Cowboys Open OTAs; 7 Storylines For 7 Position Groups
By Mike Fisher | @fishsports
IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) -- Seven position groups. Seven storylines.
The Dallas Cowboys front office has done its part, and the work of the suits never stops. But finally, it's about whistles and jerseys and work on the practice field as Dallas launches into this week's three-day OTA at Valley Ranch starting today.
The Cowboys, it can be argued, have -- fingers crossed regarding injuries and behavior -- more talent and depth than they've had in years ... again, thanks to that front office.
"I think Jerry and Stephen [Jones] have done an incredible job just building this football team, as well as Jason [Garrett], over the last three or four years," QB Tony Romo says. "So... you're seeing the benefits of that. And we're still going. This wasn't a one-year, two-year thing. We're building this for the next five, six, seven years to sustain."
OK, OK, but one OTA practice at a time, please. ... and seven storylines at a time:
1) Sean Lee is back. It was a year ago when he fell to a fluke knee injury at the opening of these same OTAs. Keep Lee's body right and keep Rolando McClain's head right and Dallas has a dynamic duo in the linebackers room.
2) The cornerback shuffle. Scandrick is paid in full. Rookie Byron Jones will begin as a corner but might be a safety. Veteran Brandon Carr will be here ... but maybe with a lightened wallet once the parties get series about a cutback. And Mo Claiborne? He won't work here. But he's progressing to the point that Dallas might actually have depth at a once-vulnerable spot.
3) No Dez. This isn't Bryant's time; he's been franchise-tagged and doesn't have a contract. So it might just be time for Devin Street, highly-thought-of by the coaching staff, to make his mark.
4) Can Dustin Vaughan play? You are always trying to "discover'' answers at QB. Vaughan beating out Weeden for the No. 2 job would be a discovery.
5) Greg Hardy has been a dominant force during strength-and-conditioning work. I bet he is the same this week ... and I bet he's on pins and needles as his domestic-violence hearing appeal is scheduled for Thursday. Hardy, Crawford, Mincey, Lawrence, rookie Randy Gregory ... again, Dallas has suddenly built depth with pass-rushers -- "Rushmen'' coming in "waves,'' as D-coordinator Rod Marinelli likes to put it.
6) The five best blockers will start. So if Doug Free is still hobbled, at what position does La'el Collins fit into the "five best''?
7) There will be no Ray Rice and no Chris Johnson. There could be a summer trade (Lamar Miller far more likely than Adrian Peterson). But first there will be Joe Randle trying to do the job he was drafted to do: replace DeMarco Murray -- a huge job that requires not only talent (which Randle may possess) but also trust (which he has yet to earn inside this building).
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)