Cowboys Camp Daily (Thu): Let there be pads!
By Reid Hanson
Cowboys Camp is heating up. The pad are on and the contact is picking up. Who stood out and who didn’t? We look at Day 3:
It took a while but Cowboys Camp is finally starting to resemble football. After playing in shorts and shells the first two days, the Cowboys have now strapped on the pads and are picking up contact.
Offensive Line
The offensive line has started off dominating the defensive line. While this revelation isn’t exactly surprising considering the pedigree of the O-line, it’s who is dominating that’s making some headlines.
Right tackle La’el Collins has been throwing defensive linemen around and newly-made guard, Chaz Green, has been pancaking the opposition as well. This is great to see early in camp since the offensive line is expected to be the backbone of this team in 2017. It’s not so great news for those hoping to see the defensive line make significant strides.
Injuries
In fact, adding to problems on the D-line are a pair of early injuries to a couple second-year players.
Charles Tapper was hobbled by cramps. Maliek Collins had a hip flexor
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) July 27, 2017
And it looks like Dallas is down one backup QB…
#Cowboys reserve QB Zac Dysert is expected to be out for the season after he has surgery to fix a herniated disc, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2017
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Damontre Moore
Damontre Moore is someone we’ve recently become excited about. The talented edge man has always allowed ancillary issues to prevent him from making a consistent impact in the NFL. This year it looks like he’s put all of that behind him and is focused on perfecting his craft. All of that starts with effort.
Moore stripped Terrance Williams downfield on one play and showed good skill against Tyron Smith on another. He even lingered around Smith seemingly to discuss technique.
Jaylon Smith!
You thought I forgot. There can be no Cowboys Camp update without a Jaylon Smith update. Smith looked fantastic in pads on Wednesday and is putting doubters to rest. He hasn’t been through full contact situations with offensive linemen but that day isn’t far away.
Jaylon Smith was a complete modern linebacker when healthy pic.twitter.com/wtBDYK3CNO
— PFF (@PFF) July 27, 2017
If Jaylon Smith can bounce back to what he was, this Cowboys defense stands to improve dramatically in all phases of the game.
Related Story: Can Damontre Moore be a Monster Again?
Anthony Hitchens
While everyone is excited to see Jaylon Smith crack the starting lineup, it would be a mistake to ignore the man ahead of him on the depth chart. Anthony Hitchens is looking great at MIKE. After dedicating himself to the position for the last year he’s looking like a playmaker.
Next: Cowboys Camp Daily (Wednesday) - All Good News
That’s all for today. We’ll be back with more Cowboys Camp updates tomorrow!