Clarence Hill: Cowboys camp insights on Dak Prescott and his three interceptions Tuesday
Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill offers insights from training camp on Aug. 8:
1. Sound the alarms. Quarterback Dak Prescott is throwing picks in practice again. Actually, Prescott tossed three on Tuesday, two by cornerback Trevon Diggs and one by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
Prescott had only thrown two picks picks since the Cowboys began padded practices on July 31 until Tuesday. And Prescott also had a couple of touchdown passes against Diggs in practice on Tuesday in what has been a give-and-take battle, verbally and athletically, since the start of camp.
Michael Gallup burned Diggs in press man-to-man off the line of scrimmage for a long touchdown, and Brandin Cooks got him in 7-on-7.
2. Diggs and cornerback Stephen Gilmore have switched sides the past two days with Diggs on the right and Gilmore on the left. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said he wanted to give the experience on the other side in case they needed to do it in games. He also said there will be times when they travel with a certain receiver, so they will have to be able to play both sides.
3. Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker got his heaviest workload to date in practice on Tuesday after coming off the non-football injury list on Monday. Schoonmaker, who was dealing with plantar fasciitis, said it was good to get back there with his teammates. He even caught a touchdown pass from Cooper Rush.
“It’s definitely an energy booster, a confidence booster,” Schoonmaker said of the touchdown. “So it was exciting. Just like really feeling like I’m back out there playing.”
4. Center Tyler Biadiaz left practice twice on Tuesday with an ankle injury. The Cowboys don’t believe it’s serious, but it is something to bear watching. Brock Hoffman worked at center along with Matt Farniok. Neither have much experience. With Zack Martin holding out and guard Tyler Smith and tackle Tyron Smith being held out of some drills, it was rough up front Tuesday.
5. Speaking of Tyron Smith, his struggles against Micah Parsons have been the talk of camp. But Parsons said it has more to do with his greatness than Smith not being up to snuff. And the Cowboys coaches agree. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he is not worried about Tyron Smith’s play or confidence. He said it’s all about Parsons.
“Micah is a bad matchup for pretty much any (offensive) tackle in the league right now,” McCarthy said. “Micah’s practice Saturday was probably about as dominant of a practice that I can recall from a defensive player.“
6. Rookie top pick Mazi Smith missed practice on Tuesday with knee tendinitis. He underwent a precautionary MRI. The Cowboys don’t think the injury is serious, but there is a question of whether he will be available for the preseason opener against the Jaguars on Saturday.
7. Brandon Aubrey is making the most of his chance as the only kicker on the roster, following the release of Tristan Viscaino on Monday. Aubrey made all nine of his field-goal attempts on Tuesday.
This story was originally published August 8, 2023 at 8:12 PM.
