3 main takeaways from Thursday’s practice

Six practices into training camp, Dak Prescott isn’t ready to declare the Dallas Cowboys offense finished product.

But entering his 11th NFL season, the veteran quarterback likes where things are headed.

Dallas is continuing to build its offensive identity in Year 2 under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and while there is plenty to clean up before the regular season arrives. Prescott believes the Cowboys are exactly where they need to be at this stage of camp.

”Some good things are happening,” Prescott said. “I think we’re on pace in doing that. Is it where we want it to be? Absolutely not.”

That might be one of the more encouraging developments to come out of Cowboys training camp so far.

Cowboys aren’t trying to reinvent their offense

One of the biggest questions surrounding Dallas this offseason was how Schottenheimer planned to evolve an offense that showed plenty of potential during his first season as head coach,

The answer apparently isn’t a complete overhaul.

Prescott said many of the new concepts Dallas is installing are complementary to plays the offense already executes well. That should make the transition easier while giving the Cowboys more answers when defenses to adjust to their tendencies.

After roughly a week of camp, Prescott is encouraged by the results.

“A full week in or so now, I feel good about where we're going and the direction,” Prescott said. “Run game has looked good, it's about just building, continue to build on that, and then just get sharper in the pass game.”

That final point could determine just how dangerous Dallas becomes offensively.

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens remain the headliners of Prescott’s receiving corps, but they haven’t been his only options. Tight end Jake Ferguson and wide receiver Ryan Flournoy have also stood out during practices.

If Dallas can establish a consistent running game while spreading the football among its collection of pass catchers, Prescott could have plenty of options at his disposal this season.

Christian Parker’s defense is making the offense work

Prescott’s optimism doesn’t mean things have been easy.

New defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s unit has brought noticeable energy and intensity to camp, with Prescott praising the defense’s communication and willingness to celebrate after making plays.

That has created exactly the type of competitive environment Dallas needs.

It's just the collab effort of their intensity and their communication is felt, it's definitely felt when we're out there”, Prescott said.

Parker himself has gotten involved, with the first-year Cowboys defensive coordinator exchanging trash talk with Prescott and bringing the same intensity to meeting rooms that his players have displayed on the practice field.

For an offense attempting to become sharper before the season, competing against an energized defense every day could ultimately make Prescott’s group better.

Rams will give Cowboys their first major test

Dallas will soon get an opportunity to see how its progress translates against someone else.

The Cowboys will travel to Woodland Hills for a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, providing Prescott and the offense with an early measuring stick.

It won’t be an easy one.

Los Angeles defense features reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, presenting Dallas with a difficult challenge before preseason action gets underway.

Prescott is already looking forward to it.

"It's all you can ask for," Prescott said of the joint practice. " [Lamb] was just talking about it today, looking forward to Tuesday. Looking forward to just us getting better, understanding this is a team that we're going to play in the season, and it's probably a team that if we want to get to where we want to get to, we're going to have to see them again.”

For a Cowboys offense still searching for another level, that’s exactly what it needs.

Dallas doesn’t need its offense to look like finished product six practices into training camp. What matters is whether the Cowboys are progressing toward becoming one.

According to Prescott, they’re right on schedule.