The VRR: Cowboys Training Camp Schedule Released

A split training camp and an extra preseason game will find the Cowboys well traveled by the time the regular season kicks off. There are pros and cons to practicing in San Antonio and Oxnard, but practicing in two different states may seem a bit much.

Who knows? Maybe all the extra travel will better prepare them as a road team. They've got to be out in San Diego anyways to play the Chargers on August 21.

More VRR after the jump.

Either way, it looks as if the team will get in some extra practices. Todd Archer breaks down how the Cowboys' 12 two-a-day practice sessions compare with previous Wade Phillips training camps with Dallas.

In 2007, they were in San Antonio from July 25-Aug. 8 and had six double sessions before returning to Valley Ranch. I don't know how many two-a-days they ran back home that year.

In 2008, they held camp in Oxnard and had practices in Denver against the Broncos, too, starting July 25 and going through Aug. 16. They had nine double sessions.

In 2009, they were in San Antonio from July 29-Aug. 19 and had 10 two-a-days.

It's "tentative", but here's the Cowboys training camp schedule.

SAN ANTONIO (July 24-August 6)
Saturday, July 24 - 2:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 25 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Monday, July 26 - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, July 27 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, July 28 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, July 29 - 2:15 p.m.
Friday, July 30 - 2:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 31 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 1 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 2 - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 3 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 4 - 2:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 5 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 6 - 9:00 a.m.

OXNARD (Aug. 13-27)

Saturday, Aug. 14 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 15 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 16 - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 17 - 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 18 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 19 - 2:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 20 -10:15 a.m. (walkthrough)
Monday, Aug. 23 - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 24 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 25 - 2:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 26 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 27 - 10:15 a.m. (walkthrough)

The Cowboys will also hold some practices at Cowboys Stadium. Times for these will be released later.

The practices would be between the Hall of Fame Game against the Bengals in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8 and the preseason home game against the Raiders on Aug. 12.

Gerry Fraley's breakdown of the Dallas OLBs offers some tidbits on how DeMarcus Ware is adding more speed to his game, as well as some encouraging words about Steve Octavien.

Ware changed his off-season workout plan, increasing the focus on flexibility and speed. Ware wants to be more active when asked to drop into pass coverage and end a personal drought. He has gone 49 consecutive regular-season games without an interception.

Octavien stood out during the workout for his high energy. He showed some Ware-like moves during pass-rush drills.

DeMarcus Ware had to adjust to playing in a 3-4. A lot of defenders do because of the rising popularity of the scheme. Why Albert Haynesworth would rather not right now is perplexing. Ware chimes in:

"I think if you’re going to be a big-time guy, which we call the "Confident Guy," at the end of the day, you should be able to play different positions, and I know he can do it," Ware said.

"It’s if he wants to do it or not. And I think he needs to do whatever he needs to do to help the team out but everybody has different opinions."

Ware also had some praise for new starting LT Doug Free's progress.

You know what, I went against Doug Free all throughout OTAs and the little minicamp we had and he’s a really great player. He played about four or five games last year when [Marc] Columbo went down. He played a little bit when Flozell [Adams] went down so he had a little bit of the game time experience.

It’s just going to take him getting used to playing 16 games cause right now he’s penciled in as a starter and going him in the OTAs, I was really confident in what he was doing against me and just in general, he’s been playing really well.

In this Q&A, Tony Romo spoke briefly on the transition from working with Flozell Adams to Free.

How much of a change will it be with Free rather than Adams in terms of throwing windows and snap communication?

It’s not a big deal. I mean, really those are just quick game stuff: you need to get the defensive lineman’s hands down so I’ll help them out with some stuff. But some of the stuff is just reiterating what they know already, just so they know on that specific play: "Hey, hold your water on this one, it’s on two," or things of that nature that are just reminders but those guys have a lot on their plate but they’re good and they’re there for a reason.

With the release of Marquis Floyd, the Cowboys fourth CB position is even more wide open.

The candidates have been reduced to three: Cletis Gordon, Jamar Wall and Bryan McCann.

Secondary coach Dave Campo said he likes the speed of all three, Gordon has the most experience, five years, but Wall and McCann have the most upside, seeing they are rookies.

Campo like Wall's toughness during one-on-one drills during offseason practices and Gordon is going to get a look on returning kicks. If Gordon excels in the return game, he has an edge to make the team over McCann and Wall. McCann is fast and still learning, but he also has a good shot at making the team.

A change in David Buehler's kicking motion shouldn't affect his leg power. Phew!

Buehler, whose strong leg got him the job as the Cowboys’ kickoff specialist last year, said he was worried that tweaking his mechanics might cost him some power in his kicks, but said that fear was unfounded.

"When he broke down my old motion, I lost some power," Buehler said, "but it came back. Kickoffs, long field goals … I’ll be fine."

DC.com has a nice feature on Travis Bright's learning the center position.

"He's a really strong player, exceptionally strong, and I think that really helps him at center," Phillips said.

Bright said he was glad to use that strength as a child. He said the physicality of football was always something he enjoyed.

"My mom, she said I could play football and hit people and not get in trouble," Bright said. "So it just kind of worked out."

Bright said one of the challenges in adjusting to center is going head-to-head against All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff in practice.

"I guess the biggest difference for me is whenever you're snapping you start with one hand," Bright said. "Just getting used to guys like Jay, he's extremely good going against that snap hand and getting that advantage. I'm learning a little bit better technique with that."

Hat tip to lonewolfz28 for the FanShot.

Felix Jones is known more for his legs than his arm, but the former Razorback welcomed the idea of throwing out the first pitch for the Arkansas Travelers last night.

Even though he didn't throw a perfect strike, Jones enjoyed his trip back to Arkansas. He played for the Razorbacks from 2005-07, piling up 2,956 yards and 20 touchdowns in a backfield that included future NFL backs Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) and Peyton Hillis (Cleveland Browns).

And just for fun...