AUSTIN (AP) - Fresh from a 35-34 preseason victory over Oakland Saturday
night, the Dallas Cowboys have opened three days of practice against the
Raiders.
An intense two-hour practice Monday afternoon, which included at least two
scuffles and a lot of trash talk, marked the first time cornerback Larry
Brown and defensive tackle Russell Maryland returned to Dallas' training
camp as Raiders.
Maryland said it was strange returning to Austin.
"I walked out on the field and everything just clicked back into place,
and then I looked down at my uniform and saw the silver and black and realized
I'm a Raider now. I'm a foreigner now," Maryland said, adding that
he didn't have any hard feelings toward Dallas.
"It's a business. I understand that. If I couldn't play in the Cowboys
uniform, Oakland is the next best choice. The Raiders have the mystique
and a commitment to winning," he said.
Maryland said he hopes the next time he sees the Cowboys is in the Super
Bowl.
Brown took time to talk trash to Deion Sanders, who didn't practice because
of a sore left hamstring.
"You're lucky you're not facing me," Brown told Sanders.
"Come on," Sanders replied and then the two pretended to scuffle.
Two scuffles broke out after Oakland offensive guard Steve Wisniewski and
Dallas defensive lineman Leon Lett traded a few blows. Then Cowboys linebacker
Broderick Thomas mixed it up with several Raiders.
"It's part of training camp," Wisniewski said. "Not the most
enjoyable part."
Dallas coach Barry Switzer said he was happy to see Maryland and Brown.
"It's always nice to see players who have helped you win," he
he said.
Dallas offensive lineman Nate Newton lashed out at reporters Monday after
being asked about Michael Irvin's off-field troubles.
"What do you want?" Newton said. "The man has gone through
all the public scrutiny and the court proceedings. He's lost his endorsements.
We let you onto our practice field and Jerry Jones tells us to be nice to
the media and they will be nice to you. But I am waiting."
The 320-pound guard then turned and walked away from a group of reporters.
Defensive coordinator Dave Campo said a defensive unit without several
starters due to injuries is making slow but steady progress.
Campo said he only counted seven missed tackles in the Cowboys' 35-34 exhibition
victory over Oakland Saturday.
"That's very good at this point," he said. "That was better
than we were a year ago playing older, more experienced people at this point."
Campo said, however, that he spotted too many mental errors.
"I liked the way we were running to the ball, but I was a little disappointed
in the mental mistakes. Some of the guys out there had eyes as big as saucers,"
he said.
Dallas center Ray Donaldson, who is rehabilitating a dislocated right
ankle, hopes to take the field for the Cowboys' fourth preseason game on
Aug. 17 against Denver.
Donaldson injured the ankle in last year's Thanksgiving Day victory against
Kansas City.
"They are thinking about playing me a little bit in the Denver game
and then a little bit more in the last game (against Houston on Aug. 24),"
Donaldson said.
Donaldson said he would start running on the ankle later this week.
Offensive line coach Hudson Houck said there is no doubt that the 38-year-old
center will return this season.
"None whatsoever," Houck said. "He'll be ready."
Dallas coach Barry Switzer said second-year defensive lineman Darren
Benson suffered a serious injury to his left knee in practice Monday.
"From what I heard, it wasn't good," said Switzer, who said Benson
would undergo tests immediately that will determine how long he'll be out.
At 6-foot-7 and 308 pounds, Benson was expected to see limited action on
the Cowboys' defensive front this season.
-Wendell Davis, cornerback, strained left hamstring, out day to day.
-Barry Dillard, cornerback, sprained right knee, out day to day.
-Matthew Gay, defensive back, sprained right foot, out three to four weeks.
-Roger Harper, safety, fractured right arm, out six to eight weeks.
-Hurvin McCormack, defensive lineman, sprained left ankle, out day to day.
-Jarvis Perry, running back, sprained left knee, out two to three weeks.
-Deion Sanders, wide receiver, strained left hamstring, out day to day.
-Clay Shiver, center, sprained right knee, out day to day.
-Oscar Sturgis, defensive lineman, dislocated finger on left hand, out one
to two weeks.
-Mike Ulufale, defensive tackle, strained neck, out day to day.