Three early impressions from Cowboys OTAs

The Cowboys kicked off OTAs Tuesday morning and we already need a moment to catch our breaths.

Zack Martin

While the news of Terrance Williams‘ arrest still marinates, it’s been revealed that Zack Martin is holding out from OTAs until he and the team reach a contract agreement, aka “the business side,” as Jason Garrett would say. The two-time All-Pro is considered to be the best offensive lineman in the league and now he needs to get paid like one. The Cowboys would be crazy to mess this one up, but the fact that Martin was given Jason Witten’s old locker at The Star is a sign of good faith that the Cowboys will pay that man.

Not super worried that the relationship between Zack Martin and the Cowboys is strained in any way, given that they have moved Zack into Jason Witten’s old locker. #cowboyswire

— David Helman (@HelmanDC) May 23, 2018

Michael Gallup

There is still much to be learned about Terrance Williams’ developing case (and injury timeline,) but his absence from drills has opened up the ideal opportunity for Michael Gallup to leave a serious impression on this team, both on and off the field to prove himself as “the right kind of guy.” Gallup reportedly caught an impressive touchdown from rookie QB Mike White Wednesday afternoon and he’ll have the chance to catch more this season if he continues to put up a fight for playing time. Gallup has the advantage of great timing and mobility, two key skills that Dak Prescott needs in his receivers.

One of the best plays of the day in Cowboys OTAs Day 2 on Wednesday was when rookie QB Mike White thew a perfect over-the-shoulder pass to rookie WR Michael Gallup who made a running catch down the right sideline for a TD.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 23, 2018

“Dak-friendly.”

Does anybody actually know what this means? We’ve been hearing the same narrative for years about catering to Prescott as the center of this offense, but to suggest this team will become even more dak-friendly is flat out confusing. Dez Bryant could not solidify a relationship with Prescott, which contributed to the decline in the passing game, but now he’s gone and the team needs receivers who can accommodate to Prescott’s strengths. Really this has been the issue all along. According to Todd Archer of ESPN, becoming more dak-friendly means incorporating more run-pass options, which makes sense considering Prescott scored six touchdowns in each of his previous seasons.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a big difference,” Prescott said. “Every time you go into the offseason there’s new adds and there’s new things you’re going to do and there’s going to be changes. Basically, the scheme things we’re doing is not much different for the most part.”

Additionally, it’s important to see who the Cowboys are developing at tightened. Geoff Swaim is likely be the first team TE, but there is still Rico Gathers who fans are hoping steps up this year.

Wednesday is the first of three practice days open to media and rest assured there is still much ground to be covered regarding the 2018 Dallas Cowboys roster.