Training Camp Week One Observations

Dez Bryant's (pictured right, catching the ball) high ankle sprain has been the main story to come out of the first week of camp. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Normally around the time of year, I have to admit, I'm usually much more excited about the Dallas Cowboys.

The Rangers are normally in the midst of a July swoon out of first place (or not even in contention), but this year has been different. Texas looks like the team to beat in the American League West, and I don't remember the last time I was this excited about Rangers' baseball.

That being said, the Cowboys are still the main attraction here in Dallas. As the start of the season grows nearer, I know my anticipation will steadily begin to grow. The Cowboys have high expectations this season, and I've been examining some things I've found interesting from the first seven days of camp.

Observations:

• The biggest story thus far: Dez Bryant's ankle injury, sustained Friday, that will force him to miss 4-6 weeks.

Bryant is doubtful for the first game of the season after getting tangled up with Orlando Scandrick on the second-to-last play of yesterday's practice. This is a huge blow to the Cowboys because of how well Bryant had performed in camp. Acrobatic catches were the norm and Bryant showed his athleticism and soft-hands throughout OTA's and through the first week of camp.

"We do have an extra week, which [Bryant] has taken advantage of, being here and learning all those things," coach Wade Phillips said. "He's actually done real well as far as assignments are concerned."

Bryant's breakout performance caused Dallas to experiment with new three-wide sets that put both Bryant and Roy Williams on the outside, while utilizing Miles Austin in the slot. This was seen to have been a new wrinkle in the offensive playbook for the Cowboys to exploit during the regular season. But with Bryant out and the team unable to practice the new plays with it's three best receivers, the plan is shot until he comes back from injury.

It's a good thing the Cowboys held on to Patrick Crayton, as high-ankle sprains sometimes tend to linger. We'll see how it all plays out in the upcoming weeks, maybe the rookie will tough it out and be back for the start of the regular season.

• Bryant's refusal to carry shoulder pads is diva-ish and shows some immaturity, but the media's coverage of the situation was overblown and unbearable.

That's how you know you got a steal with the 24th pick in the draft, both of the top stories of camp are about the player you chose. Bryant claimed to be unaware of the rookie ritual of carrying veterans pads after practice, but I think that's bullshit.

Isn't there somewhat of an initiation process in every team situation from high school on up to the pro's? Anyone who's played organized sports (or joined a gang for that matter) has gone through some sort of initiation into the team. It's how you earn your stripes without actually doing anything yet.

Bryant hasn't caught one pass at the NFL-level. While Roy Williams has been a disappointment the last two seasons, he's still a vet and Bryant should respect that regardless if it was Roy Williams or Miles Austin or Jerry Rice.

As expected, the situation was resolved in-house (Dez probably bought Roy lunch, or will carry his bags to the team plane, etc - but who really gives a damn?) and the media was able to churn out many stories reflecting both sides of the media-made conundrum. As an avid reader of sports news, this is a trend with writers. It's something to write about at a time when there's not much else going on.

When everything has gone well with the Cowboys this offseason and through to training camp, there's nothing to write about. I understand this. It seems as though sometimes it's necessary to manufacture a story for the paper's, website's, or blog's own benefit.

I don't agree with it, but I see how someone who has been writing about the position battle for the fourth cornerback spot would jump on the opportunity for something interesting regarding a couple of high-profile receivers.

• Doug Free's performance so far in camp has exceeded even the highest expectations for the Cowboys' new left tackle.
  

Free comes into the season replacing Flozell 'false start' Adams, who had been the opening-day starting left tackle for the Cowboys the last 12 seasons. Adams has moved on to Pittsburgh, and reports out of camp say that Free has been more than up to the task, even holding his own with arguably the NFL's best defensive player in one-on-one drills.

Both Demarcus Ware and the Cowboys' coaching staff have raved about Free's strength and quickness throughout camp.

Free is also much better equipped for tosses and outside runs than Adams, which will be a weapon for the Cowboys - especially with the speedy Felix Jones expected to get more carries this season - for the upcoming season.

The Cowboys' first preseason game is next Sunday August 8, the Hall of Fame game in which Emmitt Smith with be enshrined, against Terrell Owens and the Cincinnati Bengals. Expect coverage of the top stories from next week's camp, along with some game observations next weekend.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)