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OTA’s are underway and today was a good day for the rookie wide receiver, Ryan Switzer.
Though you won’t get much video footage other than a few GIFs of these organized team activities, we’ll try to at least give you a place to consume all the highlights of the day recapped in one place. Today, rookie wide receiver, Ryan Switzer, got the bulk of the work with the ones as guys were given some rest for injuries.
Garrett: Cole Beasley is dealing with a hamstring injury. Will be careful with it. Gives younger guys (Switzer) chance to practice.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 24, 2017
Ryan Switzer already looks like a plug and play immediately player. Replaced an injured Cole Beasley in practice and caught everything
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) May 24, 2017
This lead to our very own Tom Ryle becoming a little bit excited by what we’re hearing out of these practices:
Today’s practice was without a lot of Cowboys players and it left some young guys to take the reps for these veterans:
Beasley, Zeke, James Hanna, Jaylon Smith, Tyrone Crawford, Stephen Paea, Benson Mayowa, Chaz Green & Kavon Frazier did not practice today.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 24, 2017
So, with those guys all sitting out for various reasons, here were your starting defensive and offensive lines:
Cowboys' first-team DL in practice today: David Irving at left DE and Taco Charlton at right DE. Inside: Cedric Thornton, Maliek Collins.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
First-team offensive line: LT-Tyron Smith, LG-Emmett Cleary, C-Travis Frederick, RG-Zack Martin, RT-La'el Collins
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Speaking of La’el Collins, he’s been working primarily at right tackle all offseason and it doesn’t look as though that will be changing anytime soon:
La'el Collins was at 1st-team RT in practice. Said all reps he's taking in practices are at RT. None at OG. Said that will be same in camp.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Also, if you’re wondering who were the starting cornerbacks, the Cowboys decided to go with the veterans:
Cowboys had Anthony Brown and Nolan Carroll at 1st-team outside CB in practice with Orlando Scandrick at nickel CB.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Charles Tapper got some work today, mainly at right end, here were a few things of note regarding Tapper:
DE Charles Tapper and LB Jaylon Smith became very close while working out last season and unable to play. Met each other's families even.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 24, 2017
Tapper is down about 20 pounds and to 11 percent body fat from arriving at 280, 15% a year ago. Said it's important in keeping back healthy.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 24, 2017
At one point in practice, Cowboys had Charles Tapper lined up at right DE with 1st-round DE Taco Charlton beside him inside at DT.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Another interesting note regarding the cornerbacks was where the Cowboys were going to begin with Chidobe Awuzie:
Second-round pick CB Chidobe Awuize took some first-team reps outside vs. WRs Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams in practice.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Don’t count out Taco Charlton from getting a shot at right end, Rod Marinelli has been surprised with his measurables:
DC Rod Marinelli says rookie DE Taco Charlton showing he can really bend and likes the way he applies himself. #Cowboys
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 24, 2017
Touching on a few veterans that missed today, there were various reasons behind these decisions:
Garrett says Jason Witten and Sean Lee are going to be working on a veteran's schedule -- i.e., not practicing 3 days in a row.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 24, 2017
Jason Garrett said Benson Mayowa and Stephen Paea are both dealing with knee injuries.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
For those that can’t get enough of Jaylon Smith, the Cowboys have a very set plan for him that could be the standard going forward:
Work on Tuesdays, be off Wednesdays, work again on Thursdays.
Jason Garrett says this is the anticipated schedule for Jaylon Smith.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) May 24, 2017
With Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith not working, the starting linebackers were as follows:
The Cowboys' 1st-team LBs today in practice: Anthony Hitchens, Damien Wilson and Kyle Wilber.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Jaylon Smith did some things after practice but it was more work with the trainers as he continues his recovery from his “drop-foot” situation:
Jaylon Smith getting in some work after practice pic.twitter.com/f4dyRGN8jX
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Smith has stated that he’s on his way back to a full recovery and he anticipates being full-go in training camp. He’s been recovering at a fast pace after not seeing much movement in his first nine months:
Jaylon Smith: I can do everything I was able to do before my knee injury; 'I feel amazing' https://t.co/HitTBczBtw via @sportsdaydfw
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Jaylon Smith on working back into practice: pic.twitter.com/LIiHa9by0N
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) May 24, 2017
Another topic at practice was Dak Prescott in his second year as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback. He’s got a ton of fans including his coaches who have been very high on his work ethic:
Dak Prescott throwing to Dez Bryant pic.twitter.com/TN6mWwpoeQ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett throwing after practice: pic.twitter.com/6aesxxwBFq
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Cowboys QBs coach Wade Wilson on what he's learned about Dak Prescott after coaching him a year: "There has been no complacency at all."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Back to the player of the day, Dak seems to be building a rapport with Ryan Switzer and the pair made a ‘wow’ play:
Switzer balled today. Also had a spinning one handed grab on the sideline https://t.co/1FiQOvsXTl
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) May 24, 2017
Top play today was Dak stepping up in a crowded pocket & floating a corner route to Switzer, who hauled in a beautiful tip toe, diving catch
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 24, 2017
Dak Prescott: "I don't look at what's behind me. I look at where I want to go & what I can do & the only way I know is through hard work."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Dak Prescott signed off with media after being asked about his testing numbers, is he faster, stronger? "All of the above, man."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Dak Prescott on being more of a leader: "I have the floor to say things now where last year I was being quiet."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
Another guy who has shown a lot of growth is Rico Gathers, he had some pretty impressive plays today, including this one:
I see you @kinggatz2 #cowboyszone pic.twitter.com/ZLSvbcx4bL
— Kent Garrison (@KentGarrison) May 24, 2017
Miles Austin throwing to Rico Gathers pic.twitter.com/YMx7SIJRZy
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Cowboys 2nd-year TE Rico Gathers also received a lot of work in practice today. He was the 1st-team TE with Jason Witten not practicing.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 24, 2017
It's OTAs, so take it with a grain of salt. But Switzer, Andy Jones & Rico all got to run with the 1st O today. Emmett Cleary was also @ LG.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 24, 2017
Overall, it was a good day for guys like Switzer and Rico Gathers to step in as some other guys sat out. Those reps with the ones are invaluable because you never know when you’re going to get them again. Switzer showing up is kind of expected when you see the type of player he was for North Carolina, putting in a day's work with Dak Prescott is a huge positive.
Ryan Switzer, Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliott stretching before today's OTA practice pic.twitter.com/B0oLCrum59
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
Jason Garrett held court in a press conference per usual, he declined to comment on any pending suspension for David Irving. He also made it clear that the Cowboys’ don’t have a character problem.
Jason Garrett on the Cowboys having the right kind of guys in their locker room: pic.twitter.com/6kpv81zktc
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 24, 2017
You can see the whole presser plus get more information as to what the coach’s impressions were here:
Jason Garrett holds a press conference after the first few OTA practices this week.
:https://t.co/nIOReyFU5n pic.twitter.com/N8VY4lwR8Z
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 24, 2017
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