FRISCO, TX – OTA’s continue at the Star in Frisco for the Dallas Cowboys. They just completed week two and the players, more importantly the rookies, are looking and feeling more comfortable.
OTA’s are known as a non-mandatory workout that is during the off season and a lot of NFL teams don’t see a lot of turnout. That is not the case for Dallas, the majority of the Cowboy’s show up and Head Coach Mike McCarthy says that the guys like to be at the Star and they are always working out. You can definitely see that at OTA’s, the guys look like they are having a fun time as well as getting better at their particular positions.
Here’s a breakdown of today’s workout:
Ezekiel Elliott:
RB Ezekiel Elliot was seen in last week’s OTA workouts wearing a new Cowboys helmet. He told us after the workout that the helmet is lighter but it has the same safety ratings so he is going to try that helmet out to see how it goes.
Elliot struggled last season with that knee injury, he said that it took one to two months after the season was over to feel healthy again. He said that being this far into the off season he feels 100 percent. He said his biggest focus right now is just making sure that knee is healthy going into the season.
Dak Prescott said, “When Zeke’s healthy I believe he is the best back in the league.”
Tyler Smith:
OT Tyler Smith was Dallas’s first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Today he was working at left tackle with the first-team offense. He does go back and forth for Dallas between left guard and left tackle. Zack Martin told us, “For Tyler to be able to play both left guard and left tackle is very valuable.” Martin said playing two positions in the NFL is hard but the fact that both of Smith’s positions are on the left side makes it a little easier.
Smith told us in the locker room after OTA’s that right now his main focus is the playbook. He said, “When you know the plays you don’t have to think about what you’re going to do, you just do it.” Smith said that after you learn the playbook you can play quicker because you’re not worried about thinking about what you have to do.
Mike McCarthy said that Smith seems more natural at guard right now. His physicality shows up and he has impressed the veteran players.
Michael Gallup:
WR Michael Gallup was seen today doing a light workout from the sidelines. This is the first time we got to see Gallup this offseason since his ACL surgery. He was working with trainers and looked like he was gaining a lot of strength back in that knee.
Mike McCarthy said that Gallup is in the training room everyday working out and that he is making really good progress.
Micah Parsons:
LB Micah Parsons looked really strong today at workouts. He looks extremely comfortable and for a second year player he looks like a vet.
Parsons told us that he feels a lot more comfortable this year because last year he was a rookie and year two seems to be going smoother for him. When asked about giving advice to the rookies he said, “You just gotta be a baller at the end of the day. I always tell the young guys, don’t think. If you make a mistake at least you’re making that mistake at 100 percent and then you fix it.”
When asked about how he feels about this upcoming season Parsons said, “It’s going to be more challenging. But I never back down from a challenge. The good ones, the great ones, just find a way. I know things are going to be frustrating, but I’ve got to find a way to get home.”
OTA’s will continue for the next week before the Cowboy’s head into mini camp.
