Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided his assessment of the team’s practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. He also identified areas where the Cowboys still need to improve before the regular season begins.
Schottenheimer was particularly pleased with what he saw from the offense in the red zone. The Cowboys executed effectively when the field shortened. This is an area that could prove critical when they face tougher competition during the regular season.
The head coach also liked the physicality of the Cowboys’ run game. Dallas has been working to establish a more physical identity on offense, and the performance against the Rams gave Schottenheimer another positive sign that the running game is moving in the right direction.
Maybe that is why Schottenheimer will focus on improving the top guys for the regular season. He has put offensive coordinator Klayton Adams in the play-calling seat for the preseason.
On defense, Schottenheimer liked the unit’s overall playstyle. The Cowboys showed aggression and made several key fourth-down stops, allowing the defense to end drives rather than giving the Rams additional opportunities. However, there was one concern that Schottenheimer did not overlook. He felt the Cowboys were a little soft in pass coverage.
Special teams also provided Schottenheimer with something to be excited about. He praised the Cowboys’ gunners, describing their performance as dominant and highlighting their ability to get down the field quickly and make an impact in punt coverage.
Despite that positive assessment, the special teams unit still has work to do. Schottenheimer specifically pointed to punt protection as an area where the Cowboys need to improve, particularly because mistakes in that phase can quickly change field position and momentum.
Overall, Schottenheimer’s evaluation was a mixture of encouraging signs and clear areas for improvement. The Cowboys showed physicality in the run game, efficiency in the red zone, aggressive defensive play and strong work from their gunners.
At the same time, the Cowboys cannot afford to ignore the weaknesses exposed during the practice. Improving pass coverage and tightening up punt protection will be important as Dallas continues preparing for the games that will ultimately matter.
