Dallas Cowboys: 6 Training Camp disappointments … so far
As the Dallas Cowboys wrap up the Oxnard portion of training camp, here are five players whose performance has disappointed … so far.
The Dallas Cowboys packed up on Thursday and left Oxnard, California, officially wrapping up the west coast portion of training camp. After their second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on Saturday night, camp will resume at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
With more than half of the Cowboys preseason games remaining and the move back to Texas, this seems like the perfect time to point out some of bigger underachievers through training camp. Here’s our list of the six most disappointing player performances so far.
Kony Ealy, DE
As a former second rounder, Ealy has been on the Cowboys’ radar for quite some time. Finally in Dallas, the fifth-year pass rusher has looked like a shell of the player that once recorded 3.0 sacks, an interception, and forced a fumble in the Super Bowl. The 26-year old is being outplayed by fourth-round rookie pass rusher Dorance Armstrong and seems to be a longshot to make the final roster.
Jourdan Lewis, CB
After arguably being the Cowboys best defender in the secondary last season as a rookie, Lewis was demoted to the second team this offseason by new defensive back coach Kris Richard. And the former third-round pick has been unable to usurp once-benched cornerback Anthony Brown for the starting role in the slot. That’s even after Brown posted a terrible performance in Dallas’ first preseason game.
Charles Tapper, DE
It’s now hard to imagine that Tapper was taken in the same round and before quarterback Dak Prescott back in 2016. Since then, their careers have headed in opposite directions. Plagued by season-ending injuries, Tapper has been unable to separate himself from the pack this offseason despite the fact this is probably his last chance in Dallas.
Dalton Schultz, TE
Drafted on the heels of a rumored Jason Witten retirement, Schultz has yet to live up to the Stanford pedigree for producing quality tight ends. Although he is still a rookie, the fourth rounder is likely now at the bottom of the depth chart after some believed he could emerge as a possible starter come the regular season. Schultz’s draft status likely makes him cut-proof, but Rico Gather’s development could force Dallas’ hand.
Jihad Ward, DT
Acquired via a trade during the 2018 NFL Draft, Ward’s acquisition came with little to no fanfare. Yet the former 2016 second rounder seemed to ascend the depth chart quickly at defensive tackle and appeared to be on track to become the starter in place of a suspended David Irving come Week One. But with the emergence of Antwaun Woods, Ward’s play seems to have taken a backseat and regressed.
Next. The top 10 Dallas Cowboys to never win a Super Bowl. dark
Mike White, QB
As a rookie quarterback selected in the fifth round, White is certainly playing like a day three prospect. The problem is many thought the Cowboys got a steal with the selection of the talented passer out of Western Kentucky, believing the 23-year could compete for the primary backup role behind starter Dak Prescott. Instead, White seems to be leap years behind Cooper Rush, who appears to be in no danger of losing his job anytime soon.