OXNARD, Calif. – Dallas Cowboys training camp has been rather tame when it comes to fights among teammates, but tensions started to show on Tuesday.
Dez Bryant and Morris Claiborne did most of the jawing. At one point during practice, Bryant pointed to each member of the secondary and said, “You can’t guard me.” Of course, Claiborne wasn’t a fan of it.
On the first play of two-minute work, Claiborne tripped and Bryant flipped over the top of him. He was not appreciative of what happened, but Claiborne simply fell and meant no ill will. Throughout the rest of the session, Bryant and the defense jawed back and forth, with linebacker Sean Lee stepping into the fray as well.
The situational drill ended when Bryant was jammed at the line of scrimmage by Brandon Carr and couldn’t shake free, leading to a pass Tony Romo had to throw in the dirt. The offense settled for a field goal.
The Cowboys’ final practice of training camp in Oxnard is Wednesday morning. Maybe there will be more drama.
On to the observations:
Rookie QB Dak Prescott had some shaky moments. He was intercepted in the end zone by CB Arjen Colquhoun on an underthrown fade to WR Rodney Smith. He had a crossing pass to Smith in the end zone batted away by LB Mark Nzeocha. He also underthrew a fade to WR Devin Street in the end zone. He was able to close practice with a touchdown on a zone read.
S Barry Church had an interception negated by an offside penalty on S Byron Jones, but that should not negate the read Church made on the Romo throw to the slot to WR Cole Beasley. Church jumped the route with perfect timing and had open field for what would have been a touchdown.
Claiborne dropped a sure pick on a deep throw from Romo to Bryant in seven-on-seven drills. The throw was a little short and Claiborne was in perfect position, but he could not hold on to the ball.
DE David Irving, who has been working as the first-team left defensive end, had to leave practice early with a groin injury. Executive vice president Stephen Jones did not believe the strain was serious but said Irving would miss some time. That’s not good news for an already-thin defensive line.
CB Josh Thomas, fighting for one of the final cornerback spots, came up with a terrific pass deflection after he was beaten by WR Lucky Whitehead. With Prescott’s throw almost perfect for a touchdown, Thomas was able to recover, close on Whitehead and rip his hands through at the last second for the breakup.
Rookie WR Andy Jones drew the ire of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in seven-on-seven work when he did not stop his crossing route with the defense playing zone. As a result Prescott did not have a clear window for a sure touchdown pass.
FB Rod Smith did not practice because he was sick.
