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Who’s hot and who’s not during the latest training camp action for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys were in pads for the first time this training camp and there were a lot of good things to see. Here is a look at today’s stock report:
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Chidobe Awuzie
When the news broke about Damien Wilson getting in trouble, I wrote a piece about Awuzie being a possible candidate to fill in at linebacker. It seemed a little outside the box, but the Cowboys have been giving him some snaps there. He has been playing the dime LB at the line of scrimmage. He’s a physical player, but does he have the ability take the punishment against the run? The coaches appear to think so.
As Todd Archer reports, Awuzie came up with a big takeaway.
Best play at camp: Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, the Cowboys' second-round pick, made a quick first impression. On the first play of one-on-one drills against wide receiver Brice Butler, he jammed the veteran receiver to make it difficult to get off the line, swatted Dak Prescott's pass up in the air, turned and was able to tip the pass to himself for an interception.
The Cowboys second-year quarterback looked good on Wednesday, going 11 for 15 in passing. He looked for his receivers over the middle quite a bit, but his biggest play came off a read-option play that allowed him to take off down the sidelines.
Dak on the read option. People loved it. Because it was super sick. pic.twitter.com/vDAJIuV9ET
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) July 27, 2017
All the hype is surrounding Jaylon Smith and for good reason. The young linebacker had a solid day of practice in his first time in pads, but the team’s first-string middle LB, Anthony Hitchens continues to show no evidence of surrendering his job. While Ezekiel Elliott beat him during the team’s compete period, Hitchens dominated everywhere else. He was all over the place. Wherever the ball was, so was Hitchens.
If anyone is worried about Smith’s health heading into the new season, take comfort in the resurgent play of number 59.
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Damien Wilson
We’d be talking about how this young linebacker is primed to enter the season as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker had it not been for his off-field incident that has us all wondering about his availability. While the fallout of that mess will play itself out eventually, in the meantime - Wilson is playing good ball. Here he is darting through the gap and wrapping up Ezekiel Elliott
Alfred Morris
The former Pro Bowl running back has been an afterthought to some, but with Darren McFadden getting a veteran day off, Morris was able to showcase his ability. He was quick and able to hit the holes well, but that’s always been his thing. What hasn’t been his thing though is catching the ball, but he was catch the ball out of the backfield.
The Slot Machines
Sometimes, it’s just not fair.
Ryan Switzer's feet are just a little whoops I mean a whole lot fast pic.twitter.com/Eq264xRg4l
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) July 26, 2017
Ryan Switzer is four thousand types of fast.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) July 26, 2017
RJ is good with numbers, so I think this is a trustworthy assessment.
Andy Jones
With Lucky Whitehead gone, Andy Jones has moved up to the team’s top wide receiver who’s most likely to get cut. It’s fun watching him in practice though so we’ll keep doing that.
We see you Andy Jones! .. pic.twitter.com/pksZPp7jpw
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 26, 2017
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Injury Report
There were a couple injuries, but nothing to worry about.
Stephen Jones said Maliek Collins was dealing with a little hip issue. Precautionary, didn't sound serious. Charles Tapper had a calf cramp.
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) July 27, 2017
Every video I watched of Charlton seemed to feature La’el Collins shoving him to the ground. This could easily go as a plus for Collins, but he got paid so we should expect things like that from him now.
And we should expect these types of things from Charlton as well as he’s just a rookie. These are typical growing pains of a first-year defensive end.
Taco Charlton vs. La'el Collins pic.twitter.com/yxsOv5i7xS
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 27, 2017
He also got into a little scrum with UDFA tackle, Dan Skipper. But it’s okay to get a little chippy with Skippy. I’m sure he had it coming.
Taco Charlton and Dan Skipper at Cowboys practice. Looks like Taco has a career as a pugilist. pic.twitter.com/DS2g7CDuBR
— Chuck Miketinac (@MaxSportsSA) July 27, 2017
They were probably arguing over who had the longer arms.
David Irving
Despite being suspended for the first four games of the season, big things are expected of Irving. He can be a tenacious pass rusher, however he’s begun camp a little sluggish. He’s just not bringing the energy that he typically does. It makes you wonder if his head is right and that maybe he’s down in the dumps over missing the first part of the season. Whatever it is, he needs to get his intensity back because this defense is counting on him.
And if that wasn’t enough...
Terrance Williams and Nolan Carroll
They both did fine, but took turns one upping each other. First Williams would beat Carroll deep as the free agent corner lost his footing at the last second.
Terrance Williams wins 1-on-1 vs. Nolan Carroll again for a TD: pic.twitter.com/xWN19FWNI3
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) July 27, 2017
Carroll would get him back though when he punched the ball out of William’s arms after he caught a pass over the middle.
One of the defense's 3 forced fumbles today. This one by Nolan Carroll: pic.twitter.com/T4lQHZLFnW
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 27, 2017
If you were wondering if Jahad Thomas is still on the team, the answer is - yes. It’s unclear when we’ll get to see him in action as he’s got his own rehab going on now as he’s nursing a hamstring injury.
In case you were wondering about UDFA running back Jahad Thomas, he's working out on the cords to the side
— One Cool Customer (@OCC44) July 26, 2017
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Zac Dysert
It wouldn’t be training camp if a backup quarterback didn’t suffer an injury. This year’s victim - practice squad journeyman Zac Dysert. The third-string QB suffered a herniated disk and will need surgery.
It is unclear what the Cowboys plans are as it pertains to the quarterback position after Dak Prescott and Kellen Moore, but what is clear now is that it won’t include Dysert.
Cowboys 3rd QB Zac Dysert went back to Dallas with a back injury that requires surgery. The team will need to find another arm here in camp.
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) July 27, 2017
The Cowboys still have undrafted free agent Cooper Rush from Central Michigan.
Left Guard Watch
Chaz Green is still in the lead.
Chaz Green with 2 quality reps in one-on-one vs Paea. Second ended with Paea on the ground and Green on top
— Derek Eagleton (@derekeagleton) July 27, 2017
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