Calvin Watkins' practice report

August, 8, 2012
8/08/12
7:45
AM CT
OXNARD, Calif. -- Let's review the Cowboys' ninth practice from Tuesday:

*There were some different interior offensive line combinations during first-and-goal from the 1: LG David Arkin, C Phil Costa and RG Ronald Leary. It resulted in a touchdown on a third-down run by Jamize Olawale. LG Daniel Loper, C David Arkin and RG Derrick Dockery also resulted in a touchdown on third down. During one of the plays, Arkin fumbled a snap.

*On a Hail Mary play that included four laterals, the third lateral was Dez Bryant firing a strike to Tony Romo across the field. Bryant throws left handed and has a strong enough arm to get it across the field.

*Cole Beasley has found new life the last two days since returning from his absence. Beasley is running routes hard and finding open spaces in the middle of the field to catch passes. Stephen Jones noted Beasley is performing better since his return.

*Faced with a fourth-and-1, defensive tackle Robert Callaway jumped offsides, giving the offense a first down. You can't do that when you're trying to make a team.

*When the Cowboys first tried goal-line plays, the backup running backs attempted to get into the end zone. The second time the drill was ran, DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones were the backs. Murray failed to score on one attempt; Jones scored twice.

*On a hard throw from Kyle Orton during 7-on-7 drills, rookie tight end James Hanna let the ball go through his hands. Hanna is going to make this team, but the confidence level in his receiving ability wasn't an issue.

*Victor Butler did a nice job to get a tackle for loss when he took down Felix Jones on a screen pass from Romo.

*Jones fumbled a snap on a pitch play and was upset at himself, yelling an expletive.

*Nice job by safety Danny McCray reaching around Tim Benford for a pass breakup.

*Cornerback Mario Butler made a smart play to break up a Tony Romo pass to Jason Witten. At the line of scrimmage, Romo yelled at Witten to remain in his position and Butler stayed home. When the pass came, he read it perfectly to break it up.

*Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris and Dez Bryant appear the candidates to field punts Monday night in Oakland. Each had their issues, whether it was fielding the ball at their own 5 or letting one bounce off their chest.

*Morris Claiborne looked pretty good running sprints Tuesday. He's recovering from a sprained MCL and, while he's missing valuable practice time, he's getting his conditioning in.
Calvin Watkins joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Cowboys since 2006 and also has covered colleges, boxing and high school sports.

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