We’re officially in gear at Dallas Cowboys training camp, with Day 2 from Oxnard, Calif., in the books.
Day 2 brought more fodder for the ongoing Dak Prescott contract negotiations, along with some off-the-field Cowboys beef that may or may not still be a “thing” as the team starts out on the 2024-25 campaign.
Check out three more things we learned at Cowboys camp after a full 48 hours in California, with photos from Day 2 and other coverage of Micah Parsons, Zack Martin and more.
1. The leaves certainly are falling
That seems to be Jerry Jones’ euphemism of choice for this year’s training camp (hey, it’s better than “Glory Hole”). He used it in his opening press conference to describe putting off long-term deals for his team’s stars, primarily Dak Prescott.
In the short time since, two other leaves have fallen off the tree that is “unpaid NFL quarterbacks.” The Packers locked in Jordan Love for four years and $220 million while the Dolphins agreed to an extension with Tua Tagovailoa for four years and $212 million.
Prescott was asked about the subject as camp started and while his comments fell short of “shots fired” in what must seem to Cowboys fans like the quarterback’s never-ending contract negotiation, it’s worth revisiting what Prescott and Jones said, the manner in which they made those remarks and whether fans should put a great deal of stock in either answer.
2. Beef squashed? Hard to tell...
An offseason tiff between pass rusher Micah Parsons and safety Malik Hooker was thought to be over now that camp has started.
However, after speaking to both players and coach Mike McCarthy over the last two days, there seems to be confusion about whether the “misunderstanding” is behind them or not.
“No misunderstanding,” Parsons said. “It’s plain as day what it was. It is what it is. Everything was said, and I just want to move on and get ready to the season.”
3. Longtime Cowboy is missed
It’s the first time in 14 seasons that the Dallas Cowboys are in Oxnard without longtime anchor on the offensive line, Tyron Smith.
“It’s a happy and sad day, for sure,’’ Parsons said. “You don’t have to deal with Tyron’s grip-of-death hands, knowing you don’t ever have to worry about a man gripping you up to the point where you want to scream. It’s a happy moment.
“But obviously, I was blessed with three great years of how much better he made me, how much I learned from him. The knowledge he had, it will be irreplaceable.”
Zack Martin hasn’t been around that long. He joined the team three years after Smith’s arrival. But Parsons said you can see it in Martin’s face how much he misses Smith.
“I told someone the other day, (Thursday) was my first day walking out to practice without No. 77 next to me, so it’s definitely weird,’’ Martin said. “But you know, we’ve got a lot of good young guys in our room that are hungry to get out there and get after it.’’
![Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gives a fist bump to rookie center Cooper Beebe (56) as he...](https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CR5X76EQS5DHLACN3MWBX66O4M.jpg?auth=7789203a3f60e6f09a5e66aaa4be88ff2f25eb5e1f46dce971f37c29278f47ef&height=934&quality=80)
Full coverage from Day 2
— When Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones trade soft punches, bet on the Cowboys’ QB
— Beef squashed? For Micah Parsons, Malik Hooker, offseason tiff’s not totally in the past
— Absence of longtime Cowboys LT Tyron Smith felt by team’s stars at training camp
— After hinting at retirement, Zack Martin ‘sets the record straight’ at Cowboys’ camp
— Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy discusses ‘ambiguity’ of entering camp on final year of deal
— Cowboys camp observations: Dak Prescott picked off twice; Ezekiel Elliott in RB drills
— Packers QB Jordan Love agrees to 4-year extension worth $220 million, AP source says
— Dak Prescott urges upset Cowboys fans to ‘turn the page’ from playoff loss to Packers
Reporting from staff writers Calvin Watkins and David Moore was used in this post.