OXNARD, Calif. -- Every day of Dallas Cowboys training camp we'll offer up a wake-up call that offers a quick review of the previous day and a preview of the current day.
Today’s schedule: The Cowboys will hold their Blue-White scrimmage at 2:30 p.m. Jason Garrett’s news conference will follow the scrimmage.
Quick thoughts on Saturday’s practice:
Wide receiver Terrance Williams made the play of the day in situational work, catching a slant from Brandon Weeden while being trailed by cornerback B.W. Webb. Williams was able to quickly change directions and sprint another 10-plus yards and get out of bounds to help set up what would have been a game-tying field goal. He had a game-winning touchdown wiped out two plays later when the officials ruled he was out of bounds on a perfect throw from Weeden between the cornerback and the safety in the side of the end zone.
Linebacker Kyle Wilber might be the most improved player. He swallowed up tight end Gavin Escobar off the line in one-on-one drills. Escobar eventually made the catch, but Wilber’s physical play disrupted the timing had it been a full team drill.
Safety Jeff Heath ended practice by forcing a fumble near the sideline after tight end James Hanna caught a pass from Dustin Vaughan.
In second-team goal-line work, fullback Tyler Clutts caught a touchdown pass from Caleb Hanie in the flat on the first snap. The last two snaps were won by the defense with Vaughan and Ronald Patrick messing up the quarterback/center exchange.
Newly signed defensive end Ken Boatright showed a good burst off the edge in one-on-one pass-rush drills against Josh Aladenoye, going low around the corner to beat the tackle.
What I’m watching: With the Blue-White scrimmage coming today, there will be plenty to watch. But let’s say what the scrimmage isn’t: It’s not about the veteran players. They will work through a typical practice before the younger players scrimmage with live tackling.
Running back Ben Malena has been getting the bulk of the carries in the “blue period” to close practices. That has been his time to shine and he’s done a decent job. He will get more work in the scrimmage to show what he has.
The NFL officials will be working the scrimmage, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive the defensive backs are with the focus on illegal contact. Rookie cornerback Terrance Mitchell will have to be mindful of how much he clutches and grabs.
Rookie defensive tackles Davon Coleman and Ken Bishop have real chances to make the team and make an impact. They might give the backup lines trouble in the scrimmage.
They said it: "The big thing about it is I don’t see him a lot, that’s because he’s working hard. When you got a head coach that you know is working his butt off to put you in the best situation for a game, you don’t mind working your butt off for him, during the game and during practice. That’s the biggest similarity, they both have a work ethic. Either you have it or you don’t. Coach Garrett has it, so I respect him." -- Rolando McClain when asked if he can tell Jason Garrett worked for his college coach, Nick Saban.