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Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO – Taking the good with the bad, the Cowboys scrimmaged for about an hour and a half on Sunday, Tony Romo and the starting offense getting the better of Rob Ryan's under-construction defense in a handful of game scenarios.
The most competitive day of training camp thus far, the action included work in the red zone, two-minute drill and other end-of-game situations for the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses and defenses, plus special teams snaps. A series of drives featuring third-teamers and other depth players concluded the session.
After the top defense forced a David Buehler field goal in the first red zone scenario, Romo threw touchdown passes on back-to-back drives beginning at the defense's 25-yard line, and later led a 13-play, 70-yard drive in the two-minute drill, the march ending with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten as time ran out.
"We've worked on some two-minute situations throughout camp, and I think the more you do those, the better it is for everybody," Jason Garrett said afterward. "What we're trying to do is put them in those situations and hope they respond well, really on both sides of the ball. I thought it went well on both sides today in the different drives."
"The defense is a work-in-progress, but so is the offense. We have a long way to go, really in all areas of our football team."
Facing a defense that was without four starters, including both cornerbacks, Romo was 14-of-20 passing for 152 yards, unofficially, with the three scores. His first touchdown pass came on a quick hitch to Dez Bryant, the second-year receiver weaving through several defenders on his way to the end zone.
Bryant, Felix Jones and Kevin Ogletree were productive receivers for Romo, while Martellus Bennett had success working with Jon Kitna and the No. 2 offense.
Splitting time with the first- and second-team, 2010 undrafted rookie running back Lonyae Miller was the top rusher and also made plays in the passing game. Romo found him uncovered in the flats for a nine-yard touchdown on the third red zone try, and Miller eventually added another touchdown as part of the second-team offense, capping the two-minute drill with a one-yard run against the backup defense.
Ryan, who has had less than two weeks to install his multi-faceted 3-4 scheme, was predictably unconcerned following the practice.
"Of course there's stuff to work on," Ryan said. "Everybody's got stuff to work on. What we're trying to do is evaluate our players, evaluate the different guys. We have a great system, we have great players. Do we like giving up points? No. But that's the way it is. Sometimes that happens when you're playing a hell of an offense."
Ryan took blame for the mental mistakes committed by his unit, saying he made some unfamiliar calls.
On top of the field position disadvantages to start red zone scenarios, the top two defensive groups were also hampered by not being allowed to tackle.
"We're trying to take care of each other," said free agent safety addition Abram Elam. "We're on the same team and we understand that. We're not the enemy. We're playing smart. Defensively we can't be as aggressive as we'd like to, but we're still just trying to execute ... We're still working. We're not going to hang our heads – just stay positive."
The Cowboys will resume their regular practice routine on Monday and Tuesday, then break camp on Wednesday following a morning walkthrough.
They open the preseason at 7:30 p.m. (CT) Thursday at Cowboys Stadium against the Denver Broncos.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO – Taking the good with the bad, the Cowboys scrimmaged for about an hour and a half on Sunday, Tony Romo and the starting offense getting the better of Rob Ryan's under-construction defense in a handful of game scenarios.
The most competitive day of training camp thus far, the action included work in the red zone, two-minute drill and other end-of-game situations for the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses and defenses, plus special teams snaps. A series of drives featuring third-teamers and other depth players concluded the session.
After the top defense forced a David Buehler field goal in the first red zone scenario, Romo threw touchdown passes on back-to-back drives beginning at the defense's 25-yard line, and later led a 13-play, 70-yard drive in the two-minute drill, the march ending with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten as time ran out.
"We've worked on some two-minute situations throughout camp, and I think the more you do those, the better it is for everybody," Jason Garrett said afterward. "What we're trying to do is put them in those situations and hope they respond well, really on both sides of the ball. I thought it went well on both sides today in the different drives."
"The defense is a work-in-progress, but so is the offense. We have a long way to go, really in all areas of our football team."
Facing a defense that was without four starters, including both cornerbacks, Romo was 14-of-20 passing for 152 yards, unofficially, with the three scores. His first touchdown pass came on a quick hitch to Dez Bryant, the second-year receiver weaving through several defenders on his way to the end zone.
Bryant, Felix Jones and Kevin Ogletree were productive receivers for Romo, while Martellus Bennett had success working with Jon Kitna and the No. 2 offense.
Splitting time with the first- and second-team, 2010 undrafted rookie running back Lonyae Miller was the top rusher and also made plays in the passing game. Romo found him uncovered in the flats for a nine-yard touchdown on the third red zone try, and Miller eventually added another touchdown as part of the second-team offense, capping the two-minute drill with a one-yard run against the backup defense.
Ryan, who has had less than two weeks to install his multi-faceted 3-4 scheme, was predictably unconcerned following the practice.
"Of course there's stuff to work on," Ryan said. "Everybody's got stuff to work on. What we're trying to do is evaluate our players, evaluate the different guys. We have a great system, we have great players. Do we like giving up points? No. But that's the way it is. Sometimes that happens when you're playing a hell of an offense."
Ryan took blame for the mental mistakes committed by his unit, saying he made some unfamiliar calls.
On top of the field position disadvantages to start red zone scenarios, the top two defensive groups were also hampered by not being allowed to tackle.
"We're trying to take care of each other," said free agent safety addition Abram Elam. "We're on the same team and we understand that. We're not the enemy. We're playing smart. Defensively we can't be as aggressive as we'd like to, but we're still just trying to execute ... We're still working. We're not going to hang our heads – just stay positive."
The Cowboys will resume their regular practice routine on Monday and Tuesday, then break camp on Wednesday following a morning walkthrough.
They open the preseason at 7:30 p.m. (CT) Thursday at Cowboys Stadium against the Denver Broncos.
