Cowboys end camp with fights and Parsons throwing punches. ‘It’s all good competition.’
The Dallas Cowboys concluded their final padded practice of training camp Wednesday taking a month of frustrations out on each other with a couple of fights.
Center Tyler Biadiasz was in the middle of two skirmishes, one with defensive end Sam Williams during a 9-on-7 running drill that saw the offensive and defensive lines square off against each other.
The other came in team drills when linebacker Micah Parsons threw two punches at Biadiasz following a scrum after a play that included Williams pushing Biadiasz to the ground.
The coaching staff sent both units to opposite sidelines and restored order. The fights were the first this training camp.
Parsons broke the team down after practice with the message of “let’s come together and win a championship.”
“It’s the last practice of camp, you gotta bring it all you got,” Parsons said. “That’s what it’s about. I told the guys before we came out there: this is our Super Bowl. It wasn’t nothing more than just being ferocious and being a dog competitive.”
“This is where championships are started, right here in camp,” Parsons said. “It’s only one goal at the end of the day.”
Ironically, coach Mike McCarthy commented on the lack of fights during camp before practice. One reason he didn’t practice against other teams this year is because of too much fighting and not enough quality work.
He said the Cowboys gave each other quality work, especially the team’s offensive line against a Cowboys defensive front that is good as any in league with Parsons and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence leading the way.
McCarthy said he wants his team to play with an edge during games and he didn’t mind them mixing up, along as they were smart about how they handled it.
It goes without saying that he didn’t condone Parsons throwing a punch.
But an offensive line that had been bullied for much of camp fought back on Wednesday with Biadasz setting the tone that they weren’t going to take it this time.
Not only did he get in skirmishes but he pushed Leighton Vander Esch after a play because of how the veteran linebacker roughed up running back rookie Deuce Vaughn.
Biadasz declined to comment.
“Tyler’s good feisty and he’s been fighting all camp,” safety Jayron Kearse said. “That’s just that’s just how this thing goes on. You know, you’re going against a bunch of dogs on opposite side. It just brings the best out of you. They brought it to us today. So but at the end, you know, we were gonna stand up.”
The defense has been dominant throughout camp and is the foundation of any success the Cowboys hope to have this season.
Kearse said the battles in practice were just a precursor of things to come.
“They came for us. We ain’t takin no [expletive],” Kearse said. “All 32 teams. We ain’t taken no [expletive] from nobody. If that’s what it comes down to, our offense or the next offense. We’re trying to show we’re the best in the business. They got spicy out here. It’s gonna get spicy on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays or whenever you gotta line up. That’s how we’re gonna come.”
The Cowboys have been talking trash in practice Day 1. A verbal skirmish between cornerback Trevon Diggs and quarterback Dak Prescott went viral in Week 2 of camp. But nothing like Tuesday.
“This was our last day in Oxnard with our pads on, maybe that’s what it was,” Kearse said. “Guys are a little tired and it just took that little extra oomph to get through the day. Maybe that’s what brought it out, but it’s all good competition. And you come September 10th [when they open the season against the New York Giants], it’s gonna be another team on on opposite side.”
Getting each other ready for the season is what it’s all about, according to Parsons. That’s been his mantra.
“Yeah, I’m here to make them better,” Parsons said. “I pushed myself for my own greater good, but me pushing myself is only gonna make them better. No matter who I’m against. I don’t care if it’s Tyron [Smith], Zack [Martin], Tyler Smith. I’m going to beat the hell out of them. It’s only going to make them better.”
The Cowboys got better on Wednesday. They will have a walk-through practice on Thursday and then head to Seattle on Friday for Saturday’s second preseason game at the Seahawks.
The Cowboys will resume training camp practice at Ford Center in Frisco next Tuesday.
This story was originally published August 16, 2023 at 5:18 PM.
