FRISCO, Texas 鈥 This happens every summertime, with every team.
NFL head coaches must hold their breath, likely have trepidation waking up in the morning this time of year during those agonizing five to six weeks between the end of the last minicamp practices to the day they begin training camps.
The offseason downtime when these players, the majority probably no more than three years removed from college, and if that, have this CBA mandated unstructured time to their own. No meetings. No practices. No mandatory workouts.
The head coaches fearing that dreaded phone call.
"Uh, coach, so-and-so unfortunately has been (fill in the blank).
Cowboys first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer, having finished the three weeks of OTAs, two minicamps and offseason workouts with a ton of momentum, almost made it. The Cowboys leave for training camp in four days, Sunday, July 20, with the mandatory reporting time on Monday in Oxnard, California, when Schotty and Cowboys owners Jerry and Stephen Jones will conduct their camp-opening press conference, signaling the official start of a 26-day stay.
Schottenheimer came like two weeks short of getting to the wire when certainly he received the phone call on July 7 breaking the news that the night before his Pro Bowl return guy had been cited for the feared illegal possession of a firearm, only because he was also being hit with the daily double of less than two ounces of marijuana at the same time.
Now, two misdemeanors, but sometimes the NFL enforces a stronger arm than the legal system in cases like these, so who knows what the outcome will be for the extraordinary return specialist who the Cowboys were working into the offense to carry a bigger load as a slot receiver.
Helluva way to have to start training camp, though not alone around the league with mishaps all the time during this mandated downtime. Can remember Bill Parcells fearing the bye week, warning his players against going back to the old neighborhood or back to the old college stomping grounds to hook up with the guys. In fact, prior to the CBA rules mandating players receive four consecutive days off during the bye week, and two of those have to be on the weekend, Parcells would wait until the last minute to inform players the days they weren't required to be at practice, hoping the higher price of last-minute airfare would discourage out of town trips.
So a little unknown circling the Cowboys when it comes to Turpin's availability, and to think he had just signed a contract extension including a $3.6 million signing bonus as part of his $5 million guarantee, more money than he made playing for the three years of minimums in his NFL career.
And as for unknowns, the Cowboys will find out next week if Micah Parsons, in search of a long-term contract extension from his guaranteed fifth-year option of $24 million, will report to training camp or start the negotiating dance of withholding services. Then also the Cowboys will receive a better idea of just where Trevon Diggs' rehabilitation is following the serious knee surgery the two-time Pro bowl corner chose to rehab off campus, likely causing him to start training camp on PUP to further allow the trainers to get their arms around his progress.
As I used to tell former head coach Jason Garrett when these unexpected hurdles would be thrown in his way, "So you wanted to be a head coach, did you."
- Missed One: Having been on vacation missed the passing of Cowboys former tight end Pettis Norman (1962-70) from reported ALS at the age of 86. Norman was more than a football player but also a long-time civil rights activist, having discussed with him his many endeavors during a riveting interview at an Oak Cliff country club several years ago where back in the day he had bought a house on the edge of the golf course he was not allowed to play on during segregation. Norman spoke about when going to college at HBCU J.C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, how he successfully participated in what was then called lunch-counter protests against the banning of Black people from eating at establishments. What a career, what a life. A true treasure
- Training Camp MVP: And that would stand for Most Valuable Promotion for this upcoming training camp in Oxnard. Why, KDFW Channel 4 in Dallas is promoting its coverage of training camp with Mike Doocy, Samantha Gannon and Jeff Kolb by ending with "There is only one Foxnard." Good one.
- Another Good One: The Cowboys are the first team since the Green Bay Packers in 2011 to play in the NFL season opener (at Philadelphia), on Thanksgiving (Kansas City) and then on Christmas Day (Washington) during the same season. Don't let anyone tell you their popularity is wanning with this scheduling triple crown.
- Top 100: For the sixth time, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is ranked in NFL.com's top 100, coming in this year at No. 79 after player voting. Now that sure seems a little low, considering he only played seven-plus games last year before suffering his season-ending hamstring tendon tear. And let me give you one stat that suggests so, illustrating his impact on the Cowboys. Dak was injured in Game 8 against Atlanta, with the Cowboys averaging 251.1 yards passing a game. In the final nine games of the season without Dak, their average yards passing per game fell to 203.2. Go ahead, you make the call.
- Busts Galore: Had an opportunity to spend the better part of a day last week going through the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, like the first time since the Cowboys played in the 2021 preseason game when Drew Pearson was inducted. So had the chance to visit the busts of Chuck Howley (2023) and Demarcus Ware (2023) for the first time. Also noticed this for the first time, a plaque honoring assistant coaches, including a former Cowboys offensive coordinator, the late Ernie Zampese, along with two-year defensive coordinator toward the end of his coaching career, the late Monte Kiffin. Also, a really nice tribute honoring long-time NFL equipment managers, including the Cowboys' Buck Buchanan (1973-94), the father of Cowboys' current equipment manager Bucky Buchanan, who is starting his 32nd year with the franchise. And you can still call up on a video board at the PFHF honoring the Athletic Training Staff of the Year that includes the Cowboys' current foursome winning the award in 2020 of Jim Maurer, Britt Brown, Greg Gather and Hanson Yang. Left them on the display when walking away.
And for the final word before we depart for training camp on Sunday, let's hear from Prescott, his parting words at the end of the June minicamp when asked what he takes from this offseason with the team and the fact that he's been away from the game since tearing that hamstring tendon on Nov. 3 in Atlanta.
"I mean, just that, I'm healthy. I mean, it's been a great offseason," Dak said at the time. "It's going to continue to be a great offseason until we get into camp. So honestly, just the momentum, just staying healthy and the momentum of this minicamp, these OTAs. And making sure that I'm not the only one who keeps that momentum, but the rest of the guys (too), and make sure some of these young guys are doing the things necessary and taking care of their bodies to hit the ground running when we get together in July."
Like just around the corner.
