The biggest headlines of Day 1 of the Dallas Cowboys training camp are that All-Pro guard Zack Martin is holding out from camp and cornerback Trevon Diggs signed a long-term deal with the team.
But a gem stood out in the news conference from head coach Mike McCarthy that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Dallas Cowboys Training Camp News Conference: The Culture Under Mike McCarthy
During the news conference, McCarthy discussed the culture he has created going into his fourth year as head coach. From a talent perspective, McCarthy said that it’s the best since he started coaching the team.
He said he feels very strongly about developing players and integrating them into the team.
“I always felt that bridging the gap between the veteran players and the younger players is critical in your opportunity that you’re building toward winning a championship,” said McCarthy.
All of this benefits not only the team on the field but off of it as well, creating a healthy culture.
McCarthy said that in a dinner with the leadership council, he was impressed with the veterans and their respect and connection for the rookie class.
“They told me they felt that this was the best rookie class of the last three,” said McCarthy. He mentioned that he laughed since they told him the same thing last year, but that it’s a good indicator of the locker-room culture.
The Philly Voice compiled a chart showing the team’s progression into one of the younger rosters around the NFL under McCarthy. Between 2019 and 2022, the Cowboys’ median age were as follows:
- 2019 — 26.3 (24th youngest in the league)
- 2020 — 25.8 (12th youngest)
- 2021 — 25.6 (ninth youngest)
- 2022 — 25.2 (third youngest)
This could be a considerable asset to setting McCarthy up for success with calling the plays this season.
Mike McCarthy Calling the Plays
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked what the process was in deciding that the play-calling would be delegated to McCarthy.
He said that “it has to do with Mike [McCarthy]” and his experience and attributes as a head coach and being well-versed with the offensive side of the ball.
Jones talked about the team’s evolution over the last three seasons. Saying that the decision had nothing to do with “what Kellen [Moore] wasn’t” but rather “what Mike is” and that everyone agreed that doing this would improve their chances to win this season.
McCarthy discussed how preparing for the Cowboys’ first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be different with this new role because they want to build off of the success from the last two seasons and factor in the personnel changes made in the offseason.