OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys are definitely finding their groove here in training camp. On Friday, the team conducted their second practice day and it was rather clear, the defense got the upper hand.
Here are some of the practice observations from the staff writers:
- Mike Zimmer's defense is off to an explosive start. It was all McCarthy and the offense could do on Day 2 to try and keep the ball out of the hands of the defense, failing on three occasions — a pick-six by DaRon Bland on Dak Prescott followed immediately by an interception from Josh Butler on Cooper Rush, and then Jourdan Lewis reminded Prescott that he, too, is still very much a ballhawk. Questions on if Zimmer's defense will be able to take the ball away will soon die a brutal death; and Trevon Diggs hasn't even taken the field yet. - (Patrik Walker)
- Yes, you read that correctly. DaRon Bland had yet another pick-six because, at this point, of course he did. Coming off of his historic season wherein he set a new league record for the most pick-sixes while also claiming the league's INT throne en route to a First-Team All-Pro nod, Bland is wasting no time whatsoever proving that what you've seen from him over the last two seasons is anything but a fluke. – (Patrik Walker)
- Rookie wide receiver Ryan Flournoy worked off to the side on the cords with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown during positional drills and was off to the side spectating during team drills. When asked after practice, Flournoy said he was good as he looks to get back on the practice field this weekend. – (Nick Harris)
- Brock Hoffman came up limping after a pancake on Mazi Smith in team drills, but he didn't miss any ensuing snaps. Hoffman has looked solid through the first two days as he looks to hold down the starting center spot in a competition with Cooper Beebe, T.J. Bass and Dakoda Shepley. – (Nick Harris)
- The battle at tight end is already heating up with the re-addition of Luke Schoonmaker and John Stephens Jr. to the mix. That means Peyton Hendershot will need to make the most of his targets and opportunities as a whole. Hendershot had an up-and-down day on Friday that included two drops in individual drills but also a couple of really good catches in 7-on-7 sets. The talent is there, as it has been, but the competition is gonna hit another level this summer and that means drops will carry that much more weight. – (Patrik Walker)
- Ah, The Jalens. On Day 1, it was Jalen Brooks, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Cropper owning the day on the receivers' front and, on Day 2, Brooks and Tolbert got right back to doing the exact same thing in 7-on-7 drills. They're developing quite the chemistry with Dak Prescott and, as it stands, will keep things spicy in the competition for WR3 through WR5 (?), and maybe even force the Cowboys to consider carrying six this year. - (Patrik Walker)
- The depth of the wide receiver room has definitely had ample opportunities in the absence of CeeDee Lamb, and one guy taking advantage of the extra reps is Tyron Billy-Johnson. The long, speedy and reliable pass-catcher was a steady target for both Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush today as he grows more comfortable with every snap he takes. - (Nick Harris)
