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The Cowboys have begun their next phase of the offseason and it’s time for OTA’s. Time to get back on the grind for the Dallas Cowboys.
Back to business. #OTAs pic.twitter.com/mekAcK9CzD
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 23, 2018
Remember that these OTA’s are voluntary and Zack Martin has decided that he’s not going to take part in them as he looks for a new deal:
Amid contract talks, RG Zack Martin misses start of OTAs. He’s been taking part in previous offseason program activities. Day 2 of practices starts shortly. Jason Garrett speaks at 10:30 from The Star.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 23, 2018
All eyes will be on the right guard position today at Cowboys OTA practice, seeing if Zack Martin will participate in the voluntary workouts as he seeks a new long-term contract. #cowboyswire
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) May 23, 2018
Apparently, though he’s currently missing in action it doesn’t mean that the two sides aren’t having amicable negotiations. Trust that everyone in the organization knows how important Martin is to the success of the football team.
A source said the Cowboys have been working on a long-term deal with Pro Bowl RG Zack Martin and the sides are not far apart on a deal that will pay him "a ton of money." @BlueStarBlog @NBCDFWSports @NBCDFW
— Jean-Jacques Taylor (@JJT_Journalist) May 23, 2018
I wouldn't call Zack Martin upset, frustrated or any of those things. This is just part of the business. He is protecting himself at the moment, which is what he should do. My feeling is a deal will be done before the season starts at the latest.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) May 23, 2018
Without Zack Martin in the fold, it means that the Cowboys will get to see more of Chaz Green as he fills in on the starting line.
Without RG Zack Martin...#Cowboys will get a giant dose of Chaz Green back in the lineup...RELAX...It's only OTA's...#CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/fG8ktPezuG
— ✭Michael Sisemore✭ (@MrSisemore) May 23, 2018
Before the OTA’s took place, Jason Garrett spoke with the media, here’s his presser:
LIVE: Jason Garrett press conference as OTAs get underway from The Star. https://t.co/lOE04nSOgC
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 23, 2018
On Zack Martin, Garrett has been touch with Martin and understands the business side of the NFL:
Jason Garrett: “I try to stay out of any of the negotiations between our players and our management. We want [Zack Martin] to be here for a long, long time, but there’s a business side.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
#Cowboys HC Jason Garrett tells us G Zack Martin is here, working out and has been part of the off-season programs. He is not practicing with the team and won't practice today as contract negotiations continue. "...there is a business side and we all understand that."
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 23, 2018
Garrett spoke on the incident that occurred this past weekend with Terrance Williams, but didn't offer anything concrete, as an investigation is ongoing:
Jason Garrett says he has talked to Terrance Williams since his arrest over the weekend. Not much of a comment beyond that, as Garrett says it’s an ongoing investigation. “He’s part of our team.” #cowboyswire
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 23, 2018
#Cowboys HC Jason Garrett says he has spoken with WR Terrance Williams several times now about his Saturday morning arrest for public intoxication. Garrett says investigation in ongoing. He's working out at facility but not practicing as he rehabs broken foot this off-season.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 23, 2018
Garrett did say that there would be a handful of guys not practicing today for various reasons:
DT Maliek Collins, LB Sean Lee, WR Terrance Williams, DL David Irving will not practice at Cowboys OTAs today. Irving's "just getting himself in shape," Garrett said
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) May 23, 2018
Jason Garrett said Sean Lee won’t practice tomorrow, either. “Working our way through a couple things with him.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
Absent from Cowboys OTA's today: Cowboys LB Sean Lee (managing him as they have in the past), DL David Irving is getting into shape. WR Terrance Williams (foot) DT Maliek Collins (foot), G Zack Martin (contract hold-out)
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 23, 2018
Some guys were present for the early portions of practice but then went to finish up in the weight room:
DE Demarcus Lawrence, LB Sean Lee, and DE Kony Ealy making their way inside to work in the weight room. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/fIES9Y9dMR
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 23, 2018
Jason Garrett said that the Cowboys are getting a re-focused and ready Ezekiel Elliott, he certainly was all about business at practice:
I saw real maturity from #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott today. He was coaching up the young kids. Told me it was something whole leadership council discussed and says that's how you win...bring up the young guys. Also says he is working on leading by example and being more vocal.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 23, 2018
Zeke Elliott getting after it #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/4Taj4BrWu8
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 23, 2018
Ezekiel Elliott finishing a run during team drills today pic.twitter.com/ngjgIRHZAw
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
Normally running backs will take almost all of their carries during practice to the end zone to work on conditioning. Ezekiel Elliott did more than that in the first OTA. On the final rep of team drills whether he got the ball... https://t.co/K4Ci1NDt2m pic.twitter.com/u2cCDkmy6j
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) May 23, 2018
When it came to the offensive line and how everything shakes out for now, here’s how they started on the field:
First-team Cowboys offensive line during the second day of OTAs:
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
LT - Tyron Smith
LG - Connor Williams
C - Travis Frederick
RG - Chaz Green
RT - La'el Collins
Here’s the list of the entire depth chart (minus guys like Martin, Lee, Williams, Lawrence and others who sat out for various reasons) and how it ended up in these drills be it first team, second team, and third:
Speaking of meaningless offseason lineups, these are the different combinations I counted with the first-team, offense and defense*.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 23, 2018
*Worth noting that DeMarcus Lawrence was at practice but didn’t participate. pic.twitter.com/7acU9Mxsuu
The Cowboys are all about creating competition at the receiver position and some young guys got plenty of reps today:
Another fun thing from OTAs today. Cowboys’ coaches are definitely down to take a look at everyone at WR. Saw at least seven different receivers taking reps with the first team. #cowboyswire
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 23, 2018
Second-year WR Noah Brown got a ton of work with the first-team. Lance Lenoir did also
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
Allen Hurns spoke to the media about how easy it is to motivate himself to have a great year with the Cowboys:
Cowboys WR Allen Hurns: My main thing right now is I missed 11 games the last two years (to injuries) and that's unacceptable. This is a big year going forward in my career. ...Try to control the things I can control and put it all out there and have a good season.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 23, 2018
Hurns: Of course I feel like I can be the No. 1 receiver. I feel like I can play any of the three positions. I can run any routes. I'm excited about that. Our room, we have a lot of guys that have a lot to prove. I like being in a room like that.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 23, 2018
Has Hurns heard criticism of Cowboys WR group? "That's all talk. ...I know for me, my last two years, I didn't have my best years. That's all the motivation I need."
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) May 23, 2018
As far as number one receivers go, Dak Prescott is going to throw it to the open man and that makes the offense a little more easier to navigate for everyone:
Do the Cowboys need a No. 1 wide receiver? Dak Prescott: "I don't know if any team in the league necessarily needs a No. 1 receiver. It's about spreading the ball around and keeping the defense on its toes."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
Tight end Rico Gathers spoke to the media and discussed how hard it was to not contribute for the entire 2017 seasons:
Cowboys TE Rico Gathers on missing last season with concussion: "It was really hard. For the most part, agonizing. I understood my situation. I wasn’t away because I wanted to be away. It was basically because of protocol and stuff."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 23, 2018
Speaking of tight ends:
Geoff Swaim was the first-team TE during team drills. Blake Jarwin was next up when they went two TE sets. Rico Gathers was working with the second team
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018
Jason Garrett confirmed that there will be no AFO brace for Jaylon Smith but the linebacker is also taking up another activity:
#Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith tells me he started incorporating yoga this January into his routine. When he started putting football work in February he realized he didn't need his brace. Tells me he feels great. Didn't use it yesterday or today at OTAs
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 23, 2018
That’s a wrap for day two but the Cowboys will be back at it tomorrow with plenty more nuggets of knowledge for us to satisfy the appetite for football:
Day 2 of Dallas Cowboys OTAs pic.twitter.com/Pek9H0kbrE
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2018