OXNARD, Calif. - While some have speculated backup quarterback Brad Johnson should be replaced, Cowboys officials said he would actually be receiving more reps with the first-team offensive line and receivers.
Head coach Wade Phillips said the team would try to get Johnson more time with the starters in Saturday's preseason game in Denver. The 16-year veteran wasn't very effective against San Diego last Saturday, throwing an interception and taking a pair of sacks. He was just 8-of-15 passing and had a passer rating of only 43.5.
Johnson did have a couple of nice completions, including a 16-yarder to Patrick Crayton.
Phillips said the second-team offensive line Johnson played behind was hit-and-miss in pass protection. He chalked the interception up to a miscommunication between Johnson and Crayton. The pass wobbled straight into the hands of Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer, 10 yards away from any Cowboys receiver.
"Both of them were trying to read and they didn't read the same thing, and he was getting hit when he was throwing it," Phillips said. "He had to get rid of it."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the likelihood the team would bring in another quarterback was slim, at this point.
"We want him to have more reps," Jones said. "So when you bring somebody else in here they're going to have to, at some point, get some time. And we think, looking at last year and just how much time he had last year in the preseason, that we need to get him more work. As I'm standing here right now, I think he can be the answer."
While Johnson's arm has never been the strongest in the world, he has looked better in this year's camp than last year's. Additionally, if a quarterback was added to the roster they would have the disadvantage of having to learn the offense. Jones made light of the difference between the starting offensive line and the group Johnson worked behind.
"One is operating, the other's a fire drill," he said.
Spencer Out, Bennett Late
Though he didn't seem to be hurt following the Cowboys' 31-17 preseason loss to San Diego on Saturday, outside linebacker Anthony Spencer missed Monday's light practice with a bone bruise in his knee.
Jerry Jones said Spencer's knee didn't swell Sunday, but did flare up before Monday's workout - enough to keep the one-year vet from even coming out to the practice fields to observe. He underwent an precautionary MRI Monday, coach Wade Phillips said.
Spencer had two tackles Saturday against the Chargers. He has been working on the strong side outside linebacker spot behind Greg Ellis. Coaches have praised his off-season improvements since camp started. Spencer said during the spring and summer he focused on improving footwork and hand placement when rushing the passer.
Tight end Martellus Bennett was some 30 minutes late to Monday afternoon's practice, telling reporters afterward he was handling the same personal business that forced him out of the entire practice last Thursday.
Jones said it was a matter Bennett was observing, though it is expected to now be cleared up.
"It was something he had to do," Phillips said. "But I think we're finished with that."
Scandrick Shines, and Stings
Rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick made quite an impression on his coaches in his first game action as a Cowboy, and delivered a hit to Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst that caused a fumble.
Problem was, the hard blow hurt Scandrick too. He returned to the game later, though, and practiced Monday.
"My eyes light up whenever I get a clean shot on anyone," the fifth-round pick said. "If you can't get an interception, you just want to punish the ball carrier whenever you can. I've just got to use a little better technique next time and wrap up instead of going for the kill shot. Anybody who's had a stinger knows what that feels like. It kind of goes numb for a second then it hurts you."
Wade Phillips raved about how Scandrick was all over the field. The Boise State product notched a sack and forced-fumble hitting Whitehurst, who was scrambling to his right, as well as six total tackles, two solos and four assists, secondary coach Dave Campo said. He also helped break up one pass, taking out the legs of Chargers fullback Mike Tolbert. The hard hitting was no surprise to Campo.
"We've known he's been a tough-guy," Campo said. "He was a good special teams player in college."
He also had a pair of kickoff returns, but they combined for only 34 yards.
Color Change
Training camp had a rather odd look during Monday's practice when the offense and defense switched jersey colors, with the offense donning blue jerseys and the defense wearing the whites.
The Cowboys made the change in preparation for this week's practices against the Broncos in Denver.
Since the Broncos will be wearing blue jerseys in Saturday's game, Denver's offense will sport the blue practice jerseys. And in an attempt not to clash during the three days of practice this week, the Cowboys made sure they had white defensive jerseys, and the blues for offense.
Apparently, several NFL teams change up their practice jerseys, according to the upcoming game. Most teams will put the offense in the same color uniforms the team will wear that week.
The Cowboys have always put the offense in white practice jerseys, regardless of the game. However, with the new jerseys now in place, the Cowboys will likely practice that way this season, meaning the offense will sport the blue jerseys in the week before road games in Cleveland and Washington, where the Cowboys will wear blue jerseys, and possibly before the Thanksgiving Day game against Seattle in which the club will wear a blue throwback jersey.
- Nick Eatman
DBs Still Piling up Picks
If the Cowboys are still debating on how many cornerbacks to keep on the final 53-man roster, their decision got even tougher after Monday's lone practice.
Cornerback Evan Oglesby continued to show he belongs on the final roster as he made an impressive leaping interception off Brad Johnson in 11-on-11 drills.
"He has practiced well again today," head coach Wade Phillips said of Oglesby after the team's workout.
Not to be outdone, though, was cornerback Alan Ball who stepped in front of a Jeff Terrell pass in the last part of team drills, proving he deserves a spot on the team as well.
Safety Tyler Everett and starting cornerback Anthony Henry also got the better of the Cowboys' quarterbacks Monday as Everett picked off a Brad Johnson pass on the sidelines and Henry intercepted a Tony Romo pass batted in the air by Miles Austin.
-Edward Lewis
Short Shots
Terrell Owens appeared to jam a finger on his left hand during Monday's sole practice. The receiver bent over in pain after reaching for a Tony Romo pass thrown behind him, but returned to practice a few plays later . . . Cornerback Quincy Butler finished in workout clothes after suiting up for the first part of Monday's practice . . . Receiver Sam Hurd dropped a sure touchdown pass from Tony Romo in 11-on-11 drills, drawing the ire of receivers coach Ray Sherman.
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