With the Cowboys wrapping things up in Oxnard and heading home to Texas, which players surprised you the most, good or bad, out in California? – Rey Martinez/San Antonio, TX
Patrik: There are several who jumped out at me in Oxnard, and mostly because of how quickly they either came along over the course of training camp or how quickly they acclimated after being added in short order. I'll work backwards in the few I'll name here, and it starts with Jordan Phillips. Sure, he's had only one full padded practice but that's my point: only one full practice and yet he started the second preseason game against the Raiders, and played well, after having barely gotten his baggage off of the flight from New York. As for those who've made waves "outta nowhere", sign me up for Kemon Hall on defense and Kelvin Harmon on offense. Both were camp additions that have created a difficult conversation at their respective positions as we near the preseason finale. As for the notable names, well, I did predict in early May that Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe would be starters come Week 1, so I can't say they've surprised me at all, but I can say it's been a blast to watch how swiftly they've developed.
Nick Harris: I understand there should be high expectations for a first-round pick, but Tyler Guyton has exceeded even the highest of expectations I could have had for his rookie training camp. He does not look like a player that arrived with only 14 starts to his name from his college days, and he's held his own against some of Dallas' premier pass rushers. The same could be said for third-round pick Marist Liufau who has come in and filled just about every role you could ask from a linebacker in his first training camp. As for disappointments, I expected a bit more from the depth tackle group behind Guyton and Terence Steele. Obviously injuries have played a role, but I'd like more from that group to provide some comfort in the event of an injury to one of the two starters.
