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Cowboys' offseason program starts today
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- While a good contingent of the Dallas Cowboys has been working out at Valley Ranch for the better part of the last month, the official offseason program starts today.
But the biggest story of the beginning of the offseason program will be Dez Bryant's attendance. Bryant is not expected to be in attendance, although he did meet with the coaches recently. The coaches want Bryant to attend the workouts, however, there is the matter of his contract.
He has yet to sign the franchise tag tender, which would guarantee him $12.823 million. He is not required to sign the tender in order to work out, but by signing it he would give himself protection against injury. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who has also been given the franchise tag by the Denver Broncos, has not attended the beginning of his team’s official workouts.
Until Bryant signs the tender or reaches a long-term deal with the Cowboys, he would not be required to attend any portion of the offseason program. The only mandatory event for players under contract is the mini-camp.
The Cowboys have had close to 100 percent participation for years, so Bryant’s involvement or lack thereof will be watched closely.
For the players at Valley Ranch, this will be the first time they can be supervised by strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik and his staff, Brett Bech and Kendall Smith, as Phase One begins. Players had been working out on groups without the strength coaches being able to interact much with them.
Phase One runs for two weeks and is limited to just strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two starts May 4 and runs for three weeks with the coaches allowed to work with the players individually but without any offense vs. defense team drills. Phase Three begins May 26 with the organized team activities and ends with the June 16-18 mini-camp.
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- While a good contingent of the Dallas Cowboys has been working out at Valley Ranch for the better part of the last month, the official offseason program starts today.
But the biggest story of the beginning of the offseason program will be Dez Bryant's attendance. Bryant is not expected to be in attendance, although he did meet with the coaches recently. The coaches want Bryant to attend the workouts, however, there is the matter of his contract.
He has yet to sign the franchise tag tender, which would guarantee him $12.823 million. He is not required to sign the tender in order to work out, but by signing it he would give himself protection against injury. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who has also been given the franchise tag by the Denver Broncos, has not attended the beginning of his team’s official workouts.
Until Bryant signs the tender or reaches a long-term deal with the Cowboys, he would not be required to attend any portion of the offseason program. The only mandatory event for players under contract is the mini-camp.
The Cowboys have had close to 100 percent participation for years, so Bryant’s involvement or lack thereof will be watched closely.
For the players at Valley Ranch, this will be the first time they can be supervised by strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik and his staff, Brett Bech and Kendall Smith, as Phase One begins. Players had been working out on groups without the strength coaches being able to interact much with them.
Phase One runs for two weeks and is limited to just strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two starts May 4 and runs for three weeks with the coaches allowed to work with the players individually but without any offense vs. defense team drills. Phase Three begins May 26 with the organized team activities and ends with the June 16-18 mini-camp.