IRVING, Texas – One offseason practice is left before the Cowboys break until training camp, but here is a review of what happened on Wednesday at Valley Ranch:
** Dez Bryant was featured in a blog post Wednesday afternoon, but the most dominant defensive player in the workout? How about DT Ben Bass? The second-year defensive lineman was all over the field, penetrating, getting to the quarterback for a sack, blowing up running plays and even forcing an interception. On the pick, Bass tipped a QB Kyle Orton pass into the air, which allowed DT Sean Lissemore to come down with the turnover. Later on the goal line he bulled G David Arkin back into RB DeMarco Murray that was a sign of his strength.
**Rookie WR Terrance Williams had an effective day. He came down with a jump ball over CB Brandon Carr in one on one drills. In seven-on-seven work he made a leaping grab over CB Sterling Moore for a touchdown, nicely getting his feet down for the score.
** Overall, however, the defense won the day. LB Sean Lee was able to stop TE Jason Witten short of a first down on a fourth-down play. Later S Barry Church stopped WR Cole Beasley short on a fourth-down play. The defense was able to blitz to force quicker throws short of the marker to end the drive.
** LB Cameron Sheffield had two sacks. Might be a guy to keep an eye on for a practice squad role depending on what he does in camp.
** Rookie LB DeVonte Holloman made an athletic pick of a Nick Stephens throw in the end zone that as to Beasley. Holloman dropped nicely into his zone and was able to leap and make the catch with two hands. He took the ball out of the end zone instead of taking the touchback, but the coaches urged him to go score so maybe he did the right thing.
** Rookie S J.J. Wilcox is around the ball a lot. He dropped an interception in red-zone work but was able to break up a pass later in team-blitz drill.
** Counted four drops by the offense: one each by James Hanna, Anthony Amos, Murray and Dwayne Harris.
** LB Brandon Magee did a nice job on back-to-back run plays stopping Kendial Lawrence. On the first one he was able to square up the ball carrier to make the tackle and on the second he was able to shrug off a blocker to get to Lawrence.