OXNARD, Calif. 鈥 Rumor has it that it never rains in Southern California but, with all respect to the legendary sounds of Tony! Toni! Ton茅!, the 草莓视频下载入口 have no choice but to bring the thunder, lightning and all manner of storms with them as things get underway at 2025 training camp.
It's not simply that they're trying to recover from a lackluster and disappointing 2024 season that saw them finish 7-10 and without a playoff berth. It's also because of the upheaval it fueled 鈥 ousting Mike McCarthy and ushering in Brian Schottenheimer as the team's newest head coach, marking his first go in that role for any team.
Pressure can do one of two things, and burst pipes won't cut it this time around in Dallas, not if locker room leaders and the new-look coaching staff have anything to say about it.
Forming diamonds is the goal, and preferably the ones trapped in a Super Bowl ring.
"Super Bowl champions, that's always the expectation," said All-Pro guard Tyler Smith. "I think it's a realistic goal. We can win the Super Bowl. Why can't we win? I think the [roster] is in place."
It's a roster that no longer features Zack Martin or Tyron Smith, both retired, or Jourdan Lewis helping to anchor the secondary with stellar play and leadership. It's also one that waved goodbye to Brandin Cooks in free agency and struck a blockbuster deal to acquire George Pickens to play in tandem with All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb; along with completely reworking the running backs group via free agency and the NFL Draft.
Even Cooper Rush is no longer in the building, the security blanket at QB2 being replaced by a trade for Joe Milton in competition with Will Grier.
And while that's certainly not the end of the roster shakeup 鈥 e.g., DeMarcus Lawrence departing for the Seattle Seahawks and Solomon Thomas joining the defensive line 鈥 there has been just as much, if not more, of a rebuild within the coaching ranks behind Schottenheimer, and in all three areas of the game; and at every level of each area.
"I'm confident in where we are as a team," said Osa Odighizuwa, a fifth-year veteran awarded a multi-year extension this offseason. "I'm confident in the talent we have and I'm excited to see how it all comes together."
What the future holds for the Cowboys is unclear, but there has been a complete buy-in from all involved, including the front office, of the new culture being installed by Schottenheimer.
Training camp will begin answering questions that couldn't be addressed in OTAs and minicamp, especially when the pads come on, as everyone keys in on what the offensive attack will look like under the direction of Schottenheimer. The same goes for the defense, as Matt Eberflus returns to coordinate it following just a one-year stay by Mike Zimmer.
It's time for it to start raining answers, so grab an umbrella in sunny Oxnard.
