OXNARD, Calif. -- With Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Darren McFadden on the sideline, fullback Tyler Clutts was forced to take some first-team snaps at tailback.
In situational work, Clutts scored on about a 5-yard run that had Jason Garrett cursing at the defense and the defensive coaches apoplectic.
While the offensive line gave Clutts a nice hole to run through, the defense failed to react to the slow-developing play and the backside defenders did not close quick enough to stop him. Of course, the offensive line took great pride in Clutts' score.
Linebacker Kyle Wilber was able to come up with a sack of Dustin Vaughan in team drills and later intercepted Jameill Showers in 7-on-7 work after the rookie quarterback threw an ill-advised pass late and over the middle.
Let's just say it wasn’t a good start for the first- or second-team offense. Working on coming off the goal line, the first-team offense was not able to break a long run with Davon Coleman making a nice stop on Gus Johnson and Jack Crawford coming up with a would-be sack of Weeden. For the second team, the first play resulted in a poor exchange between Dustin Vaughan and Shane McDermott. On the third play, there was a snap-count snafu.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was kept out of team work because of a tight back, Jeremy Mincey worked as the first-team left defensive end in 11-on-11 drills. Defensive tackle Chris Whaley was carted off the field with what was believed to be an ankle injury suffered in one-on-one pass rush drills.
Keep these pairings in mind for Thursday for kickoff returns: Cole Beasley and J.J. Wilcox, Lucky Whitehead and Showers, Reggie Dunn and George Farmer and Nick Harwell and Deontay Greenberry.
Lache Seastrunk popped off a long run, cutting back against the grain, but he must start following the design of the play. He freelances a lot.
As kickoff return drills were going on, linebacker Sean Lee worked off to the side on a blocking dummy working on his hands in pass rushes.
Whitehead had an interesting play in one on one drills, dropping a clean pass from Weeden on a crossing route. Cornerback Joel Ross was about to get the interception as the ball popped into the air, but Whitehead recovered and broke up the pick.
As reserve offensive lineman R.J. Dill walked off the field after practice fans started screaming, "Zack, come over," thinking he was right guard Zack Martin.
