The Dallas Cowboys were among many teams throughout the NFL that did not play their starters in their preseason openers over the weekend.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has used multiple approaches to the preseason throughout his career. He says it depends on where your team is in its development and how you feel about the work they have put in.
“We feel very strongly about our roster, and I’ve always looked at roster development from the back forward,” he told the media on Monday. “We have a really good understanding of the guys that we have here that have established themselves in the locker room, so this is really the best format for roster development.”
Some teams have chosen to participate in joint practices with their preseason opponents during game week to mix it up and provide more varied competition for their players. It allows them to see how they stack up against other teams and even some extra scouting time for potential additions from those teams after roster cuts.
The Cowboys participated in joint practices in the past two preseasons, but this year, McCarthy was more comfortable with his team facing each other.
“…The most important side is do you have the training available to make sure your team is ready for Week 1?” he explained. “I have a lot of confidence in the way we train and the way we compete with one another out here…I feel better, so far, about what we’ve been able to accomplish out here against each other.”
“I’m all about the training, and the preparation is a critical part of how these first four or five [regular season] games go each and every year in this leagues,” he continued. “September football is different. We recognize that. We feel our plan is very good to make sure we’re ready to go against the Giants.”
On Monday, the Cowboys held a mock game to review corrections and get players on the same page following their first preseason game.
“You have a chance to talk through situations because you don’t always have all the information when the game’s over,” McCarthy explained. “We definitely had an opportunity to grow from Saturday’s contest and today.”
The Cowboys continued their training camp with Monday’s practice as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in their second preseason game at 9 p.m. CT on Saturday in Seattle.
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EXTRA POINTS
— According to ESPN, the Cowboys and All-Pro guard Zack Martin have agreed to a restructured contract that will pay him $18 million per year over the next two seasons and end his holdout.
— McCarthy says he hopes to have rookie defensive lineman Viliami “Junior” Fehoko Jr. back at practice this week after missing the preseason opener with a shoulder injury.
— Former NFL offensive lineman Michael Oher, the subject of the film “The Blindside,” has filed a petition in Tennessee alleging the Tuohy family never adopted him and “tricked” him into signing a document that allowed them to use his name in business deals.
— The Baltimore Ravens have activated running back J.K. Dobbins from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
— Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning is joining the faculty at the University of Tennessee.
— Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz has been cleared for football activity after missing most of the second half of last season with ACL and MCL injuries.
— Former University of Texas running back and Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Bijan Robinson is expected to make his NFL debut on Friday.