Dallas Cowboys begin OTAs Tuesday
By Cory Buck
The Dallas Cowboys will begin organized team activities (OTAs) today, which marks the beginning of the end of the prolonged vacation for those players who watched the Cowboys wilt in the NFC East race in 2013.
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For the first time since another disappointing campaign, the Cowboys begin the long road toward another run at the top of their division.
Dallas coach Jason Garrett told ESPN.com that he’s excited to get started once again, even if it is only OTAs.
“It’s good to see those guys out there getting themselves acclimated to some things,” he said. “Mentally as much as anything else we’re trying to put some pressure on them, give them some instillation, see if they can handle it and practice at a certain tempo and pace.”
One of the big struggles for any team at OTAs is to bring the rookies up to speed. They still don’t know the playbook or schemes, which inhibits their natural ability when faced with those who know where to be and how to get there.
As Garrett noted, “When the veterans come out here it’s much faster than it’s been (in the rookie camp.)”
OTAs will continue for three weeks, most of which are optional, until mandatory mini-camps, followed by training camp. As is often the case with the Dallas Cowboys, expect plenty of drama and stories to ensue once these players get on the pads and get to work