JUST CHILL: QB search, Moore injury and other thoughts from camp

1. The Dallas Cowboys struck out their pursuit of Nick Foles as a possible backup to Tony Romo following the injury to Kellen Moore. Foles signed with the Kansas City Chiefs because of familiarity with coach Andy Reid and the offense from their days together with the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, it didn’t help that owner Jerry Jones trashed Foles last week in his defense of Moore. Just because the Cowboys’ situation changed doesn’t mean that Foles lost his memory.

2. The team expressed interest in Cleveland Browns backup Josh McCown, but talks have sense quieted. Word out of Cleveland is the Browns want to hang on to McCown because they don't have a backup plan to Robert Griffin III if he falters. The Cowboys are focusing on getting more reps for rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott while they regroup and re-think their backup plans. There is no question the team is interested in bringing in a veteran to add to the quarterback room behind Tony Romo. Prescott and second-year man Jameill Showers have never attempted a pass in the NFL.

3. Jason Garrett wasn’t happy with the aggressiveness of the defense on the first day of full pads and there are those in the organization who blame that for Kellen Moore’s injury. The defense opened the first day tackling ball carriers to the ground and taking each other out with friendly fire hits. Certainly, the unit has a chip on its shoulder because of all the questions and criticism as the weak link. But the defense won’t win any fans by taking out their own teammates.

4. The injury to fourth-overall pick Ezekiel Elliott has the Cowboys thin at running back with Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar already on the sidelines because of prior injuries. Free-agent signee Alfred Morris has had good start to camp and he will move in with the starters with rookie sixth-round pick Darius Jackson getting rep with the second unit. The Cowboys like Jackson. He just needs a little more development. He runs too stiff at times. The Cowboys can use fullback Rod Smith to fill in at running back. He is a former running back who moved to fullback in the off-season. Smith has already impressed with his versatility and will get a look at H-back.

5. Defensive end Lawrence Okoye was involved in the scrum that resulted in Kellen Moore’s injury. But don’t let that overshadow Okoye’s strong start to camp so far. He has shown versatility in being able to play inside at tackle as well as outside at end. His ability to push the pocket is a welcomed sight for a unit in need of pass rushers and playmakers up front. Rookie Charles Tapper and first-year player Mike McAdoo had their moments in flashing some potential. It appears that rookie free agent has become defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s favorite dog-cussing target this camp. Last year, it was defensive end Ryan Russell.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 12:58 PM with the headline "JUST CHILL: QB search, Moore injury and other thoughts from camp."