NFL training camp notepad: Cowboys’ drama meter is high as usual, but Dak Prescott’s future hangs over everything
Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson is out on the road covering training camps. Today’s stop: the Dallas Cowboys.
About the QBI raised an eyebrow when Dak Prescott took a long pause Thursday, then said: āIām gonna say it. I want to be here, but when you look [it] up, all the other quarterbacks that I watched played for other teams [than their first]. ā¦ Thatās not something to fear.ā Prescott paused because he knew he was revealing something. I think heās revealing that he has already mentally walked through the paces of leaving Dallas.
Rookie to watchOffensive tackle Tyler Guyton wasnāt starting the first day of practice, but that wonāt last. Heāll be a starter before itās over. Saying āwatch the first-round rookieā isnāt revelatory, but if Guyton isnāt ready to protect Prescott by September, Dallas has a problem.
(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)
Keeping my eye onTrey Lance, if only because there is still curiosity about him across the league and heās going to get some good burn in preseason games. I donāt get the sense the Cowboys view him as a potential Dak Prescott replacement. It might take an injury forcing Lance into the lineup for that to change.
Fantasy thoughtIf you have to take a Cowboys running back, godspeed. Right now, Ezekiel Elliott will likely be the player in the rotation who gets the most snaps, particularly given his blocking ability. But the offensive line in Dallas is worse ā¦ not better.
What I saw that was interestingTeam owner Jerry Jones opening his media conference by answering a question about a paternity suit was … wild. Cowboys fans are probably used to this stuff by now, and letās be real ā plenty of owners have their share of dirty laundry. But you rarely, if ever, see them up on a podium talking about it like that, then rolling into football talk. Cowboys, baby.
Wild cardGetting 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith turned in the right direction would be a big plus for Dallas. It looks like he has a long road ahead as he gets into shape and rebounds from offseason shoulder surgery. He looked heavy in practice and his conditioning had him lagging a few times at the end of plays. He is still needed on defense and the Cowboys arenāt giving up on a first-round pick after one poor season.
