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Satisfied with spring, Mike McCarthy cancels final practice of Cowboys minicamp

A team-bonding activity was held in lieu of a third practice in as many days.

Of course, the Cowboys are further along today compared to this time in 2020.

That should go without saying.

A proper spring workout program was held. All players were allowed into The Star before early August. Coaches could instruct at practices, not entirely reliant on virtual meetings to install various concepts. Any player or coach when asked in recent weeks has said that the difference between the two offseasons is drastic.

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What encourages coach Mike McCarthy, what prompted him to cancel the final minicamp practice Thursday, is how the 2021 offseason compares to ones before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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McCarthy scheduled a team-bonding activity in lieu of Thursday’s practice. This was not an impulse he woke up with Thursday morning but rather a decision made well in advance to reflect his satisfaction level with the team’s progress this spring.

The Cowboys sent formal notice to reporters around 8 a.m. Thursday that the third and final practice of minicamp was reprogrammed to a “group dynamic event” that would be closed to media. Activity specifics were not provided, although watermelon smashing is not believed to be involved.

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“Really, we’re not even in the same space comparing last year to this year,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “We took accountability for not hitting the target virtually last year as a coaching staff. ... I thought our coaches knocked it out of the park virtually this year. You could see it in the understanding when we’re on the field.

“I spent most of my time comparing this year’s offseason program to prior offseason programs when you have a full slate. We’re doing a much better job. .. .Our learning environment is clearly, and it had to be -- there’s no choice -- much better than it was this time last year. I think it’s clearly reflected on what we’re getting done on the field.”

Following the team activity, Cowboys veterans will be dismissed for the summer. First-year players are required to attend a rookie development program next week. Players are expected to reconvene for training camp on July 20. Camp likely will be held in Oxnard, Calif.

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As a final count, Dallas held six organized training activities (OTAs) and two minicamp practices. The collective bargaining agreement allows for 10 OTAs and three minicamp practices. This scale-down came at a time when the NFL Players Association has pushed for teams to do less in the spring, even urging most players not to attend voluntary functions.

Cowboys players did not heed that advisory, producing extremely strong attendance in rookie minicamp, voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Only one player, backup punter Hunter Niswander, didn’t attend mandatory minicamp. He had an excused absence for a family medical reason.

Although McCarthy publicly kept a tight lid, there was a sense that Wednesday’s practice would be the final one this spring.

His practice script began with an extended focus on fundamentals. It pivoted to multiple periods with a red zone emphasis before some lightness toward the end when center Tyler Biadasz converted one of two field-goal attempts. Quarterback Dak Prescott punctuated his impressive recovery from an October ankle fracture with an impressive practice.

He seemed to find more of a rhythm Wednesday than any previous offseason practice open to reporters.

Then again, it was also his busiest.

“I think today was the most reps I’ve probably gotten,” Prescott said Wednesday. “I think that helps from the fact of just getting those reps in and me being able to throw some passes and get in that groove and kind of get hot as I’ve said before. ...T oday with more reps allowed me to have more throws and then down there in the red zone when you get a couple in the end zone, yeah, you start feeling it.

“It was a great way to finish the day and just to know that I’m getting better.”

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It was a great way to finish the spring.

McCarthy had seen enough.

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