Scout's Notebook: Defense Steps Up In First Practice Back From L.A.

[RS12]

• Defense had a different feel to it in practice this afternoon -- especially across the line. Cedric Thornton and Terrell McClain were back in a full-time role.Benson Mayowa and Maliek Collins also returned but on a limited bases. I did have a chance to see Mayowa get some work post-practice with the offensive line and there was no question about him getting off the ball. His explosive quickness is there, along with that ability to get low to the ground and turn the corner. I believe we will continue to see Benson Mayowa come along slowly but for that first time out it was impressive to see him rush.

• This offensive line usually doesn’t have its problems picking up stunts, but during practice it happened a couple of times. One of the better-executed stunts involved Cedric Thornton, Shaneil Jenkins and Justin Durant. Thornton and Durant went hard inside to their left, attacking La’el Collins,Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. There was such a push that it knocked Collins off balance and he could not recover. The move allowed Jenkins to come around with a free run at Tony Romo untouched -- which would have resulted in a huge hit in the middle of the pocket.

• Dez Bryant continues to make amazing plays in these practices. Bryant ran a deep “In” as Romo fired a bullet up the field. Without breaking stride, Bryant extended his left hand and snatched the ball out of the air. Then, with body control, he was able to turn up the field and head to the end zone.

• Byron Jones robbed Dak Prescott of a completion along the sideline on a well thrown “Out” to Geoff Swaim.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...nse-steps-first-practice-back-la?sf33516540=1

 

[Longboysfan]

Good - build on it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I did have a chance to see Mayowa get some work post-practice with the offensive line and there was no question about him getting off the ball. His explosive quickness is there, along with that ability to get low to the ground and turn the corner. I believe we will continue to see Benson Mayowa come along slowly but for that first time out it was impressive to see him rush.

Nice! Very underrated pickup for the Cowboys. Love reading that.

Especially since some of the negative nancy types around here were poo-pooing this signing the entire off season.

 

[Idgit]

Nice! Very underrated pickup for the Cowboys. Love reading that.

Especially since some of the negative nancy types around here were poo-pooing this signing the entire off season.

I'd recommend watching his interview clip on DC.com for anybody interested in the dude. From an attitude and looking-the-part standpoint, the dude delivers. He intimidated me over the internet.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think it's great that Collins has been cleared for practice... I thought for sure that broken foot was going to keep him out at least a couple more weeks.

 

[BAT]

We talking about practice???


Seriously, I hope these good practices will translate to games. Soon.

 

[Stash]

Nice! Very underrated pickup for the Cowboys. Love reading that.

Especially since some of the negative nancy types around here were poo-pooing this signing the entire off season.

I'm all for all of the good news we can get at that spot. Can't wait to hear more reports on how he's looking.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Well sticking just about anyone here at DT would make it better than it has been the last 3 seasons.

 

[Texas_Pete]

In 2014, I used to read how the DL would get abused by our OL almost every practice. I'm not really reading about that this year. Cool.

 

[ksadler1]

I'm really hoping that Rod can appeal to the D's sense of pride. They were the cause of several losses last year and hopefully this years D theme will be based on helping the team win and not giving games away at the end.....turnovers turnovers turnovers.....

 

[Zordon]

In 2014, I used to read how the DL would get abused by our OL almost every practice. I'm not really reading about that this year. Cool.

Dline isn't going to be the problem with this defense. Especially once D-Law returns. Marinelli has a decent group of bodies to work with up front. We just need 1 or 2 guys to step up including Crawford.

Linebackers and safety look worse right now.

 

[Jstopper]

Dline isn't going to be the problem with this defense. Especially once D-Law returns. Marinelli has a decent group of bodies to work with up front. We just need 1 or 2 guys to step up including Crawford.

Linebackers and safety look worse right now.

2014: Wilcox, Church
2016: Jones, Church
How is that worse?

 

[Zordon]

2014: Wilcox, Church
2016: Jones, Church
How is that worse?

i meant worse compared to the dline.

plus im not sold on jones yet.

 

[Jstopper]

i meant worse compared to the dline.

plus im not sold on jones yet.

Oh okay. I think Jones is going to be great. And our lb corps is better than they were last year, losing McClain the 2015 version of him anyway isn't a huge hit. Plus the hurt lbers are back and rookies are 2nd years now. I think the whole defense will be fine overall.

 

[snapper]

Nice! Very underrated pickup for the Cowboys. Love reading that.

Especially since some of the negative nancy types around here were poo-pooing this signing the entire off season.

This news is definitely encouraging but let's wait until he plays a few games first before criticizing the "negative Nancy types."

 

[CyberB0b]

Nice! Very underrated pickup for the Cowboys. Love reading that.

Especially since some of the negative nancy types around here were poo-pooing this signing the entire off season.

I'm tired of this phantom being hyped up so much. He's on his third team in 4 years and has yet to do anything in camp or on the field. Here's a news flash for you. He has been in the league 4 years and has started 3 games and is now on his 3rd team, coming off an injury.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm tired of this phantom being hyped up so much. He's on his third team in 4 years and has yet to do anything in camp or on the field. Here's a news flash for you. He has been in the league 4 years and has started 3 games and is now on his 3rd team, coming off an injury.

The Cowboys specifically targeted him because he is a custom fit for our defense. I, for one, am willing to see what he can do on the field before writing him off as camp fodder. Oh, here is a news flash for you, he has been hurt and just returned to the field.

 

[Idgit]

I'm tired of this phantom being hyped up so much. He's on his third team in 4 years and has yet to do anything in camp or on the field. Here's a news flash for you. He has been in the league 4 years and has started 3 games and is now on his 3rd team, coming off an injury.

We're so close to seeing him play at this point, we can just hang on and see how he does. It's rare, but sometimes the lightbulb really does come on later in the career.

 

[CyberB0b]

The Cowboys specifically targeted him because he is a custom fit for our defense. I, for one, am willing to see what he can do on the field before writing him off as camp fodder. Oh, here is a news flash for you, he has been hurt and just returned to the field.

They specifically targeted him because he was dirt cheap and expendable. He only looks viable because we have guys like Ryan Russell and David Irving competing for Day 1 starting spots. He hasn't been hurt for the last 3 years. His previous two teams gave him his walking papers, probably because he didn't produce.

We're so close to seeing him play at this point, we can just hang on and see how he does. It's rare, but sometimes the lightbulb really does come on later in the career.

He's really just a hope and a prayer, at this point.