FRISCO, Texas -- Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr has had a "pretty good off-season" in preparations for the 2015 season.
"Got in some good work with my guys back at Valley Ranch," Carr said Saturday at his third annual Elite Football Camp at Frisco High School. "Feeling good heading into this season. Now, it's time for us to maintain and kind of get out there a little bit now before we head to training camp."
2014 was a forgettable year for Carr both on and off the field. At the start training camp, his mother, Kathy Carr, passed away from a long battle with cancer. The team allowed Carr to spend time with his family in Flint, Michigan.
The seven-year pro also missed the first two preseason games. During the year, Carr struggled and was unable to find his groove until December and throughout the playoffs. Still, the Kansas City fifth-round pick from 2008 didn't pick off a pass, the first time in his career.
"It was really strange," said Carr. "I would like get my hands on the ball and it just wasn't bouncing my way last year. But, you know at the same time, there are other things you can do out there on the field that help your teammates win."
Carr did have 54 tackles, including a sack of Jacksonville rookie quarterback Blake Bortles in London. Carr also recovered a Dallas fumble when safety J.J. Wilcox lost the ball after scooping up a loose ball against the Saints.
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"Ultimately the last month of football, I feel like I was getting back to form and playing some pretty good football. Just kind of bad that it got cut short on us. But this year, we can grind harder to get to that next level in our season."
The Cowboys took Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones with the 27th overall pick in April's draft. Seen as a replacement for either cornerback Morris Claiborne or Carr himself, the 29-year-old instead saw the rookie as someone who could bolster the secondary's talent.
"There are a lot of athletes and guys who can play multiple positions," Carr said. "Guys that just have a love and a passion for the game."
Carr likens the upcoming training camp to a "sharpening of our tools" and "getting ready for war." Certainly the Cowboys have reason for optimism with Claiborne returning healthy from a petellar tendon tear last September that ended his season. Dallas also has safeties Wilcox and Barry Church returning after healthy campaigns, along with cornerback Orlando Scandrick, who is content with the club after receiving a five-year, $20 million deal on May 22.
"I think we've got guys who can make plays and just fly around this year."
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