Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFL preseason round-up: Training camp, Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones, Pollard, OBJ...
It’s Wednesday and so training camp is getting underway, with lots of attention focused on head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott.
The start of a new NFL season is getting ever closer and as Mike McCarthy gets the Dallas Cowboys gang back together for training camp today, the excitement goes up another notch. With that in mind, let’s dive into what we can expect from the session this fine Wednesday and what else is making the headlines...
What to expect from Cowboys training camp
We’re in Oxnard, California, and there are so many questions on our lips, and those of Dallas fans around the world. Will we find answers to them before the season starts? We damn well hope so.
First up, after the Dolphins pounced on Conor Williams, can Tyler Smith step up at left guard despite being predominantly used at left tackle previously? Then, what about Tony Pollard? Is he going to get more action and truly live up to what we believe he can be? Another biggie in terms of replacement depth is what happens when CeeDee Lamb is not firing. Who from the roster can shine out wide? Washington, Brown, Tolbert... take your opportunity and, ahem, run with it.
We’ve got our eyes on the camp and will be feeding back on these and other interesting developments each day.
What ‘offensive’ reference did Jerry Jones apologize for?
Not the most positive of headlines to begin with but an apology in itself can be a good thing. A statement issued by the Cowboys owner yesterday afternoon read as follows:
“Earlier today I made a reference which I understand may have been viewed as offensive. I apologize.”
Jones had been paying tribute to, among others, former scouting director, Larry Lacewell, and used the term ‘midget’ when referring to him, a word that the Little People of America organization considers a derogatory slur, which it says was “created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport.”
“Stephen [Jones] and I went over to Jonesboro and a lot of our staff, certainly our scouts, and wanted to give a big memorial to Lace,” Jones said in his controversial tribute speech. “Lace held court out here. I’m going to get me somebody, a midget, to stand up there with me and dress him up like Lace and think Lace is still out here helping at practice with us.
“You know, we all need our props. But here it is to Lace – really, and I’m serious about that.”
Jones was reported to have used a hand gesture to signal that he was referring to someone of short stature, and there was said to have been some giggles from those present.
It’s worth noting that the LPOA states: “The dwarfism community has voiced that they prefer to be referred to as dwarfs, little people, people of short stature or having dwarfism, or simply, and most preferably, by their given name.”
In the same press conference Jones talked about his faith in his current head coach, saying “I want to be real clear. He wouldn’t be sitting here today if I didn’t think he could lead this team to a Super Bowl. And I have choices.”
Dak Prescott and the NFL QB roll-call
The Cowboys quarterback impressed across last season but something was missing for that final push.
‘Jerry Jones threw big bucks at Dak last year, and is hoping to reap the rewards this year. Dallas crashed out of the playoffs last season, but the thought in Big D is that Prescott has the tools around him to make this playoff contender into a Super Bowl contender,’ says our Dane, who had a look at all the QB headline contenders for the upcoming campaign.
Could Odell Beckham Jr join Cowboys?
Recent trading news in the NFL saw Julio Jones link up with Tom Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And although unlikely, this has some observers suggesting that Dallas could therefore be one of the destinations for OBJ.
With the Bucs off the table as a potential suitor, and the Rams or Packers considered front runners, the Cowboys could see Beckham as a valuable addition to the roster.
“The Dallas Cowboys did little to replace Amari Cooper after trading him to the Cleveland Browns,” ponders Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker over this particular move.
Recovering from a torn ACL has been Beckham’s primary concern but if a team was to take a chance now, it would provide clear focus for game time, with a return expected in October, if all goes well. Would McCarthy be interested?
When is Cowboys first preseason game?
One question that we have been asked a lot of late is when Dak and the boys will be having their first run out ahead of the new season. Well, get your diaries out and put a small* blue circle around the date 13 August. That’s when the Cowboys get their first taste of preparatory action when they face the Denver Broncos.
That is followed by warm-up tests against the Chargers (21 Aug) and the Seahawks (27 Aug).
*When is Cowboys first game of the 2022 season?
Your big blue circle, get that pen going round it a few times on the calendar and set a reminder on your devices, is for 12 September when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town. Bring it, Brady!
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