Mike McCarthy press conference: “The fastest way to the end zone is through the post route”

Training camp is in full swing and Dallas Cowboys football news is in the air. It truly is a sight for sore eyes.

Head coach Mike McCarthy took to the podium on Sunday morning after the players were off on Saturday. Here is a recap of what he touched on. A reminder that all answers are paraphrases and not actual quotes.

Working out on the grass

McCarthy has said several times that he wants to work out on the grass. He noted that the Cowboys have facilities that can allow them to do a variety of things and that they might do a mix-up of things inside and outside at The Star.

He also added that this is his first time experiencing what The Star has to offer so they are all learning as they go.

Gauging the bottom of the roster

The lack of preseason games is going to make it more difficult than ever for coaching staffs to evaluate the bottom of their roster, and McCarthy acknowledged this. He said that he just met with Mike Nolan about this and how during the timing of a normal training camp that they’d be through eight installations before having a “family night” type scrimmage.

He said that these were the parameters he was considering before looking into a live scrimmage to get a clear evaluation.

Thoughts on Alex Smith

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith suffered a horrific leg injury back in 2018 and on Sunday was activated off of the PUP list.

McCarthy was part of the San Francisco 49ers staff that took Smith with the number one overall pick in 2005 and the Cowboys head coach noted that he’s been monitoring Smith’s return to the NFL. He wished him well.

Building a relationship with a quarterback

McCarthy noted that the offseason has been challenging from an organization standpoint and that some things he is doing now, due to not being able to do them before, are things that he would have done in the spring. He is obviously playing catch up like the rest of the NFL.

He noted that the quarterback room is a room that he needs to be in but he heralded the work that is being done there. He gave credit to Doug Nussmeier, Kellen Moore, Scott Tolzien, and even noted that former quarterback Seneca Wallace is with the team for training camp. Wallace played for McCarthy’s Green Bay Packers in 2013.

Vision for defensive line

Mike McCarthy was asked for his thoughts on the defensive line as a whole, and what he said is going to likely be music to your ears.

“Well I think the biggest thing as far as the defensive line is we’re going to need all of them. It’s a long year. I think the way you want to build your football team, and frankly just trying to be wide open on offense and let the game come to the pass rush of your defensive front.”

Thoughts on Blake Jarwin

McCarthy has a lot of weapons on his offense as far as his wide receivers go, but people are very excited to see what Blake Jarwin can offer as well.

McCarthy noted that the fastest way to the endzone is through the post route and that Jarwin has an ability to attack the second level of the defense. He said he believes Jarwin will make the most of his opportunities this season.

Fundamentals are very important

Asked if there was any portion of practice that McCarthy was looking forward to specifically, he mentioned a period that they are calling Team Fundamentals. He noted that nothing about this drill is different than what anybody has experienced in the game of football, but that it is different “than what some of our players have experienced.”

The focus is clarity of each drill.

Zack Martin is awesome

McCarthy noted that he has always admired Zack Martin from afar and that he has been extremely impressed with the guard’s professionalism. He had nothing but great things to say about Martin as most do.