Mini-Camp Observations

*TE Martellus Bennett looked to have made some progress over the weekend. He made a nice catch and a better first move on a quick throw from second string quarterback Jon Kitna during practice Saturday morning. After running a crisp route and receiving the ball over the middle in 7-on-7 drills, Bennett made a quick turn upfield to shuck the attempted tackler, and it looked as though there was some considerable real estate in front of him. Bennett did, however, have a false start on the weekend, as well as a couple of drops.

*LB Keith Brooking returned to the team for the first practice of mini-camp on Friday, after missing all of OTAs. Brooking was recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee which was described by the veteran as minor. Still, Dallas limited him to one practice a day as he continues to rehab.

*WR Dez Bryant returned on Friday afternoon after missing the final three OTAs (and first mini-camp session) with a sore hamstring. Bryant has shown flashes of brilliance, but has struggled with nagging injuries and, at times, connecting with Tony Romo. Jason Witten expressed some concern that the learning curve would grow more dramatic for Bryant if he was unable to practice.

*WR Miles Austin, who signed his $3.168 million tender offer last Friday, wasn't concerned with the idea that the rookie, Bryant, could conceivably--and, honestly, probably will make more than him in 2010.

*For what it's worth (which may be little), the mini-camp seemed marked by a healthy balance of fierce competition and camaraderie among the Cowboys--e.g. Igor Olshansky working with Kyle Kosier on technique on the sidelines, Roy Williams yelling, after Romo hit Austin on what would have been a touchdown, "Nice shot, Ro, nice shot!" Again, this doesn't really mean anything significant, at least not now. But, as anyone who was here for 2007 could tell you, the absence of drama is encouraging.