OXNARD, Calif. — As it goes during training camp, the Dallas Cowboys have positions of exceptional depth and others that have questions that need answering. As padded practices roll along, the latter begins its organic process of sorting itself out, at least to some degree, and that process is well underway for Brian Schottenheimer and his coaching staff.
Routinely seeing some of the more unheralded players, be it rookies and/or incoming veterans, step up to make plays in practice, Schottenheimer takes the podium daily to offer praise to the more recent standouts — e.g., wide receivers Traeshon Holden and Jonathan Mingo, and defensive linemen Jay Toia and Perrion Winfrey.
Following the team's third padded practice, on Thursday, he gave a list of players that comes to mind as having either an exceptional camp or as someone making unexpectedly large waves.
Offense
- KaVontae Turpin
- JaVonte Williams
- Miles Sanders
- Hunter Luepke
- Jaydon Blue
- Deuce Vaughn
Defense
- Donovan Wilson
- Kaiir Elam
- Malik Hooker
- Marist Liufau
- Troy Pride
- Zion Childress
It goes without saying this list is not all-inclusive, at least not to anyone following camp practices closely, but Schottenheimer is spot-on with the names he lobbed to the press, when asked.
Be it on offense or defense, it feels as if there's a new name entering the mix by way of a dynamic play on any given day, and it's a testament to the level of competitiveness and intensity being left on the field in Oxnard.
