The Dallas Cowboys are now just a few days away from starting training camp and every time these practices kickoff I start to get the feeling that the season is almost here.
The practice is finally fully padded, the tempers are flaring, and the trash talk is running rampant. Football season is Finally Here!
I don't know about you but I just love the excitement and energy that the football season brings. There is not another sport that provides so much enjoyment and entertainment to my life. Fortunately, for all of us it is just around the corner and for me training camp is the first indicator that the football season is fastly approaching.
One of the things I like to do once training camp is finally underway is identify some of the battles that will take place throughout these practices and really pay close attention to how things play out.
Below are six of the training camp battles that I will particularly be paying close attention to leading up to the 2016 season.
Dez Bryant vs. Orlando Scandrick
Over the years one of my favorite things to watch during training camp is Dez Bryant and Orlando Scandrick go at one another during practice. This year is no different, but with both players coming back from injuries it will be interesting to see how this battle shakes out.
Both players are arguably the most passionate and feisty players on the entire Dallas Cowboys roster. They enjoy using trash talk as a means of trying to get in the head of the players they are going up against and it usually reaches a different level when they are lining up across from one another.
#32 and #88 will both have to be monitored closely throughout training camp to make sure that there are no lingering effects from their 2015 injuries, but I still expect both players to battle it out when they are facing each other in practice.
Zack Martin vs. Tyrone Crawford
Zack Martin and Tyrone Crawford will be battling it out in the trenches in training camp and I for one am really interested in seeing who comes out on top the majority of the time.
Martin is arguably one of the best offensive guards in the entire NFL, but don't count out Crawford when lining up across from #70 in training camp practices.
Crawford was really limited in 2015 because he was battling through an injury the majority of the year. It really had an impact on his effectiveness, but now that he's 100% healthy he should be able to improve upon his career-high five quarterback sacks that he was able to accumulate last season.
Martin and Crawford will probably get tired of looking at one another, but they are both likely to benefit from squaring off against one another throughout training camp.
Terrance Williams vs. Brice Butler
Terrance Williams versus Brice Butler has been an interesting topic for discussion throughout the off-season and there are many people that believe that Butler might just have a chance to beat out Williams for that #2 wide receiver spot.
There will be many eyes following this training camp battle, but I for one don't know if Butler can do enough to unseat Williams at this point.
I don't know if Williams gets enough credit for what he has been able to accomplish since entering the NFL. Yes, there are times where he seems to disappear, but he already has the trust of his quarterback and an upper hand over Butler when it comes to the knowing the offensive scheme.
Both players are entering their last year under contract and you can bet that they will be doing everything in their power to earn a second contract in the NFL.
Cedric Thornton vs. Travis Frederick
Cedric Thornton was the Dallas Cowboys prized free-agent in the off-season and I for one am really excited about seeing him go up against Travis Frederick in training camp.
Of course, this isn't the first time the two have squared off against one another, but it will be the first time they will do so as teammates. Thornton has faced off against Frederick before as a member of the division rival Philadelphia Eagles and should know all too well how to battle it out with the Cowboys offensive line.
Thornton is expected to be an upgrade over Nick Hayden at the 1-tech and should help provide a little bit more spark to the middle of the Dallas Cowboys front seven. Frederick on the other hand will be asked to keep him at bay and keep the pocket clean for Tony Romo.
It is really going to be interesting to see if either player can gain the upper hand in training camp.
Morris Claiborne vs. Brandon Carr
Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr are arguably two of the most hated Dallas Cowboys players on the roster by many fans. Claiborne because he has failed to live up to his draft status and has struggle to stay healthy. Carr because he has failed to live up to the big money contract he received from the Cowboys as a free agent.
As things stand right now, it looks as if both players will be competing to see who starts at the right cornerback position opposite Orlando Scandrick.
I'm under the belief that Scandrick will play left cornerback and then possibly slide down into the slot when the Cowboys are in their nickel package. That leaves Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr battling it out to see who wins the other starting CB spot.
The Cowboys are in their nickel package quite often so both players will get plenty of playing time, but who earns the right to be called a starter will be determined in training camp.
Anthony Hitchens vs. Mark Nzeocha
The 10 game suspension to Rolando McClain really hurt the Dallas Cowboys defense, but I believe that the organization will see what they have in some of their younger linebackers in training camp and then possibly make another move to solidify the position.
Even though the Cowboys brought back Justin Durant, I see him as a backup player for the 2016 season. That leaves me to believe that Anthony Hitchens and Mark Nzeocha will get the first shot at locking down the middle linebacker position.
Hitchens has the experience and probably the trust of the coaching staff, but Nzeocha has all the physical tools to challenge him for the starting position.
This could be one of the more important training camp battles to keep track of because it could ultimately decide the fate of the Dallas Cowboys defense in 2016.
Are there any training camp battles you are particularly interested in keeping track of?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic so that we can discuss it further.
