OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys' 2014 season ended in part because of an overturned call by replay. They needed replay to settle a dispute in red-zone work during Sunday's scrimmage.
Did Joseph Randle score or didn’t he?
It all depends on the color of your jersey. As an offensive player in a white jersey Randle crossed the plane of the goal line with his dive over the top from the 2-yard line. The officials on hand called it a touchdown.
But every scoring play is reviewed -- in the regular season.
As a defensive player with a blue jersey, the ball was loose before Randle reached over the top.
Linebacker Sean Lee had a playful exchange with the refs.
“I said, ‘Next time let us know how much the offense is paying you because I’ll help bring a little more to the table,’” Lee said. “Joking. They’re great. They do a great job. It was just in fun.”
The final call will come at the team meeting tonight after the coaches review the tape.
Tony Romo led the first-team offense on a game-winning drive with a long touchdown throw down the slot to Cole Beasley, who was able to run away from Corey White. Of Romo’s five completions on the drive, three were to Beasley. He hit Terrance Williams on a crossing route after getting the benefit of a Randle block on a blitzing Lee.
With Ronald Leary suffering from back spasms, rookie La'el Collins took the first-team snaps at left guard. So far Leary has done everything to maintain a firm grasp on the job. Collins did a nice job in his work and saw extended time in the scrimmage at left guard as well.
Linebacker Andrew Gachkar had an impactful day with an interception of Brandon Weeden on a deflected pass in the play-action portion of practice. Five plays later in seven-on-seven work he put a thumping on fullback Tyler Clutts after a short completion.
Lining up at defensive tackle, Greg Hardy jumped offside on a third down play in red-zone work that gave the Cowboys’ offense a first down. Travis Frederick alertly snapped the ball with Hardy across the line of scrimmage.
Safety Barry Church came up with an athletic pass breakup of a Romo fade throw to 6-6 tight end Gavin Escobar in the corner of the end zone prior to Randle’s touchdown/fumble.
Jameill Showers opened up as the third-team quarterback in practice but Dustin Vaughan took all of the snaps in the scrimmage.
Rookie fifth-round pick Ryan Russell had two would-be sacks in team work, including one on the second play of the scrimmage of Vaughan. The backup offensive line will have some work to do before Thursday’s preseason opener. It allowed four sacks and had two false-start penalties.
Dan Bailey closed practice with a 53-yard field goal with his teammates creating “crowd noise” before and during the snap. Bailey has missed only two attempts in camp.
Right tackle Doug Free missed his third straight day of practice with a sore foot. Defensive tackle Nick Hayden (ribs), cornerback Tyler Patmon (hip) and offensive tackle John Wetzel (knee) did not practice. Patmon was dressed for practice but did not take any snaps. Joel Ross served as the dime cornerback.
The Cowboys announced a crowd of 6,962 at the scrimmage.
