SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by KD Drummond

Dallas Cowboys Top 5 Offseason Changes Heading Into 2013

2013-06-18T13:00:07Z

How many of you had a childhood influenced by Highlights The Magazine like I did? Highlights was the first piece of mail that arrived to the house in my name besides birthday cards, and man did that mean something. The articles were top notch, the games were entertaining, and the humor was high brow. At least it was for a six year old.

One of my favorite sections of Highlights was Check... Double Check. They'd post two drawings side by side, both full of similar actions and poses, with very slight differences between the two. Your job was to discern the differences between the two scenes and the reward was self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

There's a lot about the 2013 version that will resemble the 2012 Cowboys. There might only be two starters on defense that didn't start on opening day 2012, and maybe only three on offense depending on how things shake out. The team barely made a ripple in free agency; with the only big name signing being their own player, Anthony Spencer. There's going to be a lot of things that look similar to how a season that ended up decidedly average kicked things off last season.

That doesn't mean that there wasn't a lot of change going on within the friendly confines of Valley Ranch, however.

Change was everywhere, or will be when things kick off in Oxnard, California next month. I decided to put together a video recap that goes over what I believe are the most important differences between this year and last.

If you have some time to sit back and pow wow with me, give it a look. Check and Double Check.

I was able to find 5 major differences between 2012 and 2013. Does my Top 5 match your Top 5? Let me know what you agree or disagree with in the comments section.

Cowboys Community Sunday: Have You Ever Met A Cowboy?

2013-06-16T17:00:09Z

Join us around the campfire.

We often equate on field brilliance with off the field heroism. It's one of my pet peeves that fans often deify a player based on athletic prowess and then are disappointed in a player they know nothing about personally when said player doesn't follow the script the fan has written in his head. Everyone is supposed to have the same upbringing and development as a human being, and if not, everything is supposed to be "corrected" by the fact that they have an opportunity to play a child's game for obscene amounts of money.

Even when faced with the reality of the circumstances stated above, fans still tend to revert to the expectations that come from worshipping sports stars as heroes growing up. Sometimes players just aren't nice guys. Sometimes, they are jerks. It doesn't mean they were any less worthy of your adulation for what they did on the field.

On the flip side, there are plenty of players that are great guys away from the sport. The ones that take the extra time out of their day to thank fans for their support. The ones that involve themselves in community projects and charitable events. The ones that you'd just like to sit back and have a drink with. Many times, you'll see combinations of both sides of the equation. Sports stars are just as complex as people you meet in everyday life.

Players come in all shapes, sizes and ways, as you'll see in the below sampling and hopefully in the comments section as well. I took to our Facebook page (Like Us Today!) to see who had encountered Cowboys players at one time or another in their lives and the stories recanted were interesting to say the least. Here are a few examples.

Robert Bone 1992, my grandfather, great uncle and I ended up in Jerruhs suite hanging out with Jimmy and Wanstadt, we were throwing back coronas( jimmys favorite beer), i was completely awestruck. you coukd teok there was sonething about the chemistry, that the yeam was team was destined for greatness that year, pretty sure this was the thanksgiving game. Jimmy was feeling it that night, Jerry wasnt in the room. My grandpa was a season ticket holder fron the late 70's, probably the happiest ive ever seen him that night(god rest his soul)...rubbing elbows with Jimmy Johnson

John Rathsam Yeah! I met Emmitt Smith on the golf course for charity!
Hole #1 a 7 year old was asking for his autograph, after hole 3 Emmitt looked annoyed and told the 7 year old I am playing golf, I will sign for you after I finish golfing!

It then started to drizzle, his 7 year old followed Emmitt ALL 18 holes soaking wet by hole 18.
As Emmitt finished up hole 18, he was walking off, the 7 year old he PROMISD he would sign for and who followed him for over 2 hours getting wet and everything, walked right up to him and emmitt turned and said SORRY KID, I don't sign, buy a ticket inside if you want my autograph! Since that day, I HATE EMMITT with a passion and heard plenty of other stories when the "camera" isn't on!

Starlen Roddy I had the chance to meet several former Cowboys in the early 2000s while working at a sports bar in the Hilton. Tony Dorsett- he was drunk as all outdoors but was good guy. Jimmy Johnson- truly is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Took him room service..tips very well and did not have a problem giving me an autograph. Herschel Walker- laid back and looked like he could break a tank in half with his pinky lol

Mary Arcidiacono Lofaro Spent a weekend in Dallas with my kids to watch a Cowboys game. The day before the game, we went on a stadium tour. There, Eugene Lockhart was signing autographs with his son by his side. My daughter was about the same age as his son, and they spent some time talking to each other. The next day, Eugene showed up at a Tailgate party we were attending, and he remembered my daughter. He pulled out his cell phone and called his son and then handed the phone to my daughter and told her, "here talk to my son"! She talked to him for a while!! Eugene was a sweet, down-to-earth guy! It's ashame he got caught up in that mortgage fraud scandal!

Don Corbett Too many to mention. Back in the day when NFL players had to have second and third jobs, Cowboys lived all around me, I hung out with their kids, I spent a lot of days at their practice field and many of the players even spent time playing with us in the front yard teaching us pass patterns. Heck, Lilly and Andre even coached my YMCA football team. Other than Lilly and Andre, other players I spent time with were Jordan, Howley, Renfro, Lewis, Reeves Garrison, Rentzel, Morton, Ditka, Niland, Liscio, Manders, and Widby. Even today, I still drink coffee a couple times a week with the lone remaining original member of the 1960 Cowboys staff - Trainer Clint Houy - As you can imagine, he is full of great stories. (among his best friends were wild and crazy Meredith and Mickey Mantle)

John Rathsam I did meet Michael Irvin plenty of times! Hung out in his hotel room with Him, Emmitt, and Mark Tuinei back in the day! I remember Irvin telling us a story about court!

This was when he was in court for the cocaine and hookers I believe! He said he didnt' tell any player to come to court with him! Howevever he did ask his best friend Emmitt Smith to be the only one to show up for support!

come court date, Emmitt is nowhere to be found! Mike calls him after and says where were you buddy?
Emmitt's reply? My PR guy told me it wouldn't be good for my image!

Well, when Mike went to court, Emmitt who he asked to be there was NOT THERE, yet when he turned to look for him he saw TROY AIKMAN sititng there supporting him when he never even asked Troy!
He said he will never be friends with Emmitt since that day and always respect Troy!

They are all nice on TV when camera's are around, but since that day Irvin can't stand Emmitt! That's from the horses mouth!

Yet ANOTHER story on why Emmitt isn't the same guy he acts like when camera's are on him and his true colors makes me DESPISE him as a person! Greatest Cowboys rusher EVER, but as a person, can't stand him!

Mark Douglas While in college in Washington D.C. I dated a young lady who attended Mount Vernon College. She invited me to her home in Irving, TX for spring break. She told me her mother was dating a football player but imagine my surprise when I was at her home and Drew Pearson walked into the family room. He was very cool and we actually played a couple of games of basketball in the driveway. This was either 1988 or 89.

Michelle Fichera I met Troy Aikman at spring training when they still practiced in San Antonio - I think I was 8. I have a picture with him, and his autograph.

What kind of stories do you have to tell about Cowboys, past or present that you've had the chance to come across? Put some marshmallows on a tree branch and share your tales with us.

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo: Highlight Spectacular

2013-06-15T02:44:07Z

Long live the King.

Like it or not (most do, but several don't), Tony Romo is the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys for the foreseeable future. I've never been one to hide the fact that I'm a Romo fan. It was born of my total disgust with Drew Bledsoe shacking up with my devotion to the Cowboys and I've never wavered since. Sure, I get frustrated when he has his too-frequent bad moments. However, I don't allow those moments to overwrite all of the scintilating, game-saving and winning moments that he has also provided this team and this fanbase.

A lot of people only focus on the negative, or weight it as more important than the positive. To me, that's inherently flawed and I'd rather judge the total package.

This article won't be covering the argument over Romo's value. We've had that discussion plenty of times before and we're sure to have it again. In fact, I suspect the comment section will spark the debate again anyway. For now, I just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy some highlight packages reminding me of how much joy I get from saying, That's My Quarterback.

2012 Highlights

Tony Romo 2007-2009

Ribs? Lung? Comeback. Inside The NFL Highlights+Interview

2006: The Beginning

Four Would Be Sackers?

4th and 3, Down 7? Gimme Fitty

Tony Romo Ultimate Highlights. Grainy, But Well Worth It.

40 Days And 40 Nights Until BTB Makes It To Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

2013-06-12T15:00:10Z

But it's not enough!

The Cowboys mandatory minicamp is open to the media for all three days, as compared to the single day per week of OTA coverage. Still, it's not enough. Media will descend upon Oxnard starting July 21st to give us their version of coverage of the Cowboys Training Camp. Still, it's not enough.

Blogging The Boys will be there giving you our version of Training Camp coverage. That might be enough... but we want more!

"You might want to have some more but your parents don't let you because there's only a little."

"Right."

"We want more, we want more, like you really like it, you want more!"

Speaking from my own perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the reports from O.C.C. and Rabblerousr last year. As we are asking for your help in augmenting the costs of their treks, I figured you would enjoy seeing some of the items that they reported on from last year's camps. Things that developed into telling storylines over the course of the 2012 season.

Training Camp 2012 gave us some great snippets, you can click on the headers to read the full reports.

Day 2

-Watching Dez Bryant perform on the field is incredible. This is a player who is extremely smooth yet incredibly powerful at the same time - and he knows it. His play oozes a self-confidence that borders on the intimidating. Plus the guy catches everything. Except punts. A Dez Bryant in this form will blow away the NFL when the season starts.

Day 5

-Football is a violent sport, and injuries are part of the game. Today, the Cowboys got more than their fair share of injuries.

-The injuries have been accumulating over the last couple of days. Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas noted earlier in the day that 15 players from the Cowboys' 90-man roster were not going to participate in today's practice for various reasons.

Day 6

-Is Ratliff done?: As Jay Ratliff's plantar fasciitis injury lingers, I can't help but think of other great players who suffer an injury, struggle with it, sometimes even playing for another year or so, before fading away. For Rat, I wonder: is this that moment? Is this that time when a proud warrior's body declares that it can no longer hold up to the unimaginable stress of interior line play? Have the rigors of the game finally won out in the battle with his indomitable spirit? It's not the kind of question that we want to contemplate, but for players at his age and position, it must be asked.

Both writers will be going on their own dime, so as usual, we're going to ask you, the BTB community, to help them out. Your response so far has been outstanding, however every penny counts! We've created a PayPal account and are asking for donations to cover the expenses associated with going to, and covering, training camp. So if you can pitch in $5, $10, $20 or however much you can spare, please jump in and do it. We'll really appreciate your help!

Cowboys Rookie Gavin Escobar On NFC East And His Role In Dallas [Video]

2013-06-11T01:00:05Z

The Dallas Cowboys added another weapon to their offensive arsenal by selecting TE Gavin Escobar from San Diego State. The 47th pick talks about joining the Cowboys, his family members that are Giants fans and walking the red carpet with Jennifer Aniston. Check him out as he sits down with SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein at last month's NFLPA Rookie Symposium.

Cowboys Secret Superstar: Bruce Carter

2013-06-10T14:00:12Z

Two themes have emerged in this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. Well, at least when it comes to actual on-the-field evaluation. One of them is that Dez Bryant is getting ready to break out in a way that Dallas hasn't seen at receiver since Terrell Owens roamed outside the numbers. The other's name is Bruce.

A few weeks back, I singled out Bruce Carter as the player that I'm most rooting for this summer and to this point, there has been no disappointment. In fact, the theme music I chose for him, Busta Rhymes Dungeon Dragon verse from 'Scenario', couldn't be more fitting. Under the new Monte Kiffin 4-3, Bruce is about to be unleashed on the NFL as the 'next' Derrick Brooks. He's gonna be one of the bad guys in the fairy tale of opposing offenses.

So much so, that earlier this offseason Bruce was named as the Cowboys Secret Superstar by Pro Football Focus. By now, everyone is familiar with PFF's attempt to assign a game grade to each individual player in the league. They are by far our best game-by-game measure at how people play across all respective positions. There are flaws to their methods, but at the very least they do a good job of applying an objective evaluation to a subjective problem.

The Secret Superstar series is an exercise in drawing attention to a player that has yet to hit national consciousness, but has shown the ability to do that if given more opportunity. Surely, we all saw that out of Bruce last year once his ILB mate Sean Lee went down with his injury. Bruce had already won the starting position in a training camp battle with free agent signing Dan Connor. It was evident early that Carter's athleticism was a much better asset than Connor's experience.

In Week 6, for the first time all season Carter played in 100 percent of the snaps against the Batlimore Ravens. He would never take another snap off until his injury against the Redskins in Week 12. Football Outsiders ran a study an found that Bruce Carter didn't miss a single tackle that was in his wheelhouse during the 2012 season. 56 attempts, 56 tackles. Combining that sure-tackling with athleticism to chase down Julio Jones and run down plays from sideline to sideline make him the prototypical weakside linebacker in Kiffin's 4-3.

Here's what PFF had to say about Carter:

Even though Carter makes our Secret Superstar list on the strength of a solid second season, the future could be even brighter. He appears headed to his expected pre-draft home at weakside linebacker in a 4-3 and we may get a chance to see his athleticism and skillset on display under ideal conditions. There's still a chance that Carter could see time in the middle, but that job is likely better fit for Lee. Carter's best plays in coverage came in short zones last year and he struggled at times when forced to run down the middle of the field, a necessary requirement to play in the middle in the Tampa-2.

Carter got his hands on two passes last season and both plays should bode well for his role in the new scheme. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, Carter dropped into coverage, read quarterback Russell Wilson's eyes, and jumped into the passing lane to deflect a slant route to wide receiver Sidney Rice. He had a similar play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 that saw him read the quarterback once again as he deflected a deep crossing route to tight end Tony Gonzalez.

The zone instincts Carter displayed appear to be a perfect match for Kiffin's system that requires the outside linebackers to excel at reading quarterbacks and taking away the short passing game for opposing offenses. When you add in his tackling ability and speed that should be freed up to make plays, Carter could become a three-down force in Dallas for years to come.

Overall Cumulative Grade: +3.5, Run Defense +3.6, Pass Rush -0.3 Pass Coverage +0.7, Penalty -0.5
625 Total Snaps: 285 Run Defense, 33 Pass Rush, 307 Pass Coverage, 88.0% of team defensive snaps
0 QB Sacks, 2 QB Hits, 2 QB Hurries, total 4 QB Pressures. 64 Tackles, 6 Assists
30 Stops (preventing offense from gaining 40% of necessary yardage on first down, 60% on second down, 100% on third or fourth down)

Last year's secret superstar was Sean Lissemore, so there's no guarantee a breakout is imminent. But I wouldn't bet against a dungeon dragon. Are you?

More Cowboys Coverage

Practicing Long Division: Sizing Up Our NFC East Rivals

2013-06-08T20:00:07Z

It's been a while since we checked in with our rivals. What's new in the land of the NFC East? Here's a snapshot for all three of the teams that Dallas will be fighting for the division crown between the months of September and January. No NFC East team has won consecutive division crowns since the '04 Eagles repeated.

It's always an interesting ride...

Dallas Cowboys

Final 2012 Record: 8-8 (3rd)

Final game failure for the second consecutive year. The Cowboys have finished 8-8 two consecutive years under Jason Garrett, who has a career head coaching record of 21-19. The team will switch to a 4-3 defense under Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli, and look to pick up the pace on offense in 2013.

How Dallas finished the 2012 season:

	Off Yds / G	Off. Pts / G	Def Yds / Gm	Def Pts / Gm
Total	374.6	23.5	355.4	25.0
Rank	6th	15th	19th	24th

ADV	ANY/A	EPA	Pass Rating	DVOA
Offense	6.4 (11th)	86.3 (14th)	91.3 (9th)	6.1% (11th)
Defense	7.0 (29th)	109.5 (26th)	94.7 (29th)	6.7% (23rd)

A quick look at some of the advanced metrics listed above. ANY/A is one of the better metrics that measures the overall productivity of a team's offense. (Passing Yards - Sack Yards + 20*PassTDs-45*Interceptions) / (Passing Attempts + Times Sacked). EPA is the difference between the Expected Points (EP) at the start of a play and the EP at the end of the play. EP is the value of the current down, distance, and field position situation in terms of future expected net point advantage. Total EPA basically measures the grand total of individual play production of a team. DVOA data (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) percentages measure how well a team did against that specific opponent based on how the average team would do in the exact same down/distance/score/time scenarios.

What Dallas has done this offseason:

NFL Draft

1.31 Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

2.15 Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego St.

3.12 Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

3.18 JJ Wilcox, SS, Georgia Southern

4.17 B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary

5.18 Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma St.

6.17 DeVonte Holloman, OLB, South Carolina

Key Arrivals

LB Justin Durant, DB Will Allen

Key Departures

DE Kenyon Coleman, LB Victor Butler, DE Marcus Spears, TE John Phillips, LB Dan Connor, S Gerald Sensabaugh, RB Felix Jones, CB Mike Jenkins, WR Kevin Ogletree

Washington Redskins

Final 2012 Record: 10-6 (1st)

The reigning division champions (lawd, it pains me to say that) for the first time since 1863. OK, since 1999 but it may as well have been 150 years. Head coach Mike Shanahan is heading into the fourth year of his five-year contract. In Washington, he has a combined record of 21-27 with a career mark of 167-125. Obviously the biggest news of the summer is the recovery schedule of QB Robert Griffin III. The team will also see the return of OLB Brian Orakpo and TE Fred Davis. Washington was one of the few teams that actually lost more man games to injury than Dallas did in 2012.

How Washington finished the 2012 season:

	Off Yds / G	Off. Pts / G	Def Yds / Gm	Def Pts / Gm
Total	383.6	27.2	377.7	24.2
Rank	5th	4th	28th	22nd

ADV	ANY/A	EPA	Pass Rating	DVOA
Offense	7.5 (2nd)	166.7 (4th)	102.1 (3rd)	15.3% (6th)
Defense	6.3 (22nd)	76.0 (20th)	87.0 (18th)	1.8% (17th)

What Washington has done this offseason:

NFL Draft

2.19 David Amerson, CB, North Carolina St.
3.23 Jordan Reed, TE, Florida
4.22 Phillip Thomas, SS, Fresno St.
5.21 Chris Thompson, RB, Florida St.
5.29 Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida St.
6.23 Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia
7.22 Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers

Key Arrivals

QB Pat White, LB Daryl Tapp, CB E.J. Biggers, OT Jeremy Trueblood, NT Ron Brace

Key Departures

LB Lorenzo Alexander

New York Giants

Final 2012 Record: 9-7 (2nd)

The Giants were eliminated from the playoffs before Dallas, but still managed to finish ahead of the Cowboys in the standings. Tom Coughlin is now the senior head coach in the division, after being on the hot seat more often than volcanologist with the bubble guts. Record of 83-61 with NY, 151-121 overall. The Giants have some offseason controversy, as both of their wideouts want new contracts and have avoided the voluntary workouts thus far. Jason Pierre Paul had a down year and recently had back surgery that looks like it will keep him out until the season starts. They did sign superstar linebacker Dan Connor though, so all is well.

How New York finished the 2012 season:

	Off Yds / G	Off. Pts / G	Def Yds / Gm	Def Pts / Gm
Total	355.4	26.8	383.4	21.5
Rank	14th	6th	31st	12th

ADV	ANY/A	EPA	Pass Rating	DVOA
Offense	6.6 (10th)	99.7 (12th)	87.2 (14th)	12.9% (7th)
Defense	6.4 (24th)	62.5 (15th)	88.7 (20th)	1.4% (16th)

What New York has done this offseason:

NFL Draft

1.19 Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
2.17 Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
3.19 Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
4.13 Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
5.19 Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond
7.19 Eric Herman, OG, Ohio
7.47 Michael Cox, RB, Massachusetts

Key Arrivals

DT Mike Patterson, WR Louis Murphy, LB Dan Connor, TE Brandon Myers, PK Josh Brown, CB Aaron Ross, DT Cullen Jenkins

Key Departures

WR Domenik Hixon, LB Chase Blackburn, S Kenny Phillips, TE Martellus Bennett, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DT Chris Canty, LB Michael Boley, DE Osi Umenyoira

Philadelphia Eagles

Final 2012 Record: 4-12 (4th)

Two Eagles, a father and his son, soar high above, dazzling in their display of majestic grandeur. They spread their wings wide, amazing everyone that looks overhead. Their beaks sparkle in the sunlight, their talons cast menacing shadows. As they dance in the sky, the father begins telling his son about the many places he's visited and awards that he's won. He tells tales of swooping through the Grand Canyon, soaring over the Rio Grande. He's perched above the Empire State building and the Washington Monument. He's allowed mere mortals to pretend to have tamed him, entering him in competition after competition. Best in breeds, longest wingspan, sharpest claws. He's been on TV and won Emmys, on Broadway and won Tonys. He's been in movies and won Oscars. He tells his son how he's done it all, won it all. As they land atop a branch for a rest, the son is in awe. He gazes up to his father and proudly asks him, "Daddy, have you ever won a Super Bowl?"

"No dummy, I'm an Eagle."

Chip Kelly, welcome to the NFL.

How Philadelphia finished the 2012 season:

	Off Yds / G	Off. Pts / G	Def Yds / Gm	Def Pts / Gm
Total	354.1	17.5	343.2	27.8
Rank	15th	29th	15th	29th

ADV	ANY/A	EPA	Pass Rating	DVOA
Offense	5.2 (24th)	-1.8 (24th)	78.6 (24th)	-10.8% (25th)
Defense	7.3 (31st)	116.9 (27th)	99.6 (31st)	9.4% (26th)

What Philadelphia has done this offseason:

NFL Draft

1.04 Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
2.03 Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
3.05 Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
4.01 Matt Barkley, QB, USC
5.03 Earl Wolff, SS, North Carolina St.
7.06 Joe Kruger, DE, Utah
7.12 Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon St.
7.33 David King, DE, Oklahoma

Key Arrivals

LB Emmanuel Acho, DE Clifton Geathers, P Donnie Jones, WR Arrelious Benn, LB Connor Barwin, S Kenny Phillips, CB Cary Williams, S Patrick Chung, CB Bradley Fletcher, NT Isaac Sopoaga, LB Jason Phillips, FB James Casey, QB Dennis Dixon

Key Departures

RB Dion Lewis, FB Stanley Havili, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, OT King Dunlap, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, OT Demetress Bell

Dallas Cowboys News: Cowboys Release Complete 2013 Training Camp Schedule

2013-06-04T18:27:42Z

The schedule is out! No, not that schedule... we've known about that for a few months now. This schedule pertains to the action before the action; how the team will go about setting their depth charts and planning for the real deal. The 2013 Training Camp schedule has been announced and we now know the times for each of the Cowboys practices.

Here's a look at how things break down for the remainder of the summer, following this final round of OTAs.

Date	Time / Action
Tue Jun 11th - Thu Jun 13th	Mandatory Team Minicamp
Saturday, July 20th	12:00 p.m. - Camp Opening Press Conference
Sunday, July 21st	10:30 a.m. - First Walk-Thru
Sunday, July 21st	12:00 p.m. - Jason Garrett Press Conference
Sunday, July 21st	4:00 p.m. – First Team Practice
Monday, July 22nd	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Tuesday, July 23rd	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, July 24th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Thursday, July 25th	No Practice
Friday, July 26th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Saturday, July 27th	2:30 p.m. – Practice
Sunday, July 28th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Monday, July 29th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Tuesday, July 30th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, July 31st	No Practice
Thursday, August 1st	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Friday, August 2nd	5:15 p.m. – Practice
Saturday, August 3rd	Team Travel to Canton, OH
Sunday, August 4th	No practice – Preseason Game –Dallas vs. Miami (7:00 PM CST)
Monday, August 5th	No Practice
Tuesday, August 6th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 7th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 8th	Team Travel to Oakland, CA
Friday, August 9th	No practice – Preseason Game –Dallas vs. Oakland (9:00PM CST)
Saturday, August 10th	No Practice
Sunday, August 11th	5:15 p.m. – Practice
Monday, August 12th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Tuesday, August 13th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 14th	4:00 p.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 15th	5:15 p.m. – Practice
Friday, August 16th	Break Training Camp
Saturday, August 17th	No practice – Preseason Game –Dallas @ Arizona (3:30PM CST)
Tuesday, August 28th	Kickoff Luncheon @ Cowboys Stadium (11:00 am CST)

Notes: Although they are only listed for the first day, one can expect a normal regiment of a morning walk-through and a Garrett press conference on the majority of days in Oxnard. All times are PST unless otherwise noted. The final two preseason dates are Cincinnati @ Dallas Saturday August 24th, 7pm CST and Houston @ Dallas Thursday August 29th, 7pm CST.

I haven't seen an official announcement, but based on prior years I expect the following dates for NFL Roster Cutdowns.

Down to 75 Players: 4:00pm EST, Monday, August 26th

Down to 53 Players: 9:00pm EST, Friday, August 30th

Don't forget, you can always help to make Blogging The Boys' training camp coverage as wall-to-wall as possible by donating to our Training Camp Fund via PayPal. Every dollar helps and is greatly appreciated!

SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by KD Drummond

Dallas Cowboys Top 5 Offseason Changes Heading Into 2013

Cowboys Community Sunday: Have You Ever Met A Cowboy?

More Sunday Reading:

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo: Highlight Spectacular

2012 Highlights

Tony Romo 2007-2009

Ribs? Lung? Comeback. Inside The NFL Highlights+Interview

2006: The Beginning

Four Would Be Sackers?

4th and 3, Down 7? Gimme Fitty

Tony Romo Ultimate Highlights. Grainy, But Well Worth It.

40 Days And 40 Nights Until BTB Makes It To Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Day 2

Day 5

Day 6

Cowboys Rookie Gavin Escobar On NFC East And His Role In Dallas [Video]

Cowboys Secret Superstar: Bruce Carter

More Cowboys Coverage

Practicing Long Division: Sizing Up Our NFC East Rivals

Dallas Cowboys

How Dallas finished the 2012 season:

What Dallas has done this offseason:

Washington Redskins

How Washington finished the 2012 season:

What Washington has done this offseason:

New York Giants

How New York finished the 2012 season:

What New York has done this offseason:

Philadelphia Eagles

How Philadelphia finished the 2012 season:

What Philadelphia has done this offseason:

Dallas Cowboys News: Cowboys Release Complete 2013 Training Camp Schedule