While training camp officially started last week, today was the day Dallas Cowboys fans around the globe were looking forward to. The first few practices of camp, while exciting, are always glorified seven-on-seven drills. Today, that changed in a big way. For the first time in Oxnard, real football is finally back, as the Dallas Cowboys held their first padded practice of the summer this afternoon.
When the pads go on, the intensity level skyrockets. We’ve seen plenty of memorable moments over the years
during Dallas’ first few padded practices, and it’s almost certain we’ll get a few more this week. Even though the Cowboys won’t face anyone other than themselves until the Rams joint practice in over a week, the first few padded practices of training camp are always a treat.
Players ratchet up the intensity in a big way, and we get our first true look at which guys can separate themselves from the pack. With Dallas’ offense not featuring many new faces, they figured to have the leg up in the first padded practice of camp. Surprisingly, it was the defense that stole the show early on, including an impressive showing from the Cowboys’ cornerback group.
You could make a legitimate argument that how Dallas’ cornerback group performs this season (health aside) will have as much of an impact on the team as any other position outside of quarterback and wide receiver. The Cowboys are relying on Daron Bland and Shavon Revel Jr. to bounce back in a big way while also needing a solid year out of free agent acquisition Cobie Durant.
If today’s practice is any indication of how the group is going to perform during the regular season, Cowboys fans are going to be very pleased. The trio of Bland, Durant, and Revel all had great showings during today’s padded practice.
Bland and Durant started the day off by both recording a PBU against the first-team offense.
Dallas’ starting cornerback group continued to perform well as practice wore on, highlighted by Durant intercepting Dak Prescott in the red zone.
It’s hard to overstate how much Dallas’ postseason hopes rely on their starting cornerback trio not just staying on the field, but playing well while doing so. There’s no way around it; last year was ugly for both Daron Bland and Shavon Revel. The Cowboys showed plenty of support for the duo this offseason, but now it’s time for both players to prove Dallas right for believing in them.
Durant will be a true x-factor for Dallas’ defense. If he can play a vital role in Dallas’ defense alongside Bland and Revel, the Cowboys have a chance to have an above-average secondary.
Let’s hope Dallas’ cornerback group continues to play like they did on Monday afternoon moving forward.
