Dallas Cowboys: Quick thoughts on the Blue/White Scrimmage

The Dallas Cowboys got their first real taste of preseason action on Sunday, participating in their annual Blue/White Scrimmage in Oxnard, California. And for fans, this was also an opportunity to see the newest version of America’s Team go all out in full pads this offseason. Here are some of my thoughts on the scrimmage, watching it live.

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• Former Cowboys defensive back James Washington visited the scrimmage. In an interview with Mickey Spagnola, Washington stressed the importance of this version of the Cowboys coming together as a unit and as friends in order to maintain their success. Washington now handles all the academic scholarships for his alma mater, UCLA.

• Tight end Jason Witten called early for holding. The veteran had four penalties called on him in 2014.

• Newly acquired linebacker Andrew Gachkar had an early interception off a tip ball. Ball was intended for rookie wide out Deontay Greenberry. Gachkar’s name mentioned a couple times, in a good way.

• Rookie pass rusher Randy Gregory, showing his elite quickness, was untouched in a one-on-one drill against tackle R.J. Dill.

• Former scout and DallasCowboys.com analyst Bryan Broaddus called rookie linebacker Damien Wilson his defensive Pet Cat of the offseason.

• Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said he likes to watch the young player during these sessions to see if the game is too big for them or not.

• Favorite quote: “You can’t make the club in the tub” – Stephen Jones on injured veterans being held out of the scrimmage.

• Pass rusher Greg Hardy called for offsides.

• Running back Joseph Randle is running well, with excellent burst. Spagnola says he’s running like “a man possessed”. Randle promptly fumbles the ball in a goal line leap, but official saves him calling it a touchdown first. Linebacker Kyle Wilber credited for forced fumble by announcers.

• Cowboys lining up tight end Gavin Escobar like a wide recevier in the Red Zone.

• Wide recevier Reggie Dunn scores a touchdown out of the slot. Defense was slow to react. Dunn having a good camp.

• Running back Lance Dunbar and Darren McFadden watching from the sidelines. Smh.

• Rookie wide recevier George Farmer drops a catchable ball from quarterback Brandon Weeden. The former USC wide out has been far too inconsistent this offseason.

• Wide recevier Cole Beasley looks like a Pro Bowler already. Simply getting too wide open. Scored a touchdown in the main two minute drill. Covered by corner Corey White out of the slot.

• Fullback Tyler Clutts having a good camp. Cowboys using him as the lone back in pass protection with the second unit offense. Clutts has also shown himself to be a threat as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

• Rookie linebacker Damien Wilson had a sure sack against Weeden, untouched to the quarterback in their two minute drill.

• Rookie quarterback Jameill Showers taking the third team reps over quarterback Dustin Vaughan and impressed. The fact Showers is willing to play special teams could land him a roster spot over Vaughan.

• For all the goods things being said about rookie running back Gus Johnson, still inconsistent when it comes to pass protection. Which is to be expected from a rookie.

• Rookie defensive end Ryan Russell, out of Purdue, has played well after making the move inside to the three-technique defensive tackle position.

• Running back Gus Johnson had an impressive run in the Cowboys first series in the scrimmage portion of the practice. Defensive end Ebe Obada had a chance to tackle him, but missed.

• Greenberry ‘s sloppy route running cost him a catch during the scrimmage. Broaddus called him his offensive Pet Cat, but far too inconsistent. Announcer Bill Jones mentioned Greenberry’s going through some off-the-field issues, mainly a trial involving the murder of his father from last August.

• The Cowboys newest player, tight end Brandon Barden, had two catches in the scrimmage.

• Kicker Dan Bailey ends the day with a 53-yard field goal that would have been good from 60.

• Cowboys assistant director of player personnel Will McClay mentioned rookie cornerback Joel Ross as someone who impressed in Sunday’s scrimmage.

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