OXNARD, Calif. (105.3 The Fan) - For the first time since the Wild Card loss to the 49ers in January, the Dallas Cowboys practiced in full pads and helmets on Monday.
Here are some observations from the first padded practice of training camp:
*CeeDee Lamb was absolutely dominant at practice on Monday, making plays in just about every conceivable way. He caught a pass in traffic over the middle, high-pointed the ball and dragged his feet in on a pass toward the left sideline, and came back on an underthrown ball down the right sideline to make a great catch as he was falling down. The catch in traffic while in pads was particularly encouraging, as Lamb has struggled at times navigating congested areas. It was the type of practice you want to see from him as he takes hold of the No. 1 receiver job.
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*The first big injury of training camp occurred during a 7-on-7 drill, when Dak Prescott tried to hit James Washington down the deep left sideline. Washington got tangled up with Trevon Diggs and couldn’t put any weight on his right foot. Washington was carted off the field, and Jerry Jones told reporters after practice that he was “concerned” about Washington’s injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the team was concerned Washington had sustained a Jones fracture in his foot, but no announcement has been made by the Cowboys.
*Dak Prescott looked sharp for most of the day, threading several throws into tight windows. The deep ball still hasn’t connected yet, as the only real shot Prescott took downfield was to Dennis Houston, who was covered by Trevon Diggs. Prescott overthrew Houston by a couple of yards, and could be heard calling for a holding call on Diggs.
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*It was Connor McGovern starting team period at left guard as he has for every practice, but the performances between McGovern and Tyler Smith weren’t even close on Monday.
McGovern struggled a lot of the day, including one rep where Carlos Watkins slipped by him into the backfield to blow up a run play. Smith on the other hand had several notable moments at practice, using his power to drive Quinton Bohanna off the ball on one rep, driving Trysten Hill into the ground on another, and pulling to the right to cut off DeMarcus Lawrence and spring Tony Pollard for a big gain.
*Mike McCarthy opened practice with his eyes fixated on the kicking competition between Lirim Hajrullahu and Jonathan Garibay, something he’s kept close tabs on most days in Oxnard. Garibay went 6 for 8 during kicking, bending several kicks to the left, and Hajrullahu went 7 for 8, with his one miss coming on a kick where his plant foot slipped. Garibay has the bigger leg, but Hajrullahu has been more accurate so far this camp.
*Three skill players that have stood out during camp continued to have success on Monday. WR TJ Vasher, RB Rico Dowdle, and WR Noah Brown all had splash moments during practice, with Dowdle’s speed and contact balance in particular really showing up now that the pads are on.
*Jalen Tolbert was catching punts along with KeVontae Turpin on Monday. Tolbert didn’t have any problems securing the punts, catching several wobblers and doing a solid job tracking kicks that went offline.
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