Oxnard Observations: Cowboys first two days from camp offer intriguing possibilities
The changes under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer have been noticeable. "We're gonna be multiple. We're gonna be under center. We're gonna be in shotgun. We're gonna run the pistol. We're gonna run some wildcat. We're gonna be very difficult to defend."
Following Monday's practice, content creator Voch Lombardi spoke about how the team utilized motion and shifts in 90% of plays, and employed play-action with quarterback Dak Prescott under center much more frequently than under former head coach Mike McCarthy.
KaVontae Turpin has already shown his versatility on offense on Tuesday. Lined up as a running back, he took his first touch for a big play that would've gone for a touchdown in an actual game. He was also thrown a wide receiver quick screen and connected on a deep ball down the sideline.
Also on Tuesday, second-year defensive end Marshawn Kneeland started in an impactful way. He had a sack and an interception off of quarterback Dak Prescott, and returned it for a touchdown.
The tight end room has had a mix of good and bad across the two days. They made plenty of plays in the opening days of camp, but were also part of the first scuffle in camp and had a drop. They made the entire room drop for pushups. Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford had big plays over the middle, and Spann-Ford had another big play during an off-script play.
Jevonte Williams and Miles Sanders were with the first team at running back, with Jaydon Blue on the second team and Phil Mafah and Deuce Vaughn on the third team. It's hard to judge running backs when there's no pads on with no tackling, but the pecking orders become telling of the coaches' expectations.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brian Schottenheimer ends Cowboys practice early, makes team run after string of training camp fights
Brian Schottenheimer made himself clear during the second practice of Dallas Cowboys training camp last week: He wanted intensity, not recklessness. After a fight broke out in the middle of practice, the first-time head coach gathered his team, swore like a sailor and warned them what would happen if they threw punches again. Schottenheimer wasn't kidding. He walked the walk Wednesday, when he tossed Ajani Cornelius from practice after the rookie offensive tackle reportedly threw a punch. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Then after a few more fights broke out over the course of practice, Schottenheimer cut the day short, delivered another expletive-infused speech and made his team run as punishment. Even some coaches were seen running sprints alongside players at the Cowboys' training camp site in Oxnard, California. ESPN's Todd Archer reported that, by his unofficial count, Wednesday's practice was stopped after 46 plays of team drills. For reference, the Cowboys ran 56 plays on Monday and 65 on Sunday, per Archer. After practice, three-time All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was asked about Schottenheimer's message to the team. Lamb's response, per Archer: "Do we want to be champions?" Lamb said. "Because throughout the years of us being here, talent was never the problem for us. It was always discipline. How do we get ahead and not behind? How do we not shoot ourselves in the foot? How do we not hurt ourselves? Honestly when that momentum is going our way, we need to continue to keep the foot on the pedal and make the right play and always think about the team." Last season, Dallas ranked 29th in the NFL in penalties committed and 28th in turnovers. Granted, the Cowboys were missing starting quarterback Dak Prescott from Week 10 on, but they undoubtedly held themselves back from a better finish than their 7-10 record in Mike McCarthy's fifth and final season as the team's head coach. [Get more Cowboys news: Dallas team feed] After moving on from McCarthy, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones promoted Schottenheimer to head coach. Schottenheimer served as Dallas' offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Although Schottenheimer has been a mainstay in the league's coaching ranks since the late '90s, he never had a head job before this year. Now he's trying to set a standard for discipline in training camp. 'Basically, we just have to understand that Dallas isn't on the schedule, so we're nobody's enemies,' Cowboys second-year reserve offensive tackle Nate Thomas said, per The Associated Press. 'We have to make sure that we're taking care of each other but also getting the good work in because we have some guys down right now, and we have to understand that we need these reps. "So we can't go out here and start fighting each other just because somebody did a little extra pushing or whatever the case may be."
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
After 10 years on the Cowboys roster, Dak Prescott still hungry for Super Bowl glory
On Tuesday, Dak Prescott celebrated his 32nd birthday like many people his age would: a morning round of golf, and then family time with his fiancé and daughters. But based on how he interacts with his teammates at practice, you would think he is still 22. Prescott's 10-year stint in the NFL is currently the longest of any other player on the Cowboys roster and is the longest-tenured active starting QB in the NFL. Unlike his feelings about his age (he jokingly says he's getting "old"), Prescott says he feels just as hungry to win as he did in his rookie year. "Fresh air, fresh breath, new coach, young guys on the team," said Prescott. "To be the third-oldest guy on the team is kind of surreal at times, but the youthfulness from the guys is contagious. I'm just thankful from where I'm at." Much of that youthful energy can be attributed to how his head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, has rubbed off on him. During the Cowboys' head coaching search in January, Prescott was asked by Jerry Jones for his opinion on Schottenheimer, who was a candidate at the time. When asked by CBS Sports Texas' Bill Jones about what he said to Jerry Jones, Prescott said he told the Cowboys owner nothing that he didn't already know. "The energy is a big thing that you're going to follow. Schotty is a guy that carries a lot of energy with him," Prescott said. "He's always preaching about the competition. It's something that we're doing every day, and you see it out there in practice. We're riding that line. It's a fine line, but we've got to make sure that we don't push it." Prescott's positive, energetic attitude stretches beyond the football field, too. Now that he is engaged with two infant daughters, Prescott has cherished what being a "girl dad' has brought him. "I've been through a lot in life. There are seasons of everything. I think I'm in the season of gratefulness. Two young girls under two, engaged, beautiful fiancé. It's special. A lot of pink in the house… a lot of those colors that I'm not used to. It's been fun, I'm continuing to learn, and they make my days better." That said, Prescott has not shied away from his desire to win a championship with Dallas. The last time the Cowboys hoisted the Lombardi trophy, Prescott was 2 years old. Now, he is tasked with leading them to their first Super Bowl in 30 years. His first nine attempts have been unsuccessful, but throughout camp, he has maintained the belief that the 10th try's the charm. "We got a group of guys who are starving but understand that it's one practice at a time," said Prescott. "That's the only way we are going to get there, and it's got to be the best practice. I think we just keep building with the right energy and the youth that we have. We've got the pieces to put it together."
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Dallas Cowboys' Latest Major Contract Extension Details Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. This week, the Dallas Cowboys struck a major contract extension. It wasn't the Micah Parsons deal that everybody has been waiting for, but it's one that the Cowboys felt needed to get done based on the timing. The veteran tight end Jake Ferguson landed himself a five-year deal. He is expected to make $52 million from the Cowboys over that time. On Wednesday, ESPN's Todd Archer revealed the key numbers from the contract breakdown. 2025: $1.406 million 2026: $7.25 million 2027: $6.25 million 2028: $11.75 million 2029: $11.75 million Ferguson also has $750,000 for an active roster bonus in 2026-2029, and $500,000 in escalators/incentives. $30 million of the deal is reportedly guaranteed for the veteran tight end. Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys runs across the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys runs across the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, extension could be viewed as a questionable decision made by the Cowboys. The 2022 fourth-round pick has three seasons under his belt. He exceeded 500 yards just once. During Ferguson's rookie year, he started just half of the 16 games he played. He caught 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Ferguson became a full-time starter for the Cowboys in 2023 and put together a Pro Bowl season. He caught 71 passes for nearly 800 yards. The veteran tight end found the end zone for a career-high five scores. He seemed to be trending in the right direction, but saw a regression in year three. Dealing with setbacks throughout the year, Ferguson played in 14 games. He caught 59 passes, while averaging 8.4 yards per catch, his lowest of his career. Ferguson produced just under 500 yards and didn't reach the end zone. once. He also fumbled four times after not fumbling once throughout his first two seasons. Despite the down year, the Cowboys felt confident enough to make an investment in Ferguson. Like most extensions, there is a lot of risk in play. Since Ferguson has one standout season under his belt, paying him Top-10 tight end money looks like an overpay right now. The Cowboys are banking on the idea that Ferguson will bounce back while getting a full season with Dak Prescott, who is returning from an injury. The bar isn't super high for Ferguson. If he can put together a career year, the Cowboys would likely feel really good about jumping on that investment early. Now, the Cowboys have to place their focus back on the veteran edge rusher, Micah Parsons. Similar to Ferguson, Parsons is heading into the final year of his rookie deal. The veteran star has made it clear he wants to lock in a long-term deal before the season starts. Currently, Parsons and the Cowboys are at a standstill. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
