By Jamal Baker
NDG Sportswriter
The Dallas Cowboys have concluded their voluntary organized team activities and will begin their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 16.
Last week I highlighted the positive direction the defense is headed, and this week’s column will focus on the offense, as the unit looks to build on the phenomenal season it had last year.
Although All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens did not agree to a long-term deal, he signed his non-exclusive franchise tag on April 29 and is expected to be in attendance for Dallas’ three-day minicamp after being absent from OTAs.
“I expect he’ll be here, and I think he’s in a good spot,” Schottenheimer said. “I know he’s handling his business, and I know he misses his teammates. We miss him, too. You guys know how we feel about him. We love him, and this is just part of the business.”
Pickens posted a career-high 1,429 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns last season. The Cowboys are undoubtedly a better team with him on the field and his presence in minicamp will be a welcomed sight.
“I have no questions he’s working, but what you don’t want to do is put a guy in here that you don’t know exactly where he’s at…” Schottenheimer said. “We’ll be smart, but there’s plenty of things he can do from the mocks to the walkthroughs to get him back into the system. If we’re cautious, it’s just because we want to be cautious. It’s not because we don’t think he’s not working. We think he’s putting in the work, preparing to have a hell of a year.”
Upfront in the trenches, all five of Dallas’ starting offensive lineman from last season are returning.
However, there is an open competition at left tackle between former first-round pick Tyler Guyton and former seventh round pick Nate Thomas.
“For me, it really comes down to technique and the habits that you build,” Thomas said. “Last year, it was my first year playing — coming off of injury from the year before. This has really been my first real offseason to train and get better, so that’s what I did.”
Future Hall of Famer and Cowboys great Tyron Smith spent plenty of time at The Star during OTAs to work with the offensive tackles on their footwork and technique to be the best versions of themselves at the position.
Smith made eight Pro Bows as the blindside protector in Dallas and was arguably the best at his position during his prime years.
“The gold jacket can show up when he wants,” Guyton said of Smith. “It’s whatever day he wants. He gives us stuff to work on. He’s a big help for us on the offensive line. His presence in our room and on the field with us is incredible. There’s not much that you can’t learn from a guy like Tyron Smith. He knows everything about football, especially the left tackle position.”
I am a firm believer that iron sharpens iron and the competition between Guyton and Thomas will be one to keep a close eye during training camp.
With many pieces already in place on the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys are going to be one of the best offenses in the league this upcoming season.
