Milton and Howell have been battling for the backup job all offseason, and now it's coming close to decision time for the coaching staff.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback decision looks destined to come down to the third and final preseason game on Friday against the New Orleans Saints. ...
Or maybe even beyond that.
My Top 10 Cowboys Notebook from Inside The Star as Wednesday's workout marked the final day of "camp'' before Sunday's 53-man cutdown day ...
1 - CB SHUFFLE: The first play of Cowboys team drills featured a defensive flip from the previous night, as Jaishawn Barham and Shavon Revel Jr. were in the starting lineup, ahead of respectively, Dee Winters and Cobie Durant.
2 - BARHAMMER!: And what did the Michigan rookie Barham do with the opportunity?
Rushing as an inside linebacker, he put himself in position for multiple sacks … continuing to make it very difficult to envision him not playing a lot of snaps once we get to September.
3 - FA REMINDER: New Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson made a loud noise when
He arrived here in the spring as this team‘s major create agency signing.
He’s been quiet since then.
But on this night, he recorded two pass breakups in three plays - once while covering Jake Ferguson, then once while on CeeDee Lamb.
Thompson showed off some physicality as a run defender as well.
Once the lights come on, I believe he’s gonna be just fine and showing off his worthiness of that $11 million per year contract.
4 - QB ‘CONTROVERSY’: Milton was the QB2 on Tuesday. On Wednesday it was Sam Howell.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer’s recent comment that a final decision is a “long way off”?
We’ll …
5 - CUTDOWN DAY: NFL cutdown day is Sunday, at 5 p.m. CT … not that “long” from now … with no determination having been made about who’s going to back up Dak Prescott.
6 - 'FUN' WITH GRANDMA: "Yeah, it's fun," Milton said of the competition. "You get to pick each other brains, you get to compete, but also you get to find out the true person underneath the helmet. It's great. I love competition. I love competing no matter where I'm at, it's life.
"I compete. If my grandma was out here, I'm going to compete with her. So, it's great."
7 - OL SCRAMBLE? - Is it a “shuffle” on the second-team O-line?
Or a “scramble”?
Trevor Keegan got snaps at center with Nick Leverett at guard as both veteran newcomers try to show that they can play multiple positions.
8 - BY THE WAY: Also, regarding the offensive line, this much I can say with some certainty: rookie Drew Sheldon is not near ready to play in the NFL.
How often does Dallas cut a fourth-round rookie? Like, never.
So I'm not issuing any bold predictions here. But he's done nothing to merit being on the 53, that is for certain.
9 - THAT’S A WRAP!: And on the very last play of training camp? Joe Milton stepped up in the pocket, then escaped to his left, and then (throwing right) found Anthony Smith for a touchdown.
10 - THE FINAL WORD: “It’s always going to come to the light, whatever you do in the dark.” - Joe Milton.
