Camp Notes: Day 1
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Notes from the first day of Dallas Cowboys
training camp: DUBIOUS HONOR:
Rookie running back Jarvis Perry, a free agent from Rowan College,
fumbled on consecutive carries during a 10-minute "middle
drill" scrimmage. The dubious debut was not well-received
by coaches.
Chad Hennings, the Cowboys 295-pound defensive tackle in his fifth
season, had the honor of making the first tackle of training camp.
Third-round draft pick Stepfret Williams was participating
in the afternoon workout after signing a multiyear contract. The
wide receiver from Northeast Louisiana made several nice catches
off the arm of quarterback Troy Aikman.
The Super Bowl champions didn't take long to get back to business.
Less than an hour into the first practice of training camp, the
team had a quick 10-minute scrimmage in a "middle drill,"
where runners are supposed to run between the tackles.
"It was a spirited opener," said coach Barry Switzer.
The Cowboys' annual Blue-White scrimmage is at 1 p.m. Sunday at
Nelson Field.
Scattered clouds kept the temperature down to 85 degrees in the
morning workout.
Defensive lineman Tony Casillas was missing at the morning
workout while he let some back spasms go down. The Cowboys signed
Casillas as reserve help but were waiting for medical clearance
before he begins the camp grind.
Cornerback Kevin Smith was watching from the sidelines while
resting his torn achilles tendon, an injury suffered last year
in the opener against the New York Giants.
He plans to join full workouts in about two weeks.
"If I had to play tomorrow, I could," Smith said.