DC: Camp Reflections: Staff Writers Pick Training Camp’s Top 10 Standouts

[jobberone]

Camp Reflections: Staff Writers Pick Training Camp’s Top 10 Standouts
Thursday, August 18, 2016 5:15 PM CDT
By DallasCowboys.com Report

OXNARD, Calif. – With another training camp in the books, the staff of DallasCowboys.com did its annual rankings of the best players throughout the team’s three-week stay in Oxnard.

Here’s the Top 10 rankings for the Cowboys’ 2016 training camp, voted on by the staff of David Helman, Rob Phillips, Nick Eatman and Bryan Broaddus.

Honorable Mention: Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick

Two of the Cowboys’ three All-Pro linemen received an equal number of votes just outside the top 10. Smith once again was a frustrating assignment for the defense’s edge rushers, and it was a practice highlight on the rare occasion he got caught off balance in pass protection. There’s a reason Frederick got a six-year, $56.4 million contract extension: he remains a technique-sound, assignment-sharp leader at center.

10. Dak Prescott - Kellen Moore’s fractured fibula might have been the biggest story of training camp, leading to more questions about the team’s comfort level at backup quarterback. With a near-flawless half against the Rams, Prescott – the team’s fourth-round pick – might just be the answer. He seemed to gain confidence with more reps, particularly with help from the starting offense on days Romo didn’t play, and the coaches have praised the 23-year-old’s poise and leadership. Romo missed 12 games last year, and the Cowboys know they need a reliable option as insurance behind their veteran starter. Prescott has the rest of preseason to earn the No. 2 spot.

9. Tony Romo - The last few years, with advancing age and 2013 back surgery, training camp has been a balance of preparation and maintenance for Romo. He has taken customary days off to make sure he’s keeping his back strong, and the results gotten better the further removed he gets from surgery three years ago. Also coming off another collarbone injury that healed in the offseason, Romo was accurate and decisive for the majority of his practice work in Oxnard – and perhaps most important, he and Dez Bryant appeared to progressively knock off the rust together.

8. Terrance Williams – He’s got other receivers higher on this list, but when it comes to steadily making plays, Williams was there every day in the same fashion. It seemed like he was making a lot more contested catches this year, especially going to the ground for diving grabs. Look for him to have yet another solid year.

7. Jason Witten – One of the writers actually had him No. 1 on his list. For a 14-year veteran, Witten showed no signs of slowing down. He was beating Byron Jones most of the time in their daily battles. Witten will probably be used a lot as a blocker this year but if this camp showed us anything, it’s that he can still get open and make plays in the passing game like he’s always done before.

6. DeMarcus Lawrence – It seemed like with everything Lawrence did well in camp, there was an invisible asterisk by his play. While he’s only going to miss four games due to suspension, Lawrence probably would’ve been higher on this list without that setback. Truth be told, he was great againstTyron Smith, probably even winning the majority of the 1-on-1 battles.



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[FuzzyLumpkins]

It looks like this writer and I have a different opinion on what makes a solid year. Consistency is exhibit A for me.

 

[RS12]

If Beasley has 75 catches and Elliott has his share of catches on screens etc, doesnt look like lovers of the 12 package will have much to talk about.

 

[big dog cowboy]

1. Morris Claiborne – This probably comes down to expectations. But don’t forget, not many people even expected Claiborne to be at training camp with the Cowboys after last year. Not only did he sign a new deal for this season, but he showed up every day. The three words to best describe Claiborne for this camp would be consistent, healthy and confident. We knew he was talented all along but adding those other three factors made him a steady force at the cornerback position during camp.

Who would have ever thought that possible?

 

[Aven8]

If Beasley has 75 catches and Elliott has his share of catches on screens etc, doesnt look like lovers of the 12 package will have much to talk about.

Who the hell loves the 12 outside of JG and Tom Brady??

 

[NEODOG]

So can I get in the MO train?

Honestly, I think he is going to all worldly this year, then get sick $$

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I am hoping they are right about Claiborne. I saw him getting completely toasted in a lot of the vines and it seemed like whenever he was making a play, he was making so much contact that it's hard to believe he wouldn't have got a flag.

I am hopeful that he does turn the corner....would be a big victory if he does.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Ecstatic Claiborne ranks so high. Wish Byron Jones had made the list.

Over the past few years, I've changed my opinion on defense (because that's all it is, an opinion). I used to believe the pass rush was the most important ingredient in a good pass defense. But offenses have become so adept at getting the ball out quickly there's little time for a defensive linemen to get to the quarterback, no matter how good they are. If a defense is going to make the quarterback hold the long enough to force sacks and errant passes, the secondary has to cover the early reads and force long yardage.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Ecstatic Claiborne ranks so high. Wish Byron Jones had made the list.

Over the past few years, I've changed my opinion on defense (because that's all it is, an opinion). I used to believe the pass rush was the most important ingredient in a good pass defense. But offenses have become so adept at getting the ball out quickly there's little time for a defensive linemen to get to the quarterback, no matter how good they are. If a defense is going to make the quarterback hold the long enough to force sacks and errant passes, the secondary has to cover the early reads and force long yardage.

Correction. Offenses have become adept at getting the ball out quickly except Dallas.

Garrett's offense still takes an eternity to happen. I keep wishing for when Garrett finally sees the light an starts implementing quick passes into our offense.

 

[Section446]

It's always "going to be the year" with Claiborne.

 

[pugilist]

Had no idea DLaw was having such a great camp.. "beating Tyron in the majority of 1-on-1 battles." ???? That is unheard of

 

[big dog cowboy]

Anyone else notice that of the 10 players picked plus the 2 honorable mentions that only 3 defensive players were named?

 

[CATCH17]

Please Mo.. Please be the player we drafted coming out of LSU.

 

[CATCH17]

Ecstatic Claiborne ranks so high. Wish Byron Jones had made the list.

Over the past few years, I've changed my opinion on defense (because that's all it is, an opinion). I used to believe the pass rush was the most important ingredient in a good pass defense. But offenses have become so adept at getting the ball out quickly there's little time for a defensive linemen to get to the quarterback, no matter how good they are. If a defense is going to make the quarterback hold the long enough to force sacks and errant passes, the secondary has to cover the early reads and force long yardage.

It's probably hard for Jones to standout in practice and might be in games as well until we get teams to stop dinking and dunking against us because he will be playing so deep as a centerfielder.

 

[Jarv]

I hope Claiborne has a BIG year, goes and makes a fortune and we get a great supplemental pick!

 

[Sydla]

Who would have ever thought that possible?

I want to believe. I really want to believe. Life becomes a lot easier defensively if Claiborne blossoms.

But fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I can't buy the Claiborne hype until it shows in regular season games.

 

[Jstopper]

It's always "going to be the year" with Claiborne.

Yeah thats why he's always #1 on the camp list......

 

[Jstopper]

I hope Claiborne has a BIG year, goes and makes a fortune and we get a great supplemental pick!

Screw that. If he does have a great year I want us to keep him. We already have enough holes on defense Carr's contract is also up after this year and if Claiborne has turned the corner I would rather pay him and not create another hole at cb that we will have to use a premium pick on.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Who would have ever thought that possible?

I did.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Three things I would have liked to have seen before Dallas broke camp in Oxnard:

1. Benson Mayowa winning the RDE position outright. He still has the opportunity to show something the next few weeks but he and the Cowboys are running out of time.
2. Chaz Green proving he is ready to be the swing tackle. I don't think he has proven anything yet except he is a work in progress.
3. Brice Butler winning the 4th WR spot. He has flashed but I don't think anyone can state with confidence his position on the team is secure.