OXNARD, Calif.– When asked about his overall thoughts of Sunday's Blue-White Scrimmage, owner Jerry Jones went straight to a pair of rookies that stood out the most.
Fifth-round pick Joe Jackson made an impactful hit on the first play of the live tackling action and had a few other moments where his athleticism and pass-rushing skills were evident. Later on, running back Tony Pollard was impressive as an overall runner, something that was important to see considering the Cowboys plan to use him on the outside with his speed.
"I was particularly impressed with was Jackson, the Miami defensive end," Jones said. "He obviously made the eye-opening tackle. But more importantly, and he was known for this, his ability to chase the ball and pursue the ball. He never quits on a play. This is his first time we've had the live action and I'm telling you he was really impressive. He was all over the field. He was aggressive. I thought he had a good day."
Jones quickly shifted to his fourth-round pick.
"I thought Tony Pollard really showed the ability to plant his feet and his quick feet," Jones said. "He's obviously about as smooth an athlete … you saw the flexibility when we were in there with the first (unit), they had him in there to get all the reps he can. If he continues to get better and better and better, then I think you're going to see a guy that plays early for the Cowboys."
· Tight end Jason Witten has been through a few of these scrimmages over the years. More than anything, he was just happy to be mixing it up in pads again.
"Oh yeah, it was fun … good to be back," Witten said. "I think its just another step. I feel like we get a weekend, get a practice in and this is the next step. It's as much like a game as you can do."
- The first-team offense had a productive start in goal-line drills. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw a touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten on a rollout, and running back Darius Jackson muscled into the end zone on the next snap.
- In 7-on-7 drills, safety Xavier Woods came up with his third interception of camp when Prescott tried fit a tight pass to Witten down the seam. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie got a hand on it, and Woods did the rest.
- Second-year linebacker Chris Covington also got an interception on the first play of a team-period drive. Covington began training camp on the active/non-football injury list but is now competing for a backup spot and special teams role.
- Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper did not practice because of a minor heel bruise, but earlier in the day head coach Jason Garrett indicated that Cooper could be back Tuesday when the team returns from its off day.
- In the two-minute drill, Prescott put the offense in position for a deciding field goal when he found Randall Cobb on a crossing route for a big game. But Brett Maher's 32-yard field goal attempt was a line drive that landed outside the uprights. A day earlier, Maher did go a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal attempts.
- The younger players and reserves finished up practice in a 10-play, "play it out" situation. Second-year quarterback Mike White and first-year running back Jordan Chunn led the offense down the field with a combination of designed runs and dump-offs. Rookie running back Mike Weber finished the drive by spinning out of a pile and reaching the end zone.
