Terrance Mitchell playing catch up

Terrance Mitchell was excited for the first day of the Dallas Cowboys' minicamp.

"I couldn't even sleep last night really," Mitchell said. "I was so excited to get back out here in the swing of things. It feels good."

League rules prevented Mitchell, one of the Cowboys’ five seventh-round picks, from practicing after the rookie minicamp because Oregon’s classes were still in session. He missed nine organized team activities and could not be at Valley Ranch until June 13.

He spent his time in Sacramento, California, working out with friends and family asking him why he was not at practice.

"I got that a few times but after so many times I got my line down: league rules," Mitchell said.

Garrett said he hoped the league would look at the rule that prevents players from practicing after the draft because it sets the rookies behind in the learning process. With the later draft, the offseason work is even more compressed this year.

Mitchell acknowledged he felt a little bit behind.

"I wouldn’t say it’s easier for cornerbacks. There’s only a couple of different things you can do," Mitchell said. "There’s still a lot I’ve got to learn, but I kind of remembered the basics."

Garrett liked what he saw.

"He did good things in the rookie minicamp and our exposure to him initially was really positive," Garrett said. "He’s one of those guys who has a little confidence, a little cockiness about him. That’s what we saw on tape in college and he demonstrated that. He has a long, long way to go. He’s a little bit behind because of the time he’s missed, but he jumped right back in there and he competed."