'It's Friday': Cowboys Spirits High on Final Practice Before Eagles Showdown
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' Friday practice began as it usually does, with the musical accompaniment of "Sir Charles Jones'' singing "It's Friday'' and with a bit of special-teams-related fun and games.
The tune is appropriate; it's time to prepare for an eventful weekend, with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to town for a Sunday night showdown for the lead in the NFC East.
Also familiar: That special-teams game, overseen by head coach Jason Garrett, as he hand-picks certain Cowboys folks to attempt to field an onside kick. It's always a joyous thing when a fairly unlikely "victim'' survives the game; backup center Joe Looney is the ideal foil for some enjoyment at his own expense.
But on this day, long-time Cowboys scout Henry Sroka was put on the spot. Henry is three times the age of most of these players but for 20 years has served this organization in a variety of scouting-related functions.
Today, though? He needed to field an onside kick. And guess what? In a feel-good moment that the Cowboys surely hope carries over to Sunday, he handled it cleanly and covered it up protectively. Textbook. Sixty Cowboys players cheered, and later, when Sroka was also designated by Garrett to lead the daily jumping jacks, team leader Dak Prescott sought out Henry to exchange a hug.
Will everything go as smoothy over the course of the weekend? That depends largely on injury issues, but the Cowboys are working toward good news there.
*Offensive tackles Tyron Smith (ankle) and La’el Collins (knee) did some work at Friday’s practice, despite being limited.
*Zack Martin (ankle and back) appears to be practicing after sitting out Thursday.
*Receiver Amari Cooper (quad) vowed to try to participate today and so far, so good. Randall Cobb (back) seems to be joining him.
*Cornerback Anthony Brown (hamstring) probably won't play. But cornerback Byron Jones (hamstring) sure looks like himself in the media-open portion of the workout at Ford Center.
How will all of this work on Sunday? I'm not sure. But today? "It's Friday,'' in a festive way.
