The Cowboys began their training camp with three days of high tempo and intense work. Something Schottenheimer was looking to bring to camp. They will have Friday off and see another three days Saturday – Monday.
I spent some time taking notes and keeping up with some awesome members of the media that provide highlight clips of camp! They are all featured below. With some of my thoughts added on. I also have some quick notes jotted at the end of the page.
High Energy, Movement, and Music
The second the whistle blew to begin practice — things were different.
Each practice starts with these footwork drills. Everyone gets involved and it helps get the energy up early.
Music is blasting throughout the entire practice, which was the first thing I noticed when I began watching some of these clips. That has never been a thing in Oxnard. Players have clearly been enjoying themselves and the time at these first few practices.
Coaches have been running around with the players. When a big play happens, offense or defense, coaches will run down field with the team, which emphasizes a positive play.
I think this is really beneficial to a team, and shows the competition that has been preached since day one of the Schotty era. Making practices fun and everyone having a part can tell the players, we aren’t just doing this because we have to…but we want to be out here competing.
Lastly, the offense has been playing with good tempo. A lot of energy from Lamb and Pickens, who have been attached at the hip. Most of their plays involve presnap motion and I have noticed a sense of urgency when breaking the huddle.
They won’t do it every time, making it a way to throw off the defense, but you will see them every once in awhile rush to the line to setup the play, and force the defense to react.
Defense Getting Turnovers
Speaking of the defense, they have been winning the endurance test of practice. Offense will have some wins early on, but the consistency of the defense has been the highlight.
The one handed grab by Malik Hooker was one of the three interceptions on day three. I like to point out, DeMarvion Overshown who is rehabbing a knee injury on the PUP list…running downfield with Hooker.
On day one, we saw a forced fumble on Princeton Fant the ball punched out by Troy Pride Jr. And a great chase down by DaRon Bland on George Pickens, who was caught up by Donovan Wilson.
And the defense has been continuing to try and punch the ball out all three days:
Not to overlook some sacks, though tackling is not permitted in these practices, the play would have been over. Rookie Ezeiruaku has been getting into the backfield. Solomon Thomas has been dominating as well, playing all three spots on the defensive line.
OLine and Running Game
We will be watching closely to see what kind of blocking schemes are used in this offense. But I have noticed a lot of bodies moving. You will see a lot of linemen on the move, pulling guards, combo blocks and gap schemes — which we can break down when we get some game footage.
Basically the oline is focused on moving bodies out of the way for runners. Watch Tyler Smith mash Payton Turner here.
Here is a combo block drill with Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith.
The goal is to double team a defensive linemen and push. As the running back follows behind, one lineman disengages his block and moves up field to block a linebacker. RB runs through the hole.
The backs have been looking sharp. A lot of speed from Jaydon Blue. Both Williams and Sanders have been getting a majority of the starting carries. Also Deuce Vaughn has had a few breakaway runs!
Here’s a few good runs:
Interestingly Turpin has been receiving a lot of handoffs as well, some lined up in the backfield but some motioning from a WR position.
Coach Putting His Foot down
There was a scrum on day two which featured a punch…can’t be doing that.
Adrenaline will be high during these physical practices, and that’s what Schotty wanted, intense practices. Trash talk, a little push here and there, it will all happen. It’s fine.
What can’t happen is a punch. Because on Sundays, you aren’t allowed to do that. You will be thrown out the game. So you can’t have it in practice.
And Schottenheimer let his team know that. There were some F bombs and other choice words included.
One thing you can worry about with a “player friendly” coach, will they be able to put their foot down?
Schottenheimer answers that here, he did what he is supposed to do, brought everyone back to the line. And was sure to let the team know, if you throw another punch…you will be going home.
Other Quick Notes:
- Dak Prescott has been a full participant
- Running keepers on the read option
- Joe Milton has a rocket arm, needs ball placement control – had a few good spots
- Majority of plays have motion built in
- OLine Coach Conor Riley very hands on with OLine
- Guyton has had some wins – stance looks better
- Still getting beat with speed (by Ezeiruaku)
- Hunter Luepke has lined up everywhere – a lot of shifts and movement presnap
- Improvements staying square as a blocker
- Luke Schoonmaker looks comfortable catching and great movement
- Prescott and Ferguson connection is back
- Jake Ferguson got reps as the emergency long snapper
- Tight end group doing push ups for drops and fumbles
- Coach Lunda Wells joins in
- Bland has missed two practices, his wife is having a baby
- Kemon Hall has stepped in to play the slot corner – making some good plays…forced a fumble
- Kaiir Elam picked off Dak twice
- Micah has been present, but not participating in drills but helping coach players through them
- Donovan Ezeiruaku is getting reps with the first team – dominating
- Defensive line is rotating a lot
- No true 1-tech or 3-tech, everyone is rotating spots
- Solomon Thomas has made the most plays at 1-tech
- Perrion Winfrey had a few swat downs
- Mazi Smith is at 300 pounds, playing 1 and 3 tech
- Turpin is getting the ball with purpose
- Always in motion
- First few reps on day 1 were at running back
- A few drops from over the shoulder catches
- Turpin, Tolbert, and Jalen Cropper worked as punt returners
- Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens are always hanging out with each other
- Terrance Steele had a right ankle injury
- Hakeem Adeniji is the starting right tackle
Brett's Cowboys Corner 
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