Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Cowboys reminded to take it slow

OXNARD, Calif. -- Midway through Thursday's walk-through Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett had to remind his players that it was just that: a walk-through.

The fine balance between proper tempo and going too fast, especially in a walk-through.

"Coach's rules and so if he says slow it down, we need to slow it down," rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said.

Garrett's plan started with no conditioning test and will continue the first two days when the only time the offense and defense will go against each other in the walk-through. League rules prevent teams from wearing pads the first two days of practice, so Saturday will feature the first live drills between the two sides of the ball.

"I think it gives us a chance to kind of get our feet under us, get our communication right, know our key and assignments before we actually go against the offense," linebacker Bruce Carter said. "I think it'll be a good deal for us.

The afternoon practices the first day will include a quick walk-through between the offense and defense but then break down into individual and group settings.

Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford expects the intensity to be the same as it was during the organized team activities and minicamp.

"I don't expect it to be dialed down," he said.

Making it through the first day will be progress for Crawford. He suffered a season-ending Achilles' tear last summer on the opening session in non-contact drills.

"Last year I think it was just a fluke injury," Crawford said. "I can't explain it. No one really can. It just happened. I didn't feel anything before so it's kinda crazy to think about how things can happen like that. But for me these practices, yeah, I feel like it will help get our feel for the grass and back into football since we've had a month off."

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