Training camp, preseason games and a joint practice are now over. It’s been a little more than a month since the Cowboys started the Brian Schottenheimer era. We have 10 observations of what we’ve seen, heard and asked about:

1. Brian Schottenheimer and Micah Parsons

The rookie head coach should get credit for how he’s handled Parsons’ request for a contract extension. It started in the offseason program when Schottenheimer asked Parsons to attend the voluntary sessions, and he did. Parsons has also participated in walk-throughs and meetings during training camp. He hasn’t caused any problems for Schottenheimer or become a distraction to the goal, and that’s winning games. However, during the preseason game against the Falcons on Friday night, Parsons lay down on the training table behind the bench and didn’t wear a jersey, which is a team rule, becoming the first test for Schottenheimer regarding Parsons.

Related:Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer addresses Micah Parsons’ sideline conduct, MRI results2. Playing time for young players

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The coaches had snap counts for their young players this summer. Right guard Tyler Booker, the team’s first-round pick, and left tackle Nate Thomas, a second-year player, played a combined 66 of the 161 offensive snaps during the preseason. Schottenheimer believes the team drills in practices and the joint practice with the Rams should be included when assessing the development of young players. It’s interesting to note that Booker played in just one preseason game and Thomas in two. With the Cowboys scheduled to face the Eagles in the season opener, getting Booker and Thomas enough snaps to prepare to face the strong Philadelphia defensive front seemed like a logical approach. Thomas didn’t play last season because of his recovery from a knee injury. It seems that giving him more snaps would have been better. Schottenheimer said he agrees that young offensive linemen need plenty of snaps to prepare for the regular season. Two offensive linemen drafted ahead of Booker (Armand Membou of the New York Jets and Kelvin Banks Jr. of the New Orleans Saints) played in every preseason game, while New England’s Will Campbell, the first offensive lineman picked in the draft, participated in two.

3. The No. 2 quarterback is Joe Milton

There was no real quarterback competition during training camp between backups Joe Milton and Will Grier. Milton got a majority of the training camp and preseason snaps. Milton’s final efforts in the win over Atlanta probably secured the No. 2 gig. Milton played with more poise in the third preseason game, which is important. Milton also used his legs to get out of the pocket, which was a point of emphasis for him. He wasn’t perfect, but he did enough to get the job. We suspect Grier will get released and return to the practice squad. So on the 53-man roster, Dak Prescott and Milton will command two spots at quarterback.

4. The slot cornerback

Last year, Jourdan Lewis was the nickel corner for the Cowboys and he played with a physical tone. Lewis signed with Jacksonville in free agency and his departure left the Cowboys searching for his replacement. Outside corner DaRon Bland has gotten time in the slot and will continue to do so for matchup purposes during the regular season. Kaiir Elam is the other outside corner and he has played well during training camp. Elam picked off three passes this summer. In base defense, Elam and Bland play outside with the possibility of Kemon Hall or Zion Childress taking the nickel spot. The return of Trevon Diggs from knee surgery at some point in September gives the Cowboys a boost at the position. Diggs and Elam should play outside, with Bland moving inside.

5. Linebacker concerns?

Last season, linebacker seemed to be a concern, especially after DeMarvion Overshown was lost to a knee injury. This season, the linebackers have seen improvement thanks to the signing of Jack Sanborn at middle linebacker and Marist Liufau and Damone Clark producing solid training camps. Both players performed better this summer in comparison to last year in camp. The one surprise is rookie Shemar James, the fifth-round pick from Florida. He not only will get special teams snaps, but if given the opportunity, should be relied on at linebacker.

6. Mazi Smith makes the team, right?

Smith played the entire preseason and flashed in the final game, making a tackle for loss when a Falcons guard missed an assignment. Smith has gotten work on first- and second-team units this summer, pairing with Osa Odighizuwa mainly on the first team. Smith also got work with Solomon Thomas. Smith said he needs to beat double-teams more often and cause trouble. Smith said he’s found a comfortable weight, currently 315 pounds, where he can play fast and with power. He should make the team, but his roster status is worth watching when cuts come on 3 p.m. Tuesday.

7. The greatness of Brandon Aubrey

When the kicker made a 64-yard field goal to end the first half against the Falcons on Friday night, it was just a culmination of a strong camp. On Wednesday, while kicking without a rush inside the Ford Center, Aubrey made a 56-yarder. Most days during training camp, Aubrey would convert 5 of 6 field goal tries. The best thing about Aubrey’s kicks is that a majority of them were against the wind. Going into the season opener, Aubrey is 1 of 2on the road against the Eagles. The miss? A 61-yarder last year.

8. Running back follies

It’s clear Javonte Williams is the No. 1 back for the Cowboys. Miles Sanders had an opportunity to take over, but a bone bruise slowed that effort. Williams didn’t play in the preseason because he secured the starting job. Sanders played in just one preseason game, the knee injury and a banged-up shoulder being the reasons he missed preseason games 1 and 3. Jaydon Blue flashed in the final preseason game before he reinjured an ankle sprain suffered in training camp. The healthy running backs are Williams and fullback/running back/tight end Hunter Luepke, who should make the roster. Sanders has a good chance to make the 53-man roster with $1.198 million of his contract guaranteed. You can debate whether the team should release him only to bring him back to the practice squad. The Cowboys could also move Blue to injured reserve with the ability to return after four games. Deuce Vaughn and Phil Mafah are headed to the practice squad if Sanders makes the 53, which is expected, and Blue doesn’t land on IR.

Related:Schottenheimer shares positive Trevon Diggs update as Cowboys’ 53-man roster trim nears9. The return of Sam Williams

The Cowboys defensive end said he was emotional on the morning of Aug. 10 because that’s when he underwent surgery last year for a torn ACL. Williams has been a disruptive force in camp in his return. He also enters a contract year hopeful for a productive showing. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus wasn’t a big blitzer during his time as head coach in Chicago. In Dallas, that’s going to change because he has better pass rushers to work with. Williams is someone to look forward to having a big season.

10. The next contract extension

So Micah Parsons seeks a new deal. At some point, it does happen, right? Well, tight end Jake Ferguson got a contract extension. So what’s next? Sam Williams, the rush end, is a candidate, but the team might wait for the offseason to decide on him. Aubrey enters a contract year looking for a new deal. You can add left guard Tyler Smith to the list, though he’s signed through 2026. The one thing Aubrey and Smith have in common: They switched agents. Both players hired Todd France, who has Dak Prescott as a client. Bland is another player entering a contract year. Bland’s agent has spoken to team officials but nothing has been finalized. Team chief operating officer Stephen Jones said the club was working on four or five new deals. Only one has been completed. That’s Ferguson.

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