(Editor's Note: 90 players are striving for a roster spot over the next month. In an effort to keep up with all of them, Bryan Broaddus is going to write a report on three different players after every practice. From the team's most prominent players to its no-name camp bodies, this is a place to read about what's going on across the Cowboys' roster.)
OXNARD, Calif. – We've spent a lot of time breaking down the Cowboys' Blue-White Scrimmage on Sunday afternoon. But on top of everything we've already written, here are three more guys who caught my eye.
Dez Bryant, WR
After a slow start to camp by his standards, we are starting to see more from Dez Bryant in these practices. His "stutter-go" against Brandon Carr was well executed on his part to get Carr to sit down on the route -- which allowed him to get by and into space. His finish to keep the route up the field and the extension of his hands kept Barry Church from having any angle to make the play. With Bryant, now it's not just part of the plan but the complete plan. His execution of the route without the ball during the red zone touchdown pass to Terrance Williams was the primary reason why the play was successful. If Bryant doesn't draw Sean Lee out of position toward him, Williams is not able to work behind the coverage and into the clear. With Dez Bryant you always expect the game changing plays, but now we are starting to see more of the subtle areas of his game improving as well.
David Irving, DE
It has been steady as it goes for David Irving in these practices. With all the injuries that this club has had to deal with, Irving along with Mike McAdoo have been the most consistent players when it comes to lining up each day and playing productive snaps. During practice and the scrimmage portion, I thought Irving was outstanding. Like most of his defensive line teammates, there was no break for him due to the lack of numbers, but Irving fought through all that. Irving was difficult to block and when the offense tried to scheme against him in the red zone, he was able to step up, beat the block and execute the tackle for loss. What gives Irving such an advantage along this defensive line is his length. When he is able to extend his arms, he has the ability to keep blockers off his body. Add that to his ability to move and chase and you have an ideal defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. Right now he is in a battle to be that starter at left defensive end with Ryan Russell -- who missed practice with knee soreness. Russell hasn't been poor in his play so far, but he can't allow Irving to continue to have days like he did Sunday and expect to win that job.
Andy Jones, WR
What has been impressive about Andy Jones has been his ability to carry those positive days from OTAs and minicamps to what we have seen on the practice fields here in Oxnard. You get the feeling that the more he continues to show as a wide receiver with his playing making ability, the more this coaching staff has been willing to put him on the field. Physically Jones looks the part of an NFL wide receiver. There is some stoutness to his build -- a rugged type of a player. Mentally, he appears to be picking up the game well -- it doesn't appear too big or overwhelming. He doesn't bust routes or make route mistakes from what I have seen. The quarterbacks have relied on him to make plays. They're not afraid to deliver the ball to him even when he appears covered. What I have also noticed about Jones' game is that he has taken to coaching well. The technique work and drills have helped him find more separation in his routes, where before that wasn't the case. Andy Jones needs to find a way to finish what he has started and make this front office and coaching put him on this team.
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