OXNARD, Calif. – Yes, the young players did scrimmage at the end of Sunday's practice. But there was plenty to glean from the practice reps between the veterans, as well.
The scrimmage was live contact, which makes it unique in the context of training camp, but the first few sessions were very intense, as the offense and defense put in some quality work to cap off the weekend.
Here are my notes from Sunday night:
- Good job by Rico Gathers staying active on the scramble by Dak Prescott, which allowed Prescott to find him in the back of the end zone. It appeared initially that Prescott wanted to go inside to Geoff Swaim, but he was being held by Jaylon Smith. As Prescott moved to his left, Gathers did the smart thing to move with him and was able to separate himself from Justin March-Lillard for the touchdown.
- Tremendous play from Tavon Austin pulling the ball off the top of Charvarius Ward's helmet. It appeared as if Ward was in perfect position to come down with the ball, but somehow Austin worked his hands in front of Ward's to secure the ball. What was even more impressive about the play was how high Austin had leaped in the air in order to get over the top of Ward. He had to be a good two feet off the ground and then land on both feet to get in the end zone.
· Beautiful pass from Dak Prescott to Geoff Swaim off play action with Jeff Heath in coverage. The fake to Ezekiel Elliott held Joe Thomas in place, which allowed Swaim just enough space for the reception on the goal line. Defenders have to respect the run with Elliott in the game and that will continue to open up things on the outside.
· Big-time blocks by Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin to secure the edge for Ezekiel Elliott to get around the corner. What made the play even better was the pull blocks by Zack Martin and Joe Lonney. Martin was able to kick Anthony Brown out and Looney sealed Jaylon Smith to the inside, which gave Elliott the lane toward the end zone.
· Anthony Brown came up with an impressive interception of Dak Prescott when he was late with the ball to the outside to Cole Beasley. Brown, playing in zone coverage, was dropping into his area when Beasley crossed in front of him. Brown was out of his pedal by the time the ball was halfway to the sideline. Brown timed it perfectly by laying out for the ball in front of Beasley and coming down with the interception. It was a mistake by Prescott throwing the ball that late to the outside.
· Lance Lenoir continues to make a case for a roster spot on this club. It is now back-to-back days where he came up with a spectacular reception in the end zone. Lenoir ran a "Go" route with Donovan Olumba in tow. Cooper Rush tried to get the ball all the way to him, but it was a little short. Lenoir managed to track it all the way, whereas Olumba was a little late getting his head around. Lenoir turned his body completely around, extending his hands to come down with the ball for the touchdown.
· I am liking the toughness I am seeing from Tyree Robinson. During the goal line period yesterday, he took on a pulling guard to force the ball back to the inside. During the scrimmage, he filled from his safety spot to put a form tackle on Bo Scarbrough before he had a chance to get his shoulders turned and start downhill. Robinson was able to bring him down for a three-yard loss.
· Mike White had a nice completion to Marchie Murdock down the field, but it would have been for naught. Charvarius Ward came on a slot blitz and would have sacked White if he was allowed to hit the quarterback. What was interesting about the play is that Murdock was initially covered by Ward and didn't run the "hot" route once he saw the blitz. It appeared that White was waiting for him to do so instead of run the route he did.
· Unfortunate break for Dalton Sturm. Scrambling to his right to avoid Richard Ash and Joby Saint Fleur, he saw the ball go off Jordan Chunn's hand. Sturm's pass was behind Chunn and bounced into the air where Charvarius Ward was waiting. It was back-to-back days where Ward was on the other end of an interception.
· Joe Looney continues to have a nice camp. His pass blocking has been outstanding, especially during the pass rush drills. His hands and footwork have been the key to his success. Looney had to fill in for Travis Frederick during the practice and the offense didn't miss a beat with him in the huddle. He is the one backup offensive linemen that I have the most confidence in if he had to play in a game tomorrow.
· Anthony Brown came up with an impressive interception of Dak Prescott when he was late with the ball to the outside to Cole Beasley. Brown, playing in zone coverage, was dropping into his area when Beasley crossed in front of him. Brown was out of his pedal by the time the ball was halfway to the sideline. Brown timed it perfectly by laying out for the ball in front of Beasley and coming down with the interception. It was a mistake by Prescott throwing the ball that late to the outside.
· Lance Lenoir continues to make a case for a roster spot on this club. It is now back-to-back days where he came up with a spectacular reception in the end zone. Lenoir ran a "Go" route with Donovan Olumba in tow. Cooper Rush tried to get the ball all the way to him, but it was a little short. Lenoir managed to track it all the way, whereas Olumba was a little late getting his head around. Lenoir turned his body completely around, extending his hands to come down with the ball for the touchdown.
· I am liking the toughness I am seeing from Tyree Robinson. During the goal line period yesterday, he took on a pulling guard to force the ball back to the inside. During the scrimmage, he filled from his safety spot to put a form tackle on Bo Scarbrough before he had a chance to get his shoulders turned and start downhill. Robinson was able to bring him down for a three-yard loss.
· Mike White had a nice completion to Marchie Murdock down the field, but it would have been for naught. Charvarius Ward came on a slot blitz and would have sacked White if he was allowed to hit the quarterback. What was interesting about the play is that Murdock was initially covered by Ward and didn't run the "hot" route once he saw the blitz. It appeared that White was waiting for him to do so instead of run the route he did.
· Unfortunate break for Dalton Sturm. Scrambling to his right to avoid Richard Ash and Joby Saint Fleur, he saw the ball go off Jordan Chunn's hand. Sturm's pass was behind Chunn and bounced into the air where Charvarius Ward was waiting. It was back-to-back days where Ward was on the other end of an interception.
· Joe Looney continues to have a nice camp. His pass blocking has been outstanding, especially during the pass rush drills. His hands and footwork have been the key to his success. Looney had to fill in for Travis Frederick during the practice and the offense didn't miss a beat with him in the huddle. He is the one backup offensive linemen that I have the most confidence in if he had to play in a game tomorrow.
