WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Brian Schottenheimer spent Tuesday’s joint practice watching more than calling. The Dallas Cowboys head coach moved between the offensive and defensive fields during the team’s work against the Los Angeles Rams. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams called the offense. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker handled the defense.
Schottenheimer wanted to see Dallas operate in specific situations against another team.
“I wanted to see these guys, all of them compete,” Schottenheimer said. “I wanted to see us play fourth down defense, I wanted to see us play third down offense, I wanted to see us in the red zone, I want to see us in red zone defense.”
The coordinators handled the calls from there.
“So I let the coordinators call it,” Schottenheimer continued. “Klayton [Adams] I thought did a really good job of spreading the ball around.”
Tuesday was the first time this summer Dallas could evaluate those situations without practicing against itself.
Brian Schottenheimer Moves Between Both Sides
The format allowed Schottenheimer to watch the Cowboys’ offensive and defensive work instead of remaining attached to one play sheet.
He did not come away ready to make a final judgment without seeing the film.
“Really good work,” Schottenheimer said. “Chippy at times between two very competitive football teams. Love the work, we’ll go back and see the film. I know Justin Barron had a great day. Overall, I was very pleased with the work.”
There was plenty for him to move between.
On defense, Justin Barron intercepted 3 passes. One came against Matthew Stafford, and two came against Stetson Bennett. Dallas also generated pressure throughout the session.
On offense, Dak Prescott threw 4 touchdowns during the red-zone work. Two went to CeeDee Lamb. KaVontae Turpin and Brevyn Spann-Ford caught one each. Prescott also threw an interception while targeting George Pickens.
First Look At Klayton Adams And Christian Parker Against Another Team
Both coordinators are in important spots entering the season. Adams is overseeing a Dallas offense that scored 471 points last year with Prescott starting all 17 games. Parker took over a defense that allowed 511.
The joint practice gave both coordinators third-down, fourth-down, red-zone, and two-minute work without the familiarity that comes from facing the same players every day in camp.
Prescott said Dallas still did not show everything it has installed.
“First time going against another jersey, another team, I thought it was good,” Prescott said. “Is it quite where we want it to be? No, not necessarily.”
The quarterback said the work improved as the practice moved into situational periods.
“But then as it developed, getting into the red zone, even the two-minute… ultimately felt good about it,” Prescott continued.
Schottenheimer saw much the same thing from both sides.
“I thought it was a battle,” Schottenheimer said. “They had their plays, we had our plays, it’s what a joint practice should look like.”
Dallas returns to Oxnard before playing its preseason opener Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
