Brian Schottenheimer addresses contract holdouts and injury timelines while new additions ignite a fierce pass-rush competition. Peek inside Frisco as the roster takes shape for training camp.
FRISCO - We went into Dallas Cowboys HQ on Thursday knowing the lay of the land when it came to George Pickens. And despite the absence of the Pro Bowl receiver who recently signed his $27.3 million franchise tag contract, head coach Brian Schottenheimer wasn’t going to let us see him sweat.
“As you guys know, it’s voluntary,” Schottenheimer said, noting that he and Pickens are in frequent communication. “I (spoke) with G.P. yesterday. … Communication has been good. This is voluntary, and he’s taking care of his business.”
What is the timeline is for Pickens to report? There is three-day mandatory minicamp starting June 16.
That’s when all will be well. Or … that’s when the Cowboys might not be able to keep us from seeing them sweat.
Now, to my Top 10 Takes from Inside Cowboys OTAs here at The Star …
1 - INJURY NEWS In addition to Pickens’ absence, Cowboys EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku and corner DaRon Bland won’t be doing much during OTAs. … this time around, or next.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer says the Cowboys are being smart with their injury recovery. And indeed, both of them worked on the cords with trainer Britt Brown on Thursday. (Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson did the same, so P.J. Locke was a first-teamer alongside Malik Hooker, with Caleb Downs in the slot.)
The Cowboys do expect Ezeiruaku (hip) - who looks beefed up to me, by the way - and Bland (foot) to be ready for the start of training camp.
Shavon Revel, by the way, did all of his work and did so with a new jersey number (28) and no knee brace.
2 - SCHOTTY ON TRADES Schottenheimer’s hot take on the Myles Garrett (to the Rams) and A.J. Brown (away from the Eagles) trades?
“It’s a competitive business,’’ he said. “Everyone is trying to get their roster right. Each roster is different. Each roster is unique to themselves. We feel like we’ve had an incredible offseason of additions.”
Incredible? Okaaaaay ...
3 - ‘GROWN-(EXPLETIVE) MAN!’ And about Dallas’ own pass rush?
The coach opted to start with praise for Eze. But then he hit the enthusiasm accelerator on one of the newest Cowboys.
“Rashan Gary is a grown-(expletive) man,” Schottenheimer said, adding that he’s been “blown away’‘ by the professionalism and leadership of the player Dallas acquired from Green Bay via trade.
He then pointed out it’s Eze’s second year as he’s growing into the job.
4 - MYLES? PISH-POSH Schotty was asked if the Cowboys are satisfied with their pass rush and said the best pass rushing teams they face “don’t necessarily have one guy. It’s easier to shut one guy down.”
Good try, coach. But watch and see: The Rams defense doesn’t just “have one guy.’‘
5 - COMPETITION ANNOUNCED Don’t let this slip under the radar: Schottenheimer is raving about Tyler Guyton’s athleticism ... but adds that he and Nate Thomas are competing right now to start at left tackle.
I’m pretty sure the organization would like the former first-rounder Guyton to win the job.
But …
“We’re going to make Tyler earn it,’’ the coach said.
6 - JOINTS! The Cowboys will have joint practices during training camp with the Rams and Saints. The Saints practice will be in Oxnard, while the Rams practice will be at their headquarters in Woodland Hills, according to Nick Harris.
7 - THE OC Schottenheimer on offensive coordinator Klayton Adams: “This guy is absolutely kicking ass. He is so much more comfortable this year. He reads my mind ... He’s proven it, not only in Year 1, but also in Year 2.”
8 - THE DC And on rookie defensive coordinator Christian Parker?
“I’m really thrilled with what I see from him and our defense right now,” the coach said.
9 - FISH-CELLANEOUS To my eye, Dak Prescott was crisp in a red-zone passing drill, with one of his TD tosses going to Jaydon Blue … P.J. Locke looked like he grabbed a goal-line interception … KaVontae Turpin ran with some full-speed determination as a return guy ... a bit of a change from some games last year in which the All-Pro specialist seemed too patient as a runner and too indecisive as a fielder of punts … Joe Milton was the second QB here, with Sam Howell behind him.
Additionally, Schottenheimer mentioned wideout CeeDee Lamb, EDGE Malachi Lawrence and cornerback Caelen Carson as guys who have done good work so far in OTAs. … With Pickens unavailable, veteran newcomer Marquez Valdes-Scantling took turns behind Lamb and Ryan Flournoy as the WR3 ... DeMarvion Overshown was absent as he’s getting married this weekend.
10 - THE FINAL WORD In what amounts to about the highest praise a coach can give a rookie, Schottenheimer said that first-round prize “Caleb Downs doesn’t make the same mistake twice.’’
