Dallas Cowboys Blue and White Scrimmage Notes

The Dallas Cowboys participated in their annual Blue and White Scrimmage in front of a large crowd in Oxnard, California on Sunday. The Cowboys are preparing for next week’s Hall of Fame game against the Miami Dolphins in Canton, Ohio. That game is the NFL’s annual preseason classic that officially kicks off each season. Here are my notes from the scrimmage:

Jul 22, 2013; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) walks on to the field for training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Lance Dunbar has stepped up and taken the back-up running back job. He played with the second team all day.

Wideout Dez Bryant did not participate in the scrimmage.

Rookie Tight End Gavin Escobar was used as a fullback at times.

The quick linebacker Bruce Carter should shine in the new 4-3 defense.

Dunbar broke a big run early.

Guard Nate Livings play has been up and down. He gave up some big plays late.

Linebacker Ernie Sims is playing well. Is he the forgotten man?

Running back Joseph Randle showed good explosion, but he started the redzone drills with the third team.

Running back Phillip Tanner struggled, although he did have a good 11 yard run later in the day.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is as fast as ever.

Tackle Tyron Smith play is up, although he was beat by Ware a few times.

Defensive end Kyle Wilber has stepped up for the loss of Tyrone Crawford.

Tackle Doug Free is been having a great camp, and his good work continued.

Rookie wideout Terrance Williams impressed in seven on seven drills with a 17 yard catch on a slant route via quarterback Tony Romo.

Rookie wideout Jared Green caught a nice pass in the back of the endzone. He showcased some of his father’s speed, former Washington Redskins great Darrell Green. He also dropped an easy pass down the middle in the final third team two minute drill.

On the punt team, rookie safety J.J. Wilcox played the role of personal protector.

On the punt return team, starters Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr were out there trying to block the gunners.

In the first play in red zone drills, Romo hit a wide open tight end Jason Witten for a touchdown.

Dunbar is impressive off screen passes.

The second team offense committed two penalties during their first red zone try.

Kicker Dan Bailey missed only his second field goal in training camp.

Dallas first team defense did a good job stuffing running back DeMarco Murray.

From a bunch formation, wideout Miles Austin scored on a sideline fade from Romo from about five yards out.

Wideout Tim Bedford dropped a three passes, one in the endzone.

Wilcox got called for a late hit on Bedford.

Tight end Andre Smith scored a near touchdown on a nice screen pass and a great block by tight end Dante Rosario.

Defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton recorded a sack on quarterback Kyle Orton after beating guard Ray Dominguez.

There were two suspected offsides calls on tackle Darrion Weems.

All the tight ends have shown the ability to catch.

Defensive end Cameron Sheffield made a nice tackle for a loss during the third team red zone drill.

Corner Sterling Moore had an a couple impressive pass knock downs.

Bailey hit a 54-yard field goal into the wind near the end of the two minute drills

Tight end Andre Smith had three catches in one drive during the third team two minute drills.

Possible touchdown run via the draw for Joseph Randle during the third team two minute drill.

Defensive tackle Jason Hatcher beat Livings for a sack on Romo in the final first teamers two minute drill.

Terrance Williams made a spectacular diving catch down the middle in the final first teamers two minute drill.

Ware recorded a sack with under twenty seconds in the final first teamers two minute drill.

Wideout Dwayne Harris made a great pass defense on corner Brandon Carr, who was looking to intercept a Romo pass.

Ware finished the first team two minute drill by sacking Romo.

Orton was intercepted by rookie corner B.W. Webb for a defensive touchdown in the second team’s final two minute drill.

Quarterback Alex Tanney showcased his arm strength.

On fourth down, Tanney found Benford for a first down.

With 1.2 seconds left in the third team’s final two minute drill, Tanney found a leaping wideout Eric Rogers against two defenders in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown.

Newly signed defensive tackle Landon Cohen recorded a sack on Tanney.

Defensive end Monte Taylor recorded a sack on Nick Stephens.

The Cowboys have another week of training camp prior to heading to Canton. This will be Dallas’ fifth appearance in the Hall of Fame game. They have a notorious record of 1-3 in those games. A majority of the Cowboys starters are not expected to play all that much, if at all.