‘No Punches Thrown!’ Gilmore Vs. Cooks Key Cowboys Camp ‘Real Football!’

Dallas cornerback Stephon Gilmore is finding competition in his first training camp in Oxnard … with an old pal but another Cowboys newcomer in Brandin Cooks. But as the pads go on, no punches are allowed.

The Dallas Cowboys are right now taking the practice field at their training camp in Oxnard, and excitement for 'real football' is in the air.

But as the pads go on for the first time, the punches better not fly.

Said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy in advance of Monday’s first work in pads: “If you do throw a punch, you’re out of the period. …There’s nothing smart about throwing a punch on the football field.”

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been acclimating to Dallas' defense this offseason via mini-camp and OTAs but is happy to be moving at full speed in camp with his new teammates.

"It's the first time we can play real football, so it's exciting,” Gilmore said.

Dallas acquired Gilmore in March from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and is set to play for his fourth team in the last four seasons. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has spent his acclaimed career with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Colts. The 32-year-old has earned five Pro Bowls in seven seasons and two All-Pro selections. 

Having spent most of his time in the league on the east coast, this trip to Southern California for training camp is a change of pace for Gilmore.

"It's far, I've never really been on the west coast," Gilmore said. "But it's a good setup, everything's right here and the weather is great. There are no complaints."

The Cowboys also brought in veteran help on the offensive side of the ball this offseason by trading for receiver Brandin Cooks. Gilmore and Cooks were teammates with the Patriots in 2017, and their reunion in Dallas has been highlighted by head-to-head matchups during camp. Gilmore welcomes those battles and understands they are only making him and Cooks better.

"It's fun, I've been competing with [Cooks] for years," Gilmore said. "Anytime you can have good competition across the ball from you, it brings out the best of you. I think we're gonna have a lot of battles throughout training camp."

The friendly competition between Gilmore and Cooks will only continue to elevate the Cowboys on both sides of the ball entering a season that is accompanied by high expectations for Dallas. And they will surely work aggressively against one another today.

“No punches,” reminded McCarthy told his team. “That said, we’re going to push the envelope.”

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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