In our Q&A, Dak Prescott views this session against Myles Garrett and the Rams' defensive front as a vital litmus test for the Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations.
OXNARD, Calif. - The Dallas Cowboys are about to hit the road for a 40-mile drive to Woodland Hills to conduct a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams ...
And Dak Prescott wants this to be a positive test against what might be the NFC's most loaded roster.
"It's all you can ask for," Prescott said of the Tuesday workout. "Looking forward to just us getting better, understanding this is a team that we're going to play in the season, and it's probably a team that if we want to get to where we want to get to, we're going to have to see them again.''
These two teams do play each other in Week 15 of the regular season.
And ...
"Call this probably the first of three meetings,'' said Prescott, predicting an eventual playoff clash. "I'd assume if everybody takes care of business. It's definitely going to be a test, it's going to be fun."
First things first, of course, which includes our reminder that this is not a scrimmage. It's just another practice ... albeit against a real "enemy'' in different-colored jerseys.
Oh, and it will feature superstar matchups, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who this offseason was traded to LA by the Browns.
Our Q&A with RamsRoundtable.com's James Brizuela touches on that and more in previewing the workout ...
Q: What’s the No. 1 position battle for your team that fans of both teams should be aware of?
RAMS - "The WR3 battle is one of the most intriguing for the Rams, as they do not quite know who will step alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Oddly enough,it is rookie receiver CJ Daniels who has been turning heads in camp, but he is not guaranteed that spot.
"Los Angeles has Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield waiting in the wings, and the latter received glowing praise from Adams. Preseason will be the chance to see which receiver will start to separate themselves from the group as the potential top WR3 option."
COWBOYS - "It's seemingly no longer the left tackle spot. Last year's starter Tyler Guyton pretty much beat out Nate Thomas after one day of pads at training camp. I think of that less as a "competition" now and more of a motivational tactic for Guyton's training.
"Now, the spot I'm looking at is backup running back. Javonte Williams is back as the starter, but can the Cowboys rely on him to produce at the same volume as last season? Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah and Malik Davis are the competitors, as was the case last season. Blue appears to be leading the charge, which would satisfy Dallas' "Thunder and Lightning" vision for the duo of Williams and second-year speedster Blue.
"Oh, and cornerback, too, where Cobie Durant - the former Rams starter - is battling Shavon Revel. Let's watch Durant do some work against his old LA pals here.''
Q - And what about the competition between a certain Rams player or group and a certain Cowboys player or group? What’s the heads up there?
RAMS - "The conversation about Myles Garrett has to be had. The Rams have Garrett in the building, with an already strong pass rush and defensive line in Byron Young, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, and Kobie Turner. Add Garrett to the mix, and that unit becomes incredibly scary. How will the Cowboys ensure their offensive line holds? Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Terence Steele are solid as they come. I will be interested to see if the Cowboys' offensive line can stonewall Garrett and the pass rush.''
COWBOYS - "We go right back to Dallas on the boundaries.
"The Rams receivers lining up against the Cowboys' secondary will tell us plenty. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua trying to carve through Dallas' new-look cornerback room, now featuring Durant and a fully healthy Revel Jr. next to DaRon Bland? It might not take much "trying" for that elite receiver duo to find success here, but the competitiveness will tell us a lot about Dallas' new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, both as a play-caller and a teacher.
"Keep an eye on Swiss-army-knife rookie DB Caleb Downs and free agent safety Jalen Thompson in these coverages, as well. Downs' versatility will be crucial all season long for the Cowboys' secondary.''
We should add this: We bet the presence of Davante Adams and Puka will be taken personally by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens ... and that both duos will try to one-up each other!
Q - Can you pinpoint what one change has been made with your team that can make the difference from last year?
RAMS - "The cornerback room was completely overhauled. After the Rams allowed Sam Darnold to throw over 300 yards in the NFC Championship game, they set out to change that unit in a major way. All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie was traded for, and the Rams brass brought in his teammate Jaylen Watson. Both are very good cover corners who can also aid the run-stopping of the defense.
"Everyone may talk about Garrett plenty, but I think the secondary is what will hold the defense down in a major way.''
COWBOYS - "Parker and Downs are the additions in Dallas that are the most significant. The two figure to form a coach-player relationship that turns them each into stars for years to come, but the Cowboys have a tall hill to climb in fostering a complete defensive turnaround through that partnership. Other defensive moves like adding safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, drafting plug-in rushers Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham, and taking advantage of health will be an advantage.
"But Parker and Downs' chemistry holds the keys to all that is possible for Dallas.''
