Dallas Cowboys: Early signs of a winning culture are emerging

Recent Dallas Cowboys news shows early signs of a winning culture

The 2020 Dallas Cowboys arrived to training camp only to face a completely new football experience. Safety protocols never seen before and initial in-person meetings with a predominantly new coaching staff were surely head spinning.

In an offseason filled with a variety of life altering strife, these players walked into a completely redesigned environment, safety protocols, and mostly unfamiliar men in charge of honing their skills and advancing their careers.

It would be understandable for an uncomfortable adjustment period to have lingered. However recent news suggests the team is already dialed in and early signs of a winning culture have emerged.

LEADERSHIP BEGINS AT THE TOP

After years of patronizing coach speak and vague answers from previous head coach Jason Garrett, Cowboys fans can rest assured Mike McCarthy is a different breed.

With two training camp interviews under his belt, McCarthy is clearly a leader who will answer questions honestly with conviction. He either directly answers the question, declares he doesn’t have an answer, or firmly implies he won’t answer.

The days of dancing around questions with a smirk hiding behind catch phrases like “take it day by day” or “it’s a process” are over. To many fans coach speak is nothing more than cowardly disregarding their sacrifice and devotion. McCarthy isn’t that guy.

One way or another fans will know they got an answer (or direct non-answer) and what he intended. Taking responsibility for one’s own words/actions has a big impact on the field when players follow that well defined lead.

NUMBER FOUR IS PRIMED FOR MORE

There were many things to gather from quarterback Dak Prescott’s opening press conference on Wednesday at DallasCowboys.com. The overriding takeaway was Dak is dialed in and proudly leading this Cowboys team.

Two things stuck out most along this avenue. First was the recent revelation Prescott and the offensive skill players have been practicing together for months. Star receiver Amari Cooper described it as holding their own private mini camps.

A second nugget was Dak eluding to the locker room buzzing about how all the players like their new position coaches. The importance of fondness for a competent position coach cannot be overstated when attempting to harness maximum effort.

BUBBLE IS A SIGN OF BUY-IN

Prescott confirmed recent reports the vast majority of Dallas players are spending training camp living in the Omni Hotel next to the training facility at The Star.

Most of these guys live in reasonable proximity to the training facility as it is. A team without hunger and warranted expectations may not do this. A proven team already basking in consistent success may feel too entitled to give up their perks.

However this Cowboys team arrived at camp, sized up their new reality, and decided it’s time to sacrifice personal luxuries to make a serious run at being special. They like what they saw from the new regime and have decided to go for it.

It’s easy to make too much of little things in such a strange environment these days. But for now it’s all we have to go on. Yet sometimes the little things can tell you everything you need to know about where a team is heading.