5) Konata Mumpfield continues to shine. The rookie wide receiver made a tough catch on third down early on in team drills on a pass from quarterback Stetson Bennett. The separation and hands Mumpfield showed in training camp carried over into Tuesday’s joint practice, drawing praise on a couple of other catches from wide receivers coach Eric Yarber.
Defense
6) Quentin Lake makes play of the day. When quarterback Dak Prescott targeted wide receiver George Pickens in the back of the end zone, Lake met him in the air. He ripped the ball out of Pickens’ arms and somehow got both feet down, turning what would have been a touchdown into an interception and touchback. In all, that was Lake’s fourth interception since training camp started.
A few impressive run stops and a stifled screen made it another complete showing for the fourth-year safety.
7) Defensive line dominates. The amount of time Cowboys running backs reached the second level against the Rams’ starting front could be counted on one hand. Even without captain Kobie Turner (back), the Rams completely owned the trenches and everyone contributed. Starting left tackle Tyler Guyton was out with an injury, but apart from that, the Cowboys’ line was intact, the Rams just had more power.
Naturally, outside linebacker Jared Verse bullied backup tackle Nate Thomas for multiple pressures and also had some good reps on the other side against Terrance Steele. He also took down running back Javonte Williams by a singular shoulder pad. Defensive end Braden Fiske and outside linebacker Byron Young also penetrated the backfield a few times.
8) Poona Ford lives in the backfield. Even though the defensive line already got some love, Ford deserves to be singled out. It seemed like every time the Cowboys ran the ball with Ford on the field, he was hitting the ball-carrier in the backfield. He even picked up 220-pound running back Javonte Williams and swung him back a few yards.
Against the pass, Ford’s bull rush was giving the Cowboys’ interior fits, and he even batted a pass from Prescott into the air, which was almost intercepted by inside linebacker Troy Reeder. It’s obvious that, although he’s known for his run stopping ability, Ford is a more-than-capable pass rusher.
9) Kam Kinchens lays the boom and bats the ball. The second-year safety showed up early when he closed in on wide receiver Traeshon Holden from behind to bat the ball away as it arrived. Later on, he laid a shoulder into wide receiver Jalen Tolbert after he caught a screen pass. It was a good day of both coverage and tackling for Kinchens.
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