OTAs wrapped up last week for the Dallas Cowboys, and mandatory minicamp begins on Tuesday.
Even though we don’t get to see most of what goes on during these programs, there are a few public details that are worth noting and following as offseason activities continue.
So, consider this a checkpoint for fans who might actually do something else with their time in the Summer besides scour Twitter for updates or monitor news sources for info.
Here are a few developments that will definitely come up again.
STILL FIGURING OUT THE O-LINE SITUATION
The configuration of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line will depend on the answers to several questions.
Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any definitive answers right now. Just educated guesses, outright guesses, predictions based on past performances, and more questions.
When will Terence Steele be ready to rejoin the O-Line? Several reports say he’s “ahead of schedule,” but it’s not entirely clear what that means. No date has been reported.
As he’s returning from an ACL injury, it’s also unknown how his performance might be impacted during his first games back.
Then, who will play right tackle? Some sources claim Tyron Smith should be the right tackle.
Putting Tyron at right tackle would mean putting Tyler Smith at left tackle. But there’s an argument to be made for keeping Tyron at left tackle and making Tyler the left guard.
So, do the Cowboys need a left guard, a right tackle, or something else?Look, I’m not here to answer these questions. I’m just keeping you up to speed on the current discourse.
Although Chuma Edoga has been a tackle for most of his career, he was a left guard for the Atlanta Falcons before he suffered a season-ending injury. And apparently Matt Waletzko was at OTAs looking like a swing tackle.
And that’s what the battle behind this setup is all about:
Richards vs. Farniok vs. Edoga
Richards vs. Waletzko vs. Edoga
Ball vs. Taylor vs. BassThe outcome of these battles will determine who goes to LG1 in the event No. 77 misses multiple games, with No. 73 moving to LT.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) May 18, 2023
One thing we do know from a recent press conference is that Mike McCarthy values continuity. The Cowboys coaching staff will certainly do what they can to keep the offensive line configuration as consistent as possible.
JALEN TOLBERT’S STRENGTHS ARE ON DISPLAY WITH NEW OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
Speaking of questions, there were definitely questions about Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert after last season.
In a recent interview, Jalen Tolbert admitted that he did a lot of overthinking last season. It affected his ability to be confident in the various roles he was expected to play.
Now, he says, “After a year of doing it and just being able to understand what’s being asked of me… it’s not really a problem.”
Mike McCarthy’s play call purpose (PCP) approach to the offense seems to be to geared towards minimizing overthinking and maximizing understanding.
Although we are still waiting to see Tolbert’s development, it’s clear, he’s a much more confident player than he was this time last year.
And that’s a start.. https://t.co/VaGrtSZEaP
— iisha Morrison (@Iishamorrison) May 25, 2023
It serves to reason that improved comprehension and everyone being on the same page would help a player like Tolbert who came to this team with such high expectations placed on his shoulders.
Tolbert appears more confident, now. And that means a lot less thinking and a lot more of him doing what he does best.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT DOWDLE
Too many conversations about the Cowboys running back room begin and end with the expected roles and impacts Tony Pollard and Ronald Jones.
But, as we’ve seen in the past, whoever the Dallas Cowboys have in that third running back spot will be expected to step up at various points throughout the season.
And that RB3 battle will be interesting to watch this offseason. Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, and Rico Dowdle all bring different strengths to the table.
Dowdle was originally added to the team in 2020. He even beat out Malik Davis for a roster spot last year, but he was placed on IR after an ankle injury.
In March, the Cowboys signed Dowdle to a one-year contract. According to reports, he was looking quicker and more explosive at OTAs.
Davis only played in six games in 2022, but he made good use of his explosive power averaging 4.2 yards on 38 carries and 10.5 yards on 6 receptions from 7 targets.
Meanwhile, Luepke is an athletic fullback known for his blocking ability and skills as a receiver. And Vaughn may not have the size of traditional RB types, but he makes up for that with his elusiveness.
A case could be made for any of these players to have a roster spot. It will all depend on how coaches want to use them.
LUKE IN A BOOT
Second round draft pick Luke Schoonmaker had limited activity during OTAs. The tight end was seen in a walking boot, reportedly due to a case of plantar fasciitis.
Although, the optics of a walking boot are not great, it does not necessarily mean his injury is severe. It’s actually been described as “minor.”
Using a cast or a boot can be a helpful way to treat plantar fasciitis, because it prevents movement of the foot. That would prevent further inflammation on more severe injury.
It may also provide support in a way that decreases pain that comes from walking with plantar fasciitis.
There is, of course, the chance that the injury actually is severe.
Sometimes, a person suffering from pain due to plantar fasciitis might change their gait pattern. That can cause issues with other muscles, ligaments, or joints in the leg.
Severe plantar fasciitis can also result in tears in the connective tissue.
This is something that will surely be discussed as the offseason continues, especially if Schoonmaker wears the boot for a prolonged period of time, his performance suffers, or the issue reoccurs.
But for now, we’ll accept the explanation that it is minor, and he’ll be fine.
A COMEBACK FOR COX?
Various analysts, writers, and fans have expressed concern over the Cowboys’ linebacker situation. And that has led to an interest in the return of Jabril Cox.
What happened to Jabril Cox
— Flasunshine (@Flasunshine12) June 1, 2023
Cox suffered an ACL injury in August. He saw a few snaps late in the season, but we have yet to see the 2021 fourth round pick make a significant contribution on the field.
Hopefully, 2023 will be the year he establishes himself as an asset to the defense.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR KELVIN JOSEPH?
There have been whispers of Kelvin Joseph moving from cornerback to safety.
There have also been whispers about his relationship with his teammates.
Recently, Jourdan Lewis tweeted out a list of players in response to Dez Bryant’s tweet about “a dangerous secondary.”
Tre, Gilly, DB, JK, Lik, Dono, Izz, Bell. We got the best in the league, bro 💯. https://t.co/9K0wgxZgdg
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) June 1, 2023
In a since deleted tweet, Kelvin Joseph responded. He said, “Don’t forget about Boss Man Fat,” referring to himself by his stage name.
Some fans perceived Joseph’s exclusion from Lewis’ tweet as an intentional slight and proceeded to reply to Joseph’s tweet with a barrage of negative criticism.
It basically opened the door for critics of Joseph to highlight every misstep or mistake of his as a reason he should not be included in a conversation about Dallas’ secondary or perhaps even on the roster.
There was no response about Joseph’s exclusion from the tweet or the condemnation by fans from Jourdan Lewis or any of the other players mentioned in Lewis’ tweet.
For a team that prides itself on brotherhood and cohesion, it was a bad look.
Shortly after petitioning his teammates to remember him in their social media posts, Kelvin Joseph followed up with another statement.
He said that it’s “time to show I’m really him.” However, he didn’t mention at which position he’d be putting his skills on display.
I’m back in that mode I was just going through a phase we can’t down play God’s Gift time to show I’m really him F*** the critics I accepted it all …back on Dawg 💩
— Kelvin Joseph (@bossmanfat1) June 1, 2023