Photo Credit: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — Media access returned at the Star on Thursday for Cowboys’ OTAs. Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media prior to the team’s practice for the first time in a week. With the gap, he addressed many lingering questions and gave insight on players’ versatile roles, health updates and summer activities for the squad. Here are some key takeaways from the podium.
Tony Pollard getting work at receiver
Running back Tony Pollard has been lining up at receiver in certain snaps drawing intrigue. It will not be a complete position switch but with the playmaking ability he flashed on the turf in 2020, it was expected for Pollard to have an increased role in 2021. He showed his flexibility and explosiveness, consistently gaining yardage out of the flat with burst along the perimeter. Pollard is a dynamic pass catcher and whether it is elevating the screen game or lining up in the slot, he will be effective. With guys working through nicks, Pollard is getting the added opportunity and taking advantage.
“Our numbers are down, and we have a couple of guys who are under the weather with allergies and some of the stuff that’s flying around right now,” Mike McCarthy described. “So, our numbers are thin, and it also gives us the opportunity to go over those concepts that we didn’t do a whole lot of last year.”
So, just how did Pollard look as a receiver? Well, it was enough to draw the eyes of the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
“He looks very natural,” McCarthy said. “Tony’s an exceptional athlete. Looks very comfortable in space alignment that we asked him to do. Dan Quinn has been treating him as a receiver. That should tell you how he looks.”
Micah Parsons rushing off the edge?
Micah Parsons’ initial role was labeled as the Mike (middle) linebacker in Quinn’s scheme, but McCarthy stressed that players would be rotating. That was the case on Thursday. At Penn State, Parsons was known for his downhill burst through gaps and attacking the line of scrimmage. During installs, he got to rush from the edge.
“He’s going to play a little outside, match him up off the edge a little bit today. So, just going through our installs, our concepts. He’s fitting in well.”
His instincts are already impressing in Dallas and coaches are taking note. McCarthy recalled an RPO that Parsons nearly picked off the previous week. As the club’s first-round pick, there is immense pressure to perform, and Parsons is on the right track.
Randy Gregory benefiting from the off-season program
Randy Gregory’s reinstatement into the league after an indefinite suspension for violations of the league’s previous policy on substance abuse, happened during the pandemic year. He had to undergo an acclimation period and COVID testing before returning to the field in 2020. His potential was hindered but this year, Gregory will participate in a full offseason program. The additional work will only accelerate his acclimation to a new defensive scheme and add to his pass rush arsenal.
“Just had the chance to watch Randy work. I think it was Thursday of last week. It was just a one-on-one pass rushing segment with AD [Aden Durde]. Just the questions that he was asking. Just to clean up the details of the expectations of how he wants to play in certain schemes, but just building that game plan, that pass rush game plan week in and week out. So, I think it’s helped him immensely. He looks very comfortable out there…now, going through a full offseason, I definitely think he could be a premier, primary player on defense.”
A joint practice with the Rams?
News has been circulating that the Cowboys and Rams will participate in a joint practice during training camp. The coaching staff and front office has expressed their desire to return to Oxnard, California for camp and the combined practice certainly backs up the idea. However, the trip has not been finalized. McCarthy was hesitant to speak to the media on the subject because the league has not put an “official stamp on it.” He did confirm he has spoken with Rams’ head coach Sean McVay and has “planned” on going to Oxnard for camp, but nothing is set in stone.
“I had a chance to speak to Sean [McVay] on the phone about the understanding of how he conducts his practice and what you’re looking for. He’s done a lot the last couple of years. So, I haven’t done it in quite some time because in Green Bay we were never going to leave the town. It’s just the way that’s structured up there….so, I’m looking forward to working with the Rams. It’s definitely an excellent football team; well-coached, and, like I said, they’ve done a lot lately. So, this will be good for our players.”
Ben McAdoo’s role
Earlier this week, news broke that former Giants’ head coach Ben McAdoo had been hired onto Mike McCarthy’s staff as a consultant. McAdoo served under McCarthy as a tight ends and quarterback’s coach in Green Bay from 2006 to 2013. The two are reunited in Dallas and McCarthy gave some direction as to what McAdoo’s role will be moving forward. He will play a primary role in pre-game planning for upcoming opponents earlier in the week or a week prior to facing a particular team.
“We’re still working through the details on that. Right now, there’s a virtual component to it, but he’ll [Ben McAdoo] be here throughout the offseason program, and he’ll be at training camp. We’re kind of designing the role. I personally haven’t had this type of role on my staff before. So, Ben has great flexibility. Obviously, he’s been a head coach in this league. He’s been a coordinator. So, he’s worked in the back with our offense and defense. So, I know Dan [Quinn] was particularly excited about it because he’ll give some other side of the ball perspective as far as what he can see and doing some pre-game planning on a weekly basis when we get into the in-season stuff.”
The wall is back
The Cowboys lost both starting tackles last season to injury, but both are back in the mix. Going up against the league’s elite pass rushers, both Tyron Smith and La’el Collins are anchors in the Cowboys’ offensive line. They set the tone and elevate the offense overall. Collins missed the entirety of the 2020 season due to a lingering hip issue that required surgery and Smith missed the majority undergoing surgery on a nagging neck issue. The duo is being worked in at a cautionary pace, but Prescott’s protectors are back. With it, more confidence for QB1.
“They look great out there. I think Tyron [Smith] is, just going off last years’ experience, I’ve never seen him smile so much. I think a big part of it is he’s healthy. He’s pain free. He looks great. L.C. [La’el Collins] looks great. The big man can run. You watch him go through the workouts. We definitely — we’re a different line when those two guys line up. There’s no question about that. So, it’s great to have him out there just on an individual basis because of what they’ve gone through last year. It definitely makes our line, our whole process up front move a lot smoother. You can see their experience. You can see L.C., the comfort they have with Dak [Prescott], when Dak is in there and the command that he has. So, it’s great to have those two guys here.”
