fell incomplete.

Tight end Rico Gathers threw down an emphatic spike after he thought he's beaten safety Jeff Heath for a touchdown in the competition period of practice. One problem: He was called for offensive pass interference for pushing off on Heath. Several defenders were glad to point to the flag on the ground after Gathers’ spike.

With cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr and right tackle Doug Free sitting out practice, rookie corner Anthony Brown took the first-team nickel snaps; Josh Thomas replaced Carr and Chaz Green worked at right tackle. Green has had a good chance to show the coaches what he can do the past two days with the first-team offense with left tackle Tyron Smith sitting out Friday.

One interesting development: Derek Akunne worked with the first team at linebacker, which had been a role Mark Nzeocha has handled with injuries to Kyle Wilber and Andrew Gachkar the past few days.

This was easily Brice Butler's best practice of camp. He caught two touchdown passes, one from Dak Prescott and one from Jameill Showers. The fourth-year wide receiver was more fluid in and out of his breaks and did a nice job plucking the ball with his hands.

Rookie WR Chris Brown is struggling to get his groove as a punt returner. Maybe it’s the tricky winds, but he dropped one and let another hit the ground when he had ample chance to catch it.

Alfred Morris' best rush of the day came on a run to the right with left guard La'el Collins pulling. Right guard Zack Martin threw the initial block to open the hole and Morris followed Collins for a long gain.
 

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Tyrone Crawford looking at return to Cowboys practice Tuesday
4:28 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. – Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford is looking at a return to practice early next week, according to coach Jason Garrett.

Crawford has practiced just once since the start of training camp because of a sore back. On Friday he was able to do some of his rehab work in shoulder pads, which is a sign he is improving. The Cowboys hold their Blue-White scrimmage Sunday and are off Monday.

If Crawford returns Tuesday, he would have missed seven practices.

In addition to Crawford, Garrett said defensive end Benson Mayowa, who had knee surgery in June, is improving and the hope is he can get back on the field in some capacity next week. Rookie defensive tackle Maliek Collins is a little further away in his recovery from foot surgery in the offseason.

Right tackle Doug Free and cornerback Brandon Carr will be given days of rest by the coaches Saturday. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick will also sit out of practice and Garrett was not sure if Scandrick would take part in Sunday’s workout. Scandrick missed last year with torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and the Cowboys don’t want him doing too much too soon.

“It’s just a matter of him working a few days in a row and dialing back a little bit. He might do a little something tomorrow,” Garrett said.

Quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, who has missed the last two days of practice with a health-related issue, could return to practice soon. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has filled in for Wilson on the practice field in putting the quarterbacks through drills.

“I told Wade the quarterbacks never looked better,” Linehan joked.
 

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Sat. Practice Report: Prepping For The Blue-White Scrimmage; Other Notes
Saturday, August 06, 2016 9:47 PM CDT
By DallasCowboys.com Report
OXNARD, Calif. – Next time the Cowboys practice, it’ll be a bit more intense.
With Saturday’s practice wrapped up, the Cowboys now turn their attention to the Blue-White Scrimmage, which kicks off Sunday evening from the practice fields in Oxnard.
Strictly speaking, the scrimmage functions the same as a regular practice. But at least for a brief moment, the Cowboys coaches will allow their younger players a chance at some full contact.
“We give the young guys a chance to tackle,” said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. “The veteran players who have been here and played in the NFL will not be in that tempo, but the younger guys will. We won’t do it long, but we think it’s important that they feel the physicalness of the game.”
Garrett said it’s important to establish that physicality because of what’s coming in the next week. After an off day on Monday, the Cowboys will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – and then it’s off on Friday to prepare for their first preseason game.
“Four or five days later, we’re playing in a real game,” Garrett said. “So we feel it’s the right time to do it, and it’s always been pretty beneficial for us.”
The scrimmage should afford an interesting look at the younger side of the roster – before the lights come on for real next weekend at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Quick Hits Read
The compete period featured three one-on-one pass rush and three receiving matchups. Defensive end Mike McAdoo beat offensive tackle Ryan Mack with an outside move; center Jake Brendel blocked defensive end Zach Wood; offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann blocked defensive end Charles Tapper; cornerback Anthony Brown broke up a back-shoulder throw to receiver Vince Mayle; tight end Rico Gathers pushed off against safety Jeff Heath; and fullback Keith Smith caught a pass in the flat against linebacker Mark Nzeocha.
The Cowboys are dealing with injuries along the defensive line. The first-team group on Saturday: Ryan Russell, Jack Crawford, Wood and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Oscar-winning actor and longtime Cowboys fan Denzel Washington and his son, HBO’s Ballers actor John David Washington, visited training camp for the second straight year. Denzel Washington spoke to the team after practice. Also in attendance was Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford.
Lawrence Okoye appeared to injure his elbow during the full-team portion of practice. After consulting with team athletic trainers, he didn’t leave the practice field – but he did not re-enter drills for the rest of the day.
Quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson returned to practice Saturday after a short absence. Wilson said he had a minor procedure on his right foot, and he was sporting a walking boot on the practice fields.

Notable Standouts
Anthony Brown – The rookie cornerback did not allow a completion in four one-on-one reps, including a pass breakup against Cole Beasley working from the slot. Minutes later he won his rep in the compete period.
Brice Butler – The fourth-year receiver’s comfort level with the offense seems to grow as camp continues. He caught multiple passes in various drills, including a touchdown from Dak Prescott in seven-on-seven work.
Morris Claiborne – It only seems fair to keep acknowledging Claiborne’s strong camp as long as he can keep up the momentum. He’s not going to win every single rep, especially not in 1-on-1 drills. Dez Bryant once again beat him on a back shoulder fade. But overall, Claiborne continues to excel. He flew around the field in full-team drills, including a jumping interception of Tony Romo on a long ball.

Play of the Day
Dez Bryant gets all the credit, but Cole Beasley showed off some pretty fantastic hands of his own on Saturday evening. In the full-team portion of practice, Beasley lined up in the slot, opposite Anthony Brown – and proceeded to put the rookie in his dust. With no help over the top, Tony Romo saw Beasley breaking down the seam and lofted him a pass right near the end line. Beasley didn’t have much real estate to work with, but he reached overhead to bring down a fingertip catch – and he tapped both feet down in the end zone for six points.

 

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Tony Romo-to-Dez Bryant starting to show signs of life
Aug 5, 2016
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- Dez Bryant has been trying to do everything he can to get back to the form he had in 2014 -- when he led the NFL in touchdown catches -- after foot surgeries kept him from seven games last season and out of team drills in the offseason.

Friday was a sign Bryant is coming around.

During one-on-one drills at Dallas Cowboys training camp, he caught a back-shoulder throw from Tony Romo near the right sideline with just his left hand. He tapped his two feet before going out of bounds, dropped the ball over his shoulder and stared into the approving crowd.

“My season ended a little bit early last year,” Bryant said. “Just getting back to doing the stuff that I love, catching the football, playing football, being out here with my teammates. Every day, it just gets better and it just feels more natural and natural and natural. I’m just excited. I’m taking it day by day and feeling good about it.”

In team and 7-on-7 drills, Bryant caught three of the five passes thrown his way. One incompletion was too long on a go route and a second was underthrown as Romo was under pressure.

• Sometimes interceptions aren’t quarterback’s fault. Romo had two of them that could be in that category. Receiver Terrance Williams could not come up with a quick slant in red-zone work in 7-on-7 drills and the tipped ball fell into the hands of cornerback Brandon Carr. Later, safety J.J. Wilcox came up with a deflection off tight end Jason Witten's hands in the end zone.

• In situational work, the Romo-to-Witten connection hooked up twice in the middle of the field, with the first reception converting a third down and the second setting up a field goal attempt by Dan Bailey.

“It’s just work,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “They got to keep getting a feel for one another. And it’s good to see it starting to go off again. I think that is just a matter of time. They will get it down pat if we keep working at it.”

On to the observations:

Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford missed his fifth consecutive practice with a sore back, but there was hope: He went through his rehab wearing shoulder pads. So did defensive end Benson Mayowa, who is on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from knee surgery.

In the offense vs. defense competition period, the defense finally came out on top. Cornerback Josh Thomas broke up a deep ball to Andy Jones from Romo; Mark Nzeocha bull-rushed running back Darius Jackson in pass protection and linebacker James Morris pushed tight end Rico Gathers back into the quarterback. Among the linemen, defensive end Ryan Russell used a spin move to get around offensive tackle Cameron Bradfield and DE David Irving got under OT Chaz Green. The offense’s only win came from backup center/guard Joe Looney, who smothered D-lineman Jack Crawford.

Second-year tight end Geoff Swaim had a productive day, catching five passes in team and seven-on-seven drills.

With Sean Lee (rest), Kyle Wilber (back) and Cedric Thornton (sick) not practicing, Justin Durand and Nzoecha worked with the first-team defense and undrafted rookie linebacker Rodney Coe worked at defensive tackle.

With injuries at running back, fullback Rod Smith is being forced into some tailback work. He had some nice runs up the middle with the third-team offense, taking advantage of some big holes.
 

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Early Cowboys' Camp Reports Giving Reason For Hope On The Defensive Line
By Joey Ickes  @JoeyIckes on Aug 7, 2016, 11:30a

The 2016 Dallas Cowboys are a team constructed around an explosive offense, designed to build leads early in games and then hold on to that lead by controlling the ball. On a team like that, the most important tasks for the defensive side of the ball are: a) generate takeaways, and b) rush the passer.

Many data analyses have shown that turnover generation is largely random. But anyone who pays attention to the way defenses practice will know that every bit of those practices has an element designed to encourage the habits that do result in increased takeaway opportunities, with tangible results for the Cowboys shown as recently as 2014. Still, we won't focus on this aspect in this article.

However, over the last few years, and really most of this century outside of a few years in the prime of DeMarcus Ware's career, the Cowboys have not been very good at generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. At times it has been a result of a lack of talent, and others it's been due to scheme issues, but as an organization they have failed to generate production from their defensive front in terms sacking opposing quarterbacks.

The team has, at various times, including following the heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 playoffs, felt that they needed more from the pass rush to meet their goals. But throughout the 2016 offseason, their actions seemed to show that they felt as though they had enough talent along the front to get production and win. These actions, or more lack-there-of, have led to the ringing of many hands among fans and analyst in Cowboys Nation.

Now that we have a week worth of practice reports, Twitter posts, and "Training Camp Live" feeds to dig through, are there any early signs that may point to hope along the line? It certainly seems that there are, as coaches Rod Marinelli and Leon Lett have begun to mold the raw pieces of clay they have been given.

David Irving: As a player signed by the Cowboys away from the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad shortly after the end of training camp, Irving played a role in the Cowboys rotation in 2015, and showed promise, but lacked high-level production. Like many among the Cowboys' Rushmen, Irving has a very impressive physical profile, and according to observers, has begun to translate those measurables to the field in the team and one-on-one periods.

Playing primarily as a left defensive end, Irving has regularly been too much for the Cowboys' right tackles to handle, displaying impressive ability to bend, and convert speed to power, using his remarkable length to control and occasionally dominate his opponents creating havoc in the backfield. If Irving can create some consistency in his technique, while developing the one-handed "long arm" move he's been working on a bit, there's no reason to believe he can't be a guy who can be counted on to produce in 2016.



Ryan Russell: Few players were more maligned in the 2015 training camp, and few on the 2015 roster had a smaller impact than the rookie from Purdue. But going into his second year, I'm not sure many have been more praised for their development over the 2016 offseason than Russell. Early in camp Russell has played mostly right defensive end with the first defense, which means he has drawn the assignment of facing off with Tyron Smith in most drills. While observers confirm that he has given Smith some good work exhibiting improved get-off and burst, he hasn't been able to get the better of Smith all that often, However, when he's gotten the opportunity to go against someone besides the All-Pro, Russell has been able to be a disruptive player in the early practices. He has shown a nifty spin move, and will need to develop a way to capture the outside edge on an offensive tackle, whether pure speed or otherwise, in order to maximize the effectiveness of that spin and position him to be the most productive he can be at this point. (Reminder, the tackle he beats so handily in the video below, has started 27 NFL games.)



DeMarcus Lawrence: Coming off of an eight sack season in 2015 in which he faced more single blocks than any defensive end in the NFL, recovering from back surgery, and looking in the face of a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy, Lawrence went from a player that fans could look to with hope of the next lead-dog along the defensive front, to just another question mark in a group full of them. However, early camp returns are all pointing extremely positive, whether it's taking accountability for his offseason misstep, or the way he's played like he's on a mission. He like Russell has developed a spin move, however, with Lawrence's proven ability to capture the edge with speed and/or power, the spin will act as more of a counter than a primary move, only increasing the number of tools in Lawrence's belt as he attempts to breakdown offensive tackles. It is no doubt a shame that Lawrence will have to wait four extra weeks to turn his early camp success into regular season production, but to this point, it appears he could be up to the challenge of being the team's alpha-dog rusher after all, and if that's the case, that will mean good things for everyone.



These are three big reasons to start to feel some positive vibes about the Cowboys pass rush, and we haven't even addressed the good things from Cedric Thornton and Terrell McClian disrupting inside, or unsung defensive ends like Mike McAdoo who have shown well, and minor injuries have kept us from seeing anything from Tyrone Crawford or Benson Mayowa to this point. So while much development remains between now and the Cowboys putting a dangerous pass rush on the field in September and beyond, everything to this point have been steps in the right direction, ready to be built upon.
 

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5 thoughts from Dallas Cowboys camp after Saturday practices

BY DREW DAVISON

1 Tony Romo and Cole Beasley hooked up for a nice touchdown pass from the 12-yard line in team drills. Romo dropped a dime that landed in Beasley’s outstretched hands in the back of the end zone, and Beasley did a nice job of getting both feet in bounds. It was the second Romo-Beasley connection in that series.


2 Romo wasn’t too pleased with Alfred Morris during the morning walk-through. Morris didn’t pick up a blitz, which would have given Sean Lee an open path to Romo. Romo has been injured in the past on missed blitz pickups, and certainly is cautious of that coming off an injury-plagued year. Morris now knows. But Morris made up for it a few plays later when Romo found him open in the flat, something that Romo verbalized.


3 Dez Bryant and Morris Claiborne went against each other often. In red-zone drills, Bryant had a TD catch on Claiborne. But Claiborne responded the next time by stripping the ball loose from Bryant. During team drills, Bryant and Claiborne got tangled up, the ball ricocheted off Bryant’s facemask and then Bryant lost his helmet going down to the ground. Bryant was visibly upset that an official didn’t call a penalty on Claiborne.


4 With the Cowboys thin at linebacker, Mark Nzeocha found himself getting first-team reps at strong side linebacker. He missed most of last season rehabbing a knee injury, but impressed several within the organization with his off-season work. With Kyle Wilber and Andrew Gachkar slowed by injuries, this is a chance for Nzeocha to shine. Said Jason Garrett: “You’re starting to see the athleticism we saw from him on tape in college.”


5 Tackle Chaz Green got plenty of reps the past two days, working with the first-team offense at left tackle on Friday and right tackle on Saturday. Green is the favorite to win the swing tackle job, and is getting more and more comfortable working on the left side. He spent most of his college career at right tackle. Green is in his first training camp, too, after sitting out last year following hip surgery.

Quote of the day

“I told Wade, the quarterbacks never looked better.” — offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, joking about taking over during quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson’s absence

Injury report


QB Kellen Moore: Fractured lower leg, out 3-4 months


WR Devin Street: Back, day-to-day


LB Kyle Wilber: Back, day-to-day


LB Andrew Gachkar: Thumb, TBD


DT Cedric Thornton: Virus, day-to-day


DT Maliek Collins: Foot, PUP


RB Lance Dunbar: Knee, PUP


TE James Hanna: Knee, PUP


DE Benson Mayowa: Knee, PUP


RB Darren McFadden: Elbow, non-football injury list (NFI)


LB Jaylon Smith: Knee, NFI


LB Damien Wilson: Eye, NFI


DT Tyrone Crawford: Back, day-to-day
 

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Anthony Brown's fast start at Cowboys camp is getting noticed
12:10 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- When Anthony Brown returned to his room after his first practice with the Dallas Cowboys, he had more than his normal amount of text messages on is cell phone from family and friends.

It seems they follow social media and were aware of his interception of Tony Romo.

“They just said continue to keep working, you’ve got a long ways to go,” Brown said. “I’m still trying to make this team. That’s just one step.”

But that one step can build confidence and can help a rookie immensely, especially a sixth-round pick.

With Orlando Scandrick working back into practice after missing last season with torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, Brown has received first-team snaps in the nickel defense in Scandrick’s slot position. With Scandrick and Brandon Carr not practicing on Saturday, he worked at cornerback with the first team.

So far, the Cowboys like what they have seen.

“He’s got the movement and he’s got really good speed and instincts,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “Now it’s that day-by-day process. Then you find out which guys really want to compete for these jobs. It’s getting [to be] grind time a little bit. Not really. But that’s where you’ve got to see guys come up and make the plays they are supposed to make; more importantly, play the style of the defense we want.”

At Purdue, where he recorded four interceptions in his senior season, Brown did not play in the slot. Facing Cole Beasley every day is taxing for any cornerback with Beasley’s quickness and smarts. On Saturday, he simply grabbed Beasley for a holding penalty in a one-on-one drill. But having Scandrick around has helped his development early in training camp.

“He’s a great NFL player,” Brown said. “He’s been in the league nine years and he’s teaching me a lot, all the ins and outs of the game, trying to get me to get better every day.”

Despite the strong start, Brown isn’t getting carried away and isn’t sure where he is in the adjustment to the NFL.

“I don't know until I get into that first game,” Brown said. “It's still practice. Practice and games are two different experiences. I can't wait until the first game next weekend against the Rams. I'll let you know then.”

His family and friends might let him know first.
 

jsmith6919

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“I told Wade, the quarterbacks never looked better.” — offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, joking about taking over during quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson’s absence


:lol
 

dallen

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:lol
 

p1_

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Quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, who has missed the last two days of practice with a health-related issue, could return to practice soon. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has filled in for Wilson on the practice field in putting the quarterbacks through drills.

“I told Wade the quarterbacks never looked better,” Linehan joked.
Uh, yeah. I know I feel good knowing Wilson's daily status. WTF? WGAS?
 

Cotton

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Camp Sights: Daily Hot Takes Include Speedy Lucky & No Rest For D-Line
Sunday, August 07, 2016 8:05 PM CDT
By DallasCowboys.com Report

(Editor’s Note: At the end of each day here at training camp in Oxnard, the staff writers will each provide their own personal observation, ranging anywhere from a particular player who is standing out, a position that needs an upgrade, or even their own personal experiences regarding the daily rigors of camp.)

Rob Phillips: Each training camp there seems to be an undrafted rookie receiver who makes noise – last year it was Lucky Whitehead – and each practice Andy Jones seems to make a play or two that gets the crowd fired up. In Sunday’s scrimmage there were at least two: a back-shoulder touchdown catch from Dak Prescott, and in the tackle period, a catch-and-run from Jameill Showers on a slant route that brought the offense inside the 5-yard line. Jones is trying to crack one of the deepest Cowboys receiving groups I can remember in several years, but with a strong preseason, he might just have a chance.

David Helman: Every practice at this training camp features at least a small special teams portion. Sunday was no different, as the coverage units worked out the kinks and Chris Jones boomed seven or eight different punts. Typically, it’s hard to judge too much from these sessions, because they’re non-contact and half-speed. But in this particular instance, Lucky Whitehead fielded a kick and was off like a gun shot. He darted past the first two tacklers right away, and then he dusted two more when he beat them to the corner and turned upfield. It’s hard to do justice to how fast Whitehead was moving, and I have next-to-no doubt that he would have scored – even in a real game. Whitehead hasn’t always been impressive as a receiver, but that ability is what’s going to help him make this roster. He’s absolutely lethal as a special teams weapon.

Nick Eatman: Most players don’t admit to having much flaws in their game. But when Alfred Morris said he’s still trying to become a “complete” back, it showed a sense of humility and self-awareness that is rather uncommon from a two-time Pro Bowler. But Morris also said he expects to work on other aspects of his game and he’s getting the chance to do just that. Running with the first-team offense for the last week, Morris has been rather effective out of the backfield catching the ball. He’s also been more than a willing blocker. In the scrimmage, Morris had a couple of red-zone catches to extend the drive. The veteran back is looking quick and alert, more than taking advantage of his opportunity.

Bryan Broaddus: In this game, you can be light on numbers and missing players but no one cares. Each day is a different set of challenges and how you handle those challenges as a team defines who you are. This defensive line has not been at full strength at all during this camp but they’ve not allowed that to affect how they have played. By no means has this group been perfect but the effort especially in the Blue-White Scrimmage was outstanding. There are no backups here because the backups to the backups are the starters. I was impressed with what I saw today from David Irving, Zach Wood and Mike McAdoo. These guys never took a break during the practice and when they were called on to make plays – they were able to do just that. Hopefully this group will get some numbers this week but the way things have been going for them lately, don’t count on it.
 

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JUST CHILL: Don’t Sleep on Jameill Showers, other scrimmage standouts

BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com

1. Quarterback Jameill Showers should be getting more serious attention from fans and the Dallas Cowboys regarding the backup quarterback position. Most of the focus is on rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott and understandably so. He is the one the team is grooming for the future. But right now, Showers is ahead of Prescott and playing the better football. Showers is throwing it better and making quicker decisions. That was most evident in the Blue/White scrimmage even though he got all of his reps at the end with third stringers. Showers will have a chance to make a big jump in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday night.

2. Receiver Andy Jones has gone from long shot to seemingly a lock to make the roster. It just depends on how many receivers the Cowboys keep. But outside of Dez Bryant, Cole Beasely and Terrance Williams, no receiver has been more impressive in training camp so far than Andy Jones. That includes Devin Street, Bruce Butler and Lucky Whitehead. Keep an eye on Jones. If he continues to show up and standout in the preseason as he has so far in practices, the Cowboys will have to make room for him or watch him get picked by another team. He will not get to the practice squad.

3. Linebacker Derek Akunne is another longshot who is making a name for himself early in camp. The former North Texas product got time with the first team defense in the Blue/White scrimmage on Sunday. It had a lot do with numbers because the Cowboys have so many injuries at linebacker. But coach Jason Garrett said Akunne earned his opportunities. He is undersized, but he plays with great instincts and has a knack for finding the ball. He had a sack in the scrimmage on Sunday. Again, he must continue to show up when the lights come on in the preseason.

4. Tight end Geoff Swaim didn’t get many opportunities last year as a rookie seventh-round pick from Texas. But he has grown and matured and is now seemingly ready to make the most of his opportunities. With Gavin Escobar limited and James Hanna out with a knee injury, Swaim is getting a run behind starter Jason Witten. He also has become a favorite target of the young quarterbacks, particularly Dak Prescott. Swaim was drafted by the Cowboys because of his abilities as a blocker, but he showing that he has good hands and is athletic enough to get up field. Prescott found him on a bootleg and a short touchdown in the Blue/White Scrimmage.

5. Receiver Lucky Whitehead will get his opportunities in the regular offense on reverses and fly sweeps. But his mark will be made on special teams. He had a dynamic punt return for a touchdown in the Blue/White scrimmage. It’s a testament to his development and maturity in his second year. He makes better decisions and gets up field faster. No more dancing. With his speed and quickness, it doesn’t take much for him to hit it big. Whitehead should put the big play back in the Cowboys return game.
 

Cotton

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Carr getting smoked per usual. :picard
 

boozeman

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1. Quarterback Jameill Showers should be getting more serious attention from fans and the Dallas Cowboys regarding the backup quarterback position. Most of the focus is on rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott and understandably so. He is the one the team is grooming for the future. But right now, Showers is ahead of Prescott and playing the better football. Showers is throwing it better and making quicker decisions. That was most evident in the Blue/White scrimmage even though he got all of his reps at the end with third stringers. Showers will have a chance to make a big jump in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday night.
This is code for Prescott is sucking.
 

Joe Fan

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I hope that we find a way to keep Andy Jones. I'll be beyond pissed if they keep Street over him and then fail when trying to get him onto the practice squad.
 

Cotton

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I hope that we find a way to keep Andy Jones. I'll be beyond pissed if they keep Street over him and then fail when trying to get him onto the practice squad.
Jones won't make the PS. There will be a team that picks him up.
 
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