Dallas Cowboys Training Camp News: Best Offense Since The 1990s?

Monday Practice Recap: CB Depth Thin. LB McCain Banged Up - Nick Eatman, The Mothership

In the midst of Eatman's practice summary, Jerry Jones offers a bit of perspective on the team's injuries:

"I saw where 15 guys sat out for the Giants," Jones said, referring to last Sunday's Hall of Fame Game between the Giants and Bills. "That's part of camp. The good news is, most of these guys are coming back to play. Some teams aren't that fortunate and we've been not that fortunate before. So far I wouldn't say there's any concern."

Cowboys Training Camp Report: A Depleted Defense Struggles - Rabblerousr, BTB

BTB's daily digest of training camp doings features this little nugget you won't find elsewhere:

Before the official start of practice, the defense gathered to work on run fits. The last man on the field was Jeremy Mincey, whose late arrival did not go unnoticed. As he hustled over to where his defensive mates were already set to work, Orlando Scandrick yelled out, quite loudly, "F&#% Mincey. Same time every day. We say we want to be good." This was awesome for two reasons: clearly, the defense is talking about how it wants to be good, and what it will take to get there. And Scandrick is stepping up, policing the guys whose actions belie their words. Last time I checked, this is called leadership.

Day 12 Observations From Cowboys Training Camp Practices - Brandon George, DMN

Another "live from camp" style snippet (and one that I overheard as well):

Weeden did throw an incomplete pass to Harris in the end zone while working against Mitchell. Harris never turned around for the quick pass. WRs coach Derek Dooley yelled at Harris, "Got to look quick."

Cowboys Camp Report: Day 12 - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas

This kind of summed up the defense's day:

Head coach Jason Garrett taunted the cornerbacks during the early portion of one-on-one passing drills. "This is a bludgeoning so far!" Garrett hollered after the receivers opened the drills with three consecutive catches. The cornerbacks responded by drawing flags from the NFL officiating crew working the practice on three of the next four plays.

Scouts Notebook: Dozen Quick Thoughts From Camp Week 2 - Bryan Broaddus, The Mothership

The Broad One offers a couple handfuls (plus two) of observations from camp thus far, including this:

Justin Durant is making me look bad. I gave him no shot to be the starter at Mike linebacker but he has nothing but look comfortable and confident in handling the position. There is a real desire for him within to get to that football.

Three Thoughts On Day 12 Of Cowboys Camp - Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Dallas

In a look back on Sunday's action, Taylor shares this conversation with Nate Newton as both sat watching the defense get gouged:

Newton leaned over and said, "If Butch Davis or Dave Wannstedt was coaching this defense and they had a day like this, he’d tell one of his guys, 'Enough of this, let’s take them to the ground. I want to see somebody get hit.'

Sure enough, J.J. Wilcox satisfied Wannstedt's injunction a couple of days later...

Ten Things You Need To Know From First Ten Days of Cowboys Training Camp Practice - Jon Machota, DMN

A nifty ten-click slideshow that covers some of camp's big stories thus far.

Cowboys Sign New Offensive Lineman, Tried To Claim Another - Dave Halprin, BTB

Dallas released injured backup guard Brian Clarke and brought in former Bronco and Saint Wayne Tribue. In addition, sources report that the Cowboys put in a claim on recently released Seahawks offensive tackle Michael Bowie. The Cowboys didn't receive Bowie, because three other teams also put in a claim on the injured tackle, and he was awarded to the Browns.

Josh Brent, Goodell To Meet Thursday - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas

Officially retired former Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday in his bid to seek reinstatement to the league, according to Jerry Jones.  If Brent is cleared to return, Jones told reporters that the Cowboys would clear a roster spot for him.

Jones: As Excited As I've Been About an Offense Since 2007 - David Helman, The Mothership

A bit more perspective from the Cowboys' owner: as the title suggests, he told reporters after practice that this offense is as good as any since 2007. And, as Helman reports,

Other than the 2007 team, Jones said the last time he felt as good about his offense was about 10 years before that, during the Cowboys dynastic run of championships in the mid-90’s.

Leon Lett Loves Teaching, Coaching - Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Dallas

This piece on former All-Pro Defensive tackle-cum-coach has a nice little button on it:

You can usually find him at the end of the field working one-on-one with a player. One afternoon he spent about 20 minutes working furiously with Caesar Rayford on hand placement while rushing the passer.

When it was over, each man drenched with sweat, walked off the field.