Cowboys Training Camp Preview
July 28th, 2016, will be a historic day for the Dallas Cowboys. Since 1985, Valley Ranch has been the setting for every high and low the Cowboys have had during training camp and the dog days of practice. However, the iconic Valley Ranch will no longer be the Cowboys palace. In 2013, Jerry Jones had a vision which will become reality next Thursday. Jones imagined giving the Cowboys their own headquarters to go along with their state-of-the-art AT&T stadium. “The Star” will open next Thursday and will hold the Cowboys first training camp practice of 2016.
“The Star” will be a larger than life crown jewel of the NFL. Once the opening hits, the standard will be set around the league. The Cowboys practice facility will include a shopping mall, hotel and a sports medicine building. As always, Jerry Jones is innovative and a business mastermind. Now, the only question is will the play on the field match the beauty of The Star?
Training camp is always a good indicator of how well a season could shape out. The beauty of training camp is the competition. The Cowboys have many positions that are unsettled.
One of the most interesting camp battles will be for the number-two quarterback spot. Will Kellen Moore do enough to convince Jason Garrett that he can be Tony Romo’s backup? If Scott Linehan has a say, then Moore may win the job easily. However, it’ll be interesting to see if Dak Prescott or Jameil Showers can jump Moore. It will be interesting to see who will get more reps during the Preseason between Moore, Prescott and Showers. Excitement should be running wild in Cowboys Nation as this will be one of the most important camp battles.
AROUND COVER32
2016 Preview: Comeback player of the year candidates
Twitter Tuesday: Torrey Smith speaks out for public breastfeeding
Fantasy Football: How Goodell set up your draft
NFL: Ranking the ten scariest defensive players
Cowboys: Why Gathers may succeed
Another position group I’ll be looking at is the defensive line. Ryan Russell, Charles Tapper, Maliek Collins, David Irving and Benson Mayowa will all be fighting for starting jobs. A shuffle at the defensive line will be evident, especially during the first four weeks of the regular season without Gregory and Lawrence. However, if the Cowboys can tap into the potential of any of the names listed above, they could turn their biggest weakness into a strength after week 4.
Darren McFadden must have the best camp and preseason of his life when he’s healthy to make this roster. It appears Lance Dunbar will be back sooner than later. Hype for Darius Jackson is also building, who could be the star of training camp. Jackson might be one of the best athletes at this camp. Alfred Morris should win the backup job, as he fits the Cowboys’ scheme much better than McFadden.
Brice Butler should be a treat to watch during training camp. He will be battling with Terrance Williams to earn the right to line up across from Dez. Butler has better hands and measurables than Williams. However, don’t discount the huge plays Williams has made for the Cowboys since his rookie year. Many are disappointed with Williams play after a lackluster 2015 as the number-one wideout, when Dez was injured. It’ll also be fun to see how Lucky Whitehead has developed. The Cowboys missed Dwayne Harris last year, could Whitehead fill his shoes and then some after a year in the Cowboys system?
Oxnard will be hot but not as hot as the Cowboys’ multiple position battles. Buckle up Cowboys Nation, the Preseason will be here before you know it.
The post Cowboys Training Camp Preview appeared first on Cover32.
