It seems like every time the Cowboys have these joint practices, fights break out and they talk afterwards about the difficulties of getting things done. So why do these joint practices at all? Other than having a different colored jersey to hit, what are the advantages? – Tim Jackson/Shreveport, LA
Patrik: It's a double-edged sword, for sure, because you want and need the ratcheted up intensity to help prepare for the regular season but, be not mistaken, there is no tolerance for not being able to control your emotions and find the balance between intensity and potentially hurting yourself or someone else in a fight. That aside, the biggest reason to agree to a joint practice is the first team offense and defense, and that's because you're likely not going to see many, if any, starters take reps in the preseason. That means the only real test they'll have before September is the joint practice against the Rams, when they'll take the bulk of the reps. It's the one and only chance to see guys like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Jake Ferguson, etc. etc. begin to sharpen themselves against non-Cowboys competition; and that really is the point of it … and fights are simply an unnecessary thing to guard against.
Nick Harris: After about two and a half weeks at camp, it's a really good time for the Cowboys to see different looks on both sides of the ball and for it to be in a mostly controlled environment. Furthermore, with the Cowboys playing the Rams on Sunday, it's a good opportunity for the youth on the team to see some looks that they might struggle against and apply some knowledge to the game on Sunday. Sure, fights could happen, but if anything that allows the team to come together a little bit more as long as it's healthy.
