OXNARD, Calif. -- After 13 practices the rigors of training camp are hitting the Dallas Cowboys.
Fullback Tyler Clutts and safety Jeff Heath touched off a brief firestorm between the offense and defense in Sunday’s session.
“It’s counting down the days,” safety J.J. Wilcox said. “We’re getting tired of hitting each other and everybody’s grumpy waking up on the other side of the bed. Just competing. And that’s part of camp. The grinding and hitting each other and you know just anger builds up. It’s just like brothers.”
The first scuffle of camp involved Dez Bryant and Tyler Patmon. There have been minor skirmishes since, but Sunday’s fight had been brewing for a little bit. Earlier Heath bounced Clutts on a run in team drills and Clutts repayed the favor by bowling over linebacker Keith Smith on a swing pass.
The fight started after a short completion to Clutts in which Heath brought a little extra oomph. Offensive and defensive players quickly jumped in but it was cleared quickly. Zack Martin found himself on the bottom of the pile after getting shoved from behind and covered up.
“I didn’t want to get my hands stepped on,” Martin joked.
Maybe it’s a good thing the Cowboys will see the St. Louis Rams for practice on Monday and Tuesday.
On to the observations:
Tony Romo had his sharpest practice of camp. In team and 7-on-7 drills, Romo completed 13 of 15 passes. His two incompletions were on a downfield route to running back Lance Dunbar that was just overthrown and a back-line throw to Terrance Williams that the receiver was unable to pluck. Romo has gone 95 passes without an interception in camp.
The "hellified running" that Gary Brown spoke of on Saturday showed up from Joseph Randle on Sunday. Randle was explosive in the run game, busting one run in the play-action period thanks in part to a Gavin Escobar block. In situational work he found another gear after lulling Wilcox to sleep for a big run. Randle looks like he is past whatever issue he had with his oblique strain.
Ronald Leary is not going to give up his left guard job without a fight. He blocked linebacker Andrew Gachkar 15 yards down the field on a long run from Randle. He smothered Ken Bishop in the compete period as well.
With the NFL officials on hand for tomorrow’s work against the Rams, things are being called a little tighter. In the compete period Tyler Patmon was called for holding on Cole Beasley. With the pass incomplete, Patmon turned to the officials and said, “What was the flag for?” It seemed to be a pretty clear-cut penalty with Patmon’s arms on Beasley’s shoulders.
Jason Garrett doesn’t give gameballs at practice but if he did then Devin Street would have received one. The second-year receiver scored twice on throws from Romo in team and 7-on-7 drills, with both coming on crossing routes with Morris Claiborne in coverage.
Only a few hours after signing, wide receiver David Porter had two touchdown receptions. He ran by Robert Steeples on a go route from Brandon Weeden in 7-on-7 drills to make his presence known immediately.
The Rams coaches were at practice at the beginning to get a look at the Oxnard grounds leading up to Monday’s practice. Head coach Jeff Fisher took some time to chat up Jason Witten before the Cowboys got to work.
Fullback Tyler Clutts and safety Jeff Heath touched off a brief firestorm between the offense and defense in Sunday’s session.
“It’s counting down the days,” safety J.J. Wilcox said. “We’re getting tired of hitting each other and everybody’s grumpy waking up on the other side of the bed. Just competing. And that’s part of camp. The grinding and hitting each other and you know just anger builds up. It’s just like brothers.”
The first scuffle of camp involved Dez Bryant and Tyler Patmon. There have been minor skirmishes since, but Sunday’s fight had been brewing for a little bit. Earlier Heath bounced Clutts on a run in team drills and Clutts repayed the favor by bowling over linebacker Keith Smith on a swing pass.
The fight started after a short completion to Clutts in which Heath brought a little extra oomph. Offensive and defensive players quickly jumped in but it was cleared quickly. Zack Martin found himself on the bottom of the pile after getting shoved from behind and covered up.
“I didn’t want to get my hands stepped on,” Martin joked.
Maybe it’s a good thing the Cowboys will see the St. Louis Rams for practice on Monday and Tuesday.
On to the observations:
Tony Romo had his sharpest practice of camp. In team and 7-on-7 drills, Romo completed 13 of 15 passes. His two incompletions were on a downfield route to running back Lance Dunbar that was just overthrown and a back-line throw to Terrance Williams that the receiver was unable to pluck. Romo has gone 95 passes without an interception in camp.
The "hellified running" that Gary Brown spoke of on Saturday showed up from Joseph Randle on Sunday. Randle was explosive in the run game, busting one run in the play-action period thanks in part to a Gavin Escobar block. In situational work he found another gear after lulling Wilcox to sleep for a big run. Randle looks like he is past whatever issue he had with his oblique strain.
Ronald Leary is not going to give up his left guard job without a fight. He blocked linebacker Andrew Gachkar 15 yards down the field on a long run from Randle. He smothered Ken Bishop in the compete period as well.
With the NFL officials on hand for tomorrow’s work against the Rams, things are being called a little tighter. In the compete period Tyler Patmon was called for holding on Cole Beasley. With the pass incomplete, Patmon turned to the officials and said, “What was the flag for?” It seemed to be a pretty clear-cut penalty with Patmon’s arms on Beasley’s shoulders.
Jason Garrett doesn’t give gameballs at practice but if he did then Devin Street would have received one. The second-year receiver scored twice on throws from Romo in team and 7-on-7 drills, with both coming on crossing routes with Morris Claiborne in coverage.
Only a few hours after signing, wide receiver David Porter had two touchdown receptions. He ran by Robert Steeples on a go route from Brandon Weeden in 7-on-7 drills to make his presence known immediately.
The Rams coaches were at practice at the beginning to get a look at the Oxnard grounds leading up to Monday’s practice. Head coach Jeff Fisher took some time to chat up Jason Witten before the Cowboys got to work.
