While NFL joint practices often operate as controlled chaos, sometimes controlled chaos can get out of control, quickly. The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints held a joint training camp practice on Tuesday that featured at least six separate physical altercations between the two teams. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the recurring incidents following the practice on Tuesday afternoon.
He made it clear he did not approve of the practice interruptions but appreciated the response from his personnel. He also told reporters he felt like he was managing a fight club throughout the afternoon. "A little chippy," Schottenheimer told reporters.
"Not the way we like to do business. Got to be better, but I've got to look at the film. We're certainly not going to take s— from anybody, but again, it was chippy on both sides.
Like I've said, I want our guys to play on the edge without going over the edge." One incident recorded on video involved a New Orleans defender throwing a punch at Dallas running back Javonte Williams at the end of a rushing play. Shortly after that play concluded, a separate skirmish occurred involving Dallas edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. He was seen throwing punches during a confrontation with the New Orleans offense.
The physical play continued into the later periods of the practice session when Dallas defender Caelen Carson engaged in a scuffle with a New Orleans player. During another altercation, New Orleans player Brock Rechsteiner executed a wrestling maneuver known as a German Suplex on a Dallas defender. Rechsteiner is the son of former professional wrestler Scott Steiner and the cousin of current professional wrestler Bron Breakker.
Joint practices are scheduled to allow NFL teams to evaluate their personnel against different teams in a controlled environment without giving up film of formations, routes and schemes during a preseason game. Both head coaches were seen having a discussion after a skirmish-filled joint practice. Neither team has announced disciplinary actions for the players involved in the altercations.
The Saints and Cowboys are scheduled to face each other in preseason Week 3 on Friday, Aug. 28.
