OXNARD, Calif. – A quick handful of notes from Thursday evening's padded practice:
- It had to be good feeling for these defensive coaches to see Orlando Scandrick back in his nickel/slot position. It was his first extended action of training camp and Scandrick was able to come up with an outstanding play during the two-minute drill. Scandrick carried Cole Beasley inside and just as Dak Prescott was attempting to deliver the ball, Scandrick in perfect position extended his left hand in front of Beasley to knock the ball away and save the defense a potential big play with Beasley on the move.
- I've been seeing a more aggressive Brandon Carr in these practices. I see a player that is taking more risks and the results have been that he has been getting to more balls. In 7-on-7, Carr read Brice Butler, who was attempting to run a slant on the play and managed to beat him to the spot before the ball arrived. As we have all been too familiar with Carr, he never wins on a slant. Because of his drive, he was so physical with Butler that Butler was not able to position his body in order to make the catch.
- Ryan Russell caught a break in practice when he didn't have to rush against Tyron Smith during 1-on-1. Russell, who has been working off the right side during practice, took the majority of his snaps from the left side and some inside at tackle. Russell was able to get Doug Free off balance with a beautiful spin move that had Free reaching for air. Russell was able to push Free to his right, get his hands down and then spin hard to the inside. All of Free's weight was on his right foot and to the outside and he was unable to adjust back to stop Russell's charge to prevent the sack.
- Just a couple of position notes: Morris Claiborne played in the slot opposite Orlando Scandrick in the dime package, instead of his normal outside position. Claiborne was able to carry Cole Beasley up the field on a wheel route, which resulted in Jameill Showers throwing the ball out of reach. Without Jason Witten and James Hanna in the lineup, Geoff Swaim was used as the primary blocker at the point of attack offensively when the team went into the Run/Play Action Period.
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