Fresh faces Klayton Adams and Christian Parker navigate high expectations at The Star while Tyler Guyton battles for a starting spot and Jalen Thompson builds chemistry.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' two young coordinators were asked to sort of "go deep'' in conversation with us here inside The Star as part of the team's Day 2 of minicamp.
But Klayton Adams and Christian Parker politely - and wisely - declined to play along.
Fish's Top 10 Observations from a day here inside The Star ...
1 - THE EVOLUTION?
Second-year offensive coordinator Klayton Adams was asked to predict the next step in "evolving'' the offense.
Adams' non-answer answer?
"I'm also kind of a firm believer that the story of the season tends to write itself,'' he said.
What's that mean? Hold on ...
2 - 'THE SAVIOR'?
First-year Cowboys coach Christian Parker was asked a question that has, to me, a similar flavor.
The question, fun and clever: "Are you comfortable with the title “Defensive Coordinator/Franchise Savior”?
Parker's answer?
“The first one, yes. Because that’s what I do. The second one, no,'' he said. "Because it’s about the collective and I think that we’re all equally responsible for that, for the good and the bad. I’m just trying to do my part.”
The theme here, to me: Under-promise. And over-deliver.
There's enough Cowboys hype around here, from owner Jerry Jones on down, to fill that void without two wet-behind-the-ears coordinators falling into the trap of feeding that particular beast.
3 - FUNDAMENTALS FIRST
The Cowboys work on defense seems to always begin with the most basic fundamental drills.
Why does this new defensive staff think "fundamentals'' and "basics'' are important?
Well, maybe they've watched film of the 2025 Dallas defense.
At the same time, the "3-4 Hybrid'' install is ongoing.
“We don’t want to put training wheels on anything,” Parker said. “We want to go head-first into it.”
By the way, the guy who seems to be catching on very quickly? Pro Bowl defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who again on Day 2 found himself penetrating his way into breaking up a couple of Dallas' offensive plays.
4 - FAMILY BUSINESS
The Cowboys' prized free-agent signee, Jalen Thompson, is nursing a minor pec injury so he has been working with the rehab group during OTAs and minicamp.
But the former Cardinals standout is getting to know the lay of the land around here.
"The biggest thing that I notice being at the Cowboys is how much a family everybody is here," Thompson said. "You notice guys are playing around, playing the games, everybody's talking with each other, everybody has a relationship, that's what I've noticed. It kind of took me back to that college feel of Washington State, everybody was always family and brothers."
Are the Cowboys really different than other NFL teams in that regard? That would be cool if true.
But then. Jalen added another observation. ... about that "America's Team'' spotlight.
"I think that's with any team, though," Thompson said. "Being in the NFL, we're always at the center of attention. This is nothing too different ...''
Ah, Jalen, you are in for a revelation there. In that regard - attention, expectations, rewards, criticism - "America's Team'' and "Arizona'' really aren't in the same league.
5 - JAVONTE SITS
Starting running back Javonte Williams sat out the bulk of work on Wednesday. And who was the first guy to take snaps in his stead with the first team?
Malik Davis? Nope.
Jaydon Blue? Nope.
For whatever reason, it was Phil Mafah. Hmmm.
6 - HOW GUYTON GETS BETTER
Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton is in a position battle trying to hold off Nate Thomas for the starting job ... and Adams said Guyton has been "outstanding'' ... in a way.
"Just in regards to the things that he's supposed to be doing int he offseason, what he looks like, what his attitude is, how he answers questions, I think he's had an outstanding offseason," Adams said. "I'm very excited for him to compete, and for us and him to have the opportunity for him to stay out there and play and learn."
"You get better at football by playing football.''
Let's take that as another hint that Dallas wants Guyton to win the job ... and will do so, eventually, by letting him "get better'' by playing.
7 - SPEED KILLS
The Cowboys are reportedly signing UFL defensive back Ameer Speed, who worked out for the team this week.
Speed played for the Houston Gamblers this year.
Speed, 26, entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in 2023. He has had stints with the Texans, Colts, Bears and Browns.
What's compelling about him? He's 6-3 and 215 and at his Pro Day at Michigan State supposedly ran a 4.35 40.
8 - TE EXTRAS
There's lots of focus on who's who in the tight end room, but on Wednesday, we noticed two things: One, fullback Hunter Luepke took a turn at the spot, and two, backup-backup Princeton Fant registered a couple of notable catches.
9 - ALMOST A COACH
Word is that Dallas offered Dak Prescott's buddy Will Grier a job on this coaching staff, but that Grier declined in order to join the active roster of the Carolina Panthers.
We'll continue to monitor that, as if Dak likes the idea of another QB sounding board around here, Dak might eventually get what he wants.
10 - THE FINAL WORD
We noticed that Marquez Valdes-Scantling got first-team reps at receiver with George Pickens mostly sitting out.
But we noticed something bigger than that.
On at least one occasion, MVS lined up wide right as a potential target for Prescott — and the defender who lined up opposite him?
First-round rookie Caleb Downs ... that's right, playing boundary corner for his own first-team D.
"He is,'' Parker said of Downs, "as advertised.''
