Defensive groups from Dallas who find early success in workouts

FRISCO – Sunday was a fast and furious day for defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith. Lawrence was able to get two sacks in team drills and Smith was also very active with some pressure. But the best move for Smith was in one-on-one action when he hit left tackle Tyron Smith in a competitive drill.

If the Cowboys bring Everson Griffins to the field as a third dynamic pass rusher, despite the Cowboys being in a 3-4 or 4-3 lineup, this is a difficult defensive line to contain.

“I concentrate more on rotations and game percentages, because I’m always looking to predict over the course of the season, not only how much each veteran plays, but if they also play, it’s important,” said Mike McCarthy.

On the hunt: Linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch were busy in the passing game. Each linebacker had a pass breakup and Smith closed a screen pass from Dak Prescott to Ezekiel Elliott. Smith slipped past a Zack Martin block attempt to stop Elliott for a minimal win.

In a seven-on-seven period, Smith prevented Prescott from completing a pass to Tony Pollard and knocked down another attempt later in the session.

During a team period, Vander Esch broke a Prescott pass intended for Blake Jarwin. It seems that Vander Esch and Smith are moving well together in the early stages of camp.

The first donnybrook: Is defensive tackle Trysten Hill fighting for a roster spot in 2020? It was the second day of training camp and the pick in the second round of 2019 got a screw in one-on-one drills against an offensive lineman. The Cowboys website identified the opponent as Connor Williams, the selection of the second round of 2018 who are also fighting for his future. The shearing did not last long, maybe two minutes. Hill might realize with Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Tyrone Crawford, Neville Gallimore and Antwaun Woods all participating in defensive tackles on time, he could better step up his game.

No flight zone: The Cowboys secondary was known for picks in training camp last summer. It does it again. It started with Donovan Wilson’s interpretation of a Prescott Pass on Friday and Chidobe Awuzie (captured Ben DiNucci) and Anthony Brown each had one Sunday. Slot corner Daryl Worley forced a fumble into practice Friday.

“We’re going to the ball,” Awuzie said. “That’s always a good thing.”

In tutorial: Terence Steele was caught against Lawrence in one-on-one drills. Steele, who got a straightforward job with La’el Collins with an unknown health problem, was beaten twice by Lawrence. It was a great learning experience for Steele, an undrafted rookie from Texas Tech.

Still comfortable: Andy Dalton threw a deep sideline pass to Michael Gallup who was picked up by Anthony Brown. Gallup almost made the catch, but the ball bounced off him and into Brown’s hands. Dalton also threw a pass behind tight end Blake Jarwin in sand-on-sand. Jarwin stood wide open at the seam.

Page work: Sean Lee and Collins got work on the side with the resistance strings. With Lee out, Luke Gifford and Joe Thomas are joined by Francis Bernard and Justin March in another group.

The sound of silence: A noticeable change for the Cowboys is the music. Under Jason Garrett, music was played during team and sometimes individual drills. But with new coach Mike McCarthy, music is played during breaks and not for very long.

New and old traditions: The Cowboys began their second day of camp with nameplates on the backs of their jerseys. But rookies have no star on their helmets. They need to deserve that. Normally, rookies get that star when the preseason starts. With no press season in 2020, they will wait a while longer.

In short: Approach Cameron Erving is out with a health issue not related to COVID-19. Dontari Poe (quad) stays on the PUP.

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