It was the first day of practice in Oxnard for the Dallas Cowboys, and there was some mild interest in goings on there. Mild, as in Robert Kraft had some mild criticism of Roger Goodell the other day. There was all kinds of news, both very serious and rather lighthearted. Normally, we include a lot of quotes with the links, but to try and make sure you can find as much information as possible, those will be left out today to keep this from becoming too large.
Cowboys 2015 Training Camp Practice Summary: Starting At Square One - Rabblerousr, Blogging The Boys
As always, the excellent report from our own rabblerousr is where you should always start. If you haven't looked at it yet, do it. Now!
Mid-Day Report: McFadden Expects Quick Return; McClain On Suspension | Nick Eatman, Dallas Cowboys
The mothership also offers some good summaries. Here is there take after the early walk-through.
The big surprises of the day were Darren McFadden landing on PUP with a hamstring issue he suffered while working out prior to camp (some reports said it was not to the leg he had problems with earlier this year) and the sudden retirement of LB Keith Rivers, who Jason Garrett said no longer had his heart in the game.
Cowboys make seven roster moves before first practice | David moore, Dallas Morning News
This lists all the roster moves made day one.
Obviously.
Cowboys VP: We have 'pocket list' of free agent RBs | Mark Lane, FOX Sports
There are no immediate plans to sign another runner, but the team is certainly preparing contingencies.
Rolando McClain Focused On Getting Healthy, Learning From Suspension | Rob Phillips, Dallas Cowboys
His attitude is encouraging. Perhaps he can quiet some of the concerns about his level of motivation.
The lack of any significant injury news is always great. Greg Hardy was the only player who seemed to get nicked up a bit, but apparently he is superhuman.
This really means that the team is going to watch him closely and adjust his workload accordingly.
Still the best thing for the Cowboys this season.
Probably the second best.
Cowboys DE Mincey skips opening morning walkthrough | Mark Lane, FOX Sports
As expected. Team still saying he needs to get to camp.
With the team starting slow (no real 11 on 11 work is projected until the first padded practice on Saturday), it was a quiet day for Dez - but everyone knows he was out there.
‘Dez Watch’ About To Become ‘Watch Dez’ - Mike Fisher, CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
Ain't it grand?
The maturity and comfort he displayed talking to the press was noted by some.
We are all going to the same church on this one.
Scott Linehan says lack of expectations are good for La'el Collins | Mark Lane, FOX Sports
Will La'el Collins unseat Ronald Leary to win the starting left guard job? He would have to earn it, and the team is not going to push things. The best man will emerge.
There were also several other stories about things related to the Cowboys, but not directly from the on-field activities of the day.
Sturm is almost always a must read. This year, he sees real depth, which is so often the difference between making a playoff run and just being an also-ran.
There is a reticence to make any predictions, but the confidence level is clearly high this year.
Cowboys Camp Opens: Top 10 Summer Battles - Jordan Ross, Scout
So many good ones this year. Camp promises to be very entertaining and engrossing.
DeMarco Murray: Cowboys and I made best decision | Mark Lane, FOX Sports
This is not to say Murray is not going to extremely motivated when the Eagles clash with the Cowboys, but there don't seem to be any real hard feelings.
He's ready to play through the pain.
Jerry Jones Reminds Robert Kraft That Karma Is . . . Harsh - T. Ryle, About.com
That guy over at About.com points out that the majority of the owners are with Goodell in the deflategate mess. And Jerry Jones took a little pleasure in reminding Robert Kraft about how he reacted to the infamous $10 million cap penalty the Cowboys received for not illegally colluding with the rest of the league.
Because he said being the oldest guy on the team makes it easy to tell everyone else to shut up. And because he is The Man.
There you have it. A full load of news and notes. The journey has just begun.
Football is back. And the congregation shouts loudly "AMEN!"