FRISCO, Texas – The second week of OTA’s began with a press conference at the Star in Frisco Wednesday, as head coach Jason Garrett discussed the importance of utilizing each day of practice and the young team they have this year.
Garrett stressed, “You are installing stuff. Just the way the off-season is structured and the way the practice schedule is structured throughout training camp, you really cannot waste days…. we will work a lot of situations and there is a big emphasis on fundamentals.”
Each day is an opportunity for these young rookies to grow more accustomed to the Cowboys’ schemes and way of doing things, and for veterans to enhance their skills and compete. There are only so many days allotted for practices before the season begins and the roster drops to the final 53. The Cowboys will be taking advantage of every single one.
Garrett described the youthfulness of the roster “Our team is really young. We have three guys on our roster right now who are 30 years or older. We have a 30 to 31 and then a 37. That means we have 87 guys who are in there 20s and a lot of those guys in there 20s are 22, 23, and 24. To your point it is the nature of rosters in the NFL. There is turnover every year and you really have to do a great job this time of year laying the foundation of your football team. Laying out the expectations of how you want to do things. Producing your schemes, and really holding them accountable each and everyday. It goes quickly. “
The Cowboys have an incredible opportunity before them with the young talent they have acquired through the draft and free agency to become a threat in the NFL and the beginning of a new winning era for the franchise. They have several talented players at the receiver, linebacker, and defensive back positions. The competitive nature of the team this year with depth at multiple positions will bring out the best in each individual to perform at the highest level to earn a spot on the final roster. Each day of practice is essential for each player to showcase their ability and be set apart from the rest.
