OXNARD, Calif. -- DaRon Bland's feet tell his story.
A cornerback's success has more to do with feet than anything else. Backpedaling at the snap. Driving on a throw from the quarterback. Sprinting stride-for-stride with a wide receiver.
If the footwork isn't good, then a cornerback will be in trouble.
But what about when a foot isn't healthy? What then?
Late in the 2024 training camp, Bland had surgery on his left foot to repair a fifth metatarsal stress fracture and missed the first 10 games of the season. He never felt quite the same as he had his first two years when he intercepted 14 passes and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes in 2023.
Last season, the 2022 fifth-round pick was placed on injured reserve with three games remaining and had his second left foot surgery in as many years. In January, Dr. David Porter, a consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, replaced the screw in Bland's foot. He rehabbed throughout the offseason with the idea of being 100% ready for training camp.
"It's a lot better," Bland said. "I mean I don't really feel no aches or pains that much. Little soreness here and there, but nothing major."
Bland's movements appear sharper than last year. His quickness is better. He looks more confident.
"I'm definitely getting a lot more push now getting out of my breaks," Bland said. "Not worried about it."
Bland has made one change that he believes has helped his foot. He is wearing size 15 cleats instead of a size 14.
"It's just us trying different things and trying to see what's best," Bland said. "So far this has felt the best right now."
It doesn't matter to the Cowboys whether it's comfort or confidence. They need Bland, who signed a four-year, $90 million extension in 2025, to find the form of his first two seasons in new coordinator Christian Parker's scheme.
As much as Bland's foot has been rebuilt, Schottenheimer does not believe there is a need to rebuild Bland's confidence because he showed his capability with 14 interceptions in his first two seasons.
During that same stretch, he allowed seven touchdowns and a 60% completion rate in 877 coverage snaps, per ESPN Research. In his past two seasons with the foot injury, he allowed 10 touchdowns and a 65% completion rate in 687 coverage snaps.
Bland returned his lone interception last season 68 yards for a touchdown.
"DaRon doesn't say much, but he's extremely confident," Schottenheimer said. "He can't do what he's done in this league, even as a young, young player and not be pretty confident."
This year, Bland has a third different position coach in as many seasons with Derrick Ansley, who came over from the Green Bay Packers. Given Parker's background with defensive backs -- coaching Pat Surtain II with the Denver Broncos, and Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with the Philadelphia Eagles, plus Ansley -- Schottenheimer sees technical improvement in Bland.
"I think he's really taken to the fundamentals in the scheme," Schottenheimer said. "But just really the way DA and those guys are coaching him, you see him flashing with the quick decisions and the quick breaks and the PBUs [pass breakups]. But I really like watching him too with the crack replaces, coming up and filling on runs, and things like that."
While some cornerbacks can be loud and brash, Bland is reserved and quiet. When asked what he liked about Bland's camp, Ansley first mentioned his leadership and the tutoring he is doing with second-year cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. Ansley said Bland is a "relationship guy" and an "observer."
"You can tell why he's been All-Pro," Ansley said, "because he doesn't get rattled. He makes a play, he's the same guy. He gives up a play, he's the same guy. That's a characteristic that you need at corner because your life out there, you're walking on landmines, and at some point you're going to step on one and it explodes. You've got to be able to come back to life."
Teammates, coaches and front office personnel have told him they see a difference between this year and last year. More importantly, he feels a difference.
"Definitely sometimes you be in your head about this," Bland said.